My Aloof Man

Chapter 14

BEAUTIFUL

Unlike what Matthew mentioned, Lorraine did not go to Milan. Nanatili lamang siya sa Manila. The next day after Matt left, she stayed at Brennon's office and worked there.

Parang walang sariling office... Laging nakikisiksik...

Akala ko sa susunod na araw ay pupunta na siyang Milan pero hindi. Nakabalik na lamang si Matt sa Manila ay nasa Manila parin siya. She should visit the site, you know. She's the architect, for Christ sake!

Malay ba niya kung mamaya yung pinlano niyang design ay hindi pala sinusund doon. Dapat ay hands on siya sa project!

And here she is kasabay ko sa elevator. Lima kaming naroon. She said 'hi' to me when she saw me as she entered the lift. Ganoon din ang ginawa niya sa ibang empleyadong naka sakay. She's this friendly which I kind of hate. Parang pilit. Parang hindi totoo. I just smiled at her anyway.

Sa harap ko siya nakatayo. She's wearing a white off shoulder top and a black pencil skirt that defines her slim body. She really is tall. Well, halos magkaparehas lang naman kami ng tangkad pero lalo pa siyang tumangkad dahil sa suot niyang 5 inches black pumps. I really should wear high heels always so I don't have to look up to her.

Milagro at hindi sila magkasabay ni Brennon ngayon. Are they having some misunderstandings? Natigil ako sa pag-iisip nang bumukas na ang pinto ng elevator sa 18th floor. Her office is here too. Parehas sila ng floor ni Matthew.

"I'll head out first," she said, sparing us a glance before stepping out.

Ramdam kong sumunod ang mga mata ng dalawang lalake kay Lorraine hanggang sa nagsarado ang elevator.

"Ang ganda talaga ni Ms. Lorraine," bulong nung isa at bahagyang napasinghap.

Napairap naman ako. Wala na ba talagang ibang mapag-uusapan ang mga tao dito kundi ang kagandahan ni Lorraine? I mean, may mga trabaho sila! Dapat iyon ang pinagtutuunan nila ng pansin!

Bumukas ulit ang lift sa 19th floor at sabay na lumabas ang dalawang lalake kasama yung babaeng may katandaan na. Naiwan akong mag-isa. Pinindot ko na yung button para magsara na ulit. Tumigil ang lift sa 20th floor at agad na akong lumabas at dumiretso sa office.

Pagdating ko doon ay agad kong sinilip ang opisina ni Brennon. He's already in the office, sitting on his swivel chair, and busy typing something on his laptop. He's early today. And he didn't wait for Lorraine? Magkaaway kaya sila?

Natigil ako sa ginagawa nang may biglang mag lapag ng isang paper bag sa lamesa ko. I lifted my head up and I saw Matt standing in front my table. He's all smiles and his dimples are showing on the side of his cheeks.

"What's this?" tanong ko.

"Pasalubong ko sa'yo. I forgot to bring it yesterday."

"Oh," I replied. I took the paper bag and opened it. It revealed a plum, fitted, open-back, sleeveless dress with a boat neckline.

"I remember you love dresses. Nung nakita ko yan ay ikaw agad ang naalala ko so I bought it for you. I hope you like it," he said.

Nakapag shopping pa siya doon? Tatlong araw lang yun ah. Siguro'y namasyal muna siya bago umuwi. Mabuti pa siya. Samantalang noong kasama akong nag-Milan, hindi man lang ako naka gala. Dapat siguro niyaya ko nalang si Matthew...

"Yeah. I like it. Thanks, Matt," I genuinely said before I gave him a smile.

"I know you would. You're welcome." ngumisi siya at kinindatan ako bago pumasok sa loob ng opisina ni Brennon.

Minsan naiisip kong nilalandi na naman ako nitong si Matt. But sorry to say that I won't fall for his traps again. I know him well. Malandi na siya noon. Alam kong malandi parin siya hanggang ngayon.