The Aftermath of a One-Night Stand (Aragonza #2)

Chapter 11

For three days, Vince had been nothing but professional towards Moira. He didn't bother her when she's not needed. Naging minimal ang interaction nilang dalawa. It's easy to forget that he'd be going away on Wednesday when he pretty much made himself invisible for a few days.

Buong araw na nga itong nakakulong sa office nito. Hindi niya alam kung kumain ba ito ng lunch nang tanghali. If not for the scheduled conference call that day, then iisipin niyang absent ito. Ganoon ito katahimik noong araw.

Nang mag-alas sais, kumatok siya sa pintuan ng opisina nito. She wanted to check on him. Saka kakain na siya ng hapunan.

"Vince?"

Vince stopped typing. He looked up from behind his computer, surprised to see her standing there.

"Kumain ka na?" she asked.

"I'm all right. You go ahead," he replied.

"Magagalit sa 'kin si Rose kapag nalaman nyang nalilipasan ka ng gutom."

Tipid itong ngumiti. "I'll take care of Rose."

She gave him a stern look. "Kumain ka. You have a flight later. Baka himatayin ka sa gutom. Hindi ka pa nagla-lunch, di ba?"

Vince sighed. So she's right. Maghapon na nga itong hindi kumakain.

"I'll order something for you. What would you like to eat?"

"Moira, it's fine. I'm not hungry."

"You have to eat," pamimilit niya.

Bumuntong-hininga ito. "Fine," he finally said. "But you're going to eat with me."

Moira didn't like the idea. But somehow, he managed to convince her to do so. Nag-order siya ng pagkain at nang dumating iyon, nagpunta sila sa pantry para doon kumain. Rose told her that CEOs used to have a separate pantry. May ref, water dispenser, microwave... kumpleto kumbaga. Kaso ay ipinatanggal daw iyon ni Vince nang ito na ang namamahala sa kumpanya. He turned in into a sleeping quarter kung saan pwedeng matulog ang mga empleyado kapag nag-o-overnight sila.

Pero ito ang madalas na gumamit noon, since he's such a workaholic.

Dahil gabi na, halos lahat ng mga empleyado ay nakauwi na. Ang iba naman ay sa labas kumakain. Sila lamang dalawa ang nasa pantry, and the silence was making it stuffy inside the room.

"So, kumusta—"

"What time—"

They smiled awkwardly.

"You first," he said.

She shook her head. "Ikaw na."

He looked at her intently. It was like he was still deciding whether to ask his question or not. But he decided on the former.

"Kumusta ka na?"

"Okay lang naman," maikli niyang sagot.

"No, I meant, how are you after... that night?"

Pinamulahan siya ng pisngi as memories started rushing in. She thought that they have a silent agreement not to talk about that night. Taboo 'yon e. Wala naman silang relasyon. Ni walang pagkakaintindihan. Sya lang naman ang nagkagusto kay Vince. What happened between them that night was caused by lust and desperation. Pangit mang pakinggan pero iyon ang totoo. And for ten whole years, pilit niya iyong kinalimutan.

"Red told me that you went to the states," he continued. "You were there for a year."

"Yes. Gusto ng parents kong mag-migrate. Since nandoon na si Ate Monica, they decided na doon na lang ako pagtapusin ng college."