"Sorry, my hands became slippery when I saw you pestering my woman. Is one hundred thousand enough for your medical fees?"
I flinched.
This might be the perfect time to make everything turned into slow motion. Where the main character will glanced at her knight and got attracted by his intimidating charms. Kung saan mabubuhos ang buong atensyon mo sa kanya and you will fell from his admiring actions in an instant ---how his ear piercings dazzled on your sight, how he clenched his angular jaw in anger, how his dull eyes throw a glare that can kill and how he hold your waist tighter.
Where you will feel that you are finally safe now that he's in your side and ready to protect you.
Ikaw namang si tanga maniniwala na gawa ng tadhana ang lahat. Oo nakukuha mo'yan kakabasa ng libro at kakapanood ng kdrama.
"P-president Neves!? I-I didn't mean to do it I just---"
It took me a few seconds before going back to my senses at muling napatingin sa lalaking ka blind date ko lang kuno kanina. Hawak na niya ang kanyang basag at dumudugo na labi--- after almost kissing the floor earlier at nanginginig sa... takot. I can even sense that his confidence earlier are nowhere to be found right after that unexpected explosion.
Para ba itong biglang naduwag na tigre matapos makaharap ang isang nanlalapang leon.
Wait, did I heard it right?
He call this man behind my back... President Neves?
As in President Jillian Ibarra Neves from En-Neves Corporation, the most popular company with highest net worth in the world and operates several thousand of Hotel-restaurants throughout Asia--- other small businesses and their products excluded.
Tangina hindi ba ako nananaginip?
My gaze shifted to the stranger who save me. I can't sense any terrifying aura towards him, but he have strong vibes, making this dumbass kneel in front of us--- or rather him alone.
"L-Let me explain."
"Who cares about your explanation?" Without getting bothered by the customer's stares and gossips start to roll around, he only eyed the frustrated maniac who harassed me.
"T-that girl is a bitch! maybe you just mistook her as your girl."
Napamaang ang aking labi.
Aba gago, sampalin ko 'to ng isa eh.
"Just call my secretary if it's not enough. " My eyes suddenly widened as he threw a cheque towards the maniac's cracked face and sighed, "And I almost forgot Mister Fernandez, tell to your parents that the deal is off and I already torn the contract minutes ago. You can just check the trash bin if you want proof, please excuse us." then he grabbed my hand, found the both of us exiting from the scene and leaving him dumbfounded.
Ako naman ay nag patangay lamang dito at pilit na pinag ka-kasya sa utak at iniintindi ang mga pangyayari. All I remember is that bastard are trying to harass me at ipilit na gusto ko sya, and I was about to defend myself by kicking his balls but then this expensive handsome stranger--- that must be the President Neves they feared, came out of nowhere and punched him for me. Then, he tell an implausible lines, throw him a cheque worth one hundred thousand and cancel their deal about business.
So technically he did save my ass? And if he's really the President Neves they gossips about, tangina... parang ang imposible naman.
Sya na ba talaga to?
"T-teka teka teka..." Napahinto ako sa pag lalakad at sa wakas ay nagawa ng bawiin ang aking braso at lingunin ito. That made him also stop from moving and met my gaze with skeptic look. Now we are at the middle of the hallway, staring each other.
"What? Does any part of your body got hurt? should I take you to the Hospital?" His deep tone changes in an instant.
Since I was too pre-occupied earlier fantasizing the scenario and describing only his attractive asset, I almost forgot to say that he's quite familiar--- not because I believe that he is really President Neves, sa totoo lang wala pa akong ideya ukol sa pag mumukha ng bagong presidente since his whole identity are still the town's issue, kaya kahit ako ay hindi makapaniwala. But this guy in front of... although he is wearing a formal attire such as black coat, plain white sweater and slacks at napakaayos tignan, I guess I met him somewhere.
Hindi lang talaga ma-digest ng utak ko ngayong araw.
"No I'm actually fine. Uh about sa narinig ko kanina, sorry if my question will offend you ha pero I just want to clarify if you are really President Neves of En- Neves Corporation? As in yung bagong President nila na humakot ng ilang libong achievements kahit hindi humaharap sa mga interviews, sariling magazine and even his own inauguration dahil insecure sa hitsura? Baka kasi namali lang ako ng dinig at kailangan ng mag patingin sa O-otorh-hinol--- sa doctor hehe." I asked and bite my lower lip to ease my frustration.
Tangina wala bang mas madaling term? baka sabihin ng kausap ko bobo naman ako masyado, well obviously, hindi lang naman ganda ang kaya kong ipakita noh.
He just clicked his tongue, tilted his head and carefully studied my expression by his dull, manipulative eyes.
