When Love and Hate Collide

CHAPTER 21

BRIDGETTE
The Chase

"Queen B, I'll just take a half day today. Samahan ko si Lola sa hospital. She's finally agreed to get a check-up after a conversation with someone." Bobby was standing in front of my desk, wearing a plain white shirt and navy blue slacks, with a red necktie around his neck.

He had his arms casually crossed, and there was a bright smile on his face because of the news.

I smiled back at him, happy to hear the good news about Lola. "That's great, Babe! Finally, she listened. Sino nagpakumbinsi diyan? Si Bonnie, 'no?"

"Tsk. You're wrong. It's not my brother. Wala nga 'yong ginawa kundi mag-travel at iwan si Lola sa bahay." He rolled his eyes at me and even put his hands on his hips.

"Eh sino naman? Kanino naman makikinig 'yon si Lola? Eh ang tigas din ng ulo n'on, parang ikaw." I shook my head as I said this and leaned back in my swivel chair.

Forda chika na naman ang ferson, imbis na nagtatrabaho ako. He's here in my office while I was working on the upcoming magazine release for Fendi. We're finally going to be published in the cities near NYC! What a big dream this is. They also said it will be distributed around Hollywood.

I am so excited!

"I was shocked too, honestly. She never listens that easily, but...yeah, she found her trustworthy, I guess." He shrugged, pacing back and forth slowly without looking at me. I noticed a slight smile forming on his lips, which made me frown in curiosity.

"So? Sino nga?" I asked eagerly, crossing my arms as I grew impatient.

He immediately turned to face me, now openly smiling, which he had been trying to hold back earlier. "It's Talixx. She convinced her to get a check-up, at least to make sure that she's really dying. Natawa pa nga ako eh, kasi hindi siya naniniwalang may malubhang sakit 'yon. Siguro dahil tanggap na ni lola at naging masaya naman siya sa buhay niya, kaya parang wala lang sa kanya yung sakit niya."

I was stunned, just listening to what he said. I almost wanted to drop my jaw in surprise. Of all the people Lola would listen to, it had to be her? What did she do to convince the old lady?

She really has something about her that makes people easily follow whatever she says. I don’t know. She has that kind of effect. I can't even explain it. Kayo na bahala.

"Hmm, lalim ng iniisip mo, beh! Makaalis na nga. Wala man lang reaksyon porket narinig lang ang pangalan ni ano. Tsk, tsk, tsk." He threw a tissue at my face and shook his head as he left my office.

"H-hoy! A-anong ibig mo sabihin?!"

"Accla!"

"Hmpf! I don't care about her, 'no, duh?"

"Whatevah, bye!" He said his final words before leaving me in my office.

I suddenly slumped back in my chair and took a deep breath. I don’t know why, but every time I hear her name, the memories of what we did that night keep flashing back. That's why I'm trying my best to avoid her again. As much as possible. What a coward and bullshit act again, Bridgette? Hindi ko na talaga maintindihan ang sarili ko minsan.

One day, I'm looking for her, the next, I don't want her existence. Argh!

I feel like I'm going crazy. If Nervana and Beshy find out about this, they would definitely freak out. How the fuck did I end up hooking up with my former professor whom I’ve hated all this time?