Chapter 13: Changes of Chances

"I know this time would came, that chances are not going to change again."

Dino's POV

"Dad..."

"No Lee Chan. You're going alone with that client and do your best to make it a deal."

"I just need Ms. Ramiscal's presence." I said.

"It's a No. Sometimes, you need to move even without your workers. Now, go in that way, and proceed without my secretary." He said then finally leave. I just worriedly look at the woman in front of me.

"You can do it." She said to cheer me up

"Hindi ka ba talaga pwedeng sumama?" I asked. Hoping that she could go with me.

"Tama ang Dad mo. Kailangan mong matuto mag-isa. Saka lagi nalang kitang tinutulungan. For sure nakahalata na yun." I just deep a sigh.

"Goodluck." she said and give me a smile.

"Thank you........ Euna."

―--―--―--―

Malungkot akong pabalik ng opisina ni Dad. Doon ay nakita ko si Euna habang nakaabang sa labas ng pinto.

"How was it." she asked.

"As usual." I said with a sad tone

"It's fine. Maiintindihan ng Dad mo yun."

"I know he won't. I'm such a dissapointment."

"Don't say that."

"Lee Chan!" pareho kaming nagulat nang biglang lumabas si Dad mula sa opisina niya.

"Nakausap ko si Mr. Salves. Hindi mo nakuha yung deal! Ano ba talagang ginagawa mo ha?!"

"I'm sorry Dad." sabi ko saka tumungo.

"Sorry? Another client was wasted. And it is all because of you. How can I be sure that you are fit to be the next owner of my company if you can't handle a simple client?!"

"Dad, I told you this things before. I'm not yet ready."

"So that I'm making you one. But this what happened. You're giving me so much dissapointments." hindi nalang ako sumagot. Alam kong wala akong laban sa kanya.

"Hindi ko na alam ang gagawin ko sayo Lee Chan." he said then leave.

I deep a sigh. He's right. I'm just a dissapointment.

"Cheer up. There are still a lot of next time." Euna said.

I just smile at her. Buti nalang talaga at nandiyan siya.

"Bar?" I asked

"As always." she said.

―--―--―--―

"Cheers?" I asked. She just smile at me and what we can hear only is the sound of our glass.

"You ok?" I looked at her.

"I am. Because you're here." she chuckled after hearing what I said.

"Alam mo? Ang harot mo." she said while still gently laughing

"You know that I like you right?" she just nodded.

"I'm genius enough to know that what closeness you're giving to me is different from what are we supposed to have. A boss and secretary relationship is indeed better. But turns out you to feel something special for me."

"Does it gives you reason to make uncomfortable when you're with me?"

"Hindi naman. Thus, I like you too."

"Y-you do?" hindi makapaniwalang tanong ko.

"Mmm. But..... it's not right. You're my boss, and I'm the sec--"

"I'm not your boss. It's my dad."

"But sooner or later, you're going to be my boss. Kapag ipinasa na sayo yung kumpanya."

"I can refuse it."

"What?!"

"If only for you, I can do that."

"Dino...... I'm a decade older than you. I'm 32 and you're only 21. You're wasting your life just for me?"

"Why not? Love knows no age. Magkaedad lang ba ang may karapatang magmahal?" I said.

Hindi nalang siya nakapagsalita

Then all of a sudden, I just found myself kissing her.

And she is responding.

I grab her waist to pull her closer to me. Our kiss deepen and as she was put her arms around my neck.

Then that was the time I feel completed. The moment I was kissing her, makes me feel that I was floating in the sky and have some butterflies in my stomach.

I know I love her. And this is a chance

So I'm not going to waste it.

―--―--―--―

"Good afternoon Hyung!!" I greeted him as I entered his shop.

"Masaya ka yata? Sana all." I chuckled after hearing what he said.

"Stress ka na dito sa business mo?" tanong ko.

"Medyo." tinawanan ko nalang siya.

"Bakit kasi sinabay mo talaga magtayo ng shop habang pumapasok ka pa sa school?"

"Kaya ko naman eh. Marami lang talagang clients." tumango nalang ako. Umupo ako sa swivel chair niya saka nagpaikot-ikot habang siya ay nasa isa pang upuan at nag-aasikaso ng nga papeles.

"Jeonghan hyung." tawag ko sa kanya.

"Hmm?"

"Nagkagusto ka rin kay Mylene diba?" sinamaan naman niya ako ng tingin.

