The elevator stopped at the thirty-seventh floor. Nauna si Ali na lumabas ng elevator at sumunod naman ako agad sa kanya.
This floor has been completely renovated. I haven't really explored our building, but this is different to my father and brother's floors. This is like stepping into an independent office.
As soon as you step off the elevator, you'll immediately see the reception area that was situated near the tall glass windows of the building. Just from the reception itself, I can tell that the design of the office is modern and edgy.
The lights on the ceiling were unique, something I've never seen before. Manipis at mahaba ito. Sa itaas ng reception desk ay may mga decorative lights din. The type of bulb gave it a slight industrial vibe.
The tall desk was made of metal painted in matte black. It was supported by a wood with beautiful color of brown, which also serves as a lower desk. Sa upper right corner ay nasulat ang AS sa malaking letra at Engineering naman sa ilalim nito.
Bungad pa lang ay busog na agad ang mga mata ko sa detalye. There's so much to observe and take in! It definitely didn't disappoint for a consultancy firm.
"Come," tawag ni Ali. Abala pa ang mga mata ko sa pagtingin sa paligid kaya nang abutin niya ang kamay ko ay wala ako sa sariling nagpahila sa kanya.
"Good morning, Sir!" masiglang bati ng babaeng nasa reception. Bumaba ang mga mata niya sa kamay ni Ali na nakahawak sa akin. Sunod ay sa akin. If a thought crossed her mind, I wouldn't know. Ngumiti lang ito sa akin. "Good morning, Ma'am. Welcome to AS Engineering."
"Morning, Christy," Ali greeted back but he never stopped from walking. I shyly smiled as I let him drag me with him.
He toured me in their office. Everything was aesthetic. It perfectly showcased their company. Sa layout and design pa lang ng office ay hahanga ka na. It promises high quality works from them.
Ali wanted to show where he's working, kaya matapos namin kumain ng lunch ay dinala niya ako ngayon dito. I'm free this afternoon and we didn't have a deadline at work, so it won't be a problem. Gusto ko rin naman makita kaya hindi ako tumanggi.
It's like we're getting to know each other for the first time for the past few days. Ang dami kong bagong natutunan sa kanya. He makes sure to know everything that kept me occupied for the past years, too.
Our last destination was his office. I was right. It was way bigger than mine. There were several book shelves, a circular table with chairs, and then there's a sitting area with the comfortable couches.
Sa isang gilid ay ang pinto patungo sa kanyang bathroom. There's even a shower and a small closet in it. He explained that it's because he goes to sites and he's outside for meeting most of the time, kaya minsan ay naliligo siya pagbalik sa office.
"Your office looks so good. Pwede bang mag-apply?" biro ko at pinulot ang magazine ng Unveil na nakalagay sa coffee table. It's this month's issue wherein he's featured.
"Sure." He casually nodded. "There's one position available suitable for you."
Nanlaki ang mga mata ko at parang gusto ko talagang i-consider 'yon. I looked at him. "What is it?"
"The CEO's girlfriend," he cheekily answered.
My lips parted. My face heated next. Nag-iwas ako ng tingin sa kanya at ibinaba ang magazine sa lamesa. I swiftly moved towards his desk. He chuckled as he followed closely behind me.
I directed my attention to his swivel chair. Pati ang upuan niya ay mas maganda. I sat on it for experience. It's so comfortable!
Pag-angat ko ng mga mata ay nakaupo na si Ali sa desk, sa gilid lang ng upuan ko. He's watching me with amusement in his eyes.
"You don't want it? The salary is really good," he convincingly stated.
Kumunot ang noo ko. I was curious. "What's the salary?"
"Me. I'm the salary." He deviously grinned.
I ignored the crazy beating of my heart and frowned at him. Ramdam ko ang pagsalubong ng kilay ko at pagtulis ng nguso. "Inaasar mo ako."
He laughed and shook his head. He hooked the chair with his feet and managed to pull me towards him. Ngayon ay nasa harapan na niya ako. His legs were parted and I'm in the middle of it. "Baby, I'm serious."
Umirap ako sa kanya. Lalo siyang natawa. Sinipa ko ang sahig para umatras pero hinuli niya agad ang upuan para hindi ako makagalaw.
He bit his lip. His eyes were intently staring at my face now. "It's a legitimate position and you're the only applicant." Bumaba ang tingin niya sa mga labi ko.
I licked my lips and swallowed hard. Unti-unting bumaba ang mukha ni Ali. Bumigat ang paghinga ko. Bago pa matuloy ang paglapit niya ay may malakas na katok ang nanggaling sa pinto. It made me lean back and push the chair away from him in panic.
Napayuko si Ali at nagpakawala ng buntonghininga. Ilang saglit lang ay bumukas na ang pinto at sumilip ang lalaking secretary niya.
"Sir, sorry for disturbing you, pero may mga bisita po kayo," sabi ni Vince, nanatili lang siyang nakasilip doon.
Tamad na nilingon ni Ali ang pinto. "I don't have anything in my calendar."
