Chapter 1

"Meeting adjourned." Isa-isang nagsilabasan ang mga tao sa loob ng kanyang office. The meeting had lasted for nearly an hour, and Isabella was feeling overwhelmed by the time it was finally over.

She proceeded to her office desk, where she planned to continue working on a project she had been assigned to. Magsisimula na sana ito sa gagawin ngunit biglaan itong nakaramdam ng gutom. Hinawakan niya ang kumakalam nyang tiyan at napanguso. Hindi pala ito nakapag umagahan kanina dahil tanghali na ito nagising, wala na itong oras kumain dahil sa pag aakalang mahuhuli ito sa kanilang magaganap na business meeting.

Kailangan niyang kumain para may lakas siyang makapagtrabaho. Kinuha niya ang laptop at susi ng kanyang kotse bago lumabas at nagtungo sa paborito niyang cafe.

She can just ask her secretary to get her some food but she decided not to. She chose to eat outside, hoping that a different atmosphere and a change of scenery would help her improve her mood and concentration while she work. Nakakasakal kasi para sa kanya na manatili sa loob ng kanyang opisina kaharap ang mga papeles na kailangan niyang asikasuhin.

Inihinto niya ang sasakyan sa tapat ng cafe bago pumasok sa loob at nagtungo sa counter para mag order. She ordered one cappuccino and ham sandwich for her food. Pagkatapos niyang mag order ay tumalikod na siya sa counter at nag hanap ng mauupuan.

This café was one of Bella's favourites, it was known for its quaint atmosphere and lush greenery. Being surrounded by plants and nature was always a welcome sight and it helps her to unwind and relax.

Napagdesisyunan nitong umupo sa pinakagilid kung saan mas maraming halaman ang nakapaligid dito. Inumpisahan niyang buksan ang kanyang laptop habang hinihintay ang order. Wala pang isang minuto ay may lumapit na sa kanya. Assuming that it was the waiter with her order, Isabella looked up only to find a gorgeous man standing in front of her.

"Would you mind if I join you? I apologize for the intrusion, but I had noticed you were sitting here alone and thought it would be nice to have some company." She faced the man, maintaining a professional and polite demeanour. With her friendly and inviting expression, Bella greeted him with a bright smile.

One thing she learned in the business world was the importance of maintaining her composure and professionalism at all times, no matter what the situation is.

"It would be my pleasure. Please, take a sit." Iminuwestra niya ang bakanteng upuan sa kanyang harapan. She noticed that the man in front of her was displaying a subtle smile before he sat down.

Pagkatapos nitong maupo ay siya namang pagdating ng kanyang order. "Here's your order ma'am, enjoy," wika ng waitress na nag abot ng kanyang inorder. Nginitian niya ito ng tipid bago bumaling sa lalaking kaharap niya. Nagulat ito nang matagpuang nakatingin din ito sa kanya ngunit hindi niya iyon ipinahalata, bagkus ay pinanatili niya ang kanyang matamis na ngiti bago nagsalita. "Hindi ka ba kakain?" mukang natauhan ang binata at bahagyang umiwas ng tingin habang nakakunot ang noo. Mukhang may malalim itong iniisip.

"Pwede bang hintayin mo ako rito? Para sabay na rin tayong kumain." Isabella find his voice so appealing and alluring when he speaks in tagalog. Hindi nito magawang makapagsalita kaya tinanguan niya nalang ang lalaki bilang sagot.

"Great," anito bago tuluyang tumayo at iniwan ang dalaga mula sa kinauupuan.

She just stared at the man walking towards the counter to place his order. Tiningnan niya ito mula ulo hanggang paa. He was dressed in a simple yet stylish way. He's wearing a plain white polo shirt and paired it with tailored black slacks, creating a classic and simple yet sophisticated look. His reddish lips, sharp nose, gorgeous eyes, thick eyebrows and his unique facial structure added to his mysterious and intriguing allure, leaving Isabella mesmerized and intrigued by his presence. Iniwas niya ang tingin sa binata nang humarap ito sa gawi niya at naglakad palapit.

Inilipat niya ang tingin sa nakabukas niyang laptop na agad din niyang sinarado nang mapansin ang presensiya ng binata. Tumikhim ito para kuhanin ang atensyon niya at para na rin mawala ang awkwardness na nararamdaman niya.

Bumaling ang binata sa kanya kaya agad niyang inihanda ang kanyang matamis na ngiti. "So I was wondering if you have a mixed ancestry? I noticed that you were really fluent in speaking English, medyo may accent din kasi ang pananalita mo kaninang nagtagalog ka na. I got curious that's why," she said using her calm voice. Napaayos naman ng upo ang binata saka pinagsiklop ang kamay bago nagsalita.

"Actually yes, I grew up in Canada." He chuckled softly. "Pero hindi ibig sabihin ay wala na akong dugong Pilipino. My mother is a Filipino, pero naninirahan na siya ngayon sa Canada kasama si Dad," aniya habang nakatitig sa dalaga na matiim na nakikinig sa kanya. Napatango tango si Isabella sa turan ng binata.

May itatanong pa sana ito sa kausap pero dumating na ang order nito. "Let's eat first," wika niya sa kaharap na agad nitong sinang ayunan. Tahimik silang kumakain, unti-unti na namang nabubuo ang awkwardness sa pagitan nilang dalawa.

