CHAPTER 3

Chantel’s Point of View

I woke up four in the morning and is now riding a bus to the city. Zinnia didn’t woke up when mom tried to wake her up that’s why I ended here, alone in the bus.

It’s nice to ride a bus when you’re sitting beside the window and it’s open. Feeling the fresh air, watching simple house, fresh flowers I passed by.

I let myself sleep and only woke up when the bus has to stop. Vendors were selling different kind of foods in this bus terminal. I stared at the seat in front of me. I’m feeling myself. Yes. Am I hungry? No? No.

I looked down outside the window and saw a male vendor watching me, “Snacks po?”

With hesitation, I shook my head. I’m saying no.

After a minute, the bus is on his way again to the city. I sat properly at my sit, and then again, I fell asleep.

I woke up when I felt the heat on my body and I’m starting to sweat. I opened my eyes and the moment I opened them, I saw no one passengers and my eyes landed on the guy who keeps on looking at me, the bus barker I guess based on what he wears.

“Andito na tayo, ma’am.” [trans: We’re here, ma’am.]

“Thank you, po.”

I shyly stand up and gets out of the bus.

But the moment I got out of the bus I want to throw up. It’s because of the smell of the smoke here. Different kinds of smell of smokes mixes together and it makes me want to throw up.

I covered my nose with my handkerchief and gets out of this terminal and took a taxi to go to our office.

I took my ID inside my bag and showed it to the guard so he can let me in the office. I immediately go in my office and put my bag down on the sofa.

I was in the middle of resting with my eyes closed and my feet up on top of the sofa in front of me when someone entered my office.

“So, I guess, welcome back?”

With laziness in my body, I sat properly before opening my eyes and asked him to sit down in front of me, “Hey, good morning.”

“You’re a bit early.”

“Yeah, took off the bus early too and no traffic, so.”

“I really admire your works, do you know that?”

“You mean my designs?”

“Yup. They’re neat and can make your client satisfied.”

“Should I say thank you?”

“No. Hahahaha.”

“Thank you. I take that as a compliment so I’m saying thank you.”

“We’re friends, right?”

“Yup, boss.”

“Yet you’re calling me boss.”

“Yeah, whatever, so, what are you doing here?”

“I came here to give this to you.” He gave me the folder I didn’t know that he was ctually holding. I took it, and didn’t

open it, “You can read it later.”

I nod, “Thank you. Is that it or there’s more?”

“You deserve that, I think, so, I gave it to you and also I know your goal, that’s why.”

“It’s a bit intriguing. What is this?”

“See for yourself. Alrght.” He stood up, “I’ll go back to my office.”

I smiled and nodded and so he walks away. I stood up and sat at my table’s chair and put the folder beside my flower. I opened my laptop and saw an email. It’s from my boss. I opened it to read.

But… the moment I read it, I questioned myself. “What does he mean that I should stop accepting clients and should ready myself to leave?” I looked at the folder, “Is this a resignation paper and the last pay? Does he need me to sign it? What? I don’t get it. What did I do? If he wants me to leave.. he should’ve fire me instead.”

I shook my head with the thoughts in my head. The thoughts makes me massaged my head. I took the folder and stood up to go to his office. I furiously walked in his office, because why not. I didn’t bother to knock instead I opened the door and saw him sitting on his swivel chair while playing the pen on his hand.

I raised my eyebrow and handed him the folder while I’m still at the door, he looked at me confused, “Okay, I’ll get to my point why I’m here.” I finally entered his office and closed the door and stayed where I closed the door. I breathed.

“If you want me to leave, you could’ve just fire me instead of giving me this folder full of whatever paper is this. Resignation paper that you want me to sign? My last pay check? Whatever.” I come close to his table and put the folder on his table gently, “I’m saying is, I won’t sign this. I would like you to fire me instead if you want me to leave. Alright?”

I smiled at him, him with the face of confused and his eyebrows too close t meet each other, “I’ll go back to my office.” And just by that I turn my back on him and started walking towards the door. I was holding the door lever when he talked.

“What are you saying?”

I faced him with smile on my lips, “I already said it.”

“You didn’t read this yet?”

I closed my lips and slowly shook my head, “Uh, not yet.”

“Come here and get this. And read it.”

With hesitation, I came close to him to get the folder. But he didn’t let go of it, so I looked at him, and saw his eyes glaring at me. I raised my eyebrows at him.

So what? We’re friends.

He then let go of the folder.

I got out of his office and I opened the folder and…. Wait. Wait. Wait. Maybe I read it wrong.

Dear, Marigold Chantel Lopez

I’m inviting you to go to France tomorrow to…..

I smiled big and closed the folder before covering my own ears and screamed the hell out of me.

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! Gabriel Francisco!!!” I shouted and turn my face to his office’s door and opened it. I entered my head but my body is outside of this office, “You’re the best boss I’ve ever had!!!” I said and he got his face weird. I closed the door and turn my back.

I’m ready.

