Broken Bones and Scar Souvenirs

Chapter 3 (Part 2)

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Napabuntong-hininga na lang si Sabrina at napatigil sa pagtutupi ng mga damit nang nag-ring ang kanyang cellphone. It was her EA Patrice. She suddenly felt bad for ignoring her first two calls so she decided to pick up this time.

“Yes, Patty?”

“Hello Ma'am Sab, I hope I didn’t catch you on a bad time,” mahinhin na sagot ni Patrice sa kabilang linya.

Both of them maintained a healthy professional relationship and Pat has been working for her for about three years. Kumportable naman ang assistant niyang makitungo sa dalaga, at halos kaibigan na rin ang turing sa kanya ni Pat. Well, if normal friends served coffee every morning, checked appointments, and get paid every month just by being in her presence, maybe Pat is indeed the closest friend she ever had. Not that she had many, to begin with.

“No, it’s fine. Nagliligpit lang ako ng ilang mga gamit para sa paglilipat bukas. What’s up?” Pasimple niyang nilingon ang iilang maleta at tatlong box na nasa harap harap niya.

Sabrina didn’t really pack anything other than her everyday clothes, some shoes, bags, pieces of jewelry, and personal hygiene products. In the boxes were her books and a few of her electronics. Mas pinili niyang iwan na lang ang mga furniture sa kanyang condo. She just assumed that maybe after the wedding they will just be staying at the Vescozar mansion or Yalmar had a separate home ready for the two of them. Either way, she couldn’t care much.

“Yes, about that. The movers will be there at around 8 AM tomorrow but after that, you have a meeting at 9:30 with your father and Yves Vescozar to settle the documents for the acquisition,” Pat diligently informed her. “Are you sure you don’t want to move that meeting to another time? Baka kasi hindi agad matapos ang paglilipat mo by 9:30.”

“It’s fine. Hindi naman ganoon kadami ang mga gamit ko. Besides, everything has been smoothened out on our previous meetings, I will just be there to sign a few legal documents. Just make sure you clear everything for the rest of the day after that.” She shifted the phone to her other ear. “My in-laws are expecting me for a welcome dinner and I want all my stuff settled in around that time.”

Mabilis namang nagpaalam ang sekretarya niya at agad na bumalik si Sabrina sa ginagawa. As much as she can’t handle moving and seeing her dad on the same day, she felt that it would be futile to even try to postpone the meeting. The sooner she gets it done, the sooner she can put it behind her.

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Sab, was actually delighted that the moving truck, came right on time. Siya na mismo ang nag-asikaso at sinigurado na rin niya na lahat ng mga ililipat na gamit ay naikarga bago pa man siya dumiretso sa opisina.

The meeting was attended by a small group of people, namely her father, his lawyer, Yves Vescozar who represented VGC’s legal interests, and a couple of assistants. Bago pa man iyon, ay sinigurado na ni Sabrina na maliwanag at detalyado ang lahat ng mga kondisyones niya sa dukumento.

It was agreed that half of their family’s stocks under Hector Buenavista’s name will be legally transferred to Marco Vescozar in partial p*****t of his father’s debt and it made him one of the major stockholders. Yalmar will be the one who represents his father in the board of directors. The other half of it was then transferred under Sabrina’s name together with the stocks her mother left her, made her the one with the biggest share in the company. Hector also signed a document that turns over his position as president and CEO to her.

Magiging parte pa rin ng board of directors ang kanyang ama, pero hanggang sa papel lang at wala itong control sa mga desisyon na gagawin ni Sabrina sa kumpanya. It was the most decency she could spare him, especially that her father was still the founder of Buenavista Landevelopers. She agreed to give Hector a stipend of fifty thousand pesos a month and gave him their vacation property in Rizal as his only residence. Sabrina figured it should be enough for him to get by for the rest of his miserable life.

Agaran na ring sinigurado ng dalaga na papayagan niya lang makita ang ama sa kanyang engagement party, kasal, at sa mga official meetings kung saan kinakailangan ang presensya nito. Higit pa do’n, wala na siyang pake. Her father tried to squeeze in a little more leniency on their agreement but Sab was quick to shut it all down.

She kept her expressions stoic and tried to finish the meeting as civil as she possibly could. Hindi naman nakaligtas sa paningin ng dalaga panakanakang pagtaas ng kilay ni Yves sa malamig na trato niya sa ama pero nanatili namang tahimik ang lalaki.

Once all the binding documents have signed, Sabrina immediately ended the meeting. Siya na ang naunang tumayo, niligpit ang mga gamit at agad na lumabas ng conference room. Mabilis namang sumunod sa likod niya si Patty. Yves and his secretary caught up with her in the hallway as they were waiting for the elevator.

Pasimpleng tumukhim naman si Yves bago nagsalita. “You’re heading to Hacienda Vescozar, yes? Baka gusto mong sumabay na lang sa amin.”

