If This Lasts (If This #2) Published Under Bliss Books)

Chapter One

"Avis, earth to Avis?" ipinalakpak ko ang kamay sa harapan ng mukha niya. She averted her eyes from her phone and looked at me. "Naririnig mo ba ang mga sinasabi ko?"

Halos tumagos ang mga mata niya sa akin. Kumunot ang noo niya na para bang hindi naiintindihan ang mga sinabi ko.

"Avis!" muling pag tawag ko sa atensyon niya.

"I need to go to Luke Dashiel." biglang sabi nito.

"What?" I made a face and then shook my head. I don't have the time to ask about her problems. I need to stay focused. "You know what? Never mind. You can't leave me, Av. May importanteng meeting tayo ngayon. I need you here and I need your presence of mind."

Ilang beses pumikit ang mga mata ni Avis. Mukhang naalala niya na kung ano ang meron ngayon.

It's the first meeting with the Serrano. Ngayon na magaganap ang contract signing para sa event. The Serrano Corporation is opening a new hotel and they want the best services that Glamur Ad could offer.

It's been four days since my father introduced me to Mr. Alejandro Serrano and I've done nothing but prepare for this meeting ever since.

When I found out that his son will be hands on with the opening of the hotel, I was dead set on making sure everything's perfect.

I'm usually excited when it comes to new projects, but the Serrano's will be the biggest project for Glamur Ad. I'm pressured. Dagdag pa na makakatrabaho ko si Zion dito.

Gusto ko na lang mapapikit kapag naalala ko siya. Fuck. It's been five days since that drunk night with him. I've never seen him since that night and I'm not sure if that's a good thing.

What am I talking about? It should be a good thing. Remember what happened three years ago, Savion? How he and his cousin played you? Nakakalimutan mo na ba?

Niloko ka niya at nagsinungaling siya sa iyo. Kaya anong hindi ka sigurado kung mabuti na hindi ko pa siya nakikita?

Naputol ang mga iniisip ko nang biglang bumuntong hininga si Avis. Nabalik ang atensyon ko sa kanya. Seryoso na ang kanyang mukha habang nakatingin sa akin.

"Okay." nakatangong sabi niya. Kahit papaano ay nakahinga ako nang maluwag. I need her support right now.

"Yes! Thank you, Avis." mabilis na yumakap ako sa kanya. Pinisil ko ang kanyang katawan bago siya pinakawalan. "Kung ano man ang nangyayari sa inyong dalawa ngayon ni LD, sigurado ako na magiging okay rin ang lahat. I have faith in the two of you. Have faith in LD, too. He loves you, Avis. He's been in love with you since the beginning of always."

She paused like she's trying to let my words sink in her mind for a few seconds. Mukhang gumana naman ang mga sinabi ko sa kanya dahil tumango ulit siya sa akin. She looked more assured and focused than earlier.

May sunod-sunod na katok ang tumunog mula sa pinto gn office ko. Sabay kaming tumayo ni Avis. We both know it's time. Bumukas ang pinto at sumilip mula doon ang assistant ko na si Fatima.

"Ma'am, Sir Xavier and the Serrano's are already on the conference room." Fatima exclaimed in a clear voice. Kalmadong tumango ako.

Inilipat ko ang mga mata k okay Avis. Nag-angat siya ng kilay bago ngumisi. She didn't need to tease me verbally. That evil smirk was enough.

Kung hindi lang ako kinabakahan ngayon ay baka pinatulan ko ang pang-aasar niya.

"Ready?" tanong nito.

"I'm gonna treat you in your favorite pizza place one of these days." pumikit ako at matapos ay huminga nang malalim para maibsan ang kaba na nararamdaman pa rin hanggang ngayon.