I will see you in my Dreams

Chapter 5 Visit to Hacienda

Hannah greeted them, “Good Morning! Is this part of our contract to have a chef?”

“No Ma’am, we are hired by Sir Ari to prepare your breakfast”, the chefs sad.

“I see”, she said icily. As Hannah went back to the living room, Ari is entering the entrance door of the cottage.

“Why did you hire a chef, I can cook breakfast!” she shouted.

“I don't want you to cook, all of you are so tired yesterday. Let them prepare breakfast,” He kisses Hannah on the forehead. “Good morning to you too. Did you sleep well last night?” She said, “Yes, I did,” as one of the chefs is handling Hannah and Ari freshly brewed coffee. They move to sit on the patio, enjoying the coffee.

Ley is bothered observing the two lovers, thinking, Ari is smothering Hannah; she's not used to this kind of attention, being single and independent for 15 years. I hope I am wrong.

“Why you here this early? Do you live nearby?” Hannah asked.

“Just 5 miles from here. I usually walk in the morning. I would like to see you first and have coffee,” Ari said.

“Do you remember when I asked you to have coffee after work?” Ari said. Hannah nodded. Ari responded, “Why did you push me away back then?”

“Do you want the truth?” Hannah teasingly asks Ari.

“Yes, I do… I want the truth now,” Ari teased back.

“I've noticed that you'd been staring at me almost every day as if you were undressing me. I was then pissed off, uncomfortable, and annoyed. Everyone noticed you're staring. And you were married. It's not a good idea going out for coffee while we already consume tons of coffee in the office. Did I answer your question?” Hannah said.

“I figured that out already, I was just trying my luck and I failed. Now, I am single, I am allowed to stare at you forever, right!” Ari said. Hannah just smiles.

Finally, breakfast is served. Ari joined the group for breakfast then left for work. The group go on a tour to one of the famous hacienda in Tarlac.

The hacienda is recommended by Brenda, a friend of Chie from her college days. Brenda’s family has owned this place for many many years.

As they entered the place, it's amazingly environmentally friendly. There's a man-made lake on the side with benches and table for a picnic. There's pine trees, ipilipil , ylang-ylang and big dau trees. There's a vegetable garden, scrubs, fruit trees and a playground. Hannah likes to take photographs as a souvenir. She took pictures of the lake with ducks swimming and some colored fishes. She took pictures of the luscious vegetable garden and the trees.

She playfully asks Chie to take her picture in the swing. “Hey guys! we can go fishing here just like when we were in Lake Tahoe……hahahaha.”

She took pictures of everyone in groups and individual poses. Hannah and the group enjoy the farm con hacienda, they don't want to leave the place, it’s so relaxing. Hannah feels that someone is watching her. novelbin

“Hello everyone, I'm Aletha, the administrator here. We prepared some snacks to all of you…this way, please,” she said guiding them away.

Cold lemonade and peanut butter cookies, peanut butter sandwiches and chocnuts are served. “Wow…this is heaven, my favorites!” Hannah said. “Can I have extra chocnut for to go…”

Aletha just smiles and give her a bunch of snacks.

Hannah went back to the lake and took more angle shots, more landscape in preparation to her private annual calendar. She looks around if there are bystander on the bench….no one. She again felt that someone is watching her.

Aletha toured them to the production and plantation area. She emphasize that this plantation has diversity for vegetable and fruits farming.

Aletha offered some fresh vegetables and fruits for to go. Chie took some ampalaya, sweet gord, string beans, eggplant and okra. Susan took some oranges, papaya and mangoes. Hannah took avocado only.

Ley notices that Aletha is talking on the phone as if someone is giving her instructions. When she hung up, she got a shopping bag and put more avocados and gave it to Hannah.

“Thank you Aletha, these avocados are my favorite, I do appreciate some extras,” Hannah said.

Coney said her parting words to Aletha for such good hospitality, “This is a relaxing visit Aletha, we appreciate the opportunity to roam around and meet you and the other staff. The place is so welcoming, it's like a family setting. I have a good feeling that the big bosses have a great heart for all the employees and visitors. Tell them that we enjoyed our visit and we do appreciate you, the staff, and everyone here.”

Aletha graciously said, “You are all welcome here and we are happy to host your group. It's been an honor that you guys choose us to be one of your many destinations. On behalf of the staff and our

bosses, we thank you too for the visit. Here is my card, you can email me if there are future visits.”

Ley, just observing on the side, thinks…who owns this hacienda, I wonder.