Faultlessly Captivated [Completed]

Chapter 8

“Kaya pa?” sabi ko sa kaniya habang sinusubo niya ang pagkain.

Pero sa nakikita ko, bilang lang ang kinain niyang gulay. Puro kanin at nilalagyan niya lang ng sabaw. At pagkatapos niyang isubo ay sinusundan niya agad ito ng juice. Nako-konsiyensya tuloy ako pero hindi ko naman kasi alam na hindi siya mahilig sa gulay.

“Of course, ang sarap nga ng luto mo,” ngumiti siya. Nambola pa eh halata namang napipilitan lang. But it's fine, at least he appreciates my effort.

After we ate our lunch, I washed the dishes. Etienne was watching me while doing it.

“So, you have a plan to go somewhere or just stay here?” he asked.

“Papunta ako sa Terminal, I'm planning to meet someone,” I answered.

“Sino?”

Tapos na akong hugasan ang plato kaya nilingon ko siya at sinagot ang kanyang tanong.

“Ate Rassia. I meet her on my first day here. Siya rin nag recommended sa'kin nitong apartment.”

“I'll come with you,” he said, certain that he'll come with me.

“Wala ka bang gagawin? 'Yong hotel mo? Madaming tao ngayon lalo na't linggo," I said, totoo naman. Minsan pumapasok nga ako para dagdag sweldo.

“Wala. The hotel will be fine without me,” he said. Mukhang sure na sure talaga siyang sumama kaya tumango nalang ako.

Around 1 p.m., umalis na kami ng apartment papuntang terminal. Mahaba-haba pa ang byahe kaya napag desisyonan kong kulitin siya.

“Etienne?” I called to get his attention.

“County?” ginaya niya ako. I saw him smiled a little pero tutok pa rin ang atensyon sa pagmamaneho.

“How old are you?”

“26.”

Wow. He's already successful at a young age. Sana lahat.

“What is your favorite color?”

“Gray.”

“Do you have siblings?”

“Yeah. I have two siblings and I'm in the middle.”

“Babae or lalaki?” I asked, curious na rin.

“The oldest is a boy and the youngest is a girl.”

“Ilang taon na ang kuya mo?” I excitedly ask. Gwapo rin 'yon sigurado kasi gwapo si Etienne.

“29. Why?” I ignored his question. Not bad, reto ko 'yon siya sa pinsan ko para cousin goals kami.

“Single siya?” His forehead wrinkled hearing my question.

“Don't know. Stop asking about him,” he complained.

Hala, pinagdadamot ang kuya. Irereto ko lang naman kay Ate Selen, kapatid ni Saraya. Napasimangot ako at tumahik ako hanggang sa makarating kami.

Tumigil ang sasakyan kaya lumabas na kami. Nasa kainan kami kung saan ako kumain at nakilala si Ate Rassia. I saw Ate Rassia serving a customer.

“Ate!” I caught her attention. Her smile widen when she saw me getting near her.

“Athena! Ang tagal mong pumunta ditong bata ka. Pinag-alala mo ako. Malapit na ang dalawang buwan at ngayon ka lang nagpakita. Hindi ka ba natanggap doon sa pinag apply-yan mo? Sinungitan ka ba ng CEO? Hay, gwapo nga pero pangit naman ang ugali... 'wag na uy! Pabayaan mo, kung wala ka pa ring trabaho, marami pa namang pwedeng apply-yan d'yan. Sa ganda mong 'yan, maraming magandang trabaho naghihintay sa'yo. Marami akong kakilala, tulungan pa kitang ipasok. Halika ka't kumain, nagluto kami ng pinakbet tulad ng order mo last taym, libre ko na sa'yo,” mahabang litanya ni Ate Rassia.

Nilingon ko si Etienne sa likod, naka awang ang labi. Undoubtedly, he is surprised by what he heard. Natatawa ako sa hitsura niya imbis na maawa or ano. Nilingon ko si Ate Rassia and I fake a cough.

“Ate, natanggap ako kaya hindi ako nakapunta agad. Sorry po kung pinag-alala ko kayo. Actually, kasama ko po ang boss ko ngayon,” nilingon ko ulit si Etienne sa likod ko at doon lang siya napansin ni Ate Rassia.

Etienne shyly smiled at Ate and introduced himself, “Good afternoon, ma'am. I'm Sancho Etienne Austria, po.”

Etienne extended his right hand for a handshake. Halata ang gulat sa mukha ni Ate Rassia. Pinahid niya ang kaniyang kamay sa suot na apron bago tinanggap ang kamay ni Etienne. Akala ko mahihiya siya dahil sa mga sinabi niya kanina, pero hindi.

“Rassia Awsa. Ate Rassia nalang. Mabuti naman at tinanggap mo itong si Athena. Nako, wag mo masaydo itong pagurin sa trabaho at alagaan mo ha,” pangaral ni Ate kay Etienne. Hearing that, I remember my family in her.

“Ate, boss ko po si'ya,” pinaalala ko sa kaniya baka nakalimutan niya. Tiningnan ni Ate si Etienne, she was glaring at him to be precise.

“Hay nako, Athena! Alam ko na 'yang galawan ng mga lalaki. Hindi siya sasama sa'yo dito at magsasayang ng oras kung wala siyang layunin,” she uttered then look at me. Layunin? Ano naman 'yon?

“Sancho, siguraduhin mo lang na hindi mo sasaktan si Athena. Hindi ako magdadalawang isip na ipakulam ka kung saktan mo 'to. Maliwanag?” Ate Rassia added, now glaring at Etienne again.

“Noted, Ate Rassia. You don't have to worry, she's always the boss in me,” Etienne assured, my heart tumbled hearing it. He was looking at Ate when he said it and when he look at me, he eventually look away when he saw me staring at him.  Namumula ang tenga niya. Hala, nahihiya ba siya!?

Tumango si Ate at pinaupo na kami sa isang lamesa.  She seems convinced of Etienne's answer.

Kahit tapos na kaming mananghalian, kumain kami ulit. Naawa rin kasi ako kay Etienne, alam kong hindi siya nabusog kanina kasi halata namang hindi siya kumakain ng gulay.

Ate Rassia give us food for free even though Etienne insisted to pay, Ate Rassia didn't still accept it. Nag thank you nalang kami sa kanya at sinabi niya na bumalik kami kung may free time. Nagpaalam kami sa kanya at umalis na.

“Ah... papasok ka sa loob?” I asked him when we arrive at my apartment. Ang aga pa kasi kaya tinanong ko siya. Alas 3 pa lang ng hapon.

“Uuwi na,” he said, tumango ako a little disappointed. Ang landi Athena, ha!

“Oh... okay. Ingat ka,” sabi ko habang tinatanggal ang seatbelt. I looked at him when I didn't receive any response. Nakatitig pala ito sa'kin, parang may gustong sabihin.

“Oh? Gusto mo ng goodbye kiss?” that was supposed to be a joke after he nodded.

Lumapit siya sa'kin, nakatitig kami sa isa't isa. My heart is knocking at my chest as he comes near me.  He laugh when he saw my uneasiness. I felt his lips on my forehead.

“As much as I want to kiss you right now, it's still not the right time. I like you, Athena County Arnais and I respect you. I will court you, whether you like it or you'll like it,” he said or much more inform me.

I don't know how I was able to come inside my apartment. I'm still surprised, I shouted to let go of my emotion. I can't believe it.

The mighty CEO of Austria's Hotel, Sancho Etienne Austria confessed and he will court me!