AlONE (Chapter 9)

"I want that spot," turo ni Lorraine sa restaurant na ang pangalan ay Tsaraan.
Kararating lang ni Lorraine sa Pilipinas. Pero pagka-galing sa airport, deretso trabaho agad ito. Ilang beses na rin siyang sinabihan ni Carlo na huwag puro trabaho ang atupagin nito. Sometimes she needs to relax. Ang sagot naman ni Lorraine mas nare-relax siya kapag nakikita niya ang improvement ng kumpanyang pamana sa kanya.
"Pero ma'am, may restaurant na pong nakatayo diyan," said her secretary. Both of them were wearing jeans and a t-shirt. Ganun lang ka-simple pumorma si Lorraine kapag wala siya sa opisina. Pinapa-implement niya ang simplicity sa mga trabahador nila sa kumpanya. Katwiran niya, kung nasa labas ka ng opisina at mahahalatang mapera ka, makaka-akit ka ng mga magnanakaw.
"You know what to do." Lorraine gave her secretary a devilish smile.
They went inside, to the restaurant owned by Janno, and looked for the manager. Simple lang ang restaurant. Kumbaga low-middle class. May ilang trabahador enough for serving, cooking and a cashier. Sinlaki ng isa't-kalahating classroom ang Tsaraan, puno ng bentilador at tables for four person.
"Where's the manager here?" asked Lorraine's secretary to the cashier.
Lalake ang cashier at tila ba na-love at first sight sa secretary ni Lorraine. "Ah, si Sir Janno? Kaano-ano po niya kayo?" nagtanong din ang cashier who was wearing a red t-shirt and short pants with matching apron on his waist.
"Here is my boss, Miss Lorraine dela Cruz. We need to talk to him about business matters." The secretary introduced Lorraine with all her might. Hoping that the cashier would knew her since Lorraine is quite popular around the world.
"Nagkita na ba kami?" Tinignan ng malapitan ng cashier si Lorraine. Na-familiarize niya ito pero hindi matandaan kung saan niya ito nakita.
"Please, just introduce us to your manager." Naiirita na si Lorraine kaya't sumingit na siya sa usapan ng dalawa.
"Sino po sila?" Lumabas si Janno mula sa kusina ng restaurant niya. Naka-black shirt lang ito at pantalon na kupas pero halatang pang-porma.
"I'm Lorraine dela Cruz. May I talk to you for a while?" Lorraine offered her hand to give him a handshake. Nakipag-kamayan din si Janno.
"I'm very glad to meet you. The most successful Harvardian on her forties." They smiled at each other. A friendly smile.
"Oh! So you're reading The Times magazine eh?" Hindi gulat ang nasa mukha ni Lorraine. Self-esteem kung tatawagin.
"Actually, my wife does. Anyway, what do you want to talk about?"
"This place." She looked around and said, "I like it here," she looked at Janno, "I'll do everything I can to have it. But it's up to you."
All of the people inside were shocked, except for Lorraine and her secretary. Mas lalo pa silang nagulat na'ng sinabi ni Janno, "Please come to my mini office."