It honestly sent shiver towards my spine. By only exchanging glances with him, it feels like I was crossing the bridge of hell. This might be the reason why that maniac almost collapsed in panic.
Dapat bang nanahimik nalang ako at nagpasalamat?
Napaatras ako at kusang napangiwi dahil sa naisip.
"I-if you're not comfortable enough to answer, huwag mo nalang sagutin. Uh just..." I trailed off. "Just introduce yourself hehe para mapasalamatan naman kita ng pormal."
Mabilis naman itong napailing, and then he put both of his hands inside his pockets, grinning.
"No, uh just a little surprised. That was bold huh but yes, if that's how people see me, then probably that's me." He mumbled, making my soul suddenly shattered into pieces.
"Shuta." napahawak ako sa aking labi at nanlalaki ang mga matang pinag masdan ito mula ulo hanggang paa.
"What's with the sudden curse?"
"Totoo ba?"
"Everything you heard earlier is not just a hallucination, so yes it's definitely real."
"Bakit parang hindi naman?"
"Pardon?"
My eyes blinked twice.
Shit so this is what he looks like that only few people have seen. This is the definition of 'pinagpalang lubusan' in real life? Yung hindi lang kagwapuhan yung sinimot at sinalo lahat? Pati rin yung katalinuhan at kayamanan?
Ayan ba yung nakaka- insecure na hitsura? Paarang gusto ko nalang mainsecure habang buhay kung gano'n.
"Hey---" I cut him off and averted his gaze.
"Give me a seconds to think Mister stranger, I'm still collecting my thoughts about you." Seryoso kong bulalas.
This man? who looks like a badboy Greek-God in clean look. Pota bakit parang mas mukha pa siyang artista na naligaw dito sa restaurant kaysa sa Preside---
"Sorry to interrupt your thoughts but we're blocking the hallway and disturbing the other customers. Let's continue our conversation at the third floor. I reserve a seat over there."
---Presidente na salo ang trabaho at problema ng buong kumpanya, parating pagod at kulu-kulubot na ang balat dahil sa stress na natatanggap.
"Is that okay with you Miss stranger?" Sapo ang aking beywang, nag tama ang aming mga mata. Our face are few inches away and I can damn smell his manly, familiar but alluring scent from this position.
Why my tongue suddenly disappeared? Iniwan din ako sa ere?
Umikot ang aking paningin sa kabuuan ng mukha nito at napakagat sa pang ibabang labi.
Tangina ang kinis, nilunod ata 'to sa Cetaphil nung bata siya e. O baka naman laging nakatambay sa Derma. Damn I can't even spot any dark circles or pimples on his cheek, itanong ko kaya kung ano ang skin care routine niya?
"Please talk and quit staring, we should move and decide first." He calmly exclaimed, right after he noticed me gawking at him for a couple of seconds.
Right , I really should.
"U-uh sure, I-I don't mind." Kumawala na ako sa pag kakahawak nito at mas mabilis pa sa kidlat na nag baba nalang ng tingin at napakagat sa pang- ibabang labi, I just hope that my make up will cover how I fucking look like a tomato right now.
Shuta bawat araw pakapal na ata ng pakapal ang mukha ko, but what with that close distance anyway!? Para akong niyanig ng kuryente ng Meralco!
"Okay, follow me then." he commanded, swiftly fix his coat by his long fingers and lead the way.
Tulad ng kaniyang sinabi, I just followed him until we reach the third floor of the resto. Laglag ang panga, muling umikot and aking nanlalaking mata sa kabuuan ng palapag at nabighani sa kakaiba at mas magarbong disenyo ng lugar.
Then I suddenly noticed something strange that leads me back to my sanity.
Aside from the two waiters at the corner, the rest of place is empty, making us shared a moment of silence as we continue walking in the long hallway. Since no one dares to talk or break the heavy atmosphere between us, I can't help myself but to felt embarrassed again and at the same time nervous while thinking the sluggish actions I did earlier.
If only life has a rewind button, maybe I will have another chance of meeting this outstanding President in a nice way. Hindi yung putangina iniligtas kana nga, nagawa mo pang pag dudahan!
What if matagpuan nalang ako na lumulutang sa ilog mamaya?
"Do you want specific food to order? I guess you didn't finish your meal properly because of what happened." Finally, he spoke and break the awkwardness. Nag angat lamang ako ng tingin dito at saktong lumandas ang mata sa kanyang likuran.
"I'm fine with water or any beverages huwag lang whiskey. Kailangan ko lang naman ng panulak sa nakain ko kanina, hindi panulak sa langit ng maaga." I joked, trying to lift up our atmosphere.
"Hmm okay."
Ang mais lods.
