Tempting Fate (Charity Series #3)

• Fourteen •

Stella

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Parang kanina lang, nakangiti pang nakikipag-usap si Konan sa lalaking 'to tapos ngayon makikita namin nakayuko na siya't tahimik na umiiyak na parang bata?

Aba. Don’t tell me he dares to hurt her by rejecting to come in the party? Really? After he came late?

Binaba ko ang frappe na hawak at nilapitan sila.

"It’s nice knowing about your party. But I have to reject it. I don’t find the theme interesting. Really, I’m sorry, Miss Konan," saad ng lalaki.

Napapunas ng pisngi si Konan at tumango, "I-I understand. You don’t need to say sorry. I am sorry. It’s fine, Dr. Luke."

Nanliit ang mata ko ro'n sa duktor. Sabi ko na nga ba...

"What happened? Anong pinagsasabi mo rito?"

"Stella," pigil ni Konan.

"Matapos mong magpa-late ng tatlong oras at pagsalitain ‘to? Tatanggihan mo lang?" napasinghal ako, "Wow ah? Nag-iisip ka ba? Hindi ka ba nahiya sa ginawa mo?"

Naging sarkastiko ang ngiti nito nang harapin ako, "What did you say, Miss?"

"Hindi mo rin narinig? Anong problema mo? Bakit, ano bang theme ang type mo? Horror o barbie party?! Hindi mo man lang i-consider ‘no? Nagpahintay ka na nga, ganito pa gagawin mo. May mga ginagawa rin kami, Sir! H‘wag masyadong pa-importante!" bulalas ko pa, walang pakialam sa mga taong naiistorbo namin.

"Saka pumayag ka na sa email natin! Ano ‘yun trip-trip mo lang? Alam mo bang pinaghirapan ito ni Konan tapos paiiyakin mo lang? Sana marunong ka mahiya, Dr. Luke Encinas. Saan ka nga nagta-trabaho? Nakakahiya ka."

Tumayo na si Konan para mas pigilan ako. Naramdaman ko na rin na lumapit si Erick sa gilid ko.

"What a dangerous woman, huh?" kumento ni Luke, "What are you talking about? Wasn’t it hard to comprehend? I don’t like the theme, the way she explained felt unsure. Tell me, are you guys for real? Are you newbies by any chance? Maybe in that, I could understand you," kalmadong saad niya na lalong nakapag-init ng ulo ko.

"Anong problema mo sa pag-e-explain n‘ya? Pakisabi," matigas kong anas.

"Let’s see," nilagay niya ang hintuturo sa kan'yang baba, "First of all, she doesn’t have any documents--- or paper to present formally. Where is it? Second, she sounded nervous as if it’s her first time. That’s why I asked if you’re a newbie in this job. Third, I really don’t like the theme. Are we going to attend in a children’s party? Cute party, huh? I mean, I don’t like the way you explained it to me. Maybe it’s a nice setting, but you lack the ability to explain more. I’m waiting for you to say something that might caught my interest--- but there’s none. I don’t know, maybe because you didn’t bring your documents? Honestly, that’s all."

Kinuha niya ang itim na bag niya at naghanda na sa paglisan, "I’m sorry that I have to reject you. I won’t come to your party."

'Yun lang at lumakad na siya.

"Teka lang, hindi pa ‘ko tapos---" pinigilan ako ni Konan sa braso kaya naman napatingin ako sa malungkot niyang mukha.

Umiling siya, "It’s okay. It’s my fault. It happened before and I did it again."

"Pinahiya ka n‘ya, Konan! Okay lang ‘yun sa ‘yo?"

"No, Stella. It’s fine. T-Thank you for standing up for me. Kasalanan ko, e. Hindi ko dala ‘yung documents na ginawa namin ni Hailey. Akala ko mapapaliwanag ko ng maayos kahit wala na ‘yon tulad ng nagagawa ko dati sa iba. Pero... iba ‘yung case para kay Dr. Luke. Saka sa totoo lang, nakalimutan ko na ‘yung kabuuan ng details ng party. So I understand why he rejects my invitation."