Just Another Story

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

<Terrence’s POV>

When she turns to face me, I can see it in her eyes that what she’s going to say is important and she wants me to understand it.

“I’m your girlfriend, right?” Ano namang klaseng tanong ‘to?

“Yes.”

“But you know I’m also your employee, right?” Right. I think I know where this conversation is going.

“Yes.” I said. I don’t want to jump ahead of her.

“And I am paid for my work here, right?”

“Yes.” Prolonging the ‘s’.

“So, you need to let me do my job.”

“Hinahayaan naman kitang sumama sa mga meetings ko. So, I think you are doing your job.”

“That is just one of the things that I’m assigned to do.”

“So, what do you want me to do? Order you around?”

“Yes, just like what you do with the others.” She places her hand around my arm. “Terrence, I don’t want you giving me special treatment.” I step back away from her. Her hands drop to her side.

“Are you trying to make me laugh?!”

“What? I’m being serious!”

“I can’t do that. How am I supposed to stop that? Wherever we are, whatever the situation is, you are special to me. How do you think I could stop treating you special?”

“Terrence, this is work. Please, understand me. I want to earn what I get out of this company.”

“You also have to understand me. I can’t stand ordering you around. I can’t stand seeing you so worked up and stressed.”

She takes a deep breath. “Fine. Then I have to transfer.”

“Transfer?!”

“Yes! You can’t order me around? Then I have to work under a different person.” I didn’t answer her immediately.

“Who do you like to transfer to? If there’s someone that would like to take you as their PA then you can go coz as far as I know, there’s no other opening in our company.” I didn’t mean that. I want her for my own.

“If you can give me a name that would like a personal assistant, then you’re free to go.” Sabi ko sa kanya. “And give it to me. Now.” I know she doesn’t know most of the people here and that’s the reason I’m asking her for a name coz I know she can’t give me one.

So I was shocked when she gives the name. “George.” Sabi niya. “Mr. George Arazon.” I’m so shocked to hear that name. I mean, he made a move on her when we were on the ball. And why does she say his name like they know each other, like they met not just once? I saw my hand turn into a ball. I know I’m angry and… and jealous.

“He would accept me, I know.” Have they met already? She never said anything to me.

“So… are we settled?” How many times have they met? Tumayo ako at lumabas ng office. I need air, I need to breathe. I heard her call me but I didn’t stop. I’m going to the rooftop and I can hear her footsteps behind me. I know, I’m overreacting. It’s just that jealousy takes over me.

We reached the rooftop. Huminga ako ng malalim. Sobrang lalim.

“Terrence..” She said my name as if she’s pleading.

“This is all because of him right?” What am I saying? I can’t control my mouth.

“What?!”

“Do you like him?” I can’t believe I’m asking her this. I don’t like to doubt her. But she met George and she did not tell me.

“WHAT? NO! Terrence, what are you saying? I can’t believe you’re even thin..king about this.” There’s something different with her voice. Like she’s trying hide or stop something.

“How many times have you met him?” My back is still on her.

“Once..? Twice? I-I don’t know. I don’t... really care.” Her voice is shaking. I turn to face her. She’s sitting on the floor. Her face is on her hands. Err. I made her cry. Kanina pa ba siya umiiyak? Kaya ba iba ang voice niya? Hayy. I’m still mad. No, I’m not mad, just jealous but I can’t force myself to just stand here and watch her cry.

I go near her and take her hands off her face. “Hey, I’m sorry. It’s my fault. Stop crying.” She hugged me. I was surprised that I went off balance and end up sitting on my butt. Well, ako ang nagpaiyak sa kanya but she still wants me to comfort her. She’s like a baby. So innocent. Alam niyo ‘yun? Kahit paiyakin mo ang baby, they will still look for you to comfort them.

“I’m sorry.” I said while rubbing her back to comfort her. I’m feeling really guilty right now.

“I’m sorry for getting mad. Not really my intention to hurt you.” She takes many shallow breaths.

“I know.” She said. I can feel her tears warm on my shoulder. “I was just hurt that you doubt what I feel for you and so scared coz I don’t really know how to explain to you coz I really don’t know what to say.” Now I hate myself.

“Yeah. I’m sorry. I know I was wrong. It’s just that my jealousy has taken over me. Hush now.” I freed myself from her hug so I can see her face. Her eyes are a bit red and tears streak down her cheeks. Nonetheless, she’s still very beautiful. I wiped her tears away then just look at her.

“Don’t stare.” Sabi niya.

“Why?”

“I know I’m so ugly right now.”

“Says who? You are still gorgeous that I want to kiss you right now.” She didn’t say anything, she just blush and that’s my queu. I grab her face and kiss her slowly. Her lips are softer, I guess that is because she just cried.

“Are we good?” tanong ko sa kanya.

“Yep. We’re good.”

“Baby, I am really sorry.”

She smiled. “It’s alright. I love you.”

“Love you more.” Kelangan ko na lang siguro pumayag sa gusto niya.

“About the transfer..”

I cut what she’s saying. “Let’s talk about this when we get home. Wait, this wasn’t your wish, right?”

Umiling siya. “Nope. Okay, let’s talk when we get home.”

Tinulungan ko siya sa pagtayo. “Let’s stay for a bit. Your eyes are still puffy. And I don’t want them thinking that I made you cry.”

“But, you did.”

“Right. I don’t want to brag about that.”

“Okay.” Sabi niya. Umupo kami sa bench. We stayed there hanggang okay na ang eyes niya.