Termination of Desire

Kabanata 24

Nakatitig ako sa laptop ko at kinakagat ang kuko. I was working on my laptop here in the Scentatique building, but my mind was wandering elsewhere. I can't forget what happened last night. After my conversation with Helen, which I almost got pissed, I kept thinking about Gunther.

Does he like me? I don't know. I don't want to believe. Because I know, it's... impossible.

We had an ugly past. I fooled him and betrayed him. And I think that's enough reason to believe that he actually hates me. But I'm confused. After what he said last night, I couldn't keep my head straight. I can't think straight.

Bumuntong hininga ako matapos mag isip nang matagal. I should focus on my business but I can't. Something's really bothering me.

Tumingin ako sa malaking glass window at humilig, pinaglalaruan pa rin ang mga kuko ko.

We met again. We kissed. We had a little chitchat. I met his family through my business. Now, I'm headquartered under their company. Things happened so fast, and I barely noticed that.

With that series of events, is it possible that he'll suddenly come to like me? He said he's attracted to me and find me so hot. But I think nasasabi niya lang 'yon siguro dahil naaalala niya sa akin si Francine.

Nasapo ko ang noo at napapikit, parang dismayado.

But then he also said that he talked to me because he found me interesting and not because I was Francine. So does that mean he was interested in the one he talked to?

Tumingala ako sa kisame at bumuntong hininga. Bakit ko ba iniisip pa 'to? Why do I care if he's interested in me or not? It's as if I'm interested in him too.

Dalawang katok sa pinto ang pumukaw sa paglalayag ng isip ko. Napatingin ako sa may pintuan.

"Come in."

Iniluwa ng pinto si Helen. May hawak siyang blue folder sa bisig na gaya ng madalas.

"Your meeting will be in five minutes," malamig na sabi niya.

Hindi ako nagsalita at nakipagtitigan nang malamig na tingin sa kanya. Sa huli, siya ang unang nagbawi at tumingin na lang sa sahig.

"Alright," tipid na sagot ko at tumingin sa tanawin sa labas.

Unti-unting sumarado ang pinto.

I don't get her. After our almost heated conversation, she didn't speak to me again. She was serious all the time. At hindi ko alam kung ano ang ikinakagalit niya para hindi niya ako imikan.  She's been very formal from this morning up until now.  She only talks about work. Nothing else.

Kahit no'ng magsimula na ang online meetings ko from my flagship store in Paris hanggang sa supervision ko dito sa lab ko at meetings with Bella Beauty, hindi na niya inimikan unless it's about business.

Why does she seem threatened by Gunther? Why does she look alarmed at the idea of me being linked to him? Why is she very interested in my liking him?

Bumuntong hininga ako at umiling iling. She's acting weird.

I signed a contract with Bella Beauty this afternoon. As the promised collaboration. Frances Fragrances became their official perfume partner. The media covered it and officially launched.

"Dinner is mine. At my house." Mrs. Esquivel smiled at me.

Ngumiti lang ako at tumango. Pumunta nga kami sa mansyon nila sa isang exclusive villa. Maganda, malawak, malaki at moderno ang mansyon. At silang dalawa lang na mag asawa ang nakatira dito dahil si Gunther ay may penthouse sa BGC. Napailing ako nang maalala na naman ang katangahang sinabi ko sa kanya. That he's still living with his parents.