Kabanata 33

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"Nandyan ba si Kuya Worth?" Tanong ko sa kalalabas lang na sekretarya ni Worth.

She smiled at me politely and nodded. "May bisita lang siya, Miss."

I nodded. "Okay. Anong oras matatapos?"

"Saglit lang 'yon, miss. Maya maya din siguro."

"Okay, hihintayin ko na lang kung ganoon."

She nodded and smiled at me shyly. Tinitigan ko siyang lumakad palayo sa akin na may paggalaw ng balakang pa na lumalakad. Bumuntong hininga ako at umatras para sumandal sa dingding sa tapat lang ng opisina ni Kuya Worth.

Pinagdiskitahan ko ang halaman sa gilid. Pumitas ako ng dahon at pinipiraso ito habang hawak hawak ko ang pulang folder. Worth requested a copy of the last report file that I gave him last time. Hindi ko alam kung bakit pero mabuti na lang nakasave pa 'yon sa computer file ko.

A minute later, the door opened. I quickly stood up straight and pasted a smile on my lips.

But that immediately faded when I saw someone else who just went out.

"I'll send you the details or my secretary will just contact you the schedules." I heard Worth's voice and came out next from Leander.

Pumamulsa siya at seryoso ang tingin sa akin, hindi sa kausap. Pinasadahan ko siya ng tingin. Business attire. His hair is neatly fixed and so as his outfit. Very fine and well-ironed.

Full of authority, possessiveness and daddy-vibes.. Here is Leander Hayden Salazar. Gumapang ang kamay niya sa necktie at inudjust iyon na para bang hindi siya maayos na nakakahinga doon.

I creased my eyebrow because of horror. Wait a second.. What is he doing here?!

He nodded and glanced at Worth this time. "You can just send me right away."

Sinulayapan ako ni Worth. "Zeth, you're here."

Oh, you noticed.

Nagkatinginan kami ni Leander. He tilted his head and had a creased eyebrow. He surveyed me using his eyes full of judgment and irritation. I suddenly became conscious about my short miniskit and my sleeveless bodysuit.

Lumapit ako sa kabilang gilid ni Kuya Worth. I handed him the folder. "Here's what you asked for, Kuya."

Tumango siya at kinuha iyon. "Thanks. Did you had your lunch?"

Ngumuso ako. "Hindi pa. I'm just about to, Kuya."

"I heard someone's sending you lunch, huh? Is he from our company, too? Saan? Right wing?"

Leander cleared his throat and looked at me with a warning.

Sinikap kong mag isip ng maayos na isasagot kay Kuya Worth. Its not that he'll scold me for that. Hindi naman siya tulad ni Conrad. Well, he's like Conrad towards Damien but definitely not me.

Umiling ako. "Just a friend, Kuya."

"A.. friend." He raised his eyebrow. "Sino doon?"

"He's not from our company. Kaibigan 'yun ni Conrad."

He shrugged and glanced at Lean. "Adjourned, Mr. Salazar. Thanks for your time."

Pinanood kong tumango si Lean pero ang tingin ay nasa akin pa din. He didn't smile but he didn't look rude.

Hanggang ngayon hindi pa nasasagot ang tanong ko. But I will never ask them. Ano ba ang pakialam ko d'yan?

I smiled at Worth. "Mauna na'ko, Kuya."

Hindi ko na inantay ang sagot niya. I turned my back and walked faster. Binilisan ko talaga ang lakad ko patungo sa elevator at muntik pa akong matalisod dahil sa pagmamadali.

Ni hindi ko sinulyapan si Leander. Why would I want to have a interaction with him? Sa tingin ko, wala na nga akong mukhang maihaharap sa kaniya matapos ang nangyari noong nakaraang linggo.

I cursed and looked at my stilletos while the elevator was about to close. Tinaas ko ang paa ko para makita iyon ng maayos.

Muntik na akong mapatili nang isang kamay ang humarang sa pintuan ng elevator para hindi iyon tuluyang sumara. I immediately put down my feet because I'm literally showing my undies at him.

Halos isiksik ko ang sarili ko sa pader sa gilid ko nang tumabi siya sa akin. I gritted my teeth and had a sudden regret. I should've just used the stairs, damn it.

The door closed. I stared at the reflection in front of me. He was looking at me on it. Ako na yata ang pinakamalas na tao sa mundo dahil nakabungguan ko siya dito.

"Friend, huh?" He voiced.

