Together but Separate

Chapter 29: Occasion

Kate R. Ferragni

Nicko and I were on our way home. He picked me up from work, so we could go home together. We stopped by in a restaurant to eat then drove back home.

He would do that every time he found a chance. Lalo na kapag maagang natatapos ang meetings niya. He said he liked picking me up and enjoy dinner together outside.

Since that night he told me that he loved me, he became sweeter. He would do little and big things for me. Tinotoo niya rin ang sinabi niya na nagbabawas na siya ng trabaho kaya marami na siyang time sa akin. He assigned his employees to the other jobs he used to do.

Nicko and I were more open to each other now. We were getting adjusted to each other. Kahit nga ang kasambahay namin ay napansin na ang pagiging sweet namin sa isa't-isa. Although, we still slept in separate rooms. We were just not there yet.

"Do you have to go to work tomorrow?" Nicko asked me.

We were seating close to each other at the backseat. His hand was intertwined in mine. I loved it when he would do that.

Umiling ako. "I already finished everything today, so I could spend the whole day tomorrow preparing our dinner. Nanay expects me to help her cook."

Noche Buena na kasi bukas, and it would be our first Noche Buena with Nicko's family.

"Can I just meet you there then? I have two more meetings tomorrow. After that, I will go straight to your house."

Tumango ako. "Sige. I will wait for you." He smiled at me then kissed my hand that he was holding. I smiled at him too and when I remembered something, I spoke, "Oo nga pala. Before I forget, the owner of Superfoods invited me to the New Year's Eve Ball that she will be having. You will come with me, right?"

Superfoods was one of the best food companies in the Philippines, and they had a really good reputation. They were always number one in manufacturing food. My company had a long way to go to become like them. They were hard to beat. I was not trying to compete with them. I just wanted to know and learn from them, so I could gain more knowledge. But I never had the chance to meet the owner. Her busy schedule could not accommodate me. That was why I felt privileged to be invited by them in this year's ball.

"Isn't she the one you told me before that you wanted to work with but never answered your emails?"

Tumango ako sa kanya. Nakwento ko nga pala kay Nicko 'yon. Bigla tuloy siyang napakunot noo.

"Why did she suddenly invite you?"

"Maybe she's considering my proposal? I need to talk to her, Nick. She will help my company a lot if she agrees to collaborate with me in one of the projects."

"What if her motive is just to talk to me?" Napailing ulit si Nicko. "I don't want you to get hurt again."

I saw sadness in his eyes. Nicko really cared about me a lot, and I appreciated that.

I turned my whole body to face him. "I was thinking about that too. But her invitation card only showed my name. They didn't list your name. But whatever the reason is, I want you to be there with me, especially that you know how to discern people's motives. So come with me, Nick, please?"