Monasterio Series 8: Nights in Casa Vallejo

Chapter 28

Magkukunwari kaming walang alam para sa plano ni Dice. I don't specifically know what he's gonna do but I know for sure that it would be savage like he is.

"You have the guts to even talk to your boss and ask for a second chance, huh?" Terrence let out a mocking smirk.

"Sir, nasilaw lang po talaga ako sa perang inalok sa akin kaya ko 'yon nagawa." katwiran ni Aira na sana ay hindi na lang niya ginawa.

I looked at her. Titig na titig siya sa akin na para bang nakikiusap siyang pakinggan ko siya.

"Money. How much did they offer you?" he continued interrogating her.

"Fifty thousand, Terrence."

I heard him spit a fluent curse. "That's the fucking amount of your loyalty? Didn't you think that if you told your boss about their plans, she might have rewarded you higher than that? I would have gladly added more."

Tumungo si Aira, bakas ang pagsisisi sa mukha. Tears won't just stop from falling down her cheeks.

"You missed your chance." he added.

Huminga ako nang malalim at umiling. I don't want any more of this conversation. Pakiramdam ko, mas lalong sumasama ang pakiramdam ko dahil sa nakikitang ayos niya.

"You may start packing your things now, Aira. I'm sorry but I don't give my trust twice."

Hindi na siya sumagot o nagmakaawa pa. Tumungo siya at walang paalam na tumayo at tumalikod. I watched her walk out of my office before heaving a sigh.

Now I need to hire another secretary. Maybe I should include it in the interview that the next one should be a trustworthy person?

Tiningnan ko si Terrence. He's not on my back anymore. He was already standing near the glasswall while looking into a far distance.

"Why are you here?" I asked.

Kung patuloy siyang magiging malamig sa akin, wala naman akong magagawa. Maybe he's really jealous about finding out about my ex boyfriend kissing me. Kahit pa hindi ko ginusto, hindi niya rin siguro magawang alisin sa isip niya.

Alright. I'll give him that. Take his time if he wants.

"Just checking on you." he said and glanced at me.

I shrugged my shoulders and stood up.

"I'm fine."

Naglakad ako palapit sa center table kung saan naroon ang tumbler ko. Uminom ako ng tubig nang hindi siya tinitingnan.

"Dice is in the nearby restaurant. He wants to see us. Do you mind?"

Inilapag ko ang tumbler sa ibabaw ng table at tiningnan siya. He was leaning his back against the wall, eyes scrutinizing me carefully.

"No worries. What does he have for us?"

"About his crazy plan, I guess."

Tumango ako at hindi na sumagot pa. Inabala ko na lang ang sarili sa pagliligpit ng table habang nananahimik. Nang matapos ay muli ko siyang tiningnan.

"Let's go."

Nauna na akong lumabas ng pintuan. I heard him sigh and followed me after. Marahil ay iniisip niya na sa mga sandaling ito, ako pa ang mas matapang.

I'm not invalidating his emotions. He's mad at me for that? Okay. He doesn't want to talk to me until he moves on from that? Okay. I don't want to put ourselves into another argument again because I'm very certain that both of us won't go anywhere.

Sumakay kami ng elevator. Wala pa rin imik. He's not even holding my hand like he used to do.

Hindi sasama ang loob ko, Monasterio. Pero tang ina lang. Gusto kong umiyak na ganiyan ka sa akin.