"Wala po silang appointment pero kasama nila si Ms. Marion. Mukhang mga big time po, Sir."
I stiffened at the name he mentioned. I could hear the green monster lurking at the back of my head. Bumalik ang tingin ko kay Ali. Mukhang wala lang naman sa kanya 'yon. "Papuntahin mo sila sa meeting room."
"Okay, Sir." Ngumiti sa akin si Vince bago umatras at sinara ang pinto.
Nang ibalik ko ulit ang tingin kay Ali ay nasa akin na ang buong atensyon niya. "Do you want to come with me in that meeting?"
Umiling ako. "Wala naman akong gagawin doon."
Tinitigan lang ako ni Ali. His lips were pursed. He looked like he was trying to read my mind.
Thoughts of leaving and going back to work played in my head. Maaga pa naman. Pwede rin na umuwi na lang ako. "I'll just go home."
He glanced at his watch. He licked his lips. "The meeting will only take fifteen minutes. Can you wait? Ihahatid kita pauwi."
I paused to think about it. Nangungusap ang mga mata niya habang nakatingin sa akin. How can I say no to his soft hazel eyes?
"Okay." I nodded. "Lilibot na lang ulit ako ng office."
His lips curved into a soft smile. Seeing it pleased me. It's like being rewarded for making the right decision. Tumayo siya. "Let's go."
Tumayo rin ako at sumunod sa kanya palabas ng opisina. Sumabay na rin ako sa paglakad. I'll just check out their pantry again. It's the coziest place here.
Malayo pa lang ay natanaw ko na si Marion na nakatayo mag-isa sa tapat ng meeting room. She looked like she stepped out of a fashion magazine with her attire. Her hair was in a tight high ponytail. Her lipstick was sanguine and bold.
I felt my confidence waning as we got closer and closer. Habang papalapit ay gumaganda siya. She looked elegant and her posture screams beauty queen material. I suddenly feel like a clown in my silk teal buttoned up blouse and high waist skirt.
Natigil ang iniisip ko nang hawakan ni Ali ang kamay ko. I glanced at our joined hands before looking back at him. Deretso lang ang tingin niya at seryoso ang kanyang mukha. What was I thinking again?
I returned my gaze in front when we stopped walking. Nasa harapan na namin si Marion. Hindi ko napansin. A brittle smile was on her lips. Her eyes dropped to our hands.
"H-Hey, I hope you don't mind if I dropped by without an appointment." Pabalik-balik ang tingin niya sa akin. "Galing kasi kami ng ibang meeting and the men with me showed interest in hiring your company when I showed them the resort you did in Batangas."
"No problem," simpleng sagot ni Ali bago sumulyap sa akin. "Hyon, this is my friend, Marion Abrams. Marion, this is Hyon Alexandria Serrano."
"Alexandria," she deadpanned. Napatulala siya ng ilang segundo na parang may naisip. She licked her lips and brought her eyes to me. Pilit ulit siyang ngumiti at inabot ang kamay sa akin. "H-Hi. It's nice to meet you."
"Likewise." I accepted her handshake. "You're very pretty."
"Thank you," ilang na sagot nito at bumitaw ng hawak sa akin.
I felt Ali's hand settle on my waist. He slightly squeezed it. Napatingin ako sa kanya. Yumuko siya at hinalikan ang ibabaw ng ulo ko. "I'll be quick."
Binalot ako ng hiya dahil sa ginawa niya sa harapan pa mismo ni Marion. I feel embarrassed and happy at the same time. Nabawasan ang selos na nararamdaman ko sa kanya. I feel a bit relaxed now.
"Shall we go inside?" he asked Marion.
"Of course. Sure. Sure," she stumbled with her words. Tumango si Ali at tumuloy na sa meeting room. Sumulyap ulit sa akin si Marion. May iritasyon na nakaguhit sa mga mata niya. She breathed out. Sa huli ay malungkot na ngumiti siya sa akin.
I went to the pantry, like what I planned. Hindi rin ako nagtagal dahil nakakahiya pa lang maglibot nang mag-isa. The employees were giving me curious looks.
Sa huli ay naisipan ko na umakyat sa office nila Daddy at Kuya Hadeon. I pressed the up button. Lampas ten minutes na kaya baka pagkaakyat ko, matapos na ang meeting at hanapin na ako ni Ali.
I don't think he'll be able to wrap it up in fifteen minutes though. Those are prospective clients. Hindi pwedeng itaboy at madaliin.
Hindi pa buo ang desisyon ko ay tumunog ang elevator. The door opened and my eyes widened as soon as I saw who were inside. Kuya Hadeon and Orion, with a few other people.
May gulat din sa mukha nilang dalawa nang makita ako. Kuya Hadeon glanced at the floor number and something clicked in his face. Mukhang alam niya na kung anong floor ito.
"Naliligaw ka, Hyon?" sabi ni Kuya. He pressed hold on the open door button when I didn't make a move enter.
I bit my lip and glanced at Orion. Hindi na siya nakatingin sa akin ngayon. Now, he seemed bored. "Uhm..." I brought my eyes back to my brother. I was going to visit you or Dad in your office."
