Forbidden Desire

Chapter 17

I picked up my phone from the night stand before storming out of the room. Bumungad naman sa 'kin ang sala kung saan prenteng nakaupo si Marco at nagtitipa sa kanyang laptop.

Tumikhim ako para agawin ang kanyang atensiyon. He immediately lifted his gaze at me and motioned the chair adjacent to his seat.

Umupo ako rito at hilaw na ngumiti. "M-Marco, about last night..."

"It's fine."

"Sorry," I muttered. "Wala ako sa katinuan kagabi kaya kung ano-ano ang mga sinabi ko. Sana huwag mong seryosohin."

I saw how an emotion flashed through his eyes that he immediately hide before I could even decipher. "Alam ko."

Tumango ako dito at napakamot sa 'king batok. I'm nervous, al'right.

"A-anong pag-uusapan natin?" I asked.

He took a deep breath. "Kaya mo pa ba?"

Napalunok ako at pilit na tumawa. "Of course, kaya ko."

"Mahal mo pa rin ba siya?" he asked.

Napaiwas ako ng tingin at napayuko. "H-hindi ko alam."

"Bakit ba kahit ganito na ang mga nangyayari, siya lagi ang iniiyakan mo." He leaned against his seat and closed his laptop. "You know why I like you? It's because you are tough and strong. Pero anong nangyayari? Dahil sa lalaking 'yun nagiging ganito ka na."

I have no words left to speak. Nahihiya ako. Nahihiya ako dahil tama ang sinabi niya.

Nagpalag siya ng isang purse sa mesa at tinulak ito palapit sa pwesto ko. Nagtataka naman akong napatingin dito.

"Inside of that purse are the only things I could give you. I don't know how to comfort a person," he said.

Inabot ko ito at tinignan ang laman. Umawang ang labi ko matapos kong silipin ang loob ng purse.

A car keys, keycard, and a small notes with a handwritten made by him.

"Hindi ako sigurado kung tatanggapin mo 'yan. But if you really want to move on, escaping this city temporarily is not bad. Malayo na ang Batanes mula rito. People there are approachable." He smiled at me. "Let that place be your temporary escape."

I bit my lip and shook my head. I pushed back the purse towards him. "H-hindi ko matatanggap 'to, Marco. My company would be my temporary escape."

"Still..." He pushed it back towards me and smiled. "Accept it. Alam ko namang magulo pa ang isip mo kaya pag-isipan mo muna 'to."

Tumayo ito kaya't wala sa sarili rin akong napatayo. Nilapitan ako nito at hindi na ako nakaangal pa nang niyakap niya ako.

"I can't bear seeing and watching you cry because of someone unworthy of your tears." He kissed my temples and whispered, "So, please accept my offer and build yourself again."

--

"Miss Keith, this are the reports from marketing departments and operation management." Nilahad ni Gemma ang dalawang makapal na folder sa mesa. "Your meeting with Mr. Chan was moved this six in the evening in Chinese Cuisine, Luxury Restaurant."

Napatango ako at hinilot ang aking sintido. "Thank you, Gemma. You may now leave."

"Gusto niyo pong ipagtimpla ko kayo ng kape?" nahihiyang sambit nito.

I smiled and nodded my head in agreement. "Yes, please."

Mabilis itong tumalima at dumiretso sa coffee maker ng opisina ko. Pansamantala kong binitiwan ang ballpen na gamit ko sa pagpipirma. My hand reached for my laptop and started typing my presentation for the upcoming board meeting.