20

I pick my phone up. It was an unknown number.

/"Hello? Who is this and how may I help you?"/ I say in a calm voice.

There was a moment of silence. I took a second glance at my phone to see if the call was dropped but it was not. After a few minutes, I heard a voice.

"Sorry, were you doing something?" he says in a baritone voice. "This is /Mr. Villa/ by the way."

I scoff in amusement. "Yes, I can tell. What makes you call me at this hour, Mr. Villa?" It was past office hours and it was unusual, especially coming from him, that someone would call me at this hour.

"Oh, nothing. Just wanted to check up on the author I'm going to work with for the next few months." He pauses. "So, what are you up to?"

With that, I raised my brow as if he was going to see it. I sigh softly. "Mr. Villa, I do not think that we're close enough nor is it part of our agreement to /check up/ on each other any time of the day. Especially when it's this late."

"Psh. I mean, who cares about the agreement. And for your information, we'll be close enough to check up on each other even though it's this late."

"Well, I'm sorry, Mr. Villa but I do care about the agreement and my precious time." I chuckle. "And to be honest, I didn't peg you to be the clingy type."

I hear him gasp on the other line. "Damn. I guess you're the assuming type, huh."

He scoffs sarcastically. "And I'm sorry to burst your bubble but I am calling you because of business purposes. We need to have a meeting tomorrow afternoon. I'll just text you the details and place. Hmp." He

then ends the call.

I chuckled when I placed my phone beside me. "Yeah. What a weird gal." Shaking my head, I placed my phone on the bed side table since I didn't really need to use it. I continued on writing until midnight before I finally had an urge to sleep.

I walked down to the kitchen, wanting to drink water, when my phone beeped. "Again? And this late at night?" I sigh, though there was a part of me smiling about it.

It was Mister Villa. He did indeed text me the details of where we would meet and the time. It was in a cafe near the building at 3 pm. I guess he already asked my secretary about my schedule, huh. I sent him a reply, placed my phone down on the counter and drank water. I almost wanted to make myself a cup of coffee but I figured that I needed to sleep even if it's only a few hours.

To be honest, I cannot really recall how I ended up on the bed, sleeping so soundly. When I woke up it was already time for me to visit the family business. It seemed like sleeping late was normal for me, so I didn't have any problems waking up early. It was basically a routine.

I got ready, wore an oversized button up polo paired with a plaid skirt, tucked it and simple sneakers since I was kind of sick of having to wear something formal everyday. Besides, I look nice when I dress up once in a while. I guess that's what I think.

"Good morning," I greet people I pass by, bowing a little slightly to them.

They greet me back, as well, although kinda hesitant to do so. My parents never really thought that they needed to greet their employees, but then again I am not them. I am my own person, and I am courteous.

As usual, I first handled the paperwork since it wasn't piled up. I easily got it done, then proceeded to go to every management. A lot of things are in my mind right now and working was a great way to take my mind off things.

"Surprise," I announced when I opened the door. I was now in the third department, the one that handles the brainstorming to create a new product and if the product is capable of gaining attention and attracting customers.

"Ma'am." They all stood up. "You're here." Shock was evident in some of their faces while the others looked like they were expecting for me to be here.

"As you can see, yes. I'm just here to check up on all of you." I started walking towards every team the room had.

It took a while since this is the most meticulous department the team has, excluding the packaging department. And this requires a lot of discussion since the opinion of everyone matters. It shouldn't just be my own opinion, I want to know what they think of it since I know they're also customers. They know much more than I do.

"For this one, I actually like the design. It'll be practical. But the problem is, the cost will be a bit high since the materials are costly, too. What do you think?"

"I think this will be understandable. That's what I think of it, but we can adjust some materials so the price of it will not be that high." Ken, one of the team captains suggested.

We discussed more about it until we decided about the final materials to be used and its cost. Not only did team captains suggest and give their opinions but also the team members. We want to decide on this equally, without making anyone feel like an outcast.

It was almost lunch time when my work here finished. Thankfully, I did not bump into my mother today. I do not know any of her endeavors, so I'm not really sure where she is.

I was taken aback when I saw a familiar face when I was walking out of the building.

"Mina!" Her familiar car was in front of the building. She opened her window and brought down her sunglasses on the bridge of her nose. "What time you going to Sunrise?" She's pertaining to the publishing

company.

"I'm on my way. Why are you even here?" I raise my brow.

"Just figured you'd be here. Mr. Villa has been calling me non stop about your whereabouts." She gives me a meaningful look which I quickly dismiss.

"It's really not what you think it is. He just called me last night. We're supposed to meet at 3 to talk about the book." My eyes widened.

"Sure, sure. If that's what you say." She smirks. And it annoys me because we really don't have something going on! Besides, I wouldn't dare to get too close to him given our past.

"Whatever. I'll come right after you." I shoo her away because god knows what I'd do if I see her smirking and mocking face longer. It was like she was implying that I'm starting to like the guy or I don't know. No one really knows what goes inside her head.

Like what I said to Mina, I went to the underground parking lot so I can go to Sunrise's building. Just like what Mina also said, there was Theo, sitting on the couch, patiently waiting for me. Was it me he was waiting for though? He was focused on his phone, brows furrowed like something had confused him.

