El POV
I was spacing out during the meeting with Attorney Edward. Only Ralph asked questions and interact with him. I observe he always gazed at me from time to time. I only drink those wine and drinks in the table also I eat silently acting like I don't care which is true at all. Likewise, I stand up from sitting and cleared my throat and gained their attention.
" I'll go to the powder room, excuse me. " I said as I said up.
" Sure El. " Ralph replied as he handed a drink to Attorney Edward and continue their talk.
I walk out and grab my sling bag with me and entered the poweroom. I retouch my face and looked at my phone as I turn it on. I open my camera and took a selfie. I posted it on my Instagram account and continue to retouch my makeup before I went out.
" Did you heard the news that there's a new hidden glem model? She is having a grand welcome party, but the sad fact if her face is hidden as always. " A lady beside me said, and continue putting the lipstick on her lips.
" Yes, and did you know that she even bet Amethyst's dress during her Welcome Party? My friend said that the dress of the new model in hidden glem is worth of 25 Million! " She said.
My eyes widened as I heard it. I hurried went out and text my manager because of it.
To : Manager Danica
Is the dress I wear in my welcome party cost 25Million? Who made that dress?
I wait for her reply, I decided to text Ralph that I'm going home, and I know he will take care of my case as he promised me.
To : Ralph (BFF)
I'm going home, I need to sleep because I'm too tired from yesterday party. I still have a work in the next day.
I texted as I reason out and walked towards my car, as I enter I saw the two girls who are really talking to me a while ago went out of the restaurant and they both went to a red car and a man with a black and who wear red polo shirt approach one of the girl and kiss her cheeks. Aww! That's so sweet, wish all.
I start the engine and drive away. After an hour of driving, I'm already at home. I parked the car in the garage and went inside the house.
It's still after, but I'm too lazy to do something interesting or even wasting my time on my social media accounts. I saw my mother and father sitting in the couch as they too focus on the movie that they both watching. I was about to go to my room when my father stand up from sitting and called me.
" El , let's talk. " He uttered.
I nodded and followed him as he went into the kitchen area.
" What is it, dad. " I asked.
" Are you doing to left your responsibility to me? " He calmly told me as he took a deep breath afterwards.
" I can't manage it both, dad. I already have my dream job. " I answered.
" Okay, as you said so. I'll handle that El for you. " He replied. I smile and run towards him and hug him tight.
" Thank you, dad! " I uttered.
" Your Welcome. " He replied.
" Ralph told me that he file that case towards Attorney Jonathan? How's the process? " My Dad asked.
" I don't know. You can ask Ralph about it since I'm too spacing out that time, I'm not in my mood. " I speak.
" Oh. Really? Then I'll call Ralph later on. Do you have a schedule in the agency? Can you come with me in the company, El? " My dad uttered.
" Sure dad. I'll tell mom about it! " I replied and run towards my mother's room to tell her that I'm coming with my dad to the company.
" Mom! " I called my mother's attention.
" Why El? Is there something wrong? " She replied.
" Nothing, mom, I'll go with dad in the company. Just going to check the departments heads regarding in the progress. " I replied.
" Okay, take care. " My mother said as she continues scanning on her phone, minding on her own business.
My father drives the car and I sat in the passenger seat. I scroll through my phone looking some photos during my stay in the Philippines, in Baguio. I can't help but to smile. In my peripheral vision, I saw my dad gazed at me and said.
" I'm so proud of you, El. " He uttered.
I looked at him and said.
" Thanks dad. " I replied.
" How's your schedule? " My dad ask this time.
" It's full schedule, but Manager Danica told me that I'll be staying in my room in the agency since it's one of the requirements.
" Oh really? Will you still visit us or the company if you have spare time. " He added.
" Sure, I'll do that. I let you know. " I answered and focus as I was enjoying the view outside as we headed straight to the company.
- Acosta Group of Company Inc. -
When we arrive at the company, I saw Venice running outside the building. She keeps on looking around, finding someone. Her face is written with worries and anxiousness. She run towards my father car and hurriedly knock on the glass door.
My dad opened it and as he asked.
" What's wrong? " He said.
" I need your help! " She replied without minding me. She didn't notice my presence at all.
I fake cleared my throat, and it makes her look at my direction while she saw me her eyes widened, and she run towards the passenger seat and open the door for me.
" Miss El! Your back, I more you so much! How are you? Where did you go? " She uttered as pull me into a hug.
" I'm fine, I'm just here for a day to check on the department heads and the progress of the company. How about you? " I answered.
" Oh, really? I thought that you'll officially back. " She whispered as she looked down on her shoes.
" Yep, don't worry before I'll go home let's go to the mall, It's my treat. " I said just to cheer her up since she looked so sad as she is avoiding my gazed.
After an hour of going to the all departments in the company and talking to some employees with an unexpected meeting that my dad settled before I went home. She let me join the meeting as my dad announced something important matter to everyone.
" Good Afternoon, Everyone. " My father said as I sit beside him.
" I'll take over the company since my daughter Elizabeth Del Acosta will pursue her dreams. " He said simple and direct to the point without other information.
No one dared to asked or gossip inside the meeting room. Silence filled and no one dare to make a sound. I saw my father smiled and waved his hand and said.
"Meeting adjourned! " He uttered and walked towards the doorway and stand up there. All the employees went out, and especially the department heads and staff. Only me and my father alone in the room. I cleared my throat as I gain his attention.
" Dad. " I called his attention.
