AELO 1: The Secretive Secretary Love

CHAPTER 9: FOLLOWING THE CLUES

Kanina pa ako tili nang tili sa palitan namin ng mensahe ni Kairo. Halos mapunit na ang mukha ko sa lapad ng pagkakangiti ko.

"Goodnight, Mrs. Lim."

Biglaan kong hinatak ang unan sa paahan ko at niyakap ng mahigpit. Isiniksik ko ang mukha ko at dito nagpakawala ng sigaw.

Ano bang nangyayari sa 'kin? Matapos lang siyang mag-confess ay nagkaganito na ako. This man is driving me crazy. Let me see his message one last time. "Aackk!!" Niyakap ko ang cellphone ko at nagpagulong-gulong sa kama.

"Teka nga. Bakit ba ako kinikilig? Hindi. Hindi tama 'to!" Umupo ako at sinampal ang sarili. Huminga ako ng malalim at bumalik sa pagkakahiga.

I couldn't stop grinning from ear to ear. My heart was doing a little happy dance in my chest. Kairo had just called me "Mrs. Lim," and I'd spent the rest of the night replaying that one word over and over in my head. I buried my face in my pillow, muffling my squeals of delight

___

Dali-dali kong tiningnan ang phone ko upang tingnan kung may mensahe si Liam.

Ano bang pinakain niya sa 'kin? Kagabi pa umiikot yung pangalan niya sa isip ko.

"You seem really happy," Trish commented as I was getting ready for work. "Is everything okay?"

I nodded, trying to hide the blush creeping up my neck. "Yeah, I'm just in a good mood."

Trish's expression turned serious. "Thea, I know that look. You had the same one three years ago."

Naguguluhan akong binitiwan ang door knob. Mapait akong ngumiti. "What do you mean?"

"Thea..." she hesitated, unsure how to proceed.

"Trish, alam ko ang ginagawa ko. Wala ka bang tiwala sa 'kin?" I asked, my voice firm.

She sighed. "Siyempre naman may tiwala ako sa 'yo, Thea. But I just want to make sure you're not getting hurt."

I nodded. "I won't," my voice softening. "I promise."

I turned and walked out the door, leaving Trish behind with a lingering look of concern.

___

"Kumusta kayo kagabi?" Liam's voice startled me, making me jump and almost delete the presentation I was working on.

"Tang-ano ba Liam, wala ka bang kamay? Uso kumatok sa desk, oh!"

He smirked. "May something kayo ni Kairo?" he asked, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

I glared at him. "P'wede ba, Liam, h'wag ka na lang makialam." I turned back to my laptop screen, trying to ignore him.

"What if malaman niya ang sikreto mo?" He persisted, his voice laced with sarcasm.

I felt my blood pressure rising. "What if manahimik ka na lang and mind your own business?" I retorted sharply.

"Curious ako kung ano ang mangyayari once lumabas ang pinakatatago mong sikreto-" He leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.

"Curious din ako kung ano ang mangyayari once lumabas ang pinakatatago mong sikreto, Mr. Con-artist," I countered, standing up to face him. I met his gaze, my eyes flashing with anger. "Bibilugin mo ang ulo niya at kukunin ang kayamanan niya, hindi ba?" I added, raising an eyebrow.

He chuckled, a predatory glint in his eyes. He stepped closer, cornering me against my desk. I felt a shiver run down her spine as he leaned closer. I pressed my hands against the desk, trying to put some distance between him.