The Jerk Coefficient

Chapter 40

A/N:

My dog died during the time when I was writing this chapter. He got hit by a car and was dead on the spot. I know that this would be published probably months after his death since I have a rule to myself to keep at least 15 chapters in drafts aside from the one I publish so I can alter some parts if needed. Anyways, this chapter was a challenge to finish since I was mourning and terribly heartbroken.

But I did it. I finished this chapter although it took me days to gain back a bit of my strength. I'll finish this whole novel, and my other future novels. I did it for my baby because I know that he would want me to keep on living.

This one, I dedicate to my William. I love him so much and I'm a hundred percent sure that you would too if you met him.

                                            **********

The Return of Pares

"So you work with your ex at hindi man lang pumasok sa isip mong sabihin agad 'yun sa'min?!" Niyugyog ako ni Klea.

"Ano 'to? Season 2?!"

"Comeback of the year?" Napaismid ako.

Bagukan ko kaya 'tong mga 'to?

"Guys, nakalimutan niyo na ba ang atraso sa'kin ng tao dati? Now, he's just someone that I'm working with."

"Someone that you're working with na naka-exchange mo ng laway!" Ang kalat talaga ni Klea. Naghampasan 'yung tatlo habang tawang-tawa, at nadadamay pa ako.

"May sariling office 'yun?" Trixie asked na may makahulugang ngiti.

"Oo?"

"Shet! Ano 'yung eksena nun ha? Pang-50 Shades of Grey, ganun?"

"No, Zoey," I calmly replied habang ipinagpapatuloy ko ang pagkain ko. Ang tatlo ay parang mga tangang naghahatid ingay dito sa bistro.

Engineer na rin 'tong mga 'to. Take note.

"Mister—Engineer Yap will see you know," hirit ni Klea at nakipag-apir kay Zoey. Ang lakas ng halakhak ng mga gaga.

"Saksakin ko kaya kayo ng tinidor?"

"Don't you get what's happening, Blake? You're working with your ex." Hindi talaga ako titigilan ni Klea.

"So?"

"You're working with your ex," sumegundo si Zoey kaya natawa ako at napailing-iling. Sila pa ang apektado.

"Tapos?"

"You're working with your ex! Blake! Come on? Wala bang kahit anong reaksyon diyan?"

"Anong gusto mo, Trix? What exactly? Umiyak ako?" I mocked them by pouting and faking a sad face. "Oh, ito na."

"Ikaw ang magbabayad nitong lahat. Gaga ka ha." I laughed.

"Kapag na-in love ka ulit diyan kay Leo, balitaan mo kami ha," Zoey said and tapped me on my shoulder.

"As if." I sticked my tongue out. "Kumain na nga kayo." I laughed nervously. Bwisit 'tong si Zoey. Baka magdilang-anghel. Babalikan ko siya kapag nagkataon.

"Ay, ayaw nang muling ibalik ang pait ng pag-ibig?" pang-asar ni Klea. "Ah, kasi baka dahil kay Gareth." Ngumiti na parang tanga si Klea habang 'yung dalawa ay mas lalong umingay.

Second day ko sa trabaho ay bumungad sa akin si Maggie sa lobby na may inaabot na card.

"Engineer Yap told me to hand this to you. Swipe mo lang 'to dun sa tabi ng pinto."