Tumikhim ako at wala siyang balak kausapin. I crossed my hands on my chest.

"Is it your boyfriend or the annoying one?"

Nilingon ko siya ngayon, iritado na dahil sa pinagsasabi niya.

"What do you mean annoying?" I raised my eyebrow.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit parang mas tumatagal ang oras pababa sa elevator ngayong kasama ko siya. Ano ba? Traffic ba? Or its just me?

Umigting ang panga niya at nilalabanan ang mga tingin sa akin. "Luis.."

"If its him, so what?"

"I thought you're committed? Why are you still accepting lunch from other guys when you already have your boyfriend?"

"Its rude to reject-"

"You can always say no."

"Bakit ka ba nangingialam?"

"Are you sure its from him, though?"

I furrowed my brows. "What do you mean?"

Bumukas ang elevator. Parang gusto kong magpasalamat dahil doon. Nauna akong lumabas kahit hindi ko pa naririnig ang sagot niya.

Lumiko ako sa opisina ko at nakita ko kaagad si Bea na galing doon. Imbis na sakin siya tumingin, she looked at someone at my back!

I closed my eyes. Sinusundan niya ba ako?

"Ay, Miss.. Nandyan na pala kayo." She said while still looking at Leander, of course.

Nilingon ko si Lean. Hindi nga ako nagkamali. Sinusundan niya ako. What is he here for, anyway? My office is the last room on this floor. Isang balcony na ang nasa dulo.

"What are you doing here?"

Pumamulsa siya at presko akong tinignan. "I'm the new investor on this company, Hazeth."

"Hindi ba dapat aalis ka na?"

Nilingon ko si Bea na nakikinig pa sa amin. She looked shocked. She pursed her lips and maybe she knew why I looked at her.

Yumuko siya. "Mauna na'ko, Miss. Sige po.."

Hindi ko naman sinasabing umalis siya!

Leander didn't even gave her a glance. Diretso ang tingin niya sa akin na tila hinihintay lang akong tignan siya. I raised my eyebrow when he didn't replied to what I asked.

He shrugged and looked at the door beside me. "Is this your office?"

Hindi ko pa sinasagot ay tinalikuran niya ako para pasukan ang opisina ko. I immediately panicked. Hindi ko na napigilan ang binabalak niyang gawin at muntik niya pa nga akong pagsarhan ng pintuan.

"Leander!" I shouted, trying to stop him.

I immediately closed the door behind us. Kunot noo ko siyang pinagmasdan na pasadahan ng tingin ang kabuuan ng opisina ko.

A computer table on the side, cabinets, a large table in the middle, couch too. The large glass wall has the great view of Puerto Alcala. And a comfort room for me.

He sat on my swivel chair and grabbed a picture frame. There's only two picture frame from my table. The other one is my solo picture from and a picture with my cousins.

Pinanliitan ko siya ng mata. "What do you think are you doing? You're not allowed here!"

He didn't even looked at me. Nakita kong naiwan ang picture namin ng mga pinsan ko sa lamesa, ibig sabihin ay tinititigan niya ang litrato ko na kuha noong 18th birthday ko.

"Your cousin provided a nice office for the Head of Finance Department." He nodded while his thumb is rubbing his lips.

I crossed my arms and stood in front of my table. "Get out. Magpapatawag ako ng security."

I know I can't get him using my warning.

He looked at me. "Where's the lunch from your friend now?"

He is not answering my questions!

Padabog kong inilapat ang dalawang kamay ko sa lamesa. I crouched just to glare at him. He just looked at me with his amused expression, para akong isang kuting lang na nagagalit dito.

"Can you go out?" I sighed and tried to make it more nicer because its pissing me off. "Hindi ka pwede dito, Leander."

"Why? May bisita ka ba?"

"Wala. Pero hindi ka pwede dito. Why are you here, anyway? Hindi ba dapat aalis ka na?"

He shifted on his seat. Naghalumbaba siya at inilapag ang kawawang picture ko. "I'm checking your office."

"And why do you have to do that?"

He shrugged. "Para alam ko ang opisina mo, Zeth."

"Why do you have to know where my office is?"

He sighed. Sumandal siya habang nasa akin pa din ang tingin. Mukhang siya pa ang napipikon sa akin.

"Ang dami mong tanong, Zeth. Where is your lunch from your friend?"

Speaking of that, oo nga. Tumuwid ako ng tayo at sinilip ang cellphone ko. It was on silent and I saw Bea's text message.

