Ceaseless Fire

Chapter 2

Chapter 2
Memory

My eyes were glued to Orion's cold eyes as I stared at it for quite a long time. His eyes seemed like a stranger's eyes to me after years of not seeing him. I couldn't sense any familiarity while staring. Seeing his eyes so different, also made him looked unfamiliar.

For a second, I wanted to throw myself to him and hug him so tight, but I stopped myself from thinking about it as I remembered what he did before. Namuo ang galit sa aking puso at paniguradong natapatan ko na ang panlalamig na pinaparamdam ng kanyang mga mata. Baka nga'y nagdidilim na ang akin habang nakatingin sa kanya.

Kung wala lang akong malaking atraso sa kanilang pamilya ay baka hindi ko na mapigilan ang sarili ko sa pagsugod sa kanya para maipadama ang sakit na naramdaman ko nang dahil sa kagaguhan niya.

"Miss Castellano, it was really nice meeting you again," bigla namang sabi ni Atty. Navarro at agad nalipat sa kanya ang aking tingin.

He was looking at me while wearing his wide smile.

"It's nice seeing you wearing a casual clothes than your pajamas," biro niya at bahagya pa siyang natawa.

Napaawang ang aking labi sa kanyang binitiwang biro.

I swear! I must be turning red right now because of embarrassment.

"Uh..." napakamot ako sa aking batok saka panis na ngumiti.

"But don't get me wrong!" pahabol niya. "You looked cute in your pajamas, it's just that... it's refreshing to see you wearing something nice."

"Attorney, she's here to settle her parents' debts and not to receive compliments," Orion suddenly butt in.

Umikot siya sa kanyang lamesa at saka madramang umupo sa swivel chair. Nakuha pa niyang ipa-dekwatro ang kanyang paa. Napakayabang ng aura.

"Oh, right!" Atty. Navarro exclaimed and smiled at me before he offered the sofa where I was sleeping a while ago. "Take a seat, Ms. Castellano. Mr. Valiente will discuss to you the last option we can offer."

"Uhm, thank you po, Attorney," nahihiya kong pasasalamat at saka dahan-dahang umupo sa sofa.

I was aware that he was just right in front where I sat—and that was exactly why I just looked at Atty. Navarro instead of looking straight.

"Ms. Castellano, Mr. Orion Valiente here is the eldest child of Corazon and Oswald Valiente. He is the current President of The Valley," Atty. Navarro introduced me to Orion like I had no idea who he was.

Nanatili pa rin ang tingin ko kay Atty. Navarro at hindi man lang binigyan ng pansin ang pagpapakilala niya kay Orion.

He didn't have to, though. I already knew that man. I knew him even to the depths of his soul. He didn't need to waste his saliva for an introduction of an asshole like him. He could just point him using his middle finger.

"Mr. Valiente, you can now discuss the last option to Ms. Castellano," sabi naman ni Atty. Navarro kay Orion.

Narinig ko ang pagtikhim ni Orion bago ito nagpakawala ng malalim na paghinga.

"How can I speak to someone who's not even looking at me?" parinig niya.

"Oh! Uhm, Miss Castellano—"

Hindi ko na pinatapos si Atty. Navarro at agad ko nang nilingon si Orion. Nang magtama ang aming mga mata, kulang nalang ay ang pagdedeklara naming dalawa ng giyera.

I don't know why he seems so mad at me. Siya na nga ang nagkamali pagkatapos ay siya pa ngayon ang may ganang magpakita ng galit?

"You can leave now, Atty. Navarro," utos ni Orion kay Atty. Navarro.