Before Sunrise (Scenery Series #2)

Kabanata 21

Trauma

Napaginhawa ako nang makitang hindi ganoon karami ang tao sa Cafe shop. Himinto ako at nilibot pa ang mga mata para kilalanin ang mga nandoon. I sighed once more. Most of the costumers are models.

I ordered hot coffee and a some cheese bread. I don't have an appetite for today. I just need to drink coffee. Hindi maayos ang tulog ko at ngayon lang dinalaw ng antok. I thought I'll be fine with a coffee. At mas makakapagfocus ako sa mga plano ko ngayon. This would be my last day here. But instead of planning what to do, nakatingin ako ngayon sa door ng coffee shop habang pinaglalaruan sa kaliwang kamay ang cellphone. I can hear the small laughters of some models behind me, and a sweet melody from the shop.

Napapayos ako ng upo nang marinig ko ang pagtunog ng maliit na kampana mula sa pinto hudyat na may papasok. I looked away when I saw Altaro. I held my coffee and sipped on it, pretending I was busy with something over my phone. I heard someone from the waitress approached him. I glanced on his side. Nasa unahan ko siya sa pinakadulo. I was lucky he didn't see me.

He was wearing white polo and a dark blue pants. His clean cut suits his dark face. He's now talking to someone over phone. He looked outside exposing his jaw. He changed... A lot.

I moved and looked down on my phone when he was about to look on my side. I was praying and cursing myself silently. I couldn't sleep last night with my stupidity. Altaro being a low-key one never crossed into my mind. No one would think that account still works. But it does actually! My stupidity strikes again.

"Good morning," a man greeted.

I was hesitant to respond to a stranger, but maybe this one is from known groups. He looks models though. I smiled awkwardly and don't know what to do. I tried to stand and greeted him back. I heard the man's soft chuckles.

"Good morning, too." I greeted.

"Oh, thank you. I understand that exact reaction," he chuckles. "I'm actually one of your mom's investor. And I've come across your father's company too." He sat down in front of me.

I nodded and smiled. "Oh, that's good to know. How was it?"

He flashed a smile and put his phone on the table. He looks young in a business industry. Probably mom's youngest investor?

"It's actually worth to invest, you know. Your mom's name really had something to give on. And I can see that your mom really worked for it. No wonder why she was one of the entitled one in the business field."

"I'll take that as a compliment. Thanks," ngumiti ako at sumimsim sa hawak.

"Oh," he laughed too. "You really is a great one. I've seen some of your pictures in our magazine. I was thinking if you could try our new product? Like... The latest one."

I raised my brow and put the coffee slowly. He's looking at me and waiting for an answer. So, he's here for what? for this one? I was actually thinking of something peace when I get here. Hindi ko akalain na hanggang dito, I'd still deal with some works.

"Is this for business?" I asked.

Lumakas ang tawa niya dahilan ng pagtingin ng mga nasa malapit na mesa. Napansin niya iyon kaya umayos siya. Napakamot ako sa batok at binaba ang tingin.

"Uhm, I know that this is not the right time to ask you this. But I don't think I'll see you again after this. So, I am thinking of when to ask you about this matter?"

Inangat ko ang tingin ko para makita siya pero mas nangibabaw ang mga matang nakatitig sa akin nang magawi ang tingin ko sa kung nasaan si Altaro. He was chewing his foods slowly while staring at us. Bigla kong naramdaman ang kaba. Lalo at naalala ko ang kagabi.