Chapter 22
Halos pigain ko ang tungki ng aking ilong dahil sa iritasyon na nararamdaman. Hindi pa nakakatulong ang nakakarinding boses ni Mrs. Dela Fuente na para bang biik na kinakatay.
"Now tell me, Miss Follosco, is it right for a staff to answer back to his customer regardless of how wrong it is? And as far as I can remember, customer is always right!" she shouted again.
Ipinatong ko ang aking mga kamay sa ibabaw ng table at tamad siyang tinitigan. Her eyes are large and the eyeballs almost pop out of their sockets. Kulang na lang ay bugahan niya ako ng apoy at lamunin ng buo. She actually looks like Fiona, Shrek's wife. Fiona looks even better than her.
"Mrs. Buding — I mean, Mrs. Dela Fuente, I really apologize for my staff's behavior but I believe that he just did that to defend himself—"
"Defend himself? So what are you trying to say? That it's my fault and I'm the villain here? Iyon ba ang ibig mong sabihin, Miss Follosco?!"
I drummed my fingers over the glassy table. Mas lumalim ang titig ko sa matanda, gusto na siyang busalan ng papel sa loob ng bibig niya para manahimik. Mabuti na lang rin at walang ibang tao rito sa loob ng office ko kung hindi kaming dalawa lang. Ang staff na gusto niyang sampahan ng kaso ay naroon sa cubicle ni Abigail at naghihintay na ipatawag ko.
"Mrs. Dela Fuente, I am not saying that you're at fault but you have to understand that it's not his fault either if the furnitures they delivered on your house are wrecked. Supplier lang sila. Hindi sila ang gumagawa ng mga kagamitan na 'yon."
"Didn't they even check those products before releasing it? I paid you the right amount, Miss Follosco! I didn't ask for any discount because I know that the outcome will be worth my money. Pagkatapos ay sasabihin mong hindi niyo kasalanan? Isa pa, bastos iyang empleyado mo!"
"Sinabihan nyo siyang patay gutom at hampas lupa, Mrs. Dela Fuente. Who in the right mind would accept that kind of insult?"
She slammed her hands against the table while glaring at me. Hindi ako nagpatinag at nakipagtitigan lang sa kanya.
Sometimes, rich people like her tend to use their power over someone who's under them in a very offensive way. They act like they already own the world, that no one can talk back against them no matter how wrong they are.
Masuwerte akong hindi kabilang sa mga taong iyon ang mga magulang ko. They're very lowkey when it comes to our power. Mostly Dad. He's known as a powerful banker and a car dealer worldwide but he never brags anything about how wealthy he is. Kahit pa nung siya na ang mamahala ng construction company na ipinamana ni Lolo Nestor kay Mommy, ni minsan ay hindi siya nagyabang.
Itong matandang ito na isang branch ng Jewelry store lang naman ang pagmamay-ari pero kung makaasta ay akala mong nabili na ang buong mundo.
"I don't care if he doesn't want to accept those insults! His opinion will never matter to me. Itutuloy ko ang pagsasampa ng kaso sa kanya-"
"Gusto nyo ho magpunta pa kayo kay Tulfo at doon magreklamo. Siguradong hindi niya kayo papanigan." pangbabara ko sa kanya.
Lalong nanglaki ang mga mata niya sa galit. I can even imagine her nose flaring up in so much anger.
"You don't know how to comfort a client, do you?"
I smirked, swaying my swivel chair while arms folded across my chest.
"Well, I do know how to, Mrs. Dela Fuente. Unfortunately, pinipili ko lang ang mga kliyenteng aaluin ko at hindi ka kasama roon. I never tolerate clients who uses their power over anyone and obviously, you exceeded my limit of patience..." sabi ko. "Let's get this shit thing over with. I won't continue renovating your house anymore. Maging ang mga furnitures na nailagay na ng team ko roon ay ipaaalis ko na. I'll ask my secretary to give your money back to you. Right away, Mrs. Dela Fuente," I smirked. "You better start looking for another interior designer because I'm already backing out."
I saw how her body become stiff as if she didn't expect to hear those words from me. Nanatili ang ngisi sa mga labi ko, hindi nagpapakita ng kahit anong pagpapakumbaba sa harapan niya. Unless we're at fault, then I'm gonna ask for her mercy.
