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 wellst 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.


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    “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, ufortable, 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 Tac.


    The hacienda is rmended by Brenda, a friend of Chie from her college days. Brenda’s family has


    owned this ce for many many years.


    As they entered the ce, it''s amazingly environmentally friendly. There''s a man-madeke on the side


    with benches and table for a pic. There''s pine trees, ipilipil , ng-ng and big dau trees. There''s a


    vegetable garden, scrubs, fruit trees and a yground. Hannah likes to take photographs as a


    souvenir. She took pictures of theke with ducks swimming and some colored fishes. She took


    pictures of the luscious vegetable garden and the trees.


    She yfully 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 ce, it’s so rxing. Hannah feels that someone is


    watching her.


    “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 chuts are served.


    “Wow…this is heaven, my favorites!” Hannah said. “Can I have extra chut for to go…”


    Aletha just smiles and give her a bunch of snacks.


    Hannah went back to theke and took more angle shots, morendscape 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 ntation area. She emphasize that this ntation has


    diversity for vegetable and fruits farming.


    Aletha offered some fresh vegetables and fruits for to go. Chie took some ampya, sweet gord, string


    beans, eggnt 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 rxing visit Aletha, we


    appreciate the opportunity to roam around and meet you and the other staff. The ce is so


    weing, 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 wee 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.