STARS DURING SUNSET (STAND ALONE #1)

4

"So? Baka nakawala na 'yon?" Mr. Saldovar then said. Dali dali akong umalis sa kapit niya at humingi ng tawad. Actually, I didn't expect that coming. Akala ko ayos lang lahat. But as I expected, someone was following me. And I didn't know who's the mastermind.

"P-pwede mo ba akong samahan?" it was a whisper, natatakot pa rin ako na baka hindi pa talaga naka alis yon. I had a past experiences in that case. Pinapasundan ako, it's because I'm pretty? Well, plust that but no, pinapasundan ako kase may atraso ang ama ko. My dad's enemy is our biggest rival company, kaya ako ang puntirya nila para makuha ang na-i-invest ni papa sa ibang bansa. And I also have a hint on that thing. Kase sila Marshala lang naman ang naging ka ribal namin, pagdating sa business.

Hindi ko na muna inisip ang paghalik niya sa akin. Natatakot pa rin ako na baka sinundan pa'ko.

"Saan ba ang bahay n'yo?" tanong niya. "Pwede kang sumakay sa kotse ko. Y'know," aniya. Lumunok ako at umatras ng kaunti. "Why? Is something wrong?"

I shook my head feeling the uncomfortable way. "H-hindi... Ano kase, hindi pa 'ko nakasakay ng sasakyan ng lalaki. H-hindi ako komportable." ani ko. "K-kaya pag pasensyahan mo na—"

"It's fine, by the way,"

••••

WHEN WE are now in his car, all I can sent is his manly perfume, napaka bango ng kotse niya. And it sents shivers down my spine. Lumingo-lingo pa ako para alamin kung susunod ba ang culprit sa amin, but I saw a suspicious car behind us.
"May nakamasid." aniya. "What the fuck do they want from you?" inis niyang tanong. Para akong na guilty kase nadamay ko siya sa gulo ko. I didn't see that coming! Kanina ko lang din nalaman na may sumusunod pala sa akin!

"E-wan ko, hindi ko sila kilala. I-ikaw? Kilala mo—"

"I will not ask you if I know them, ano ba ang kailangan nila sa 'yo? Bakit ka nila sinusundan?"

"B-baka 'yung preso yon, mag kaaway ang tatay ko at baka yung nakasunod sa akin or anak yon ng kaaway ng tatay ko or something, I didn't know." I shook my head repeatedly. "Baka ako na naman ang puntirya ngayon, I didn't know, hindi pa pala sila n-namatay." I told him all I know. He sighed heavily and he started doing the engines.

"Saan sa inyo d'yan?" he ask. "Shall I drop you here?" tumango nalang ako at hinayaan siya. But even before I could leave he suddenly ask me. "Can... Can I have your number?"

"P-pardon?" tanong ko. Does the hottie I met wants to get my number?! "The company number? Do you mean?" Nakuha niya na pala ang company number namin, ano ba 'yan Selyerra, hindi marunong magpalusot.

"No. I mean... you're phone number." aniya. I was pre occupied. Because I never thought na kukunin niya ang number ko! I didn't expect this!

"O-oh..." I stuttered. "Well... O-okay."

"Sorry. Did I bother you? Sorry for kissing you earlier, I didn't mean to..." tanong niya. "If this bothers you then maybe I'll ask you after. O baka sa meeting ulit? I'll sent an appointment—"

"H-huwag! I-I mean... I'm a bit busy because, me and Lyla will go to States, and about that earlier...it's fine—I mean...'wag mo na lang ulitin."

I saw him smirked and then it vanished blinkly.

"Saan kayo pupunta?" tanong niya. Lyanne Latrine Salvacion is my secretary's full name.

"States, ano ba yan, paulit-ulit." Inis kong sagot sa kanya. Sinabihan ko na siya kung saan kami pupunta, sinagot ko, ta's ngayon, tatanong ulit siya, makakalimutin ba 'to?

"Can I go with you then?"

"Huh? Diba sinabi mo naman na sasama ka? Makalimutin ka ba? Ang bobo mo naman kausap, ako 'yung nababaliw sa'yo eh."

Natawa siya, ano na naman ang tinatawanan niya? May mali ba sa mga sinasabi ko?

"Good thing." He said, I stopped when I realized what I've just said! Gago! He understood it the wrong way! Hindi naman siya ang kinababaliwan ko!

"H-Hindi naman kase 'yon ang ibig kong sabihin! I mean...parang mababaliw ako kakaintindi sa'yo! 'Yun 'yon!"

He continues smirking and then he nodded before stopping from laughing, "Chill... I know, it's just...you're too beautiful to pissed on so..."

My whole face turned into a real red tomato, I cleared my throat. He turned his direction into somewhere and then he spoke, "Pumasok ka na. Baka lamigin ka, text me when you're home."

Ha? Eh nasa bahay naman na talaga ako eh. "Boplaks ka ba? Nasa bahay na'ko oh." Tinuro ko ang bahay, masyado itong appealing para sa iba or for him too.

The design is Rapunzel, well...I'm into Rapunzel, because she's my favorite Disney Princess.

"I mean...call me or text me when you have time. Mauna na rin ako, I need to finish the contract you've want me to sign, gusto mo na mabilisang matapos ang kontrata 'diba? So you can report it."

I nodded, "sige... Ingat ka," sabi ko.

He nodded and then he spoke, "mag iingat talaga ako, paano kapag hindi? Eh...wala ka nang kaasaran?"

"Baliw!"

"Yeah, I'm too crazy for you. I gotta go, bye."

•••••

"Ma'am? Sort na po ba 'yung files na pinapagawa mo kay Mr. Saldovar? Kailangan na po kase ng mga worker natin para maprint na rin nila tsaka ma sold out na yung pabango," tinawagan ako ni Lyla.

I am doing my skincare routine, I don't do it when it's sunrise, kada-gabi ko talaga 'to ginagawa. Wala naman akong choice kase rush na rush ako tuwing umaga.

"Uhm...pakisabi na lang muna Lyla na icancel nalang hm? Makakaya ba 'yon ng mga workers?" Tanong ko, I didn't mind my hoarse voice. Napapaos ako kakasigaw kay Anthonius kanina. Well...hindi naman niya kasalanan, pero may kasalanan siya.

"Sige po ma'am, after six months babalikan natin to, kailangan kase 'to para makabuo agad tayo. We don't need anything ma'am at 'yon lang talaga—"

"Ang hard working mo naman masyado, hoy, off-night tayo, wala tayo sa kompanya. Tumigil ka d'yan, don't act too professional Lyla."

I can feel her stop, "sorry ma'am, medyo nasanay lang. So... noted ba lahat ng mga sinasabi ko ma'am?"

"Oo, sige...I'll end the call, matutulog na ako at kailangan kong agahan para masabihan ko na bukas tayo pupunta ng states,"

"Agad-agad!?" Hindi makapaniwala niyang tanong. I rolled my eyes.

Naglakad muna ako papunta sa kama nag matapos ako sa pag ro-routine ko.

"Ayaw mo?"

"Gusto ma'am! Gustong gusto!"