Chapter 35

Apartment

Alec was true to his words. He did really tail my car. Nakasunod ang sasakyan niya sa likod ng sarili kong sasakyan. Whenever I'd go slow, he would go slow as well.

I did not feel uncomfortable knowing that he would eventually find out where I live because of this. Upon reaching the gate of my simple two-storey apartment, ipinahinto ko na ang sasakyan para makalabas at mabuksan ang gate.

Buong akala ko ay iaatras niya ang sasakyan para makaliko at makaalis na dahil naihatid niya na naman ako. He didn't. I was surprised to see him went out of his car.

Kunot noo kong kinuha ang susi ng padlock sa gate mula sa hawak na purse. And then I glanced at him. I saw him seriously looking at my apartment.

"It's safe here," agad na depensa ko kahit wala naman siyang pinakawalang komento. "I know it's not that fancy, but it's cozy. It's quiet."

"Are you comfortable here?"

I nodded.

"I won't worry then."

"Papasok na ako sa loob," paalam ko.

"Okay. Good night."

"Good night din."

My hands trembled a bit as I unlocked the gate. Binuksan ko na ito para maiparada na sa loob ang kotse.

Alec lingered and even helped me with the gate bars.

I murmured my thanks and went back inside the car. I drove and parked it inside. Pakiramdam ko sobrang tagal ng oras nang bumaba ako ng sasakyan at muling isinara ang gate. Nakapamulsa akong tiningnan ni Alec na nasa labas nito.

He nodded for the last time and then he went back to his car and opened its door. Pumasok na siya sa loob ng kanyang sasakyan at ilang sandali lang ay pinaandar na ito.

Nang makaalis na siya ay saka pa lang ako nagpakawala ng isang malalim na buntonghininga na kanina ko pa pala pinipigilan.

I glanced at my small flower garden near the gate wall. It gives me comfort and assurance that I am finally home.

It reminds me of Feng's province. This was the wishful thought that I told her about. I took my cellphone out and texted her. Binati ko siya. She's probably asleep already or still out partying with her soon to be husband.

I sighed and went inside to finally get some sleep.

I was early on my lunch date with Kai and Willow. My hair was in a clean bun. I was wearing another red mini dress which has a sweetheart neckline. I paired it with some white chunky heels.

Komportable na akong naupo sa loob ng pina-reserve ni Kai na restaurant. Sinadya ko talagang agahan ang pagpunta. I wanted to compose myself and gather my thoughts first for the things that I would say to him.

I straightened up when I finally saw Kai entered the restaurant. He's wearing a simple shirt with a khaki pants. He's with Willow who's wearing a white floral dress. Mabilis na sumilay ang ngiti ng dalawa nang makita nila ako.

I stood to give the both of them a peck on the cheek as my way of greeting. We exchanged some pleasantries before we finally sat.

"Mukhang maaga ka ah," puna ni Kai nang naupo na kami.

I smiled at him. "Oo. Malapit lang din kasi itong resto sa apartment ko."

"Sana nag text ka pala para nagmaaga rin kami ni Willow."

"It's fine," I chuckled. "Eleven thirty naman talaga ang usapan natin."

Tumango siya at sumulyap sa anak niyang nakatitig na pala sa akin.

"Ang ganda mo po, Ate Jia," Willow commented as she continued staring at me.

"Mas maganda ka pa rin!" I gave her my sweetest smile.

She shook her head. "Pinakamaganda ka sa lahat!" She turned to her father. " 'Di ba sobrang ganda ni Ate Jia, Papa?"

"Oo, Willow," walang pag-aalinlangang sang-ayon naman ni Kai.

My cheeks warmed and glanced at the incoming server.

She handed us the menu and then we told her our order after a while.

"Susunduin din si Willow ni Grace pagkatapos nitong lunch," si Kai nang makaalis na ang server para sa order namin.

"Bakit?" I asked as I turned to look at Willow. "Sa'n kayo mamamasyal ng Tita Grace mo?"

"Magsho-shopping daw kami sa mall," she responded excitedly.

"Wow. Ang saya naman," nakangising saad ko. "Speaking of shopping, may regalo pala ako sa'yo. It's in my car. Kunin natin pagkatapos nitong lunch."

"Yehey!"

Natawa ako sa napakasiglang reaksiyon ni Willow.

Ilang sandali pa ay dumating na rin ang pagkain na in-order namin. We started eating our lunch. Willow also told me about the gifts that she received from her ninangs and ninongs. Pina-shipped pa daw talaga ang mga ito mula Cebu.

I listened to her stories attentively gaya ng madalas kong ginagawa sa tuwing magkasama kami. Si Kai naman ay sumasali sa usapan paminsan-minsan pero madalas hinahayaan niya lang si Willow na magkuwento.

