KALMIA Series 1 - Kiel's Story: Hotelier of Mine (Chapter 12)

CHAPTER 12

“WELCOME back, Ms. Louise Margaret,” sabi ni Sam sa kanya. Ang usapan kasi nila as soon as bumalik siya ay trabaho na ulit siya. Kahit isang buwan at kalahati lang siya doon sa ‘Pinas ay hindi na siya sanay na tawagin siyang Louise Margaret. Actually, she hates being called that again. She sighed and tried to smile at Sam. Wala naman itong kasalanan. “Sorry ulit, Ms. Louise,” malungkot ulit na sabi nito.

“It’s fine,” tipid na turan niya dito at naglakad na sa sasakyang naghihintay sa kanila. “It’s not that late yet, sure akong bukas pa ang office natin. Gusto kong linisin itong gulong ginawa ko. Sam, pakidala na lang yung mga bagahe ko sa bahay. I want to go straight to work and give them a piece of me,” sabi niya sa napaka-kalmadong paraan. She knew Sam was nervous about her calmness and quietness pero alam niya din na di siya nito pipigilan.

Idinaan na muna niya si Sam sa bahay nila and went straight to the company that hired her. Maganda ang mga ngiti ng mga guwardia na bumati sa kanya pero hindi niya na magawa pang ngumiti. All her negative emotions was resurfacing and she can’t even stop her emotions. She doesn’t need too dahil nawala na sa kanya ang lalaking mahal na mahal niya. ‘No reservations’ ika nga.

She went straight to her editor’s office which took her work without permission. She would do everything to make this guy suffer like she’s feeling right now. Bumuntong-hininga siya para naman makalama siya ng maayos. Naalala niya kasi kung ano ang nangyari noon sa kanya kaya siya nagkaroon ng problemang ganito. She composed herself before knocking.

Narinig niyang nagsalita ang lalaki sa loob. Binuksan niya ang pintuan at nakita niyang nag-angat na ito ng paningin sa ginagawa. Nakita niya tuloy and pagkagulat sa mukha nito. She even saw him averted his eyes on her. Kung sa ibang pagkakataon lang ay matatawa siya dahil halatang guilty ang mokong na kano na ito. She walked towards her desk and took something out on her pocket. Isang maliit na tinuping papel iyon. She opened it for the man and slid it in front of him.

“What is this, Louise Margaret?” takang tanong nito.

“This is my resignation letter. I wrote it when I was in the plane. I really hate to leave this place but I can’t work with people who knows how to steal my works,” diretsang sabi niya.

“I did it—“

“Stop it. I heard everything from my secretary and don’t you ever denying of stealing without her permission. It’s not my job to give you anything if I am on vacation. I even gave you my official vacation slip. If I remembered it right, vacation means no work for me, so no article but what did you do? Instead of looking for somebody to cover Elise’s work, you stole mine because I wasn’t here. It’s easy that way, right?” sabi niya na ginawa ang lahat para hindi siya magwala.

“Louise, I’m sorry...please let this one slide. I was panicking when the boss told me to get another article because Elise fucked up and knowing you, I knew you have some reserved article but your secretary told me no. I was desperate,” sabi ng Kano at tumayo ito para lapitan siya. Pinigilan niya itong makalapit at umurong pa nga siya palayo dito baka kasi masapak niya pa ito.

“The damage was done, Mr. Cromwell and my trust in you was destroyed. We both need to make sacrifices...and it was your choice to sacrifice my trust,” sabi niya at tumalikod na. “By the way, Mr. Cromwell, I will be having a press conference about this article and tell them the real story. Have a good evening,” yun lang at tuluy-tuloy na siyang lumabas. She took her phone out and dialed Sam’s number.

“Sam, please arrange a press conference as soon as possible. I need to clear this as soon as possible,” sabi niya dito.

“Sigurado ka ba, Aann?” nagulat siya at Aann ang itinawag nito dito. “Magiging delikado ang gagawin mo. Maraming malalaking tao ang naging kaaway ni Louise Margaret dahil na rin sa mga isinulat mo,” sabi pa nito sa kanya. She knew that well pero desidido na siya. Ito ang sinasabi niyang sakripisyo kanina. By hurting Kiel that much, she atleast need to reveal who she was para maintindihan nito kung bakit niya naisulat ang ganoong article tungkol sa Hotel ng ama nito.

“Oo, Sam. Damaged na ang pangalan na inaalagaan ko dahil lahat naman ng sinasabi ko noon ay katotoohanan...pero ngayong naipublished and gawa ko without my consent, I need to atleast sacrifice something. I needed to do this, Sam,” sabi niya at napangiti ng bahagya. She knew that smile can’t hide what she really felt.

Narinig niyang napabuntong-hininga rin si Sam. “I’ll do it but I think you need to talk to your parents too. Kailangan mo sila sa oras na ganito...to protect you kasi di ko kayang mag-isa, Aann,” sabi nito na may pagmamakaawa ang boses.

