His Personal Driver

HPD 23

[ 23 ]

Paul's POV

She never changed. She will always be Nichole Erynne Valencia, the sophisticated and very liberated New Yorker. Malaki ang pinagbago niya ever since na tumira sila sa New York and even more when she started her career in modeling there.

We're in my office.

"So, change in plans?" She asked me.

"I... I don't know."

Binigyan niya lang ako ng isang pilyong ngiti saka tumayo sa kinauupuan niya. She went near me and sat on my lap. She's playing with me again.

She was about to kiss me, so I stopped her.

"No, Nics..."

Nakita ko ang pagkagulat sa mata niya. She just smiled at saka tumayo.

"Is this because of Sherlyn? Kaya ba ibang Paul na ang nakikita ko ngayon?"

"Nics..."

"Tell me. It is her, right?"

Tumango ako. And there, I heard her laughed in a soft tone.

Tiningnan ko lang siya.

"I can't believe this, Paul..."

Kunot-noo ko lang siyang tinitingnan. Nakakaloko kasi ang mga ngiti niya.

"So sorry, okay?... sabay taas pa ng dalawa niyang kamay. I just really can't believe this. I just can't imagine you being in love with someone. In love na ang best friend ko for god's sake! Ikaw? Maiinlove? Who would've thought?" Natatawa niyang sabi.

"Whatever, Nics..."

"I knew it! The moment na sinabi pa lang ni Manang about sa kanya, alam kong may something na. And seeing you wearing those big smiles that night bago mo pa ako makita... God! Kailan ko ba huling nakitang ngumiti ka ng ganoon? 9 or 10 years ago? Even Dad was so surprised seeing you smiling and laughing again." Bumabalik na naman siya sa pagiging childish niya.

"Yeah right. Tssss."

"And see how in love you are to her? Ayaw mo na ngang i-kiss kita. Samantalang sa New York, you even slept with me." She pouted.

"Ang ingay mo."

"Whatever, babe Paul. But you know, I do really like her. She's a lovely person. So you must take good care of her 'cause if you won't, I'll kick your ass off!" 

"Tsss. Of course I would never do that."

"Good. But hey, did she know what's really going on between us?"

Umiling ako. Natahimik naman siya.

"Oh no... I'm so sorry, babe."

"It's okay. We just have no choice."

"Oh yeah. I have no choice, but you have. Dad was right."

My eyebrows arched. "Alam na ni Ninong ang situation natin?"

"Yeah. It's just that, wala talaga akong maitago sa kanya. He knows me a lot. And we know that Dad is also my confidante other than you. He's right. I'm not a high school bratinella girl anymore. I should learn how to stand alone. We can stop this."