FORD'S POV
"Yes! I want a team to help my company's business, that's why I called you because I know you could help me," I said to the person on the other line. I was talking to my best friend who owns an advertising company.
"No problem, bro. I got you! Where are you right now so we can talk about it in person? That way I can get the full details," he replied.
"I'm in Siargao, bro. I have some business to take care of here. Let's talk again tomorrow over the phone. I won't be able to go home until next week," I said with a sad tone.
"Alright, bro. If you need anything, call me. Take care there."
As soon as he finished speaking, I ended the call.
I just sat down on the sand and took a gulp of my beer.
They say, why can't I move on yet?
How can I move on?
How can I start over?
I looked up at the sky and let out a deep sigh.
Riiiing... Riiiing... Riiiing...
Calling... Mom
"Hi, Mom. How are you?" I answered.
"How are you there, son? When are you coming home?" she asked.
"Maybe next week? Why?" I asked curiously.
"Oh, that's great. Perfect timing..." she said excitedly.
"Come with us next week. We'll attend my godfather's birthday. We'll introduce you to his daughter. Jia. Oh my, son, when you meet her you'll see she's very kind and intelligent. She's also beautiful."
Before she could continue, I immediately interrupted her.
"Wait, Mom... Are you matchmaking me with your godfather's daughter? That's insane, Mom!" I blurted out in disbelief.
"Son, you're not getting any younger. It's already been five years. I want to see my grandchild. You are my only son," she replied sadly.
I scratched my head, almost feeling like shaving it bald because of the things my mom was saying.
"Okay, fine. I'll meet her. I'll call you again later, Mom. I still have something to do."
After that, I immediately ended the call.
Seriously? Am I that old already?
I'm only 37. I still have three years before turning 40. Why is Mom rushing to have a grandchild?
Since it was already evening, I decided to walk along the beach.
Not far away, I saw a group of people running around and swimming in the sea. They looked so happy—the kind of happiness that makes you think they have no problems at all.
Wait...
Her.
She's the woman who was on the boat with me earlier.
So they're staying here too.
Young people these days really are something else. The way they criticize other people's mistakes as if they never make mistakes themselves.
I decided to return to the villa. It was getting cold outside and I was starting to get bored.
I woke up to the sound of my phone alarm.
It was already 8:30 AM. I must have slept really well.
I got up and went straight to the bathroom to take a shower and brush my teeth. I have a virtual meeting with the board, and I need to look presentable. Otherwise they'll start saying again that I look miserable and that I still can't move on.
Suddenly, a memory flashed in my mind.
FLASHBACK
"Did you see Sir Ford? My God, what happened to him? He looks like he hasn't been taking care of himself," one of my staff said.
"Ma'am Patricia died. Sir must be depressed," the other one replied.
"Huh? But he should move on already. Ma'am Patricia has been dead for a year..."
She wasn't able to finish her sentence because I suddenly stepped out of my office.
"The two of you, you're fired. I don't want to see your faces in this office after ten minutes," I said coldly with no expression on my face.
"Sir? We're sorry... Please don't fire us," one of them begged.
"Well, you should have thought about that before talking about me behind my back! What do you think? That I didn't hear your conversation?" I answered, my blood boiling inside.
After that, I went back into my office.
END OF FLASHBACK
I was already seated, ready for the meeting.
"Hey boss, how are you? You look good," said Marisa, my secretary.
"You're flattering me. Where are the others? Do I have to wait for them again?" I said irritably.
One by one, they entered the meeting room.
"Most of you have been working with me for almost a decade now. But you still haven't changed. You're still late when it comes to meetings," I said, clearly annoyed.
"Okay. You've probably been wondering where I am. Of course, you wouldn't know because I didn't tell anyone. I'm currently on vacation," I said calmly.
Since I'm the owner, I can go on vacation whenever I want and come back whenever I want.
"Since I'm not there, I will entrust everything to Marisa. She will be my eyes while I'm away.
Karl, I want you to prepare a contract for our partnership with Luces Advertising.
