Unfinished Goodbyes

Stacey couldn't make it to the office the next day. She was busy with Jhoanna's back-to-back meetings. It was past two in the afternoon when she returned to her seat.

She was disappointed to see the thick memo pads on her desk. She picked them up and looked through them one by one. She stopped midway when she saw Mikha Lim's name. She was about to return the call. 

She immediately reached for the phone's receiver. She dialed the number indicated in the message. A woman answered on the other line.

"Good afternoon. May I speak with Mikha Lim?"

"Speaking. May I know who’s on the line?"

She was nervous when she heard her clear and firm voice. It was obvious that she was a rich girl. “This is Stacey Sevilleja. I'm calling for Ms. Jhoanna Robles. I just read your message, that's why I called you up immediately.”

"Stacey!" The formality in her voice disappeared. It was replaced by a joy and excitement that she hadn't felt at that moment. “It’s so good to hear from you.”

“Likewise,” she lied.

"I’m sorry kung hindi kita nakausap kahapon. It is most regrettable, but I was not feeling well."

"Aiah explained it to me."

"I know." Her voice seemed to be teasing. “She called me up early this morning and informed me to make this appointment with your boss.”

“Is that so?”

“How was your date? Did you two stay up late?”

"Sort of," she answered evasively. She stayed up late thinking about Aiah, but not because they went out. “Are you ready to meet Ms. Robles?”

"Of course. Ikaw pa ba naman ang tatanggihan ko?"

"Thank you." She looked at the desk calendar in front of her. “So, when will it be?”

“Name it. I know your boss is busy. When can you insert me?”

"She’s looking forward to seeing you as soon as possible. I can make adjustments on her schedule para magkita kayo agad." Her voice was very professional.

"Ah, eh... di sige. It’s up to you."

"Aalis ka ba ngayon? Can I call you back after ten minutes? I’ll discuss Ms. Robles’ availability."

"Basta ikaw."

"Good."

"Stacey?"

"Yes?"

"It’s good that you two came together again last night. I hope this is the start of something—"

"I have to go, Janna. Bye for now." She didn’t wait for anything else she would say. She hung up the phone. She sat there motionless for a long time. The blood was slowly rising to her head. That woman’s nerve to insinuate! Very plastic while she and Aiah are the ones in a relationship!

“Ma'am, Miss Lim has agreed to meet you. When can I set it up?”

Jhoanna's eyes widened. "Is she available tomorrow?"

"Yes, she’s willing to see you anytime."

"Tomorrow, early morning. A breakfast meeting will do."

"I don’t believe that’s possible, Ma'am."

Her forehead furrowed.

"She’s from Batangas and I don’t think she’ll agree."

"I’ll go there then. I’d like to see her early in the morning and I’ll be there by seven. Just get her address and I’ll take care of the rest."

"Okay." She walked out and returned to her desk. She dialed Janna’s number again. Again, it was Janna who answered the phone.

“Janna?"

“Stacey!"

"She wants to see you at seven tomorrow."

"Seven pm, that’s good."

"No. I mean, seven in the morning."

The other line fell silent.

"She is willing to go to your place to meet you."

"I’m in Batangas. That’s asking too much."

"She knew it and that’s quite all right with her. If you’ll just give me your address—"

"The problem is I don’t entertain talks in my house."

Stacey was already hesitant after hearing this.

"I value my privacy."

"Sige na, Janna. Just do it for me, please."

Silence.

"Just this once."

Janna sighed. "Okay, I’ll wait for her here, seven in the morning."

She smiled as she wrote down the address she dictated. “She’ll be there."

"I hope so."

After talking to her, she called Jhoanna using the intercom.

"Ma'am, good news. Pumayag na siya. She’ll be waiting for you in her house at seven in the morning tomorrow."

"Good. Give me her address at ako na ang bahala bukas. Stacey, can you come with me tonight? There's a party at Gwen's house and I need a companion."

"But, Ma'am, I don't have anything nice to wear."

"Go to Penshoppe. Use your company credit card and buy yourself a nice dress. You can also get ready and you can have the rest of the day off."