She's informing me that she's on the lobby, waiting for my lunch.

Sumulyap ako kay Leander. His eyws is are properly fixed on me, watching every move that I'm doing. Maluwag na ang necktie niya. The way he look at me almost didn't made me breath normally than usual.

Tumalikod ako at nagtipa ng mensahe.

Me : Okay. Pakihatid kapag umakyat ka na.

Binulsa ko ang cellphone ko at hinarap muli si Leander. He was checking some files on my table. Padabog kong inagaw iyon sa kaniya.

Tinaliman ko siya ng tingin. "Hindi ka ba aalis?"

"Why are you shooing me, Hazeth? Did I do something?"

"Yes!" I widened my eyes. "You're invading my privacy. This is my office. That's trespassing!"

"Mukha ba akong magnanakaw?"

"Still. You're invading my office!"

He chuckled. "Its not like we've never been into a room alone, Hazeth."

Natigilan ako. Nakalimutan ko na din yatang huminga ng maayos. Tumuwid ako ng tayo na nanlalaki ang mga mata sa kaniya.

He's right- wait, he's not right! I mean, oo nga. We've been into a room with only the two of us but.. that's a different story! It was okay before because he was my boyfriend. This time, it's not right.

I took a deep breath and looked at him with my serious eye. Naglalaro ang mga tingin niya sa akin. His feet is owning my swivel chair like its his own thrown and this place is his empire. His thick manly legs are spreading wide. Nakapatong ang isang kamay sa mesa habang hinihimas ng isa ang labi niya.

Leaning on my seat, Leander is looking at me like I was his servant who had done something interesting and he's listening to my reports.

"First of all, Leander, hindi ba magagalit ang girlfriend mo na nandito ka sa opisina ko ngayon?"

He narrowed his lips and raised his eyebrow like he was hiding a smile from it.

"At bakit?"

"You're in your ex's office. Alone."

He licked his holy lips, still raising his thick eyebrow. "So?"

Kumunot ang noo ko dahil sa inis. "Hindi magandang nakikipag usap ka sa ex mo tapos dalawa lang kayo sa isang opisina!"

"We're not doing something-"

"Kahit usap lang!" Pinanlakihan ko siya ng mata na tila doon ko siya mapapaamo pero hindi, lumapad ang ngisi niya.

"I'll leave once your lunch is up here, don't worry."

"At bakit pa?"

He didn't answer my question because we suddenly heard a knock. He looked at it and glanced at me. Pinanlisikan ko siya ng mga mata. Mabilis akong lumayo sa lamesa at nagmamadaling lapitan ang pintuan.

I opened the door but only enough for my face to fit it. Nasilayan ko si Bea na nandoon.

Pinakita niya ang isang paperbag sabay lapad ng ngiti sa akin. "Lunch niyo, Miss Zeth!"

Kinuha ko kaagad iyon. Napawi ang ngisi niya at sumungaw sa pintuan pero hinarang ko kaagad ang ulo ko.

"Thanks for this, Bea. Mag lunch ka na." Sabi ko.

There was a curious look on her face while nodding. Hilaw siyang ngumisi at makati pa din ang tingin sa pintuan ko. Siguro'y nagtataka kung bakit hindi ko iyon binubuksan.

I closed the door when she left. Bumuga ako ng hangin at bumaba ang tingin sa hawak kong pagkain.

Humarap ako para puntahan si Leander mula sa lamesa nang may mabunggo ako sa harapan. Napaatras kaagad ako sabay sapo sa ulo.

It was his massive chest! Kaya pala matigas!

"Ano ba!" I shouted.

He is towering me. Bumaba ang tingin niya sa hawak hawak kong paperbag. His face lit up on me and back to the paperbag again. Curiosity and amusement is on his face.

Nangunot ang noo niya sabay hablot iyon sa akin.

"Hey! That's my lunch!"

He didn't listen to me, though. Binuksan niya iyon. Hindi siya makapaniwalang tumingin sa akin at unti unti, sumama ang mukha sa hindi ko malamang dahilan.

His jaw clenched. "Are you sure this is from your friend? Sigurado ka?"

He is glaring at me. What did I do?

Kinuha ko iyon habang matalim ang tingin sa kaniya. I saw a two tupperware inside. The other one is the rice, still oozing hot. Ang isa nama'y dalawang dish ang laman. Gulay at adobo.

