The Art of Persuasion

Bend Me

Bend Me

"Sinabi ko naman kasi sayo—I shouldn't have come here with you pero eto ka, ang tigas ng ulo." I growled and lightly stomp my foot on the foot rest of the passenger's seat. We're finally in Cebu at kasalukuyang nagdadrive si Caleb at sinesermunan ako sa suot ko. According to him, it's doesn't suit his requirement for a "corporate" attire. We're headed straight to the Fuego's rest house to meet the investors and I can't help but to reason him out for taking me with him at pati fashion style ko papakailaman pa niya.

"Stop with those topics na hindi naman involve sa usapan natin. It's a meeting, Obviar you should have atleast wore something decent." He was definitely trying to hide his anger as he looked at me from head to toe. Aba e ano namang mali sa suot ko? I'm wearing an off-shoulder navy blue fitted dress matched with my pump heels. Ano pa bang hindi formal dito? This is decent for a normal person's perspective, apparently Caleb isn't normal ugh.

"Excuse you, sir. I'm pretty much aware of the clothes I wear because I don't to be humiliated. Ano pa bang hindi decent at formal dito ha?" Paghihimutok ko and I heard him grumble and made a sharp turn on the left that made me squeal the hell out of me. I stared at him for doing such immature move and saw how big his grin is. Ginagalit talaga ako ng bwisit na 'to ha.

"Your dress is too short for my liking. Lakas pa ng loob mong magoff-shoulder, you really are a show-off aren't you?" He said with full judgment. I stared at him with disbelief, his eyes still glued on the road. Wala na lang bang gustong gawin 'to kundi ipaglandakan saking nakakahiya ako? My hand turned into a solid fist and I inhaled all of my fury away. I was about to say my comeback when his words stopped me as he parked the car across their rest house hall.

"Sakin ka lang dapat nagsusuot ng ganyan. Sakin lang." He firmly stated and even if it wasn't meant for me to hear because it was more like a whisper through the air, it got me dumbfounded. I was back with my senses when I found out that I'm the only one left in the car at nauna na palabas si Caleb.

I wanted to yelp, jump and roll over the floor because of the words he left me with kahit pa hindi ko dapat narinig yon, a little hope sprouted within me and it made me want to continue persuading him. Soon, I know for sure I'll make him bend and beg for me again. Ayon nga lang, kung sana babawasan niya ang pagka-manipulative niya at pagkamasungit it would work better for the both of us. Unfortunately, he's still Caleb—scheming and moody.

I roamed my eyes on the ceiling, corners and the center figurine of the hall. It was breath-taking. I've never been here but still it felt like home. The color between the walls and the designs were very cooperative that it didn't appeal as contrasting colors to the eye. The paintings were fine-looking and were painted with meanings and pigments that are similar to the wall decorations. It showed a very sophisticated yet oceanic theme na kahit ako ayoko ng umalis sa Hall pa lang. I was so stunned by the hall that I didn't realize that time's ticking and I'd better help Caleb with the investors for our meeting.

Dumiretso ako sa dining area ng Hall at natanaw ko sa bintana ang labas nito. If the Hall's exquisite, wait until you see the sea. The waves were at a dramatic motion that I just want to stare at it all day. The sand surrounding it was also inviting. Gusto mo tuloy maglakad dito with your bare feet and just enjoy the breeze and scenery.

I was not yet done with my daydreaming when Caleb called me out to help with the presentation. I nodded and went to him immediately. Knowing him, I know he can ace it. That's the thing about him; he can glide to a war unarmed yet still win the battle.

It wasn't that long until the investors came in and we both greeted them a pleasant morning. His demonstration was well-stated so the investors did get what we want to have that easily. He proposed the hotel that the Fuegos want to build on the area near the beach para naman daw kahit papaano ay maganda ang view. I told them the arrangements between the partnership and the possibility that this hotel can attract tourists around the world and make the corporation of Fuego Cebu a lot more successful than what it is now.

"To be specific, Sir Ongpauco. Fuego Manila and Cebu would be a great team on this project if Crescendo would expand and manufacture a whole new field other than marketing. We both know Hotel & Management are Fuego Cebu's strong points so why not give Crescendo an expansion here in Cebu?" I added and gave them a sincere smile. They all agreed and nodded as I took out the contract and let them sign it.