"Oh. Chill. Hahah nagtatanong lang eh. Curious lang ako. Kung nagustuhan mo siya, anong feeling?" matagal niya pa akong tiningnan bago huminga ng malalim.

"Oo nagustuhan ko siya. On the day I found out that Hoshi is the one he really loves, I also found my self falling for her. Pero hindi ko masasagot yung tanong mo kung anong feeling. Wala kasi sa lugar yung naging feelings ko sa kanya. I need to be happy, not because I like her, but because Hoshi and her, love each other. I was just a matchmaker." he said then gives back his attebtion to the papers in his desk.

"Bakit mo natanong? Is it because of Euna?" he suddenly asked.

Hindi muna ako sumagot. I just leaned to the chair and start to move around.

"Uhuh? Mukhang mauunahan na kita magkajowa hyung." sagot ko.

"Anak ng. Wala na kong baby." biro niya na tinawanan ko lang.

"Tell me. Ano nangyari?" he asked.

"We kissed."

"What?!" gulat na tanong niya.

"We are. Hahaha. I remember how soft her lips are. I just found out myself starving for more kisses."

"Hindi ka na nga talaga baby." tinawanan ko naman siya.

"But..... she's older than you."

"I don't care. I just know that I love her. And she said that she feels the same tho. I have all the chances hyung. That's the important for now."

"If that's your choice then. I'm just here to support you. But I'm just curious. How about tito? Your Dad?" then silence occured. I honestly don't know what's the right answer to his question.

"I don't........ know." I can hear his deep sigh.

"He needs to know."

"I can't tell him. Paano ko naman sasabihin? Na mahal ko ang secretary niya? Na di hamak na mas matanda sa akin ng higit sampung taon?"

"But he still need to know. You can't hide it tho."

"Bahala na. Basta ang mahalaga. Mahal ko si Euna. At ganon din siya sakin. And it will never change."

―--―--―--―

I was joyfully walking ahead to the lobby. I'm going to have my record attendance. It's a must as a trainee employee. Kahit pa ako naman ang susunod na magmamay-ari ng kumpanya na to.

I was about to talk with the staff but something caught my attention.

"Euna?" I whispered upon seeing him talking with another guy. With a boquet of flower in her hands.

"Uhmm miss? Who do you think he is. The one who's talking with Miss. Ramiscal?"

"Uhmm. That's her visitor Sir. He is Mr. Madrid. As far as I've known, he is the marketing director of our company's share holder." pinagmasdan ko pa siyang mabuti.

Gwapo nga.

Pero mas gwapo ako.

Desente tingnan.

Pero mas mayaman naman akong tingnan.

In short.....

Wala siyang panama sakin.

Pumunta ako sa kinaroroonan nila kaya naman nagulat silang dalawa.

"S-Sir." Euna said in shock.

"Who is he?" I asked and take a look at the boquet of flower in her hands.

"Uhmm--"

"Good Morning Sir. You must be the COO of this Company. I'm Kent Madrid. Euna's Suitor. Sorry for the sudden visit."

"S-suitor?" Hindi makapaniwalang tanong ko. Tiningnan ko naman si Euna. Pero hindi siya makatingin sa mata ko.

"Yes. For almost a year." he said.

I didn't able to react for more.

I thought.....

"Ahmm..... Kent. I think you should go." Euna suddenly said.

"I think so. Uhmm so Sir? See you around." tumango nalang ako bilang sagot.

Pagkaalis na pagkaalis niya ay agad kong hinila si Euna sa fire exit. This is the only place where we can talk all alone.

"D-Dino.."

"What was that? I thought you love me too? Euna. You have a suitor for almost a year?"

"Y-yes."

"B-but I thou--"

"I do love you. But face the truth Dino. Hindi tayo pwede. I'm older than you! Si Kent..... si Kent kaedad ko lang siya. At isa pa, boss ko ang daddy mo! Hindi maganda na magkakaroon ng something sa pagitan natin!"

"So ganun nalang yun? Nangarap lang ako kahapon tapos wala na naman? I thought we already have a chance? But why sudden change of chances? Pano yung nararamdaman ko sayo? You told me you love me too? Pano yun?"

"I'm sorry. But everything can change. Dino..... we're not meant for each other. Those chances, are really impossible. So it deserves to change at all."

"Euna..."

"We Should be professional. Sir." then after that. She left. She left me together with my tears starting to fall through.

