ISANG tawag mula kay Rochelle ang natanggap ni Lei mula sa intercom kinabukasan. Ipinapatawag uli siya ni Zach sa kanyang office .
Bantulot na pumunta ang dalaga sa opisina nito. Kinaasaran niya ang bawat paghaharap nila ng binata. Pakiramdam niya, ang bawat pakikipag-usap dito ay isang pakikihamok sa isang makapangyarihang katunggali at ang bawat titig nito sa kanya ay parang pagsukat sa kanyang talino't kakayahan bilang babae. Para tuloy siyang isang David sa harap ng isang Goliath.
"Come in," she heard a soft voice inside his office after she knocked on the door.
She was oozing with confidence when she entered his office. But that was only a front. This man should not notice any single indication that she was really edgy every time she faced him.
Nakaupo ito sa swivel chair sa likod ng kanyang desk. His eyes were on her direction, halatang sadyang hinihintay ang kanyang pagpasok. As usual, he made a quick scan of her whole body.
'Here we are again,' she whispered upon noticing the meaningful glow on his eyes. Kailangan na talaga niyang masanay sa mga kakaibang tingin na iyon ng kanyang boss or else, lagi siyang maiirita at maaalangan kapag kaharap ito.
The wink in his eyes revealed that he was desiring her. Ubod kasi siya ng sexy sa orange sundress na suot niya. Manipis ang tela nito na humahapit sa kurba ng kanyang katawan.
Kunwari ay walang anumang umupo siya sa upuan na nasa harap ng table nito.
"I am finally saying 'yes' to your idea, Miss Alvez." He leaned towards her. His eyes were glued on her face but they would occasionally land on her breast.
"Well, thanks," matipid niyang tugon. She expected it, there's no reason to be grateful.
"But my approval doesn't mean that I am 100% confident on your talent."
"I just need your approval, I don't give a damn to your opinion," ipinahalata niya ang nagbabangong inis sa kausap.
Dumilim ang anyo nito. "Is that really the way you deal with your boss?"
"It depends on the person I am talking with."
"How about with your customers?" halatang nainsulto ito.
"How dare you?" she glared at him. Naramdaman niya ang pag-akyat ng dugo sa ulo niya at ang pamumula ng magkabila niyang pisngi. Gusto tuloy niyang damputin ang penguin figurine na nakapatong sa desk at ibato sa lalaking kaharap.
"Oh, never mind what I have said," he displayed his triumph once again by smiling sarcastically .
"Kung wala ka ng matinong sasabihin, may I excuse myself?" Umakma na siyang tatayo.
"You and your team can proceed to the finalization of the plan. I need the presentation by tomorrow," he said without taking his eyes off her.
"Tomorrow?"
"Yes, tomorrow."
Believing that arguing with this impossible man would be useless, she decided to leave. Alam niyang mauuwi na naman sa insultuhan ang magiging panibagong diskusyon. Nagngingitngit na tinungo niya ang pinto ng opisina.
When Lei closed the door, Zach chuckled. That was the only thing he could do. Suddenly, he wanted to bang his head to the wall. Ano ba itong nangyayari sa kanya? Gustong-gusto niyang kausap ang dalaga kung kaya lagi niya itong ipinapatawag sa kanyang office. Gustong- gusto niyang nakikita ito, naririnig ang boses, gumagalaw at buhay na buhay kahit batid niyang kinaiinisan nito ang bawat araw ng paghaharap nila.
Lagi niyang pinananabikan ang mga araw o oras na puwede niya itong makita o makausap. Ngunit kung bakit parang multo na laging sumisingit sa alaala niya si Pandora kapag kaharap na niya ito dahilan upang mainsulto niya ito at mauwi sa wala ang plano niyang pakikipagkaibigan sana. Paano ba niya liligawan ngayon ang dalaga kung ganitong hindi sila nakakakapag-usap ng matino? At palaging inis o galit ang namamagitan sa kanilang dalawa?
Samantala'y tutok naman si Lei sa superwoman mode niya. Magdamag na nilagare niya at ng kanyang team ang marketing plan nila. Gayundin ang gagawing presentation kinabukasan. At dahil sa magagaling lahat ng mga kasama niya ay agad naman nila itong natapos.
The next morning was a big day for the sales and marketing group. All key personnel of Punta Gallarte were there and all of them gave positive remarks on the astonishing performance of Lei's group. Lahat sila ay puro papuri ang iniukol sa kaniya.
Ngunit hindi pa doon nagtatapos ang trabaho ng team niya. Kinakailangan nilang trabahuhin ang mga advertisements at news releases kung kaya nangangahulugan ito ng kanilang agarang pagbalik sa sales office sa Makati. But to her amazement, Zach did not approve her plan of going back to Makati.
"Let your staff do the thing for you, Miss Alvez. With modern technology, it would not be difficult for you to communicate with them even if you are here," he casually said. Sila na lang dalawa ngayon ang naiwan sa conference room.
"Are you saying that I have to stay here?"
"Yes," he was moving toward her with arrogant self-assurance and confidence. "There is another thing that you have to do here."
"What is it?" inis na tanong niya. He was very close to her now causing her to smell his manly scent. She could feel the tension between them. Thousand of butterflies fluttered again inside her stomach.
"Your training on horseback riding will start tomorrow." Before she could move, his fingers ran through her left cheek down to her chin. An evocative smile curved on his mouth, eyes were still on her. Was he trying to seduce her?
Her instinct urged her to take few steps backwards. "That's not fair," she said avoiding his eyes.
Bigla nitong ibinaba ang kamay at itinikom, halata ang pagpipigil sa sarili. A glint of disappointment was evident on his eyes. "Yes it is. You have to be in the ranch by seven o'clock tomorrow," he took a deep sigh then hurriedly left the room.
Naiwan siyang nagpupuyos sa galit.
*Dear Readers,
The next chapter will be sizzling hot. The moment Zach and Lei are waiting for, and perhaps, you too ha ha ha. Just don't forget to cast your votes and leave comments. Luv yah!!!