Playing For Keeps (Manila Nights Series #2)

Chapter 11

Minutes after the plane landed on NCE. I found my phone ringing. Dione's name flashes on the screen. Parang binantayan niya talaga ang oras nang paglapag ko.

"Yes, D?"

"Nakaka-good vibes ang hangin sa Monaco, hindi ba? Amoy malapit ka nang madiligan," aniya saka mapang-asar akong tinawanan.

"I'm glad that I endured all your flaws and nasty temper and live to see the day that the great Saralee Yuchengco flew to answer and accommodate a booty call." Dione's laughter fills my phone, blaring directly in my ears. Dahil ang asarin ako lang naman pala ang pakay niya. Binabaan ko na lang siya ng phone.

Pero putangina. Did I really just fly all the way to Monaco from Singapore for some dick?

"At least Gozon arranged someone to pick me up." Pang-aalo ko na lang sa sarili nang makita ang lalaking naka-itim na suit at may hawak na banner kung saan nakasulat ang buong pangalan ko.

Thanks to Dione backing me up, telling Ahia that we'll have a quick girl's trip. Nakaalis ako ng Singapore nang wala masiyadong tinatanong si Ahia.

Lumapit na ako sa sundo. Kinuha niya sa akin ang cart at nauna na ito palabas. I did my best to calm myself. Maski ako ay hindi makapaniwalang excited akong makita si Gozon, kung kaya't para lang akong buntot na nakasunod sa sundo.

The driver loaded the Rimowas on the trunk of the limousine. Maingat, at halatang alam niya naman ang ginagawa kaya pumasok na ako sa loob.

I froze on my spot, feet nailed on the pavement. I squinted my eyes to be sure whether I was seeing it right.

At oo, tama ang nakikita ko. Nasa limousine rin si Gozon.

"Kaya nga nandito na ako, Papa. Inaasikaso ko na iyong naging problema sa permit." Gozon glanced at me for a moment and then darted his orbs back on the ipad on his hand.

"Thanks to the solution from Levi. The construction will push through next week. Isang linggo lang namang natigil." Pagpapatuloy nito. Tahimik akong tumabi kay Gozon.

Gozon rested his head on the backrest and looked up. Nagpataas-baba ang Adam's apple niya while his finger pinched the space between his eyebrow.

"Magpapadagdag na lang ako ng tauhan, Pa. I'll make sure that the construction will be done according to the timeline, sakto para sa grand prix next year." Gozon frustratedly bit his lower lip as he continued.

"I won't leave Monaco until things are smooth sailing again," he said. Biting the inside of my cheeks, I found myself curiously peeking at him.

"When did I ever fail you, Pa?" Mainit na ang ulo, at halos nanunumbat ng tanong nito.

"Hindi ako katulad ng mga inutil mong anak sa labas. Huwag kang mag-alala," he said, rudely hanging up on Jaime Gozon afterwards.

Gozon presses a button. Umangat ang divider. Parang papel lang na initsa ni Gozon iyong phone sa sahig kung saan niya rin unang binitawan iyong ipad.

"Okay ka lang? Anong naging problema sa permit?" tanong ko rito.

It was my first time seeing Gozon this frustrated. Parati niya kasing kontrolado ang sitwasyon, though by the looks of it, papunta na rin naman sa ganoong estado ang naging problema rito.

"Shut the fuck up, Yuchengco," he hissed. Nangunot ang noo ko. Gozon rudely speaking to me was a rare occurence. Though we banter a lot Gozon was always mindful of his tone. Ngayon niya lang ako naangilan at parang gusto ko agad ituktok sa bumbunan nito ang takong ng Jimmy Choo na nasa paa ko.