Steven and Jose, you will handle multiple departments, including production, since we don't have a production manager right now. I need you to monitor that for the time being."
I paused, thinking if there was anything else I needed to tell them.
"Marisa, please call Adrian and set a meeting with his team tonight. I want to meet them."
I checked my phone—it was almost 11 AM. I wanted to go outside the resort to buy some things.
"Noted, sir. On it," Marisa replied, hurriedly writing down my instructions.
"Okay, that's it for now. I'm leaving. Do you have any questions?"
No one answered.
"Alright then. See you at the next meeting."
I immediately closed my laptop.
ALEX'S POV
Right now we're at the public market, trying to check if we can buy souvenirs to bring back for our other coworkers. Of course, we also plan to bring something for Boss Adrian.
"I don't think there are any souvenirs here, bestie. They're only selling vegetables and fish. And the market is so far from the resort," Luna said while looking around.
"Then where are we supposed to buy souvenirs? We're not from here," I replied, rolling my eyes at her.
The vegetable vendor must have overheard us because she suddenly spoke.
"Looking for souvenirs? Go to Nog's. They sell lots of souvenirs there. You won't find any here—only fish and meat," she said while wrapping the okra she was selling.
"Oh, where is that? What can we ride to get there?" Luna asked.
"A tricycle. Did you see any other vehicles here? Even if there are jeepneys, they're always full. Just take a tricycle," the woman replied sarcastically.
"Okay, thank you, ma'am," I said as I pulled Luna away and we left the market.
We quickly rode a tricycle going to Nog's.
Honestly, transportation here seems a bit difficult. The only mode of transport you see everywhere is a tricycle.
After a few minutes, we arrived at our destination.
The shop was small, but there were so many souvenirs to choose from.
"Wow, these souvenirs are beautiful. Some of them are even handmade," Luna said while browsing excitedly.
After buying our souvenirs, we returned to the resort and rode another tricycle.
"Boss, we're on our way back," I said on the phone. It was Sir Jess calling.
"Hurry up. We need to discuss something as a team. There's an update from Boss Adrian," he said.
"Okay, we're coming."
After a few minutes, we arrived at the resort.
We immediately went up to the villa, and everyone was already outside waiting for us.
"Guys, Boss Adrian called me. We have a meeting with our new client. This is a big project, so take note of everything we'll discuss later with our new client," Sir Jess said.
"Did Boss Adrian say who the client is? What company?" Ryan asked.
"Actually, yes. The CEO of Ravendale Corporation," Sir Jess replied.
"Wow! Aren't they the ones who manufacture jewelry? That's big time," Ryan said while eating chips.
"Yes, big time. Literally a billionaire. Take note, guys—he's been Boss Adrian's best friend since birth. That's why we need to do our best. He trusts us a lot," Sir Jess said while also eating chips.
A billionaire?
Yes, Ravendale Jewelry is famous, but I've never met the owner before. I guess we'll meet him later. Hopefully he's nice.
"We still have time to eat dinner, guys. Go ahead and order and—"
Suddenly Sir Jess's phone rang.
"Hello, Boss... okay."
He ended the call.
"Never mind ordering. The client is actually here in this resort. Boss said we'll meet him personally right now," Sir Jess said, clearly excited.
I mean, who would refuse the chance to work with Ravendale?
But wait.
We came here for vacation... supposedly.
Sigh.
So annoying. Even here, work still finds us.
"Why are you frowning?" Gil asked while pinching my cheek.
"This is supposed to be our vacation, right? Then suddenly there's work? What's that about?" I replied, rolling my eyes.
"That's just how it is. We chose this industry, so even during vacation we still have to be ready for work," he said calmly.
Do I even have a choice?
Nope.
We're slaves to money, so we just have to follow the boss's orders.
"Hello? Yes, sir. You're just in the next villa? Okay, we're coming," Sir Jess said after receiving another call.
"Guys, the client is just in the next villa. Let's go—he's waiting," he said as everyone followed him.
I was walking at the back.
Wait...
The next villa?
Is he the client?
Oh no!