Good Riddance (DS #2)

Chapter 38

    She loved how his confidence grew in a way that is not arrogant. His commands firm, but not forceful. He speaks with natural authority that no one would want to defy. Not because he's scary, but because he looks and sounds like a person you can fully trust and follow.

    The seriousness in his eyes did not hide his true nature of being gentle and kind. Or is it because she had fallen in love with those eyes for more than a decade now, that she just knows the soul beyond that?

    Tinago ni Blair ang mga ngiti. She just stared at him, not taking down the rest of what he's saying... Pero nasaan na nga ba? Ano na bang sinasabi nito?

    "Are we clear on that?" he asked and looked up. Their eyes instantly met.

    Naging alanganin ang mga ngiti ni Blair. "Yes, Sir..." sagot niya kahit hindi niya alam kung anong sinabi nito bago iyon.

    He playfully smiled. "You didn't get what I just said, did you?"

    Oh, how he knows her too well! "S-Sorry... I was... d-distracted."

    Kiniling nito ang ulo at nanatili ang mga mata sa kanya. "Distracted by what, Mrs. Valleroso?"

    By you, Mr. Valleroso.

"I'm sorry. My mind was just wandering somewhere else... But if you could repeat what you've said, I'll be more attentive." Napayuko siya. "Sorry."

    "It's alright. Ang sinasabi ko lang kanina, kapag natapos mo nang i-plot ang schedule ko for the whole week, puwede ka nang umuwi agad kahit hindi pa uwian. Basta, sa tuwing maagang natatapos ang trabaho mo, you can go and take a rest."

    "Mmm..." Alanganin siyang tumango. Mabilis makatapos ng trabaho si Blair. She never stayed for overtime, kahit gaano karami ang trabaho. "Okay lang kung mag-stay ako hanggang sa mag-uwian. Since I have two days in a week na half-day lang."

    Pilit hinuhuli ni Jack ang mga mata niya kahit nakayuko si Blair. When he caught her gaze, he smiled. "Your brother mentioned that to me. Ikaw ang bahala. Pero kung kinakailangan mong umuwi agad para magpahinga, do so."

    Hindi niya binitawan ang titig nito. "I hope I'm not getting an 'extra' special treatment here..."

    Mas lumawak ang ngiti ni Jack. "Where are you staying now, Blair?" he asked slowly, ignoring what she just said.

    "In a condo unit two blocks away from here. Nilalakad ko lang..."

    "Puwede kitang ihatid mamaya?"

    Ihahatid?! "B-Baka may makakita sa atin..."

    "Let's use my car. It was parked in the basement. Only executives are allowed in there. My car's heavily-tinted, too. Walang makakakita nang paghahatid ko sa 'yo."

    "Kasasabi ko lang na sana hindi mo 'ko binibigyan ng special treatment and then this?"

    Hinilig nito ang siko sa ibabaw ng lamesa, sinapo ng isang palad ang baba. His eyes not leaving hers. Bahagya pa nito ikiniling ang ulo pakaliwa. "Please, babe?"

    Blair's jaw almost dropped like her heart! Jack just used their old endearment!

    She remembered how she still managed to decline his offer. Pero hindi mabilis sumuko si Jack. Because that whole week, he kept asking her if he can accompany her home. Nang hindi na rin siya makatiis pagkatapos ng isang linggo ay pumayag na siyang magpahatid kay Jack...