Buy Me

CHAPTER 36

Ika-siyam na araw na wala si Constantine, at ala-siete pa lang ng umaga. It was too early for Ella to be there, and yet, natagpuan niya ang sarili sa loob ng GAIA, pretending to sort things on her table.

Akala niya ay wala na itong balak bumalik sa trabaho. Their team had lifted all their tracking systems from the models upon isolating Aron as the target. Tuloy, wala man lang siyang balita kung saan ito nagpunta.

It was Terrence who told her something yesterday that made her restless all night. Papasok daw ngayon si Constantine para sa interview ng isang sikat na Men's Health Magazine.

She couldn't name the feeling that flooded her upon hearing the news. She didn't mean to, but then she found herself wanting to get a glimpse of him.

'Constantine.' Mabagal na pumikit si Ella bago sumandal sa inuupuang swivel chair. Ang totoo ay nawalan siya nang gana sa kaniyang misyon nitong mga nakaraang araw. She had been dragging her ass to work daily, secretly hoping for Constantine to come and be the same stubborn idiot as he had always been—but he didn't.

He kept his word this time. Akala niya makakapag-focus siya. Akala niya mas magiging maayos ang trabaho niya. All those thoughts just remained as they were—akala lang pala.

Everything just felt lifeless. Sa gabi, magdamag lang niyang tinititigan ang napakalaking screen sa loob ng headquarters nila, pero kahit kaharap na niya ang mga files tungkol kay Hamin ay hindi niya naman mabasa.

It was like the man had turned into a ghost that just kept hunting her. At ngayon nga na darating ito, hindi niya napigil ang sariling magpatiuna sa opisina.

Anong klaseng Constantine kaya ang darating mamaya? Iyong maharot? Iyong bastos? O iyong walang kibo at sobrang tahimik?

It was hard to guess. More so when she didn't know how she should react once they met again.

Hindi na napansin ni Ella ang unti-unting pagdating mga tao sa silid na kinaroroonan niya. GAIA's business hour was about to start; thus, employees and models started to fill the place again.

Okupado pa rin ang kaniyang isip. Tuloy, napaigtad pa siya nang may tumapik sa balikat niya.

When she turned her head to her left shoulder, the first thing she saw was a manly hand.

Bigla siyang kinabahan. Anticipation flooded her when she breathlessly lifted her gaze to see who was with her. Until..

'Constantine—'

"Good morning. Nag-breakfast ka na ba?"

Napaawang na lang ang kaniyang bibig nang makilala kung sino ang dumating. She felt disappointed, but then she forced a smile.

"Aron "

"May pasalubong ako. May oras pa naman bago magsimula ang mga pictorials kaya kumain muna tayo. At saka..." Sandaling binitin nito ang sinasabi bago may hinugot mula sa likod ng suot nitong jeans.

The top model was dashing, and yet, hindi man lang nakaramdam ng tuwa si Ella nang ilapag nito ang isang kahon ng long stem rose sa kaniyang harapan.

"For the most wonderful lady to ever step into GAIA's office."

Napangiwi si Ella nang masilip ang mga bulaklak sa loob ng mamahaling kahon. They were red. And as much as she didn't want to, it threw her back to that time when Constantine gave her three dying flowers on Kote Wall Bridge.

Gaano na ba katagal 'yon? Almost two months? Three? Four!

' Ito na naman...' she cursed when irritation flooded her. Bakit ba kasi kailangang maalala niya ito palagi?