I was busy sipping a tea when the windchime clicked, sign that someone have entered.
"Congratulations, Ms. Arnaez! Bella Amélia is the top bestselling boutique nationwide as of now!" Yuna, my secretary spilled the latest news happily.
I stopped, still processing everything."I... haven't read articles yet."
"You should now!" Her usual wide smile was more radiant today.
I turned around my swivel chair and typed on my desktop. My eyes traveled to the list of the most popular business shop from the past months and there, I confirmed it. I drank the tea and wiped my lips.
"Call Hera. We're going to have a big sales and discounts starting now. Also, tell that to our current customers inside." I declared.
Her jaw dropped but she immediately nodded.
"Copy that, miss!"
I scrunched my nose and I just found myself smiling, so happy about the success I got. It's been what? Seven years had passed. Seven years of changes. Seven years of moving on and moving forward. Time flies really fast, doesn't it?
Seven years ago, I was a total lost girl, doing nothing but trouble and cry when the pain inflicts. Seven years ago, I was a mere girl, without dreams or ambitions, without thinking about what future is look like. But now, that lost girl has found. She's not a mere girl now but a grown up woman.
I roamed my eyes around my office. This is the fruit of my successes, my Bella Amélia, I named it obviously after my second name. It's Bella, because I see beauty in every corner of this place and I want costumers to feel that they are all beautiful in their own way.
Grandma never left me when I was eager to change and strive for a better future. She was always there for me, supporting me, advising me. She's the best, I swear. The moment I stepped into college, she got sick that I needed to stop going to school for almost a week, I was planning to give it up again, determined to just take care of her because I believed that what's the use of being learning when she's suffering and no one was there to take care of her. There's a lot of opportunities and chances, I thought. But she didn't let me. That why I continued what I started. Good thing she got well after that, I thanked heavens for that.
This boutique, simple yet it has a special place in my heart. God, I've never been this proud of myself. Do I deserve all of these? After all I'd been through? I hope I really deserved these because honestly? I badly want to.
I went outside my office to see the shopping area. I feel like my heart was being warmed after seeing the customers in their happy faces, giggling and picking what products to buy. I rested on the wall, crossed my arms and watched them.
See that, mom? I'm dedicating these to you. All the blessings I received, it's for you.
After those years of being not enough, I finally feel the contentment. I admit there's still this space that I cannot name, something that still looking for more but nonetheless, I'm settling on this. I should.
"Have a nice shop, everyone," I said to the customers, noticed they are getting plenty as minutes passes.
"Thanks! I love all your products here! Wanna try it all, geez!" One of them giggled at me.
I made a laugh, too overwhelmed.
"Thank you for being here!"
I got busy checking on the counter, Olie, the one handling the area reported to me that there's a bit problem. Later on, it finally have fixed. She's looking nervous all the way but I assured her it's fine since it's already solved.
Until now, I still can't believe that I reached this far. This simple achievement I have unlocked was the most memorable. I never imagined myself getting into a milestone, really. So I can say I made a right decision years ago.
The windchime clicked.
It was facing my back since I'm currently talking to Yuna. Her face flushed, eyes were being fixed in front. I wondered then.
I snapped my fingers in her face."Hey, are you listening?" I asked.
She didn't answer and I'm irritated now. Come on, what's up with her?
"Yuna!" I hissed. She jumped out.
"Yes, miss? Oh, I'm sorry! Sorry for being occupied..." she apologized repeatedly. My eyes just squinted.
I ignored her and turned around instead, that I immediately regretted. Because in front of me is the guy I left seven years ago. The guy I never expected that can hurt me, too because I thought he's harmless. I was so wrong that time, so stupid and impulsive.
"Are you the manager?" His voice turned deep, huh, including his features... gone the soft and slender one. He matured... a lot.
All the memories and the ghosts of the past came back like a flood it rushed rapidly. While staring at those cold chinky eyes, I felt my heart sank.
Damn it! Is this for real? Am I really seeing him now? After so many years of being gone? Of being apart?
"N-no. I'm the owner." I corrected him, without breaking the eye contact.
His expression didn't change, like he already expected this will happen, not like me. I'm totally shocked here!