Hello There, Stranger

Part 3

Erika woke up feeling worse, she felt a little dizzy and she could sense the pulsating throb in her temple. The stress has finally caught on to her, things have been hectic lately so staying overtime at work seems like a normal phenomenon. She rolled out of bed and got up when she felt a sudden surge in her stomach. She sprinted heading to the sink wanting to throw up every bit of food or water she had taken.

Ano bang kinain ko kagabi? She asked herself.

She gargled with warm water hoping to ease her discomfort. She quickly took a shower and prepared for work. She really wanted to just stay home for now, but she can't be absent kaya kahit mabigat ang kanyang pakiramdam ay pinilit ni Erika na pumasok sa opisina hoping that she'll feel a little better as the day progresses.

"The proposal is approved! Congratulations to Erika and Noel!" Rolly announced the news in their weekly meeting. A loud applause was heard appreciating both.

Erika smiled giddily as she watched the beaming faces of their team, all the extra hours she spent had paid off.

"Now that's out of the way, we will now move to the execution part, so we will divide and conquer each task to pull this off. I need everyone's collaboration to make this successful. Maasahan ko ba yan from this team?" Rolly uttered and everyone gave out a firm yes, he smiled and continued to explain the next steps, the delivery plan was categorized into different activities with the needed team members for each, Erika was assigned to coordinate the venue for the said show while Noel was instructed to do something else. Rolly gave out further instructions and Erika religiously took notes, so she wouldn't forget. When they were done with logistics, Erika stepped out of the conference room at kasunod nito si Noel.

"Hey, are you okay? You look pale" puna nito.

"Medyo mabigat lang ang pakiramdam ko" she honestly stated.

"Samahan na kita sa clinic, baka lumala pa yan" he suggested.

She smiled at Noel and eventually nodded. They pace heading to the clinic habang nakaalalay si Noel kay Erika by holding her hand and shoulders securely, intimately closer than what she wanted but she had more pressing things now that she decided to just let it go.

On the other hand, Francis initiated the tour with the potential clients as he gave them a glimpse of the office building, he wanted to close this deal the soon as possible time, and as he walked side by side with them he tried to pay attention to the conversation when suddenly at the corner of his eye, he saw Erika again walking with a young gentleman, he crossed his brow when he saw their physical display. He momentarily paused contemplating what he was feeling at that moment, how come it bothered him, but he was quick to let it go, he moved his eyes away and went back to the conversation as he tried to hide the annoyance, irked at why he would feel such a thing.

He exhaled.

Erika sensed that someone was watching her, deep dark eyes went her way as she felt a penetrating gaze lurking nearby. She lifted her chin and saw a few important-looking gentlemen a couple of feet away from her, but one person caught her attention, he was tall, well-built, and a handsome fellow. She raised her brow and a sudden realization dawned on her. He was the same man noong nagdaang gabi that caught her staying late.

Why is he looking at me? She thought to herself.

She wanted to contemplate it more but was distracted when they reached the clinic. Noel then opened the door and guided her inside, Erika entered cautiously while the nurse immediately took her vital signs and asked a few questions, she answered her directly and truthfully. After she took note of her symptoms, she gave her some stomach medicine and advised her to take a few minutes of rest, which she did willingly.