RED (Aragonza #1)

RED 8

The ride with Troy was regrettable. Dinaig pa nito ang bagyo sa sobrang hangin nito. Talaga palang may ganoong mga lalaki. Yung saksakan ng yabang at umaapaw ang bilib sa sarili. Kahit gwapo ito, mayaman at maraming achievements sa buhay, nakaka-turn off pa rin.

Napilitan tuloy siyang makinig ng music in full-volume because she couldn't take his gloating.

Nang makarating sila sa building, nagulat siya nang ipinasok nito ang sasakyan sa parking lot. Akala niya ay basta na lamang siya nito ibababa sa tapat. Pero bumaba rin ito nang bumaba siya.

"Where are you going?" she asked.

"Sa office mo."

"Ano naman ang gagawin mo ro'n?"

Troy shugged. "Ano ba ang pwedeng gawin dun?"

May kapilyuhan sa ngiti nito. Hindi niya iyon nagustuhan.

"Don't you have work?"

"I'm the boss. Work can wait." He gave her a smile. "Care to give me a tour?"

Paniguradong magtataka ang mga empleyado kapag nakita ng mga ito si Troy sa building. He's Vincent's rival, for chrissake! Would it be worth it to test his patience?

"Sa ibang araw na lang siguro," sagot niya. Naglakad siya papuntang elevator, not even bothering to say goodbye to him. Pero mukhang hindi na niya kailangang magpaalam dito dahil sumunod naman ito sa kanya.

"It's okay. I'm sure I'll find someone who can."

"Are you innately thick-skinned?" she asked in annoyance. Pumasok ito sa elevator nang pumasok siya.

"It runs in the family," nakangiti nitong sagot.

She rolled her eyes.

"Vincent would kill me if he sees you here!"

That remark made his brow arch.

"Are you afraid of him?" he asked.

"No!" she replied. "But he's the CEO."

"Akala ko ba wala kang sinasanto?"

"Wala nga. Sino ba'ng may sabing sinasanto ko sya? I just don't want to get into trouble because of you."

"Then I'll just say that I forced you to take me."

She sighed in defeat. "Bahala ka na nga."

As expected, people stared. Their gazes lingered. Hindi itinago ng mga ito ang pagtataka. First time ni Troy makatuntong sa building nila. He wouldn't even go near this place if not for her. Nakasabay nila sina Vico at Vince sa may elevator. When she entered the car, ang mga ito lamang ang sumunod. The employees waited outside, like they usually do. Ayaw niyang may kasabay pag-akyat. Ayaw rin naman silang kasabay siya.

"What is he doing here?" tanong ni Vince sa kanya.

"I didn't invite him," pagka-klaro niya.

"I'm giving myself a tour," sagot naman ni Troy, sabay akbay nito sa kanya. He looked at Vince. "Care to show me your office? I'd like to see if it needs changing to suit my style better."

"Awkward," Vico muttered. Pabalik-balik ang tingin nito sa kanilang tatlo.

Nakahinga siya ng maluwag nang magbukas ang elevator. She removed Troy's hand on her shoulder saka siya umunang maglakad. Sumunod naman sa kanya si Vico habang si Vince ay humiwalay papunta sa office nito.

"Don't you have any suggestion kung saan magandang magsimula?" nakangising tanong ni Troy sa kanya.

"Sa elevator. You can show yourself out."