"It is indeed a bit strange that we've been talking for this long, but we still haven't revealed our names." Naiiling nitong sambit. "I am Davis Javeson, but most people call me Dave for short." Inilahad nito ang kamay sa dalaga na malugod naman niyang tinanggap. "Bella, nice to meet you."

"It's nice to meet you, too. Hmm Bella, nice name, such a pleasant name to say and hear." Nginitian niya lang si Dave at nagpatuloy ulit sa pagkain. Hindi siya pwedeng magtagal dahil marami pa siyang aasikasuhin sa opisina. Mabuti na rin at hindi na nagtanong ang kausap kung bakit hindi kumpleto ang pangalang ibinigay niya rito katulad ng sa kanya.

Isabella was asserting her boundaries and maintaining her comfort level. She felt that sharing her name might be too personal and intimate for someone she just met, lalo na at isa siyang tagapamahala ng isang malaking kumpanya.

Nang matapos na siyang kumain ay nagpaalam na siya kay Davis. "I'll be heading off now. Marami pa kasi akong aasikasuhin." Nakuha niya ang atensyon ng binata na kasalukuyang nagpupunas ng bibig, tapos na rin ito sa kinakain.

"Where are you heading to? Hatid na kita." Natigilan si Isabella dahil sa sinabi sa kanya ni Davis. Tiningnan niya si Davis na matiim na nakatitig sa kanya. "That's very kind of you to offer, but I have my own car. I'll be fine to drive myself." Nakangiti niyang wika.

"Fine then, hatid nalang kita sa parking lot." This simple gesture of kindness and consideration only added to his charm and attractiveness. Hinayaan nalang siya nitong gawin ang gusto niya. Isabella know that Davis is no harm. Sabay silang naglakad patungong parking lot. Huminto lang sila nang nasa tapat na sila ng sasakyan ni Isabella.

Humarap siya kay Davis habang nakangiti. "Mauuna na ako Dave, thanks for dropping me off here." Pagkatapos niyon ay agad na siyang pumasok sa loob ng kanyang sasakyan.

"Drive safely." Pahabol na sabi ni Davis. Binusinahan naman niya ito bilang pagtugon.

Bella immediately headed off to her office. After parking her car in the parking lot, she noticed a familiar car that belongs to her father. Napahilot ito sa kanyang sentido dahil sa nakita. Her father is here, sigurado siyang nasa opisina niya ito ngayon at hinihintay siya. Kaya naman, wala itong sinayang na oras at agad siyang dumiretso sa kanyang office kung saan niya natagpuan ang ama.

"Good morning Dad." Hindi nagpakita ng kahit na anong emosyon ang dalaga sa harap ng kanyang ama.

"Saan ka nanggaling?" Maawtoridad ang boses na sabi nito. Ibinaba niya ang magazine na binabasa at matiim na tiningnan si Isabella.

"Kumain lang ako sa labas sandali Dad," wika niya at naupo sa pang isahang sofa katabi ng inuupuan ng ama.

"Don't fool me. Mag iisang oras na akong nag hihintay dito! You can't just leave whenever and wherever you like! Isa ka na ngayong tagapamahala. Patunayan mo naman na karapat dapat ka sa posisyon mo!" agad na namasa ang mata ng dalaga dahil sa turan ng ama. Hindi ba niya nakikita na binubuhos na niya lahat ng oras niya para sa kanilang kumpanya?

Bella stood her ground and responded firmly. "I understand that Dad. I can hold my position as the CEO, hindi ko naman po pinapabayaan ang kumpanya." With a calm and measured response, Bella showed her father that she was capable of handling her responsibilities.

Napailing iling ang kanyang ama bago nagsalita. "You have a lot to learn before you can call yourself a true CEO. If you can't even handle your time and priorities properly, then it simply shows how far you are from reaching your potential." Pagkatapos ng mga katagang binitawan ay nagmartsa na ito palabas ng opisina.

Naiwang tulala si Isabella. Hindi na niya napigilan ang sari-saring luha na dumausdos sa kanyang pisngi.

His father's words made her feel small and inferior. She has a fragile and tender side, and it was difficult for her to face confrontation, particularly when it comes to her father.

She always feel that her efforts are unappreciated by her father, even if she tries her best to handle their company. He was unable to see or acknowledge her struggles and effort, and it could feel discouraging and frustrating for her. Isabella may find herself feeling constantly under pressure to prove her worth and capabilities, and it could be tiring and emotionally draining to feel like she is never good enough in her father's eyes. This challenge and sense of inadequacy may have a profound impact on Isabella's self-esteem and self-identity.

Walang man lang nakakaalam o nakakapansin sa totoo niyang nararamdaman. Kung sana buhay pa ang kanyang ina, sana hindi naging ganito kagulo ang buhay niya ngayon.

Tinanggal niya ang sariling iniisip at agad niyang pinunasan ang kanyang mga luha nang may marinig siyang kumatok. Pumasok sa kanyang opisina ang kanyang sekretarya, mababakas mo rito ang pag-aalala sa kanyang muka. "Ms. Bella I just want to inform you that you have an upcoming meeting with Mr. Hernandez at 1pm. And ahm ma'am..." She was hesitant to continue her words. "Okay ka lang po ba?" Her question stunned her for a second. Nang makabawi ay ngumiti ito ng matamis at tumango. Kapagkuwan ay umalis na rin ang kanyang sekretarya.

Isabella should focus on being more mindful and present in her role as CEO. She promised not only to her parents but to herself that she would never fail their company. She'll do everything to ensure the success of their company.