ARE YOU MAN ENOUGH?

Chapter Eighteen

HOW DO I CONVINCE HIM to accept our company’s offer? Lily tapped her fingers on her lips.

Nakapalumbaba siya sa pang-isahan at bilugang bar table. Nakatitig sa kawalan. Bahagyang nakatuwad dahil nakakangalay tumayo ng tuwid sa suot niyang peep-toe high heels na pula. For her comfort, tinukod niya sa mesa ang mga siko.

Pagkatapos na pagkatapos ng shift ni Lily sa trabaho, sa malapit na bar siya dumiretso. The old school rustic bar she headed to has a quiet warm ambience to it. Low lights, detached servers (since they do not ask a lot of informal questions) and peaceful customers.  She had a few drinks because they effectively calm her nerves. On her third flute of a finely bubbled champagne, she was finally ready to brainstorm a solution to her dilemma. Iyon ay kung paano magagawa ang iniatang sa kanya na trabaho ni Miss Jackie.

I can’t even convince him to fuck me. What more about this team building thing?

Umalis siya sa pagkakapalumbaba at dinampot muli ang flute ng champagne. She tiny bubbles fizzing in her drink.

“You texted me,” tayo sa tapat ng mesa ni Jared.

Napamulagat siya. Sa gulat, hindi malaman ni Lily kung ano ang gagawin. Dadamputin ba niya ang nilapag sa mesa na blazer para isuot ulit? Iinom ba muna siya ng kaunti bago magsalita? Susuklayin ba niya ng mga daliri ang buhok?  Maybe she should pull down her skirt a bit. Or should she check the straps of her top?

Ah, fuck it.

“You’re early!” tuwid niya ng tayo.

He eyed her from head to toe. How she wished this beast would show even a very little hint of appreciation for her pink pencil skirt and sleeveless, satin cowl neck top that was tight around her waist. Her shoulders were smooth and bare, since she took off her pink blazer that rested neatly at the side of the table.

She just could not help herself. Her talking went on as she picked up her champagne flute.

“To be honest, I am more of expecting that you’ll never come,” she took one sip for additional courage.

Additional courage because Jared was right. Kailangan niya talaga ng kapal ng mukha para lang makaharap ito.

“You said it’s about work.”

“And that is enough to convince you to see me?” taas niya ng isang kilay dito.

“I am here now. Isn’t this what you want?”

Napatitig lang siya sa panlalamig nito sa kanya.

“If so, why are you still complaining?” patuloy ni Jared. He also stole away the flute from her hand.

Pinanlakihan niya ito ng mga mata.

“I don’t trust people who drinks while I talk to them,” lapat nito ng flute sa mesa. “Let’s go somewhere else.”

“What place do you have in mind?” she smirked playfully.

“Not the one you’re thinking,” masungit na lagpas nito sa mesa.

“Jared, wait!” kumahog ni Lily, muntik pa niya maiwanan ang blazer sa mesa.

Sinundan niya si Jared. At dahil nakapwesto ang pinanggalingan nilang bar sa isang shopping centre kung saan magkakatabi lang ang iba’t ibang kainan, mabilis na nakahanap si Jared ng malilipatan nila. He stopped by the door of a dainty chocolatier café flooded by warm mild yellow and beige as seen through the glass walls that surrounded it. Nang lingunin siya nito, abala na si Lily sa malaking bear na nakaupo sa isang upuan. Stuffed toy iyon na display sa labas ng mismong chocolatier café. She bent down and smiled while eyeing it. Was it a typical girl thing to automatically stop by when something cute caught their eye? Age doesn’t matter. If it’s cute, a girl or a woman like her would drop everything and take a look.