Chapter 9: Work In Palawan 2

"This is Paradise Hotel, and we're staying there for months." Miss Michelle said as she walks me around. 

"Aunt Helen managed this before ... before the chairman got sick. So when the chairman got sick and couldn't walk, she decided to hand over the management to me." She told a story. 

"At first, I was like; seriously? I am managing this whole island? God! I'm a model not a business woman!" She said laughing as she rolled her eyes. 

"Y-you're a model?" I can't believe that she's a model. Not that I doubt her ... of course she's beautiful. She's more than just a model! 

"Yeah. But that was just before ... during my teenage. When I turned twenty, there that Aunt Helen started training me in business management." She smiled again. I smiled back. She continued sharing her experience in managing this island while I just continued to listen. 

"This will be our room." She put a card on the door and it immediately opened. 

"I used to stay there," she smiled and handed me a card. "—this is your keycard." 

"By the way, is it okay for you to have us in the same room? You have two beds if you're not comfortable with—" 

"Sure, I'm fine." I immediately cut off from what else she would say. She thinks maybe I don't want her in a room. She's nice, so, why not? 

"Thank you." When we entered the hotel room here on the 12th floor she immediately sat on the bed. 

"Gosh! I'm so tired and sleepy!" She fell to lie there while yawning. I just watched her. She closed her eyes then she took a deep breath. I smiled at what she did. She's fun to be with, honestly. 

I rolled my gaze across the room. This room is as big as the apartment I rent in Manila. It has very little use inside. As she said earlier, there are two beds. One medium size and one king-size bed.

Miss Michelle is now lying in the king-size bed , she still closed her eyes as if she's very tired and needed to rest. 

"Sydney?" She suddenly got up and with a smile, she called me. 

"Y-yes?" 

"Uhm... you know what? I really like you. I want you to be my close friend. I mean, you know that? I really want you to be my friend—that friend who can tell secrets, ' you can talk with when there are happenings in your life or your life... " 

"—those who can be trusted and those who can go shopping with you, you know those people? You know ... I don't have any friends, I mean those close friends? I'm not a bad friend, am I? Because since I was young, I've focused on working. In short, I was very busy. That's why when I saw you... even six years ago, I wanted you to be my friend." 

She said at length and I was stunned. Is she serious? Based on her words, she looks serious. But why me? 

"W-why me?" I asked her. 

"Why not? I know it and I feel it ... you're a good person, Sydney." 

"I don't know what to say or feel." I confess. 

"It's okay. But I'm serious about what I said Sydney. I hope you give me a chance to be your friend? I know how bad I was in our past. Imagine, I stole your boyfriend from you. I'm sorry..." I was shocked by the sudden shedding of her tears. 

"—I didn't mean to hurt you six years ago. I'm sorry Sydney...I'm really sorry." I went to her and hugged her. I comforted her back so that she could settle down from crying. 

"It's okay. I've forgotten that for a long time." I said. She suddenly let go of my hug with her and she looked seriously into my eyes. 

"I am really forgiven?" She confirms. I nodded. 

"Thank you! Thank you, Sydney! Did I mention, you're really kind?" She hugged me again. I just smiled.

After Michelle and I talked, I arranged my belongings. We also agreed that we would only sleep in the king-size bed tonight. 

Now we are walking to the seaside where Andrew and architect Robles are waiting for us for lunch. A large table is set on the beach and it is full of various foods. 

I was immediately stunned when I saw the huge crabs and shrimp. Almost all seafoods dishes are ready. I suddenly remembered Sunny, she's allergic to seafoods so even though I really like seafoods, I can't enjoy it either ... because my daughter is not allowed to. 

I remember, after lunch I would call Grace to say hello to Sunny. 

I also caught Andrew facing the vast ocean. He was just quiet and the view was far away. It was like the depth of his thinking. 

"Hi Sydney." I was immediately greeted by architect Robles. I smiled at him and greeted him back. 

"Hi." I sparingly greet him. 

"Is this your favorite?" Miss Michelle and I looked at each other because of his question. 

"Ah—" 

"...Andrew said." Architect Robles laughed after he mentioned Andrew. So, Andrew told him that seafoods was my favorite? 

I smiled shyly and nodded. I felt Andrew's gaze shift to me from afar. 

"Let's eat. I still have a meeting." Andrew said coldly. I smiled at him but he immediately averted his gaze. What is his problem? 

I sat next to architect Robles and miss Michelle was next to Andrew. The two of them were just quiet. I looked up when Andrew grabbed a big crab. 

"You're allergic with seafoods. Don't eat that." Miss Michelle was annoyed when she said that, so he stopped taking it. Wait, what? He's allergic with seafoods? 

It turns out that Sunny got his allergic. I was just shaken. 

"For you Sydney." Smiling, architect Robles placed the peeled large shrimp on my plate. Both Miss Michelle and Andrew were stunned by what he had done. 

When I moved in with them I think miss Michelle immediately smiled at me. She's really trying to be friends with me. That would have been okay with me, but because the Boss and the employee can't be friends. As Andrew immediately averted his gaze. It seems that he's avoiding me. 

"Thank you." I smiled to architect Robles and thanked him for what he did. 

"You're always welcome." He said smiling. 

"By the way Sydney, how old are you?" I was surprised when he suddenly asked me a question. Once again I felt two eyes looking at me. 

"I'm twenty-two." I answered. 

"Really? You're too young. I'm twenty-four..." Miss Michelle smiled. 

"You're the oldest of us Drew..." Architect Robles teased Andrew. 

"...I'm twenty-six." He said, I just nodded. 

Seriously? Does age really need to be asked? What for? What's the connection? 

Gabriel Robles is really funny! 

"Hey asshole! I am only ten months older than you!" I almost laughed when Andrew replied. He glared at architect Robles as he said that. 

"Stop it you both! Shame on both of you, Sydney's here!" Miss Michelle laughed at them as well. 

"Why? You're already twenty-seven..." he added, which made Andrew even more annoyed. 

I enjoyed eating even though engineer Claveria and architect Robles seemed to be dating. They are like children who no one wants to lose.

After we ate I immediately went back to the hotel. I left my phone in the room so I have to get it back. Meanwhile, miss Michelle left on the beach. She said she would just get some fresh air. She said her head hurt because of stopping from the two. 

Andrew, on the other hand, went straight to his office here on the Island to meet his former client abroad. 

According to miss Michelle. After the renovation of the resort, Andrew and architect Robles will fly abroad immediately. This is really the only thing they went to. 

"Hello baby, I miss you!" I immediately opened up to Sunny who was staring at her sister Grace's cellphone. She has almost only one eye because from what I see in the video, she is probably still new to the video call. 

"Hello momma! How are you there?" She asked sweetly. I suddenly felt sad because of her question. 

"Momma's fine ... but sad because I'll miss you right away." I said sadly. 

"Don't be sad momma, I'm just here. By the way momma, I got three stars again!" She was happy to announce as she showed me her hand. 

"Wow, my baby is really great! Don't worry, when momma comes home, she'll give you lots and lots of presents!" I said tearfully. 

"Even if you don't, momma, as long as you can go home safe." She smiled. My tears kept shaking. 

"Momma stop crying. I'm not there yet to wipe your tears." I just nodded. I could no longer speak because I was crying. 

"I love you so much baby. Bye." 

"Bye momma. I love you even more!" After the call ended I hug and kissed my phone. Imagining that Sunny was there—that she can feel my hug and kisses.