I dialed my mama’s number and it took 3 missed call before she answered it.

“Maaaaa!!!!”

“Why? Is there something wrong?”

“None, mama. I’m just asking, are you on your way here?”

“Hmm. We’re almost there.”

“Alright. See you, mama!”

“Anyway, we’ll go to your office first.”

“Why, ma? I texted you the address of my condo unit, why not go there?”

“Ah. Fine.”

“Alright. Take care!”

And just that, I ended the call. I danced and danced while going to my office. Not giving any attention to the other office and regular employee looking at me.

I spend the day in my office, declining every clients who wants me happily. Sorry not sorry but hehehe, even though I want to accept it, I can’t because I’m going to France tomorrow, instead, I’ll inform them that I’m available when I’m back in the Philippines.

Who knows that this chance will be given to me. It’s a freaking big chance and opportunity. Imagine, your work is to design their interior, I haven’t saw the location though but woooooh it makes me want to dance. My client will pay for my travel to go for them. This is so kinda heaveeeen.

After declining my other clients, I reached out my client thru wechat in France that I’m the person who Gabriel Francisco admired because my work is good and such and whatever and that I’ll wait for their reply about my travel to France.

After sending it, I sighed and smiled and giggled.

This is it. Although it’s about work, I’m still going to France, tomorrow.

I declined the last client and turned the laptop off, I cleaned my office and rested for a minute before noticing the time.

It’s 3PM.

It’s 3PM and I got nothing to do anymore.

I scrolled to my phone and texted my mom, asking if they’re at the condo already.

Someone knocked at my door and entered. I was just looking at the guy entered my room with the bouquet of flowers. I raise my eyebrow because the flowers was the signature design of my mother. Well, she’s just the person I know who always put the only one rose in the middle and surrounded by the colorful roses and other flowers.

It’s also possible that it came from our garden. Hmm.

“What’s that?”

“Obviously, it’s flowers.”

“From my mother?”

“Nope, it said that it came from your client in France and ordered it from your mother.”

Gabriel came close to me and gave me the flowers.

“They’re sweet.” And smelled the flowers. It smells fresh.

“So mother dropped it here?”

“No, it’s delivered by you mother’s delivery car, I think.”

“Whatever, get out of my office already.”

“Wow. As if it’s yours.”

“It’s mine.”

“It’s not your money.”

“It’s yours?”

“Yes.”

“It’s your mother’s, fraud.”

“I’m not fraud.” He then he furrows his eyebrows.

“Look at that short –tempered man.”

“I’m not.”

“You haven’t noticed that when you’re annoyed you furrowed?”

“I didn’t notice at all.” He said then his eyebrows were in their normal place again.

“It’s a disease. You can go to the hospital yourself.”

“It’s not.”

“Okaaay, I won’t annoy you anymore. You might get this file back away from me. Whatever.” I said while waving the folder.

He sat in the sofa in front of me and, “I ordered a pizza. A small celebration.”

“Not in my office. I just cleaned it.”

“In my office then. Bye.” He said and walked away.

Reason why he has no partner in life. He’s easily annoyed and kind of perfectionist and when you don’t agree to what he said, he’ll go furious but he can’t do that to me that’s why I have my own office. I’m the highest paid both interior designer and in the same time decorator in this institute owned by the Francisco’s. I don’t even know how did I got this job, I just entered this interior design firm and ended having two jobs because I have an office on my own. Gabriel sucks. But I love my work so it’s okay and it’s a big chance to have so why not grab it.

When the pizza arrived, Gabriel called me on my phone telling me to go to his office already, and so I will. I grabbed my sling bag and the file Gabriel gave to me and left my office clean with off lights and locked and went to his office.

After locking my office, I noticed, no one was outside my office. No one was sitting on the table planning and whatever. I looked at his office and saw everyone in there. His office was made by glass wall with a classic wood for a frame and a glass door with door lever for a door knob.

I opened his office and I first saw the pizza. It almost on the hip level of a person, and saw everyone looking at me a bling in their eyes and a beautiful smile and so I smiled at them too.

“What’s the meaning of this?” I asked, finally entering the office.

“Little celebration, I said,” that’s Gabriel and the next thing I know, everyone is teasing us.

I walked towards his table and put my sling bag here before I come close to him and give him a tight hug and whispers at

him.

“Thank you for this.” And then I broke the hug and faced everyone, “Thank you, everyone. I didn’t expect because I’m

expecting a small celebration. Hahaha.”

“What do you think is this? A big celebration? A pizza and drinks, really? It’s like a snack.”

“Oh shut up, Paul.” I said. He’s my friend, and I’m used to him like that.

And just then on, we started eating with a mild drink. I sat on Gabriel’s swivel chair while eating and looking at him taking a look to a paper his employees showing him. I smiled because I noticed that he’s kind of annoyed doing what he’s doing but he got no choice because it’s her work hahahaha.

We spent the rest of the time, talking and ended at 5PM. I ordered food online to bring it on my condo and texted my other not to cook anything because I’ll be going home any minute now.

