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.

I thought everything was all well for us. Pero parang pinaghihintay talaga ako? Ang tagal na nilang magkausap, e? Usap lang ba talaga ang ginagawa nila roon?

I stood, mukhang magkakaroon na ako ng ugat sa kakahintay sa kanila. I went to the door of his office and was about to knock when Tatiana opened it for me.

Her lips parted when she saw me. Agad siyang ngumiti.

"Sorry, it took long. Madalas talaga ay ganito kami mag-usap ni Adren. It took hours when we talk, I'm really sorry."

Tinanong ko? Pinilig ko ang ulo ko para matanggal ang mga gusto nitong sabihin.

I didn't know what to say, my mouth remained open. Para bang kasalanan ko pa na iniistorbo ko ang paguusap nila?

"We're really close nowadays. Kaya naman sana ay hindi mo masamain."Hagikgik niya.

I gulped down my pride.

"That's okay, mag-usap na lang ulit kayo pagkatapos namin. Kahit abutin pa kayo nang magdamag kung gusto mo. I just have to tell him something."

Tatiana had the look of triumph on her face. She strides her way out of his office. Agad naman akong pumasok ng opisina ni Adren.

His glass office was spacious and sleek. The glass partition enables me to see the high-rise buildings outside. Halos gawa sa salamin lahat ng bagay sa opisina niya. That's weird for me since Etienne's office didn't have any mirrors at all, probably because he likes his privacy very much.

"Hello, Arrisea."

My head turned to his direction abruptly. He was leaning on his glass table while fixing his tie. I saw him wearing a corporate suite numerous times but this still makes my stomach twist.

"L-long time no see, huh?" I gave him a small smile.

"Well, I'm actually watching your show so I see you pretty often." His smile has a glint of mischief.

Umawang ang labi, pinigilan na malaglag ang panga dahil sa kanyang sinabi.

I was a chef, I pursued culinary after senior highschool. Titigil sana ako sa pag-aaral para makatulong kay Mama pero tinulungan ako ni Etienne na magkaroon ng trabaho kahit nag-aaral ako. After I graduated, I worked overseas for a few months but decided to stay at the Philippines when a local TV network offered me a job as a guest chef. People liked my charismatic way of cooking and it was an opportunity for me to have my own cooking show.

"Thanks, I appreciate it."

I blow out some air because I feel so hot, my cheeks are heating. Para akong bumalik sa pagiging teenager na pinuri ng crush niya.

"I'm here to give this to you," sabi ko at lumapit upang ibigay sa kanya ang folder na tinago ko sa tote bag ko."It's the five percent shares from this corporation."

His eyebrows furrowed. "That's funny, I don't remember selling any of the shares. How did you get it?"

Realization appeared on his face and he immediately licked his lips before crossing his arms across his chest.

His face darkened. "I forgot that you're with Etienne."

I wanted to correct him. False rumors do fly fast. Pero para saan pa? Kaya naman hinayaan ko na lang siya sa iniisip niya. I don't think Etienne would mind anyway, he was the one who proclaimed he's in love with me.

"Regalo niya sa akin, pero hindi ko naman kailangan. Kaya ibabalik ko na lang sa'yo."

"It must be nice to date him, then? He can give you everything you want." He smiled, tauntingly.

It pissed me off. I wanted to rub salt to his wounds too. Para kasing pinapamukha niyang pera lang ang habol ko kay Etienne.

"Well, yeah? I mean, he does give me everything I need."

The smile on his face was replaced with a scowl. His jaw tightened because of what I've said.

Akala ko ay aabutin na niya 'yung folder pero laking gulat ko dahil gumapang ang kamay niya upang hatakin ako papalapit sa kanya.

I can smell his scent because we're inches apart. Damn him! Iniiwas ko ang tingin ko sa kanya. Damn his effect! Damn this feeling!

"Why can't you look at me, Arrisea?" Nanunuyang tanong niya. "Aren't you sincere?"

"Sincere ako sa pagbalik ng s-shares sa'yo." I answered.

"Hm? I wasn't talking about the shares." His hot breath was touching my skin. "I was talking about being with Etienne."

Lalo siyang lumapit sa akin. Napasinghap naman ako.

