The Beauty of Tomorrow (Montejo Siblings #2)

Chapter 28

CHANCE

W: Sensitive topic about rape and murder.

"When can I start?" I calmly asked while sitting on the chair in front of him.

Matapos ang pangyayari kanina ay ilang minuto pa siyang naging tulala sakin. Natauhan lang ata siya noong naupo na ako sa metal chair kaharap ng table niya.

He seemed stunned. It was as if he had seen something incredible. He's boosting my ego, really... I want to tell him "hey, it's just me. Still the woman before, but more arrogant and evil this time."  At ipaalala sa kanya ang salitang sinabi ko noon bago ko siya tuluyang talikuran.

"Tomorrow... You can make your own schedule. But it's better if you're here every day." Aniya na nakapagpaangat ng kilay ko, I can make my own schedule? What?

Nang makita ang hindi makapaniwala kong mukha ay agad siyang nag explain.  

"A client might come anytime. Also, I often have meetings that require your presence..." He explained.

"If that's the case, then why haven't you had a lawyer in the recent years?"

Sinalubong niya ang mga mata ko and again, I pretended that I'm not affected by his deep stares.

Ang mga mata niya ay madaming sinasabi habang nakatitig sakin. Hindi ko talaga maintindihan kung bakit siya titig na titig sakin, na para bang sa isang kurap niya lang ay baka mawala na ako... Or maybe he was wondering why I was here when I said I would never come back, huh...

But I don't remember myself saying that. But if we talk about Morgan, then I'm sure, he's the one who spilled it.

"It's hard to find a good one." Aniya sabay iwas ng tingin.

I secretly shrugged. Okay, if you say so. Nag-iwas din ako ng tingin sa kanya. Inilibot ko ang aking mga mata sa buong opisina niya. His office is clean, of course. The large glass window is striking. Umiikot lang sa kulay na gray at black ang kulay ng kanyang opisina, maging ng mga furniture dito. Halatang lalaki talaga ang nagmamay-ari.

There are some geometric abstracts hanging on his wall. Meron pang isang pinto na hindi ko alam kung para saan. Ngunit isa lang ang umagaw ng pansin ko....

That one frame with RSD calligraphic letters and that frame was placed on a mini glass table. Kumalabog ang puso ko.

Kunot noo akong bumaling sa kanya and he was already looking at me! I swallowed. It's not possible, isn't it? I don't know anyone who owns RSD as their initials. I mean, hindi ako naga-assume, but, Crysel and him were together before I left...

And well, bakit ba ako sobrang nag-iisip. Baka mamaya ay hindi pala initial ng tao 'yan.

I cleared my throat. "Do we have anything else to discuss? If none, then maybe I can take my leave now?"

He opened his mouth, para bang may gustong sabihin pero itinikom nalang muli at tumingin sakin gamit ang mapungay niyang mga mata, 'yong tingin na lagi kong nakikita tuwing magkaharap kami noon. 'Yung puno ng kagustuhan... Kung nakatayo lang siguro ako ay baka napaupo na akong muli dahil sa panlalambot.

"Take care..." Aniya. "I'll see you tomorrow."

I chuckled, he sighed. "We will, for sure."

Hindi ko na hinayaan pang ihatid niya ako palabas ng kanyang opisina. I just formally bid my goodbye, kahit na gustong-gusto ko siyang ikutan ng mga mata ay hindi ko magawa dahil dapat lumabas na propesyonal tayo dito. I also don't want to be casual dahil hindi na kami gaya ng dati.