Grace arrived when we finished our meal. We had a short conversation dahil mukhang nagmamadali rin siya na makaalis. I shortly went to my car and handed Willow the gift I had wrapped for her.

And then finally, kami na lang ni Kai ang naiwan.

"How's the business deal going?" I asked him picking up a conversation starter.

"We finally came into an agreement. May chosen investors na rin kami. Sisimulan na namin ang project two weeks from now."

"That's good. I'm glad to hear that. Masaya ako na nakapag-adjust ka na rin dito sa napakaabalang city."

He chuckled. "Kailangan, e. I have to adapt for the business."

"Willow had adjusted as well," puna ko sabay sulyap sa labas. I looked at Kai again. "Hopefully, hindi na puro trabaho ang inaatupag mo. You make time for Willow as well."

"Oo. Binabalanse ko naman lahat."

"I can see that. You're a good father, Kai."

His eyes turned soft. "Bakit pakiramdam ko pagkatapos ng compliment mo, may kasunod na rejection?"

"I'm sorry, Kai," tanging nasabi ko. "I don't even know how to start."

"Ah. Tama nga talaga ang hinala ko."

"I'm really sorry," ulit ko.

"Don't be sorry," agap niya. "Wala ka namang kasalanan. Hindi mo naman ako pinaasa at masaya naman ako dahil kahit papaano binigyan mo 'ko ng pagkakataon."

"Una kitang naging kaibigan, kaya gusto ko na maging totoo sa'yo. Ayoko na mag-invest ka pa sa'kin ng oras at panahon kasi sayang lang."

He nodded and then swallowed. I could see the hurt in his eyes.

"Gusto kong malaman mo na kahit kailan hindi ko inisip na sayang ang oras ko kasama ka. I genuinely like you. I admire you for your strength, Jia."

My eyes had gone misty.

"Kaya kahit na alam kong medyo malabo, sumugal pa rin ako. I was so happy nang pumayag ka rin sa wakas na manligaw ako."

"It was... a bit difficult for me also. Ang dami kong tinimbang. I wanted to be fully ready when I accept you as a suitor. I didn't want to be unfair to you and to myself as well."

"Alam ko. Kaya nga sobrang saya ko rin no'ng pumayag ka sa wakas. 'Di dahil sa confident ako na sasagutin mo." Mahina siyang natawa at sa huli ay bumalik sa pagiging seryoso. "Naging masaya ako kasi finally... nakita ko na sa pagtanggap mo sa'kin bilang manliligaw, you are healing. It meant that you're ready to open up your heart again."

I slowly nodded, touched by his words.

"Siya pa rin ba?" Malungkot siyang ngumiti.

"Oo," pag-amin ko. I looked at him sadly.

Kai did not look angry. There was surrender and acceptance in his eyes.

"Sinabi mo na ba sa kanya na mahal mo pa siya?"

Marahan akong umiling.

"You should tell him. Tingin ko panahon na rin para pagbigyan na ninyo ang isa't isa. You deserve to love each other."

I was amazed of how perceptive and understanding Kai is. Ang suwerte ng babaeng mamahalin niya.

"Nasa Europe siya, 'di ba? Kailan ba 'yon uuwi?"

"Nakauwi na siya," I admitted guiltily. "We... we saw each other last night. Sa Tahanan."

"Ah." I saw his pain but he quickly hid it with a smile.

"I didn't tell you when you called that night. I wanted to tell you in person."

"Ayos lang." Tumango-tango siya. "Hindi ka naman obligado na magsabi sa'kin."

"I know that it's so unfair of me to ask but I still wanna be a friend to you and Willow, Kai."

"I'd appreciate that. Si Willow din."

We were both interrupted when two women approached our table. Nahihiya ang isa sa kanila na ngumiti kay Kai bago ibinaling ang buong atensiyon sa akin.

"Kayo po si Miss Jia Chen, 'di ba? Idol na idol ko po kayo kasi sinusubaybayan ko talaga mga guesting ninyo!" mabilis na pagsasalita niya. "Puwede po bang magpa-picture?"

"Uh, yeah. Sure."

She hesitantly glanced at Kai's way. "S-Sali ka po, Sir!"

"Hindi na. Baka kasi may magselos pa," Kai playfully declined.

Nagtagpo ang kilay ng babae. Palabiro naman akong napairap kay Kai. Natawa siya and I felt like rejecting him was okay. I dreaded it earlier but everything is actually fine.

I stood up. Tumabi sa akin ang babae at iniabot niya ang cellphone na hawak sa kaibigan. I smiled as her friend took a photo of us.

Nagpasalamat ang babae sa akin at umalis din sila. Nagpaalam na rin kami ni Kai sa isa't-isa. He even actually invited me and Alec at the opening of one of his newest airbnb. Ang advance ng isip niya. Tingin niya talaga magkakabalikan na agad kami ni Alec.

