Chapter 13 First Day Of Teachers' Conference

A group of Coasters came in and all the delegates of their Academy hitch already including Mr. del Fuego. Echo is seated beside Teacher Maria as usual. He will never leave his woman during this conference. He doesn't mind anybody around them. He just talks with the top Management and school stockholders and then focuses his attention on her after a while.

As they were traveling from Airport to their designated Hotel, Teacher AMria's colleagues and co-teachers were wondering why Mr. del Fuego happens to be Teacher Maria's companion from Manila Airport to Cebu Airport. They were aware that Mr. del Fuego was one of their speakers for their conference.

They were all booked in Cebu Parklane International Hotel. All the delegates from 20 Academies joined all together for this once-a-year Annual Teachers' Conference and they were all fortunate and privileged to be part of this big event. Being the chosen teachers of each Academy, the school selected the most qualified delegates who will represent their Academy and be recognized in this big event. There were 5 chosen teachers from St. Mary's Academy in Batangas, and Teacher Maria was one of those.

There will be twin sharing per room assignment. Teacher Maria and Teacher Carla are roommates while Teacher Lila and Teacher Rose were at their front door. Teacher Carla is Teacher Maria's close friend since they were both English teachers in the lower department. Teacher Carla was a teacher for Grade, 1 pupil, while Teacher Maria handles Preschool pupils.

As their coordinator gave instructions and their room keys," Hi dear Teachers, these will be your room keys and room assignments. Breakfast starts at exactly 9 AM in Cabana Room. You may bring your personal belongings and have a rest the whole morning. Our first session will be at 1 PM at the Plenary Hall," she gave out the handouts and itinerary for each delegate as well. "Enjoy your stay at Cebu Parklane International Hotel." The rest of the delegates proceed then to their respective room assignments bringing their luggage. Everyone is so excited. Some are taking some photo-op already while the others are strolling and exploring the nearby places already.

Everyone has different agenda this morning since it's their free time. As the delegates were having their Hotel tour, they found out that it has great amenities and facilities suited to them. They also found three bis swimming pools outside which refresh their eyes. Handling and teaching are quite stressful and very toxic that's why all of them are looking forward to relaxing and having a great time at this conference.

"Wow, do the ladies bring their swimsuits or skimpy bikinis?" Mr. De Castro asks them naughtily. "I am so excited to see their bellies bulging hehe." Everyone laughs. "I've brought my Two-piece bikini, Sir," Patty said, the chubby Lady Teacher from Tacloban said.

"How about the gentlemen here, did you bring your swimming trunks," Ms. Kaye from the FAculty department asks while laughing out loud. Ms. Kaye is a 45-year-old single woman who is a jolly person.

"Ma'am Kaye, I have my t-back trunks hehe," Teacher Noel from Tacloban said. He is the most naughty teacher in the crowd.

Everyone is enjoying as if they came out from a prison-house, their school.

Echo then sends Teacher Maria to her room on the 21st floor before going to his suite room on the 23rd floor. Mr. del Fuego has his special booking in this hotel as arranged by his secretary. As he enters their room, he found out win bed and the room is quite small for the two, Teacher Maria and her roommate. He wants to book a bigger room for Maria. he messaged his secretary to coordinate with the Hotel and the organizer of Teacher Maria's school.

"You rest for a while, Maria. I will be joining you at breakfast later," Echo said to MAria before leaving.

"Thank you. You rest well too," she said to him.

Echo smiled at her and then leaves. His secretary then replied to Mr. del Fuego," Noted on this Sir, before lunch Madam Ricafrente will be transferred to a suite near yours on the 23rd floor. I've coordinated it with their coordinator and at the Hotel too."

"Got it, thanks. You will have your bonus on your next payroll," Mr. del Fuego happily replied then enters his suite already. His secretary is so grateful for serving Mr. del Fuego. "Thank you, Sir. Enjoy your stay there."

