Stonehearts 9: Sapphire

Six

I raised my shoulders momentarily to express my ignorance. "Hindi ko alam, eh. Basta sinabi sa'kin ni Arcie, hihingi siya ng good deal. Pero nang nalaman kong siya 'yong mahihingan ko ng tulong, I never bothered to investigate nor ask. Kahit na apat na araw nang panay ang tawag ng secretary niya. Minabuti kong 'wag na lang alamin tutal wala namna akong balak tanggapin."

"You turned down a negotiation without even knowing what's in it?" Lucy asked in this belief, her eyebrows shooting up.

I know, it sounds stupid for a businessman to decide that way. But I don't want anything to do with him, let alone have an agreement that would have me tied to him for a certain period of time.

"Yup." I huffed out, not wanting to say more because I'll make a fool out of myself. Hindi ko kayang i-justify kung bakit ganoon ang naging desisyon ko na hindi bumabalik sa katangahan ko sa gabing nalasing ako.

"Fire," Lucy said with a sigh. She glanced at Aubrey who's wearing the same expression, upset and confused. As to why, I don't even have it in me to ask. I only wait for her upcoming wisdom. "Bakit hindi mo subukang makipag-usap kay Reid? Kung mas maayos at nakaka-angat naman 'yong i-o-offer niya sa'yo na contract, hindi ba't mas makakaganda 'yon sa clinic mo at sa mga taong nagtratrabaho sa'yo?"

Ack! I didn't realize she'll use this one on me. Alam niyang mahina ako kapag nadamay na sa usapan ang mga tao ko. I tried to look indifferent, but I'm really brimming with self-loathe. God, hindi ko naisip na nagiging selfish na pala ako.

She's right. I'm putting everyone's job in danger because of my idiocy.

"You're right. Holy crap, you're right." I sighed. I leaned back on my computer chair, feeling a bit woozy. Hindi ko nga alam kung dahil sa alak o dahil nasapak ako ng kapabayaan ko.

We've gone still for a moment. Pakiramdam ko binibigyan nila ako ng pagkakataon na mag-isip at aralin ang mga sumusunod na desisyon ko sa buhay.

"Mag-i-inquire muna ako sa mga banks. Kung wala talaga, saka ko siya tatawagan." I finally said, breaking the silence.

Lucy gave me an approving nod. "Sana sa lalong madaling panahon. We don't know how long his offer will stand."

"I hear you. I promise to get right on it first thing tomorrow morning."

"And since you're at it, you might as well do something to let the tension roll off from your shoulders, hon." Aubrey added. I saw the trickster gleam in her eyes and I know I won't like what she's going to say next.

I took a swig of my beer only to spat it out followed by a string of painful, throaty coughs.

"I'm sorry, tama ba 'yong narinig kong sinabi mo?" Hingal na tanong ko sabay punas ko sa labi ko.

"You heard me, baby girl. You need sex to release all that stress." She wiggled her eyebrows at me.

I looked at her with heavy dubiety. I pointed at Lucy, hoping she'll pick my side this time. "Are you hearing this, Luc? Naririnig mo ba itong kahibangan ng jowa mo?"

Natawa siya at nagkibit-balikat. "She does have a point, Fire. The best way to blow off some steam is to have a steamy, wild sex."

"Oh my holy Lord. Ngayon ko lang na-gets kung bakit kayo naging mag-jowa!" I face palmed.

"Sus! Akala mo naman birhen kung maka-react ang loka." Tudyo ni Aubrey na may iling. "Kita mo na, kulang ka lang sa kalabit."

"Dahil wala akong oras para sa mga nangangalabit. Busy ako sa problema ko." Depensa ko.