Running from the Horizon (Secondary Series #2)

Running from the Horizon crescent1004   Secondary Series #1: Chasing over the Belief (completed)   Secondary Series #2: Running from the Horizon   Note: This story will contains spoilers from series #1.   DISCLAIMER: This is a work of fiction. The names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either a product of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblances to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.   This story is not affiliated with anything.   Please be advised that this story might contain some strong languages that are not suitable for some readers.   ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————   PROLOGUE   “Engineer Gonzales, do you think you can really handle another project?”   I gave Architect Delos Santos another look as I heaved a sigh, putting down my pen. I know that I have several projects on hand right now but they don’t need to keep asking me about it. They just keep on repeating the same topic for almost half an hour now.   “I already said yes Architect. It’s not like Engineer Pineda can take more.” I answered.   “Engineer Gonzales is right Architect Delos Santos. Engineer Pineda is already old to take more than 2 projects. Diana can handle it, don't worry. She has me as the assistant engineer-in-charge anyway.” Marley butted in. I smirked and shook my head.   “Well then, I will send you the details regarding the site so you can check it. I will send the exact location too so you can check out the place yourself since I already went there yesterday.” Architect explained as I nodded before she left my office.   My mind is everywhere with the amount of projects that I am handling but it is manageable now than it is before. I got used to it now with the years I have been working in this industry. With the help of Fiona as well, it was easier.   “Surely they are giving almost all big projects to you girl. No wonder why Gianna’s blood is rising every time there is a discussion about new projects.” Marley stated.   “It just happens that they are giving me some big projects. Gianna is just being, you know… selfish. She wants all the projects to go to her.” I said.   “She wants all the projects but she can’t even handle it properly. Her saying that she can do better than you is the biggest scam in history, girl!” She lay down on the couch inside my office as if she is not busy with her own work.   I cleared my throat, standing up to approach her. I stood in front of the couch she was laying down at and looked at her, expecting that she would at least get the idea why I approached her.   “What?”   “Don’t you have work? Why do you keep staying here in my office instead of staying into yours?” I complained. Just another day of me complaining over her.   “I told you! I don’t have a couch in my office and you have one!” she answered, crossing her arms with eyes closed.   “Then go put one!”   “Why do I need to put one when I can just lay here instead?” I took a deep breath knowing that I will not win in this argument. It is really hard to win against her.   “I swear, you are the best at these things.” I slumped myself into the smaller couch beside her.   “I am not one of the best in debates back in high school for nothing, Diana.” she confidently says. I gave her forehead a light flick which made her rise up immediately. “Now that hurts Diana Cer Gonzales!”   I just laughed at her glare before standing up and taking my bag from the table. “I have to go home now. We still need to go somewhere.”   “Is it today?” I nodded at her because giving her a small smile.    It is funny how way back then I did not even bother seeing myself in this position. I did wish I would reach this but I was given more. At the same time, I have to give up some as well.   Diana Cer Gonzales Engineer-in-charge   I heaved a sigh and closed the fold-over clipboard before starting the engine of my car and drove away.   Everything that I have right now was not easy to achieve. Not everyone has it easy to be what they want to be in the future. To be at the certain field they really wanted to be in. To work in a career that you have always wanted since you were little. The way to achieve those was not easy but I was able to be where I am now and that is what I am proud of.   I stopped by the flower shop before driving inside the park to find him. Just as usual, I have to look for him. There is no landmark in his area that is why I still struggle to find him.   “As usual, it’s still hard to find you!” I exclaimed, letting out a soft chuckle.   “It took me a year to visit again. I got so busy with the projects in the company so I cannot find the time to come here. I’m sorry.” I sat on the grass, in an indian seat. I am thankful that I decided to not wear a skirt today.   “You know what? I got so many projects right now and just today, I got one of the biggest projects again for this year! Amazing, isn’t it?” I shared.   “On my way here. I thought I have a lot of things to say but I ended up forgetting those,” I put both of my hands behind me to lean back with my hands supporting my weight. I look up in the sky, even though it is blinding, and creep out a smile.   “I am fine. We are fine. We are better now. I achieved it. I gave them a comfortable life again. We manage it.” I assure him.   I talked for a little more before bidding my goodbye and drove back to the house. I stopped by a two-storey house, parking my car just outside, before hopping off. My eyes roamed with the house design feeling proud.   “Ate!”   I looked on my right side when I heard a loud shout only to see my siblings riding their own bicycles. They must have roamed the village with their bicycles just like they always do.   “You guys are sweaty now! Take a short rest then go to shower. I will be having dinner here.” I excitedly told them.   It has been a month since the last time I visited our house since I have been staying in a condo unit. It is closer to the office. I barely saw them with the projects I handle. The people I saw the most are my officemates.   “Mama! Ate is here!” Evan shouted when we entered the house.   I heard loud stumps from the dining area. Within seconds, mama came running out. She gave me a tight hug which I reciprocated.   “I’m so glad that you managed to come here today, anak.” I gave her a sweet smile.   “If I did not come then I will be seeing you in my office tomorrow.” I tease.   No lies in there. The last time I was not able to go home and eat dinner here because I got stuck in Taguig, the next day, she is already waiting inside my office with the dishes she cooked the day before. At the end, I had to take them all home and put them in the fridge. At least I got myself free from cooking for a few days during that time.   “You two, go take a shower and get change! You are full of sweats! You will get sick’” Mama ordered them which they obeyed.   “How are things doing at work anak?”   “Doing great mama. I have five projects in hand now. They just assigned me to another big project just today.” I explained.   “Are you still resting? Can you handle that many projects?” She worriedly asked me as I nod, giving her a reassuring smile.   “Are you my co-worker, ma?” I chuckled. “They keep asking me about that as well back in the office.”   “I’m just worried anak. You don’t need to overwork yourself. You need some rest.” She caressed my cheeks carefully as I nodded.   “I handled more projects back then ma. This is nothing compared to before. Don't worry. I will be fine.”    I raised my brows, confused. She is just staring at me with worriedness and feeling sorry evident in her eyes. Somehow it got me worried that maybe she is overthinking again. That I am still pushing my limits again just to give them a comfortable life.   “You know that you don’t need to push yourself, right? We are already living comfortably now. Thanks to you,” I leaned to the table, avoiding her eyes. We are always like this. She will always tell me how thankful she is for everything I have worked hard for. There is nothing to be grateful for. I wanted to do all of those on my own.   “You build us this house. Got life insurance for the four of us. Your siblings are studying in a great school. You achieved more than what you have always wanted. You are already one of the head engineers in your workplace. What is there left?” She pointed it all out.   “Lovelife!” I heard my sister’s shout behind us. “Ate does not have a boyfriend.”   I shook my head in disbelief. I can’t even catch up with how big my siblings have become now. They even have time to interfere with my lovelife now.   “Crazy! She has one! Remember? That kuya back then who keeps visiting us.” I freeze at that moment. “What was that kuya’s name again, ate?”   Out of all topics, that topic about him is the least that I expected. I cannot blame my siblings because they got really attached to him as well.   Mama might have noticed how uncomfortable I get. She called my siblings to have the table set already so we can eat.   For the meantime, I went to the backyard for a while, seating on one of the lounge chairs. I lay on my back there, staring at the sky.   I did achieve many things now. I gave my family a more comfortable life than what we have before. Got myself a stable job with a high pay. I am living comfortably while pursuing the career I have always been wanting but I still have one left. It was all my fault anyway.   We ate dinner after that while talking about my siblings' lives as students. Hearing their stories makes me want to go back to being a student. The world of adults and the workplace is just so tiring and scary at some point but satisfying at the same time once you get what you are assigned for done.   Back then, the only problems I had was how I should wake up early on my own. How I should do my essay paper. What should I do with the exams and many more. But now, everything is just different. There are more responsibilities and heavy workloads.   I drove back to my unit after dinner since I cannot stay in the house. I have an early meeting with this client who booked me for two weeks now. Tomorrow is only my free time because I have been juggling my time from moving from one site to another.   “I will be meeting my client in a coffee shop. Do you want me to buy you some coffee?” I asked Marley over the phone. My eyes are focused on the road and my hands are in the steering wheel. “Damn it! Just how bad the traffic here can be!”   [“Just be a café latte regular size and the salmon scramble. I will just pay you once you arrived here.”]   “I just asked if you want coffee. I did not say I will buy you food as well.” I complained while parking smoothly in front of the coffee shop.   [“Just buy me food as well, please? I can’t stop by the coffee shop myself since I have to go to the office at 9am and it is already 8:30! I will be late.”] she pleaded as I shook my head.   I put down the sun visor and opened the cover of the mirror to look at myself. “Is it my fault that you decided to wake up so late when you know that you need to be in the office early in the morning?”   [“Stop scolding me! I got so immersed with that Korean drama, you can’t blame me!”]   “Sometimes I want to question you with how you do your work when you are always so preoccupied with those dramas.” I mentally hit my head and heave a sigh. She really looks like someone who is busy with her work. She is just that good with time management… except getting up early the next day.   [“Just because you stopped occupying yourself with Korean dramas like before does not mean you can scold me now!”] She complained.   “Whatever!” I laughed. “I have to go. Be sure that you will be in your office once I arrive.”   [“No worries. I will wait for you in your office!”]   Before I could even complain, she dropped the call. Leaving me speechless. How about we just switch offices then?   I took my bag and a fold-over clipboard before going inside the coffee shop. The client is just around the corner so I still have some allottee time to order my coffee. I will just order Fiona’s once we are done.   “One regular vanilla latte, please.” I said to the young cashier. I smiled at her as she prepared my drink, remembering how I was before.   I went to the couch near the big glass window since I don’t know how many clients I will meet today. That client might bring one person with him so I had to choose the couch.   The client is still unknown to me. Felix, the head of the engineers in the Manila branch of R&A, just told me that the client requested for me. He said that this is a big client so I had to take it.   “Diana!” My eyes widened upon seeing the person who was wearing a simple white dress shirt, black slacks and a pair of white shoes in front of me. His hair is pushed back but he still does look good just like before. “You remember me right? James Sanchez’s friend in flying school?”   “Of course! Wesley!” I greeted back, still in shock. I stood up to give him a peck on the cheeks. “What are you doing here?”   “Well, I am the client you are waiting for!” He exclaimed excitedly. My eyes widened in surprise but I gave him a smile, nodding. Just look at how small the world is.   “Have a seat then,” I said, pointing to the couch in front of me so we are adjacent to one another. “Should I discuss the project you want me to handle after you order your drink?”   “Let us wait for the architect first so we can start the meeting.” He said before standing up to order his drink.   We are not really close but I somehow met him in some party’s I attended back then because he is James’ friend. I did not expect that I would meet him again after how many years.   He returned back to his side, placing his phone on the table. “By the way, I picked the Architect myself, if you don’t mind right? I want the one I trust the most to handle this project because it is going to be mine and my soon-to-be wife’s house. I can’t just have someone stranger to me to handle it.”   “The customer is always right so yeah! There is certainly no problem with that.”   I don’t know but I suddenly felt nervous. With how small the world really is, it is not impossible that we will meet again. After all, Wesley is someone who is an acquaintance of the two of us especially to him. I don’t want to expect something but if he really is the one, then I have no choice then.   “Oh! The architect is here!” Wesley exclaimed as he stood up. I felt someone’s presence next to our table.   “Hey bro!” He greeted back. I am certain that it is him. His manly, deep voice is still the same. No doubt that it is him.   “Bro, I want you to meet the engineer I want you to work with.,” Wesley said, making it my cue to stand up. He is acting like he has no idea about the past.   I stood up and faces him. He remained stoic despite the fact that I felt so nervous just seeing him in front of me.   “Hello Architect. I’m Engineer Diana Gonzales.” I stick out my hand to give him a handshake. He stared at it for a moment, looking at me, before holding it back for a handshake.   My body suddenly felt cold from the contact with his hand. It has been a long time since the last time I felt his warm palm.   “Hello Engineer. I am Architect Noah Castro, please to meet you.”   ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————   Terms used:   Mama - A Filipino term for Mom Ate - A Filipino term for an older female sibling Anak - A Filipino term for child