Love in the Lines of Duty (Profession Series #1)

Chapter 10

Later that evening, they decided to celebrate our successful interviews and photoshoot earlier that morning. We ate at one of the luxurious restaurants in the USA reserved for the entire team.

Nandoon din ang tatlo, Jiro's calm demeanor, dressed in a simple black t-shirt and grey pant. Tristan's infectious energy, clad in a crisp white t-shirt, brought a contagious enthusiasm to the table. Zephyr, in his reliable grey t-shirt, added his thoughtful insights to their conversation, their camaraderie evident in their easy banter.

They were on the side of the table, silang apat lang ang nandoon, nag kwekwentohan. In the other side of the table naman ay ang ibang staff ni Nicolas, Personal photographer, make up artist, Hairstylist at iba pa. Sa table ko naman ay si Coleen, her assistant, my personal make up artist and Hairstylist. Hindi naman ako na boring sa table namin kasi marunong namang magpatawa si Riri, Make up artist ko.

There were military men inside and outside the restaurant, hindi ko alam kung necessary pa ba to, eh wala naman sigurong mangyayari sa aming masama. But Nicolas really hired these mens para bantayan kami?? Yeah, I get it. Mayaman siya, but I never expected him to hire a group of military mens para magbantay.

Habang kumakain kami, I found myself staring at the table of the mens. Ano kaya ang pinag uusapan nila?

"Huy! Nu tinitingin mo diyan!" Si Coleen.

"Wala! Napa isip lang kung ano ang pinag uusapan nila. Seems like seryuso eh." I said as I watched them.

"Gwapo nung isa ma'am no!" Si Riri sabay tingin sa kanila.

"Asan diyan?" Si Lordes naman, Hairstylist ko.

"Ayun oh! Yung naka black tshirt. Yung naka ayos ang buhok!" Sabi niya, tumitiri.

Tumingin ako sa tinuro niya, si Jiro.

"Ay oo! Si sir Jiro? Crush na crush yan namin ng ate ko dati pa!" She said, smiling while staring at Jiro.

Napatingin ako sa kay Lordes.

"Bakit niyo naman siya crush? Nakita niyo na ba siya dati?" I asked, now staring at Jiro.

"Oo Ma'am! Sa lugar namin ang campo nila dati!"

Campo?

"Campo? What do you mean by that?" Usisa ko.

"Ah? Hindi niyo po ba alam ma'am? Sundalo yan si sir Jiro!" She said giggling.

Sundalo? Hindi ba finance? Yun ang sinabi niya sa akin ah.

"Alam mo ba ma'am? Araw araw naliligo yan don sa bomba namin dati, lahat ng kasama niyang sundalo, ang lalaki ng biceps! Tyaka ang gaganda ng mga abs! Lalong lalo na si sir Jiro!"

"Mabait din yan Ma'am! Suplado lang minsan! Marami ngang nagkakagusto sa kanya doon eh! Pero ilang taon na yata ang lumipas nang umalis sila doon at lumipat sa bagong campo nila."

So kung ganon nag sisinungalin din siya? Hindi lang pala akong sinungaling? Siya din.

Tapos na akong kumain at naiihi ako, nag pa alam muna ako sa kanila at umalis na. Patuloy paring nag kwe-kwento si Lordes tungkol kay Jiro. Hindi narin ako interesado, nawalan ako nang gana nang mapagtantong nag sinungaling siya. Pero bakit ba ako mawawalan ng gana? Ano namang pake ko don diba? Pero big deal nga sa kanya ang pag sisinungalin ko!

"Teka? Galit ba ako?" Bulong ko sa sarili ko habang nag hugas ng kamay. Tinignan ko ang mukha ko sa salamin.

I'm not wearing any make up right now, kahit wala akong suot na lipstick o liptint ay kulay pink parin ang labi ko.

I slowly touch it. Remembering that night when we kissed. That was so hot. Kahit di ko masyadong ma- alala ang pinag sasabi ko at ang ginagawa namin, basta alam ko na nag hahalikan kami non!

Hindi ko namalayang nakangiti na pala ako.

"Why are you smiling?"

Halos mapatalon ako sa gulat nang may magsalita sa may pintuan. It was Jiro!

My cheeks flushed with embarrassment, he caught me smiling while looking at my own lips! What must he think? That I'm crazy? Or worse, maybe he thinks I'm thinking about our kiss!

"What are you doing here?" I asked, ignoring his question.

"I was going to pee when I saw you here, smiling." He smiled.

Nakakahiya!

Ano ningitingiti mo diyan! May kasalanan kapa no!

I quickly grabbed a tissue and was about to leave when he immediately grabbed my arm, prompting me to turn and look at him.

"I saw your table earlier constantly stealing glances at us." He said in a low voice while looking at me.

He leaned close to me, just enough for his long nose to touch my ear.

"Especially yours," he whispered, his breath minty fresh against my skin, "as if you could kill me with your sharp stares."

I felt a shiver run down my spine at his playful yet provocative remark. I turned slightly to face him, catching the faint scent of his cologne mingled with the subtle hint of mint from his breath. His dark eyes held a glint of amusement, his expression teasing yet sincere in its intensity.

I swallowed hard. Napansin niya??

But then, na alala ko ulit ang panloloko niya, baka lokohin na naman ako nito, or maybe they made a bet? Like what we did at the bar! Ano to! What you give is what you get!?

Hindi ako sumagot at binawi ang braso ko galing sa hawak niya. Dali dali akong nag lakad pabalik sa table namin, Leaving him behind.