Shades of Kagan

Chapter 21

Chapter 21

Avian Burn's Point of View

When I entered the building, I noticed Kagan staying in the lobby. He was sitting on the couch, legs crossed, while reading a tabloid. Napatingin ako sa buhok niya na ngayon ay nakababa. Natatabunan tuloy ng kanyang buhok ang kanyang noo. But I noticed that he was frowning hard as if there's something to be mad about to what he's reading. Nang mapansin niya na nakapasok ako sa loob ay ibinaba niya ang hawak niya sa glass table.

"Hey," he greeted me.

"Hey," I answered back.

"Hindi mo naman nakalimutan ang dinner natin mamaya, di'ba?" I felt my cheeks heating. His paintings will be open to the public for less than an hour. Yet, he was thinking about the dinner we agreed upon.

"Of course." In fact, it never slipped my mind for a second. I don't even know why I agreed.

"But we have to work first." I pointed out the counter here in the lobby. That's my place this evening. My job is to ring up all the purchases of his wonderful paintings.

"Is that what you're going to wear?" He pauses and points to what I'm wearing. Napatingin naman ako sa damit ko. I'm wearing casual wear—black slacks and a white blouse underneath. I'll wear a brown blazer suit later.

"Yep. Should I change? Pwede naman akong bumalik sa dormitory, Kagan. The opening will start in less than one hour. Abot pa naman ako kahit bumalik ako at magpalit." I know my attire is appropriate for this event. Besides, I will stay at the counter most of the time. Wearing something formal isn't necessary. But if he wants me to wear a formal dress, I have one in my closet. I heard him clear his throat before getting something from the floor.

"Here, you can wear this for later." May dalawang paper bag siyang nilagay sa glass table. I can even see the brand logo printed on the white paper bags. Bago pa ako makapag salita ay tumayo ito kaagad at naglakad papunta sa hagdaan paakyat ng second floor. Must be to his office, then. Puno nang pagalinlangan akong lumapit sa sofa at binuksan ang paper bag na inilagay niya. There's a box inside the paper bag. Nang buksan ko ito ay bumungad sa akin ang pulang peep toe pump heels. Ang isang paper bag naman ay may laman na black dress. When did he prepare this? How the hell did he even know about my size. I put on the dress with a lot of thoughts. Tama lang kaya na suotin ko ito ngayon? It will be weird not to. Bumaba ang tingin ko sa kahon kung saan nakalagay ang heels. Strangely enough, it fits. Even the dress fits perfectly as if it was tailored just for me.

I put extra care into my makeup. As much as possible, I wanted to look presentable and professional. Forty-five minutes later, the lobby was full of other people I had met for the first time. Nagsisidatingan na ang mga tao at maraming kotse na rin ang nakapark mula sa labas.

"Nice dress," I heard Dan commented. Nasa loob na si Dan habang nakasandal sa pader dito sa may counter. I rolled my eyes on him. My left arms felt heavy now we're breathing the same air. Dan is wearing a three-piece suit and a perfectly ironed slacks. Dan looked like he was born for this occasion but I don't want to give him my attention. Kasi dahil sa kanya kailangan ko pang lagyan ng gauze paid ang aking braso. Ngunit mabuti na lang at mahaba ang sleeves na suot kong dress. Natatabunan nito ang nilagay kong gauze pad.

"Come on, Avian. I already told you I'm sorry. It was stupid of me to act based on my feelings." Dan brushed his hair up and gave me a glance.

"At least you know you're stupid," I whispered.

"Ouch! That's mean." Humawak ito sa kanyang dibdib na akala mo ay nasasaktan. I gave him a taunting look.

"Nadia and I fought that day. Nang nalaman ko sa'yo na hindi mo naman pala siya kasama ay akala ko tuloy kasama na niya si Klaude Grimaldi. I mean Nadia is fucking mine. But that shitfaced Klaude Grimaldi is always in the way." I gave him a funny look.