My Willow Man (Book 1&2) (Unedited)

CHAPTER 13

IT'S BEEN 3 months since I started working here.

Mabait naman na si Sandro sa akin, may topak lang minsan.

"Althea..." Sandro said habang nagbabasa ako sa mga schedule noya.

We were inside his office in HQ Mandaluyong.

"Yes, Sir?" I looked at him and smiled.

"Uh... please, free my whole saturday."

"Sure... may I asked why?"

"It's my Mom's birthday... we're having a small party."

"Okay, Sir. Noted."

"You should come." He said.

Nagulat ako ng slight.

"Wag na, Sir. Nakakahiya." I said.

"I think you should come para ma-meet mo si Mommy."

"Hindi na po, Sir."

"I insist, Althea" Medyo serious na siya.

"Hindi na talaga, Sir, I'm okay--",

"I'll treat you sa plane ticket."

"OKAY!" I said cheerfully.

Ang mahal kaya ng ticket. Outside of work pa naman 'yong event, 'di ko talaga mare-imburse.

Sayang din.

Natawa naman siya.

"So libre lang pala ang makakapagpayag sayo, ha?" He said.

"Of course, sino ba naman ako para tanggihan ang grasya."

He was smiling.

Ang pogi talaga ng boss ko kapag nakangiti.

"Bro..." Pumasok naman si Simon.

My eyes started to sparkle again.

Buhay na naman 'yong mgabutterflies.

Alam din ni Sandro na crush ko talaga si Simon.

He became my close friend na.

Wala din naman syang choice.

"Yeah?" He asked Simon.

"Pops coming today." He said at umupo sa tabi ko.

Napansin naman ni Sandro na kinikilig ako.

He glared at me and gestured na 'wag magpahalata.

I gestured him back like saying na 'wag syang maingay.

Simon looked at us, confused.

Ngumiti naman ako sa kanya.

"Okay, Simon, let's welcome him together."

Sagot ni Sandro kay Simon.

"Okay... let's go." Simon said as he stood up and went out.

"Althea... let's go?" Sandro said at tinulak ako palabas.

"Shhh, masyado kang nagpapa-halata." Sandro whispered as we walk.

Nasa unahan namin si Simon.

"Ikaw ang sssshhh." Sinaway ko naman siya.

Lumapit naman si Lily kay Simon.

"Hi." She said.

"Where are you going?" She asked Simon.

"Pops coming kaya sasalubungin lang namin." He answered.

"Kasama siya?" Nakataas ang kilay niya habang nakatingin sa akin.

Luh, inggit ka lang, eh.

Simon looked back at us.

"Of course, she's my PA". Sandro answered.

Hinawakan naman ako ni Sandro sa braso at hinila palayo sa kanila.

Nauna kami maglakad.

"Kasama siya." I mocked what she said.

Siniko naman ako ni Sandro.

"Shhh. Lakasan mo pa para marinig niya"

Naikwento niya na din sa akin kung anong nangyari sa kanila tatlo.

Lily was his PA. They were starting this beautiful relationship.

Pinakilala niya na sa mga magulang niya pero bigla itong nagbago at nahulog kay Simon.

He was somehow ghosted by her but the worst part is, he was replaced by his own brother.

Simon knows about Lily and Sandro but he also fell in love with her.

Wala naman magawa si Sandro kasi pareho na daw in love 'yong dalawa.

That's why he promised me na hinding hindi mangyayari sa amin 'yong nangyari sa kanila.

We both became closer as a friend.

Saturday morning nasa airport na kami. Naghihintay ng eroplano.

"Sir..."

"Yeah?"

Nakaupo kami pareho.

"Saan na kaya 'yong babaeng nakita mo dito?"

He looked confused.

Then bigla niya naalala.

"Ah, 'yong maganda... si... si.. Mirana?"

"Ba't di mo kasi kinuha 'yong number niya?" Hinampas niya naman ako.

"Aray naman. Ang sakit kaya ng paa ko that day."

He glared at me.

"Baka naging girlfriend ko na sana 'yon." He was pouting.

"Sus. Sobrang ganda niya. Di kayo bagay."

Tiningnan niya naman ako ng masama.

"De joke lang."

"Siguro sa alternate universe, Sir, jowa mo na 'yon. Baka nga asawa mo na."

I continued.

Tapping his shoulder.

"Sana nga." He answered as he laid back.

"HI!" Dumating naman si Vinny at tumabi agad sa akin.

"Vinny, nandito ka pala?"

"Of course. Ano akala mo sa akin. Walang ganap sa buhay?" He said as he put his packbag sa sahig.

"Hey."

We looked up and it was Simon.

Nasa likod niya naman si Lily.

Nagtinginan naman kaming tatlo.

Nasa loob na kami ng eroplano at napaka-swerte ko talaga.

I was in between Sandro and Simon.

Habang magkatabi naman si Vinny at Lily.

Vinny looked at me na parang nanghihingi ng tulong at gusto makipagpalit ng upuan.

I gestured him na ayoko. Tigre 'yang babaeng 'yan baka kagatin ako.