In His Kiss

Chapter 25

Chapter 25

Laure Ri Daza's Point of View

Tell me I'm dreaming.

I blinked several times, silently praying that I would no longer see Hiro once I opened my eyes.

Ngunit kahit ilang beses ko pang ipikit at ibukas ang mata ko ay si Hiro pa rin ang nakikita. The all-smiling, cheeky guy I met from before. The guy that I've been hooking up with. The guy I've been with yesterday.

But this guy in front of me looked cold and professional as if he didn't use his lips to smile. This guy is different. This guy is Hiromaru Stanislaski, the CEO of the company.

Mukhang kahit si Hiro ay hindi siya makapaniwala na tatayo ako sa harapan niya ngayon. Or should I say Mr. Stanislaski? Humigpit ang hawak ko sa aking laptop nang makaramdam ako ng matinding hilo. What are the odds that the man I've been hooking up with is my boss?

How could the sweet Hiro I know from last week become the jerk boss that I want to kick in the ass?

He said he is self-employed. Well, I think it's true. He told me he is managing his family's small business. Isn't he so modest? How could a multi-million company considered small?

Oh my! I stopped when I realized that I just fucking unwittingly met the Stanislaski Clan. The Stanislaski Clan. Christ Almighty! Kill me now. Ngayon naalala ko na kung saan ko nakita ang pinsan niyang si Kalev. It suddenly occurred to me that I had just seen his cousin in the Forbes magazine I read months ago! Kaya naman pala pamilyar ang mukha nito sa akin. And, of course, his mother is Japanese. As far as I remember, that only means Ishikawa is his middle name.

He was about to speak and by the shape of his mouth, I know he will call my name. Kaya bago pa siya makapagsalita ay inunahan ko na ito agad.

"Good morning Mr. Stanislaski, I'm Laure Daza. I'll be assisting for today's meeting." I gave him an awkward smile and I prayed that Sir Rico didn't catch it. Kung alam niya na lang na gustong-gusto ko nang makaalis dito sa loob ng office ni Mr. Stanislaski dahil hindi ako makapagisip nang maayos.

I saw how Hiro frowned when I acted like I didn't know him. Because right now, I don't know him. I thought we were getting closer. Pero mukhang akala ko lang ang lahat. I am ready to open up with him. Right now, I'm back in square one. I don't know anymore.

"So, let's start?" Naputol lang ang pagtitigan naman ni Hiro nang magsalita si Sir Rico. Thank you for that, Sir. Now, I have a reason to look away and just focus on what I am supposed to do. And that is to take notes.

Hiro cleared his throat before standing up from his throne. Naglakad naman ito sa may sofa at pinaupo kami sa kanyang tapat.

I am sitting in front him while Sir Rico is sitting besides me. Tinuon ko na lang ang tingin ko sa nakabukas kong laptop at nagpanggap na hindi ko nararamdaman ang bawat titig niya. But I just can't shrug it! I can literally feel that Hiro has been staring at me the moment he sat down on that damn sofa! Hindi na ako makapag hintay na matapos ito. Gustong-gusto ko nang umalis.

"How long have you been working here, Ms. Daza?" I exclaimed when he suddenly asked me that. Kahit si Sir Rico ay napatingin sa akin. Ang mga mata niya ay nagtatanong kung bakit ako tinatanong ng CEO nito. Oh please, don't look at me like that. I also don't have any damn idea why his making a small talk with me instead of starting the meeting.

"Six years, Mr. Stanislaski." Mabilis na sagot ko at iniwas ko kaagad ang tingin ko sa kanya. No, I cannot afford to look at him right now. Masyado akong nakakaramdam ng matinding kaba at kung alam niya lang ay kanina pa nanginginig ang kamay ko.