What You Mean To Me [COMPLETED]

CHAPTER NINE

MALAWAK ANG NGITI ni Stephanie nang pumasok ito sa kanyang opisina. Hindi na siya nagulat pa sa pagdating nito dahil tumawag ito kanina at sinabing papunta raw ito sa opisina niya. May dala itong Japanese foods para sa kanya, since it's almost lunch time and Steph reminded her to eat. Isinantabi niya muna ang trabaho nang dumating ito.

"How's my gorgeous best friend and sister-in-law?" Anitong may ngiti sa mga labi.

"Nasaan ka nung company anniversary?" Sa halip ay tanong niya rito.

Namayway ito. She didn't look apologetic at all. "Hey, I didn't say I'd be there. Ang sinabi ko pag-iisipan ko but I never promised anything." Then she shrugged and sat on the chair. "And besides, I think it's time for my brother to do his part this time."

Napabuntong-hininga siya. "Alam mo na ang nangyari?"

"Of course," sagot nito. "Ang bilis kaya lumipad ng balita. Though it was mom who gave me the juicy details." Kumindat pa ito sa kanya. Hindi siya kumibo at binuksan na lamang ang mga dala nito. Nagugutom na kasi siya.

Napansin niyang nakatitig ang kaibigan sa kanya. "What? Do I look funny?" Tanong niya.

"No. I'm trying to read what's going on inside your head." Pag-amin nito.

Yumika let out a nervous laugh. Hindi niya alam kung saan talaga siya nininerbiyos. "Kung may tanong ka, itanong mo na lang." Sabi niya rito. She didn't know she had that confidence in her and it amazed the soul out of her.

"Well..." Panimula nito, kasabay na kumuha ng isang shrimp tempura roll at dinala sa bibig. Nagsimula na rin siyang kumain. Kapagkuwa'y muli itong nagsalita. "How do you feel? I mean, after my brother did what he's supposed to do?"

"Of course, I'm grateful." Sagot niya rito at kumuha ng isang piraso ng dynamite sushi roll. "He didn't have to do that actually, but still he did. He didn't have to fight my battles—"

"Girl, let him!" Putol nito. "Hindi mo kaya si Mr. Tianco or anyone else from the board for that matter but Cade can take them down. It's no longer your battle, Mika but his too. He made that officially clear when he yanked the older man's collar." Ngumisi ito sa kanya. "I'm proud of my brother actually. Talagang pinatunayan niya ang sarili niya."

"H-He's just..." Yumika was actually loss for words.

"Hmm, tell me honestly though..." anito. Napatingin siya sa kaibigan ngunit ang atensiyon nito ay nasa ramen noodles na pinipilit nitong kinukuha sa pamamagitan ng chopsticks. Yumika chuckled. Her best friend was not a chopsticks fan ever since pero pinipilit nito ang sarili dahil paborito niya ang Japanese foods. "...do you still have feelings for my brother?" Tanong nito.

Hindi siya agad nakasagot. Malungkot na tinitigan niya ang mga pagkain sa harapan. "Hindi naman basta-basta mawawala ang feelings ko sa kanya. He's my first love and I don't think it would be easy to forget him." Buong pag-amin niya rito. Stephanie didn't look like she was surprised with her answer. Yumika smiled reassuringly at her best friend. "But I'm done hoping for more of him. Sapat na sa akin ang kung anuman ang mayroon sa amin ngayon. We're friends, and that's what matters to me."

Pinisil nito ang kanyang kamay. "But what will happen next? Ano na ang mangyayari pagkatapos ng isang taong pagsasama n'yo sa iisang bahay?"

Nagkibit-balikat siya. "I guess, makukuha na niya ang Hernandez empire."

"I'm not talking about that," anito. "I'm talking about you, both of you."