Saints of Cami- Complete

Chapter 21- Third Party

Cami

I am nervous as hell... Ngayon ang meeting ko with Summer Miller and Ralph Roman.

"Cami, don't chew your lip." Pagbabawal ni Peter sa akin.
I exhale deeply and look at him.
"Kinakabahan ako."
"It will be fine." He assured me.
"What if they don't like me?"
"Stop overthinking, Cami."
"Do I look okay?"
I am wearing a dress, suitable for business meetings.
"You look lovely." He replied smiling.
Lalo akong kinabahan sa sinabi ni Peter. The butterflies in my stomach did a somersault. He is saying sweet things these past few days. And I don't know what to think. Umaasa na naman ang puso ko.

"Thanks," I replied.
Huminga muna ako ng malalim bago binuksan ang pintuan ng kotse ni Peter. I will meet Summer and Ralph in Grace Hotel today. Gab and Rome will introduce me.
"Cami." Pigil ni Peter sa akin ng pababa na ako. He is holding my hand and the heat from him spreads through my body like a wildfire.
"Stop chewing your lips. It's...distracting... in a good way, but still, distracting." Sabi niya. His thumb brushes to my lower lips and my teeth immediately released it.
"I will wait for you in my shop. Now, smile Cami" He whispered. Oh, damn... he tucked a few strands of my hair behind my ear.
"Ok,ay" I whispered back.

See what I mean? Lagi siyang ganyan... he is making my knees melt and giving me butterflies in my stomach.

Tinuro ako ng receptionist sa isang meeting room pagdating ko sa Grace Hotel. Rome, Gab, a gorgeous woman who I assume is Summer and a guy who has a devilish look is waiting for me.

"Sorry, am I late?" Natanong ko pagdating ko.
"Maaga lang kami, Cam. Pasok ka." Yaya ni Rome sa akin. He stands up and offers a seat to me.
"Thanks," I told him.
"Well, this is Camilla Gonzales, Cam this is my brother Ralph Roman and my cousin Summer Miller." Pagpapakilala ni Gab.
They both have blue eyes, same kay Gab...
"You can call me Rap on a daily basis. Ralph kung gusto mong medyo formal at Rapahel kung galit ka na sa akin." Nilahad ni Ralph ang kamay niya and I take it. I see Summer shook her head.
"I'm Summer. Huwag kang magpapaniwala sa pinsan ko. Bolero yan. Kasing bolero ni Rome." Nilahad ni Summer ang kamay niya ang I took it.
"You can call me Cam," I replied. "Nice to meet you."
"Hindi ako bolero Summer. Sadyang charming lang ako, di ba Camilla?" Rome winked at me and I almost snorted at him.

"As I said, Camilla, kapatid ko si Ralph and pinsan namin ni Rome si Summer." Sabi ni Gab. Magkakaiba sila ng apelyido at medyo nakakalito ang family tree nila. Nahalata yata sa mukha ko ang dilemma ko kaya natawa si Rome.
"Half-brother si Ralph at Gab. Kapatid ni Tita Kath and daddy ni Summer. Kakambal naman ni daddy ang mommy ni Summer. Nagets mo na?" Tanong ni Rome sa akin.
"Hindi kami related ni Rome. I just want to confirm." Ralph winked at me.
Tumango ako sa kawalan ng isasagot sa kanila.

"Cam, nakita na namin yung vacant space and I like the location. What are your specialties in food?" Tanong ni Summer sa akin.
"I worked in Alfredo Italia and mostly our food in the menu are Italian food. But I am thinking to have a full European food on our menu." I replied.
"Wine will be a very good combination with European cuisine." Tumatango-tango na sagot ni Summer.
"I don't know about wine, I am on a hard liquor man... All I request is for a small stage, a great sound system, good lighting and I will be fine."
"That's it... we are equal partners..." Summer said smiling.
"That's it?" Nagtatakang tanong ko.
"Yup. We will have an equal share. Ikaw bahala sa kitchen, si Summer ang bahala sa bar and ako ang bahala sa mga crew. Madali lang ang publicity, nandiyan si Carlos to do that for us." Ralph said to me.
"And my mom can feature us in her magazine. This will be great. I'm excited." Summer replied.
"How about our capital?" Tanong ko sa kanila.
"We can come up with an equal share for the start and the rest we can loan it from the bank. Akong bahala sa commercial stuff and contracts." Ralph replied.
"Okay...God, it's settled then." I said.
"This is the time we exchange our number." Summer said. I gave my number and they gave theirs.
"Ralph, bahala ka na ha. May kausap ka ng architect, diba?" Pag-confirm ni Summer.
"Yup... I will let you know the details." Sagot nito.

We said our goodbyes and next week mag-meeting ulit kami. Sinamahan akong maglakad ni Ralph hanggang sa shop ni Peter. Hanggang sa loob ng shop ni Peter.

"I didn't pin you to be a tattoo girl." He said. At tumigil ang mundo... pati si Jolina nakamaang sa amin ni Ralph. Sobrang tahimik sa shop at nakatingin silang lahat sa amin.
"Errr... dito na lang ako Ralph. Thank you." I said.
"Next week ulit. I'll just message you for the updates." He replied smiling. Parang anghel na bumaba si Ralph sa lupa. Sinundan siya ng tingin ng mga tao sa shop hanggang sa lumabas siya.

"Sino yun?" Nagulat ako sa boses ni Peter. Napatingin ako sa kanya. Nakakunot ang noo nito at nakahalukipkip sa entrance ng cubicle niya.
"Si Ralph. Kapatid ni Gabriel. Isa sa partner ko." Masayang pagbabalita ko.
"Uh-huh... So text mate na kayo ngayon. Hindi mo ba kayang maglakad papunta dito sa shop na mag-isa at kailangan ka pa nyang ihatid hanggang sa loob?" Sabi nito. Naglilipat-lipat ng tingin ang mga tao sa shop. Pati client nila nakatingin din sa amin. Nawala ang ngiti ko sa ikinikilos ni Peter.
"Uuwi na ako." I said. Tumalikod ako saka lumabas ng shop niya. He called me, but I didn't look back.

Parang may mens kung magsungit...