CHAPTER 23 (BOOK 2)

"Has he contacted you yet?" Abby curiously asked as they made their way inside Kate's office and sat on the couch.

"Not yet but no matter I have already filed for my vacation leave." Kate replied will looking for a file on her desk.

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"Aren't you asking about my planned vacation leave?" She gazed at Abby who was sitting comfortably on the couch.

"The hell would I ask about it. I know for a fact that no one as in not even our evil boss could stop you once you have made your decision. And that is not what I was asking."

"What then?"

"JM of course. OR should I call him, Prince Jeremy." She paused momentarily. "Who else should contact you?"

"Are kidding, right?"

"No - really. I know we talked about it before not to open the topic again but... We want you to be happy."

"We?" Kate knew that people around her was concerned but still kept herself mull on what had happened. "Besides, I'm happy right now. I have you."

"Yes! May, Grace and I are still worried. You may be successful in hiding it from others but not to us."

Right after graduation, Kate and Abby were fortunate enough to be immediately hired at Oriental Pearl Resorts and Casino, one of the modern and leading Resorts and Casinos in the country. Abby was assigned as human resource assistant and climb up the chart as Human Resource Supervisor while Kate, with her excellent grades, was given the position executive supervisor.

Despite being apart from May and Grace who were accepted at a different Hotel, the ladies still hold dear their promise that one day they will be establishing their own hotel.

They have actually started small with a few investments like a restaurant in front of the university they had studied. It was trendy enough that many students love the place as their go-to place.

The restaurant is actually the first among the many that the girls have invested since they started saving up as they near their ultimate goal of owning a hotel.

So far, the restaurant has exceeded their expectation. It has not only doubled their investment but has also given them optimism to pursue their dream hotel since it has been a hit. Their new condominium unit actually came from their earnings at the restaurant and other business ventures.

It took a moment for Kate to respond as she remembered how they broke up.

Kate shook her head and finally asked, "Why should he?" She stood up and walked towards her table. "You know, for a fact, everything between us has ended a long time ago. I don't see any reason to contact each other."

"Don't lie to me. You may fool others but not me. I know that though you both agreed to end it, you are still hoping to be together and that's the reason why you are not entertaining any suitors yet."

Kate didn't respond. She knew that if she'll refute what Abby said, she'll just keep on bombarding her and she would be the topic when they meet up with May and Grace."

Abby continued, "What you had was a dream come true."

"It was not ideal though. Dream can turn into nightmare in an instant. " Kate faced the glass wall as she collected her thoughts. "I guess distance is the deciding factor in that dream."

"Why won't you then entertain new suitors if the bridge between the two of you can never be refurbished anymore?"

When Abby noticed that kate, who was looking at some files on her table, wouldn't bother to deny her statement, she grabbed a piece of paper and started to write on it.

Kate who was pretending to organizing some of her papers glanced at what Abby was writing but even before she read a word, Abby slide the paper in front of Kate.

Kate glanced briefly at Abby and then away wondering if she deliberately wanted her to read what she has written.

Pointing at Kate's heart, "I hope this will break that wall…" Before Abby could finish her statement, they turned their attention at the door as Kate's assistant knocked and opened it.

They noticed that she was holding a vase of tulips. "Who sent those this time?" Abby curiously asked. She knew that Kate has been receiving things like flowers and invitation for dinner from suitors but none has ever scratched her interest.

"There's a card with it." She placed the vase on the table near the couch and gave the card to Kate before leaving.

As Kate was about to open the card, "Don't tell me it's from Mikhael again." Abby complained.

Mikhael is one of the persistent suitors of Kate. He has been featured once by a magazine and branded him as the most sought-after-bachelor in the business world. Despite his credentials which most ladies would fall for, Kate has no interest in him.

She met him in one of the business forums held at the hotel. Since then, he has been sending her flowers almost every week. Moreover, Kate, has turned him down several times. Yet, he remains persistent and consistent.

Kate didn't answer. She kept herself busy with the papers on her desk.

"Don't forget our dinner tonight. Chef Normz has recommended someone to be his assistant and he will be tested tonight." Abby reminded as she felt the corners of her mouth curling into a smile. "And think about that." Pointing at the piece of paper before she walked out of the room.

As Abby exited the room, Kate read what Abby has written: He'll be in the country next week. She took a deep breath, feeling her emotions roil to the surface. She knew who she was talking about. Though Kate wasn't shock by by since She's somewhat aware of it.

Trying to redirect her focus, she immediately shook her head and started reading the papers.

***

Later that evening as the ladies were having a dinner at their restaurant, a news report caught their attention. The news mentioned that the Royal Family of Monaco, the King, the crowned Prince and the little Princess, will be having a historic state visit next week. The visit aims to strengthen the present relationship of both countries and boost the morale of both nations.

"Aren't you surprised about it?" May puzzled by the poker face reaction of Kate.

"Should I be?" Kate took a bite. "I'm already aware of it." She continued.

"Does that mean you still have communication with him?" Grace surprisingly asked.

Kate quickly glance at their faces as they wete curious as hell. "Abby told me about it this morning."

Abby who pretended to be innocent by enjoying the food was tapped at her shoulder by May who was seated next to her.

