Lowkey

27

Asteria Gutierrez

"Remember when I told you that I'd known you for a long time now? I was 21 years old at that time, and my life was monotonous. I'm taking my master's in business administration, and I just want to become the CEO and help my father run our business. And then you came, and your mom introduced you to my mom and me." Tumigil ito sandali sa pagsasalita, para bang nahihirapan siya kung ano ang susunod na sasabihin niya.

"When mom asked about your future plans, you told her you wanted to be a singer. Then your friend stood beside you, probably you didn't know that I was listening to your conversation." Natawa ito sa sinasabi niya at natawa rin ako. Unti unti ko na ring naaalala ang sinasabi niyang pangyayari.

"And then I heard you talking about you don't like CEOs and they're boring. Parang natamaan ako sa sinabi mo. I'll be the CEO of our company and I'm really boring. At that time I was mesmerized with you, you can call it love at first sight. Hindi naman tayo nag-usap nung araw na 'yon kaya siguro nakalimutan mo ako pero hindi kita nakalimutan." Tumayo ako at pumunta sa harap ng pintuan. Bubuksan ko na dapat ang pintuan pero nagsalita siya.

"Don't open the door. Let me finish my story first, I'll be distracted when I see you." I could hear some shuffling outside and I sat down on the floor again. "Let me continue. When I heard you saying that my mind at that time was set on becoming an actor, of course di ko pinabayaan ang pag-aaral ko pero minadali ko. Instead of finishing my MBA in 1 year minadali ko para matapos ng 3 months. Pagod at puyat, pero it's worth it. Everything about you is worth it."

"After I got my diploma you signed with CBM and I signed with our company. Pinilit ko pa nga si mama na sa Sirius ka nalang pumirma pero ayun nga pumirma ka na sa kanila. I was kinda sad about that news but when I saw you thriving, I was really happy. Both of our careers risen, me with my movies and series, and you with you singing and album."

"Three years after, I flew to America for a photoshoot, and when I came back, that happened. I was panicking, angry, and worried. I called your Kuya cause at that time, we were also business partners, but he said he couldn't contact you. Your company isn't doing anything, and your CEO released that statement. The whole world was against you, and I cannot do anything else. I told my manager to inquire about you, how you are doing and where you are, but no one gave answers." May bahid na galit ang boses niya.

"And that's when I realized they don't know about you being the heiress of Gutierrez Inc. They dare to badmouth you because they know that you're an orphan. I investigated the profile you gave them; that's why I know. I want to make a move but my mom said no, wag daw akong makialam sa'yo. And I regret listening to her because of your ex-CEO you left the country. I know where you are, but I didn't want to disrupt your peace; I waited for you. I was ecstatic when I heard you were going back home, and of course, your company still wanted to destroy you. I'm thankful that you asked your brother for help cause if you didn't, I would step in, and you may hate me for that." Nanahimik siya saglit, kahit ako ay hindi makapagsalita sa mga sinasabi niya. I'm speechless, I never knew about this and I'm really grateful for Caelum.

"I really really love you. I want to punish all those people who hurt you. That's why I asked you what your plans are, and I'm amazed because of what you did to them. I'm not satisfied because I think you're too nice to them, but you're so strong and so brave. And that made me love you more. I know that there are many issues surrounding me and different women but don't believe it, I have all the proof that they're just using me for clout. And for this issue today, I'm sorry that you saw that. You can believe me because I won't lie to you, but don't believe what you see on the internet. When I called you and you didn't answer, my heart sank. I hope if something is bothering your mind, you would call me. I would explain and answer truthfully. I'm devoted to you, Asteria. I can't see myself without you. I hope you listened and I hope you now know my intentions, love." My eyes glistened with tears and I opened the door. He's now standing and I flung myself to him.

He hugged me back and repeatedly kissed my hair. "Don't do that again, Asteria. Don't ignore my calls, I'm going crazy while driving because you're not answering the calls." I buried my head deeper in his neck and nodded.

"You don't have to reciprocate my feelings, I just want to tell you that I love you and that everything is fake." He's running his fingers through my hair and my heart is beating so loud because of what he is saying.

"I'm sorry." His fingers stopped and he also stiffened. "Don't say sorry. I'll do better." He said before continuing in brushing my hair.

"I'm sorry Caelum. I decided to listen to other people than you and I'm sorry that I made you worry." He buried his face in my hair and laughed softly.

"Now you know that you can't make me worry kase baka mamatay ako ng maaga kapag lagi akong nag-aalala sa'yo." Humiwalay ako sa yakap niya at pinalo siya.

"Don't talk about death easily!" Pinalo ko siya ulit pero nung pangatlong beses na ay nahawakan na niya ang kamay ko at hinila ako para yakapin ulit ako.

"I need your hug, love. I'm so busy these days that I can't even sleep properly." Niyakap niya akong mahigpit at napangiti ako sa sinabi niya.

"I really hate that girl. I planned on confessing to you and surprising you but that woman ruined all of it." Nanggigigil na sabi niya.

"But don't worry, baby. I'll confess to you again and again until you like me back." Seryosong sabi niya. Tinapik ko naman ang likod niya para pakawalan niya ako sa mahigpit niyang yakap.

"So you really like me?" Hindi naman na ako teenager na nahihiya kapag may umaamin sakin. Tiningnan ko siya sa mata at nawala ang playfulness sa mga mata niya at sumeryoso ito.

"I don't like you, I love you Asteria." A smile blossomed in my face and my face went warm. "Then keep your promise to confess to me everytime." I teased him.

The tender look went back on his face. "I promise." He assured me. I smiled at him and he smiled back. Natawa naman kaming dalawa sa ginagawa namin.

Nagring ang phone niya at tumatawag na ang manager niya. "I have to go, kailangan na namain kaseng matapos 'to at tumakas lang ako. Eat your lunch, love. I'll see you later. Bye." Bago siya umalis ay hinalikan niya ang noo ko at kumaway kasakay sa elevator. Kumaway ako pabalik at nung sumara na ang pintuan ng elevator ay pumasok na ako sa bahay ko. 

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𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿'𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲

𝘈𝘵 𝘯𝘢𝘨𝘣𝘢𝘣𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘬 𝘯𝘨𝘢 𝘱𝘰 𝘢𝘬𝘰 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘢 𝘴𝘢 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵 2. 𝘈𝘺𝘢𝘯 𝘯𝘢 𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵 2, 𝘸𝘢𝘭𝘢 𝘯𝘢 𝘢𝘬𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘶𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘢 𝘪𝘯𝘺𝘰 𝘏𝘈𝘏𝘈𝘏𝘈𝘏𝘈𝘏𝘈𝘏 𝘴𝘢𝘯𝘢 𝘯𝘢𝘨𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘯𝘪𝘺𝘰!

𝘚𝘢 𝘸𝘢𝘬𝘢𝘴 𝘰𝘱𝘰, 𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘯 𝘯𝘢 𝘴𝘪 𝘊𝘢𝘦𝘭𝘶𝘮. 𝘍𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺, 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺. 𝘚𝘰 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘬𝘢𝘺𝘢 𝘴𝘪 𝘈𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘢??

𝘏𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨! 𝘗𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘷𝘰𝘵𝘦! 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘶𝘶𝘶.