We all said our goodbyes and they were kind enough to invite us for lunch but Caleb didn't take the offer. Kahit gusto ko ng kumain,syempre siya parin yung masusunod so I decided not to argue with his decision.

"How about you, Miss Obviar? Would you like to eat lunch with us?" The manager of one of Mr. Ongpauco's hotels said and I am not that naive to not notice that he's not just asking me for lunch—but actually hitting on me. Napatawa na lang ako ng pilit at papayag na sana pero kung mamalas-malasin ka nga naman, Caleb decided to join our conversation.

"She'd be having a lunch with me in our rest house. Thank you for the offer, Mister. I'm looking forward working with you." He said and bid the manager a farewell. I rolled my eyes because of what he did, basically ayaw lang niya talaga akong lumandi (kahit hindi naman talaga) I was so damn starving yet he doesn't seem to recognize it.

Hinila niya ako sa rest house a few steps outside the hall at nakita kong may nakahanda ng pagkain sa may balcony. It's really hard to walk on sand especially when you're in heels kaya't tinanggal ko ito agad at tumakbo papunta doon. My eyes literally sparkled because of the food served on the table. I haven't eaten any breakfast because Caleb rushed me up to the airport dahil late na kami and we missed our seven morning flight, that's why I'm really delighted to see that there's finally food for me—I mean us.

Seafood, chicken stew, pasta, beef and fruit shake were on the table and I couldn't ask for more. To be in this kind of paradise I bet no one would ever dare to complain. I made my way to the table and said a hundred thank you's to God for such a great lunch and started to eat, hindi ko na alam kung anong tingin sakin ni Caleb ngayon basta gutom ako. A woman who's hungry is as grumpy as a troll so if I were him, he should just be happy that I'm finally eating.

I heard him chuckle before he went to his seat. Nagtaka naman ako kung bakit parang hindi niya pa ginagalaw ang plate niya kaya I stopped ­and put down my spoon to face him. He noticed that I stopped from eating kaya naalarma siya at napa-ubo. He grabbed the chicken stew and started eating as well; I smiled sheepishly because of his gestures. His ears were all red and I'm not quite sure if it's because of my stares or if he's blushing. I screw the idea up and just shrugged then started eating again.

After eating, hinatid na ako ni Caleb sa loob ng rest house para daw maayos ko na ang gamit ko sa kwarto ko. The house is very spacious and it still gives you the beach vibe. It was more like a vacation rather than a plain business meeting. I'd like to thank Caleb for that, he wasn't wrong about the place. Makakapagde-stress parin naman pala ako kahit papaano.

I made my way to my room next to Caleb's and unpacked my belongings. I didn't brought that much since ayaw ko din namang ako pa ang ma-hassle sa mga dala ko. I brought clothes I needed for three and a half days and other essentials since it's always been a must every time I travel.

Caleb told me I can enjoy the beach until lights out dahil bukas na daw ulit namin aasikasuhin ang paglalagyan ng Crescendo hotel and to contact their workers for the construction. I happily agreed with his orders kaya might as well enjoy this day before it ends since it's already three in the afternoon. I wore a white ruffle tube top with floral cotton shorts underneath my beach kimono. I also brought a beach hat just in case, I'm absolutely prepared for this getaway dahil hindi talaga ako papayag na hindi ako pagpapahingahin ni Caleb lalong-lalo na sa isa sa mga resorts nila.

I went out of my room at nagulat naman ako ng sabay kaming lumabas ni Caleb ng kwarto. I smiled at him yet he returned it with death glares. I was confused by him looking at me from head to toe and snarled when I finally get it. Pati ba naman pang-beach kontra pa rin siya? I'm not working at this moment anymore, I'm free to wear anything I want!

He raised his eyebrow and smirked. I gulped and finally noticed he's not wearing any top at all and just his board shorts. I guess we both have the same idea about strolling on the beach.

"Your style is filled with flavor." He paused at mas lalo pang lumaki ang nakakalokong ngiti niya. "I wonder what flavor are you." As if on cue, I punched him in the jaw and heard his loud laugh all over the house. I'm pissed as fuck and red as wine yet he still has the guts to laugh until he dies. Punyeta ka Caleb, gaganti ako sayo just wait.