"Hindi lang namin agad nabawi dahil wala kaming pera noon," he added in his baritone voice calmly.
I swallowed. Tumango ako ngunit nag-iiwas ng tingin sa kanya. The calmness of his voice, na kahit alam niyang kagalit galit ang sitwasyon, ay kalmado pa rin siya. And that's why I tried to find him calmness with the men I met. Na kahit galit, kaya paring maging marahan at kalmado.
"Kahit may pera kayo noon, hindi pa rin ibebenta ni Lola ang hotel."
I saw how he started thinking thoroughly about it. Naging tahimik siya ng ilang minuto habang pinaglalaruan ang mga daliri, yumuyuko at magkakasalubong ang kilay, titingnan ang sapatos at muling aahon ang tingin para tingnan ako.
"Then what's your condition?" he asked after a long pause.
Kumurap ako at hinaplos ang aking nakataling buhok.
"I have nothing to offer but the cancellation of your proposals. I will not sign it. The Hotel is important to our family. It's important to my Lola. And as a Ferrarin, it's important to me too..."
"I'll shoulder the project once you agree to demolish the hotel out of our land. Kahit ako na ang magbayad sa lahat ng gastusin at ilipat siya sa ibang lupa."
"The hotel is here because this is the best place in Caraga region to attract some customers so easily. Maganda ang tanawin. Kalmado ang paligid at medyo malapit sa airport. Mas madali siyang makikita ng mga bakasyunista o turista."
His jaw clenched but his expression remained calm. Kontrolado ang kanyang galit. Hinubad niya ang coat kaya bumaba ang tingin ko sa muscles ng kanyang biceps na umuukit sa nipis niyang puting shirt.
"This is not about business. I want the land back because it holds a sentimental value," aniya.
Nanatili ang titig ko sa dibdib niyang sumisilip. His necklace's silver lace was loose around his neck. My mind flashed back to our hot kisses from the past. Doon ako madalas sa leeg niya kumakapit...
I wonder if he entered into a relationship after his friend Alice? O baka naman sila pa rin? Are they uh engaged by now? Is he married. My eyes drifted on his fingers. I checked if he's wearing some ring but his thick and long fingers are empty.
"I'll find another place here in Caraga Region so I could propose another deal. Your grandmother might consider it. I just want the land back," ramdam ko ang desperasyon sa kanyang tinig kaya muli ko siyang binalikan ng tingin sa mga mata.
"Hindi papayag si Lola sa kondisyon mo kahit kausapin mo siya," sabi ko pagkatapos mahimasmasan sa iniisip.
"She might like my proposal. I promise I will build it just like how it's built. I'll shoulder everything too," ulit niya sa pangako kanina.
I sighed. Bumukas ang pinto at pumasok si Arthur kaya tumahimik kaming dalawa. He placed the snack he brought on the table and eyed us both curiously. Tiningnan ko ang slice ng dalawang cheese cake. Inilapag niya sa harap ni Draven ang black coffee at orange juice naman ang sa akin.
"May gusto ka pa po, Ma'am?" mahinahing tanong ni Arthur sa akin.
I shook my head while I noticed how Draven glanced at Arthur to look at him. Tumikhim ako at kinuha ang bago ng juice sabay simsim doon.
Arthur nodded and stood. Nagpaalam siya sa amin bago tuluyang umalis. May katahimikang pumagitna. Ginalaw niya ang kape at bahagya ring sumimsim. Inilapag ko ang baso ng juice at ibinalik sa pagkakahilig ang likod sa headboard ng sofa.
"I'll tell this to Lola and schedule your talk with her. Pero katulad ng sinabi ko, baka hindi rin siya pumayag."
"I'll try..." he said hopefully.
Chapter 25
Start from the beginning