I laughed it off as he walked me to my car. Hinintay niya pa na paandarin ko ang kotse bago siya nagtungo sa sarili niyang sasakyan.

When I arrived at my apartment, Feng called me on my cellphone. I answered her on the second ring. I texted her earlier that morning about what had happened. I also told her about how my lunch with Kai went.

"Huwag na kayong magpa-annul!" deretsahang pahayag niya sa kabilang linya. "Tell Alec to call his attorneys and halt everything!"

Natawa ako. I stretched my legs on the sofa of my living room.

"It's just a dinner with him, Feng," I reminded her.

"Date 'yan." Nai-imagine ko ang pag-irap niya. "God! Date with your husband after what? How many years na nga?"

"I don't know. I didn't count because I haven't really thought about it."

"True. Busy ka rin sa healing process mo no'n," mabilis na pagsang-ayon niya. "So, hot pa rin ba siya in person? I've seen his recent photos from a lot of magazines, e. Grabe ang hotness, iyong alam mong habang tumatagal, lalong sumasarap."

"I don't know what you're talking about," I said dismissively.

She made this gagging sound in her throat.
"Pareho pa naman kayong tigang na dalawa. At saka may hang up sa isa't isa."

"Oo. I am tigang," sabi ko. "But I don't think he is too. Baka naman may naging babae rin siya sa loob ng dalawang taon?"

"Akala ko ba you don't count the years because you haven't really thought about it?" She chuckled. "At saka imposibleng may mga naging babae 'yon. Halata namang walang planong mag move on 'yon mula sa'yo noong nagpunta ng Europe."

"I don't know. Men have needs."

"Bestie, Alec has only needs for you. Kung may sainthood man ng martyrdom ng lalaking nagmamahal para sa isang babae, he should have been canonized."

"That's too much, Feng."

She only chuckled. Ramdam na ramdam ko ang tuwa at excitement niya sa nangyayari.

"Anong isusuot mo?" she suddenly asked.

"Hindi pa ako nakapili sa closet ko."

"Any dresses you have is fine. Magaganda naman lahat. Idol nga kita sa fashion, e. Just wear the red lace underwear I gave you last month."

Lumipad ang isip ko roon. I think I put it somewhere in the top drawers.

"Bakit naman iyon ang isusuot ko? Why do you think that Alec and I are going to have sex tonight? Dinner lang ang hinihingi niya."

She clicked her tongue. "Ibang dinner ang kasunod na hihingin no'n."

"Grabeng wild talaga ng imagination mo."

"Aysus. Kung makapagsalita 'to parang never niyo pang natikman ang isa't isa. Alam kong hindi ka masyadong nagkukuwento dati tungkol sa sex life ninyong dalawa pero halata naman na wild si Alec sa kama..."

Humigpit ang hawak ko sa cellphone. "Ibababa ko na nga 'to."

She giggled like a witch. "Basta call me after the dinner. Pero kung wala kanang lakas, saka na lang kapag nakabawi—"

I cut the call and groaned. That one phone call with Feng just put so much in my imagination.

Tumayo na ako para asikasuhin ang bath. I planned to have a long bath with a little wine to calm my nerves down.

I stripped naked when I entered the bathroom. I lighted the scented candle and added some eucalyptus oil and organic tea tree oil in the tub. After prepping my bath, I soak on it. The soothing of my muscles was very satisfying.

I leaned forward and took the wine bottle I placed earlier. I slowly opened it and pour some of it in the flute. Pagkatapos matakpan ang bote ay muli ko nang isinandal ang likod at ipinatong ang ulo sa edge ng tub.

I took a small sip and closed my eyes. I took another sip and then finally decided to put the flute down.

I resumed closing my eyes. I was already so comfortable that I dozed off.

I had no idea how long I was out when my eyes suddenly popped open.

"Shit," I cursed when I felt the warm water earlier had turned cold. Paniguradong matagal na akong nakatulog sa tub!

I have a dinner with Alec!

I drained the water from the tub. Umahon ako agad at mabilis na kinuha ang nakahandang bathrobe sa gilid. I quickly wore it. Kumuha na rin ako ng towel para sa buhok ko.

I stepped out of the bathroom while my legs were still wet. I gaped when I entered my bedroom. I could not see shit. Madilim na!
Hindi ko na napansin na mukhang gumabi na pala dahil naka-on naman kasi ang ilaw ko sa bathroom.

Nangapa ako sa pader sa paghahanap sa switch ng ilaw sa kuwarto. Nang tuluyan nang makapa ito ay pinindot ko na. My eyes squinted as my vision adjusted to the lights.

Dumapo ang tingin ko sa cellphone na nasa ibabaw ng kama. Lumapit agad ako rito para matingnan kung anong oras na. I picked it up and clicked on it.