―--―--―--―

"Dino, paabot nga ako ng photo card. Dun sa may Cabinet." wala sa sarili lang akong tumayo at kinuha ang pinapakuha ni Jeonghan hyung. Iniabot ko to sa kanya at umupo ulit sa swivel chair niya.

"Ano to? DINO! PHOTO CARD! HINDI BONDPAPER! Ano ba nangyayari sayo?" para namang bumalik ako sa sarili ko nang marinig ang sigaw na iyon ni Jeonghan hyung.

"Kasi naman eh! Broken hearted na nga uutusan pa eh!" reklamo ko saka bumalik sa cabinet at kinuha ang photo card na sinasabi niya.

"Ano ba yan! Ang drama mo! Eh wala namang kayo!"

"FOUL!!"

"Totoo naman eh." hindi ko nalang siya pinansin. Hanggang ngayon ay hindi ko parin lubos maisip na ganon kabilis lahat ng nangyari.

We kissed and confessed that we like each other but suddenly turns out that she has a suitor. I really can't digest everything that happens in just a short period of time!

"Hoy! Maubos buhok mo niyan. Akin na gupitin ko nalang. Kung makahila. Hindi ka nasasaktan? Sinasabunutan mo sarili mo dyan."

"Hyung! Ano ba gagawin ko?! Gusto ko siya! Mahal ko siya! Pero ang dami niyang dahilan para masabi na hindi kami pwede! Pero alam ko na mahal niya rin ako."

"Tingnan mo? La-love life love life ka, sinong nai-stress? Diba ikaw?"

"Hyung naman eh." He just deep a sigh then sit in the chair in front of me.

"Alam mo Dino, sa buong barkada, halos lahat yata, nabigyan ko na ng advice. Pero ako tong hanggang ngayon, wala paring jowa. Pero eto sasabihin ko. Chances are always there. Sometimes, its hiding. But if that chance is really meant for you, babalik at babalik ang chance na yun sayo. Did you get it? Chances can only change but if it really belongs to you, it would change again, and go round back to you, and you're the one who will change it with your own hands, holding your own chance."

―--―--―--―

Malalim ang pag-iisip ko habang naglalakad lakad dito sa park malapit sa school. Hindi mawala sa isip ko si Euna. Ano kayang ginagawa niya? Nasa office pa kaya siya? Naglunch na kaya siya?

I just deep a sigh.

I remember the first time we've met. He was introduced by my Dad as his new secretary. I was really stunned by her beauty. Hindi halatang nasa 30's na siya. She was still beautiful like a teen.

I was about to go back to school when I saw a familiar figure.

"Euna..." I whispered.

She was standing alone and watching something. And then there I saw it. She's looking for the man who is currently hugging a woman.

And that man was her suitor. But....... who's that woman? Hindi na ako nagdalawang isip pa at nilapitan ko na siya.

"Euna." tawag ko sa pangalan niya. Nilingon niya ako na may halong gulat.

"Dino. A-anong ginagawa mo dito?" hindi ko na siya sinagot at tumingin nalang rin sa kanina lang ay tinitingnan niya.

"He cheated on you?" I asked

"Wala namang kami." she answered. I remember our situation. Wala ring kami. Pero nasaktan ako. For sure nasasaktan rin siya sa nakikita niya ngayon.

"Are you hurt?"

"Saan?"

"Dahil ginawa niya yan sayo. Manliligaw ka niya pero meron pala siyang iba." I said.

"Not at all." agad ko siyang nikingon dahil don.

"N-not at all? What do you mean."

"Yes, he is my suitor, but I don't love him. So I don't care if he has another girl."

"So it's still me?" I asked. With hope in my eyes that she will say yes.

"It's been always you." and by that moment, my heart is going to burst on happiness.

Is it what Jeonghan hyung said? That if chance really belongs to me, it will go round back and I'm now going to make the change?

Then I'll make it. I will grab the chance again. And do everything so that it won't change anymore.

―--―--―--―

I gently pushed her to the endge of my office table. She's teasing me using her eyes. And I can't do anything to stop my urge to kiss her. Then I do so.

I place my arms around her waist and let her sit on the table. She wrap her arms around my neck as we deepen the kiss. I can even feel her breast so I pull her more closer to me.

My lips continues down to her neck and I can hear her soft moan. That really makes me more tempt.

I was about to unbutton my polo when someone enters my office.

