Tied to a Cervantes

Chapter 23

Abrianna

The next day, I woke up at around 5 in the morning feeling lazy. Medyo mabigat din ang ulo ko kaya sumandal muna ako sa headboard. I had a few shots last night and only sleep for three hours. It wasn't really my intention to drink but yesterday was just shit.

Dylan called me, right after my call with Chris, and said that we are all over the news in New York. I refused to believe it at first because how the heck is everything happening so unbelievably fast? But when I checked the internet, it was indeed true. We are the talk of the town, dominating the business section, and were even put as headlines. I read the articles and they were shits.

Hindi ko akalaing ganon sila kabilis at kalalim mangalap ng impormasyon. Kulang na lang banggitin nila ang pangalan namin nina Chris. It was also there where I found out the fvcking company who stole our designs. It was a small, rising and never-heard company. Dahil maliit ito at maganda kuno ang reputasyon, we, being the bigger company and been in the industry longer, were labeled as thieves. They damn turned the table around and it is maddening. I admit our company has been involved with previous issues but we do not steal other company's concept. We are not that low.

My former boss and some of my co-workers there even emailed me, informing me of the situation and asking me what had happened and why is this happening but I didn't respond. I should be the one asking them those things but I know that's not the case. The problem was already there during my term so it's on me. I'm just wondering how the fuck have we not noticed anything suspicious.

Huminga ako ng malalim. Dylan wasn't still giving me exact details so I don't know what to do yet. I'm just hoping that things won't get seriously damaging. I don't want to fly to back to New York for this matter even though that seemed impossible.

Gusto ko na lang tuloy mahiga ngayon para makapag-isip ng maayos. I don't feel like going to work today because I already have a clue what's waiting for me there― an endless series of meetings for sure. I was already bombarded with emails last night and I cannot bear to hear the same thing today. Idagdag pa 'yong mga hinahabol naming deadlines dahil sa mga projects na binitawan ko.

Tahimik lang akong nakasandal sa headboard habang nag-iisip kahit medyo mabigat pa rin ang pakiramdam ko. I glanced at my phone when it started ringing. Upon looking at the caller, I immediately groaned. I hesitated whether I'm gonna take it or not but I decided to just answer it.

"You are calling so early in the morning, Dylan." Yes, it was Hontiveros who was calling.

"Sorry. Did I wake you up?"

"Nah."

"Good. Anyway, is Luke home?"

I glanced at my empty side. I breathed gently and closed my eyes. "I don't see any reason why you called so early this morning just to ask whether Cervantes is home or not." I don't know why but he not coming home made me feel.. kinda sad.

I hate to admit it but I wanted to feel his presence last night. Mabigat ang loob ko kahapon dahil sa nangyayari and somehow, I felt l like talking to him would help me think straight. But he didn't come.

Dylan was silent for a moment and I think he realized how inappropriate his question was. "Right. I'll see you in the office then." Then, he quickly ended the call. I frowned. Why would he suddenly ask for Cervantes so early in the morning? That's so strange. Tahimik akong napatingin sa phone ko kahit pinatay na niya ang tawag. I don't take Dylan as the type who would phone me at this hour for business or personal matter between Cervantes and him. It doesn't make any sense.

Still confused and feeling weirded about it, I just placed my phone on my bedside table. I was about to get out of bed but my eyes caught Cervantes' wrist watch resting on his bed side table. My eyes widened. I nervously scanned the room to search for any sign of his presence. When my eyes landed on his leather bag resting on the couch, I felt my heart skipped. Damn. Akala ko hindi siya umuwi. I quickly glanced at the clock to check the time and it was 5:12 in the morning. I slept around 2am. That means he just got here a few hours ago. But, where is he?