I'm Here Again

Chapter 20

We are staying at this hotel for three days now. All of our works and meetings are being done through the blessing of the extra payment we did for high-speed wi-fi.

Peter told us that we're not the only company that are going to be meeting and presenting with him this week. And that the others are also staying at this hotel, being as discreet like us as possible.

We can't have a rivalry war during our stay here now, can we? Got to maintain our respected profile.

Mielle and I were busy with our other projects when two knocks from our door broke our concentration.

"Ako na," I volunteered and quickly opened the door. "Tuloy kayo."

"Wassup Uncle and Abriel! Anong maipaglilingkod namin sa inyo ngayong araw?" Mielle received a pinch on her cheek from Jace as a greeting.

"Dress up, ladies. Pan called me and he's asking for us to meet with him."

"Oh, okay. Ayun lang ba? Ba't di na lang you nag-text?"

Jace scratched the side of his head. "Para formal?"

"Weeeh? Para makatakas sa trabaho kamo!"

"Break lang naman, pamangkin."

"Aysus! Eh ba't kailangan dalawa pa kayong pumunta dito?" Mielle's question made me swallow as the answer was pretty obvious... but I guess she couldn't see it as she is busy talking to her uncle.

Abriel's dreamy eyes are focus on me as if it's his first time seeing me. "Nagugutom ka na ba, Pa-es? Gusto mo kumain muna tayo bago ka magbihis?"

I involuntarily stepped back. "A-Ah hindi, okay lang ako. Busog pa naman ako."

He stepped forward. "Are you sure? Kilala kita, kapag focus ka sa ginagawa, hindi mo namamalayan na gutom ka na pala." He stepped forward again. "Ano? Tara? Quick food break lang."

Abriel had been like this ever since our Day Two started here. He's been.. what did Mielle say? Ah. Laging nakabuntot. Always checking up on me, always asking if I'm okay. I thought he would stop that since he could literally see me, unlike before when I moved out, but it only gotten worse and worst. He even had been asking if we can be alone together and luckily, Mielle would always rescue me by saying that she needs me for work.

I shook my head as I try to maintain a smile. "Naku Abri, hindi na. Okay lang talaga ako."

"Pa-es.." Another step. "Wag ka nang mahiya.." Another step... and another..

Jace arm suddenly blocked Abriel's path. "Hold it, Romeo. Drop that over-caring act. We need to leave so they can get ready."

"But --"

"Uh-uh. Let's go." Jace quickly turn Abriel around and pushed him to the door. He then glanced at me and gave me a nod before closing the door.

Mielle immediately ran up to me. "Okay ka lang te?"

I shakily nodded. "Y-Yeah, okay lang naman.. pero I don't know how long I can keep this up without hurting him in the process."

"Sa puso o sa pisikal?"

"I'm honestly aiming for physical, as it's considered as self-defense, but his heart might not take it very well." Mielle agreed and we both got busy tidying things up before getting ready. I let her use the bathroom first as I'm still going to pick my clothes when my phone went off.

A number?

"Aice speaking, who's this?"

[Hindi lang tayo nagkita nang ilang araw, may nahuli ka na namang isda.]