Boss Lady #3: Gold's Impurity

XXVII. Daylight

"VAUGHN..."

Gold dropped her bags gently on the floor as she stood still, looking directly at Vaughn who is seated on the sectional in silence. She is shocked to see him here because she never expected him to stay here and wait for her.

Walang salitang lumalabas mula sa bibig ng binata, tahimik lang talaga ito habang nakatitig sa kanya na walang ekspresyon sa mukha. Gold was able to take a good look at him as they both waited for the other to speak. Vaughn looked handsome still, but he looked tired and it seems like he has not slept well. Mapungay din ang mga mata nito.

Gold did not know what to do. The plan she created in her mind is now gone with the wind. Hindi niya alam ano ba ang dapat niyang sabihin. Should she say sorry first? Or should she explain why she went missing? Or should she go straight and confess her love?

She started fidgeting her fingers and took several deep breaths. Kung hindi magsasalita si Vaughn, siya na lang ang mauuna.

"Vaughn—"
"Why did you leave?"

Sabay pa silang nagsalita ng binata kaya pareho rin silang natahimik. Muling huminga nang malalim si Gold at tinuloy ang dapat na sasabihin.

"I-I left because I needed time to think and collect my thoughts and feelings," simpleng sagot niya. "I need to do those away from you, so I left. I'm sorry."

Vaughn sighed as he shook his head in disbelief. "You didn't even bother to call? Text? I had to know where you were, Gold. Parang mababaliw na ako kakahanap sa'yo."

"I know what I did was wrong... alam kong dapat nagsabi man lang ako pero sa sobrang gulo ng isip at damdamin ko, hindi ko na inisip pang gawin 'yon. At saka kailangan ko ngang lumayo sa'yo, Vaughn. I needed time to think about... this. Whatever this thing between us is."

The distance between Gold who is still standing and Vaughn who is still seated felt so, so far even though the distance seemed near. They were a few footsteps from each other but it felt like they were miles away.

"And what did you think about, Gold? Hindi ka na ba masaya? Are you calling it quits now? Ito na ba 'yung oras na sawa ka na kaya bibitaw ka na?" sunod sunod na tanong ni Vaughn sa kanya.

Gold's eyes filled with tears upon hearing his questions then shook her head. "No, not like that," she whispered, her voice cracked.

"Then what, Gold? Pinaglalaruan mo lang ba ako? Have you had your fill of fun with me?"

"No! I never played you, Vaughn. I never thought of calling it quits and I've never been happier in my life except when I'm with you," she admitted then wiped her tears. "I... I'm just afraid about everything, Vaughn. I'm afraid of facing my feelings... I'm..."

Vaughn stood up, sighing. Hinilamos pa nito ang kamay nito sa mukha.

"I've been here in your home since you left, Gold. I've been waiting for you. Tatlong araw kang wala, tatlong araw din akong naghintay. I tried contacting your best friends but they did not respond to me, I think they covered up for you and I understand them. I asked Trey if he knows, he kept his mouth shut too. I didn't know where to find you, Gold," wika ng binata.

"I'm really sorry, Vaughn. I... I let myself be consumed by my fear so I ran away. I'm sorry for making you worry."

"What are you even afraid of, Gold? Tulungan mo naman akong intindihin 'yung sitwasyon mo. I cannot help you if I don't know how I can help," Vaughn pleaded.

Gold thought hard about the words she should say to make Vaughn know and understand. Kailangan niyang sabihin lahat at dapat sabihin niya ang mga ito sa tamang paraan.