Chapter 4 Things are Looking Great
“Well, well, well.. Look who decided to show up.. “. Masayang bungad ni Ralf sa kaibigan nang nakita nya itong pumasok sa entrance ng kanilang office floor.
“I learned that my presence is badly needed here.” Lexie teasingly replied.
Excited na niyakap ni Ralf ang kaibigan sabay halik sa pisngi nito bilang pagbati.
“You look great babe. What’s your secret?” Pabirong tanong nito kay Lexie.
Tumawa lamang ng malakas ang kaibigan at kaswal na tiningnan paligid. Some waved at her as greetings na sinuklian din nya ng ngiti at pagkaway.
“Ok, Mr. Laperal. Show me the proposal and let us get this shit all sorted out.” Gesturing for them to go inside his office room.
Sumenyas naman si Ralf pointing at his door. “After you madam.” Pabirong sagot nito.
In the next two hours the two friends went over the proposal. After several discussions, suggestions and couple of consultation with their team members Lexie finally shared what she thought.
“I think you’re seeing your older works in this proposal.” Explained Lexie.
With questioning eyes, tiningnan lamang sya ni Ralf.
“I mean, obviously your technique have worked their magic with your prior works and seeing it now, you don’t feel that it’s yours to use now.” Patuloy nito pagkatapos uminom ng tubig.
“Look, this is actually good. But we need to create our own branding. We have to show what sets us apart from others. What makes this company better with you taking the helm.”
“What do you suggest we do?” Tanong ni Ralf kay Lexie.
“I suggest we take several steps further. Let’s go away with traditional launching and adapt the latest trends.” Lexie simply answered.
“You mean we go digital?” Curious na tanong ng kaibigan.
“If that’s the latest trend why not?”
Napaisip naman si Ralf sa suggestion ng kaibigan. Although may konting pag alinlangan, he knows that his friend is right. Kelangan magkaron sya ng bagong technique upang hindi ma stereotype.
“I haven’t tried it before. And I’m not sure I’m well versed sa ganun na ka advance na approach.” May pagka alinlangang sagot niya.
“Then hire someone who can do the job. Ralf, you have to remember that you’re now the CEO of this company. You cannot spend your time doing all the leg work sa mga projects na nakukuha natin. That’s the reason why we hire people to do those things.”
Natahimik na lamang si Ralf sa sinabi ng kaibigan. He knows that Lexie’s right. He needs to trust his people. He just needs to make sure that he provides the right feedback and guidance kanyang mga empleyado.
“As always, you’re right babe.” Nakangiting sambit nito.
“I always am.” Lexie laughingly answered.
“I know a couple of people who works in the advertising world. And with you being a known personality in that industry, I don’t want to take the risk of them tagging you poaching the best. So i’ll save you that trouble and i’ll get the best candidate. You fine with that?” Tanong nito kay Ralf.
“Of course.” Mabilis na sagot nito.
Pagkatapos magkasundo on their next steps, the two decided to head out at mag meryenda sa labas. It’s been a while since they got the chance to spend time together. Ralf missed his best friend. Alam niyang sobrang busy ng kaibigan and he’s thankful that she’s taking time today para kausapin sya.
They’ve been friends for almost 7 years now. He was introduced to her as the head production manager ng kanyang dating pinapasukan. Lexie owns a freight company, well, it’s actually a family business. By default, she needs to continue being part of family company, running it together with her older sister and one younger brother. He met Lexie’s older sister Nadine who is more on the serious side. Probably because she’s the CEO of their company simula nang mag retire ang kanilang father. He also met Carlos, the younger brother. He’s in charge in monitoring their different branches’ operations. While Lexie is in charge with Finance and Marketing department.
The first time he met her sa launching ng rebranding ng Freight company nila, he finds her really attractive. The way she captivates the crowd kapag nagsasalita, she exudes certain mystery and power. Plus the fact na pinagpala pa ang kanilang pamilya for good genes. They are the typical mestisa family considering na may lahing Espanyol ang pamilya nito.
He’s not too bad himself. Hindi man sya kasing maskulado ng ibang kaibigan nito, with his 5’11 na height, agaw pansin din sya. Lean and fit naman ang kanyang katawan dahil na rin sa iba’t ibang sports na hobby nya. Ralf has the typical moreno look, may katangusan ang ilong but base sa ibang mga kaibigan nya, his best asset is his eyes. Deep set na nakuha nya sa kanyang arabong tatay.
They both decided to go to a pizza restaurant. While Ralf indulged himself with a whole pepperoni pizza, Lexie got a salad. Hindi mapigilang mag make face si Ralf nang iserve na ang order ng kaibigan.
“Really? You ordered salad when we are in a pizza place?” Nakasimangot na sabi nito.
“Chill Ralf. I’ll have dinner with family later that’s why I need to make sure na may lugar pa ang dinner sa tummy ko mamaya.” Sagot ni Lexie habang naglalagay ng dressing sa kanyang salad.
“oh, something to celebrate?” Tanong nito.
“Not really. Naglambing lang si Dad na pumunta sa bahay at magluluto daw si Mommy.” Kaswal na sagot nito.
“I would have invited you but it’s family affair only.” Dugtong nya.
“Ouch! I’m hurt, after all this time, you don’t see me as family.” Pabiro at maarteng sagot ni Ralf.
