No Strings Attached

-16-

Chapter Sixteen.

"Jealous"

I was in the middle of working when Eleanor enters the office, unannounced. Malawak ang ngiti niya habang naglakad papalapit sakin. Napakunot lang ang noo ko as I watched her. She didn't look like she came from work. Umabsent ba siya? Today is Wednesday and she should be in her own office, working.

I frowned even more when I took notice of her casual clothing, a black-and-white checkered dress that runs above her knee and a pair of Keds sneakers.

"You should've told me you're coming so I could've prepared a grand Welcoming Committee for you." I said sarcastically, as she took a seat in one of the chairs in front of me. Napapadalas na ang pagpunta niya dito ng walang pasabi. At idagdag mo pa na basta-basta na lang siyang pumapasok ng office ko. Where the hell is Claire? Role niya na sabihan ako sa presence ng mga tao na gusto akong makausap. She shouldn't let anyone enter my office without preamble. Hindi yung bibigyan niya ako ng atake sa puso sa pagkabigla.

"Don't be so grumpy in the morning, babe." She smirked as she glances at the pile of papers in front of me.

"I'm not grumpy." I made a face, "And why are you dressed like that, anyway? Hindi ka ba pumasok ng office?" I eyed her outfit. It looks good on her actually, pero medyo nasanay na ako sa formal outfits niya. I think I forgot that Eleanor can still be casual when she wants to.

Napanguso siya at umiling, "I'm on a two-month leave."

"Why?" tanong ko. Bakit parang ang dali lang sa kanyang magskip ng trabaho?

"We have to find you a girl, remember?"

"So you're taking it seriously?" I asked. Tumango naman siya. Natahimik naman ako ng ilang sandali. "Nga pala, sinong nagsabi na pwede kang makapasok dito ng walang pasabi?" I arched an eyebrow at her, suddenly remembering her unannounced visit.

"No one needs to say it. I did it because I can. And don't blame Claire for anything. Ako yung nagpush sa kanyang wag kang sabihan kapag ako yung darating." She grinned playfully, as if amused with her plans.

Napailing na lang ako. It's not like I'm gonna do something about it. Okay lang naman sakin ang lahat. She's too welcome to do anything in my life.

"Just so you know, Hon" I eyed her as I emphasized my endearment, "I'm quite busy right now. Kailangan kong ma-check lahat ng reports na ito." I motioned to the papers laid on my table.

Eleanor who seemed to ignore what I said, yawned. She didn't seem to mind that I'm working and she's here, an obvious interruption.

"Aren't you bored here?" She asks as she looked around my office. Hindi ko na lang pinansin ang sinabi niya. I'm not in the mood to care if my office is too boring for my liking.

"It's my office and I'm fine with it. Now if you have something to tell me, say it. I don't have that much time to spare." I pointed. I'm not pissed with Eleanor. As I have said, okay lang sakin kahit saan niya ako dalhin. Pero may kailangan akong tapusin ngayon and I'm not happy to welcome distractions at all. Ayoko namang maging ineffective na ako ng tuluyan dahil masyado ko nang pinapaikot ang mundo ko sa kanya.

Eleanor eyed me for a while, na para bang tinatantya ang mood ko. After a while, she sighed. "I'll tell you about it later. Hindi naman masyadong importante." She said, standing up. "For now, you should work and I won't bother you."

"Wait, saan ka pupunta?" Tanong ko nung tinalikuran niya ako. Great, now she's leaving. Masaya na ako kanina dahil andito siya then she'll be gone just like that.