32-1
"Just behave, Leighton," bulong ni Morris sa kanyang nakababatang kapatid habang patungo sila sa hall na pinagdarausan ng corporate party.
Slightly annoyed, itinulak ni Leighton ang kanyang kuya. "Tutal ay wala na rin naman akong choice kundi ang sumama sa iyo, you might as well tell me what's my purpose of being here. May ipapakilala ka ba sa aking anak na babae ng investor mo? Or it's way ahead... are you going to announce my engagement you secretly planned?"
"Ha-ha!" Morris chuckled to his surprise. "Masyado ka yatang maraming sinasabi ngayon, Leighton. Do you really think I'm that old-fashioned?"
"Well," Leighton shrugged it off, "You look and act like one."
May sumalubong sa kanilang usherette pagdating nila sa dulo ng hallway. Pinagbuksan sila nito ng pinto ngunit hindi na ito pinasama pa ni Morris sa paglalakad nila.
"I just want your opinion, Leighton. Iyon lang ang lahat ng dahilan kung bakit ka nandito. I met a new investor abroad. I did a background check and everything's okay. But because I am just an OIC to you, I rather ask for your approval."
Leighton's eyes widened. "Goddamn—it's nonsense!" Kahit pa outburst ang nasabi ni Leighton, he was sure it's nonsense. Nakikipag-negotiate si Morris sa kahit na sino with or without his approval. So, what?
"Now, now, Leighton—"
"Wala akong pakialam. Ni wala nga akong balak pumasok ng corporation pagkatapos kong gr-um-aduate. Kunin mo na lahat ng rights. I won't mind. Hindi rin tututol si Mama kaya—"
"Hello, Mr. Acosta!" Because both of them can be addressed that way, they spun to the person who called out.
Nagsalubong agad ang mga kilay ni Leighton nang makilala kung sino iyon. "You... It's Yael, right?"
Napawi ang ngiti sa mukha ni Yael, halatang nagulat pero nakabawi rin agad. He was quite a veteran in dealing with unexpected people in any social events. "It's Yael Goh."
Nagpasalit-salit ng tingin si Morris kanila Leighton at Yael. "You two seemed to know each other..."
Tumikhim si Leighton. "Hindi ko siya kilala personally... I may have encountered him in my former university. He's a guardian of a college mate. Right, uncle?"
"Uncle?" Yael was displeased, in Leighton's point of view.
"It's what I call those who are older than Morris," seryosong paliwanag ni Leighton. Deep inside, he was laughing out loud.
Tinapik ni Morris ang balikat ni Leighton. "He was the investor I'm talking about. You two can talk. Pupuntahan ko lang si Gov. dahil baka umalis na iyon."
Nang makaalis na si Morris, Leighton crossed his arms. "I thought you're gone for good."
"Ahh..." Ngumiti nang makahulugan si Yael. "Ginawa ko ang gusto ni Kay. I went back to my country and focused on work. Then I heard the news he's going back. Let's say... I'm here to fetch him."
Kinuyom ni Leighton ang mga palad. Pinilit niya ang sarili na kontrolin ang galit. He was in the middle of a crowd and well-dressed. No one should see what he's feeling right now.
"Fine," was all he said before turning his back on Yael.