I clear my throat. That's when he took his eyes off his phone. For a moment he looked puzzled like he didn't believe that I was there.

"Haz— I mean, Gem."

My body froze for a second. I know what he was going to say, what name he was supposed to call me. "Mr. Villa. What brings you here? I thought we were supposed to meet later?"

He clears his throat. "Uhm.. Yeah. But I figured I can stop by. Where were you coming from?"

"Other work." I walked towards the single chair in front of the couch he was sitting on.

"Another work?" His eyes widened. "Don't you get tired?"

I chuckle softly. "Don't act like you don't know what that other work is. I still work for my mother when she needs me. Besides, she's not always there to check up on this branch."

He nods slowly, processing the information I just told him. "That's great. How about Daniel?"

"He's the second owner of Sunrise. I thought you knew?"

We were comfortable sitting down in front of each other and he gasped. "What?! I mean, I thought he was just working for you and was friends with Christian?"

"Well, it's true that they're friends. He just hid that he had a company of his own, worked under my mom for experience. He wasn't the type to stay put, you know."

I reminisce about the times when I found out about Christian and Daniel's friendship and this publishing company. I was ecstatic at that time, when I found out that I had a chance in making my dream come true. When someone told me that I had a talent for something I love doing.

"Wow, wait, I just can't process this. And I was acting all cool with him." He acted as if he was crying from embarrassment.

"It's okay. He likes it when people don't act indifferent when they know what position he holds." I shrug, taking my phone out when I felt it vibrate. It was Daniel. He texted me to come out of the room I am in for a second.

My forehead creased. He knows I'm here but doesn't want to come inside the room?

"Excuse me, Mr. Villa. Daniel's summoning me." I smile at him before exiting the room. When I went outside, I was startled by a body that I'd bumped to.

"Sorry!" When I realized who it was, my expression changed. "Daniel, what are you doing there? You could've come inside."

He signals for me to stay quiet. "Shh, I'm spying. What were you two taking about?" He squinted his eyes, trying to take out a controversial answer from me.

"Just stuff, Daniel. Nothing much. I don't really like to talk too deeply with people I am not well acquainted with. You know that." I shake my head. "So, why did you want to see me? It's supposed to be my day off."

He rolls his eyes. How sassy of him. "Nothing! I just thought you'd catch up with him. I know how much you've changed ever since he left. I know he did damage to you, but Gem, I know you're not the type to plant hatred in your heart. Maybe ask for an explanation? Or just talk to him. Don't push him away."

I stood there silently, trying to make up a coherent answer. "I'm… I'm not pushing him away, Dan. I'm putting a distance between us because I don't want to feel the same pain I did back then. Once was enough. And maybe I will ask for an explanation from him as to how he left me behind without even looking back. But not now, this time's not right."

He sighs in defeat, rubbing the back of his head. "Alright, I trust you. Do not ever forget that we are here to listen to everything you want to say, to rant about, and your problems. Now, go. I know you have a meeting with him so go and take him outside. You have nothing to do here." He smiles at me warmly, like how he does when he wants to comfort me.

I end up going to the cafe where we're supposed to meet. We went to the cafe together and surprisingly, it didn't feel awkward like how we were the first time we met after a few years.

"About the book, how about we make the cover something lively? Colorful?" We were sitting down on the couch facing each other.

I tilt my head, thinking. "Hmm… How about an Earth toned color? I'm not really the type to use a lot of colors on my book cover. The text should be something minimal."

He does something on his laptop as I tell him what I want the cover to look like. He shifts his laptop to face me. "How about this?"

I nod slowly. I still wasn't sure about it but a part of the cover caught my attention when I looked at it. Maybe this'll work for the time being. "It's okay. Okay for now, but if I ever change my mind about how I want it to look, can I tell you about it?"

He pauses, like he has heard something he cannot fathom. "Uhm… yeah, sure. I can always edit it out for you."

I flashed him a genuine smile and took a sip of my frappe. "Congrats." I say out of the blue.

He looks at me, totally confused about what I mean. "Huh?"

I chuckle. "I mean, I'm congratulating you because you achieved your dream. Of having a publishing company, taking care of the books, supporting the authors."

He nods slowly, a small smile forming on his lips. "I can't believe it myself, really. Sometimes I wake up forgetting that I'm now living my dream. But I wouldn't achieve it without the hardships I went through. You, as well. You're now an author and years ago, it was just a dream for you. I'm proud of you, too." My heart warmed at that. He smiled at me with utmost sincerity.

I nod. "We wouldn't be who we are now if it weren't for the problems we had to go through. Although I did not fully reach my dream yet, I'm still proud of myself because I did not listen to my mother when she told me to stop writing." I smile with pain as I remember the old days. "How can I give up something I love?"

"Remember when you told me to stop thinking something was impossible. I just had to improvise." We chuckle reminiscing about the past. "Well, I now own a flower shop. I'm not directly, you know, working there. I let my niece take over that business while I'm just a co-owner. When you meet her, I feel like you'll both click with one another."

I shake my head. "You know how introverted I can be. But I do hope to meet her someday."

And then, he flashes me a smile. One so menacing you'd probably want to wipe it off his pretty face.

I widened my eyes at him, "Why?"

"So, there's a next time, huh?"