When Love and Hate Collide

CHAPTER 9

BRIDGETTE
"please"

WE KISSED. Not. Just. Once. But. Thrice.

"Next week there will be a special guest joining our shoot. I hope you'll prepare for this. We're thrilled to work with you and we're amazed with the advocacy of this company, so I believe that we can already sign an agreement to make this all happen." 

We...kissed? THRICE??

"Oh, thank you so much! We really appreciate this opportunity you extend to us and don't worry, we are always prepared for anything and can't wait for this to happen already."

"By the way, here's the agreement, just sign it over here."

"Thank you, Bob—"

"Just call me, Babe."

"Okay, Babe."

"Better."

"I would also like to thank your Queen B, Ms. Bridgette for letting us handle your team and models with our campaign."

Her lips...touched mine???

"Ms. B."

"Queen B,"

"Hey,"

In fairness, malambot...

"Hay, tulaley."

Para ata akong aasthmahin sa sobrang bilis ng tibok ng puso ko. 

"Hey!"

"Aww! What was that for?!" Reklamo ko habang hinihimas ang right leg kong pinitik niya mula sa ilalim ng lamesa.

Pinanlakihan niya ako ng mga mata at mabilis na sinenyas ang ulo niya sa harapan.

Mabilis na napatingin ako kung saan siya sumenyas at holy cow— "Oh...ha-ha," napangiwi kong tawa. "D-did I miss something?" Tanong ko sa tatlong taong nasa harap namin ni Bobby. 

Shit! I forgot I'm in a meeting!

Kita ko ang pasimpleng pagsapo sa noo ni Bobby sa gilid ko.

Nakatingin silang lahat sa akin na para bang may mali sa itsura ko ngayon.

Just smiled it away, Bridgette. Make them think that you're listening even though you're just spacing out.

I gave them a sweet smile and patiently waited for their responses.

"Uhm, so far, we're about to sign the agreement papers and we'll be in touch next week for the shoot." Pagpapaliwanag ng blonde na babaeng edad forty plus na siguro at nakacorporate attire pa. She has blue eyes kaya kapansin-pansin siya among the two. Hindi ko na rin matandaan ang name niya dahil simula pagpasok ko dito ay binabagabag pa rin ako ng konsensiya ko.

Bakit kasi siya nanghahalik? Edi ginantihan ko rin siya, duh?!

Arrgghh! Nakakainis ka self. What a bullshit excuse.

"Ah," patango-tango kong sagot at napakamot sandali sa ulo ko.

Ramdam ko ang curious na tingin sakin ni Bobby. Tumaas pa ata yung isang kilay niya pagtapos kong ngitian ulit ang tatlo sa harapan namin bago sumagot ng hindi sigurado. Bahala na.

"That's nice! Don't worry, you're always welcome here at The Beehive. We're open to everything your business might need and guarantee a job well done after this agreement. We can't wait to start!" Medyo lutang pa ko sa context ng pinag-uusapan nila, pero sana nailusot ko 'tong sinasabi ko. Dinaan ko na lang talaga sa saya ng ngiti at energy para kapani-paniwalang nakikinig ako.