Tumaas ang kilay ko. "This is from Luis, Lean. Ano bang problema-"

Kinuha niya iyon sa akin at halos iduro pa sa mukha ko. He pointed it using is mad finger. Kumurap kurap ako dahil doon.

"This. Is. From. Me." Slowly, he said that with full of anger and irritation. "Anong Luis, Hazeth?"

Hindi ko alam kung anong irereact ko. Nangulubot ang noo ko at walang balak paniwalaan ang sinabi niya.

I grabbed it from his hand again. Bahala na kung masira ang paperbag. Tinuro ko din iyon gamit ang galit kong mga daliri tulad ng ginawa niya.

"Don't lie to me! Kay Luis galing ito! Sabi ni Conrad and even your friend!"

"Theo?!" He snorted.

Tumango ako. "So stop lying! How can this be yours?!"

Hinilot niya ang sentido niya at pulang pula ang tenga dahil sa inis siguro sa akin.

I can't believe him. Bakit niya aangkinin ang hindi sa kaniya? I believe this is from Luis. Conrad said. Hindi man sinabi ni Luis iyon pero alam kong galing sa kaniya. So why's he bragging that these foods are from him?

"I fucking cooked that, Hazeth. I even know how I arranged that one. Do you want me to summarize the ingredients?"

Tumitig ako sa kaniya. May pinaglalaban ang mukha niya at mukhang kahit anong gawin ko ay ipaglalaban niya pa din iyon, magpatayan man kami ngayon. Umiling ako. Hindi pa din naniniwala.

How can this be his?! Don't tell me, I've been eating his cooking since before? Pero ang sabi ni Conrad..

"You're lying." Iling ko.

"I cooked menudo yesterday. Last week was baked potato and a pasta. And then chicken curry-"

"Fine!" I shouted.

Bumuga ako ng hangin. I can't believe my brother lied to me. I've been eating his lunch these past few days! At ang masahol pa ay sarap na sarap pa ako sa mga iyon.

If I knew that it was from him, I should've just threw it or gave to stray dogs outside!

Umirap ako at sinaksak sa dibdib niya ang paperbag. "Eat it alone. Wala na akong gana."

Lumakad ako sa mesa ko. I felt him walking behind me. Huminto ako sa tapat ng malaking glass wall at hinarap siya.

I saw him letting out a sigh and placing the foods on my table. Ngayon ay wala na akong ganang kainin ang mga iyon. Siguro bukas ay hindi na ako tatanggap at magseset na lang ulit ng lunch sa planner ko.

"I'll leave this here. You should eat-"

"Why are you giving me lunch?"

He stared at me for a while. "Because I want to.

"You are committed to someone, too, Leander. You shouldn't be giving lunch to another girl. Ano sa tingin mo ang iisipin ng iba?"

"I am not committed to anyone, Hazeth."

I swallowed hard. Kitang kita na siguro sa mukha ko ang gulat at kuryosidad sa sinabi niya. Meanwhile, he stayed serious and waiting for my every reaction.

Wala siyang.. girlfriend? So, who's that girl? Pinagloloko ba niya ako?

Umiwas ako ng tingin at ayaw tanungin siya tungkol sa bagay na iyon. I shouldn't be asking those things even if I'm dying because of curiosity.

Bumaling ako sa harap. "Then, I am. May boyfriend ako, Leander. Anong gusto mong isipin ng iba tungkol sa akin?"

"You accepted those lunch before. Paanong ngayong nalaman mong galing sa akin ay gusto mo nang ayawan?" I heard him say.

I didn't had the chance to reply for a while. Nanatili ang titig ko sa magandang view ng Puerto Alcala mula sa opisina ko.

Kinagat ko ang labi ko dahil alam kong totoo nga naman.

"If it was from Theo, I will surely say this things to him too. Patitigilin ko din siya sa pagpapadala ng mga pagkain sa akin."

"Sa tingin mo titigil ako?"

Napalingon ako sa kaniya dahil sa pagkabigla. I expected this already. Alam ko namang hindi siya makikinig sa akin.

His forehead is wrinkled and he is looking at me with his dark expression, like warning me for his next moves. Hindi ako nagsalita.

Pumamulsa siya at umatras. "You can never control me now, Hazeth. I will do what I want and even you can't stop me."

Umawang ang labi ko. What did he say?

He let out a smirk. "Eat my lunch, I heard you liked my dishes. See you tomorrow, Hazeth."

Umangat baba ang dibdib ko at nagpupuyos sa galit. Putangina mo, Leander. I will never accept you again!

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