Chapter 1: Our Life

| Ciela’s POV |

Bata pa lamang ako I've always wanted to make my Mom proud. I always made sure that everything I do results in her happiness as well. That's why I did my best in academics and even now that I'm already an adult and working. I've been a very good daughter and always makes sure that I don't disappoint her. Because her happiness is my happiness too. Dahil ayokong bigyan siya ng sakit ng ulo, dahil naniniwala ako na sobra na yung sakit na naranasan niya sa buhay. She and my Dad are now separated and having their own lives. But my Dad and I are on good terms. Maayos kaming lumaki kahit na broken family kami. And I love my Dad so much. Oh, he's Korean and my mom is a pure Filipina, so I'm half blooded as well as my sister, Camille. My life is complicated but yes I'm happy with it.

Everything is on plan and I'm actually living on how to execute those plans. I have a boyfriend and I'm in a long-term relationship with him, six long years of being with him is quite... fun.

See? Happy family and stable relationship. I certainly couldn't ask for more.

"Good job Ciela, you are very close to your promotion. I hope you continue to do well. Congratulations again to your successful project." ani Mrs. Kang.

I smiled at her profoundly.

"Thank you so much Mrs. Kang, I promise to work competently for my next project." buong giliw kong sabi.

She nodded merrily before she exited herself to my office.

Nakangiti kong pinagmasdan ang larawan ni Mommy sa ibabaw ng desk ko. For sure she will be very proud and happy once she hears about my promotion. Hays, I can't wait to tell her.

As you can see I've been working for a Korean company for years now. I graduated at an International school with high honours. My Dad made sure to help me to find a better job and I ended up being a candidate for the position of Creative Director at a Digital Marketing Company I worked in for six years now.

I was driving my way back home when my phone suddenly rang. When I took a glance to check who it was, I smiled to myself.

Jackson Chua is calling. My boyfriend, I answered it immediately.

"Are you on your way home?" he asks.

"Yes, why?" tanong ko pabalik.

"Nothing. So how did your project go? Did you get your promotion?” he asks curiously.

I smiled as if he could see me.

“Mhm, I’m close to getting my dream promotion hon.” pagbabalita ko sa kanya.

He chuckled.

“Good. Just… don’t stress yourself too much,” imbes ay paalala niya.

"Yes, Sir. You miss me, don't you? That’s why you called,” I asked him teasingly.

He chuckled.

"You're so busy." sabi niya at may himig pa ng pagtatampo.

"I'm so sorry hon." I smiled but gave him a regretful smile.

But he just waved me off.

"No worries. Call me when you're home. I love you." he said, I was about to say I love you too but he already cut the line.

I sighed.

Pagdating ko sa bahay ay naabutan ko si Mama na naghahain na ng hapunan. I automatically smiled after I saw her, agad ko siyang nilapitan at niyakap.

"Mama, I have a very good news for you!"

I said in between our hug.

"Hmm, what is it?" she asks smiling but you can see in her eyes that she's nervous.

"My director talked to me and she said that I'm now ready to take her place as a Creative Director." I break it to her slowly para mas maintindihan niya.

Nanlaki ang mata niya at agad na niyakap ako at sabay kaming nagtatalon sa tuwa.

See, that's how it goes, her happiness is my happiness too.

"Congratulations anak! I knew it, I knew it very well na magiging Creative Director ka na! I'm so proud of you darling!" she said in teary eyes as she hugged me very tight.

"Ma 'magiging' palang po, hindi pa po ako Creative Director, so pwede pang magbago ang isip nila. Okay? Kalma." I said but she just shove me.

"Whatever! Ganun din yun doon rin naman papunta ‘yon! You know what, manang mana ka talaga sa akin," she said as she continue to prepare our dinner.

I smiled at her once again, and my sister Camille scoffed at her.

"Paano mo naman nasabing sayo nagmana si ate eh successful ang lovelife niyan, and you?" she commented and in instant my Mom pulled her hair.

"Ikaw yung bunganga mo, mag aral ka ng mabuti para maging katulad ka ng ate mo." My mother said but my sister just rolled her eyes.

"Ang ibig ko bang sabihin nagmana kayong dalawa sa akin. Bukod sa magaganda na eh matatalino pa, just continue to do well para maipamukha ko diyan sa ama ninyo na kaya ko kayong palakihin ng maayos kahit na wala siya." she said with a frown.

Hanggang ngayon talaga ay masama pa din ang loob niya sa paghihiwalay nila ni Papa.

Matapos ang hapunan ay dumiretso na din ako sa kwarto ko upang magpahinga, kakatapos ko lang maligo when I decided to call Jackson.

"Of course I'm busy on my review but I promise you hon that I'm taking care of myself here." he said while I'm busy preparing my clothes for tomorrow's presentation.

"That's good to know," I said as I glance back at my laptop on my desk.

"Which one do you think is better for my presentation tomorrow, hon?" I asks him saka ipinakita ang dalawang set ng damit.

He looked while running his thumb on his lips.

"May I look at that black one closer." he asked and I raised the one he told me.

"That suits you better," he told me so I nodded and put back the navy blue one back to my closet.

"And I have a surprise for you hon." he then told me after a few minutes.

I looked again at him over my shoulders as I cleaned my bed.

"What is it?" I asked nervously.

"I'm coming home in 3 days!" he exclaimed.

Nanlaki ang mata ko at agad na nagpanic.

"What? Why? I mean, aren't you busy with your review? Why are you coming home?" I asked as I sat down and focused on him.

"C'mon hon, I missed you so much! Don’t you miss me too?" he points out with sad eyes.

I smiled hesitantly.

"I.. I do miss you hon." I said with a soft smile.

He smiled at me too. And again I admired him. He really looks so good. And I'm so proud of him.

"Anyway I got to go, I'll call you again tomorrow, good luck to your presentation and have a good rest, I love you!" he told me as he cut the line.

I sighed at this sudden announcement, but again it's inevitable, I just have to wait for him.

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The next day was a bit crucial for me as I thought about my presentation. Fortunately, it ended very well and once again our clients were very happy with my proposals, so I decided to have a little drink with my friends.

Lisa and Hobi are now residing in the US with their 2 years old son, so I'm here now with Jisoo, Jenny and Rose at oo pare-parehas pa rin kaming busy sa mga kanya kanya naming career. Jisoo and Jenny continue to become a brand model while Rose runs her own Restaurant.

"Malakas ang pakiramdam ko na importanteng bagay yang dahilan ng pag uwi ng jowa mo, Ciel." Rose concluded.

I remained silent.

"If he's not proposing to you then I don't know anymore." Jenny added na lalong nagpa nerbyos sa akin.

"If that's the case then we're here to support you, Ciel." Jisoo said as she patted my shoulder.

Napabuntong hininga nalang ako sa sobrang frustration ko.

I admit, I do love my boyfriend but I’m not yet ready to settle down. Marami pa akong pangarap para sa aking sarili at pamilya. Nasa peak pa ako ng aking career.

Hays.

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