"SHE has an exclusive art exhibit in Singapore on Friday." Marcus announced.
I bit my lower lip. "Yeah. I know." I muttered, forcing myself to tear off my gaze from the screen of his phone.
Amelie White was a famous impressionist painter in Europe. She was one of my favourite artists.
My eyes went to the sole painting on the wall of my office. It was Amelie's painting—a huge canvas of a couple in white dresses walking on the beach.
I bought that painting at an online auction. I was in love with her painting style.
I was into art—specifically painting. I was a former member of an art club when I was in high school.
Once in my life, art was my life. I once planned to study Fine Arts in Europe and to become an impressionist painter like Amelie White. But everything changed when Christian took a different path in life.
Since he was the firstborn in our family, he was expected to help our father in the company. Christian was sent to the States to study business, but he dropped all his subjects and told our parents he's going to enrol in photography school instead.
Dad was disappointed and devastated when he learned that Kuya Chris wasn't interested in helping the family's business.
Since then, I shouldered the responsibility that was intended for the firstborn in the family.
I studied abroad and enrolled myself in a business school. After graduating with high honours, I continued studying until I finished my masters.
I still remembered my parent's proud faces when I graduated valedictorian in my batch. Their proud smiles were enough payment for all the sacrifices I made in life.
At the age of twenty-six, I was already part of the board of directors of the company. At twenty-eight, I was moved up as the Vice President for Operations. It was after my father stepped down from his position due to health conditions.
My father suffered from heart conditions that caused his early retirement in the company.
"So, it's a date?" Marcus asked, his thick brows slightly rose at me. "We'll fly to Singapore on Friday morning."
"No," I said as I shook my head. "I can't, Marcus. I have a meeting with the Rivamontes on Friday."
"Then reschedule it," He shrugged.
"I can't." I let out a sigh. "You know how hard it is to schedule a meeting with them."
"What?" He muttered, like he couldn't believe I just said to him. His brows furrowed. "But this is Amelie, Claire."
I know. Amelie only exhibits her works once in a blue moon. She was a very private artist. The woman hated the limelight. Her last exhibit was six years ago, and I failed to attend because I was busy with my Masters.
"This is only in Singapore," Marcus continued. "It was only three hours away, Claire."
Singapore was only three hours away from Manila by plane. Of course, I was aware of that. I've been to Singapore a lot of times for our business.
"That's not my priority. I can't leave the company."
Of course, I wanted to attend her exhibit. But I can't leave my responsibility here.
"Only for a day, Claire." I saw him slightly roll his eyes at me. Like what I said was unacceptable. "The company won't collapse when you take a leave for a day."
"I really can't."
"God. You're so tight, Claire." He let out a frustrated sigh and shook his head at me. "When was the last time you were absent from work?"
"When Dad was rushed to the hospital."
"See? That was two years ago."
I looked at him. Then raised my brow. "I'm not like you, Marcus."
Marcus has an active social life. He sometimes takes an absence from work just to travel.
He just simply shrugged his shoulders. "Well, I love this company. But I won't let it consume me. I have life outside of this."
Marcus… he has many hobbies in life. But he likes mountain climbing the most. Last month, he filed a leave from work when he climbed up Mt. Kilimanjaro.
"Stop making this company your life, Ches." He picked up one of my collections of pens and played it with his fingers.
"I'm not making this my life," I argued with him. I stood up from my seat and walked to the pantry. Yup. I have my own pantry in my office. My secretary Jenna regularly filled it up with supplies. I opened my fridge and took an apple.
"The last time you took a leave was two years ago, and it's not even for you," I heard Marcus as I walked back to my desk.
"You're making this your home," he continued as he glanced at the apple in my hand. "You even have a pantry in your own office."
"Well, it's convenient," I said as I took a bite on the apple I was holding. "What's wrong with having your own pantry in your office?"
He just disapprovingly shook his head. "You're so consumed with work, you can't even find time to date. When was the last time you went out with a guy?"