“So, I guess good luck?”

“Yeah. Thank you.” I said.

He sat down beside me put his hand on my shoulder, so I leaned on his shoulder and he put his chin on my head.

“See you when I see you again.”

“It’s not like I’m staying there.”

“Not seeing you makes my day hell.”

“We’re not a couple, what the heck are you saying hahaha.”

“I live because of you. No one saved me like how you saved me.”

“Whatever. I might have a boyfriend there so you stop doing this. This is the last.”

“Miss Lopez, your order is here. Waiting outside,” we both looked at the door where the sound came from and saw the

guard, half bodied entered the office.

I smiled at the guard and said, “I’ll be there.” And just that, he nodded before he left.

I stood up and so Gabriel did. I come towards his table and grabbed my bag together with the file.

“I’ll go.” I said, and smiled.

“Yeah. See you when I see you and take care and call me when you get there.”

“Yes, sir!” I said with a salute.

“Hmm. What if I’ll pick you up tomorrow? Text me the time.”

“I don’t know yet what time. I’ll text you later.” I said and started walking towards the door. He even accompanied me

until we get outside while him, acting like a father saying I should text him from time to time.

“Fine. Whatever. Stop acting like you’re my dad hahaha you’re a baby.”

“Tss.”

I rolled my eyes at him and looked at the delivery boy waiting for me, “Is this it?” I asked.

The delivery boy nodded and gave me my order. I let Gabriel hold it for me for a sec and grabbed a money to pay, “Here, you can keep the change for your tip. Thank you.” I said and smiled.

“Thank you, ma’am.” He then left.

Gabriel gave me the plastic bags full of food, “I’ll give you a ride.”

“Nah, I’ll call a cab. You can go back inside.”

“No, I insist.”

“You have a office to close so don’t mind me. You can pick me up tomorrow at my condo and go to airport but I won’t let

you give me a ride so stop and go back inside.”

“You have so may words to say. Whatever. Call a cab and I’ll go back inside after.”

Again, I rolled my eyes and called a cab. And here we are again.

“No, please, stop. Whatever. I know how to live alone.” I said. I’m starting to get irritated.

“You’re annoyed?”

“No. Irritated.”

“There. That’s your cab.” He said while pointing at the cab I called coming close towards us.

“I’ll go,”

“Alright. Take care.”

I nodded and left him. When I got inside of the cab I sighed and smiled. I’ll miss Gabriel, yes. I won’t deny it, he’s been

my friend for almost 4 years and we still bond like how we bond 4 years ago.

It must be heaven for everyone to have a friend like this. Like there’s someone you can lean on and who cares for you and whatever knowing that not all friends are like that.

15 minutes had passed and I’m now at my condo building’s elevator. My condo is in 6th floor. Minute of waiting to go to 6th floor, I’m now here. I grabbed my card to enter and I saw Rose playing all my stuffs and Zinnia with mother is using my tablet.

“Uh, hello?”

“Hi, ate!” that’s both Zinnia and Rose running to me the moment they saw me. [trans: At-e, means older sister in Filipino.]

They both hugged me and took the plastic bags from me, “Hi, ma.” I said.

“Hmm. I didn’t cooked anything because there’s nothing to cook in your fridge or in your cup board, even cup noodles.”

“Hahaha. Nah, don’t worry. I bought a food.” I said and started taking off the shoes.

“What’s that?” I looked at her in the eyes and noticed that she’s looking at the folder I’m holding.

Before answering her, I took off my shoes and placed it on the side of the door and gave her the folder, “See for yourself.” I sad and left her.

I came close towards Zinnia and Rose eating the fried chicken I ordered, “Hey, wait for mama.” I told them, but they pouted and continues to eat the chicken.

I took a water at the fridge and fill my glass and, “AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! Omg!”

I drank the water and faced my mother and nodded, “Yes, mama.”

“Is this really true? Is this really happening tomorrow? Seriously?”

“What, ma?” Zinnia asked.

Mama faced her and, “Your ate will be going to France tomorrow. It’s her dream!”

“It’s work, ma.” I told her and checked my phone to see the message of my client in France.

“Yeah, I know, but the thing is you’re going to France! OMG, I’ll call your father and that he should spend the night here

and not to their office and we’ll bond and omg, anak, I can’t believe it.”

“Hmm. My flight will be 8AM.”

“Too early.” – mama.

“Don’t leave us, ate.” – Rose

“I’m not leaving, Rose. Hahaha it’s work, okay? Ate will work in the France.” I said to her while caressing her hair and she continued eating her chicken.

“Congrats, ate.”

“Thank you, Zinnia.” And she hugged me.

I caressed her hair, “Thank you.”

She then broke the hug and eats the chicken. This two really.

My last night in Philippines before going to France was spent with my family. Papa came and he brought a food. I also texted Gabriel my flight time. I can feel that my family is happy for me that I can finally go to France. I’m so happy, too, that I can go to France without a single penny to pay.