Napatungo siya kahit na di siya nito kita. “Yeah, I think I needed to talk to my parents about this lalo na at madadamay ang pangalan nila,” sabi pa niya and ended the call.

Sorry Kiel, alam kong ipinangako kong ikaw ang sasabihan sa oras na kailangan ko ang isang taong proprotekta sa akin kapag kailangan ko but now, I just wanted to protect that image of your sweet smiling face.

“Still no news about her, Kiel?” nag-aalalang tanong ni Art sa kanya. Alam niyang lahat ng kababata niya ay nag-aalala sa kanya but he just can’t hide the frustration, worries and hurt feelings that was residing inside him at the moment. Akala niya nung maging sila ay magtutuloy-tuloy na ang masasayang sandali sa buhay nila until the day he would ask her to marry him pero lahat ng iyon ay akala niya lang. It seems that history is repeating itself...iniwan na naman siya at ang masakit pa, alam niyang mahal din siya ni Aann, he  felt it with everything she did for him. He sighed and shoke his head.

“Wala pa. I can’t even understand kung bakit sinabi niya sa note niya na she’ll clean the mess she made. As far as I know, she never did one dahil mas pinaganda pa niya ang Hotel na dati ay muntik na niyang isumpa dahil sa mga nangyari sa kanya doon,” sabi pa niya and then something clicked inside him. “Noel, can you search something online about Louise Margaret. Ang naaalala ko sa magazine na pinagtratrabahuhan niya ay nagrerelease sila every second week of the month.”

“Sure,” matipid na turan nito at binuksan ang laptop na lagi nitong dala kahit saan. He went next to him at nakita niya ang resulta. “This doesn’t look good Kiel. Contact the hotel and asked about your future reservations. It says here that Louise Margaret just released another negative comment about a certain hotel in the Philippines,” sabi pa nito.

Hindi naman siya nagpatumpik-tumpik pa. He contacted the Reservations Manager at na-confirm niya nga na marami ang nag-cancel sa mga future reservations nila. Hindi lang basta-basta mga ordinaryong tao kundi ang iba ay mga kilalang tao sa bansa. He sighed.

“Uhmmm...” biglang nagsalita si Maurice at lahat sila nakatingin dito. “Actually, I knew she where she was. Yung airport na ginamit niya ay sa pamilya ko. When you told us that she was missing I was in the office...so I took my chance and looked for her name. She went to L.A.” sabi naman nito. “I’m sorry, Kuya,” sabi pa nito and looked down. He went towards her and patted her head gently.

“At least, alam ko na kung nasaan siya. I better booked my flight to L.A. I’ll asked one of the twins to look over our Hotel. I don’t want dad to be stressed out. Hayaan kong yung isa sa mga kambal ang mabaliw sa sitwasyon. I just wanted to tell Aann that it wasn’t her fault kaya nagsulat si Louise Margaret ng ganoon. I’m sure, hindi na nasabi pa ni Aann sa kaibigan nito na nag-improve na ang hotel,” sabi pa niya sa mga ito at tumungo.

“Well, that’s actually a good idea. May press conference si Louise Margaret a few days from now sa Beverly Center. It looks like there was some kind of fault in publishing. Yung details ay sasabihin na lang daw sa Press Conference,” sabi pa ni Noel. He saw that the guy even raised an eyebrow. “I’m impressed. Hindi ko alam kung paano sila nagkakilala ni Louise Margaret, this lady just had a press conference on one of the known establishment in Hollywood. No offence meant to Aann pero ang sabi dito ay masyadong pribadong tao si Louise Margaret, they might be close friends in college,” sabi pa nito.

“Stop that. Huwag ka ng magkainterest pa kay Aann, Noel, and just focus on Ericka,” sabi niya bago siya tumayo at nagpaalam na sa mga ito. “I better get ready. I’ll come back in a few days dahil baka pagdating ko sarado na ang Hotel because of my sisters,” sabi pa niya bago umalis.

“Alam mo, Noel, huwag mo na lang pakinggan si Kuya Kiel and just don’t you dare focus you attention on me,” sabi pa ni Ericka bago siya makalabas ng Evergreen. He dialled Jenivah’s number as soon as stepped out of the bar.

“Hello my wonderful, gorgeous, hot only brother of mine! How can I help you?” masayang tanong nito sa kanya. Dahil na rin siguro sa tono nito ay napangiti na siya.

“Nambola ka na naman pero paano mo nalamang kailangan ko ng tulong mo?”

“Nothing. Gut feeling ni Kambal eh, sinabi niya sa akin before you called. So bakit kuya dear, ano ba ang kailangan mo?”

“Can one of you take care of the Hotel for a week? I need to go to L.A. as soon as possible and I don’t want to ask dad about it. Baka kasi ma-stress siya,” sabi niya dito. Nakarinig siya ng matinis na ‘No’ sa kabilang linya.

“At gusto mong ma-stress ang isa sa super ganda mong mga kapatid?” No way, Kuya!” sabi pa ni Jellisa. Sabi na nga ba niya at magkasama pa rin ang kambal. He sighed and made sure na makukuha niyang seryoso siya ngayon.

