Act of Fervor (Mad Men, #3)

Kabanata 5

Kabanata 5

Biting my fingernail, I looked at myself in the mirror. My black hair is down, nakahati lang sa gitna. I saw my collarbones protruded as my small chest rose and fell. Excitement and nervousness are not a good combination. I've lost count of how many times I've gone to the restroom to pee. Ilang beses ko na rin pinapatay bukas ang blower dahil nababasa itong dress na suot 'ko.

Miles chose a nude slip, maxi dress with an open back and a slit up the side. From the gift boxes from the brand I'd campaigned for, sabi niya ito daw yung pinakaakma for the dinner date. Dahil raw madali na ibaba.

I just rolled my eyes. But kept giggling inside. Arte.

Miles told me not to wear any necklace to emphasize my collarbone. Which is my biggest asset that along with my long legs. He'd give me a pointer to just wear hoop earrings. I wear my usual smell-fresh floral scent.

"Are you shaved down there?" si Miles habang inaayos ang heels sa akin.

"Yes," direkta kong sabi. I am always shaved. It always been a directive.

"Good," seryoso niyang mutawi habang abala sa pag-aayos ng heels ko. "Ewan ko na lang talaga. You're so hot right now."

"Thanks, Miles. Love you." Miles and I shared a condo because it was conveniently close to our workplace. Hindi pa naman kami nagbabatuhan ng kutsilyo and we're still good. He's my biggest supporter. My eyes almost watered. We don't do much affection, but he knows I love him to death. At ganoon din siya sa akin. I've never thought that we could be really friends. That we could really work out as buddies.

"Ihahatid pa kita, ang aga namang paalam nito. Atat ka masyado madiligan."

"Asa! Pagkakataon ko na to. Ilang araw na rin di tayo binabalikan ng secretary niya, no," ani ko.

I fixed my hair and gulped. This isn't about getting laid by the attorney I've been chasing. My top priority is to talk to him about my father's arrangement to meet him. Other things, such as getting laid, can follow-if we happen to click. If not, e, 'di hindi. Easy as that. If he's not interested, I'm not going to pursue him.

I wasn't born to chase men.

"Okay, I think, let's go," sunod ko. My eyes roamed to the surrounding. Our condo si one big mess right now.

Miles offered me my purse and winked after. Pinaikot niya ang susi ng kotse sa daliri. His eyes wandered from my heels to my face. And his lips rose, saying nothing.

"What?" I breathed, my hands fell on my waist.

"Nothing," ang tanging sabi niya.

Kumunot ang noo 'ko. "What?"

"Wala nga. Ganda mo kasi, Miss," anito sa normal niyang boses.

"Dami mong sabi," I smacked him with my purse. But he caught my wrist and pushed me towards him. His breath fanned my face. My eyes widened in shock. "Uy, tara na nga. Ang dami mo pang arte."

"Ano ba 'yan, 'di man lang naapektuhan," reklamo nito sabay bitaw sa akin. "Hindi ko na keri."

Natawa ako. Kung ano-ano kasi naging trip.

Isa pang tingin sa salamin ay lumabas na kami ng condo. We ran into familiar people while walking toward the elevator and we said our greetings. Naging madali lang naman ang lakad naming mula sa elevator hanggang sa parking lot. Miles opened the passenger seat door and placed his hand above the frame to make sure I didn't hit my head. I pouted as if to kiss him, but he used his other hand to gently push me away.

I chuckled but get myself inside. The drive from our condo to BlackBird at the Nielson Tower was somewhat smooth. Akala ko maa-traffic kami, so we allotted extra time. Mukhang maaga pa kami sa usapang oras.