Her Forgotten Mistake (Mistake Series #6)

Seventeen

(Note: Unedited chapter. Errors ahead.)

Seventeen

"YOU WANT ME to drop you off at the enterprises again?" Lucas asked her when they're already on their way to Manila. Ngumiti naman si Julia at marahang tumango.

Hapon na nang makaalis sila sa Norte at halos hatinggabi na nga nang makarating sila sa Manila. The newly-weds, Armee and Eros, wanted them to stay the night with them at bukas na ba-byahe. Julia wanted to, but Lucas said that the both of them need to ready for work. Kaya sa huli ay napilitan din siyang magpaalam sa mga kaibigan at sumama kay Lucas pabalik ng Manila.

"Yes, please," she answered softly.

Tahimik ang loob ng sasakyan hanggang sa iparada ito ni Lucas sa tapat ng Savirino Enterprises. The night streets were still busy kahit na madaling araw na. Tanging ang ilaw mula sa mga poste sa gilid ng daan, sa  mga sasakyan na dumaraan at sa main lobby ng Savirino Enterprises ang nagsisilbing liwanag nila sa paligid.

Bumaba si Julia mula sa sasakyan ni Lucas at isinara ang pinto. She was buying her lower lip while watching Lucas followed her out and get her things at the back compartment of the car.

"Thanks," she muttered when he gave her luggage towards her. "Drive home safe."

Tumango si Lucas saka pinaigting ang panga. "May susundo ba sa 'yo?"

"I'll... just book a grab."

"At this hour? It's not safe."

"May kilala akong grab driver. I'll contact him na lang para sigurado."

Lucas doesn't seem convinced. Seryoso lang niya itong tinitigan para sabihing totoo ang sinasabi niya. In the end, her boss just sighed before stepping near her and gave her a kiss on the forehead.

"If you're not tired, please text me when you're already home," masuyo nitong sabi.

Ngumiti si Julia at marahang tumango. "I will. Thank you."

"I'll see you tomorrow."

"See you."

Julia watched Lucas enter his car. Ngumiti siya nang buhayin na nito ang makina. Lucas adjusted to the passenger seat before calling her name. His face was serious, but his dark eyes were sparkling.

"Jul."

"Hmm?"

"Good night, baby," he muttered under his breath.

Ipinagsawalang-bahala ni Julia ang biglang pagbilis ng tibok ng kaniyang puso habang nakatingin kay Lucas. She couldn't help herself from smiling at her boss. It was her usual smile. God knows how hard she tried to just make it look like a simple smile. Kahit na sa loob-loob niya ay gusto na niyang bumungisngis sa tuwa.

"Yeah... Good night," nagawa niyang isagot sa binata bago ito bumalik sa upuan at saka pinaandar na ang sasakyan.

Nang maiwan siyang mag-isa roon ay agad niyang kinapa ang dibdib at marahan iyong tinapik. Pikit niyang kinalma ang sarili habang humuhugot ng hininga. Damn Lucas for making her heart swoon just by calling her 'baby'!

Nang kumalma ay inilabas niya ang kaniyang cell phone para tumawag sa bahay nila. She don't want to contact Anthony at this hour because she was sure he's already in a deep slumber. Nakakahiya kung gigisingin pa niya ang matanda.

So instead of calling Anthony, Julia called his driver and asked him to pick her up. Pumayag naman agad ito kaya hindi na niya prinoblema ang pag-uwi.

Minutes passed and she finally saw Anthony's grey Porsche being parked in front of her. Lumabas ang driver para tulungan siya sa kaniyang gamit bago siya pumasok sa loob ng sasakyan. Nagpasalamat siya sa driver nang pumasok na rin ito sa loob at tuluyan nang nilisan ang lugar.