" What is it, El? " He replied.
" I'll be going in the agency dorm in the next day. Can you prepare a dinner date for us three tomorrow night? Don't worry, I'll be the one who will cook the dishes. If it's okay? " I said, while I grab my papers with me.
" Sure El. I'll contact Ralph and Ash Ron and invite them to dinner, just a suggestion. " He uttered.
" It's a great idea, dad. Then I'll ask for Ralph help to cook the dishes then! " I replied and smiled widely and walk out the room.
" El. " My dad's voice echoed the hallway as he followed me from behind.
I didn't reply, but instead I turned around and looked at him waiting for his next statement.
" Where are you going? " He asked me.
" I'll go to the mall to have a shopping and get some groceries at the same time. " I answered.
" Okay. " He replied and wave his hands a goodbye since he will meet some if our department heads to check on the progress of the company's earning etc.
I walked away, when I reached in the elevator door I looked back.
" DON'T TELL MOM ABOUT IT! " I shouted.
" NO WORRIES, EL, I GOT YOUR BACK. " My father replied, and he winked at me as I entered inside the elevator and press the button that will lead me to the first floor.
The next day **
I received a call from Ralph, I was busy on searching for a book to shop in the online. When my phone ring beside my laptop that I focused my attention on it. I looked at the phone caller and saw it's Ralph, my dearest friend of mine. I accepted as I answer the call and say.
" Sup! " I uttered.
" Why did you called early in the morning, El." He said using voice with a irritation on it.
" What's the matter? " I replied innocently.
" Cit the crap. What do you want? " He asked me.
" Nothing. " I said.
" Really? " He replied.
" By the way, I called you because can you come over tonight? I need a helper in cooking. " I said.
" You just called me for me to help you? You know I'm busy. " He uttered.
" I know, I know but please it's my parent's wedding anniversary I'll be the one who will cook their dinner meals later on. " I stated.
" It's your parent's wedding anniversary? You damn the ass! Why you didn't tell me, I'll go there later on, just going to go first in mall to buy a gift for tita and tito. " He said.
" Okay. " I replied, and I can't help myself from smiling.
" You're lucky enough that I love you so much. " He added.
" Indeed, I love you too, Ralph. Faster and hurry! " I said and laugh out loud before I decided to end up the phone call.
I'm here in our gazebo in our small backyard garden. Wearing a dress while my hair is still a mess. I don't have time to wash my face, since I'll do it later. I'll write a message speech for my parents, since today is they celebrated their wedding anniversary. It's my first time and our first time in forever we celebrate this kind of occasion. Since my mother is usually busy while my dad is busy too in managing the company.
I decided to write a short but a heartedly message for both of them. Especially to my mother who is the one will always there for me since I was a child. Yesterday afternoon, after I went to the company with dad, I already brought some gifts to them. I hope they will love it. I buy them a new set of ring that I ordered and customized just for them.
The sad part is I don't know ring size of my parents.
After, I write a message in a piece of Oslo paper and put it inside a white envelope. I run towards my room and put it above my table and wait for Ralph to arrive. So that we can start the cooking session. While waiting, I grab a cake, and it eats . I heard a knock on the main door and wait for the person to enter.
" Ralph! " I uttered.
" What! " He replied.
" Did you bring a gift? " I asked.
" Yep, why would I forget? " He answered.
----
I was about to close the door when I heard a shout from a person approaching the door,, so I open it and take a look.
" ATE EL! " Amelia shouted as she run towards my direction with a big smile on her face.
" Amelia! " I called her name and hug her when she arrived In front of me. It's been a while since she come to visit.
" How are you? " I asked her.
" I miss you Ate El. I'm going great! Why did you move out again? " She said as she looked down on her shoes.
" I'm working El. Working as a model, and we are required to stay at the agency. But you can come to visit with my mom. " I said try to cheer her up.
" Can I be like you and stay in your room too. " She asked me innocently as she gazed on my eyes.
" Sadly no, since you're still seven years old. However when you grow up you can be a model just like me. " I stated and tap her head and kiss her cheeks.
" I got something for you! " She said as she grab my hand and drug me with her. I saw her mother who is holding a paper bag.
" What is this, Mel? " I asked her as I accepted the white paper bag that she is holding.
" It's a banana cake. My mom helped me cook it. But it's not perfect since I'm not a baker Ate El. " She uttered.
" Thank you, El. Come, I'm going to give you something. Let's go and get it! " I said and dragged her with me this time. We went to my room and looked for my gift bag that I buy for Amelia.
I handed to her the paper bag with a gold sunflower necklace on it with an engraved the word : Mel. When she opened the box and saw it. She shouted and hug me tight as she said.
" Thank you Ate El. How did you know that sunflower is my favorite flower? " She curiously asked me as she wipes her tears away from her face.
" Because your mother told me that you love to plant sunflower with your grandmother in your backyard garden. " I answered.
" Really? Thank you for this. I love you Ate El! " She responded.
I grab the necklace on her cute little hands and put it on her neck. I open my camera, and I'll take a selfie with Amelia. So, I have a picture to keep when I'm away from my hometown and the people I love the most.
" Ate El, I have good news! " Amelia exclaimed.
" What is it? " I uttered.
" I'm going to sleep over here since mama let me this time! " She said.
" That's great. " I said and tap her head and stand up as I walked towards the door.
I wish I can stay longer but my dream is waiting for me as my journey has officially just started.
--- El Del Acosta