Cost of Taste | ✓

Kabanata 39

Kabanata 39

The thing about moving on, it is easy to assume that things would fall into places when you accept that everything happens for a reason. You hurt, for a reason. You suffer, for a reason. You move forward, for a reason.

I don't even know what reason I should believe in. Bakit nga ba ako nasasaktan nang ganito? If things really do happen for a reason, for what reason should I feel so empty and low right now?

I didn't hesitate to pay them a visit. Kababalik ko pa lamang pero nanaig ang kagustuhan ko na makita sila.

I used the keycard to his office. Nakatulala si Paulene, she look quiet dazed. Parang malalim ang iniisip. On the other part, Etienne was on his chair while typing whatever code in his computer.

My brows furrowed. Is that even a computer? Ang laki ng monitor niya e. It can already be a flat screen TV.

"Arrisea!" Paulene exclaimed excitedly. Medyo umaliwas ang mukha niya nang makita niya ako.

Lumapit ako sa kanya para bigyan siya ng isang yakap. She return the hug earnestly. Sobrang higpit pa nga ng kanyang yakap, para bang ayaw niya akong pakawalan. I let out a chuckle when we decided to let go of each other.

"It's been what? A year?"

Tumango naman ako kay Paulene at sinagot ang kanyang tanong.

"Yeah, the province was great."

Pampanga was great. Nanirahan ako roon para iwan ang mga isyu na kumakalat sa akin sa Maynila. I had to step down from the spotlight since speculations from the press can ruin Adren's reputation and also I really wanted to unwind from everything.

I wanted to regained my strength back.

Umupo ako sa visitor's area ng office niya. Etienne was too busy to notice me or he already probably know I'm here but he couldn't careless. Katulad ni Paulene, mukhang may malalim din siyang problema.

Mukhang kailangan din nilang pumunta sa probinsya para magkaroon ng oras ng pagmumuni-muni.

I decided to pick a magazine to entertain myself. Hihintayin ko na lang na sila na mismo ang magsalita. Paulene was continously cleaning Etienne's table. It was rare for her to do that since she's not in charge of utility.

Bumalik ang tingin ko sa magazine na binabasa ko. This feels like deja vú, I kind of did this before too.

Etienne stopped typing on his computer. Umangat ang tingin niya saakin habang pilit kong kinukuha ang atensyon niya. I pursed my lips and decided not to talk, patuloy lang ako sa pagtingin sa magazine na binabasa ko ngayon.

"Solstice gave up the company?" paguulit ko sa nabasa ko sa front page.

Nanglaki ang mga mata ko nang mabasa ang headline. Reverio Heiress got decrowned?

I mean, Adren is the rightful heir. Pero ayon sa mga kwento ni Paulene at ilang iniwan na pahayag ni Etienne kay Solstice, she's very persistent when it comes to the company. Buong buhay niya 'yata ay doon lang umikot ang mundo niya.

"Uh huh, Adren's the only one handling it. Wala na siyang kaagaw..." Etienne looks uneasy.

Tumikhim si Paulene at bahagyang tumaas-baba ang mga kilay. She knows something because she looked at Etienne teasingly.

"Ayieee! May umaasa na," Paulene chortled. "Go Boss!"

Etienne immediately glared at her. Pero wala itong masabi. Baka nga totoo, umaasa nga ito kay Solstice.

"Gio is coming back this year, right? He's inviting us to get some drinks," I informed Etienne, remembering the text Gio sent me a day ago.

I'm not sure what happened with his mind that he suddenly wants to go back. I heard he is doing well overseas, so the sudden announcement is actually quite surprising.