"You can't do that—"
"Try me, Mrs. Dela Fuente—"
"Excuse me, Ma'am Tate. Sorry to disturb your meeting but you have a personal visitor waiting for you..." si Abby matapos buksan ang pinto at idungaw ang ulo roon.
Personal visitor? Sino naman? Imposibleng si Cade 'yon. Abby would never address him that way. She used to call him Sir Cade.
"Sino daw?" tanong ko.
Bago pa man siya sumagot ay nakita ko na ang malaking bulto ni Zadriel sa likod niya. He's leaning against the doorway while hands on his slacks, eyes piercing into mine.
Kumurap-kurap ako.
What is this german size doing here? Kailan pa siya natutong pumunta dito sa opisina ko? Don't tell me he's too horny right now that he can't wait to settle a meet up with me any longer?
Nagtaas ako ng kilay sa kanya. His lips twitched, trying to show me a God-like smirk. The bastard became even more gorgeous and sexy on his white button down shirt that hugs his well-cut body.
Sige na nga. Puwede naman kami dito sa office. Sa ibabaw ng table.
"Let him in," sabi ko kay Abby na may nangaasar na tingin para sa akin.
I know what her mind is up to. She has already met Zadriel way back when we're in Diarrhea's house. Alam niyang boyfriend ito ng babae kaya siguradong nagtataka siya kung anong ginagawa nito dito.
"Yes, Ma'am."
Lumingon siya sa likod niya at hinarap si Zadriel. Zadriel just only gave her a light smile and went inside. After silently closing the door, he looked at me and I just pointed the couch. Tumango siya, alam na ang dapat gawin. I watched him walk towards it until he's done settling himself.
Firm thighs spread apart, he almost took the whole couch. Sa laking tao niya, hindi na ako nagtataka pa. Wala nga siyang kahirap-hirap kapag isinasalya ako sa kama.
"You can't stop the renovation, Miss Follosco. We have a deal!"
Ay? Narito pa pala itong matandang ito.
Tamad kong ibinaling ang paningin sa kanya. Nanglilisik pa rin ang kanyang mga mata at tila ba handa na akong sakmalin ano mang oras.
"And that deal is useless. I didn't ask you to sign a contract, remember?"
"Even so! You still have to finish renovating my house!"
"Sige. Basta iaatras mo ang demanda sa taong nilait-lait mo?"
"What? No way!"
"Then get out-"
"What's wrong?" si Zadriel na hindi na napigilan ang makitsismis.
Umikot ang mga mata ko at tiningnan siya na nakapalumbaba habang nakatitig sa akin. Kulang na lang sa kanya ay mic at tape recorder, Boy Abunda na talaga ang dating niya.
"This is the client I'm talking about the other day, Zad."
"The one who wants to file a case against your supplier."
"Yeah."
"Mr. Monasterio, gagawin ko lang naman iyon dahil sinagot-sagot niya rin ako ng pabalang. As a customer, I cannot accept that!"
Kunot-noo akong napatingin kay Mrs. Dela Fuente na akala mo maamong tupa na nakatitig kay Zadriel.
Ay, wow? Kilala niya si german size? Sabagay. Bakit pa nga ba ako magtataka? Monasterio is one of the powerful names in the business industry. Ako lang talaga hindi nakakakilala sa kanila.
Zadriel heaved a sigh.
"What's your decision?"
Tiningnan ko siya dahil pakiramdam ko ay para sa akin ang tanong na iyon. He's looking intensely at me like I'm the only person he could see inside this room.
"Pull out everything. Don't want to work with her anymore. Pwera na lang kung iaatras niya ang demanda sa supplier."
He lazily bore his eyes into Mrs. Dela Fuente. Knuckle still leaning against his jaw.
"Can you do that? I promise to replace whatever the damages those furnitures have for free. Plus the renovation of Fine and Lite Designs will push through."
Nanglaki ang mga mata ko sa sinabing iyon ni Zadriel. Maging si Mrs. Dela Fuente ay napatuwid rin mula sa pagkakatayo at agarang kumalma ang ekpresyon ng mukha.
