The Governor (Del Franco #1)

Kabanata XI

Back Up

YVANNA inhaled sharply after she closed her laptop. Kanina pa sumasakit ang ulo niya at ang nakikita niyang rason ay ang matagal niyang pagtitipa mula pa kagabi. She yawned while rubbing her eyes. She had three cups of coffee already but she felt like it wasn't working. Yvanna had been thinking lately—particularly about him—the Governor. Ilang araw na ang lumipas simula nang huli silang magkita at mag-usap. She was avoiding him and did everything to not cross path with Nikolas. Galit pa rin siya sa binata at sa totoo lang, ayaw na niya itong makita pa muna.

"Hindi ka pa uuwi?" her secretary asked. She whirled to see Veronica who just got in her room.

"Mauna ka na, I'll stay for a bit."

"So it's okay for you to see a visitor?" Yvanna's brows furrowed.

"Who?"

"Another asshole. I'll still let him in kaysa sa isang gago," ani Veronica at lumabas ng kanyang opisina. In a second, isang matangkad na binata ang pumasok sa kanyang opisina. Awtomatikong napairap si Yvanna nang makilala niya kung sino iyon.

It was Karev Antonio Santiago, the mayor's son. He was her classmate in law school together with Nikolas. Noon pa man, alam na ni Yvanna na mayroon itong gusto sa kanya. Bago pa man mauna si Nikolas, nanggugulo na si Karev sa kanya.

"Hi," he greeted and smiled boyishly. May dala itong boquet ng bulaklak.

"What the hell are you doing here, Karev?"

"So that's what I get after getting back here? A question? Wala man lang hug or kiss?"

"Damn you, Karev, you still haven't changed," ani Yvanna at agad na lumapit sa binata para yakapin ito. They are good friends after all.

"Oh God, I've missed you so much!" he almost yelled and lifted her up.

"Karev Antonio!" she warned him.

"Hindi mo ba ako na-miss? Look, my body's in par with Niko!" ani Karev at itinaas ang suot nitong t-shirt upang ipakita ang kanyang abs kay Yvanna na napataas naman ang isang kilay sa nakita. Noon kasi, payat ito pero ngayon ay malaki na ang pinagbago. His shoulders are broad, and Yvanna could tell he's ripped even though he has his shirt on.

"What would I do with your body?"

"Lick it," pilyong sagot ng binata.

"Yuck," ani Yvanna at kinuha ang bulaklak nitong hawak. She smelled the flowers and smiled.

"You still know my taste," she said.

"Of course! Before Niko, you have me."

"So what made you decide to get back here?" she asked, starting a real conversation.

"For you, Yvanna. I want you to get out of this place. It's dirty, unprogressive, and there's a bigger world outside Vigo Del Mar. You deserve a better world," seryosong tugon ni Karev sa kanya.

"I'm contended, Karev."

"Yvanna—"

"Are you not going to invite me to dinner? I'm hungry," she interrupted him.

"That's what I'm going to say," he replied.

"You better treat me at Helena's. Few dollars won't hurt your pocket," she joked.

"I'll treat you wherever you want," he assured her. 

"Wait me outside, I'll just settle my things," ani Yvanna. Tumango naman si Karev at lumabas ng kanyang opisina. Mabilis na nag-ayos si Yvanna at nang makuntento sa kanyang itsura ay agad ding lumabas.