“Stop the dramatics, hindi bagay sa ‘yo.” Natatawang sagot nya.
Masaya silang kumain habang patuloy na nagku-kwentuhan. Ilang beses na silang napagkakamalang mag boyfriend at girlfriend because of the dynamic ng relasyon nila. Not because Ralf didn’t try but because the circumstances does not allow them.
The first time he asked Lexie to be his plus one sa isang awards night na inattendan nya, agad naman itong pumayag. Pagkatapos ng event at binaba na nya ito sa tinitirhang bahay lakas loob nyang tinanong ito if she’s willing to go out on a date with him. Matagal bago sumagot ito but eventually she said yes.
The next weekend they went on a romantic date. They watch a concert and had dinner afterwards. They actually had fun and he was able to kiss her nung hinatid nya ito pauwi. But nung pabalik na sya sa kanyang sasakyan to drive home, tinawag sya nito at inayang pumasok sa bahay niya. Agad naman syang umoo and his mind have gone overdrive for possibly spending the night with her.
They talked more over a cup of coffee when Lexie told him that he’s really a nice guy but she can’t be with him. He can’t find himself to be disappointed because of how sincere Lexie was when she told her the reason. From then on, they become closer more than ever and promised that he’ll be there for her through thick and thin.
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Muntik ng mapasigaw si Andy nang may biglang umakap sa kanyang likurann habang naghuhugas sya ng kamay sa women’s cr ng office nila. Kundi lang nya nakitang si Sam yun, malamang nakagawa na sya ng eksena.
“Oh my God Sam, don’t do that. Sobrang nagulat ako sa yo.” Kastigo nito sa kaibigan.
“Sorry sorry… Can’t help it.” Natatawang sagot nito nang bitiwan na sya.
“I am so proud of you.” Sabi nito.
Nagtatakang tiningnan nya si Sam.
“Na present na kanina yung latest digital editing na ginawa mo para dun sa short animated film contest na sinalihan ng company. And the big boss freaking love it.” Paliwanag nito.
Andy started to smile. Simula ng mag break sila ng kanyang ex, binuhos nya ang oras sa bagong project nila. 2 weeks nyang pinaglamayan yun and to know that everyone loves it, makes her feel so accomplished. Ilang beses din nyang inistorbo ang kaibigan para ipakita ang gawa nya and makakuha ng feedback. As always, very much supportive naman ito.
“Isa-submit na nila bukas yung entry mo and as your number one fan, can’t wait for your work to be out there.” Excited na sabi pa nito.
She can’t help but feel excited too. This is a big deal para sa kanya. This is the first time na solo syang gumawa ng full length digital editing.
“This calls for celebration!” Dagdag ng kaibigan.
“Bilis, kain tayo sa labas. My treat.”
Wala ng nagawa pa si Andy kundi tumango at hinayaan na lang ang kaibigan na hilahin sya palabas ng CR.
They ended up sa isang Chinese Restaurant. Medyo high end ito pero dahil treat naman ni Sam, hinayaan lng nya. Masayang kinuwento ng kaibigan what happened sa viewing ng project nya. At dahil familiar na ito sa naging gawa nya, hindi na bago kay Sam yung pinalabas kanina. But she marveled on the others reaction.
“Oo nga pala, bakit wala ka dun kanina? Di ba dapat as the creator andun ka?” Biglang tanong nito.
“Uhmmm not sure. Wala naman nasabi sa kin si Manager. Baka kasi di pa sure kung papasa kay Boss kaya siguro hindi muna ako sinama.” Balewalang sagot nya.
“Hmmm pwede. But in case na sabihin nya sau ang good news, just act surprise.” Sabay kindat sa kanya.
Pareho silang natawa sa sinabi ni Sam. Inabot din sila ng kung anong oras sa kwentuhan. Nung nag message lng ang mama ni Andy at tinanong kung anong oras sya uuwi, dun lang nila napansin na late na rin.
“Oh tara na. Late na pala. Nag text na si Mama, sabi ko kumain lng tyo at pauwi na rin.” Banggit ni Andy.
“Sige sige, |’ll just settle the bill then hatid na kita.” Sabay tawag sa waiter para mag bill out.
Masaya namang tumango si Andy habang hinihintay ang kanilang bill. Though at times nakakaramdam pa rin sya ng lungkot, she’s thankful at naging supportive naman ang parents nya nung nalaman nitong wala na sila ni Gavin. After a week na hindi nagpupunta si Gavin, pasimpleng tinanong sya ng mama nya kung busy ba ito and naging honest sya sa pagsagot na break na sila. She did not bother to elaborate at nirespeto naman yun ng kanyang magulang. From then on, madalas na itong nagtetext sa kanya pag ginagabi sya ng uwi. Mabilis naman silang makampante pag nalaman na si Sam ang kasama nya.
And si Sam, she becomes her voice of reason. The primary reason bakit hindi siya nag wallow ng husto. For couple of days hinayaan sya nitong maging malungkot at umiyak at times. Then later on, she made extra effort to be there for her most of the time. Dahil dito, unti unting naibsan yung loneliness na nararamdaman nya.
Napangiti siya ng maluwag ng maalala nya yung nagawa nyang short film. Kahit nag fail ang relationship nya, it seems na start na ng magandang break sa career naman nya. Things are looking better for her sa isip nya. So she decided to focus on her career simula ngayon.
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