Visual of Elysian (Abstract Series #2)

Chapter 29

I had no clue how long I had been staring at the picture of my daughter that I had posted on Instagram. It was a side view shot when we were at the amusement park.

Bigla ko na namang naalala ang pagkikita naming dalawa ni Aid sa art gallery. Kahit ngayon na nasa Pilipinas siya, wala sa plano kong ipakilala o ipakita man lang si Tati sa kanya. Ayaw kong masira ang relasyon nila ng asawa niya.

I know Tati can be envious of children who have a full family, but I'll make sure to shower her with everything I can so she doesn't feel deprived.

"Miss Ledesma."

Nag-angat ako ng tingin sa sekretarya ko at nakitang may dala siyang malaking bouquet ng rosas. My brow furrowed as I glanced at her, puzzled where it had come from.

"May delivery man po na nag-abot," she explained, handing me the roses.

Tinanggap ko naman iyon. Nang makalabas siya, tiningnan ko ang maliit na card na kasali sa pinadalang bulaklak.

From Zoren:

Greetings to you, Miss Ledesma! I apologize for yesterday. I'm hoping that this bouquet of roses will make up for what I've done.

Mas lalong kumunot ang noo ko. The last time I checked, I was even grateful for the short amount of time he offered me yesterday. Besides, I was so engaged on seeing Aid that I didn't mind Zoren's presence at all.

Tinupi ko ang card at muling binigyan ng pansin ang tumpok ng bulaklak. What should I do about it? At last, I instructed my secretary to arrange it in a vase and place it in the corridor.

Sa mga nagdaang araw, mas lalong dumami ang mga bulaklak na pinapadala niya sa akin. I'm not assuming, but it seemed that he was up to something other than the condominium we were about to construct.

Nang hindi na ako nakatiis, dumalaw ako sa site at personal siyang kinausap. He smirked despite my evident irritation towards him.

"I believed that sending me flowers on a daily basis is not part of the contract, Mr. Ferell," saad ko nang makarating kami sa likod na parte ng under construction na building.

He stuck his arm across his chest. "I understand that, Miss Ledesma. Walang halong business ang intensyon ko. I only want to express my determination to pursue you."

"Sorry to disappoint you, but I am no longer interested in starting a relationship," magalang kong sagot kahit naiinis na sa mga ngisi niya.

Hindi man lang siya natinag. "I have nothing but noble motives, Ava. Just give me a chance, and I'll show you what I'm worthy of."

Bumuntong hininga ako. "I have a daughter. I'm not humiliated to have her, but a bachelor like you probably wouldn't want to devote himself to a single mother."

"Who told you that? I am determined to be the father of your child. Bigyan mo lang ako ng chance," he pleaded.

Napaisip ako. Ano ba ang pumipigil sa akin na magmahal ulit? Zoren stared at me, waiting for my response. I arched my eyebrows at him and rushed away quickly from the site.

"Bakit 'di mo bigyan ng chance? Mukhang sincere naman," sabi ni Zeke habang naglalagay ng cream sa mukha niya.

I grumbled, bending down in my swivel chair. Nang sinabi ko ang tungkol kay Zoren, kahit malalim na ang gabi sa America, mabilis siyang tumawag.

"You think so? Natatakot ako, e. Hindi ko pa kilala 'yong tao," sagot ko.

He rolled his eyes. "Sino ba kasi ang nagsabi sa 'yo na sagutin mo agad? Kaya nga manliligaw para makilala mo!"