Heat Wave (Disaster Series #2)

Kabanata 40

Lifetime

"Good morning, Miss Gabriel. Anything I can help you with?" I gritted my teeth.

I couldn't even give her a fake smile. She shrugged her shoulders and sat down on the swivel chair in front of my table.

"Oh, stop acting so professional, Tequila," mapanuya niyang sagot.

She casts a look at my stomach and raised an eyebrow. Nanatili akong nakatayo sa harap niya, seryoso sa kabila nang naging bungad niya.

"Don't act too professional when you're having a relationship with your former client," she spat bitterly this time.

I shook my head and sat down my swivel chair. I should calm myself down. So what if she's here in my workplace? Wala naman akong ginawang mali. So, there's nothing to be threatened about.

The rumors about me and Gon is not even true. Gon did not cheat on her. Dahil sa una pa lang ay malinaw nang tinanggihan ni Gon ang engagement nila. They never had a relationship, even for the sake of business.

"He's never been my former client, Miss Gabriel," I firmly said, held my chin up, and looked at her with nothing but formality.

She gasps dramatically. Then her humorless laugh followed.

"Talaga? Nonetheless, he was your potential client. Isn't it so unprofessional and unethical of you?" Her lips quivered with her suppressed anger.

I paused for a moment. That is one thing that I could not deny. Maging ako ay nabahala tungkol dito. But that was before. I know I haven't done anything wrong.

Because one thing is clear, Gon didn't sign any contract in this clinic so he wasn't a client of mine or even of my colleague's. Wala akong nilabag ni kahit na ano sa trabaho ko.

"He didn't sign any contract, Miss Gabriel," marahan ko siyang nginitian, nagtitimpi na rin dahil sa sitwasyon.

And though I can explain further about our situation, I don't see the point. Bakit ko naman gagawin gayong base sa ekspresyon niya ay sarado na ang isipan niya. I know she won't hear me out.

I understand her, I really do. It must have hurt to wait for someone for seven years or so, only to realize in the end that you've been waiting for nothing all along.

Umabot ako sa puntong sinisi ko ang sarili ko. Maraming beses na. I was thinking that if I didn't come into the picture, Gon would have given her all the love that she deserves. Their engagement could have gone by smoothly. At hindi aabot ang isang taon, ay magpapakasal na agad sila. Masayang-masaya at bubuo ng sarili nilang pamilya.

How happy and perfect her life could have been if a girl named Tequila didn't came into the picture. That's what I was thinking before. That was the young Tequila's fears and insecurities speaking.

I don't care if I'm being selfish now. I love Gon. I don't know if loving him alone can make me deserving enough of him. But that is the only thing I know. And I will make sure to live this life to love him best than anybody else could.

"Seven years ago, I gave you the chance to stay away, Tequila. Know that I'm not backing down without a fight."

I sighed and looked her straight in the eyes.

I don't hate her. Hindi ko lang mahanap-hanap ang rason para kamuhian siya. Even the things she has done. Back then, I somehow blamed myself for it. Pero hindi ibig sabihin nito ay basta-basta na lang akong maduduwag at hayaan siya sa lahat ng paninira niya.

"There was no battle for you to fight in the first place, Celest," marahan kong sinabi.

She scoffed and gripped the edge of my table. Her composure is now starting to fade. Bakas na bakas na sa mukha niya ang labis na galit sa akin.