No Strings Attached

-9-

"I've tried that. Wala siya sa kahit anong bar at hindi ko siya naabutan sa Law school niya."

"Yun lang po ba ang pinupuntahan ni Miss Eleanor?" Natigilan naman ako. Wala naman kasi akong masyadong alam sa buhay niya. Ang alam ko lang na iniikutan ng buhay niya ay ang Law School at mga bars or huge parties at night. Other than that, hindi ko na alam.

Wala akong alam kung ano ba si Eleanor other than that. Does she go to a gym? Or what? Damn, I don't have any answers here.

"Thanks Claire." She smiled and nodded in understanding. Napapikit ako. I wanted to call Euan, Eleanor's father and ask for something pero bakit nga ba ako nagkakaganito? Why am I even making a big deal about it? I'm not one to go after girls―carefree girls who love to party and chase them especially when that girl is Eleanor Kai Gonzales.

Seriously Chance?

***

"Do you have at least any idea where the hell is that woman?" I stared at my phone in frustration while stalking her Instagram account as I asked Claire. Isang buwan na siyang walang post at ang pinakahuli ay yung bago nilang aso ng kapatid niya. One month ng nawala ng parang bula si Eleanor.

Ni ha, ni ho eh wala akong malaman. Asan ba siya? Naisa-isa ko na ata ang lahat ng bar dito sa Metro Manila at halos tumambay na ako sa labas ng UP College of Law buong araw pero di ko siya naabutan. That woman's very sneaky.

"I called Mr. Gonzales a while ago. He gladly informed me that she's working." Saad ni Claire. Chineck niya pa ito sa kanyang planner bago tumango sakin as confirmation.

"She what?!" Napalakas pa ata ang boses ko.

"She's working, Sir Chance."

"What the hell are you talking about, Claire?" Claire gaped at me, exasperated.

"Sir, nagtatrabaho po si Miss Eleanor." I can sense her irritation. Natigilan naman ako sa kinauupuan ko.

"I didn't expect that." I confessed. Claire inhaled sharply before going out. Alam kong naiinis na siya pero naiinis din ako. She's fucking working? Halos hindi na ako makatulog sa paglilibot to find wherever the hell she is and she's fucking at work. Damn, I didn't know that Eleanor would be working now.

Alam ko namang siya na ang magmamanage ng company nila when she becomes a Lawyer pero hindi ko ineexpect na nagtatrabaho siya ngayon. The last time I checked, she's been to countless parties at parang wala naman siyang inaatupag na trabaho. How is that?

Without thinking, I stood up and fixed my coat before going out. "I have some things to take care of."I told my secretary. "I'll be back in half an hour or so." Tumango lang ito at umalis na ako papunta sa workplace niya. Obviously, sa company naman siguro ng Dad niya siya nagtatrabaho.

I got inside and walked across the lobby and went to the girl in the reception desk. Nakaharap lang ito sa computer screen while encoding something. "Excuse me," I cleared my throat dahilan para mapatingin siya sakin. "I'm looking for Eleanor Gonzales."

"You mean Miss Kai? Sir..."

"I'm Chance Sandoval. And yes, I'm looking for Eleanor Kai Gonzales. I know her. I'm her friend." I told her. Hindi naman ako mukhang murderer para paghinalaan niya ng kung ano.

"Uhm, her office is in the 11th floor Mr. Sandoval." I smiled gratefully and headed to the elevator. I tapped my foot impatiently hanggang sa makarating sa eleventh floor. Mukhang ito ang mga office ng Associates ng company as I walked around the empty corridors. Nakita ko naman ang sarili niyang office sa dulo ng hallway.

Kai Gonzales

Chief Operating Officer

Naka-imprint sa labas ng office niya. I had to read for a few more times dahil parang hindi magsink in sa utak ko na si Eleanor pala ang COO ng company nila. How come she's still a party girl? Mabigat ang trabaho ng COO last time I checked.

I shook my head before pushing through the glass doors. May sarili itong maluwag na lobby kung saan may reception area din. There is another door on the other side, probably her office kung saan nasa labas ang desk ng Assistant niya.

"Good morning, Sir. What can I do for you?" Her Assistant's eye flickered to me from her computer screen as she eyed my carefully.

"This is Eleanor's office, right?"

"Yes, sir. Is she expecting you?"

"Not specifically but is she inside? I'm Chance Sandoval, her friend." Napatango naman ito bago tingnan ang Schedule ni Eleanor.

"Uhm, Mr. Sandoval she's in the conference room right now in a meeting with―Sir!" Tinalikuran ko na agad siya at lumabas ng lobby to go to the conference room. I've been here before kaya alam ko na naman kung nasaan yon.

"Excuse me, Sir! Saan po kayo pupunta?" Nagpatuloy lang ako sa paglalakad, ignoring her Assistant. Hindi ko alam na sinundan pala niya ako. "Sir, you can't―" I ignored her and continued my flight down the end of the hall kung nasaan ang conference room. Hindi ko alam kung ano ba ang ginagawa ko but I know only one thing and that is too see her.

My breathing was uneven and my heart was racing. Hindi ko alam pero kinakabahan ako. It's like I'm about to do something I will regret later on but damn. Carpe diem. I'll seize the day.

"Sir!!" I glanced over my shoulder to see that her Assistant have chased me down the hall. Halatang kinakabahan ito but I didn't stop. Narating ko ang harap ng conference room as I reached for the doors kung nasaan si Eleanor.

I gave two sharp knocks for common courteousy, pushed it open, walked into the room...

And froze...