I stared at her for a few more seconds, asking myself what to do now. It took me a few more seconds before clearing my throat. Napatingin ako kay Mr. Gonzales na nakatingin lang din sakin. He had this unreadable expression. I gave him a nod at ngumiti lang ito sakin, a sign of his recognition. At the very least, I felt welcome for interrupting an important meeting.
"I...I'm sorry," I stuttered. "Excuse me."
Hindi na ako pinansin ni Eleanor at bumaling sa Board Members. "Okay," Narinig ko ang pagbuntong hininga niya. "So we were talking about―"
"I'm sorry." I stated kaya natigilan na naman si Eleanor. I don't know what the sorry was specifically for but I just knew I had to say it or else something might happen I'll regret later.
Binalingan ako ni Eleanor. Her expression was a mix of confusion and exasperation. "I'm sorry but I have something... something very important to tell you." I eyed her. Eleanor was stunned and terrified. Mukhang kinakabahan siya sa sasabihin ko. Nakatikom lang ang bibig ko while studying her. Ito ata ang unang beses na Makita ko siyang kinakabahan.
"That must be very important, Miss Kai." One of the board members suggested. Tumikhim lang si Eleanor, "This is important too." She reasoned.
"Go and talk to Mr. Sandoval, young lady." Mr. Gonzales stated kaya napatingin ang lahat sa kanya. Napalunok naman si Eleanor, "But Sir..."
"I'm speaking to you now as your loving Father, baby. Go and talk to him. Someone can report it for us. Alam na naman namin yan." I nodded my thanks to Mr. Gonzales and he just gave me a nod in return. Binalingan ako ni Eleanor who stood tensed infront.
"Fine." She dropped her pen on the table and went outside. Nilagpasan niya pa ako para tuluyang makalabas ng conference room. Humingi naman ako ng paumanhin sa mga naabala bago siya sundan. Well, I think I owe them one dahil madali kong nakuha ang oras ni Eleanor. Sinundan ko si Eleanor pabalik sa office niya. Naiwan naman sa labas ang Secretary niya as she slammed the door shut behind us.
"Just what the hell was that?" She shouted. I almost braced myself as I saw her face swelling in irritation.
She furrowed her eyebrows as she placed her hands on her hips. "What was that, Chance?" She demanded.
"Eleanor―"
"How could you do something like that?"
Napabuntong hininga ako, "At least we're even now, Eleanor. Nagulo din ang meeting ko dahil sayo." I chuckled weakly trying to lighten up her mood.
She scoffed, "So yun lang yun? You just wanted to get even? What the hell?! Edi sana, binato mo na lang ako or whatever. Ganun na lang ba ang galit mo sakin?" She eyed me cautiously.
Napailing naman ako. "No, I have something to tell you."
"Tell me what?" She sighed, trying to calm herself. She stared me as she stood a meter away from me. I swallowed hard before muttering a 'shit' to myself. Ni wala nga akong naisip na sasabihin sa kanya when I went here. It's out of some reflex action. Damn you Chance. Kailan ka ba naging bobo at hindi planado?
YOU ARE READING
No Strings Attached
General Fiction[For my beloved Chance Lucas Sandoval] Chance Lucas Sandoval meets Eleanor Kai Gonzales in the most unlikely place, and you can guess that the most unlikely thing happens. He agrees to date other women, as Eleanor has stated, to help him move on wit...
