Love Survival (Hunk Omega Society 2)

KABANATA 10

KABANATA 10: Kidnapped

SLOAN

"S-Simon?"

I didn't know what to feel as I looked at the man, whom I hadn't seen in almost four years. He had matured. He had grown taller and become more handsome. Malayong-malayo siya sa Simon no'ng college kami.

"Sloan? What are you doing here?" he asked, confused.

I blinked. "I should be the one asking you that. What are you doing here?"

Tumayo siya ng tuwid at saka binaling sa akin ang buong atensiyon niya.

"Well, as you can see, I'm here for a business meeting," he said. Inayos niya pa ang suot na white long sleeve na parang inabot ng ilang oras para plantsahin dahil wala roong makikitang gusot.

"So you're the representative from SteelTech Solution?"

Kumunot ang noo niya at saka tumango. "Ah, yes. Pa'no mo nalaman?"

I cleared my throat. "I am the acting CEO of Velasco Metal Corporation. Ako ang makaka-meeting mo."

"Ano?!" bulalas niya. "Pa'no nangyari 'yon? Akala ko si Mr. Dominic Velasco ang makaka-meeting ko ngayon."

"He had an important appointment abroad. Anyway, can we sit first? Kanina pa kasi tayo nakatayo rito," sabi ko nang makaramdam na ng pagkangalay kakatayo.

"Ah, sige."

Umupo ako sa katapat na upuan niya. Seryoso na ang muka niya na para bang malalim ang iniisip niya. I didn't expect that he'd be talking to me casually like this. I thought he would be mad at me after I ended our relationship four years ago.

I realized that, just like before, I don't get tongue-tied anymore when I'm in front of him. We broke up and didn't see each other for a few years, but my comfort level with him hasn't changed a bit. Gano'n talaga siguro kapag nasanay na. Tatlong taon ba naman ang relasyon naming dalawa.

I gulped. "Let's start, Mr. Madrigal," panimula ko. "What can you—"

"How are you, Sloan?" He cut me off.

"Mr. Madrigal, we're here to talk about business—"

"I don't care about business anymore, Sloan. Wala na akong pakialam kung matanggalan ako ng trabaho kapag hindi ko nakuha ang deal na 'to. I want to talk about us. Gusto kong malaman kung kumusta ka o kung ano'ng nangyari sa 'yo pagkatapos nating maghiwalay."

My brow furrowed. "My life went well, Simon," I lied. "At ano'ng ibig mong sabihin na mawawalan ka ng trabaho kapag hindi mo nakuha ang deal na 'to? I thought your family had a company?"

Natahimik siya at nag-iwas ng tingin.

Nagulat talaga ko nang makita ko siya rito. Hindi ko inaasahan na rito kami magkikita ulit pagkatapos ng apat na taon. Pa'no nangyaring naging representative siya ng SteelTech Solution kung may sarili naman silang kumpaniya?

"Matagal nang na-bankrupt ang kumpaniya namin, Sloan," basag niya sa nakakabinging katahimikan at saka pilit na ngumiti. "Na-bankrupt 'yon isang buwan pagkatapos nating maghiwalay. I got no choice but to look for a job to provide for Mom's medical expenses and to pay off our company's million-peso debt."

"W-What?"

"You broke up with me without a reason, and I accepted that. Kahit hindi mo sabihin, alam kong may kinalaman ang daddy mo sa pakikipaghiwalay mo sa 'kin noon kaya hindi kita pinilit o pinigilan kahit na ayaw kitang pakawalan. You know how much I love you, right? Mahal pa rin kita hanggang ngayon, Sloan. Walang nagbago. Mahal mo pa rin naman ako, 'di ba?"