When Teacher Maria and Teacher Carla entered their room, they were both surprised by the welcome gifts and souvenirs of their sponsors' collaterals with them. Laying on top of their beds are personalized Polo Shirts to be used on their 1st session later, a bag of goodies, a jacket, and a cash gift worth P10,000 each as their pocket money during the event. "Wow, they were so generous. Thank you," both of them were so happy counting their pennies and fitting their shirts. Being medium earners, they felt so blessed with their tokens and gifts from their sponsors. After freshening up, teacher Maria and Teacher Carla then proceed to Cabana's room to take their breakfast.

Beep.

Teacher Maria's mobile phone pops up a message. " I am already here in front of the buffet table, left side," Echo said.

Teacher Carla teased her," Hmmm, is Mr. del Fuego your boyfriend, Teacher Maria?"

"No," Teacher Maria blushed and quickly answered while heading to Echo's table. "Teacher Carla please join us," she told her.

Teacher Carla said, "No, it's okay. I'll take my seat here. Enjoy your breakfast."

Teacher Maria then seats in front of the Echo. They both stand up and proceed to the buffet table to get some food.

When they are starting to eat.. Teacher Maria talked to him...

"Mmmmm Echo, is it okay if I will distance with you in this conference after our breakfast?" she asked him politely.

Echo frowns and asked," Why? Is it embarrassing having me by your side?" Echo became a bit annoyed.

"Not really. I am sorry. I don't mean that. What I meant was that I felt awkward and I don't like my colleagues and co-teachers gossiping about us. I hope you understand," she said apologetically.

A moment of silence.

Echo has a blank face then and continues having breakfast with her. He doesn't talk anymore.

Teacher Maria felt guilty. She doesn't want to offend Echo. It is just that she wants to feel the presence of this conference at ease and has no issues behind it. She observed Echo while eating their breakfast. He just wants to be with her and witness her achievement on stage tomorrow night.

After they had their breakfast, they went back to their respective room assignments.

Teacher Maria can't fully rest knowing she hurt Echo at some point. It isn't intentional and she wished that he understood it. He doesn't even send her a message.

A few moments later someone knocks at their door...

Knock! Knock!

Teacher Carla opened the door and a Hotel Steward was there looking for Teacher Maria. He has a luggage cart and said, "Good morning Ma'am. I'm looking for Teacher Maria Ricafranca."

"Yes, that's me. Why? " Teacher Maria replied.

"Hi Ma'am. There is an advice that you will be transferred to a suite room on 23rd floor by the management. I'm here to fetch and bring you there together with your luggage," the steward politely said.

Teacher Carla and Teacher Maria got stupefied."You mean, you will leave me alone hereTeacher Maria?" Teacher Carla asked her.

"It is your courtesy accommodation Ma'am. Sponsored by one of your Management Partners," the steward said.

Teacher Maria knew already who he is. Knowing Mr. del Fuego, she is now thinking that he is quite a manipulative person. She can't refuse him since she knew that he's a bit annoyed with her a few hours ago. It's quite difficult to refuse him though she knew that Echo's actions are in good faith. Still, she finds that it could make trouble for her in the future. Perhaps she could talk to him tonight, she thought so.

"Hmmm, Okay you may proceed Teacher Maria. No worries," Teacher Carla teased her. She also helped Teacher Maria to get all her things from the closet and put her luggage back. "Does Mr. del Fuego has a brother as gorgeous and generous as he is?" she asked Teacher Maria.

Teacher Maria said, "I don't know him that well, yet. Thanks for helping me sort my things out," then she follows the steward walking near the elevator with her luggage.

Ding...

They have reached the 23rd floor already. This floor is for VIPs only as per Teacher Maria's assessment. Its design is quite elusive compared with the other floors where teachers like her were booked.

Upon entering her new room, Teacher Maria can't say anything. The room is so big with a king-size bed, mini bar, jacuzzi, and an elegant style. It has complete amenities and furniture inside. There's also a balcony wherein she can see the whole view of Cebu City.

