Lethal Attachment

Chapter 41

However, I'm also aware that there are many underpaid artists here in our country. It doesn't give justice to these artists' talents. Some individuals are even thick-faced to demand for an art without any thought of paying for it. You're a one lucky artist if your talent and masterpieces have gone global because that's the only time your own country would give you credit which you truly deserve. It just shows how disgusting and embarrassing we, Filipinos, as we like to leech of to our fellow countrymen's success when in the first place, we didn't give much attention to it.

Well, that's a sad reality we have to face and hopefully, overcome.

"Rojan!"

A stranger's baritone pulled me out from my thoughts and realizations. I turned to look at the man who called Rojan. Agad itong nakalapit sa amin at naglahad ng kamay.

"Mr. Chiong." Ngumiti si Rojan at saka tinanggap ang kamay ng Filipino-Chinese businessman.

Meztiso at tama lang ang pagkasingkit ng mga mata nito. Sa tingin ko ay hindi rin nalalayo ang edad niya sa amin ni Rojan dahil makisig pa ito, ngunit paniguradong mas matanda siya sa amin ng ilang taon. The way Rojan addressed him with title, it only showed that he's a senior on the business field.

"Sabi na at makikita kita rito," sabi nito at saka humalakhak sa pagkatuwa. "Where are your parents? I thought they'll be attending the exhibit. I talked to your father last week when I met him in the casino."

Napabaling ako kay Rojan. Naalala ko nang nadinig kong inimbita rin ni Charity sina Tita Bella at Tito Vini.

Noong una ay gustong-gusto ko sila ulit makita lalo na si Tita Bella, pero ngayon na mayroong posibilidad ay nanlalamig ang aking tiyan dahil sa kaba. Hindi ko alam kung paano ako aakto sa oras na makita ko ulit sila. Kung totoo man ang sinabi ni Rojan na walang sama ng loob sa akin si Tita Bella, siguro magiging maganda ang aming pagkikita ulit, ngunit alam kong hindi pa rin maiiwasan ang magkaroon ng nakakailang na pakiramdam.

"My mother had a change of plan," Rojan answered and chuckled. "We're flying to San Francisco tomorrow night. Gusto nilang magpahinga para sa mahabang biyahe at nag-aayos din sila ng gamit. Dad didn't want to come here without my mom."

Humalakhak si Mr. Chiong at mas lalong sumingkit ang kanyang singkit na mata. "Hindi pa rin nagbabago ang Daddy mo," sabi niya. "Still your mom's loverboy."

I couldn't help but to share laughs with them. I've seen how Tito Vini dedicated his everything to Tita Bella at first hand.

Nang dahil sa aking pagtawa ay naagaw ko ang atensyon ni Mr. Chiong. Napatitig siya sa akin at mukhang kuryoso tungkol sa aking pagkatao.

"Well, who is this lovely lady with you, Rojan?" Mr. Chiong asked Rojan and smiled at me.

"This is Krieshana Flamiano, Mr. Chiong," Rojan introduced me, and I felt his hand held my waist as a possessive stance.

"Krieshana..." pagsambit niya sa aking pangalan habang tumatango-tango. "It's my first time seeing her. Is she your friend or—"

"She is Rojan's new secretary, Mr. Chiong."

Hindi na natuloy sa pagtatanong si Mr. Chiong nang dumating si Charity. Dire-diretso ang kanyang lakad palapit kay Rojan at walang pasabi siyang humalik sa pisngi nito bilang pagbati bago ngumiti.

"You're finally here. Kanina pa kita hinihintay," malambing niyang sabi kay Rojan.

I bit my lower lip to soothe my irritation. I slowly slipped myself away from Rojan's hold. He turned to me when my move caught his attention. Parang walang sinabi si Charity sa kanya dahil nasa akin ang aking atensyon.