All About Her (Published under Summit Media's Pop Fiction)

Thirty Six: Cold Stares

Thirty Six: Cold Stares

"Are you alright?" Napansin ata ni Arthur ang hindi ko paggalaw sa kinatatayuan ko ng makilala ko ang lalaking kausap niya. Surprise was written all over the man's face. "Ah o-of course," nauutal na sagot ko nang makabawi ako, "Akala ko late na ako." Palusot ko nalang na nag-umpisa nang maglakad.

He motioned me to the vacant seat beside him, kaharap nung lalaking naka-peach. "Thank you." I smiled at him, he smiled back at me. At ramdam kong ino-obserbahan kami ng lalaking nakamaroon.

"So where are we now Mister Collins?" Mukhang na-interrupt ng pagdating ko ang usapan nila. "You're so rude not to introduce us to that beautiful lady beside you." Pakiramdam ko ay diniinan niya ang pagkakasabi ng 'beautiful' and I can sense his intense gaze at me.

"Oh yeah, it's so rude of me, not to introduce her. Eunice, this is Simon's son, Sebastian Collins and his assistant, Wilson Escudero, of Collins' Shipments, they will be our partner for this project." Napatingin ako sa Wilson na tinutukoy niya, he was a Filipino, I wont forget that name. "Wilson, Sebastian, I want you to meet Eunice Saavedra."

I offer my hand na agad na tinanggap ni Wilson, pero mukhang mali ang ginawa ko, because the moment Sebastian grip my hands pakiwari ko'y nanlamig ang buong katawan ko, lalo na nung pinisil niya iyon. "It was nice to meet you..." He trailed off, kaya napatingin ako sa kanya, parang may gusto pa siyang sabihin. He smiled bitterly at me, bago niya binitawan ang kamay ko.

"So are we going to proceed now?" Tanong ni Arthur, I hope hindi niya ma-sense ang tensyon sa pagitan namin ni Sebastian. "Is she your assistant?" Biglang tanong ni Sebastian kaya napatingin ako sa kanya, oo nga naman, ano nga bang kinalaman ko sa business meeting na ito? I am just an ordinary employee.

Para tuloy gusto kong mag-back out bigla at sabihin kay Arthur na ayoko nang masangkot sa project na 'to. One thing more is I am thinking of Era.

"No, she is the head of our research team, and she will be my confidante for this project."

"That's great." Parang hindi interesadong kumento nito.

"Okay let's continue." Suhestyon ni Sebastian. I listened as they talk, siniguro kong hindi ako distracted habang nag-uusap ako, I need to listen attentively.

Pero shit! Bakit ba hindi nagring sa'kin kagabi ang pangalang Simon? I know that Collins were one of te best international shipping company, pero hindi pumasok sa isip ko ang posibility na sila ang ka-business partner ni Arthur.

What a small world? What a coincidence? Bakit ba kailangan pa namin magtagpo? What is God's purpose for this? Pero kailangan kong mag-ingat, I need to be cautious of my actions. Selfish na kung selfish, pero hindi niya pwedeng malaman ang tungkol kay Era.

"THANK you for this meeting Sebastian, thank you for trusting our company." Masayang pasasalamat ni Arthur kay Seabastian, matapos magkapirmahan at ng dinner.

Nakakailang nga e, paano naman kasi, Arthur was very showy, kulang nalang ata ay subuan niya ako sa sobrang pag-aasikaso niya sa 'kin and I can sense how Sebastian watch us doing that. At minsan ay nagkakahulihan pa kami ng tingin, pero hindi niya binabawi ang titig niya, at sa huli ako ang unag susuko.

I dont know kung bakit ganun ang reaksyon niya. It was as if, he dont like how Arthur care for me. Bakit nung nagsama ba kami, does he even care for me? Baka ako lang ang nag-care sa kanya.

Tumayo na kami at hinatid sila hanggang sa entrance ng five star restaurant na ito, pinakuha na sa valet ang sasakyan nila.

While waiting ay halos hindi ako mapakali, Arthur's are resting on the back of my waist at napansin ko na naman ang mainit na sulyap ni Sebastian while they are still talking.