Lies in Vows

Chapter XVIII

Chapter XVIII - The exes part 2

KINUYOM ni Ivella ang kaniyang palad. She was trembling not in fear but in anger. How dare they approached her first? Para bang sinusubukan talaga siya ng dalawa. Just by looking at Javier’s smug face, she wanted to punch that freaking smug in his lips. That son of a bitch! Mahihiya na yata ang encyclopedia sa kakapalan ng mukha nito. She then, composed herself. She put her laptop and the folder at the long table. She smiled. She will not give them the satisfaction of the idea that she’s affected by them.

“Good morning, my name is Ivella Roscente –” binigyang diin niya ang kaniyang apelyido. “ – the owner of Mi Bella Botique.” pakilala niya na para bang ngayon niya lang nakilala ang dalawa.

“Vella...” si Gia ang unang nagsalita. Kumikislap ang mga mata nito. Hindi niya alam kung sa lungkot ba ito o tuwa.

She breath out heavily before opening her laptop. “I heard from my partner that you requested from your secretary that you wants to change a bit of details from the gown that you’ve chosen from my June bride mermaid collections.”

Umingos si Javier kaya tinapunan niya ito ng sulyap pero binalik niya rin ang tingin kay Gia kahit na ayaw niyang makita ang pagmumukha ng dalawang ito.

“I prepared other mermaid gown designs that you might like. These are the latest.” hinarap niya ang laptop dito.

She wants to remain professional kahit na sa loob niya, gustong gusto niyang paalisin ang dalawang ito sa building niya. She wants to call the security to drag them out of this building. But to execute her plans perfectly, she needs to learn the art of  ‘walang may pake’ ang mga ito na mismo ang lumalapit sa kaniya. Why not start the plan, then?

“Ano... Vella, baka pwedeng mag-usap tayo. Wala t-talaga akong ipapabago... Ano kasi...” Gia was stuttering.

She wanted to smirk badly but she stopped herself from doing that. Nawala ang ngiti sa kaniyang mga labi. “I’m sorry? I’m only here for your requests about the gown. If it’s not gown related, then, we can schedule another meeting kapag ready ka nang i-discuss ang mga ipapabago mo sa gown.” aniya. Inikot niya paharap sa kaniya ang kaniyang laptop. She looked at them and smiled sweetly. “Thank you for coming today. I believe I have an important meeting at 2PM.” sabi niya pa.

“Wait for me in the car.” sabi ni Javier kay Gia pero nasa kaniya ang mga titig nito. Tinapatan iyon ni Ivella. Hinding hindi siya mag-iiwas ng tingin dito.

“Vella... Sana hayaan mo akong magpaliwanag.” sabi pa ni Gia bago lumabas ng conference room.

Nakatingin pa rin siya kay Javier na hanggang ngayon ay pinagmamasdan pa rin siya na para bang siya lang ang babae sa mundo. She knew that look but she’s not gonna fall for that vicious stare.

“Ivella Roscente, huh?” nakangising tanong nito. “You cut and colored your hair. You adjust immediately after our divorce.” mapangmatang anito.

This time ngumisi na si Ivella sa dating asawa. “I believe walang mas nakapag adjust sa atin ng mas mabilis kundi ikaw, Javier Pragio.” tumayo na siya at kinuha ang laptop niya. She was about to leave when Javier grabbed her arm.

“You’re still not over to me, Ivella. Admit it.” anas nito.

Binawi niya ang kaniyang braso pero bigo siya nang mas higpitan pa nito ang pagkakahawak doon.

“How sure are you?”

“You may be the reason why my clinic and shelter was gone but you didn’t ask your powerful father to make me black listed or throw my lifeless body in the middle of the ocean.”