CEO of My Heart

Chapter 10: Cards on the Table

Even as Carl remained quiet inside the elevator, he never let go of my hand. And even if his grip was uncomfortably tight, I never complained.

Sa mga oras na ito, I wished I had taken more rounds of margarita. Ito talaga yung mga panahong iniisip kong sana lasing na lang ako. Kasi kung lasing ako, mawawalan ako ng pakialam. I will not make anything out of the situation. Hindi ako mag-iisip kung bakit nangyayari ito, kung bakit hawak niya ang kamay ko, at kung bakit pumapayag ako. Ayokong magsimulang mag-isip para hindi ako mag-overthink. Ang gulo ng utak ko ngayon. Parang nagwawala ang brain cells ko. Kailan ko ba huling naramdaman ito?

Ah. Bago siya umalis.

Pero nandito na siya. Balik na naman ang gulo sa isip ko. I am back to a proverbial guessing game.

I remained quiet till the elevator doors opened at basement 1. Seryoso ba ito? Ihahatid nya talaga ako pauwi?

Hindi pa rin niya ako binibitawan even as we were walking towards his car. He led me to a white SUV, opened the passenger door for me and did not let go of my hand until I stepped on the car. Tapos, pumunta na rin siya sa driver's seat.

Wow. He drives his own car. Sa estado niya, one would think that he has his own driver.

Kinabahan ako when he moved closer towards me. I closed my eyes as his face moved closer. Then...he reached for the seatbelt and made sure that it was securely fastened.

Of course. What were you thinking, Kate? Feeling mo naman iki-kiss ka niya? Ilusyonada.

"Uhm, Carl...ihahatid mo na ba ako pauwi?

Without looking at me, he replied, "Let's have dinner first."

"Pero nag-dinner na kami nina Marie."

"Ako, hindi pa."

Ay, shunga! Oo nga naman!

"Sasamahan lang kita mag-dinner, then you'll bring me home?"

"Bakit ba parang nagmamadali ka?"

Eh kasi po 10 pm na.

"Hindi naman sa nagmamadali. Sige, saan ka ba magdi-dinner?"

Before he could answer, he was already being guided by a parking attendant in a nearby restaurant. Malapit lang sa office yung restaurant but I've never been there. Eh kasi naman ang mahal dun. It was a small restaurant with a few tables. Tables were mostly for two which would make one think that this is a date place. In fact, there were some couples there who look like they are indeed on a date. But this is not a date.

This is not a date. Repeat 10 times.

A receptionist welcomed us and led us to one of the tables. He did not waste any time and called on the waiter to order. Mukhang pagod at gutom nga siya. He also ordered dessert and coffee for me.

"Uhm, how was your trip?" This was my feeble attempt to start a conversation.

"It was okay. Like I said, I finished everything as soon as possible para makauwi agad ako."

"When did you actually arrive?"

"Kanina lang. I was already in Manila by 5pm. I just went home to change and went straight to the office. I wanted to see you."

I decided to ignore his last sentence. I was not ready to go there.

"Akala ko talaga sa Tuesday ka pa babalik."

"Kaya ba pumayag kang lumabas with that photographer?" I heard this clearly kahit mahina ang pagkakasabi niya.

"Wait. What? For your information, I was not out on a date with him. I was with Chini, Joanne and Marie. Nagyaya sila, so sumama ako. Josh was not even with us. Dun na lang kami nagkita. Saan galing yung tanong mo?" I'm sure nahalata niya ang inis sa boses ko.