One Last Time

Kabanata XXVIII: NO UNFINISHED BUSINESS

           No Unfinished Business.
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"NOW, CAN YOU TELL ME, Ms. Yturralde, why are we even here in the first place? Una sa lahat, iniwan natin si Ms. Aya. Pangalawa, marami namang alak doon sa event...libre pa," reklamo ni Rae habang umuupo kami sa isang table sa gilid. Nandito kami ngayon sa isang bar na malapit sa hotel.

I shot Rae an annoyed look. "Didn’t I tell you that you could stay there if you wanted to?"

Ngumiwi siya, sabay bigay ng alanganing ngiti. "I’m just kidding. Of course, I can't leave you alone. Kampante si Ms. Aya dahil alam niyang magkasama tayo."

Nagkibit-balikat ako. Rae just doesn't want to spend money, that's why she's whining like this.

"Don't worry. It's on me," I said.

Mabilis na ngumisi sa'kin si Rae na parang nanalo sa lotto. “Okay! Okay! You should’ve said that earlier,” aniyang maaliwalas na ang mukha, na walang bahid ng pagtutol kani-kanina lang.

Binigay na namin ang order namin nang lapitan na kami ng waiter. I ordered a Tom Collins. Rae went for a Vodka Cranberry.

      "SO WHAT'S IT THIS TIME?" agad na tanong ni Rae sa’kin pagkaalis ng waiter pagkatapos nitong i-serve ang drinks namin.

Lumunok lang ako.

Tinikman ni Rae ang cocktail niya, pero agad din ibinaba ang baso at tiningnan ako nang seryoso. "I get that you're avoiding your old man, but what's with the abrupt decision to leave the hotel? Bukod sa tatay mo... may iba ka pang bang iniiwasan na nandoon, ha, Keira?"

Mabilis kong nilayo ang cocktail glass mula sa bibig ko. Mabuti na lang at hindi pa ako tumitikim mula roon, kung hindi, baka nasamid na ako!

"N-No, I-I'm not!" nauutal kong depensa. "W-What makes you think that?" I even faked a laugh to hide my nervousness, but I guess I made it too obvious.

Rae narrowed her eyes at me, giving me a suspicious look. "Talaga ba? After L D Construction Services won the bid, napansin kong aligaga ka na at hindi mapakali. Kung nanghihinayang ka lang dahil natalo tayo sa bid… your reaction is too much. Are you avoiding something, or perhaps someone, from that firm?"

Napangiwi ako. I forgot Desserae's a keen observer. With her background in psychology, madali niyang nababasa ang kilos at iniisip ng isang tao. Just like now. Nabanggit ko na sa kanya ang tungkol sa lalaking pinagka-desperaduhan ko noon—minus the name, of course. But if Rae keeps pressing me like this...b aka tuluyan na akong mapaamin!

"Kei...I'm waiting," Rae pressed.

Napilitan akong magkibit-balikat. "Don't overthink it, Rae. It's just...uhm...nothing," iwas ko.

Rae gave me a more suspicious look, clearly not buying my answer. "Come on, Architect Yturralde...I know you're hiding something. Call me nosy or demanding, but as your reliable workmate, I want you to spill it."

Lalo akong napangiwi. I nervously brought my cocktail glass to my mouth. I drank like there's no tomorrow as I tilted my head to the side. Shit! My heart’s pounding like crazy!

Rae sighed exasperatedly. "Pagkatapos kong iwan 'yong lalaki sa event kanina para samahan ka rito, siguro naman deserve kong malaman ang dahilan ng agarang pag-alis mo sa hotel, Keira Yturralde," pangongonsensiya niya.

I squeezed my eyes shut before facing Rae. Rae raised an eyebrow, waiting.

Humugot ako ng malalim na buntong-hininga. "Remember the man I told you about?"