The Aftermath of a One-Night Stand (Aragonza #2)

Chapter 23

Moira spent the whole Wednesday thinking about Red's offer and briefing Rose about the works she had done for the last two months. Hindi niya alam kung kailan siya kakausapin ni Vince. Kapag lalabas ito ng office at lalapit sa cubicle nila, he only talks to Rose. Kapag nakakasalubong niya ito sa daan, nilalampasan lamang siya nito ng tingin.

Kahit sa bahay ay napi-pressure din siya dahil kina Neri at Joem. Tanong nang tanong ang mga ito kung nakapag-usap na sila ni Vince. They're also scared of him, apparently, dahil kasali sila sa pagsisinungaling niya.

So she also has to make sure na hindi matatamaan ang dalawa. She has to clear their names to prevent damage in the future. There's no telling what Vince would do when he's angry.

"Galit pa ba?" tanong niya kay Rose nang makabalik ang dalawa from lunch. Vince invited Rose out to have lunch, while completely ignoring her. She tried to act like it didn't matter, but it did. If there's one thing that she hates more than being hated, it's being ignored.

Nagkibit-balikat si Rose. "We didn't talk about it."

"Gano'n ba?"

"Don't worry. He'll come around. Nagpapakalma lang 'yon."

"Pero last day ko na ngayon. Kailan pa nya 'ko kakausapin?"

"May job offer si Red sa 'yo, di ba? Hindi mo iku-consider?" pag-iiba nito ng topic.

She grimaced. True, the job would be perfect for her. Kahit hindi kasinglaki ang salary na makukuha niya from working as Vince's assistant, mas permanente naman iyon. Probi lang sya for a few months and then regular employee na. At kapag regular employee, may compensation and benefits pang kasama.

Malaking tulong na rin iyon para makapag-ipon siya for Kelvin's college fund.

"Maghahanap na lang muna siguro ako sa ibang kumpanya," she told Rose.

"Magpapakapagod ka pa sa paghahanap, e may offer naman na sa 'yo rito. Familiar ka na sa environment at sa trabaho mo. Saka mataas ang sweldo at maganda ang benefits. For sure malaki pa rin ang io-offer sa 'yo since you've already worked for Vince."

Rose gave her a knowing look.

"Is it because of Vince?"

"I just don't think that I'd be able to work with him around."

"But you have to get used to it. Since alam na rin naman nyang may anak kayo, he's not going to let you take care of your son alone. Syempre, he'll get involved and ultimately, you'll have him around whether you like it or not."

Rose has a point. She knows that. Pero hindi pa niya napag-iisipan ang tungkol doon. Ang isip niya ngayon ay nasa kung paano niya ipaliliwanag kay Vince ang lahat. How much will she tell him? And how will she introduce Vince to Kelvin?

--

"So when are you going to talk to her?" Rose asked Vince over dinner. Pinagalitan na naman siya nito kanina dahil hindi niya ito pinauwi kaagad. Rose had been itching to go home since the clock hits six. Miss na miss na raw kasi nito ang anak.

He felt guilty for stealing her time away, but he needs to talk to Rose. Nangako naman siyang huling gabi na iyon na uuwi ito ng late.

"Friday," sagot niya.

"Did you tell her that?"

Umiling siya. Ni hindi nga niya tinapunan ng tingin si Moira buong maghapon. Hindi kasi siya makapag-isip ng maayos. On one hand, he wanted to set aside his emotions and just talk to her sensibly. Pero sa tuwing makikita niya ito ay inuunahan siya ng galit.

"You're killing her, you know that. She's been anxiously waiting for you to say something the whole day."

"Let her suffer."