“On what? Another helicopter ride Mr. Vescozar?” she jested. “I think I’ve had enough time on-air to last me ‘til next month.”

“We can drive there if you don’t mind the traffic. I’ll have a valet drive your car. P’wede ring mag-convoy tayo. And please, call me Yves. There are too many, Mr. Vescozars at home, you might end up confused.”

Bumukas ang elevator at agad naman silang sumakay. Luckily, there was no one else riding but them. Bago pa makatanggi si Sabrina sa alok ni Yves ay mabilis namang tumakbo ang ama niya sa hallway at humabol sa papasarang elevator.

The small enclosure fell silent. Hector was finally the one t break it.

“Anak, please, mag-usap muna tayo,” pakisusap niya sa dalaga. Sinubukan pa sana nitong hawakan ang kamay ni Sabrina ngunit mabilis naman niya itong iniwasan.

“We are done talking.” She just looked straight ahead. “And I am done with your s**t the minute I left that conference room.”

Everyone clearly felt the tension and continued to hold their breath but chose not to get involved with their father-daughter argument.

“Anak, ‘wag ka naman ganito. Alam mong ginawa ko lang naman lahat ng iyon para sayo.”

It made her quickly snap back at her father with obvious disgust in her eyes.

Bahagya pa siyang natawa bago sinagot si Hector. “‘Wag mo ‘kong gawing dahilan sa mga kapalpakan mo. You didn’t do this for me. You were only thinking of yourself and you sold me to save yourself. The sooner we both come to terms with that, the sooner I could have some kind of peace.”

Halos isang malaking pasalamat naman ng dalaga nang agad na tumunog ang matinis na elevator bell at agad itong bumukas sa lobby. Hindi na siya nagpaligoy-ligoy pa at nagmadaling naglakad palayo. Nanatili namang nakasunod sa kanya si Patrice.

As they were approaching the front desk, Yves struggled to keep up with her strides. Hector was still left dumbfounded with their spat at the elevator. Sabrina was planning on walking to her car and straight-up ignored everyone else but like a speeding train approaching, she was caught off guard by an elegant young woman smiling at her and quickly pulling her in with a hug.

She didn’t know what to say but Sabrina was quick to shift her murderous-resting-b***h-face into a bit public-friendly smiling-doll-face.

Once the strange woman pulled away from the hug, it gave Sabrina a chance to finally look at her face. She was tall, with the prettiest brown eyes she has ever seen, and a little hint of western mix.

“Oh, God, please say you recognize me,” she said with a slight British accent that she so struggled to hide.

“Mitch! Of course I recognize you, silly. Wait, wha—”

“Luv? What are you doing here?” hinihingal na singit ni Yves na nakahabol na pala sa kanya. Agad namang nginitian ni Mitch ang asawa at walang pakundangang hinalikan ito sa gitna ng lobby. Napangiti naman ang lalaki at agad na hinapit sa beywang ang maybahay.

“Easy now, I didn’t come here for you.”

“Wow, ang sama mo sa ‘kin,” tudyo ni Yves.

Si Sabrina naman ay nanatiling naguguluhan at tila nahihiya sa lantarang paghahalikan ng mag-asawa sa gitna ng lobby ng kumpanya nila. She actually didn’t believe all those mushy things couples did when they’re in love but apparently, even Yves Vescozar and his wife were not immune to it.

“I’m actually here to steal Sabrina for a little while.” Bumaling naman ito sa dalaga. “You clearly wouldn’t mind grabbing lunch with us don’t you, Sab?”

“N-no, that sounds lovely. But… uhm us?” she hesitantly asked.

“Yes, us. Amanda, Diane, and Wine are waiting for us in the car.”

“So, hindi ako invited, Luv?” Yves pretended to pout.

“Oh, as much as I enjoy your company, it’s strictly girls only, my sweet.” She smiled and turned again to Sabrina. “So, Sab?”

“Uhm, but what about my stuff. Ihahatid iyon ng moving truck sa hacienda, eh.”

“Don’t you worry about that. Sinabihan ko na ang staff sa mansion. They will take care of all your things and nicely get your room ready. Please, please say yes. I promise to get you there plenty of time before dinner.”

“Luv, don’t be like that. We don’t want Sab to feel suffocated,” sayaw ni Yves dito. “I’m really sorry about her Sab, my wife could be very pressing sometimes.”

“No, it’s fine. I would love to spend some time with them,” sabi ng dalaga. Ang totoo ay kahit siya ay nahirapan na ring tanggihan si Mitch dahil sa mga pakurap-kurap nito. She must admit, Mitch’s eyes were pretty compelling.

“Yes!” Mitch giggled like a child. “Oooh, maybe we can go shopping after lunch. I’m so excited!”

Sabrina looked back to Patrice and managed to give her a few final instructions and tasks before Mitch could whisk her out of the lobby. “Come, on! The girls are waiting in the limo.”

“Wait, what? Limo?”