My Boyfriend is a Freak (Published under Pop Fiction)

59: Mira

Today was "Operation: Find Out the Truth from Chase" Day.

Dahil pinahintulutan na rin naman ako ng aking jowa, walang pag-aalinlangan na akong pumunta sa Global Projects, kung saan nagtatrabaho ang aking college friend slash ex-suitor.

"Good morning, ma'am," nakangiting bati sa akin ng receptionist nang mapansin niya ang pagdating ko. "You are here for...?"

"Mr. Chase Constantino," I supplied. "From your accounting department. Nandito ba siya ngayon?"

"Let me check po," sagot naman niya sa akin. "May I know your name, ma'am?"

"Mira Custodio."

The receptionist nodded to convey her understanding, then proceeded to make a phone call. Ilang saglit ang lumipas bago niya akong muling binalingan at nagsabi ng, "Mr. Constantino is waiting for you in his office, ma'am. Board the elevator, get off the seventh floor, then take the left corridor," she instructed as she handed me a visitor's pass. "His office, Room 703, is the third one to your right."

"Got it. Thanks."

Mabuti na lang at kahit may kahinaan ako pagdating sa direksyon, maluwalhati naman akong nakarating sa destinasyon ko.

"Hey, Mira," bati sa akin ni Chase nang mapansin niya ang pagpasok ko sa opisina niya.

I wasn't sure if it was just my imagination, but he didn't seem surprised at all to see me. In fact, he was curbing a smile as he acknowledged my presence. Para bang inaasahan na ni Chase na at some point ay sasadyain ko siya para kausapin — a thought that made me both wary and curious.

"Chase," tugon ko sa kanya. I wouldn't normally be this curt, but I figured it wasn't the time for niceties.

Iginala ko muna ang paningin ko sa loob ng opisina niya, at nang makasiguro akong walang ibang tao rito bukod sa aming dalawa, kaagad kong nilapitan si Chase. Maybe it was his vexing expression that triggered me — as he was just about to stand up, I grabbed him by the collar in one swift motion.

Nanlaki naman ang mga mata ni Chase dahil sa ginawa ko. "Hey, what was that for?" he half-yelled in a terrified tone.

"Hoy, Chase Nixon Constantino..." I began, my eyes narrowed threateningly, "...may mga itatanong ako sa'yo. And I expect you to be completely honest in response. Maliwanag ba?"

He gulped. Kung kanina ay mukhang handa pa siyang makipaglokohan sa akin, ngayon naman ay pansin ang unti-unting pagkawala ng kanyang kumpiyansa. Halatang nawindang si Chase dahil matapos ang napakahabang panahon ay muli niyang nasilayan ang pagiging lahing Amazona ko.

"There's no need to sound like you're ready to kill me any second, you know," he muttered. "Ano ba 'yang mga itatanong mo at kailangan mo pa akong kwelyuhan?"

"Darating din tayo riyan. For now, mangako ka muna na sasagutin mo nang maayos ang lahat ng mga tanong ko. Kung hindi, babalian kita ng buto."

Muling napalunok ang mokong. Alam niya kasi na hindi ako nagloloko — minsan ko na ring binangasan ang mukha niya noong nasa kolehiyo pa kami, nang mapikon ako dahil sa pang-aalaska niya sa akin.

"Fine. Ikaw pa ba ang lolokohin ko?"

"Good. Mabuti nang nagkakaintindihan tayo." I smirked before letting go of his collar, causing him to fall down his seat again. Napangiwi naman si Chase, tanda na hindi maganda ang naging pag-landing ng kanyang backside sa upuan.

"Okay, first question." I was aware of how much I sounded like a game show host, albeit a hostile one. "Paano kayo nagkakilala ni Bella?"

"I knew it." Si Chase naman ngayon ang umismid. "Inutusan ka ng boyfriend mo na usisain ako, tama ba?"