Her Inevitable Fall

KABANATA 17

"Hey!" bati ni Reye pagkapasok sa aking opisina.

I smiled and stood up to welcome him. "O, Reye bumisita ka?" nagtataka kong tanong sabay yakap sa kaniya.

Pagkababa ko sa yakap ay hinawakan niya ang aking braso. "Pinapunta ako dito ni Mommy," sagot niya sabay pakita ng isang puting folder. "May ipinabibigay siya sayo." Sabay abot ng folder sa akin.

"Oh!" Ang bilis naman ni Mrs. Alliene. Negosyante nga talaga, hindi nagsasayang ng oras. "Sisimulan na! Ang bilis naman ng ideya ng mommy mo!" sabi ko sa tuwa. "Let's take a seat," giya ko sa kanya papunta sa pang dalawahan sofa.

Okay na sa akin na pag-usapan ito sa couch. Hindi na kailangan ang masyadong pormal sa pag-uusap tungkol sa project na ito since si Reye naman ang ka-deal ko. Buti na lang at siya ang ipinadala ni Mrs. Alliene at hindi ang panganay nito. Kahit na binalaan na ako ni Mabele na mag-ingat sa magkapatid na ito ay mukhang mahihirapan ako lalo na't may project kaming iko-collaborate.

"Nandiyan na pala ang detail na hiningi mo," sabi nya sabay upo ng sa tabi ko. But there's something odd with him, hindi ko masabi kung ano.

Binuksan ko ang folder and read the details written on it.

"Buti naman at nagawa ito ng tao nyo despite the limited time," sabi ko sa kanya pero ang mga mata ay patuloy pa rin sa pagbabasa ng mga detalye.

"Yes, they are," pag-confirm niya. "It wasn't difficult. Since the data and information were already filed in the office."

I lifted my face towards him and smiled. "The information is complete and we could finally start with our first draft of proposals. We'll pattern the layout design based on your company's logo," excited kong sabi kay Reye. I can already visualize the design as well the picture of Mrs. Alleine on her article as well the promotional ad we'll include.

He nodded in agreement. "Mom wanted it to be as natural as possible. She likes to do the pictorial at our company," he informed.

I nodded. "Of course, we'll do that."

I wrote the additional details Reye said on my journal, baka kasi makalimutan ko. Pagkatapos kong magawa iyon ay bumaling uli ako sa kanya at kita ko ang malalim na titig nya sa akin mukhang may gustong itanong pero nahihiyang sabihin.

I leaned on the couch and intertwined my hands on top of my notes which were on my lap and encouragingly smiled at him. "Do you have something to tell me?"

"Actually I have," he said hesitantly. "But you might get offended over it?"

I furrowed my eyebrows and curiously eyed him. "Tell me. Come on, I won't get offended," I pushed him to tell me because I was already intrigued.

He took a deep breath and said, "Did my brother say his intention towards you? I mean, his not friendly intention?"