"S-Sure! But at least tell that person to ask an apology. That would do." mabilis na saad ni Mrs. Dela Fuente na ikinasinghap ko.
Ganoon kabilis? Isang offer lang ni Zadriel, solve na agad ang problema? Hindi ko alam kung malakas lang talaga ang karisma nito pagdating sa mga tao o sadyang marupok lang rin itong si Mrs. Dela Fuente. Sure thing Zadriel here has the ability to seduce and put people under his spell.
Ako lang ata ang hindi.
"Type ka siguro ni Mrs. Dela Fuente, Zad. Imagine ang tagal ko siyang pinakiusapan na iatras ang demanda dun sa supplier pero ang dami niyang hanash!" napapailing na sabi ko habang nasa loob ako ng sasakyan niya.
He asked me to come with him on his penthouse. Since I have nothing that much to do, I agreed. Ewan ko ba. Ang dali-dali akong mapapayag ng isang ito sa tuwing yayayain niya ako sa kung saan. Maging siya at mukhang wala na rin trabaho. O baka mayroon pa, ipagpapaliban na lang muna.
"You won't solve a problem if both of you are mad, Tate. It's been only more than a month since we met each other but I already know your attitude..." he chuckled. "Tell me, did you raise those perfect eyebrows on her again?"
Natawa ako.
"As usual. That old woman really got into my nerves. Akala mo kung sino!" Nilingon ko siya. "But seriously, are you really going to replace those furnitures for free? Baka ako singilin mo, ha!"
He shot me a quick glance and controlled the steering wheel to the left, showing how strained and sexy those bluish veins on his hands.
"We're already partners, right?"
"Partners? Partner sa kama, ganern?"
His laughter thundered inside the car. "Silly. You told me that our company will be your furniture manufacturer from now on."
"Oo nga pala!" Humalakhak ako. "Pero mahal ang mga furnitures na gusto ni Mrs. Dela Fuente, Zad. Ewan ko ba bakit pumalpak ngayon 'yung dati kong ka-deal."
"Don't worry about it, Tate. Piece of cake."
We reached his penthouse a few minutes later. Holding me on the small of my waist, we entered the elevator in silence. Wala kaming kasabay, tanging kaming dalawa lang.
Napapalibutan ng salamin ang buong elevator. We both stared at each other through our reflection. Feeling that we have the same thoughts running inside our heads, we smirked at each other.
Mabilis na humarap sa akin si Zadriel at iniangat ako mula sa sahig. Holding me at the back of my knees, he slammed me against the cold mirrored wall and attacked my lips with his fiery kisses.
I encircled my thighs over his waist as I locked my hands around the back of his neck. His moistened lips went to my cheek, crawled down to my jaw until it reaches my neck. My eyes automatically shut down as I lifted my head up. As I unlocked my eyes, the image of us being this wild and intimate showing on our reflection against the mirrored ceiling only ignited the fire that's starting to burn us.
As soon as Zadriel put his lips back to mine again, the elevator dinged. Mula sa pagkakasalya sa akin sa dingding, binuhat niya akong muli at naglakad palabas ng elevator nang hindi inaalis ang labi mula sa akin. Humagikhik ako dahil ramdam ko roon ang matinding pananabik.
"You act like we didn't do this make out just last night, Zad." I said between our kisses.
He groaned. "Couldn't help it, baby. I always want more of you."
Hindi ko alam kung sa paanong paraan kami nakapasok ng penthouse niya nang hindi ako binibitawan. Zadriel and I fucked each other again like there's no tomorrow. Like we met each other just yesterday. We did it a few times that led me to exhaustion. Sa sobrang panglalata ng katawan ay hindi ko na namalayang nakatulog na ako. Nagising na lang akong bukas na ang lampshade sa tabi ng kama at tanging puting kumot lang ang nakabalot sa hubad na katawan.
The wall curtains are open, making me see the dark view outside and the city lights burning from afar. Narinig ko ang pagbukas ng pintuan. Iniluwa noon si Zadriel, walang pang itaas at tanging slacks lang ang suot. He's bare footed while holding a tray of food between his hands.