"LEE CHAN!!" we both shocked at the moment my Father goes in. We can see through his eyes the anger because of what he witnessed.

His son is just kissing his secretary. Correction. It is just more than a kiss.

"WHAT'S THIS ALL ABOUT?! WHAT THE HELL I JUST WITNESSED?!" we're both silent and didn't have a guts to speak.

"Dino!!" All of a sudden, I just felt myself on the floor. I can even taste my own blood from my lips that was then cutted by my own father's punch.

"Nag-iisip ka ba Lee Chan?! Buong akala ko trabaho ang iniintindi mo! Iba na pala! And to my own secretary?! Lee Chan! Are you out of your mind?!" I didn't speak. I just listened to what he's saying.

Dito naman ako magaling. Ang makinig. Ang maging sunod-sunuran sa kanya.

"Sir.... we ca--"

"I don't need your opinion Ms. Ramiscal! Isa ka pa! Pinagkatiwalaan kita! Inisip ko pa na magandang impluwensya ka sa anak ko! Pero anong ginawa mo?! Nakaipagrelasyon ka pa!! At gumagawa ng bagay dito sa mismong kumpanya ko pa?!"

"Dad, don't blame he--"

"SHUT UP!! Ms. Ramiscal! Leave this office now!"

"But S--"

"GET OUT!!" She just looked at me then stood up and leave the office. Only me and my father are the one who left.

"Why did you do that?!" Dad started to scold me.

"I love her."

"You..... what?! Are you insane?! She's older than you! For almost a decade! Are you insane?!"

"So what if she's older than me? Dad, I love her. And you can't do anything to change it."

"Yes I can. I'm not going to let that woman to destroy what my dreams for you!"

"Dad!! She's my dream! All I want is her!"

"Wala kang mapapala sa kanya!"

"Meron. Mamahalin niya ako."

"Lee Chan! Listen to me! I'm your father!"

"Yes you are. You are my father. You are JUST my father. So you're not going to dictate me what I'm going to do." I said then start to walk away from him

"LEE CHAN! COME BACK HERE! WE'RE NOT DONE YET!! LEE CHAN!!" I hear him yelling. But I don't care. It's about time to choose what my choices are. And one of that choices is to follow my heart.

―--―--―--―

I hurriedly went to his office with papers in my hand. As I've enter his office, I immediately thrown that papers into his desk.

"What was that for?! You're going to fire Ms. Ramiscal?!"

"Why? Is there any problem?"

"Dad! You will not going to do that!"

"Yes I will. If that's the right thing to do for you to learn. At para narin mapaglayo kayo. Hindi siya makakabuti para sayo."

"At pano mo naman nasabi na hindi siya makakabuti para sa akin?!"

"Because I'm your father. I know what's the best for you."

"The hell with you! You're not doing this for me! But for yourself!! You're selfish! You only know is the best for yourself and not for me!"

"That's not true! Lee Chan! After your mom died, I promise to her that I will do everything that is the best for you!"

"But you're not!" and in that moment, I burst into tears.

"Kung buhay si Mom! Hahayaan niya akong maging masaya kay Euna!"

"But Euna is not the one for you!"

"Sino ka para sabihin kung sino ang para sa akin at hindi?! Dad! Masyado mo nang kinontrol ang buhay ko! Pati ba naman sa babaeng mamahalin ko ikaw parin ang masusunod?! Matagal na panahon na akong naging sunod-sunuran sayo! Kahit hindi ko pa kayang sumunod sa yapak mo, pinipilit mo ko! I'm not yet ready to handle this damn company yet you're forcing me to! And now, even in my personal feelings, ikaw parin ang masusunod?!"

"I'm just doing this for you."

"You're not Dad. You're just making my life more difficult. You're just hurting me. You can't let me to be happy with my own choice." I said then left him. Nasabi ko na ang mga dapat kong sabihin. Na matagal ko nang gustong isigaw sa kanya.

I love my father. But It's about time to love myself and give love the person who really deserve my love.

―--―--―--―

"Nagalit siya."

"Oh? Anong sabi niya?" he asked. I'm on the phone with Jeongahn hyung in the other line. I'm telling him what was just happened.

"Sesesantehin niya si Euna."

"Tsk tsk tsk. Kasi naman. Magme-make out lang sa opisina pa talaga eh noh?"

"Hyung naman. Nang-aasar ka pa eh." sabi ko saka humiga na ng tuluyan sa kama ko.