It was already seven in the evening! And then my eyes lowered on the screen of my phone.

I had fifteen missed calls from an unregistered number!

My phone alerted again for an incoming call. Napansin ko na parehong numero ang tumatawag kaya walang pagdadalawang isip ko nang tinanggap 'to.

"Are you okay?" sobrang pamilyar ng boses sa kabilang linya.

It's Alec!

"Y-Yes," tugon ko sabay sapo sa noo. "I fell asleep."

Narinig ko ang paghinga niya nang malalim na para bang kanina pa niya pinipigilan.

"Christ. I was so worried."

Napakagat labi ako dahil sa umusbong na guilt.

"Are you at the restaurant? J-Just send me the address and I'll be there in probably around thirty minutes or so? Kung makakapaghintay ka pero kung hindi naman, puwedeng next time na lang kasi baka naiinip ka na..." I sounded so out of breath.

He was so quiet on the other line. Akala ko nga ibinaba na niya ang tawag kaya napasulyap tuloy ako sa screen ng hawak na cellphone. He's still there though.

"Alec?"

"I'm... outside your gate."

Parang isda na bumuka-sara ang bibig ko.

"I tried to call you to ask if you have any preference of a restaurant where you wanna eat. When I called you for the third time and you still didn't pick up, I was worried. So I decided to check on you," paliwanag niya.

I walked towards my window. Hinawi ko ang kurtina nito at tumambad nga sa akin si Alec na nakatayo sa labas ng gate. His tall height was illuminated by the lights from my twin lamp posts.

I closed my eyes. "Ilang minuto ka ng nandiyan sa labas?"

"It's been three hours now."

"Oh God," I panicked. "Wait. Bababa ako."

Ibinaba ko agad ang tawag at halos itapon na ang cellphone sa kama. I stepped out of the room and quickly went downstairs not minding that I was practically still in my robe and my hair still wrapped in a towel. I took my keys.

Binuksan ko ang pintuan sa ibaba at lumabas na ng apartment. Mabilis kong nilapitan ang gate at nakita ang agarang pagtayo nang deretso ni Alec. Relief flooded his face when he saw me.

I unlocked the gate with my key. For my safety na rin kasi, nakaugalian ko talagang ipadlock ito dahil mag-isa lang din ako sa apartment.

"I'm so sorry," patiuna ko nang tuluyan na nga itong mabuksan. "Pasok ka muna. You can just leave your car outside."

He nodded and went in. I noticed that he's not really wearing a typical dinner attire. He's just wearing a famous brand of a black shirt and casual jeans. Siguro ay nagmamadali na talaga siyang makapunta rito sa apartment ko dahil sa matinding pag-aalala. I had to admit he still looked so good though.

Pareho pa naman kayong tigang na dalawa, Feng's statement echoed in my ears.

I grimaced a bit.

"Pasensiya na sa ayos ko," I said as I tried to smooth out my robe, " nakatulog kasi ako sa tub."

"Does that happen often?" He looked alarmed.

"H-Hindi naman. Ngayon lang kasi pagod lang talaga."

"Dapat ay magbihis ka na at baka magkasakit ka pa."

"Ah oo! P-Pasok ka muna sa loob."

Mas nauna ako sa kanya sa paglalakad. Binuksan ko ang pinto at hinintay ang pagpasok niya. My eyes did a quick scan in my small living area. I felt satisfied when I noticed that I kept it tidy.

"Akyat muna ako para makapagbihis," baling ko sa kanya. "Just make yourself comfortable."

Tinanguan niya ako at ngumiti siya. Nagsimula na ako sa pag-akyat sa hagdan nang may napagtanto ako. I stopped on my tracks and turned to face him. Nakapamulsa siya habang nakatingala sa akin.

His look was expectant.

"Are we still up for a dinner out?" I asked him just to confirm again.

Dahan-dahang bumaba ang tingin niya sa sariling suot. He gave me an apologetic look.

"I'm not entirely sure if I'm decent enough for a fine dining. But casual dinner might be okay, though?"

"Fine dining?" Kumunot ang noo ko. "Do we have a reservation somewhere?"

"We don't. But I can make one right now."

"Do they accept a late reservation?" I asked him doubtfully. Lalo pa at fine dining pala ang gusto niya.

"I can make a call."

Of course he can! He's the tycoon Alec Von Cua. Kahit pa alas dose na, restaurants would opened up for him! Not mentioning that he owns the largest chains of restaurants in and even out of the country. I mentally facepalmed.

He was about to probably get his phone from the pocket of his jeans when the next words left my mouth.

"How about we just order pizza for dinner?" I spoke.

He looked at me confusingly.

I cleared my throat. Hinarap ko siya nang maayos.

"Huwag na tayong lumabas para mag dinner. Let's just stay in."