A CLASSMATE WHO SAID HE “DIDN’T MAKE IT” IN LIFE WAS INVITED TO THE REUNION, BUT THEY WERE SURPRISED TO FIND OUT THAT HE WAS PROBABLY THE OWNER OF THE HOTEL WHERE THEY WERE STAYING
The Grand Diamond Hotel is located in Scotland.
It is the most popular and expensive hotel in the city. This is where the 2005 Batch High School Reunion was chosen.
At the center of the laughter was Gary, the president of the batch and the organizer of the meeting. He wore an expensive suit, bragging about his new sports car.
“Seriously, Gary! “You really have to choose the right place,” one classmate said. “It’s very expensive here, isn’t it?”
Gary laughed out loud.
“Yes! You know, I just want quality. I don’t like to go to crowded places. We have to be classy.”
Over the course of the drink, the conversation was discussed.
“Wait,” Liza asked. “Why isn’t Roberto here?” Was it always quiet in the background? Didn’t we get in touch with him?”
Gary suddenly frowned.
“Roberto?” Is this the son of a? I didn’t invite it anymore. I’m pretty sure there is no way to pay the $500 entrance fee. You might just want to come here to get ready. It’s a disgrace to our image.”
Some laughed, but others felt compassion.
“you, Gary,” he whispered. “Your Majesty, you are my friend.”
“Asenso?” ngisi ni Gary. “Drop-out ‘yun ‘di ba? Walang narating ‘yun. Baka guard o janitor lang ‘yun ngayon. Imagine mo, papasukin natin dito tapos naka-tsinelas? Yuck.”
—
In the middle of the fun, the air conditioner in the entire function hall suddenly died.
Within a few minutes, it was getting hot. Visitors complained. Gary was stunned.
“What the hell is that! “How much do we have to pay for this?” cried Gary. He called out to the manager.
“Today! Where’s Your Boss? I want to talk to him! “I’m going to rent this hotel!”
The manager approached, calm but nervous.
“Sir, I’m sorry. There is a technical problem. The owner has come forward to personally apologize.”
Suddenly, the back door opened. A man dressed in a simple black t-shirt and jeans walked in. He had a toolbox.
Gary looked at him. The heat and the alcohol made him angry.
“Today! “You!” shouted the man in the t-shirt. “Are you going to keep it here? Get it fixed right away! You smell so good, you smell so good! Hurry up and I’ll get you fired!”
The man did not flinch. He just nodded at Gary. Her face was familiar.
“What?! “Are you ready?” asked Gary.
The manager walked over and bowed to the man in the t-shirt.
“Sir… I’m sorry for the inconvenience.”
Gary was stunned.
“Huh? “Why do you call it sir? It’s just maintenance!”
The man turned to face Gary. He smiled bitterly.
“Buddy, Gary?”
Gary’s eyes widened. That voice was there. He stared intently at the man’s face.
“R-Roberto?”
Silence prevailed throughout the hall. The “unreachable” classmate, the Roberto they despised just now, stood in front of them.
“Oo, ako from,” said Roberto.
“P-but… “Are you going to take care of it?” asked Lisa.
The Manager shook his head.
“Your name is Mr. Roberto Dela Cruz. He owns the Grand Diamond Hotel and its 10 branches across the country. He came from the construction site of our new wing, so he brought something with him.”
It was as if Gary had been sprayed with cold water.
The man he didn’t invite because he might just “wrap food” was the owner of the entire building they were stepping on.
Gary couldn’t look straight ahead. He was embarrassed. The classmates who had laughed earlier bowed their heads to him.
Robert took a deep breath. There was no anger on his face, but sadness.
“I heard what you said earlier, Gary,” Roberto said calmly.
“I couldn’t do anything because I was just a kid’s son. That I might just wrap up here.”
Roberto approached the buffet table. He picked up a plate.
“You know, Gary… I put in the effort. From being a construction worker, I went to night school, became an engineer, and started my own company. I have never forgotten where I came from.”
He looked at all his classmates.
“I don’t need your invitation to know my worth. But I’m so sad… At this point in my life, friendship is the most important thing. It was a slap in the face.”
He picked up the bill held by the Manager. He was looking at £300,000.
“Don’t worry,” Roberto said as he signed the paper. “I’ve got your party back. The fee has been waived. Think of it as my donation… for people who think they can buy class with money.”
He handed the paper to Gary with a trembling hand.
“Enjoy the night. The air conditioning is fine,” Roberto said as he turned and walked out, carrying his toolbox, forehead high, while leaving his classmates full of regret and embarrassment in a luxury hotel that didn’t belong to them.