"Hindi ako nang-aasar, ang pinupunto ko lang, naiintindihan ko si tito. For sure mahirap para sa kanya na malaman na may relasyon yung anak niya saka yung secretary niya. Tapos mahuhuli niya pa kayo sa ganong sitwasyon diba?"

"So tama lang na sesantehin niya si Euna ganon?"

"Kung yun ang magiging desisyon niya, eh siya naman kasi ang boss. Siguro dapat kausapin mo muna siya. Magpaliwanag ka. Makikinig naman siguro siya diba?"

"Makikinig siya. Pero sa huli, siya parin ang masusunod."

"Hayy. Kaya minsan ayoko magjowa eh. Sa inyong lovelife pa nga lang, naiistress na ko. Sarili ko pa kaya?" tinawanan ko nalang siya pagkasabi niya non.

"Sige na hyung. Magpapahinga na ako. Pahinga ka na din. Goodnight." paalam ko saka ibinaba na ang phone ko.

Matagal pa akong tumitig sa kisame bago ko naisipang tawagan si Euna. Pero bago pa man ako makapagdial ay may narinig na akong kumatok sa pinto ng kwarto ko.

Pumunta ako rito para sana tingnan kung sino ito at ganon na lang ang gulat ko nang makita kung sinong kumatok.

"Dad..."

"May I come in?" hindi ako nakasagot. I just go back to bed and let him in.

"What do you need dad?" I asked.

"I just want to apologize son." and by that I looked at him. I can see through his eyes the sincerity on his apology.

"It's my fault. I didn't prioritized your feelings. I didn't ask if you're ok. I promised to your mom that I will do everything for you. But it turns out to be my selfishness. I'm sorry." I moved near to him and gave him a hug. I know I'm not sweet on being a son but I want to give him my embrace. Pareho lang kaming nangulila kay mom.

"Should you have a date?" he said as we ended the hug. I just give him a confused look. But he just give me an envelope.

I opened it and confusion drew all over my face again.

"A cruise ship ticket?" I said and he just give me a meaningful look. And then I get it.

"Thanks Dad!" I hurriedly hug him once again. I didn't expect him to do this. Never in my wildest dreams.

―--―--―--―

"Dino..... saan ba kasi tayo pupunta? Baka mahuli tayo ng Dad mo." she said while I'm guiding her through her steps since she's wearing a blindfold.

"Hindi yan. Akong bahala."

"Kasi naman eh. Hindi niya na nga ako sinesante eh. Baka mamaya maging dahilan na naman to ng pag-aaway niyo." hindi ko nalang siya pinansin. Huminto kami sa tapat ng cruise ship na nirentahan ni Dad para lang sa surprise na ito.

Dahan-dahan kong tinanggal sa mata niya ang blindfold.

"Wow." she said upon seeing what's in front of her. A cruise ship surrounded by lights. Perfectly fits under the moon and shining stars.

I guided her to enter the cruise ship. And then there she is, enjoying the view of the sea as the ship started to operate.

I hug her from the back and leaned my chin to her shoulder.

"Did you like it?" I asked

"I love it." after she says that, I faced her and gave her a peck on her lips.

"It's all for you." I said then she smiled.

"But...... how about your dad?"

"You have nothing to worry about him. In fact, he prepared this one." I said.

"R-really?" I just nodded.

"I love you." I said.

"I love you too." and at that moment, under the moon, I sealed her with a kiss.

We just spend our time with each other in that ship. Romantic dinner were set up and so she enjoyed.

We're now in bed preparing to sleep. Her head is currently leaning to my chest as she is hugging me.

"Dino?"

"Hmm?"

"Are you really sure about me?" she suddenly asked.

"I am. Why sudden asked that kind of question? Because of our age again?"

"You can't deny the fact that I'm older than you."

"You can't also deny the fact that I love you and I don't care about your age. As long as it's you. I will love you." I said then kissed the top of her head.

"I remember how I said that we don't have any chance at all. But now, we're together." she said that makes me smile.

"That was the time I was really hurt. I thought if losing a chance. But then a friend said that if that chance really belongs to you it will go round back to you. And it happens." I said and she look at me and smile

"I know this time would came, that chances are not going to change again." we share each other's embrace after I said that.

Right at this moment, I already found my sweetest thing. I already found her.

"I love you."

"I love you too."

~End~