I'm Here Again

Chapter 7

In the flesh, Peter "Pan" is here... and he's looking like someone from Korea! The style of his hair, the color that changed from bright red to dark brown, the outfit from top to shoes -- I mean, woah. Okay.

I feel bad for not asking about him now.

"Mielle?" He looked surprised to see her. "Oh. Um. Haha. Well. Um. H-Hi.. there.."

My brow arched. Why is this guy being nervous about?

"Mr. Pallermo --"

"Peter," he corrected her. "Y-You may have stopped c-calling me 'kuya,' p-pero pinalitan mo naman ng Mr. Palllermo..." 

The tone of his voice.. what was it called again? Ah. Tampo. 

"Uhh, well, um P-Peter, good morning." Mielle cleared her throat. "I'm Chairman Jace's representative and in behalf of Secretary Abriel, I have my secretary here to represent her as well."

It's in his eyes. Peter Pallermo is one of the characters that didn't change in terms of attachment, I can tell. He's still drinking Mielle in like it's his first time seeing a lady.

"Hello, Mr. Pallermo, my name is Aice." I offered my hand and luckily, I got his attention.

"Oh. Hello," he shook my hand. "Aice, you say?"

"Yes, that's right."

"Oh, cool. I mean, nice." He cleared his throat then quickly stole a glance to Mielle. "Upo kayo, ladies, please." We said our thanks and sat down at a four-person table. Of course, Mielle and I are sitting next to each other, with Peter on my other side. "D-Do you want anything? Order muna kayo, t-tayo.. Drinks? Snacks?"

"Sagot mo?"

My, my. Mielle has some spikes going on!

"O-Oo naman, Mil. Ano bang gusto mo?"

"Coffee with creamer, no sugar and matcha cake, please."

"Ayun lang ba?"

"For now."

"Ok-Okay.." He finally noticed me. "And for you, Aice? Anong gusto mo?"

For you to stop stuttering. "Just tea will be fine, thank you."

"Tea lang? Naku, samahan mo na ng cake." He gave me an easy smile. "Don't be shy, okay? Same with Mil?"

I returned a smile. "Why, thank you. Sure then, if you insist." 

"I do. I'll order real quick for us. Balik ako." He stood up to go to the cashier.

"Okay, my dear, talk. Fast."

She sighed. "Remember kung paano mo nakuha ang kiliti nitong si Peter noon? Tapos panay parinig na namimiss ka na niya and such?"

"Uh-huh, go on."

"Well, isa 'yun sa mga hindi nabago. Nangyari pa rin ang part ng pag-uusap namin dahil, obviously, close kami ni Uncle Jace kahit na lumaki ako kay Lola at siya kay Grandpa. Bali, the anonymity still took place, since I only met Uncle Jace once before leaving the Salguero household. Nangyari pa rin 'yung pag-gamit niya sa laptop ni Uncle and the rest."

"Pati ang pag-uusap, as in with the exact topic and words?"

"Yup, yup, minus Nariza syempre."

"Holy sheez," I mouthed my wow. "So for five years, he has been liking you? Wait, I think it's more than five."

"Gaah! Ate kilabutan ka nga please? Sa dami ng babae niyan! Another thing that didn't change about him ay yung pagiging babaero niya. Nag-aadik lang 'yan! Medyo hindi kasi siya maayos kung makipag-usap pagdating sa'kin, as you saw. Kaya itong si Uncle Jace, ako lagi ang ginagawang panukso sa kanya para mainis. I mean, pag work mode naman, e, okay siya magsalita pero pag casual lang, ayun, hindi."