"Ouch!" Abby caressed her shoulder. "What's wrong with you?"

"Don't pretend that you don't know what's happening. Spill the beans or else..." Grace warned.

"Okay! Okay! You don't need to hit me." She made herself comfortable as if she will be in a rough ride. "I was contacted by Tobby this morning."

Tobby and Abby had been in communication since Jeremy attended their graduation. They started being close when Abby broke up with her boyfriend and Tobby became her listening ear aside from her best friends. They became close enough that they started to develop feelings for each other.

They hide their communication since Kate and Jeremy broke up. They didn't want the two to be pressured by their communication line.

"Wait... Who's Tobby again?" May asked.

"He's the former manager of Jeremy. Now, his royal secretary. Remember the guy who was with us at Boracay? " Kate answered.

"Oh!.... The one who fetched us at the airport?" May surprisingly expressed.

Kate simply nodded while continuing taking a bite.

"So what's your status now?" Grace curiously asked.

"What?... We're just friends."

"Really?" May sarcastically said while pointing her spoon on Abby.

"Hey, why am I the one who's in the hot seat. Shouldn't it be Kate? Abby pointed at Kate who was silently didn't want to attract attention.

"It's because you hide your status from us as well. It's your fault. You know the drill. There should be no any secret between the four of us." Kate felt herself relaxing a little as the topic has been diverted to Abby.

"Come on!" Abby complained.

After a moment Kate smiled. "So what's the real score?" She insisted as for the topic return to her.

"Fine. He's a good guy but you know for a fact that I hate long distance relationship so we're only friends." She glanced at their faces before continuing, "It's the truth. We're just friends." With a lower tone she added. "We just enjoying talking with each other. That's all." Abby sipped some water.

"Hmm..." Grace stared at her. "Your body action tells otherwise."

"I just got thirst. Nothing more!"

Abby finds Tobby as someone she wants. However, like Kate, she's not yet ready to open her heart to anyone. After all, her previous relationship was the longest which makes it more difficult to move on from.

Abby doesn't want to just try. And there's nothing to try since Tobby hasn't really expressed his desire or rather both are conscious of what happened to Jeremy and Kate and didn't want to be in similar situation.

"Is that so." May exclaimed.

"Can we now focus our attention to Kate?" Abby again pointed at.

"What you want to know?" Kate tried to portray a stronger image in order for them to fell that has nothing to hide and wouldn't be placed on the hot seat longer.

"Have he contacted you yet?" Grace immediately asked taking the chance of firing away before Kate closes the window.

"There's nothing to talk about." Kate responded.

"Are you still waiting for him?" Grace followed up.

"Hmmm…" May expressed before sipping from her glass of wine.

Kate didn't respond. She knew that whether she would concede or deny they would bombard her with follow up questions. Yet, she's also aware that she can't escape from it.

"Hello! Earth to Kate! Earth to Kate!" Grace tried to get the attention of Kate.

"No!"

Kate felt awkward as she noticed that there was no follow up question from them. "Is that it? No more questions?"

May, Grace and Abby glanced at one another as they seemed to be satisfied with Kate's answer.

"I know... what if you accidentally see each other, what will you do?" Abby eagerly asked.

"That will never happen." Kate took a bit of the cake prepared by the aspiring chef. "This cake is perfect." She exclaimed as she tried to divert the attention.

"Why not?" Grace curiously followed up. "Nothing is impossible."

"It's impossible... And if it happen then…" she paused for a second as she tried to find the right word. "So be it."

"Fool!" May interrupted.

"What's wrong with that?" Kate innocently asked. "I've no intention of hiding from him nor do I plan to see him."

"You have a point!" Grace agreed.

"Excuse me for a second." Kate stood up and answered a call as she went out of the restaurant.

Grace, Abby and May were puzzled by the sudden call. They know that only emergency call would make Kate answer a call in times of meals or gatherings. Neither work related or suitor is one of them.

A few minutes later, Kate sat back and before they could ask things, she started explaining, "It was something about a national forum next week hosted by the hotel."

"Really?" Abby gave her an eye. "Why wasn't I aware of that?"

"Now you know!" Kate smiled. "It was one of the agenda of the shareholders' meeting this afternoon. I was asked to finalize an invitation to one of the speakers."

"Enough of that." Grace stopped Kate from explaining further. "So I received an offer this morning from the university." Grace was talking about the university were they graduated. "They have asked us if we are willing to cater one of their events next week."

"Is it already that time of the year?" Abby confusedly asked. She was talking about the ball, same where Jeremy accompanied Kate before.

"Not yet." Grace clarified. "They are hosting a talk and they've asked us to cater for the lunch of the speakers and some important personages of the University."

"How many are we talking about?" May asked.

"They said it will be for at least 100 guest."

"When will it be?" May brought out her phone and started scanning her calendar.

"This Sunday. As for the food, they have asked for at least snacks in the morning before the start of the talk and lunchtime." Grace glance at them for reaction. "So what do you think? Shall we?"

The rest nodded.

"Who would supervise it then?" Grace asked.

"I can do it since starting Monday, I might not be able to get any events due to busy schedule at the hotel."

After agreeing to the arrangement, they started finalizing the upcoming events at the restaurant for the next coming weeks.