A The Mark Of A Stallion Novel: SEDUCTIVELY YOURS (Published)

Chapter 10.1

Lei found herself  inside the office of Zach  on the next morning. She had been trying to stifle the happiness rose up in her since she  entered this room.  She couldn't deny the excitement she felt every time Zach was near her.

But she was facing a different Zach now.  He was sitting calmly behind his table but the aura of extreme self-assurance and arrogance were gone.  The gleam in his eyes turned shadowy.  Malungkot ang mga ito, halatang tensyonado.  But she could still see the wink of desire on them the moment they laid on her.

 "We have a problem, Miss Alvez," he said huskily. His eyes run through her naked arms and neck.  Their whiteness and smoothness glowered  on her red blouse.  Alam niyang nakasanayan na ito ng lalaki.  Ang tingnan kung ano pa ang puwedeng makita sa kanya.

"As expected. Kaya mo nga ako ipinatawag, di ba?" she prompted.

Ignoring her blunt reply, he continued.  "I received a report that  Sierra Grande  has imitated our marketing strategy.  The owner, Fernan Custodio   opened also his ranch for their guests.  And they are having exhibitions of   famous equestrians also in the country every week-end."

"Is that the sole reason why you called me up?" there was a mix of sarcasm and disappointment in her tone.  Was she expecting for other reason why Zach summoned her in his office?

 He took a deep sigh. He was trying to control his emotions.  "The nerve.  I cannot forgive him for this. Naubusan na ba siya ng matitinong marketing conceptualizers para humantong sila sa pangongopya?"

 She shrugged her shoulders. A short smile flashed on her red lips.  "That's natural in the business, Atty. Santana.  Kopyahan? Gayahan?  It is a survival of the fittest world.  Ang usapan dito  ay matira ang matibay at mahusay."

"Yeah, I know it," the tone of his voice raised. "But I just cannot sit down and relax while  somebody is ruining my business."

"Your craft will be ruined if you allow somebody to do it.  Punta Gallarte and Sierra Grande had long been competitors in this business.  It's not only during your time that Fernan Custodio tried to outwit Punta Gallarte, he did it many times during the time of your father."

"How did you know that?" he crushed his forehead in disbelief.

"I should know it because part of my job is to know Punta Gallarte's competitors.  It seems that you do not know the rule of the game? Had nobody told you that it would be  easy to outsmart your competitor if you know how he plays the game?"

"Are you saying that I didn't do that for Punta Gallarte?"

"Should I say 'yes'?  You failed to know what Fernan Custodio is capable of doing.   More than that, you failed to know  the extent of his power and influence."

"Why don't you say it directly, Miss Alvez, that I am not capable to handle Punta Gallarte, that I am nothing in this business."

"What I am saying is, take it as a challenge.  Fernan Custodio is not ruining your business, he is challenging you."

"So be it. I accept his challenge," he clenched his fists on he table, trying to fight down his temper.

"So what do you want me to do?" inis na tanong niya.  Alam naman niyang doon din ang tungo ng usapan nila.

"I want you to think of another marketing plan that will still involve horses," prangkang tugon nito.

"Alright. Just give me one week," walang anumang tugon niya.  She expected it.  There's no reason to be surprised.

"No. I am giving you one day only."

"One day?"  she held the arm chair, eyes glaring at him.   "Ano ba talagang akala mo sa akin? Si Darna? Na lulunok lang ako ng mahiwagang bato at voila, eto na ang magnificent idea ko? O si wonder woman na iikot lang tapos, taraaan, may solution na ang problema ng resort na ito?" sunod-sunod na  pagtataray niya.

"Just do it. That's what you are paid for," he firmly said.

"Is that really the way you treat people? Parang tau-tauhan mo lang? Ipapatawag kung kailangan? At ididispatsa kapag napaglingkuran ka na?" His uncouth reply totally pissed her off.  Sumabog ang tinitimpi niyang sama ng loob.

"What are you saying?" Kumunot ang noo nito. "Mukhang may pinaghuhugutan ang mga sinasabi mong iyan?  Are you trying to remind me of...a sort of obligation?" He looked down at her with malicious grin. 

 She was stunned.  She realized that she should not act this way.  He should not let this man know what she felt toward him, or else, he would only laugh at her.   Hindi rin niya dapat iparamdam sa kanya  na bitter siya sa pagkakaroon nito ng relasyon sa ibang babae.  Na para siyang gaga na nag-expect na may magandang mamamagitan sa kanilang dalawa pagkatapos ng mga nangyari sa stable. Pagtatawanan lang siya nito, hahamakin.  At batid niyang  lalo lang siyang masasaktan.

She would rather hide her true feelings rather than be insulted.  She was Azalea Alvez.  No man can look down at her.  No man can defy her. Her vanity and pride would never allow her to be placed in humiliation and defeat.

"Never mind. Can I now  proceed to my work?  I'll be here tomorrow for the presentation."  She rose up trying to ignore the disappointment  his eyes.  She knew that he was  setting  another argument again to piss her off.    Proving his power and dominance over her was his style to conquer her.

'Well, I will not give in to your moronic  whims.  You, braggart," she cursed under her breath.

She didn't wait for him to dismiss her.  She knew she had to leave the room to hide the tears that were now peering in the corners of her eyes.  Pagkasara ng pinto ay saka niya pinakawalan ang tinitimping emosyon.  Sunod-sunod na hikbi ang pinakawalan niya.

She missed him so much.  Ilang linggo niyang inasam na makaharap at makausap muli ang binata.  Pero bakit nasasaktan lang siya? Bakit nabibigo lang siya?

 Isang tapik sa balikat ang naramdaman niya. Si Robby. Awang-awang nakatingin  ito sa kanya.

 "In love ka talaga, friend. Why did you allow yourself to fall for him?  Look at what's happening to you now?  He is punishing you.  He is enslaving you.  Bakit mo kasi hinayaan na mahulog ang loob mo sa kanya? Ikaw na rin ang nagsabi noon, hindi ba? Na pinaiiyak lang ng mga katulad niya ang mga babae?  Pero ano ito'ng pinagdadaanan mo ngayon?"

"Don't blame me, please," sagot niya habang humihikbi. "I didn't mean it, I didn't ask for it.   Kusa ko itong naramdaman. Kahit isinumpa ko na hindi ako mai-in love sa mga katulad niyang mayaman, mayabang at manhid."

"Paano ngayon iyan?

"I will go on with my life, Robby. Don't worry about me. I can manage.  Ang dami ko ng pinagdaanan sa buhay.  Lahat ng iyon ay nalampasan ko. I cannot be pulled down by one man. I will not give up  my principles and disposition just because of him.  Habang maaga pa ay puputulin ko na ang kahibangan ko sa kanya.  I don't deserve him. "

Robby nodded.  Bakas sa mukha ang paniniwala na kaya niyang gawin ang kanyang sinasabi.

But deep inside her heart, there was resistance. She knew it would not be easy to whisk  what she felt toward Zach.  He was now a part of her life, her existence.   Lalo na ngayong palagi niyang binabalik-balikan sa alaala ang nangyari sa kanilang dalawa sa loob ng stable.

*TNX FOR READING. YOUR COMMENTS AND VOTES, PLEASE...

                                                                                        ARA