Halos malaglag si Kim mula sa kanyang kinauupuan sa sinabu ni Rafa. Now, she felt that fate was playing tricks on her.
"You want me to plan your wedding?" tanong ni Kim halos hindi lumabas sa bibig nya.
"Maja heard so much about you. And when I learned that you are the sister of Rafa, I took the chance and asked him if we could set up a meeting with you. We were told by your executive assistant na fully booked ka na raq at walang time to consult with new clients. What I didnt expect was to meet you tonight. Gusto ko lang sanang ibribe si Rafa ngayong gabi para makilala ka pero mukhang sineswerte ako at nakilala agad kita," nakangiting paliwanag ni Xian.
"Oh! Actually, totoo ang sinasabi ng executive assistant ko. Our calendar is full for the year. Very limited kasi ang client na tinatanggap namin. I really want a personalized service sa mga clients ko. I'm sorry kung hindi kayo na-acommodate ni Trish for an appointment," pormal n paliwanag ni Kim.
"I understand, Miss Chiu. Im glad that I met you tonight. Im just hoping that I can convince you to meet with us in the future,"sagot ni Xian.
"Oo nga sis. Pagbigyan mo na sina Xian at Maja. Tiyak na kukulitin ako ni Maja araw araw hanggang makumbinsi kita kaya please lang, talk to them", pakiusap ni Kuya Rafa nya.
"Nasaan nga pala ang fiancee mo?" tanong nya kay Xian.
"Shes in Malaysia for a fashion shoot. Shell be back in two weeks pa. Kung pwde sana masabi ko sa kanya na okay na ang appointment namin sayo."
Kim was caught in the middle. If earlier she was elated by the thought that she finally found the live of her life, now she felt that the heavens put a curse on her.
But being an astute businesswoman, she couldnt let a client pass her by. Kaya kahit mabigat sa loob niya ay nanaig sa isip nyang business is business at hindi nya dapat ihalo sa personal na damdamin nya. Sana lang ay maovercome nya ang namuong atraksyon kay Xian bago ito ikasal. She was not the intended bride.
"Ah, so model pala si Maja?"
"Yes, shes a fashion and print ad model, Maja Salvador."
Hindi na lng nya ipinahalata ang panghihina ng kanyang loob. Popular na modelo si Maja kaya tiyak na napakaganda nito.
"Congratulations, Xian. Your fiancee is a gorgeous girl and Ill make sure to pencil you in the coming weeks pagbalik ni Maja."
"Thank you, Miss Chiu."
"Call me 'Kim'."
"Thank you, Kim," malambing na sagot ni Xian.
She gave him a bitter sweet smile and they held each others gaze until she looked away.
Napansin cguro ng Kuya Rafa niya ang tensyon sa pagitan nila Xian kaya agad itong nagsalita.
"Now lets have dessert."
Nag order ang dalawang lalaki, pagkatapos ay nagpatuloy sila sa pagkukwentohan habang hinihintay ang knilang panghimagas.
"Ill set the date for our meeting when Maja arrives, okay?" sabi ni Xian nng maghihiwalay hiwalay na sila.
"Yes, please do." Inabot ni Kim kay Xian ang kanyang business card. Nagbigay rin ito ng business card sa kanya.
Pagkatapos ay inabot nito ang knyang palad para magkamay silang dalawa.
Naramdaman nya ang tila kuryenteng dumaloy sa kanyang buong katawan nang maglapat ang kanilang mga palad. She felt the tingle of her fingers all the way to her back down to her toes. Ramdam niya ang matinding atraksyon nya kay Xian pero kailangan nyang ilagay ang kanyang sarili sa tamang lugar.
"Nice to meet you, Kim. Until we w
meet again," sabi ni Xian nang bitiwan na ang palad nya. Parang nangungusap pa ang mga mata nito sa kanya pero hindi na niya in pinansin. Hindi sya dapat makopagflirt sa isang prospective client lalo na at engaged na ito.
"Until we meet again," sagot ni Kim. Pumasok na sya sa kanyang kotse habang naiwan pa ang dalawang nag uusap. Ilang saglit lang ay kumaway na si Xian sa kanya at gumanti rin sya ng kaway bago ito tuluyang naglakad patungo sa kotse.
Kumatok ang Kuya Rafa nya sa salaming bintana ng kotse nya.
"Sige, sis, drive safely and see you this Sunday," sabi ni Rafa.
"Bye, Kuya. Give my regards to Millie abd the kids." And she blew a kiss to her brother before she drove off and went home to recuperate from the stressful events of her day.
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Ano kaya mangyayari sa sunod na pagkikita nila ni Xian at Kim ? Abangan !
