Pursuing My Nemesis

Seven

Chapter 7

"ALRIGHT. I get it now," sabi ko habang tumatango. "Gets ko na. Gusto mo akong gamitin para mapadali ang promotion mo."

Honestly, I was not that surprised to know that Aniel was being promoted. For three years of working under ASDG, pinakita niya ang galing niya sa larangan ng arkitektura. He specialized in landscape architecture, which is a bit challenging for some of the other architects this company have. Siya lang yata ang bukod-tanging architect sa ASDG na kayang tumapos ng landscape project sa loob lang ng limang araw nang mag-isa. As long as his engineer partner was efficient, and loves to overtime at work, mapapadali para kay Aniel na tapusin ang kanyang trabaho.

But I am not that kind of a worker. I hate working overtime; I prefer bringing my unfinish works in my unit and do it alone at night. Ayokong nananatili sa opisina hanggang dis-oras ng gabi.

Nagulat ako nang hilahin niya ako paalis sa pintuan ng opisina namin. Dinala niya ako sa likod ng malaking indoor plant at isinandal sa pader. My breathing hitched when he stood in front of me, eyeing me like an angry beast.

"What the fuck are you saying, Nemesis?" Aniel's voice was low, almost in a whisper. "Hindi kita gagamitin."

"Talaga?" Tumaas ang isa kong kilay.

His eyes became sharp as he looked down at me. "Do I look like I wanted to use you? I'm asking for your help. If I want to use you, I can just do it without being nice to you."

I laughed. "Oh, so you're being nice at me now? This—" I point him and then myself. "—is nice to you already?" I chuckled. "Goodness. You're funny."

Marahas na gumalaw ang kanyang panga. He started losing his cool. Hindi naman ako nagpatinag at nagpatuloy lang.

"I know this is embarrassing for you. Ikaw 'yan, eh. You're Architect Nathaniel Felan. You don't go and fetch your enemy from her condo unit and drive her to her work, and then lower your pride to ask her for some help. Don't worry, Aniel. Hindi ko ipagkakalat ang mga ginawa mo para sa 'kin. I will help you maintain your cold and snobbish attitude." I smirked at him.

His eyes dilated with anger. Humigpit ang pagkakahawak niya sa dala niyang briefcase at lumabas nang bahagya ang ugat sa kanyang mga kamay. I swallowed and looked away from those. Ibinalik ko ang tingin sa kanyang galit na mukha at mas tinapangan ang loob para matitigan siya.

"You are such a brat, Nemesis," he said lowly, almost in a whisper.

"And you're an asshole, Aniel. You're still an asshole," I spat back.

Nagsukatan kaming dalawa ng tingin. I was wearing heels, but he's still inches taller than I was. Nakaangat ang ulo ko para lang makita ang kanyang mukha. He was towering over me. His chest was moving heavily.

Ramdam ko na marami pa siyang gustong sabihin. Panay ang tangis ng kanyang bagang at nakakunot ang kanyang noo. May ilang mga empleyado na ang napapatingin sa gawi namin dahil sa itsura naming dalawa. They must have sensed the tension between Aniel and I. And it's getting thicker every minute that passed.

Siya ang unang sumuko sa titigan naming dalawa. He exhaled sharply before backing down. Marahas niyang sinuklay ang kanyang buhok na magulo na ang itsura kahit maaga pa.

"I am genuinely asking you a favor, Miss Salvacion," he uttered while locking his gaze at me. He was furious. I can feel it. "Do you think I will do this if I don't really need you at all? I could've stayed away from you as far as I could."

"Then do it," matapang na sagot ko. "Do it like how you were doing it for the past years. Stay away from me. Leave me. Don't show your fucking face at me."