Every Step Away

ESA34

"I'm surprise to see you here! Akala ko'y hindi ka na umaalis sa opisina mo!"

The old businessman laughed like Santa Claus. Bahagya ring sumabay sa pagtawa niya si Heze.

"Napadaan lang para kumain, Sir..." sagot ni Hezekiah.

Hinagod ng tingin nung Mr. Lim ang suot ni Hezekiah at napansin ko ang pagka-intindi sa mukha nito.

"Oh! Hindi ka pumasok? That's very unusual."

He smirked and shook his head.

"No... It's a private matter."

Naglandas ang tingin ng kanyang kausap saakin na nakatingin sa kanilang dalawa at nakikinig. The man looked amazed. Muli ay narinig ko ang kanyang tawa.

"Oh!"

Wala akong nagawa kundi tumayo dahil nakita ko ang naghihintay niyang mata. I don't know who is he but he seems like an important person.

Medyo nahiya ako dahil sa suot ko. I'm just wearing an off-shoulder top tucked in a denim shorts. Not very suitable for an introduction to someone who I think is very respectable and formal.

Anong magagawa ko? I'm not really someone who wears dresses every day.

"Good afternoon po..." bati ko.

The man nodded and look at Hezekiah who's just beside me.

Heze just smirked. Nanlamig ang buong katawan ko noong maramdaman ko ang kamay ni Hezekiah na marahang hinahaplos ang aking bewang.

I froze on my feet as I glance at him comfortably looking at the man in front of me.

"Sir, this is Chrysanthe Lofranco. Santh, si Mr. Harry Lim, one of our major investors."

I held my hand first and tried my best to stop it from shaking. Hawak naman ako ni Hezekiah pero parang bibigay ang mga tuhod ko.

He called me Santh! Hindi na ako si Hey?

"Nice to meet you po..." I formally said.

"Nice meeting you din, hija... Are you working already? You look young..." he said.

Napangiwi ako. I always hear that because of the way I dress. I always look youthful even if I'm already an adult.

"She does, Sir. Architect..."

I pursed my lips a little when I heard Hezekiah who answered for me. His voice sounds proud while saying it. Parang gusto kong maiyak dahil sa mga ala-ala. I dreamed of it together with him.

That's the reason why I found it hard to continue architecture without remembering him back then...

"Oh may taga-disenyo ka na ng hotels mo, Mr. Jimenez!" tawa nito.

I heard Hezekiah's low chuckle beside me. His thumb gently caresses my waist that's causing me to be out of breath.

What is he doing?

"Maiwan ko na kayong dalawa at may lunch meeting pa ako..." paalam niya.

"Sure, Sir. Enjoy your lunch." Hezekiah said.

"Kayo din." Mr. Lim said and turned to me. "Nice to meet you again, hija. I hope to see you again."

Ngumiti ako at magalang na yumuko para batiin siya.

"I never doubted your taste, Mr. Jimenez," he said before turning his back on us.

Heze once again chuckled. Pinanood namin ang pag-alis ni Mr. Lim.