Muling namuo ang katahimikan sa aming pagitan. I just kept my gaze on his back, restraining myself from imagining his detailed physical features inside my head once again but my own nervous system betrayed me.
What's with his damn broad back? Hindi naman bulky ang katawan niya pero putangina as a critic of people's appearance, he still manage to look sexy in his own way.
I shrugged my head at napahaplos na lamang sa aking braso.
This kind of bad habit are always giving me goose bumps.
My feet automatically froze when he eventually stopped walking and took a quick glimpse on the vacant table currently on our side, then he turn around and let his charcoal eyes landed on mine.
"I'm sorry, I forgot to ask first if you are okay to stay in this resto. If you are still upset about what happened earlier, feel free to say it and we will head to another place."
My lips parted.
That was the words I can't imagine that will escape from his own mouth. I mean this is the first time I met the President of En-Neves at ako pa yung naging rude sa kaniya kanina. So why the hell he is trying to act politely!? Gayuma ba'to para ma-guilty ako lalo!?
"N-no ayos lang. Hindi naman gano'n kalala yung nangyari kanina para hindi ako maka-move on eh, and sa second floor naman yun naganap so staying here is obviously fine by me." Bulalas ko pabalik.
"Are you sure?"
"Oo nga," huwag ka nga pa-fall.
Napatango naman ito, nag lakad palapit sa akin--- palapit sa upuan na katapat ko at marahan itong hinila.
"Please take a seat then." He casually uttered.
"T-thanks."
He carefully guided me to my seat first and insisted to give his coat--- leaving the upper part of his body in white sweater before going to the other side of the table, comfortably sit in front of me and call the waiter to get us drinks. Another silence filled our surroundings.
Everything feels nostalgic, ang kaibahan lang ay mas gwapo siya kumpara sa manyak kong ka-blind date kanina at...
Malaki ang atraso ko sa kaniya.
Tangina akala ko ba masungit at nakakatakot ito!? Bakit parang ang soft hearted naman. Well except sa part na halos paliparin niya yung mukha ng ka-date ko kanina.
I immediately feel the grumbling of my arteries and veins inside my chest when my eyes glued on him and got welcomed by his angular jaw and serious expression. He is facing sideward, letting some of the strands of his black undercut hair cover his forehead. Thankfully he is busy using his phone, so less kaba at hiya.
I sighed and composed myself.
This is the reason why I come with him anyway, upang makausap ito ng masinsinan.
"First of all President Neves, thank you for saving me a while ago. Although I can defend myself from that maniac, I'm still thankful that you butt in kasi hindi nabawasan ang ganda ko and ofcourse with all sincerity..."
Napapikit ako at napakagat sa aking labi.
"I would like to say sorry for doubting you earlier and saying uneccesary things that might offend you. I think ang rude ko sa part na'yon, ikaw kasi ang laman ng chismis sa opisina namin so hindi ko na napigilan yung bibig ko. Sorry talaga P-president Neves." Then I bowed my head, praying he will not sent death threats or make me suffer in----
"Jillian. Just call me Jillian."
I stunned.
Eh?
"Drop the formality, Miss stranger. And you don't have to be sorry, I understand your curiosity." Nilingon ko ito at nahihiwagaan siyang tinitigan.
Sabi na talaga, puro fake news na ang kumakalat sa ating paligid.
"H-hindi mo ako ipapakulong?"
He chuckled.
"Why would I? asking someone is not even a type of crime."
"I just insulted the President of the most richest company in Asia. Hindi pa ba sapat iyon!?"
"But I don't even considered that as an insult, and if I want to sue someone, then that would be the guy who harassed you."
Tuluyang natutop ang aking labi.
Ang aming mata ay nanatili sa isa't isa, and despite of having an unreadable expression, I can sense that he's serious enough to do it if I want to.
Parang ang haba ng hair ko ngayon.
I gulped.
Well that maniac deserve it, pero ayoko na ng panibagong hassle.
"Hehehe."
"And if this 'sin' of yours will forever bother your mind then, I'll ask your name as an exchange. Fair enough?" I guess he noticed me being uneasy and spoke again.
Napahinga naman ako ng malalim.
Okay I admit he's not that barumbado type of guy naman pala, kahit na mukha talaga siyang badboy sa mga novels. Damn that sparkling manipulative eyes of him.
Babawasan ko na nga kakabasa, tanginayan.
"Catalina De Gracia. Lina for short. Female. Twenty six years old. Currently living here in Manila for work. One ex. Ten flings. And bonus information, single ready to migle." I swiftly introduce.
Halata naman na nabigla ito at natiligan ng ilang segundo. He was just staring at me and get drowned by his deep thoughts.
Lord ang daya naman, pati pag tulala gwapo pa din?!
