A Deal is a Deal

Chapter Forty - The Fashion Show

He can still remember the terrifying news when Maddison went to his office and confessed that Gaby went away. For good.

“Sir, meron po kayong bisita.” Balita sa kanya ni Rhen sa intercom. He sighed, closed his eyes and massaged his temple. He wasn’t really in the mood for visitors. Isang buwan na siyang walang tigil sa pagtatrabaho just so he could focus his mind on something else aside from Gaby.

“Who is it?” Walang ganang tanong niya dito. He was ready to send—whoever it was—away when his secretary answered his question. “Miss Maddison Montague.” Biglang napabuka ang kanyang mata sa pangalan. Maddison Montague was one of Gabrielle’s friends. May balita na ba ito kay Gaby kung saan ito nagtago? Nang gabing huli silang nagkita ni Gaby ay nalaman niya ang balita kinabukasan na bigla nalang itong umalis sa ospital ng hindi sinasabi kahit kanino kung saan ito pumunta.

He went to her father’s house, her condominium, and also to her restaurant but went back home without nothing. He tried to contact her phone pero palagi itong ut of coverage area. Nobody knew where she went o kung okay lang ba ito. How could he be so stupid?

“Sir? Should I tell her you’re busy?” Tanong ni Rhen na nagpabalik sa kanyang isipan. “No. Send her in and hold all my calls until she leaves.”

Mga ilang segundo lang ay pumasok na si Maddison sa kanyang opisina with a serious look on her face. He always admired this friend of Gabrielle because of her strong personality and iron-like will. Ilang beses niya lang itong nakausap at nakasalamuha pero alam niyang mabuti itong tao. Galing na din kay Gaby ay isa daw si Maddison sa mga pinakamatalino na babae. He silently agreed on that. Just by looking at Maddison, she has this aura surrounding her that what she meant was serious business.

Sumandal siya sa kanyang upuan and eyed her. “Good Morning, Miss Montague. Please have a seat.” Turo niya sa isang upuan harap ng kanyang desk.

Tiningnan lang nito ang upuan na itinuro niya without even bothering to sit down. “That won’t be necessary, Greg, dahil hindi din naman ako magtatagal.” Medyo nabigla siya sa lamig ng boses nito. Every time they meet ay palagi itong nakahanda ng ngiti sa kanya. Well, she wasn’t scowling at him now, but she sure as hell not smiling either.

Hindi siya tumango o umiling sa sinabi nito. He just continued on looking at her. Nang napansin nitong wala siyang sasabihin ay nagpatuloy ito. “Sa tingin ko’y alam mo na kung ano ang sadya ng pagpunta ko dito, Greg. It’s about Gaby.” Lumakas ang kabog ng dibdib niya but remained perfectly still while waiting for her to continue.

Nakita niyang bumuntong-hininga muna ito ng malalim bago nagsalita. For a second he thought she was about to bolt outside his office when she suddenly spoke with a voice as cold as ice. “She’s gone.”

Nanlaki ang kanyang mga mata sa narinig. Mas lalong lumakas ang kabog ng kanyang dibdib at biglang nanlamig ang kanyang buong katawan na para bang binuhusan siya ng isang timba ng malamig na tubig. “Linawin mo ang sinabi mo, Maddison.” Nagulat siya sa kanyang boses. It was completely devoid of any emotion even if he wanted to jump right off a building.