Ludic Selcouth #4: Panacea

Chapter 37

I continued staring at the sands inside the hourglass. Ilang minuto pa at tuluyang mahuhulog ang lahat ng buhangin sa kabilang bulb. How much time do I still have? Hindi ko alam kung kailan ulit tatawag si Christopher De Vera. I told him yesterday to give me more days, I hope he can wait for a while. Gusto ko na rin naman banggitin kay Castriel ang tungkol sa kaniya, natatakot lang ako na baka iba ang maging dating ng pagkakasabi ko.

I felt him kiss my shoulder but I just remained my stares at the falling sands. “You are really something when it comes to giving gifts. Where did you even buy that? It looks vintage,” Castriel said. Pareho na kaming nakatitig sa hourglass na naka-display sa bedside table niya.

“I bought it from a vintage store. It just caught my attention because of the design. Music... I thought that it will suit you perfectly.” tuluyang nahulog ang lahat ng buhangin. Naglabas iyon ng kulay dilaw na ilaw kaya umayos na ako ng upo at lumingon kay Castriel. This is the second night that I will be sleeping here with him. I wouldnʼt normally do this, but I need to converse with him more often. Humahanap ako ng tiyempo kung paano ko babanggitin ang tungkol sa ama niya.

“Youʼre always thoughtful... I love that about you,” he said while smiling. Ngumiti rin ako at hinawakan ang pisngi niya.

“Are you gonna take over to your familyʼs company? Since Ludic Selcouth will be on hiatus after your interviews and some guestings. What are your plans?” hinawakan niya ang kamay ko at dinala 'yon sa labi niya. He kissed my hand before making me lay down on the bed beside him.

“Mom is forcing me but I still havenʼt made up my mind yet. Iʼm not sure if I want to be a hotshot CEO, their company is well-known. Iʼm thinking if I can build my own name, not just by leaning on my surname, the thought of getting my hands on my familyʼs company isnʼt promising enough. I want my own.”

“Build your own business then, I also think that itʼs better.” my own family isnʼt rich as the Soledads and Sanz. We donʼt own any big company but for me, itʼs really better to prove yourself by starting low.

“You think so? I already own a couple of resorts, Iʼm partnering with Tase. Iʼm thinking to build another one, do you want to join me? Letʼs be business partners.” nanlaki ang mata ko at bahagyang napalayo sa kaniya.

“What the hell? You own resorts?” he nodded, like itʼs just normal and not a big deal.

“Kailan pa? I didnʼt know that!” I thought heʼs just investing into different companies. May sarili na pala siyang negosyo.

“I started when I was still in college. Tase is a business-minded freak, he drags us along with his plans. The irony because I was the BA student and he was on engineering.” mas lalo lang akong nawindang. How come I didnʼt know about that?! Pero kung iisipin nga ay hindi naman kami nag-uusap tungkol sa business.

“CEO ka na rin pala eh!” I said, frowning at him. He chuckled and shook his head.

“I donʼt really handle most of them yet. I always pass the work on my secretaries, I wanted to enjoy my band life. But now, I guess itʼs time for me to also work my ass off.” parang biglang mas tumataas ang tingin ko sa kaniya habang tumatagal. Just what the heck. I know that he already makes 7 digits by just making music, but I donʼt really think about it a lot. Ngayon na pinag-uusapan namin, nahihilo ako. I donʼt even make that much money just yet!

“Donʼt look at me like that, didnʼt you really know?” umiling-iling ako.

“Youʼre that rich?” I asked. He shrugged and traced my arm.

“No, just enough. Average.” I just looked at him with disbelief.

“If your wealth is just enough and average, then how about mine? Poor or not counted at all?” I asked sarcastically. Bahagya siyang natawa at niyakap ako.