"Huy! ganda ko ba?" I click my fingers, successfully made him flinched and averted my gaze.
Umangat ang sulok ng labi niya.
"No--- I mean yes, you are gorgeous. But, I think I owe you one now since you give me a lot of information." He whispered.
I burst out in laughter.
"Feeling ko ang makasalanan ko tuloy dahil sa kabaitan mo." I confessed.
Kumunot naman ang noo niya at muli akong tinitigan.
"What do you mean?"
"I thought you're a type of a President who eats people alive if we create mistakes. Totoo pala yung sabi nila na don't judge the book by it's cover. Kaya thank you ulit."
"Am I really look that scary?"
Sobra.
"Hehe. So Pres---Jil, bakit tayong dalawa lang nandito? Pansin ko kasi ang daming tao sa baba kanina eh." I didn't answer his question anymore and tried to dirvert the topic instead.
Sakto naman at dumating na ang Redtea na inorder niya kanina. Pres--- Jillian took it from the waiter and handed the one glass towards me, agad naman akong nag pasalamat.
"Ah, that's because I reserve the entire floor." He plainly answered, making me almost dropped the glass and looked at him wider.
"What?!"
Ganito na ba talaga kapag bored ang mayayaman!?
"Don't get me wrong, I reserve it not because of boredom." He seems to read what's running on my mind and defend his self from my accusations, "I actually reserve it on purpose."
"And that is? Are you Nostradamus to expect that we will see each other?"
"Nah, I'm here because I attended a blind date. So it's just a bonus that I met you."
A deafening silence dominated.
Assumera ako sa part na yon ah. But him? Blind date!? Oh well does he need to do it eh mukhang kaya naman niyang kumabig ng jowa pag gusto niya. He have killer charisma after all.
I sipped from my redtea and hummed for a second, before responding.
"Medyo pahiya ako don ah. So where's the blind date of yours?" I asked.
His eyes locked on mine, then put his arms across his chest.
"I dump her." He exclaimed, straightforward.
Napatanga naman ako sa kaniyang naturan.
"Wow, reverse card?"
"I don't like her, them actually." He blatantly mumbled.
Bahagya naman akong napailing sa narinig. He really sounded like a President who owns company, ganito kasi ang ugali ng lola n'yo.
"Right, that's how rich people interacted anyway and I'm not surprised if you're furious, hindi naman lilipad yung mukha ng kasama ko kanina kung wala ka sa mood." Bulalas ko nalang.
Now his left brows furrowed.
"That Fernandez guy is also your blind date right?"
I nodded.
"Yep, but let me tell you a mini confession. I'm only here as a substitute of my best friend kaso malas pa at maling tao ang nameet ko , so definitely I can only consider him as a jerk lurking around the resto." I laughed.
He seem a bit surprised but manage to hide it--- kahit na napansin ko parin.
"Oh? So blind date is not your thing?" He told in amusement.
"I usually attend blind dates before pero hindi yung pang mayaman edition. Isang normal na tao lang naman kasi ako na nabubuhay dito sa earth at kadalasan galing sa dating app and shits ang mga date ko."
"Did you found someone interesting?" He scoffed.
I rolled my eyes.
"Magiging honest ba ako kung sasabihin ko na wala pang tatapat sa kagwapuhan mo?"
So where did I get that kind of guts?
Ewan ko tangina kusang lumabas sa dila ko eh.
"Very honest, I see." His fingers slowly moves and start to tapped the table in synchronize way.
"It makes sense why you're different from all the women I've dated."
"Ano?"
"Nothing." sus wala daw.
"So back to you, bakit wala ka namang natipuhan sa kanila? Imposible namang mag karoon ka ng date na pangit at mahirap di ba?"
"I found them boring and too simple, that's it. "
"Pakipot na pala mayayaman ngayon." I teased.
He just glared at me.
"I only found them not interesting, and it makes sense why."
"At bakit naman?"
"Because before I've date them, I already met someone who set my standards."
My lips automatically formed an 'o' and excitedly get my drink.
Ganito na ba pag inlove ang mga high class na tao?
"Eh bakit nag patuloy ka pa rin sa pag- attend ng blind date, that's considered cheating kaya!" I complained.
"That's because I was hoping to meet her again. And I guess, I'll stop dating anyone from now on since I already found her."
"Oh ede congrats! hindi na masasayang ang oras mo niyan. Name reveal naman." I giggled and take a sip on my glass again.
He only bit his lower lip, then his charcoal eyes rested on mine--- like I am the one he...
Napatalon ang aking puso.
Jillian slowly held my left hand, making me off guard.
"Catalina, will you marry me?"
Beat.
Ah, now I finally remember why he's familiar.