"Well, I really am not interested in dating right now," I answered him. "And I won't just go out with anyone who shows interest in me. I have high standards."
He cocked a brow.
"I want someone like Tom Hiddleston or Andrew Garfield." I mentioned two of my celebrity crushes.
"Garfield? Damn, Claire. I'm way better-looking than him."
I rolled my eyes at him. "Shut up."
He chuckled. Then he turned serious again. "But seriously, Claire. I'm getting worried about you." He looked at me. "See? You can't find time for the things you love. You used to be cool and fun… now you're just so stiff. You've turned into Queen Elsa. You've surrounded yourself with ice."
"Who's Queen Elsa?"
"See? You don't even know who Queen Elsa is."
"Whatever you say, Marcus. I really can't come with you. If you really want to go, just ask your girlfriend something."
"I don't have a girlfriend, Claire. I don't do that, you know."
I made a disgusting look at him. "Whatever, but I'm not going with you. I'm busy."
I brought the apple to my mouth and took another bite.
"If you have nothing else to talk—"
I stopped when I felt a sudden pain in my stomach. The apple in my hand fell on the floor as I scrunched and held on to my tummy.
"Claire, what's wrong?" Marcus asked, concerned written on his face. "Is it your stomach?"
I managed to nod at him despite the wincing.
"Do I have to bring you to the hospital? Or call an ambulance?"
I shook my head. "No. Dummy. Just get my medicine in my cabinet."
I pointed at the drawer in my desk using my one hand.
"Do you need water?" he asked as he opened the bottle for me.
"No need." I popped the tablet in my mouth. Marcus helped me get back in my seat. "Thanks, Marcus. I'll be okay in a few minutes."
"Are you sure?" The concern in his face didn't waver.
I nodded and managed to smile at him. "Affirmative."
Then he picked the apple on the floor and tossed it on the trash can near my table.
Soon after, the pain in my middle part of my body went away.
"Did you see a doctor for this?" Marcus asked as picked up the bottle of medicine and examined it.
"No."
"How long has it been going on?"
"One week." I started feeling this pain after I came out from a luncheon meeting last week.
Marcus eyebrows crossed in almost one line. "One week? Claire, you have to get it checked!"
I've been feeling this pain regularly for days now. Sometimes after I eat lunch, sometimes in the morning, just like now. I haven't been able to consult a doctor for this. I just asked Jenna to buy me an over the counter medicine for hyperacidity.
"This is nothing serious, Marcus," I dismissively said to my cousin.
"I'm sure it was just hyperacidity." I have nothing to worry about because the medicine works out for me.
"You can never be sure, Claire," Marcus insisted. "You thought it was just a simple stomach ache but what if it turned out to be something serious?"
I looked at my cousin. I could understand why he's being like this. His mother—Tita Aurora, died of colon cancer. Her cancer was already in late stage so she wasn't able to survive.
"Fine. I'll go to the doctor this weekend." I said to calm him down.
"This weekend? No. You do it today. This afternoon."
"I can't. I have meetings today."
He gave me a hard look. "Come on, Claire. Cancel your afternoon today." He gave me a threatening look. "Or I'll tell your parents you're being stubborn about this."
My lips parted in disbelief. I knew I can't argue with Marcus when he's being like this. "Fine. You win. I'll cancel my afternoon meeting."
He breathed a sigh of relief. "Do you want me to go to the doctor with you?"
"No need. I can manage. Just promise to keep this thing between us." I gave him a small smile. "I don't want to worry my parents over nothing. You know dad's condition."
"Alright." He nodded.
After Marcus left my office, I pressed the intercom connecting me to Jenna.
"Yes, Ma'am?" I heard her familiar voice on the other end.
"Jenna, I want you to cancel all my meetings this afternoon."
"Including the meeting with Mr. Manuel?"
I placed my palm on my temple and slowly massaged my temple. "Yes. Including that. I have somewhere to go this afternoon."