"Thank you," she said to the steward and gave him a tip. She unloaded her belongings once again and hung inside the closet. She will take a nap first. She still has two hours of free time. She will just thank Echo when she wakes up. She is so exhausted.

The steward then proceeds to the next door behind Teacher Maria's room...

Ding...

A doorbell rang and Echo opened his door.

"Yes?" he said

"All done Sir. Ms. Ricafranca was already in her room," the steward said.

"Thank you," he gave him a tip also.

Echo lay down on his bed and didn't bother to message nor call Teacher Maria for now. He knew she needs rest before her activity after lunch. He has nothing to do today so he will just stay in his room and take a rest. He will not disturb Teacher Maria to fulfill her wish for today. He has still more time to spend with her. He smiled while closing his eyes.

Teacher Maria then woke up with a call from the Hotel's receptionist informing her to prepare and be ready for their activity at 1 p.m.

She has risen from her bed and went to the bathroom to take a bath. She wore the Personalized T-shirt as their uniform for this afternoon session. It is more of a workshop activity. She tucked her shirt into her jeans before wearing a black blazer. It's semi-casual attire.

She checked her folder and brought her laptop with her. It will be a luncheon meeting first before their workshop begins.

She called Teacher Carla and asked her to reserve a seat with her since Teacher Carla is already at the Plenary Hall.

When Teacher Maria arrived at the Plenary Hall, she walked in front of Teacher Lila who is having her coffee at the coffee bar at the entrance.

"Hmmm, how's the mistress?" Teacher Lila sneered while talking to her.

Teacher Maria gave her a sharp look and said, "Watch your tongue." She continues her walk and looked for Teacher Carla then.

Upon seeing Teacher Carla in the front row, she seated beside her. "Oh, why so pissed off? Who made you that?" Teacher Carla asked her after noticing her dark aura.

"Umm, nothing. Just a leech out there," Teacher Maria frankly replied while looking in Teacher Lila's direction.

"Oh here we go again, You knew her already. You have to be careful with her. We don't know what difficulty will she do now to you," Teacher Carla told her. She knew also that Teacher Lila has a grudge against Teacher Maria Almost all teachers knew that since Teacher Lila is very vocal about bullying and making difficult things with Teacher Maria since she entered the Academy.

"I don't take her seriously. I knew she is sick. A mental illness perhaps," Teacher Maria smiled now while talking with Teacher Carla. She doesn't want to spoil her first day of the conference with Teacher Lila's presence.

When the facilitator came in, they started the session right away. Teacher Carla and Teacher Maria are seatmates and they were the pair team for every workshop then. All paired delegates are very competitive and participative in the workshop. It was quite fun and made all the delegates relaxed and at ease. It's full of fun and learnings this afternoon.

However, there's only one person who is not happy with the session, and she is no wonder than Teacher Lila. As they were doing the workshop, she is very furious with Teacher Carla and Teacher Maria tandem. Their team is always in the lead while her team is always at the bottom and she wants to win by hook or by crook but she can't find a way to do it. She needs to plan for tomorrow's event. It will be a recognition and fun night tomorrow.

They ended the session today with a smile and they do enjoy the workshop very well.

They are now heading to their respective rooms. "How was it, who's with you in your room?" Teacher Carla teased her.

"I'm alone there, if you want you can accompany me and sleep there with me tonight," Teacher Maria smiled at her.

"No need. I might disturb something haha!" Teacher Carla laughs naughtily.

Teacher Maria hadn't seen Echo this afternoon, perhaps he has something to do.

During dinner time, Teacher Carla and Teacher Maria joined their Region's Table. They chat and have some fun while dining.

Echo saw Teacher Maria but didn't intend to join them. He is giving her time for her colleagues. He just chose a private table far away from them. Mr. Abaya joined him and they do chat a little chat over dinner.

They call it a night and everyone went to their room all ready to sleep. Some went to the bar and have some beers and wine.

Still, no appearance of Echo the whole night even when teacher Maria went to her Suite and slept. No message too.

She closed her eyes already.