Love, Poison of Wisdom

Page 34

Athena's Sentiment

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"What's this?" Kairo asked as I handed a folder to him.

It's been a week since I started working as his company's lawyer and it went well. Nakakailang lang because hindi siya umaalis ng office unless needed and Glenn would join us for lunch, and for snack. Gusto ko rin kasi ayoko rin makihalubilo, I don't if 'nakakailang' is even the right word to describe the situation, okay naman sa akin.

As for his actions, I think he's setting boundaries for himself. Minsan, nararamdaman ko na nakatitig siya sa akin but he'll avoid kapag titingin ako. When he's talking with Glenn about work, he'll ask for my opinion. But, he never tried to talk or open up anything about the past. Sometimes, I can sense like he wants to talk about something, like he's waiting for me to say a word about the past but I just couldn't, I shouldn't.

Masyado ng makapal ang mukha ko para kausapin siya tungkol don at umasang mapapatawad, at tatanggapin niya pa rin ako. That's absurd, really really absurd.

"Athena..." I heard Kairo's voice. "Hey, Athena."

I stepped back nang napagtanto kong nasa tabi ko na siya. He looked concern while watching me, he's holding the folder na ibinigay ko.

I blinked multiple times. "I-I'm sorry--- I spaced o-out."

"Are you really fine? You're spacing out a lot of times, Athena. Do you want to see a doctor?" he said, concern is very visible in his voice.

"I'm fine, Sir. I'm fine."

His brows furrowed. "Athena---"

I shook my head strongly. "I said, I'm fine. I am really, Sir."

Para tumigil na siya ay sinalubong ko ang titig niyang nananantiya kung nagsasabi ba ako ng totoo. Ilang minuto kaming nagtitigan, I tried so hard na pakalmahin yung puso ko dahil hindi ko kinakaya ang mga titig niya at distansya naming dalawa. Mabuti nalang, after a while, he sighed and nodded, conceeding.

"Okay, okay." he looked at me. "If you're not feeling well, tell me or at least, tell Glenn. Please..." he softly said.

I nodded. "That folder's my proposal." I changed the topic.

"For?"

"I'm finding an architect to design my house. I'm, uhm---" I cleared my throat. "I'm thinking if you can do it."

His brow raised, may multong ngiti sa labi nito habang binabasa ang laman ng folder. Kagat ko ang pang-ibabang labi ko nang ma-realize na in-demand nga pala siya, kitang kita naman sa lahat ng calls na sinasagot niya, and meetings na dinadaluhan niya. Wala akong panlaban sa presyo nila, huhu.

Daddy is an architect pero gagawin niya kasi sa akin 'to ng libre kaya ayoko. I've been saving and working my ass off for this dream of mine. I will never be able to taste the sweetness of my endeavors kung mapupunta lang lahat sa libre.

"I'm not referring exactly to you. Pwede mong i-assign sa ibang architect dito sa firm mo. I know marami kang clien---"