ARE YOU MAN ENOUGH?

Chapter Nineteen

LILY PURSED HER LIPS. She stared at the caramel apple she was struggling to finish. Nakalitaw na ng kaunti ang mansanas dahil nakagatan ang maliit na parteng natatakpan ng dark chocolate at caramel.

“Now, I am even too stressed to eat more”, nakatitig pa rin siya nang may mapansin.

Lumagpas ang tingin niya sa tinititigang pagkain. Napunta iyon sa gray na slacks ng lalaking nakatayo sa harapan niya.

Humagod ang mga mata ni Lily mula sa unang napagtuunan niyon ng tingin. It was the crotch embossed in that tight slacks. Her trail went up, finding a hot body clad by a fitting navy blue button-down long-sleeved shirt. His maroon suit blazer draped over his shoulders, covering his back. Then, Lily wqs already looking at Jared’s tight lips. Finally, his blazing, dark eyes.

“Are you sure about that?” he muttered lowly.

“Sure about what?” baba niya sa hawak na caramel apple para hindi niyon matakpan ang kanyang mukha. Gumusot ang mukha niya, nagtunog iritable dahil sa gulat.

“You’re too stressed to eat,” his eyes probed hers darkly.

“You seemed in a hurry earlier. May naiwan ka ba?” prangkahan niyang tanong dahil ayaw na niyang mag-assume na naman.

“I think so,” he stared which was already making her heart drum triple time.

“You think so?” lapag niya sa caramel apple sa pinggan. She was about to pull away from his gaze, going to check the seat Jared left for anything he left. Probably, his wallet or cellphone…

But Jared interrupted that with his voice. Like a magnet, he pulled her eyes back into his soldering gaze.

“If you’re too stressed to eat, maybe, we can have some drinks instead,” he shoved his hands in his ppockets. “Let’s go to a bar?”

Inirapan niya ito. “I haven’t finished my champagne earlier. Pati ba naman itong salted chocolate caramel—” Lalong tumalim ang mga mata niya rito. Suspicious. “Why are you inviting me to a bar now?”

“I’ll go there already,” talikod na nito.

Napasimangot siya. Ano na naman ang tumatakbo sa isip ng lalaking ‘to?

She was reluctant. Pero nang malapit na sa glass door si Jared, tumayo si Lily at kinolekta ang mga gamit. Nagpahabol pa siya ng malalaking sipsip ng iced salted chocolate caramel bago binilisan ang mga hakbang para maabutan si Jared.

Gawin mo na lang ang pinapagawa niya, Lily. At baka magbago pa ang isip niya sa appointment for Variant.

They were already at the railed walkway of the shopping centre when Lily caught up with Jared. Malalaki ang mga hakbang ng lalaki, nagi-scan ang mga mata sa bawat restaurant na dinadaanan nila. Nilagpasan nito ang tahimik na bar kung saan uminom si Lily ng champagne.

Sinuot ni Lily ang kanyang pink na blazer.

“Can you please slow down?”

“Slowing down is not in my vocabulary,” he muttered breathily.

“I know,” malisyosa niyang ngiti habang iniisa-isa na rin ng tingin ang nadadaanang mga kainan. Kaya gustong-gusto ko nga kapag nagyaya ka noon mag…

“I’ll just have a few drinks, Lily.”

Finally, he’s starting to explain a bit what this is for.

“Well, you picked the wrong company, Jared,” she warned.

“Did I?”

Napalingon tuloy siya sa lalaki. He had a look in his eye that showed intense intent, a scheming glint that shone against the darkness of his brown irises.