The Bastard's Wife (On-Going)

Chapter Nine: Almost Hope

Chapter Nine: Almost Hope

-Audrey-

"So, where do you see yourself in three to five years?" Pangatlong tanong niya sa akin. I can't believe I'm going through with this. Tipid ko siyang nginitian.

"I could see myself becoming your partner in this company. Guiding and improving towards greatness." Diretsong sagot ko. Kita ko naman ang pagngisi siya sa akin. He leaned at itinaas ang kilay.

"Could you see yourself too being with me... again?"

Gusto kong umirap but I can't because this is a job interview. But this man can't really stop himself making this personal. This is the only company that I know that I have a chance getting hired, the Braxton Global. It's the Fajardo-Sliva Corporation's Rival.

"Can we be professional here? Please?" Pakiusap ko. He shrugged at tsaka sumandal sa swivel chair.

"Sorry, can't help it. It's only been what? Uhh, three years since you broke up with me." Giit nito. Dios mio. He really has the guts to brought that up. Talk about being professional.

"Look Bryan, it's either you interview and hire me or I'll walk out the door right now." Anas ko. Bumuga ito ng hininga.

"Who am I kidding? Of course I'm going to hire you. Congratulations." Aniya. Gulat naman akong napatingin sa kanya. Is he serious? Ni-hindi pa niya ako tapos interview-hin. Tatayo na sana ako para maglahad ng kamay nang nagsalita siyang muli.

"Until now, I still don't know why you broke up with me." Hirit niya. Oh God. Drama na naman ata ang pinasukan ko. I think Christopher's right, that working with an ex is not a good idea.

"Uhh, maybe we can talk about that some other time? Because you know, this is business." Wika ko. Tumango naman siya at tsaka tumayo. Tumayo na rin ako at naglahad ng kamay.

"Thank you, Mr. Braxton. You won't regret having me here." Tinanggap naman niya iyon.

"I never regret meeting you." Seryosong sabi nito. Nanlaki naman ang mga mata ko. Ni-ayaw pa nitong bitawan ang kamay ko. "Just call me Bryan. Para naman tayong walang pinagsamahan."

Natatawang sambit nito sa akin. Tinanguan ko lang siya.

"Yeah. Sure, Bryan." Ani ko. Matamis itong ngumiti sa akin. "Again, thank you so much. I'll see you tomorrow."

Paalam ko. Agad na akong naglakad papunta sa pinto at tsaka iyon binuksan. Nagmamadali naman si Bryan na lumapit sa akin. Hahakbang na ako papalabas nang magsalita siya ulit.

"Ahm, how about we grab lunch today-" Hindi ko na siya pinatapos at nginitian ko lang.

"Yeah, I'll see you tomorrow." Ulit ko. Tinalikuran ko na siya agad at tsaka naglakad papalayo.

Why did I ever dated that guy? I mean yeah, he has a pretty face, the body, he's sweet, but when mom passed, I felt like I lost myself too and I could not just string him along. It wouldn't be fair for him. But now he's being weird. It has been three years and I am pretty sure he has moved on. 

Agad akong sumakay sa sasakyan ko at pinaharurot iyon papauwi. Nasa kalagitnaan ako ng pagda-drive nang magring ang phone ko. I fished it out of my bag then answered it without looking on caller ID.

"Hello, it's Audrey Silva speaking." Bungad ko at tsaka inilagay on speaker.

"Are you done with you're interview? How did it go?" Tanong niya.

"Of course, I nailed it Chris. I'm scary smart." Mayabang na sagot ko sa kanya. Napatawa naman siya.

"Oh yeah? Is it because you nailed the guy already in the past? If it is then yeah, it is scary smart." Sarkstikong sagot nito sa akin. Kung kaharap ko lang siya ngayon binatukan ko na ito.

"Hey smartass, you don't get to be sarcastic on me. And please, that was three years ago. It was young love. He got me with his looks. Besides I became emotionally unavailable when mom passed." Depensa ko but he kept chuckling.

"Auds, just like they say, first love never dies." Wika niya. Patuloy naman ako sa pagmamaneho.

"Yeah, right. Wait aren't you suppose to be working? It's only 11 am and you're slacking? Oh dude, they should fire you too." I joked. Inis naman siyang pekeng tumawa.

"Ha-ha. Funny. I love my job, Audrey."

"I'm just kidding, Chris. I know you love me too much." Tawa ko sa kanya. Tumikhim naman siya.

"Audrey, Riley's here earlier. Him and your dad were arguing." Seryosong saad nito. I felt my heart skipped a bit.

"It's their business and I don't intend to stick my nose in it. I've had enough with their antics. May sarili silang buhay, yun ang guluhin nila." Inis na sagot ko kay Chris. Iritado akong bumuga ng hininga. " I gotta go, Chris. Besides you have work, and I'm driving."

"Alright. I'll call you later, Auds. Bye." Paalam niya. Wala sa sarili naman akong napa tango.

"Bye, Chris." Then I ended the call.

Agad kong ipinarada ang sasakyan at tsaka umakyat papunta sa unit ko. I fished out my keys in my bag and when I was about to unlock the door I noticed it was already open. As far as I remember, I locked my unit. I am a hundred percent sure that I locked it. Hinawi ko pabukas ang pinto at halos atakihin ako sa puso when I saw who it was inside. Padabog ko namang isinara ang pinto. Seryoso lang siya sa aking nakatingin.

"Your first crime was attempted murder and now you added breaking and entering?! Seriously, Riley?!" Hiyaw ko sa kanya.

"It's not breaking and entering when it's my wife's place." Mahinahong sagot niya habang ako ay nagpupuyos sa galit.

"How did you even got inside? Don't tell me you picked the lock?!" Iritadong tanong ko sa kanya. Then the asshole just shrugged.

"Why would I pick it when I have a key? Your doorman happily gave it to your husband. He said he's pleased to meet me." Halos wala nang mapaglagyan ang galit ko. How dare he?

"Give me back the key, Riley." Utos ko sa kanya. Nanatili lang siya sa pagkakaupo. "Give it back."

"I don't want to." Halos malaglag ang panga ko sa sinagot niya. He's talking back now!

"Baka nakakalimutan mong bahay ko ito? This is my place, my house! It's a private property, in my name!" Bulyaw ko sa kanya. Tumayo naman siya at lumapit sa akin. Nginitian niya ako.

"Have you forgotten? We're married, honey. What's yours is mine. What's mine is yours." That shut me up. Fuck.

Ang tikwas na buhok malapit sa aking tainga ay kanyang isinabit sa likuran nito. Tinitigan niya ako ng taimtim.

"I'm done playing Mr. Nice guy, honey. I am so done with you pushing me away. I made a mistake. I know, I'm really sorry. You've fought so hard for me in the past. You did everything you could to make our marriage work, I was an ass for hurting you. But now I've changed. You have to listen to my explanations. I love you now, honey. And I'm gonna fight for us, okay? So please stop pushing me away."

I don't know what to say. I felt that he's sincere, that he's willing. I never felt that. I can feel myself slowly melting. What he said rocked the walls I build. Then he hugged me. His warmth envelope my body. It feels like he's starting to rearrange all of the brokenness inside me. I can almost feel hope.

Ivy.

(Not proofread.)

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