I found it unusual that my boss invited me for lunch alone. Regardless of how close we were as colleagues, we have to be careful not to stir some useless gossip inside the office. In the past years, it’s always a group lunch when he’s in a good mood to treat his employees, but it never happened that it’s only me and him.

I smiled at the staff who opened the door, and after I told him about a reservation under Samer’s name, he guided me towards the table where he waited for me. “Sorry, I’m late. I had to finish something in the office.”

“No problem, Anna. Have a sit,” he said, and I thanked the staff before he left to get their menu.

I studied his expressions, and he looked normal to me. “By the way, Sam, Nikka called in sick this morning, and she can’t report to work until next week,” I informed him of Nikka’s situation, a co-journalist, who has her column for successful individual and groups in Cebu.

“What?” He was surprised that Nikka was sick. “But, what about her schedule? No, we can’t pass on this golden opportunity. Call her now!” he demanded.

“Are you insane? I told you she’s sick!” I defended Nikka’s absence from work when Samer demanded that I should call her. “And I already agreed to do the job in her place,” I said.

“You agreed to what? Anna, you don’t know what you’re talking about.” He doubted my ability to do a good job and it annoyed me.

“Seriously, Sam? Have you forgotten how many awards I got last year?” I’ve worked hard in my chosen career and I deserved to be called one of the best journalists in the city, and being my mentor, he should be proud of me!

“I’m not saying that you’re incompetent-”

“Stop! As I’ve said earlier, I agreed to do the interview, end of discussion.” I stopped him from discouraging me anymore. For a moment, he studied my face, and his scrutiny made me uncomfortable in my seat. “Why don’t we order our lunch now?” I reminded him that our lunch should be prioritized over menial matters about our job.

“Stubborn as always,” he shook his head, as he called for one of the waiters to take our order.

“My stubbornness brought me to where I am now, remember that.” He could consider my stubbornness as a negative attitude, but I liked to be stubborn, and sometimes, I liked to be a rebel, but of course, with a justifiable cause. Samer wanted to retaliate but the waiter came, and we have to finalize our order. “I’ll have the baked ziti, Sicilian salad, and a lemonade.” The waiter smiled at me as he listed my order, and he also recommended their best-selling dessert called Tartufo. “Thanks, but I can’t eat cake,” I informed him, and he nodded.

I saw Samer smirked when I informed the waiter I couldn’t eat cake. It has been five years already, but I vowed not to have a cake for the rest of my life because Omar treated me with the best cake at Café George. I knew I was being childish and unreasonable, but I wouldn’t bend the rules I set after he abandoned me!

Samer ordered their grilled fish fillet and a lemonade too. When the waiter left to get our food, he stared at me with disgust. “You’re still holding on to your past,” he shook his head in disbelief.

“No, I’m not. I’ve forgiven him already, it’s just…I can’t forget how cruel he was back then.” I blinked back the tears that threatened to come out when I remembered that night, a night to remember, when the man I loved the most, crushed my heart in the cruelest way possible!

“You can’t be happy if you won’t move on from your past, Anna.” He advised.

“I’m happy, Sam, thank you.” I believed that happiness was a matter of choice, and I tried to be happy.

He nodded and said, “Okay, if you say so. Anyway, I heard that your ex-boyfriend was appointed as the chairman of-,”

“I’m not interested, can we just talk about something else?” If only the man I had lunch with wasn’t the same man who helped me and supported me throughout my career as a journalist, I wouldn’t tolerate his attitude of casually mentioning the man who’s so evil!

“I understand. By the way, I heard that a certain politician caught your interest lately,” he stated, and I nodded.

“That’s right. I received a tip about his illegal activities,” I replied.

“Politicians are dangerous, Anna. Why don’t you focus on something else? If you want it, I can let you take over Nikka’s column, and you can rub elbows with successful people or even billionaires!” Samer convinced me that I should give up on the politician, but the more he opened his mouth, the more I was convinced to do it!

“I know, but don’t worry about me, Sam. I can handle myself,” I assured him, but he wasn’t convinced. “Wait, you haven’t told me yet why we have to meet here.”

“It’s about my daughter,” he responded.

“Why? What’s wrong with Amira?” Sam’s ten-year-old daughter was beautiful as her mother, but the woman died on childbirth, leaving Sam to raise his daughter alone.

“She asked for you to visit us sometimes,” Samer replied.

“Is that all? Just tell Amira I’m going to see her very soon. I’m still busy these days, and you know that.” Before, I had no qualms in visiting his home, but rumors spread in the office that I dated Samer for fame or money, so I needed to be careful. I didn’t want to tarnish my reputation that I managed to bag some awards because of his connection or whatever. No, I couldn’t let that happen.

He nodded and I smiled.

After lunch, Samer offered to accompany me if I wanted to shop for some things in the mall, but I gladly refused. He understood, and I excused myself to go back to work – not necessarily in the office though.

Samer and I went in a separate direction after our lunch in Italliani’s. I passed by the mall because it was a shortcut towards my residence, and I was almost tempted to shop for new clothes at Terranova.

It took me at least fifteen minutes to walk towards the condo unit I acquired through financing where Mama and I lived. After my father died in an accident, my mother suffered a lot. As much as I wanted to grieve for losing my son through miscarriage, I couldn’t do it, because my mother needed me. I had been her support system ever since.

“Hello Ma,” I greeted the woman who opened the door for me and handed her a pack of bread I got from Breadtalk.

“I thought you’re not coming for lunch today, you’re late.” She said and led me to the dining area where she prepared the table with my favorite Lechon kawali, a pork belly boiled with spices until tender and deep-fried.

“No way will I miss your cooking, Ma,” I replied, and ate my food with gusto, even if I have eaten pasta and a salad with Samer.

“Anna, when are you going to give me a grandchild?”

I stopped chewing the tender meat and stared at my mother. “What do you mean, Ma?” I played dumb over her inquiry.

“Common, darling. Don’t be coy. You are turning twenty-six next year and yet, you didn’t introduce anyone to me as your boyfriend or future husband.” In her way, she reminded me that my love life was dull and boring or even cursed!

“Twenty-six is still young, Ma, and I’m not in a hurry to saddle myself with a husband,” I responded.

“Is it still because of him? Forget him Anna, and moved on!” She scolded me over a meal, which she naturally wouldn’t do.

“Ma, why are you so worked up when I’m eating?” I pouted my lips before I resumed eating, and Mama narrowed her eyes at me.

“I’m already old, Anna. Who will take care of you when I’m gone?” She asked.

“Old? You’re still forty-five!” I rejected her claim to be old.

“I’ll be at ease when you start dating now,” she continued, and I knew that she wouldn’t stop nagging if I wouldn’t agree to her demands.

“Don’t worry, Ma. You’ll be the first to know, okay?” I said, and she nodded. We managed to enjoy our meal together after her nagging.

The following morning, I went straight to AZ Tower, where the newly-appointed Chairman held his office. From the ground, the building towered anything else near it. I retrieved the compact mirror from my bag and checked my face. From Nikka’s files, I read that the man was particular with appearance, and anyone should look great before meeting him.

Inside the elevator, I sighed deeply before I pressed the floor number where his office was located. It wasn’t my first time interviewing a powerful, but in one way or another, I felt uneasy. Could it be because of his first name?

I smiled at his secretary when I entered the office. “Good morning, I have an appointment with Mr. Omar Alvarez,” I informed the man who looked neat and presentable in his tuxedo, and he studied my appearance from head to toe.