EVER SINCE WE WERE TEN

CHAPTER 29

It's been a week since that vacation. Shawn is not yet around pero medyo humupa na ang issue about sa bar namin. The victim was drugged before he came to our bar. They found out na nagba-bar hopping sila and took drugs. Natyempohan lang na sa bar namin namatay. Nakiramay sila Shawn and even gave a little compensation. Kahit naman hindi namin kasalanan iyon, we still have to atleast respect and help the family lalo na't saamin nawalan nang buhay ang tao.

Kyle changed over the last week. Simula noong inilabas ko ang lahat ng kinikimkim ko, he became more protective and clingy. Hindi pa rin kami ok para saakin, pero kahit papaano, I can see hope. He is treating me like before, but a little extra while I am just being civil to him. Alam ko kasing kakailanganin ko ring umalis at ayokong maattach sa kanya ulit. Baka maulit yung dati, na hindi ko na naman mapigilan ang sarili na mahulog ng sobra.

Dahil may pasok siya, minsan ay sinusundo niya ako sa bahay at hinahatid sa trabaho bago pumunta sa eskwelahan. Last year na pala niya ngayon kya medyo busy sila sa eskwelahan. Nakakainggit nga kasi hindi na ako nakapag-aral pagkatapos ng aksidente. Pero ok na rin, tinuturuan naman ako ni daddy.

"We're here. Susunduin kita mamaya ha. Sa bahay na tayo magdinner." paalala ni Kyle. Tumango lang ako at nagpasalamat bago bumaba at pumasok sa opisina. Sa isang linggo niyang paghatid at sundo saakin, ni minsan hindi siya pumalya o nalate. My paranoia is sometimes kicking in, thinking that he might ditch me again. Pero hindi iyon nangyari ulit.

I went inside the building with a bright smile. Medyo magaan nalang ang mga gawain these past few days at kahit papaano ay nagkakasundo na kami konti ni Kyle kaya nakakagaan ng loob. The employees smiled back at me and greeted me as I rode the elevator. Guisto ko ang mga empleyado ni papa dito. Mababait and respectful, wala pa naman akong naririnig na reklamo tungkol sa mga ugali ng mga employees dito.

"Good morning ma'am, I already contacted Mr. Miller's secretary for todays schedule" salubong ng sekretarya ni daddy pagkapasok ko sa opisina.

"Isiningit mo ba ang schedule ni Shawn saakin?" inabot ko ang ipad kung saan nakalagay ang schedule.

"Yes ma'am. Wala naman pong nag overlap and madali hong kausap ang secretary ni Mr. Miller kaya wala pong problema sa sched." nagpasalamat ako sa kanya at pinabalik na siya sa cubicle niya. I started doing what I have to do. Marami rami rin akong babasahing documents ngayon ah.

Moments later, tinawag ako ng secretary ni daddy para lunch meeting ng kasosyo ni daddy sa negosyo. It's already 1:30 in the afternoon, medyo ngugutom na rin ako. Hindi ko naman siya kilala personally, pero mukhang malaki ang tulong niya sa company.

"Good afternoon, Mr Leviste." I greeted him and umupo na sa harap niya.

"Hi, Ms. Enrique" inabot niya ang kamay niya jaya tinanggap ko rin.

Hinalikan niya ang likod ng kamay ko na nagpagulat saakin. Muntik ko nang mabawi ang kamay ko, mabuti nalang at napigilan ko ang sarili ko, it would look disrespectful.

Mr. Leviste actually looks young. I expected him to be an old, bald guy but I'm totally wrong. Mukhang mas matanda lang siya ng konti kay Shawn and he looks playful and approachable.

"So, how are you Ms. Enrique? It's been a while" he said smiling charmingly. May nakikita akong kakaiba sa mata niya, but I can't pin point what.

"I'm doing good Mr. Leviste. But I don't think we ever met." I said straightforwardly. Totoo naman. It's my first time to see him.

"Just call me Andrew, drop the formalities. And sorry about that, mukhang ako lang pala ang nakakapansin saiyo noon" he smiled creepily again. I'm starting to feel uncomfortable kaya I diverted the topic and started discussing the business agendas.

I can't enjoy my food dahil sinugurado kong matapos na agad ang pagbibigay ng information para tuluyan nang makaalis. He's not eating his food. He's just watching me intently with a creepy smile in his face.

"Thank you for today Mr Lesviste. I'll go now" I was hesitant to offer a handshake but I still did.

"No problem, Ms. Enrique. It's Andrew, and we'll meet again... soon" agad kong binawi ang kamay ko at dumiretso na paalis. Mabuti nalang at nasa labas na ang company driver kaya hindi ko na kailangang maghintay.

He's creepy. Too much for being a business partner.

Nang makabalik sa opisina, I buried myself again with paperworks. May iilan ring conference calls, pero nakikinog lang naman ko. I just want to go home already.

When I finished doing my work, sakto ring nakatanggap ako ng message kay Kyle. Sabi niya papunta pa raw siya rito kasi may tinapos pa kaya natagalan. I just waited sa lobby and busied myself scrolling my social media accounts.

Hindi rin naman nagtagal, dumating na si Kyle. He looks exhausted. Mukhang busy na sila sa school ngayon since last year na niya ito. Mabuti at diretso na kami sa bahy nila at doon na kakain. I'm sure it will be more exhausting kung sa labas pa kami kakain.

"I'm sorry. May tinatapos pa kasi kaming paper eh. Are you hungry?" Kinuha niya ang hand bag ko at sinukbit sa balikat niya. We were walking towards his car then he opened the door for me.

"Sakto lang. Hindi mo naman ako kailangan sunduin, may driver naman" he sat in the driver's seat and fastened his seatbelt. Inilagay niya ang bag ko sa likod and he looked at me.

"Gusto kong ihatid at sunduin ka. Gusto ko lang mabawi yung oras na nasayang. Atleast, through this, I can still spend some time with you" He said those words while looking at me intently. A shadow of love and desire flashed through his eyes pero agad niyang iniwas ang tingin. I'm not sure, maybe I'm just starting to assume again.

I chose not to say anything. Nakatingin lang ako sa labas habang nakikinig sa kantang nasa radyo ng sasakyan. The whole ride was silent but it was a comfortable one.