Her Fearless Ways

Chapter 35

Why did we have to meet this soon?

And really?! In an elevator?! Tapos kaming dalawa lang?! Kakarating ko lang mula sa 16 hours flight tapos ganito kaagad ang bubungad sa 'kin?!

Hindi ba pwedeng sa isang araw na lang? O sa susunod na araw? O kahit huwag na lang? Kailangan talaga ngayon kung saan mukha akong puyat? It's not that I want him to see me properly dressed, pero sana man lang ay 'yong may pasabog ang comeback ko!

Kung sinuman ang nagsusulat ng kwento ko, putangina niya!

"I beg your pardon?" I asked, trying to act innocent like I didn't remember the name he used to call me.

He cleared his throat. "I mean, Ms. Tarhatta Schwartz. Welcome back..." he paused. "To the Philippines."

I grinned at the way he pronounced my full name. Tarhatta is read as it is but my surname? The letters 'c' and 'r' should be silent, pronounced as Shwatz rather than its spelling, Schwartz.

Wait a damn minute!

"You know my name," it wasn't a question.

"Yes. I do."

Parang hindi ko nagustuhan ang sagot niya. Is he trying to imply something?

"I—we are expecting your arrival, Ms. Schwartz," he continued.

I breathe. "You work here? Get in. I'm in a hurry."

Okay, that didn't sound right either.

"I'm an intern," he replied.

Ang dating tuloy ay ayos lang sa 'kin na magkakasabay kami sa elevator na kami lang. It should be fine, right? dapat naman talaga ay maayos lang. Nag-aalangan pa sana siyang pumasok ngunit nang marinig ang sinabi ko ay pinasok na niya ang mahaba niyang binti, kasunod ay ang buo niyang katawan.

"Excuse me," he said.

I didn't move aside and stood my ground. Hanggang ngayon ba naman ay ako ang mag-a-adjust? No! I heard him sigh before moving forward on my side to reach the floor selection button and press number '33.' Feeling him move away from me after doing it put a smirk on my face.

Tarhatta's power, beauty, and intelligence should be reflected in my actions. Hindi ko pinag-aralan lahat ng tamang kilos at pananalita para lang sa wala. I should act in authority where people would feel threatened but at the same time in awe of my undeniable determination and will to lead.

They should feel threatened by me. Pati siya.

I kept my attention on the door of the elevator, waiting for it to happen. I would also look at the buttons and count the numbers of the floors. Ah, 37 floors pala ang building na 'to, nice. We were on the 28th floor when suddenly, there was a loud screeching of metals coming from outside that made me uneasy. Bigla-bigla ay parang lumundag ang platform na sinasakyan namin dahilan para impit akong mapatili at mawalan ng balanse.

My eyes were closed when I felt something hard on my back. Akala ko napahiga ako sa sahig, dibdib pala ni Larson ang nadaganan ko. It was quick for me to recover and stand up straight like nothing happened. Na parang hindi ako nahulog sa mga braso niya.

Tinuon ko ang pansin sa elevator head panel at napansin kaagad na huminto ang paggalaw ng mga numero. He was quick enough to press the alarm button below the floor selection buttons.

Great! "Are we stuck?" I mumbled.

"I'm sorry to say this but, yes. We are stuck," he answered behind me.

Did he say sorry? 

Hah! This is the first. Tapos tungkol pa sa elevator.

"Then call someone to help us," I commanded.