A Hard Habit To Break

Chapter 9

OLIVIA

After Emma and Hanna left, I've spent most of my time here in my office. And once in a while, I went to the counter to help Josie and Mark. Sinabi ko na rin sa kanila na mawawala ako ng ilang araw at si Emma muna ang boss nila pansamantala at okay naman sa kanila iyon. I checked the time, and it was already 7:30 pm. Ang bilis talaga ng oras.

I'm already packing my things and ready to go when suddenly the door opens. Iniluwa roon ang kaisa-isang tao na hindi ko inaasahan na bibisita sa akin sa ganitong oras. Why is he even here?

"Olivia."

"Peter," I whispered, a surprise was written all over my face. "Why are you here?"

He closed the door behind him. "Can we talk?" He pleaded, walking slowly to my direction. Now, he's standing just a few feet away in front of me. I didn't bother to respond and just eyed him.

He seems like he has never eaten for days. Sobra ang ipinayat niya at nangingitim din ang ilalim ng kanyang mga mata. He still has this chiseled look in him that has never changed. He's still the same Peter that I knew who's lean, tall, and handsome.

Sa edad niyang 32 ay napagkakamalan pa rin siyang nasa 20s lang. Marami ang nagkakagusto sa kanya at lapitin rin siya ng mga babae, kahit noon pa man na hindi pa kami nagkakakilala. Kaya't hindi na ko magtataka kung bakit naagaw siya sa'kin at nagpabuntis sa kanya.

"I know this is so sudden, but please... just this once. Hear me out, Olivia," he said with a sense of guilt, waiting for my response.

I blinked once, twice. "Okay," I breathed, more like uncertainty.

"Thank you, Olivia." His face lit up. "Do you mind if we go to my place?" He offered. "I just prepared a small dinner for the two of us." He was smiling from ear to ear while saying those words to me. I just nodded and smiled timidly. How can I resist him if he's like this?

Nagpaalam muna si Peter na hihintayin na lang niya ako sa labas. Matapos kong i-lock ang office ay pumunta muna ako sa counter para magpaalam kanila Josie at Mark na mauuna na kong umuwi sa kanila. I told them to secure everything before they leave and go home. At bago ako makalabas ng pinto ay narinig ko si Mark na nagsabi ng, "Ingats sila sainyo, Ma'am." Loko ka talaga Mark kahit kailan. I just waved my hand as an answer.

I went straight to where Peter was standing beside his car. Nakita niya akong papalapit sa kinaroroonan niya at binuksan ang pinto ng passenger seat. He even covered my upper head with his left hand to make sure I wouldn't bump into it. He and his sweet gesture have never changed.

"Thank you," I said and smiled a bit as I sat down. He smiled back as a response.

He went straight to the driver's seat and turn on the engine. He first glanced to my side to check if I already fastened my seatbelt before he finally drove off. I don't know what to feel... now that he's with me at this point in time. Mixed emotions are eating me up. But there's one thing I am sure of, that whatever we have right now has been long gone and everything has changed from then on.

Lumingon siya saglit sa'kin. "By the way, I asked my driver, Edgar, to drive your car going to your place." he stated, breaking the silence between us. "I also told him to just drop off your car keys at the front desk." He went on while his eyes are on the road. I glanced to his side and just gave him a nod.

"Can I open the window?" I suddenly asked, fidgeting with my fingernails. "Gusto ko sana makalanghap ng sariwang hangin." Awkward. That's what I feel right now. Hindi ako makapag-isip ng maayos dahil hindi ko alam kung ano ba dapat kong sabihin o gawin. At alam kong nararamdaman niya rin iyon.