C4 - Proud.

C4 - Proud.

"Lara," Migo repeated when he didn’t hear from her again. "Are you still there?" 

Lara’s picture of Migo’s face on her head was vague now. But by the tone he used, she could almost see him frowning at her vividly.

His voice… It was no longer the same as how she remembered he sounded. It seemed like his voice became more beautiful. He sounded mysterious and cold and yet Lara felt as though a hand touched her heart.

Ah, she couldn’t explain the feeling. 

"Lara," Miguel started to sound annoyed. "Look, if you don't want to talk, return the phone to George—"

"I'm here," she cut him, her heartbeat racing. She thought she couldn’t breathe properly. Or was she just very nervous that she was palpitating?

She waited so long for this. For this one phone call. For this chance to hear his voice! Finally!

"Well, good," Miguel’s tone was serious again. "I want you to prepare your credentials and go to the office tomorrow."

"In your office?” She couldn’t believe it.

For years, she was tempted to go to his office unannounced just to see him. But then she was a good girl. She was told to never set foot in his office unless he asked her too. And she was an obedient child, so even though she knew where he held office, she never visited him.

Okay. That was just a joke. She didn’t really know. Or else, she should've seen him, right? It was easy to wait outside his office in case. She could play detective if she wanted to.

Miguel Villareal owns a chain of malls. And in the metro alone, there were already more than ten branches. She had no idea if Migo held an office in one of his malls or if his office was located somewhere else.

He never told her. Uncle George and Auntie Rosette didn't tell her either, as if it was top secret.

"Yes, Lara," he confirmed, as if he was frowning again. "Look for Ms. Salvacion, the HR manager."

"Wait, are you telling me that I'm going to work for your company?" She excitedly asked. She had adjusted to talking to him after sixteen long years!

"Do you want to work elsewhere?" There was a hint of irritation in his voice. “Didn’t we already talk about this in the past?”

“Yes. I just cannot believe it’s already happening now,” she smiled widely, even though he couldn’t see her.

“It’s about time. And congratulations on graduating with the highest honor. I am so proud of you,” he added. Maybe he also noticed the excitement in her voice that his tone relaxed a bit.

Lara was teary eyed with what he said. He said he was proud of her. She made her guardian proud! Oops, she meant her husband. Lara wanted to laugh at herself. The way Miguel said he was proud of her, she felt like she was talking to her father who sent her to school.

Well, Migo raised her. He raised his wife. 

“Thank you!” she answered.

“So, get ready. Pass the phone to George, I’ll give him instructions.”

“Wait—” she still wanted to talk to him. 

“Yes?”

“Uhmn, am I going to see you at work?” She asked hopefully.

She heard him sigh. “We will get there, Lara.”

“When?” She asked again.

“By the way, Atty. Baltazar called me about your concern,” his voice suddenly turned cold and serious. Lara swallowed hard. What else could the lawyer have told him?  “My answer is no. So don’t ever bring it up again, do you understand?” 

Because she got scared by the tone he used, she just found herself answering him a yes.

“Now, pass the phone to George,” Migo repeated.

Lara didn’t argue anymore. She passed the phone to Uncle George with a heavy heart.

Migo already knew about her divorce plans. Was it the same reason he decided to let her work in his company? Was he thinking that she was just bored with her life? That if he kept her busy, she would forget about divorcing him?

‘Whatever the reasons are, just be grateful, Lara. At least, you will have the chance to see him again if you work for him.’

Alright then. For now, she would set aside her divorce issues. She smiled a little to herself as she waited for Uncle George to finish his conversation with Migo.

Uncle George was so serious that he was even taking down notes as if he was talking to the President of the country that there should be no room to miss any details of Migo’s instructions.

“Yes, consider it done, Mr. Villareal.” When he was done talking to Miguel, he was surprised to find her not yet leaving. He was that absorbed in talking to her husband earlier. “You’re still here,  Miss Lara?”

She grinned at the old man. “Uncle, where is Migo’s office?” 

“I will take you there tomorrow, so quit asking. You should go and prepare the things he told you so you won’t be late in your schedule. Mr. Villareal hates tardy people the most.”

She pouted. But she stood up and obeyed Uncle George.

“You are expected to be there by eight o’clock in the morning.”

“Yes, Uncle.”

She sighed when she reached her room. It was just a consolation that she was near to seeing Migo again.

_____

Lara beat her alarm clock the next morning. She was that excited. Migo should know that she was an early riser! He hates tardiness? No problem!

Auntie Rosette was even surprised when she went to the dining room early. 

“Good morning, Auntie!” She greeted her with a huge smile on her face. 

“Good morning! Why are you so early today?” The old woman even glanced at her wristwatch. “Breakfast is not yet ready.”

“It’s okay, Auntie,” she answered. “I’ll just wait.”

“You’re excited, aren’t you? Have you prepared your portfolio?”

“Of course, Auntie. To the last credential! I’m sure Migo has no reason to get mad at me.”

“Hmn, so how did your conversation with your husband go?” Of course, Auntie Rosette knew that it was their first conversation after several years. 

“Migo’s voice is beautiful. It is different from what I remember," she told her honestly.

“Because you were still young back then. Mr. Villareal was just nineteen years old himself when he brought you here. Oh my, how time flies! You grew up into a very beautiful woman! I’m sure he would admire you more when he sees you in person!” 

She frowned because Auntie Rosette seemed to be thrilled or something by her weird smile. But she ignored that. She was more concerned with her last words. When Migo sees her in person? 

“Migo sees me?”

“Miss Lara,” Auntie Rosette smiled as she pointed at the CCTV in the dining room. “It doesn’t have any audio for your privacy. But your husband can see you.”

Her eyes widened. So, were the cameras really working???

‘Gosh, Lara! What a shame you are! What do you think? Will they put in cameras that aren’t working? Is that how cheap you see your billionaire husband?’

Then she remembered what Atty. Baltazar said that she could check the recordings to prove that Miguel has come home at least five times since they got married. 

“Auntie, do you also know that Migo came here?” 

“Ah,” the woman was slightly surprised. “Miss Lara, don’t tell me you’re asking for divorce? That’s the only reason I know that would make you know about that matter.” 

“So, it’s true? When?” She felt bad that something like that would be kept secret from her. “Atty Baltazar gave me the time stamps. Can I check the recordings?” Right, maybe that way, she’d see Migo’s face.

“If it's just to see his face, don’t bother, Miss Lara. You won’t see anything.”

She pouted. Auntie Rosette could really read her well. 

Lara would just let go of the matter now. Besides, she’d be seeing Miguel Villareal soon. She could still wait a few more hours.