“I needed one of you. Do you not want me to be happy? I am trying to get Aann back. I thought both of you wanted me to fall in love again dahil walan kwenta ang ex ko, remember? So...help me, I will even give you my car for a week,” sabi pa niya. Namayani ang katahimikan sa kabilang linya hanggang ang isa sa mga kambal niyang kapatid ay magsalita.

“Make that two weeks, Kuya, as we will both help you but you do know that we are allergy to business so we will try our best. Basta isang linggo lang, Kuya, no more,” sabi ni Jenivah.

“Thank you, Jenny and Jelly! I knew I can count on you! Sige at marami pa akong aasikasuhin. Don’t worry I’ll inform my secretary and all of the managers sa hotel to help you. Thanks so much!”

“At huwag mo kalilimutan na sabihin sa amin kaagad ang mangyayari sa L.A.” sabi naman ni Jelly.

“Yes, I won’t forget.”

“And I want a new Channel bag!” sabi naman ng isa.

“Me, I want some MK bag, please!”

“Okay. I’ll get some souveniers too. Thanks again, Sis!” sabi pa niya at ibinaba na ang telepono. He went towards his car and drove to JAC. He needed to get his flight booked at sabihan na din ang mga managers na ang mga kapatid muna niya ang mamamahala for a week of his absense.

“ARE you ready, Aann?” tanong ni Sam sa kanya. Ito na kasi ang araw na pinakaayaw niya dahil na rin ito ang araw kung saaan haharap siya sa maraming tao as Louis Margaret. She looked at her helplessly. She really hate going to a crowd. Kaya nga never siyang nagkaroon ng press conference but if she wanted this resolve, then she needed to do it. She sighed and nodded.

“Yes, I can’t back out now, Sam, dahil kailangan kong ayusin ang lahat. Andito naman kayong lahat eh,” sabi niya and looked around. Her loving parents and brother was with here since the first time she told them that she will reveal herself to public for an apology. Na-explain na din niya kung bakit niya gagawin ito and they supported her. Nagulat nga siya at tuwang-tuwa ang nanay niya na gagawin niya ito dahil sa pagmamahal at sa katotohanan. She was glad that she have them right now. Napasok tuloy ulit sa isip niya si Kiel. Walang minuto ang lumipas na hindi niya ito naiisip. She really missed him so much pero dapat na siyang masanay dahil alam niyang wala na siyang babalikan na Kiel once everything is out.

“It’s time,” sabi bigla ng organizer ng Press conference. She nodded to her at tumayo na. Lumapit ang kanyang ina at niyakap siya. She saw her mom, teary eyed, kaya muntik pa siyang mapaiyak dahil her mom’s a very strong person and very strict at the same time kaya kapag makita niyang mapapaluha ito ay gusto na rin niyang mapaluha. She smiled to her.

“I’ll be okay, Ma, ako pa? Kanino pa ba ako magmamana?” sabi niya dito while she wipe her mom’s tears away. “Siyempre kay Papa!” joke niya na nakapagpangiti dito.

“Sira ka talaga,” sabi naman nito at pinakawalan na siya. “If ever may bumato ng itlog sa iyo sa labas, batuhin mo rin ng itlog,” sabi naman nito.

“Saan naman ako kukuha ng itlog?”

“Yung ibinato sa iyo. Yung barag na para di masyadong masakit,” sabi nito na ikinatawa niya.

“Thanks, Ma,” sabi niya and hugged her once more. Lumakad na rin siya sa tatay at kuya niya bago yumakap din dito. Once it was done, lumabas na siya at umupo sa gitna kung saan nakaharap siya sa mga nagkikislapang mga liwanag na nagmumula sa kamera. Kung hindi man exaggerated na muntik na siya mabulag ay masasabi niya iyon but it was blinding. Hindi niya tuloy alam kung paano natatagalan ng mga artista ang ganitong liwanag.

Tahimik lang siyang nakinig sa MC ng press conference hanggang sa tawagin siya nito at sabihing mag-umpisa na ang question and answer. Hinila niya ang mike na nasa harap niya at iginala ang tingin sa paligid bago siya magsalita.

“Good Afternoon, everyone, I would like to personally introduce myself,” sabi niya at tumayo ng bahagya. “I am Mar-Aann Janihim also known as Louise Margaret of Hotels and Travel Magazine. I gather all of you today to announce that I left that Magazine Company due to unathorized publishing of my work,” sabi niya at nagkislapan muli ang mga flash ng mga camera. Gusto niyang magreklamo pero biglang napalingon siya sa kaliwang bahagi ng conference room. She was speechless to see someone she wasn’t expecting at all.

 Napasinghap siya ng malakas at pinigilan niya ang sarili na mapaluha sa harap ng maraming tao. Some of the people infront of her look towards where she was looking pero huli na ang lahat. Kiel left the conference room leaving a hateful gaze at her and taking her heart away.

TO BE CONTINUED...