My Forgotten Man

20. Representatives

Dedicated to moonjinhyo

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Ailah's POV

After 20 minutes ay huminto si James sa harap ng isang simpleng seaside restaurant. Nakangiting lumabas siya sa kanyang Bmw. I thought pagbubuksan niya ako, but I was wrong. Instead, he opened the backseat at may kinuha siyang isang simpleng boquet. Unlike Ian's it wasnt a boquet of red roses.It was a simple boquet containing my favorite flower, 3 blue roses.

Umikot siya at saka ako pinagbuksan ng pinto. He gave me the roses and offered my his arm, escorting me to the restaurant.

"For you, I thought of giving it to you kanina. But I saw Ian gave you his boquet." Nakita ko na medyo nalungkot siya doon.

"Thank you." At hinapit niya ang bewang ko palapit sa kanya at pumasok na kami ng restaurant.

"Table for two please." James smiled at the receptionist and the receptionist guided us into our table. It was a simple setting, but the view was breathtaking.

"Can I take your order? Madame? Sire?" Ani nung waitress na halatang titig na titig kay James.

"Yes, I'll have your bestseller Apricot mustard pork with pineapple coleslaw, Lemon Meringue Pie, and Fruit cup quencher. How about you Ailah?"

Tiningnan ko ang menu at nalulula ako sa presyo. I'm rich, pero kailanman ay hindi ako kumakain ng masyadong mahal tulad nito.

"James, I'm full. I already took recess kanina." Ayoko talaga ng masyadong mahal, although were rich. Naiisip ko kasi ang mga taong walang kinakain ngayon.

"Ailah.. " his voice was threatening.

"Just a salad will do, alam ko ayaw mong gumastos ng malaki." Alam niya yun? Paano? Tell me, mindreader ba talaga tong isang to?

"Fine. I'll have a Tomato & Ricotta Bruschetta and Pineapple juice." Nilapag ko nang padabog ang menu at binigyan ng death glare si James.

Nirepeat ng waitress yung order namin at umalis na. Hindi ko pa din inaalis ang matalim kong tingin kay Jam, akala ko magagalit siya but he just smiled at me.

"You look like a crazy bastard James, stop the smiling thing." Seryoso kong saad.

"I cant. How about you..." tinuro niya pa ako.

"Smile too?" At ginamit niya ang thumbs niya para iform nang isang smile ang mukha ko.

"Whatever James. I have some questions to ask you." Tinanggal ko ang kamay niya at nagbuntong hininga. Umayos naman siya sa pagkakaupo at tiningnan ako gamit ang mapupungay niyang mata.

"Ano yon?"

"Bakit.. Ayah ang tawag mo saakin nung nasa rooftop tayo?"

"Wala lang. I just like to call you that, bawal ba? Or maybe may tumatawag nang iba iyo niyan?"

"Wala naman, I just wondered kung bakit ganun. Anyway, ang ganda ng place na to. Lagi ka bang pumupunta dito noon?" Inosenteng tanong ko. Ang ganda kasi talaga ng place.

"Yes. Me and my girlfriend used to go here whenever we visit the country. Yung inorder mo, yun din yung favorite niya eh." May halong bitterness yung sagot niya.

"Is it Audrey?"

"No." Pasimple niyang sagot at nahinto ang aming paguusap nang dumating ang order namin.