Living With Him

Chapter 17

RANIA arranged a meeting with Samson once again to talk about business. They didn't get the chance to tackle the purpose of their first meeting before. Of course, she has a hidden agenda with their meeting today but she won't let him notice that.

Although she was angry at him, it's very unlikely to think irrationally right away just because she remember a bit from her past. Hence she will still investigate things and see to it if what she knows are all accurate and just.

Hindi maikakaila ni Rania na habang naaalala ang mga tagpong iyon ay nakakaramdam siya ng pagkasuklam sa lalaki. Pero saan siya dadalhin niyon kung hahayaan niya ang sarili niya na magpakalunod sa galit na nararamdaman niya?

So she make a way to know him even more and hoping she will remember everything at the same time.

She might be risking herself because of it but she's also willing to take the risk no matter what. It's for the sake of the truth and for her peace of mind.

Sinisipsip ni Rania ang tea na inorder niya habang prente na hinihintay si Samson dumating. Napaaga siya ng dating sa meeting place nila na kung tutuusin ay pwede naman na hindi dahik siya naman ang nagset ng appointment. Bagamat hindi niya rin alam kung bakit siya napaaga sa dapat na oras ng pagkikita nila.

Excited? Hindi rin matukoy ni Rania kung ganoon ba ang nararamdaman niya. She can't say otherwise as well. Hindi niya maintindihan dahil ang tanging alam niya lang ay malaman ang buong katotohanan sa pagkatao niya.

People may think she's being unreasonable to learn the past but she doesn't care. Hindi mabubuo si Rania kapag hindi niya nalaman tungkol sa nakaraan niya.

Ini-enjoy nalang ni Rania ang tea niya ng may biglang tumayo sa harapan niya. Dahil nga sa nakaupo siya ay kailangan niya pa na iangat ang ulo niya para tingnan kung sino ito.

It was Samson looking so handsome in a suit in front of her. His hair was brushed and waxed evenly sidewards. He looked so neat and clean without his mustache and stubbles.

Wait is he fantasizing about him just now?

She scratch that thought out her mind and she rose up from her seat to welcome him.

"Hi, it was nice meeting you again," she said with a smile and extended her hand towards him.

Tiningnan lang ni Samson ang mga kamay niya tyaka ito tumango at hinila ang upuan para maupo na ito.

Awkwardly, Rania wuthdraw her hand and she sat as well. She somehow felt annoyed and at the same time disappointed with his actions.

He seems very distant all of a sudden and having his guards on towards anybody can never be penetrated by anyone.

Isang malaking pagtataka ang lumukob kay Rania ng mapansin iyon sa oras na nakaharap niya muli ang lalaki. Nagmistula itong isang ganap na estranghero sa mga mata niya dahil sa pinapakita nito sa kaniya.

Is he testing me or what?

Wala sa sariling tanong ni Rania sa kaniyang isipan habang pinagmamasdan ng maigi ang lalaking kaharap.

"Ehem," tumikhim si Samson dahilan para magpabalik sa ulirat ni Rania. Umubo rin naman ang huli at awkward na ngumiti sa kaharap.

"So, I won't make this long," panimula ni Rania. "Mr. Yu, as I was scanning and annalyzing the company details and other reports, it caught my attention that your business is very well handled and constantly expanding through world wide." Pagpapatuloy ni Rania sa sasabihin habang mataman na nakatingin sa lalaki.

Habang si Samson naman ay nakatingin lang din sa babaeng kaharap niya at hinihintay kung ano pa ang sasabihin nito sa kaniya. Mataman niya rin itong sinusuri, ang mga kilos at uri ng pananalita nito.

"But I wonder why you didn't extend your business in Europe? As much as I can see to it, your businesses will have a great impression and impact to european culture. It will be a massive blow out for you and your enterprise." Dagdag ni Rania sa mga sinabi ngunit nanatiling walang kibo si Samson sa lahat ng mga sinabi niya.

Unti-unting gumapang ang inis sa kalooban ni Rania ng mapagtantong ayaw umimik ng kameeting niya ngayon.

Mula sa ilalim ng lamesa ay mahigpit na kinuyom ni Rania ang kamao niya dahil sa inis.

Any moment from then, she might explode and will lash out in front of him. She was about to dismiss him when she spoke.

"My businessed tend to be for Asian people and not aiming for European or American market. My business is doing well within Asia and there's a lot of foreign investors trying to encourage me to expand globally. Yes, it's a great opportunity for my enterprise but I have a sole reason why I'm being exclusive to a certain parts in the world." He stopped with his words and look intently at her.

Rania was waiting for his next words to know his "sole" reason as to what he pertains with.

"And that reason is?" Hindi na napigilan ni Rania ang sarili at basta nalang inusisa ang binata.

Huli na para pigilan ni Rania ang sarili at natanong na nga agad niya ito. She sounded so eager to learn the reason about it.

Pinakatitigan siya ni Samson ng maigi and a smirk appears in his mouth for a short while.

"I don't think I am obliged to tell you the reason about it. Whatever the reason is, it's better unsaid and stay with me." Sagot naman ni Samson.

Nadismaya si Rania sa sinagot ng lalaki ngunit hindi na niya ito inusisa pa. Mukhang ayaw talaga nitong sabihin sa kaniya ang totoong dahilan kung bakit ganoon nalang nito patakbuhin ang negosyo.

"So if ever we make a proposal for investment, it will immediately turned down just like that?" Lakas loob na tanong ni Rania hoping she can get the spot on him.

"Do I have to answer that?" Nakasmirk na tanong balik ni Samson sa kaniya.

Honestly, this guy is getting on my nerves.

"Well, I apologize that this meeting doesn't go as planned and like how you wanted it to be. I will have my assistant open for you for further discussions in the future. I need to go as I have a next meeting to attend." Ani Samson at tumayo na sa kinauupuan niya at umalis.

Naiwan naman si Rania na namumutok ang butchi sa pagkainis dahil sa asal na pinapakita sa kaniya ng lalaki.

"In time, Samson. In time. Tsk."

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To be continued...