They Meet Again

It has been quite some time since Margaret went home this early. It’s 5:30 PM, thirty minutes later than the end of their office hours, but normally she would go home not earlier than quarter to six. She has to wait for her boss to go home first, and Fatima is one hell of a workaholic she could literally sleep in the office.

That was actually the reason why Fatima did not come to the office today. Her being a workaholic. She has been feeling under the weather the day before, and Margaret was not surprised she decided to skip work today.

That is the reason why Margaret was able to go home this early today. She is now out of the UrbanShop premises and is about to hail a cab, when a familiar man came to her.

“Ms. Margaret?”

She looked at the man, trying to remember where she saw him as she felt he’s someone she met already.

“I am Robert, Mr. Auguste Ortega’s assistant.”

Oh yeah, now she clearly remembers. He was the man who took her to their house that time when she first met Auguste.

“Mr. Ortega is in his car waiting for you.” He looked at the black BMW parked nearby. “He needs to tell you something.”

Margaret looked at the car. What else do they need to talk about?

“May I ask you to come with me to meet him?” Robert said.

“I don’t think we have anything to talk about.” As much as possible, she doesn’t want to have anything to do with Auguste Ortega. That’s what she promised to his mother.

“I beg to disagree, Miss. But it’s better if he will be the one to tell you about it.”

Margaret frowned. What is this that Robert is talking about? But instead of explaining, Robert just stretched his arm as if indicating the way to the car. With her curiosity piqued, Margaret walked to the black BMW.

Robert followed her, and when she’s by the car he opened the door on the backseat for her. Margaret peeked in and saw Auguste.

“Hi, Margaret…”

Margaret felt her heart thumped on her chest. The greeting is as casual as it could be, but she suddenly felt nervous upon hearing his voice and seeing his face.

“There’s something that I need to tell you, but it will be better if you get inside the car,” Auguste said.

Margaret quietly obliged. She went inside the car, on the backseat beside Auguste. Well, they are not really that close, but their distance is enough to make Margaret feel something… awkwardness. Yes! That’s what she is feeling.

Robert closed the door upon seeing she’s properly seated. Margaret’s awkwardness turned to panic.

“I’m sorry if it has to be this discreet. I just don’t want anyone to see us talking. It might result to another Facebook post again.”

Margaret gazed at Auguste, getting more confused at what he just said. Instead of explaining, Auguste showed her a Facebook post on his cell phone. Margaret took the cell phone and read the post, and she was shocked at what she saw.

“I don’t know how they found out about you. I am not aware who that Admin is, and how he is able to access the information about your identity.”

“Someone might have told him!” Margaret’s voice rose. “How can he know who I am? I’m not even part of your group.”

She finally realized that the group is for the elites of Tarlac. So this is where their picture was first posted? That's the reason why she does not know about it.

“But who would tell him?”

“I don’t know. Your friends, maybe.”

If Margaret remembers it right, there were at least six people in that hut aside from Fatima and Auguste. One of them might have told this Admin about who she really is.

Auguste let out a sigh. “I’m sorry if you’ve been dragged into this mess. My team is trying to track down who this Admin is. Rest assured that if we identified him, we would do everything for him to stop posting about you.

About her. So it’s okay for the Admin to post about him, but he’s making it sure that he will not post anything about her? Margaret kind of felt like he was protecting her. She felt touched.

“But since this has happened, I want to inform you that from now on, you will be under everyone’s radar. Everyone on the group knows about you now. I’m not saying that I am a celebrity and people would start stalking you. But from now on, when people find out that you’re Fatima Velasco’s assistant, they will surely ask you about me... And some people might even want to know you personally.”

Is this the life that he has been living? Margaret imagined that being rich and famous like him might mean being exposed to the public eye since he was little. She also realized that he might be someone very rich that everyone knows about him. He might be someone very relevant to their circle.

She looked at the cell phone that she is still holding. “So... are you going to come?”

Auguste looked at the cell phone, too. It took a while before he answered.

“I don’t want to, but I feel like I should.” He looked at the window behind her. “It seems that there’s something I need to resolve.”

Margaret felt his uneasiness with what he said. It’s like he’s in a dilemma of some sort. She suddenly felt pity for him.

“Can’t you resolve it without going to that engagement party?” she asked.

“It might be the only time that I can do it... That might be my last chance...”

Auguste looked like he’s deep in thoughts, and even though Margaret could not read his mind, she can feel the heaviness of the situation he’s in.

Suddenly, he looked to her. “Let’s take you home.”

“No, it’s okay,” Margaret said. “I can manage.”

“I insist,” Auguste said. “This is the least that I can do for you. I really feel responsible for what our encounter has led to. I guess I should not have allowed my ego to take over me that night. If we haven’t talked at Pure Act, this would not have happened.”

Margaret felt bad with what he said. Does that mean he regrets ever meeting her? She wanted to ask him about it, but Auguste called Robert outside and instructed him to drive to their house.

The thirty-minute drive to their house was very quiet. Very awkward for Margaret, that is. The silence is making her feel uncomfortable, but she just kept quiet as it seems to be the right thing to do that moment.

When they arrived at their house, Robert opened the door for her. But before Margaret came out of the car, she managed to voice out what she has been thinking about what Auguste said.

“This situation might be very undesirable, but please don’t think that us meeting in Pure Act Café was a mistake, that it was your mistake. I had a very great time that night. It was a first, and it made my birthday very interesting.”

Auguste gazed at her, obviously unprepared for what she said.

“If you decided to go to that engagement party, just remember that everything will be okay. That at the end of the day, everything will be settled.”

With one last smile, Margaret went out of the car. She immediately proceeded to their house, and as she closed the door behind her, she heard the car outside leave. She looked out the window, and quietly said a prayer that Auguste will be blessed with the happy ever after he deserves.