No Strings Attached

-10-

I was never the kind of guy who'll do things without planning them for a girl―especially when that girl is Eleanor Kai Gonzales. But here I am, looking like crap, trying to find the right words to say while she's waiting for any speech of mine.

I took a deep breath. Wala akong masabi. She got me speechless. Hindi ko inaasahan na ganitong version ni Eleanor ang makikita ko. I was beyond shocked when Claire told me she's working and now, here I am, witnessing it all for myself.

The great party-girl has become a classy businesswoman.

"I have nothing to say." I said softly, studying her. Kahit mukhang iritado na si Eleanor, she still looks formal with her hair in proper chignon. I've never seen this side of her.

When she comprehended what I had just said, her face tightened in exasperation. She's obviously mad right now.

"What! Ano yun? Pumunta ka lang dito dahil wala ka naman palang sasabihin?" My jaw clenched as I searched for words. Pareho lang naman kaming naiinis sa sarili ko. If she's mad at me, then I'm so mad at myself too. How can I be so reckless? I should at least have some plan!

I can't believe nahawa na ako sa last-minute decisions niya. Ganito ba talaga ang impluwensiya niya sakin?

I heaved a sigh. "You look beautiful." I voiced out my deep thoughts.

"Oh, thank you." She said sarcastically, rolling her eyes in dismay.

Napailing naman ako at ngumiti. Hindi ko alam pero kahit alam kong she's just keeping herself to strangle me or kill me inside her own office, I can't help but to smile. She's very amusing. She didn't know that she looked more beautiful when she's fuming mad. And that amuses me.

She paced around her office, muttering things to herself. As if reminding herself about something I don't have any idea about. When she turned to look at me, she looked calmer this time without her furrowed eyebrows and lips pressed into a thin line.

I watched her took a deep breath. "I'm sorry I yelled. I was just pissed because I was doing a very important report for the company. I've been gone for a while at hinayaan naman nila akong magliwaliw ng ilang buwan but now, I have to make it up with them. I'll be worthless if I don't do something. Then you came, interrupting everything because apparently, you have nothing to tell me. That's not fair Chance. Kung ako naman kasi ang manggugulo sayo, I sure have my reasons."

I ran a hand through my hair, ignoring her gaze. For some reason, mas lalo akong naguilty sa mga ginawa ko. Hindi naman talaga ako ganito. Hindi ko alam kung anong nangyari pero para akong tanga na bigla na lang sasabak sa laban ng hindi inaalam kung ano bang ipinaglalaban ko.

Suddenly, it hit me. I was reminded of my real thoughts. Isa lang naman ang rason kung bakit ako andito.

"You don't have to say sorry, Eleanor. You're not at fault―I was. Look, I'm not the kind of guy who pledged to smile forever. Especially now that I have no reason to be happy at all. But I tell you this, I'm sorry for everything. If I snapped at you just for bringing me to an amusement park. If I told you things that offended you and for everything. You're free to call me an asshole. No hard feelings."

Nakatingin lang siya sakin na parang tinitimbang ang mga sinabi ko. I can't blame her though. Kung hindi niya ako mapatawad, magsosorry ako sa kanya araw-araw.

I won't be a coward this time.

Huminga na naman siya ng malalim. "I won't call you an asshole. I'll save it for the worst." She offered a small tight-lipped smile. Alam kong hindi pa rin kami okay.

"Pero Chance, I have to work. I do believe you have to work too, given that you're the CEO of your company. Maybe we can settle this after some time?" She offered. Naramdaman ko ang paglagapak ng ego ko. She's not fully rejecting me but I'm disheartened now. Did I do it that bad?

It's not the first time I was rejected. May mas worse pa nga tulad ng pag-iwan sakin sa altar, or sa pagpili sa kakambal ko kaysa sakin. But it felt like it's the first time.

Baka dahil first time kong Makita na ganito si Eleanor. I deserve this treatment naman. Gago kasi ako.

"Okay, I'll go now. Sorry for the interruption." I smiled before turning on my heel. I was about to go but I remembered something. I stopped in my tracks before turning to her again.

She was looking at me expectantly, "Anything more, Chance?"

"Can I at least ask something? Okay lang kung i-reject mo to." Tinikom lang niya ang bibig niya, waiting for me to continue.

"Can you be my date for Lourd's wedding? It'll be in less than a week from now." I braced myself from the worse. Pero kahit ganito ay ayoko namang aalis sa lugar na to na may mga pinagsisihan.

Napataas ang kilay ni Eleanor, trying to weigh my offer.

I was literally praying for some mercy in here. Kung hindi siya ang kasama ko sa kasal, then I'd rather not attend it. Wala akong pakealam sa iisipin ng iba. If they think I'm being bitter, then so be it. I have my reasons, real reasons.

"It's fine with me. Inimbitahan din naman kasi ako ni Fier." Muntik na akong mapatalon sa tuwa. Really Chance? Iiyak ka na ba sa tuwa? Tears of joy?

Hindi ko na napigilan ang pagngiti ko. "I'll pick you up then." I didn't wait for her reply at umalis na. Para akong timang na banat na banat na ang mukha sa pagngiti.

Nakasakay na ako sa aking Colorado when my phone rang. An unknown number was calling. I debated with my thoughts kung sasagutin ko ba o hindi but I answered it anyway. Baka kung sinong importante.

"Hello." Sino naman kaya to?

(Keep on smiling. You look better when you do.) Then the call ended. Kahit hindi siya nagpakilala ay alam kong siya yun. I know her voice. Mas lalo akong nagmukhang timang sa pagngiti.

She's right after all. Mas nakakagaan ng loob ang ngumiti. Kahit hindi niya pinansin ang pagsosorry ko, I'm too happy to care. Eleanor is still Eleanor. Kung maiksi man or formal ang suot niya, she's still Eleanor.

A weird woman who'll surprise you as you get to know her and at the same time, a firm advocate for smiling.

I will smile 'til my last breath if that would keep her with me then.