"You're in the wrong floor then," Kuya teased. "Get in."
Kinagat ko ang labi. Maybe this is the right time to talk to Orion?
Hindi na ako nagdalawang isip at pumasok sa loob ng elevator. Huminga nang malalim si Orion. He stepped away, not sidewards, pero siya na ngayon ang lumabas.
"Uwi na lang ako, boy," he said to my brother and walked to the other side.
I frowned. "Hindi na ako aakyat, Kuya. Bye." Nagmamadaling lumabas ako bago masaraduhan ng pinto. I heard my brother say something but the doors already closed.
Orion was standing in front of the other elevator. He pressed the button, ignoring my obvious presence.
"Orion," I called on.
He held his nape and cracked his neck a bit. Hindi niya ako pinapansin.
"Can we talk?" I continued.
"Nope," he nonchalantly answered without throwing me a look.
Huminga ako nang malalim. "Please?"
He didn't answer again. Inilabas niya ang phone at may pinindot doon. The elevator dinged when it reached our floor.
Sumunod ako sa kanya sa loob ng elevator. May ibang tao kaya hindi na muna ako nagsalita. I retrieved my phone from my back pocket. There's no signal here, but it will send later.
Hyon:
Ali, I'm sorry I left. I just have to do something.
Sa level 2 parking lumabas si Orion ag sumunod naman ako sa kanya. The car blared when he pressed the key fobbed. Hindi na ako nagpaalam at pumasok sa passenger's seat. It's so hard to get a hold of him. I can't let this opportunity go to waste.
I buckled the seat belt before looking at Orion. His lips were slightly parted and he's looking at me with disbelief. He didn't make a move to start the car's engine.
"What are you doing, Hyon?" he asked in an exasperated voice.
"I need to talk to you," I answered.
He shrugged and slightly chuckled. "Fine. Suit yourself."
Inayos niya rin ang seat belt at pinaandar ang sasakyan. The music player started. The Weeknd crooned the car. Orion grunted and hit the next button. A catchy pop song about showering someone with attention began to play. I've heard this one from Kuya Zeno.
It's playing too loud though and I need to talk to him. "Pwedeng hinaan mo yung volume?"
"Ayaw ko," he mockingly exclaimed. His eyes remained in front but an amused smirk was marked on his face.
I frowned. Sasagot sana ako pero natigil nang tumunog ang phone ko. I reached for my back pocket. Alister Santiesteban was written on my screen.
"If you answer that, I'll drop you off," Orion suddenly stated.
I looked at him. The phone was still ringing on my hand and I didn't make a move to accept the call. He glanced at me with a raised brow. Nanghahamon.
I bit my lip and put my phone on silent before returning it to my back pocket. Tumingin ako sa labas ng bintana.
I heard him let out a deep breath before lowering the volume. All I can hear was humming now. Hindi ako agad nagsalita. Binubuo ko pa ang mga dapat kong sabihin sa kanya.
"You intrigued me," Orion started, surprising me. Napatingin ako sa kanya. He was staring straight head, his hand steady on the steering wheel. A faint smirk on his lips. "You reminded me of myself that night. Damaged and miserable. I was just curious at first. I thought that if I can't fix myself, maybe I can fix you."
I bit my lip, holding my words in.
"But you surprised me the next morning. I didn't expect you to be so kind... and warm. I thought you were just pretending until I realized that you were really genuine. It awed me, how you can remain benign even when you're hurt, 'cos I'm hurt and all I ever did was lash out and get wasted." He licked his lips. "It's strange but I just found myself wanting to be around you. My world seems less cold and dark when you're near. That must mean something, right?"
The car halted. The stoplight was red. He released the steering wheel and turned his head to me. The amusement on his lips were long gone and his eyes glistened with pain.
Huminga ako nang malalim. "I'm sorry."
His eyes hardened. His jaw clenched. "You're not even going to give me a chance?"
"I don't want you to hope when there isn't," I retorted. I took another deep breath. "I don't want you hurt."
He gave me a sardonic look. "Masasaktan mo pa rin ako. What are you going to do about that?"
I slightly shook my head. "You said I'm not responsible for my feelings but my own."
"Do you feel responsible for my feelings?" he demanded.
"No" I gently smiled and shook my head. "and I have to thank you for it."
"Thank you for making me realize that I'm not responsible for any feeling but my own and that I'm not responsible for the choices of the people around me," I began with my speech. "Thank you for saying the things that I desperately wanted to hear from someone. You made me stop blaming myself. You helped me let go of the guilt and set me free. Something that I don't know if I would ever be capable of doing... until you. Thank you, Orion."
"Fuck," he hissed aloud, like he'd been burnt. He looked at me with frustration. "Was that speech intended to make me stay away or fall for you?"
I've said my piece. Umiling na lang ako at ngumiti.
"Damn," he impassively carped. The green light came. He adjusted the gear stick and regarded me with a earnest look. "I'm sorry, but I don't think I can give up yet."