"Ma'am—"

"Inform me where to pick you up. You must be prepared by seven. Clear?"

"Clear." She didn't know whether to be pleased or annoyed by this order.

"Napansin kong masyado kang tahimik kanina, Stacey. Is there something wrong?"

Jhoanna was next to her in the backseat of her comfortable Expedition. She was even more surprised when she suddenly spoke. "No, Ma'am. I'm just a little tired."

"Malalim ang iniisip mo. Does it have something to do with Aiah Arceta?"

She didn’t move.

"I suspected so."

"It's not like that."

"You mentioned something about a date with her last night."

"Hindi ‘yon natuloy, Ma'am. We had something we couldn't agree on before we left my house."

"That was fast." She smiled. "You know, you’ve been with me for a while now. I’ve always had the impression that you possess a strong character. I have never heard of you getting involved with anybody since you started working with me." She looked at her. "And you seem confused now."

"We didn’t exactly separate on friendly terms, Ma'am."

"I prefer ‘Jho' when we're not in the office."

"J-Jho."

"I’m sorry if it was because of my desire to see Mikha Lim that you got into this mess."

"Sino ba naman ang mag-aakalang si Mikha at si Janna ay iisa?"

"At silang dalawa na ngayon ni Aiah?"

"That’s what I gathered."

"It is really very difficult. Mahal mo pa ba si Aiah?"

"I accepted when she was gone from my life. It just came as a surprise that we would see each other again."

"You’ve let go of the past?"

"I would like to think so."

"There are things that time cannot change no matter what you do. It’s best that you accept the situation and move on. Are you ready to move on?”

"Matagal na, Jho. Maybe if I had done that earlier, Aiah and I wouldn't have met again like this."

"Do you want to come with me to my rest house in Anilao this weekend? We can swim and go fishing there para makapag-relax ka."

Her eyes widened at what she heard. Jhoanna laughed at her reaction.

"What?"

"Ma'am?"

"Jho."

"Jho." She couldn't believe her offer. "I don’t think that’s very professional."

"And who said anything about professionalism?" She smiled. "You’ve been my faithful assistant for five years. We get along well and you never did show any spark of interest in me."

She smiled at what she said.

"You’re very familiar with the people I work with. You’re a very good hostess. You know your way and are very independent and excellent at handling situations."

She didn't say anything.

"I’m already 29, Stacey. Unfortunately, I haven't seen a person I want to be with forever."

She suddenly felt nervous at what she heard.

Suddenly, she became serious. "I still want to enjoy my children while I'm still young. I know you will also be a good mother. What I'm trying to say is why don't we make a deal while you still haven't seen the person who suits you? Marry me."

"Is this a business proposal?"

"I’m tired of being a bachelorette, Stacey. Sawa na ‘kong laging may babaeng umaaligid sa akin hoping na makuha ako. We can have a happy life. I believe that love is not the only movable force that can make people happy. I’m not going to rush you to decide."

"No… pero, what if it wouldn’t work out?"

"Then we will go on with our lives. Next year, Louis will leave us and I will promote you as the new purchasing manager. You know how he works, and I believe in your capacity to fulfill his job."

"Jho—"

"Even if you decide to marry me, you can still work. You will be an asset to the company and I hate to see good people go." She smiled at her. "Think about it."

"I will." She was silent and her mind was filled with what Jhoanna said.

Her, being pressured by her boss to be her wife? She knew she didn't want her, just like she didn't have any interest in her. But if she agreed, she would be happy with Jhoanna. Because she was a responsible person. She definitely wouldn't abandon her in everything. Even if she didn't love her, she was content. Rather, she loved her but would throw her away like trash.

She was so upset. Why had Aiah entered her thoughts again?

Finally, Jhoanna's car stopped in front of her townhouse. She helped her get out.

"Thank you, Jho."

"You're welcome." She even escorted her to the gate.

When she opened it, she stood in front of her for a few moments. Their eyes met. They both laughed.

"This is funny."

"Yes."

"Goodnight." She kissed her on the cheek and waited for her to enter the door.

She smiled in solitude. The events that had happened to her in the past few weeks had been very sudden.