Cost of Taste | ✓

Kabanata 33

Kabanata 33

I was barely listening to the meeting. Hindi naman kasi ako interesado. I'm just here to give the shares to Adren and that's it.

Umakyat na naman ang kaba sa dibdib ko. It's slowly sinking in that Adonis Renoir, after all the years, is seating beside me right now.

And he looks hot. Punyemas.

Dapat illegal maging ganito ka-gwapo ang mga CEO. People can't have it all, so how did this man looked so dashing in his suit?

I kept on diverting my eyes. Halos matatanda pala ang nasa board meeting na ito. Adren is indeed the youngest.

After getting to the gist of the meeting, it was adjourned.

My eyes widened when a familiar woman came inside the boardroom. It was Tatiana, now sporting a shorter hair. It was similar to my haircut before. Nanglaki rin ang mga mata niya nang makita ako pero agad niya itong tinago gamit ng isang ngiti.

Kahit napopoot ako sa kan'ya noon, I learned that giving her forgiveness is the right thing to do. Hindi na niya ako muling kinulit o nilapitan nang tuluyan na talaga kaming natapos ni Adren.

I'm glad she's okay and she can use her legs again. Pero bakit siya nandito? Did she purposely followed Adren even now? She's dedicated, huh?

"Adren, can I talk with you?" Nilagay ni Tatiana ang ilang takas na hibla ng buhok sa likod ng kanyang tenga.

Bitch 'to, nawala bigla ang 'Kuya' ah? Level up na rin ang panglalandi?

Bigla akong napapikit. Nasaan na 'yung pinapatawad ko na siya? Bakit parang bigla akong nagkaroon ng amnesia?

"Sure."

His deep baritone voice penetrated through my ears and it didn't pass through. Nanatili ito sa utak ko para ipaalala saakin ang lahat. This voice used to tell me the sweetest things yet it sounded so cold now.

"Adren." I called him, a little hesitant.

His head tilted towards my direction and a ghost of smile appeared on his lips.

"Yes, Arrisea?"

I thought hearing him already caught me off guard but now that he was speaking my name — it made me feel breathless. Parang ang hirap huminga at magpatuloy ng sasabihin.

Despite having a hard time breathing, I continued, "I'd also like to talk."

His cold eyes remained on me, bahagyang umangat ang gilid ng kanyang labi.

"Okay, but I'd like to speak with Tatiana first."

I don't know why I got annoyed. Sure, Tatiana asked him first but it felt like what I'm about to say is not as important as Tatiana's request.

Tatiana smirked, "We'll have to go now, Arrisea."

It made me arched an eyebrow.

Hindi ako sanay na walang Ate. Pero ang awkward nga naman kung hanggang ngayon ay tatawagin niya ako nang ganun. Even Etienne dropped the honorifics.

Umalis na sila upang pumunta sa opisina ni Adren. I texted Etienne to pick me up just in case. Alam ko naman na nasa teritoryo ako ng mga Reverio, it's better to be safe than sorry.

I waited for at least half an hour but Tatiana was still inside his office. Hanggang sa umabot na ito nang ilang oras. An empathetic employee even offered me drinks as I wait. Umupo ako sa isang lounge chair at tinanggap ang inalok na kape. Even the coffee for employees are made with high quality beans. I could tell because I've tasted different ingredients.