Nights Like This

Chapter 35

Chapter 35

Bliss

"Oh, wait. May narinig pala ako na binigyan daw si Miss Bobbi ng bahay at lupa noong kaibigan niya na anak ng Senador. Hindi ko lang alam kung totoo ba."

Damn it. They're not yet done talking about me?

"Totoo siguro 'yon. Narinig kong pinag-usapan din ng kabilang department. Grabe, 'no? House and lot."

"Ganda ni Miss Bobbi, e. Iba talaga ang dating. It's not a surprise if a rich guy would please her up to that extent."

Napairap ako. To hell with that. Aanhin ko 'yon, e hindi ko naman hinihingi?

"But she's in a relationship, right? Sa tingin n'yo ba seryoso ang setup nila ni Architect Uvero? Hindi ba hindi raw 'yon nag gi-girlfriend?"

Oh, now they're talking about my personal life! What the hell, really?

"Hindi nga. Baka nireto lang ni Architect Vallejo para magtino si Miss Bobbi? Ang dami no'ng issue, 'di ba?"

I heard them gasp.

"Wow. If that's true, ano namang kapalit ng pagsunod ni Architect Uvero? Promotion? Bigger projects?"

Nagtawanan ang tatlo habang ako ay na-offend sa narinig. Not for my sake but Rex's. Gusto ko lang lumabas ng firm tapos ganito ang maririnig ko.

It's like they're implying that my boyfriend would answer to my father's absurd request of dating me just for the sake of promotions. Rex Niccolo is ambitious but he's not the type to trade success for a silly favor. He works hard for everything he has. Thinking that he'll get promoted just because he's straightening out his boss' rebellious daughter would be an insult to his passion. Nakakairita naman na naiisip nila 'yon!

"Masyadong convenient, 'no?"

"Yeah but not impossible, really. For a family that's so rich, power and influence is a tool for literally everything. Even someone as accomplished as Architect Uvero will have a hard time saying no to that."

"Tama. Besides, he's not serious in relationships, anyway. Madali lang pakisamahan ang anak ng boss kung malaking proyekto naman ang kapalit. Everything for career, they say."

Fuck. That's it.

Napapikit ako ng mariin. I breathed deep to calm myself down. This is really bad and so, so annoying. Pakiramdam ko, kumukulo na ang dugo ko sa pagpipigil ng inis.

It's okay when they were just questioning my abilities and credibility. It was okay when they're just gossiping about Yael and I. But talking shit about Rex Niccolo? Discrediting him and his passion? Insulting him and his work ethic? That's too much.

I can take it if it's just about me. Pero kung idadamay nila ang ibang tao, ibang usapan na 'yon. And it's not just any other person. It's Rex Niccolo. Literally the most important person to me!

Lumabas ako sa pinagtataguan at humarap sa tatlong empleyado na nag-uusap usap. I saw how shocked they were when they recognized me.

"This is such a nice place to gossip, isn't it?" I said sarcastically.

Agad na umiwas ng tingin ang dalawa at ang isa naman ay napayuko. Sa pagkapahiya siguro na nahuli ko sila. Well, they should feel embarrassed! This is a professional setting tapos kung mag-chismisan sila, parang nasa kanto lang, e.

"Ayos lang kung kuwestiyonin n'yo ang kakayahan ko. It's okay if you feel the need to gossip about me and my issues. Heck, it's fine with me if you dwell on those. But bringing along Architect Uvero to your not so nice conversation? That was foul," I said, trying so hard to remain calm. Ayoko namang makipag-away kahit pa iritadong iritado ako.