We stayed hugging like that for a few minutes. Pabor na pabor naman iyon sa akin.

"Mayroon bang problema?"

"Well, there is a problem..." He sighed. "In my father's company."

Oh.

"Hindi ba p'wedeng hayaan mo na lang mag-bankrupt kaysa mamroblema ka?" I asked stupidly.

Well, hindi naman sa akin mapupunta ang perang iyon... So, why would I care?

He chuckled hearing my question. Pinisil niya ang magkabila kong pisngi.

"I have to go to the site before it escalates to a media coverage. Do you want to go with me? You and Gustav the Third."

Naupo siya sa swivel chair, pinaupo naman niya ako sa kanyang lap. I saw the screen of his laptop. It was pictures of the things I have no idea with.

"Hm, are we eloping?" pabiro kong tanong. "Hindi ka makakapagpokus kapag andoon ako dahil puro landi lang ang aatupagin ko. Why don't you go and resolve the issue without me? Alam kong nag-aalala ka sa akin dito, but I'll be fine."

Nag-aalinlangan siya dahil ayaw niya akong iwang mag-isa sa mansyon kasama ang kanyang ina. I'm not totally alone, I have friends in the house. Isa pa, hindi naman ako nagpapaapi.

Ayokong makasagabal kay Daxiel pagdating sa mga kailangan niyang gawin sa kompanya. I want him to succeed in everything he does.

Of course, success in business means more money to come.

"Are you sure? Millaray, I'm worried." Pinaulanan niya ng halik ang parteng batok ko.

"Yes, you don't have to worry about me. I can surely handle fights."

Lumingon ako sa kanya at unti - unti kong nilapit ang aking mukha. I aimed for a kiss and bit his lower lip. Hinaplos ko ang kanyang pisngi.

"Hindi nga ako nagpapatalo sa'yo, sa mommy mo pa kaya?" Ngumisi ako.

"Are you sure about that, Millaray? I'm a loser, maybe. But I still got you." He winked at me.

Muli ko siyang hinalikan sa labi.

He got me... because I wanted him to.

That was basically the plan. It was a win-win for me.

Ininom naman niya ang tinimpla ko sa kanya habang ininom ko rin ang tsaa. Nanatili ako sa opisina niya ng ilang minuto.

Isa sa paborito kong upuan ang lap niya habang nakapulupot ang kanyang kamay sa aking baywang, samantalang ang pinakapaborito ko namang upuan ay ang kanyang mukha.

Hinatid niya ako patungo sa kuwarto namin. Siya na raw ang bahala sa hugasin. He stayed for awhile until I could sleep. May kailangan pa siyang tapusin sa trabaho. Sinubukan kong muling matulog sa kanyang presensya.

Surprisingly, it was easier than earlier when I was alone.

He's really a comfort I needed at night to sleep.

***

Inihatid ko si Daxiel sa airport, maaga kaming umalis ng bahay. I was the one who packed his suitcase. I think the problem is rooted with the quality of materials produced by the construction company of my deceased husband causing accidents in the workplace.

Medyo selective ang napakinggan ko.

Wala naman akong alam gaanong alam sa pagpapatakbo ng negosyo. There are people who do it for me. Isa pa, hindi ko iyon responsibilidad dahil hindi ko naman minana ang kompanya.

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