Fit the Puzzle (Azcona Cousins #3)

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Chapter 32

I was expecting a professional discussion with Gio, however, Brent Iverson keeps on butting in. Marami siyang sinasabi na out of context... at hindi naman siya ang magiging tenant ko pero mas marami pa siyang tanong kay Gio!

I sensed Gio's confusion. Palipat-lipat na ang tingin niya sa aming dalawa.

Brent Iverson chugged the bottled coffee that I bought for them. Nasa cafeteria lang kami ng hospital dahil sa kanya. He reasoned that it's more convenient discussing the contract here. Sumang-ayon naman bigla si Gio kaya 'di na ako umangal.

"Continue," he said as if he was an important client. Also, he came off as arrogant when he flipped his hand on me.

Ang kanina ko pang pinipigilan ng pag-ikot ng mga mata ay rumolyo na sa inis.

Gio faked a laugh.

"Sorry, Croozian... kailan nga ulit ako pwedeng mag-move in?"

"I'll be out by next week一"

"Where are you going? Who are you with?" hindi ko na naman natapos ang sasabihin ko dahil sa lagi niya akong pinuputol!

I crumpled the ruffles of my sundress. I should've kicked him out of this conversation sooner! Ang kulit niya! Hindi ba siya nakikinig kanina sa sinabi kong detalye kay Gio?

Sa Cebu, Iverson! At wala akong kasama!

I wanted to yell at him.

Gio whistled then tapped Brent Iverson's shoulder. "Doc... personal na 'yong tanong mo sa kanya."

Brent Iverson's eyes are dark and serious. He smoothened his hair before squaring his arms on the round table. Half of his upper body robbed the space. Hindi ako makaiwas sa seryoso niyang tingin. "I know her Gio. She was a friend."

"Oh? Was... a friend?"

He nodded without breaking our gazes. "Yeah, was."

Hindi na 'ko natutuwa ha!

Irritation dawned on me. I slid my tongue on the other side of my mouth. Upon scrutinizing his reaction, he enjoyed seeing me miserable. Dumako agad ang atensyon ni Gio sa'kin.

"Didn't know you had bad blood with this meticulous doctor, small world indeed!"

He was kind of fascinated but I couldn't give him any form of smile.

I have no idea what's running inside Brent Iverson's mind. Is he planning to humiliate me? Or make me regretful? He was not like this when he took care of me. Bigla niya bang naisip na isang malaking pagkakamali na tulungan ako?

Why is he now giving out information like it is a freebie?

I puffed a sigh. This won't work. I have to leave and just meet Gio some other time.

Tumayo na ako at inangkla ang maliit na bag.

"We can discuss the left terms in the contract through a call or meeting."

"Can't you continue whatever you want to say to him, Miss Gozum?" Brent Iverson queried.

"You keep on intruding!"

He smiled but not the sociable one. Parang pinilit lang niyang ngumiti para inisin ako lalo.

"Change the contract, add my name as a tenant too."

"Ha?" tawa ni Gio. "Sira, may bahay ka na nga..." humina ang boses ni Gio at kinamot ang batok. "Sabi ko nga, kasama kita sa unit."

"Hindi pwede. Maliit lang ang space. Single bed lang ang mayroon, sisikip masyado kung dadagdagan pa," I said firmly.