The Lost Billionaire (MBBC#9) ✅

35.

Melissa's POV

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I was nervous and didn't know how to control myself. It felt like I was dreaming while standing in front of his studio.

Hindi ko inakala na may sariling studio penthouse siya at nabibilang ito sa mga sikat at mayayaman na tao. Hindi basta-basta sila nagpapapasok rito. Pero nakasulat ang pangalan ko sa bisita na dadalo ngayon sa kanya, kaya nakapasok din ako.

Montreal and Dianne were early this morning. They took Madison with them, and I will pick up the little boy after this appointment.

Hindi ko alam kung magtatagal ba ako rito. Pero dahil unang meeting palang naman ito sa pamamahay niya rito, ay tiyak mga discusyon lang din ng mga gusto ni Reeve na ipapagawa sa akin.

I plan to scale this project and finish it within a week.

Bumukas ang pinto at ang seryosong mukha ni Reeve ang bumati sa akin. Napalunok ako. Amoy ko kasi ang pabango niya at parang dumikit ang paa ko sa sahig nang maalala ko na ito ang uri ng pabango na unang binigay ko sa kanya.

This is a cheap type of men's cologne, a local one. 

I always bought him in the Philippines a few bottles whenever I got money. Paminsan-minsan lang kasi nagkakaroon ng availabe ang amoy na ito, kaya noong huling binili ko ay dalawa na, bago ko siya naiwan sa Isla.

"Good morning, Miss Melissa. Sorry for waiting." He formally greeted me and showed me the other direction of the room.

"G-Good morning too, Mr Reeve," pormal na sagot ko at sumunod na sa kanya.

We sat down on a long table. Sa tabing bahagi ako sa kanan niya at sa gitnang bahagi siya. Pero tumayo rin siya at may kinuha.

"I want you to paint something for me, Mel, before I return to the Philippines." He stated and showed me the folder.

"I know that it will probably take you a few days to do that. And I was hoping you could do it here in the studio. . . I will include your painting on display at the grand opening of my art gallery in the Philippines. It will do you good, and your name will be displayed. What do you think?"

My heart hammered in excitement. This was my dream before, and now Reeve is making it real for me.

Kaya ko kaya 'to? Should I accept this?

"Uhm, o-okay lang ba kung ako ang pipili sa oras? M-Medyo ano kasi. . ." I swallowed hard, I don't know how to say this to him, but no one will look after Madison.

Mahihirapan ako sa iilang oras lalo na bukas at sa susunod na mga araw. Walang pasok si Madison sa kinder school at kailangan kong maghanap ng taong magbabantay sa kanya.

"Why? What's wrong? Don't you like my offer? I will pay you triple its normal price. Plus, your name, Miss Melissa, will be in my collections. What else is missing, love?"

I felt like a bucket of cold water washed all over me. He called me 'love', and that stung the hell out of me.

"U-Uhm, I-I like it, Mr Reeve. Thank you," I answered, and we stared.

Bahagyang tumayo na siya at hindi bumitaw ng titig sa akin. Ganoon din naman ako at sinunod ko lang ang mga mata niya. Umigting ang panga niya at napalunok ako sa sarili.

"You can start now if you like. I will show you your painting room," he whispered, lowering his face to meet mine. 

I weakly nodded without a word. Parang nahipnotismo ako sa titig niya at wala na akong magawa kung 'di ay sumunod sa gusto niya.