Love and Cigarettes

Chapter Eight

"We're here, Moya."

God, that must've been the longest hour of my life.

I have no idea how Sir Lars and I were able to act as if nothing happened - on the surface, at the very least. Hindi ko naitago ang pagkailang ko dahil sa nangyari kaya literal na wala akong imik buong biyahe. My boss, on the other hand, seemed unaffected at first glance... until I noticed that he was purposely avoiding my gaze and he kept on tapping his finger impatiently.

Siguro naiilang din siya kahit konti.

Kaya naman laking pasasalamat ko nang makarating na kami sa opisina. Pagbaba ko pa lamang sa sasakyan, nahagip na ng mata ko si Tobi mula sa ikatlong palapag na panay ang kaway sa akin at pinagmamadali akong umakyat. Ang taas na naman ng energy ng taong 'to.

"Let's go." Sir Lars led the way without sparing me a glance. Para naman akong maamong tupa na nakasunod sa likuran niya.

When I realized that we were about to board the elevator, I immediately thought of an excuse to stay behind for a while. Sinabi ko kay Sir Lars na kailangan ko nang mag-jingle kaya dadaan muna ako sa CR dito sa first floor.

His lips slightly pouted in wonder. "Are you perhaps afraid that I might kiss you again?"

"What? No!" I responded too defensively. How can he say that so casually?!

"Hmm. If you say so." He tilted his head like a puppy. "I guess the sexual tension between us is too strong tonight. I hope you're not planning on doing anything indecent in the bathroom while thinking of me. While I would be flattered, this is not the appropriate time and place for that, my dear secretary."

My jaw dropped in disbelief. "Wha-"

"Pero hindi kita pipigilan," He wiggled his brows as the elevator closed. "Let your imagination run wild, Aria. You have my permission."

I was left there dumbfounded. Seriously, that beautiful man and his dirty mouth...

Uminit ang mga pisngi ko kaya mabilis kong sinampal ang sarili ko upang matauhan ako. "Don't get so flustered, Aria. Nang-aasar lang iyon. Malinis naman ang konsensya mo. Hindi ka naman nag-iisip ng mga gano'n-"

For some reason, the sound of his groans while we were kissing reverberated on my mind. My eyes widened in panic and guilt. "Oh, good lord. Baka tama talaga si Miriam na sexually frustrated ako."

Sinilip ko ang mukha ko sa screen ng phone ko at pulang pula ang pisngi ko. Okay, you can't blame me! I'm already a 24-year old adult but I've never kissed anyone before. That was my first kiss and it was so steamy! Masisisi niyo ba ako?!

Just when I was about to enter the comfort room, somebody lunged at me from behind. Bumungad sa akin si Tobi na noo'y patawa-tawa na naman akong sinakal. He really doesn't know how to greet people like a normal person.

"Gotcha!" Mas lalo pa niya akong inipit sa kanyang braso. "Are you going to the bathroom, Aria? Take me with you!"

For some reason, Tobi is very fond of me. Perhaps it's because we're around the same age. There's Nami too, but Tobi reasoned that she's too quiet for the likes of him.

"You pervert!" I exclaimed while struggling in his bear-like grip. "What are you doing here?!"

He grinned. "I came to get you, of course!"

I couldn't go to the comfort room anymore since Tobi dragged me forcibly to the office. Upon arriving, there were so many unfamiliar faces from other departments. Pumunta kami sa sulok kung saan magkakasama ang aming team.

"Good timing, my servants." Hindi ko alam kung nagbibiro ba si Sir Lars o talagang alipin ang tingin niya sa amin. "All members of each department are required to wear a bandana based on the color coding."