Deceret Series #2: Bleed for Love

Chapter 4

"I lost my fucking job because of you!" I angrily spat.

Rigor tilts his head, confused. Nakatayo na siya pero patuloy pa rin sa paggalaw ang mga kamay niya. He gives me a quick once-over and then smirked.

"Mainit dito. Gusto mong mag-usap sa office?"

"Hindi mo ba ako narinig?" irita kong tanong sa kaniya. I hate that he looks like he doesn't give a damn about what I say and at the same time, he doesn't bother to hide the interest in his eyes when he sees me in a red dress. "Nawalan ako ng trabaho dahil sa kagaguhan mo."

"I'm not deaf, Czarina. I heard you." Rigor says as he starts walking towards the said private office. Inis kong binalingan ang aircon sa taas na mukhang hindi umaandar. I don't want an excuse to be alone in an enclosed space with him. At least here, there are glass walls. Rigor sees me glaring at it, and offers an explanation. "Sira ang aircon dito. I'm still waiting for it to get fixed."

He pushes the door open inside his private office. It's also very spacious. Compared to his studio, instead of glass walls, there are floor-to-ceiling bookshelves filled with all kinds of books about art and non-fiction. Nawala saglit ang galit ko habang iginagala ang tingin sa paligid. He walks straight towards a high table and began pouring himself some alcohol.

"Brandy?" he offers.

Umiling kaagad ako. I still have to drive home. I can't be drinking. I don't even remember the last time I drank ever since I gave birth to my son. I don't want him to see me drinking stuff because he'll start asking about it.

"Sorry I don't have anything else to offer here..." he sets down his crystal glass as his gaze lingers over me. "Unless you'd go on a lunch with me."

"Tigilan mo nga ang paglalandi mo sa kin. Simula nung bumalik ka, iyan lang ang pinagkakaabalahan mo!"

Rigor shrugs, grinning. "I don't have anything else to busy myself with, cherié."

"What am I, Rigor, a toy you can play with when you're bored?"

Nawala ang ngisi sa mga labi niya dahil sa sinabi ko. I doubt it's because what I said is true, but because he thinks I think of him this shallow.

"You didn't even ask me why I came back." He says in a brandy-laced voice, I could feel it down to my stomach.

I don't ask him why. I don't want to know. I don't want to mull over things once again. I don't like that he's confusing me even when I know that he's leaving. Again.

Suminghap ako at kaagad na iniba ang usapan.

"The stupid paparazzi published an article about us. Nakita iyon ng empleyado ko. They fired me on the spot."

"Guess they don't appreciate hot girls then," he shrugs nonchalantly.

I bared my fangs at him, completely angry now. "Will you please take me seriously? What the fuck is wrong with you? I just said I lost my job!"

Rigor takes a sip of his liquor and puts it down. Then, he gestures towards the empty plush seat in front of his desk.

"Take a seat, Czarina. We'll talk about your job."

"There is no job to talk about. I've already lost it!"

"You're going to lose it once again if you don't stop yelling at your future employer."

Napanganga ako sa sinabi niya. Rigor sighs and stares at his paint-splattered hands, then back to me.

"You really should have a drink. Just to calm you down."