Naglapat ang mga mata namin. Even in the darkness, I can still see the ruthlessness of his eyes. Hindi rin naman nagtagal at pinindot niya ang main switch ng ilaw.
"What time is it?" tanong ko matapos kumalat ng liwanag sa buong kwarto.
He placed the wooden tray beside me. Bahagya akong naupo at isinandal ang ulo sa head rest. Umakyat siya sa kama, dumapa sa pagitan ng mga hita ko at iniyakap ang mga kamay sa aking bewang.
The white sheets that's covering my body slightly moved down because of his position. Bahagyang lumantad ang dibdib ko pero hindi ko na iyon pinansin. He has already seen it for so many times and it's no big deal anymore.
"It's just seven in the evening. Mamaya ka na umuwi, ihahatid kita."
Zadriel burried his face on my stomach. Manipis lang ang kumot na nakatakip sa akin dahilan para maramdaman ko ang init ng hininga niya.
"Sa office mo ako ihatid dahil naroon ang kotse ko."
Dinala ko ang mga kamay ko sa buhok niya at marahan itong hinaplos. Bahagya siyang tumunghay sa akin saka tumango.
"I'll just follow your car till you reach your house."
Natawa ako. "Seriously? Kailan ka pa naging ganyan ka-caring? And I'm not one of those girls who need to be taken care of. I can manage, Zad."
His perfect set of teeth pulled a tiny part of his lips while staring intensely at me.
"But I want to take care of you..." he said that made me shot my brow up.
"You sounded like a sick boyfriend," I said while caressing his soft hair. "Do you know that?"
"Am I?"
"Yeah. You're creeping me out."
He chuckled and then shook his head. Ibinalik niya ang pagkakahiga sa tiyan ko. This time, his head was directed to the view outside.
Minutes have passed when he decided to break the silence again.
"Are you ready for a relationship again, Tate?"
Natawa ako. "Why do you ask?"
"Just curious..."
"Hmm. It depends. Kung may nagugustuhan na ako, at gusto rin niya ako, then maybe I could enter a relationship again."
He fell silent. He's caressing my bare back as if he's currently inside a deep thought. Hindi ko alam kung bakit naging interesado si Zadriel tungkol sa pakikipagrelasyon ko. That's already out of his concern because I am just a bed warmer to him. Kung aalalahanin ko ang mga salitang binibitawan niya sa akin nitong mga nakaraan, iisipin kong may nararamdaman na siya para sa akin. Pero imposible. He's in a relationship with Dianara and Zadriel doesn't look like a man who will settle for someone like me.
I mean, why would he fall for a woman like me? Unang kita pa lang, may nangyari na agad. He's not even the one who devirginized me. I don't know his stand about that but yeah, whatever.
"I'm planning to break up with her once she comes home." I heard him say that cut my train of thoughts.
Nagbaba ako ng tingin sa kanya. He's still looking outside.
"Huh?" I asked.
He finally anchored his eyes on me, hitting me with a dark gaze.
"I'm going to break up with Dianara."
I blinked my eyes a few times. "Why? Gaya-gaya lang ang peg?"
He chuckled. "Just want to be free and do everything I want."
"Everything like having sex with me?"
His face suddenly held a frown. Sandali lang iyon dahil agad rin siyang nagpakawala ng buntong hininga bago isang beses na tumango.
"Yes..."
Natawa ako at mapang-asar siyang tinitigan. "Bakit? Natatakot ka na bang gumawa ng kalokohan sa likod niya? Are you starting to feel guilty now, German size?"
"No. But I'm starting to seek for someone else's attention, Tate. And it's driving me fucking nuts whenever I don't get to see her."
"Oh..." I nodded my head repeatedly. "I see. So nawala na rin 'yung feelings mo sa jowa mo? Kaso ang dahilan mo, may iba ka ng gusto. We're almost the same. Magkaiba lang ang mga rason natin."
"Won't you ask me who that woman is?"
Ngumuso ako. "Hindi naman kasi ako tsismosa, Zad," humalakhak ako. "Pero sige, sino ba 'yan at masistensyahan na."
Bumusangot siya, ang kilay ay salubong na salubong.
"Fuck it, Tate. Are you that numb?"