"Y-you c-can't do the thing y-you did with Tatiana here with me!" Naiiritang sambit ko.

I mean, kung ganito nga ang ginawa nila ni Tatiana sa loob ng opisina niya ay anong pinagkaiba ko sa babaing 'yon? I wasn't as desperate as before! At kahit naging desperada man ako, hindi naman sa level ni Tatiana!

"Hm? Ano bang ginawa namin ni Tatiana?" malambing na tanong niya.

I don't know? Nakipag-bato bato pick sa mga salamin dito? How am I suppose to know? Pero duda ko na usap lang ang nangyari! It took them hours to talk? Hindi sila naubusan ng laway?

"You tell me, ano nga ba?"

"We talked, that's it."

"Really? You expect me to believe that?" I scoffed.

"Ano bang nasa isip mo?"

I didn't say anything. Nanatiling nakapako ang kanyang tingin sa akin. Bigla itong lumamlam, at para bang binalik ako sa nakaraan.

"I miss you, Arri."

I bit my lower lip as my eyelids close. Sinong tangang marupok? Ako lang 'to, si Arrisea!

"I'm sorry for everything..." the sincere words came out of his mouth. "I'm glad you're doing well but..."

My eyes fluttered open and I was about to answer him...

"Ma'am, Sir, nandito na po 'yung shopee."

Adren groans as he rests his forehead to my shoulder.

"Nag-order k-ka?" I shifted the topic as I got away from him.

"No..." he frowns.

Our eyes flew to the door. Etienne was leaning towards the door with a smirk on his face. He waved at us, siya pala 'yon!

Did he saw everything?!

"You were on drought too, Kuya Adren?" Etienne strides towards us. "This is like the first day you saw each other again, di man lang nakapag-hintay sa mas matinong lugar? Ganyan kayo katuyo? Kawawa naman kayo."

"Well, what can I say? Arri seems to like it too." Adren mockingly replied.

Etienne looks at me. He looks betrayed- but I know better, this guy is actually laughing on the inside. Aasarin niya lang akong marupok!

"Arrisea, hindi mo man lang hinayaan magmakaawa sa'yo? I was expecting more from you." Etienne sighed.

Nagtaas ako ng kilay sa kanya.

"Adren, I just saw Tatiana. I thought you can get rid of her by yourself?" bumaling siya kay Adren.

Adren swallowed hard before clenching his jaw. Matalim ang tingin niya kay Etienne. I wanted to tell Adren not to take it seriously. Ikaw ang matatalo kung magiging seryoso ka sa mga sinasabi ni Etienne.

"Any way, we have to go. Take the shares —"

"I won't." Umiling si Adren.

Nalaglag ang panga ko.

Why would he refuse this?! He needs this!

"Bakit? You need this to secure —"

"I don't need it." He looks at me with his piercing eyes. It immediately softens when his gaze was locked with mine.

"What I need is you," his breathing was slow.

I could feel my own heart trying to get out of its ribcage.

"If you can't give it to me, then no thanks. I don't need any help at all."

"Paano kung sabihin ko na buy one take one? You can have me and the shares—"

"Putangina, ang rupok talaga." Etienne cussed while looking at me with disbelief, "Gano'n na 'yon? Arrisea, you have to make him beg! Sundin mo naman 'yung script!"

Adren laughed, darkly. He leaned towards his table, his arms across his chest. "Wow, maybe she learned that from you? Not following the plan? Not following the script?"

Anong ibig nilang sabihin? What plan? What script? Kailan pa naging palabas ito?

"We'll tell you everything, but can you promise me one thing?" Etienne glanced at me. Agad naman akong tumango. He let out a long breath.

"Please try your best not to be angry, even if all of this was planned by me..." he winced.

"Anong planned? Anong plano?" gulong-gulo na tanong ko.

His eyes casted downwards, nervously. Etienne cleared his throat before proceeding to tell me something.

"Just..."

"Ano ba kasi 'yon? At bakit naman ayaw mo akong magalit? Ano bang ginawa mo?"

"You weren't the first one I care about, Arrisea. But I lost that person," his eyes has a flicker of pain. "I don't wanna lose you too."

❛ ━━━━━━･❪☽༓☾❫ ･━━━━━━ ❜