ARE YOU MAN ENOUGH?

Chapter Sixty-Two

"WE HAVE TO TALK," mahigpit na wika ni Basil. "Just us, Lily."

Hindi tuloy natuloy ang paghalik ni Jared sa kanya. He looked at her with expectant eyes, waiting for her to make a decision.

As she should.

Sinalubong niya ang naghihintay nitong mga mata.

"Ang meeting ang pinunta ko rito kaya, tatapusin ko muna ito."

Jared gave her a nod. Sa pagpayag ng lalaki, gumapang na ang kaba sa kanyang dibdib. Solo niyang makakausap ngayon ang kapatid. Will she manage to make him take her side this time? Will he believe her?

Nakakatakot isiping mabibigo na naman siyang muli.

Pero mabilis na natunaw lahat ng kanyang takot nang gagapin ni Jared ang isa niyang kamay.

Yes. He just did that.

He did that right in front of Miss Jackie and her brother.

All this time, he was insisting to keep their involvement a secret. Para sa ikabubuti nila. Para sa kanilang mga trabaho. Hindi niya maintindihan bakit kung kailan malapit na nilang matapos ang lahat ay saka pa tila sumuko roon ang binata. He did not deny her or their relationship.

Instead, when they were caught, he took responsibility of it.

Pinatotoo ni Jared ang namumuong ispekulasyon sa isip nila nang madatnan ang kanilang pag-uusap at maaktuhang maghahalikan na sila.

Jared did not just protect her.

He stood by her.

Jared gave her hand a reassuring squeeze before gently releasing her. Kita niya ang kumpiyansa sa mga mata nito, na para bang hindi pa siya nakakagawa ng pagkakamali noon. His gaze was enough to let her know that he knew she can do it this time.

That her ability to speak up and take charge wasn't only applicable in the bedroom.

But in her life in general.

She didn't have to fear anymore. She didn't have to worry about consequences.

Because whatever it may be, what matters is that she spoke her truth and stood by her own convictions.

Tinanaw ni Lily ang paglisan ng lalaki. Nilagpasan nito si Miss Jackie na naghabol-tingin kay Basil na palapit naman sa kanya. Basil seemed to sense her hesitation to leave, so he looked at the HR Head over his shoulder. He narrowed her eyes on her. Mukhang hindi nito matanggap ang pinapahiwatig ng lalaki, kaya pinamukha ni Basil sa babae kung sino ang boss at ang dapat na gumagawa ng desisyon sa kompanya.

"Leave us alone," he said in a hard tone.

Tinitigan ni Miss Jackie ang kanyang kapatid. Nasa pag gusot ng mukha nito ang protesta pero dahil hindi natinag si Basil, napilitan itong umatras. She gave him a lingering look. Tingin na tila nagbabanta. Pero sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon, nakita niyang hindi nagbawi ng tingin si Basil dito.

At nang umalis si Miss Jackie, iyon din ang kauna-unahang pagkakataong nakipag-meeting si Basil nang hindi ito kasa-kasama.

Naniniguradong sumilip sa labas ng conference room si Basil. Nang makitang wala nang tao roon, sinara nito ang frosted glass sliding door niyon. He faced her.

"Let's make this quick. Grab a seat, Lily."

Tahimik siyang tumalima. Bumalik siya sa pwesto kanina. Ang kabisera naman ang inokupa muli ni Basil.