Claiming Andromeda #B1

47 B2

Si Rob ang unang nag-abot ng pakikipagkamay kay Aris.

"Robinson Agoncillo, owner of Agoncillo Security and Investigation Agency."

Sumunod si Ralph na nagpakilala bilang legal counsel ko at ni Rob.

I think nakapagkuwento na si Rob kay Ralph. Mukhang hindi naman nakahalata si Engr. Montecillo sa saglit na tensyon sa pagitan namin ni Aris.

"Freidrich Schulz," sabi ko sabay about ng kamay.

Inabot ito ni Aris, "Yes, I remember you from...four years ago... I think?" seryosong sabi nito.

"Oh, that's good! He's an existing client, Aris. We got their contract before the partnership. They're having a new hotel and resort site in El Nido. By the way how did you two guys meet?" tanong ni Engr. Montecillo.

Nagkatinginan uli kami ni Aris. Tinatantya nya siguro kung ano ang sasabihin ko. Ako naman, gusto kong malaman if he has the guts to tell the truth.

"We had lunch at their hotel here in Makati. Got to chance upon him at the lobby," he said.

I wanted to laugh my ass out. No balls, until now, Kho? Pathetic. Masuwerte si Drew at nagkahiwalay sila.

Mabuti na rin na hindi sya nagbanggit about Drew dahil baka maging emosyonal ako at magkaroon sya ng hint na may alam ako sa kinaroroonan ni Drew, kung sakaling hinahanap nya ito.

Umalis na ang dalawang lalaki para umikot sa iba pang bisita.

"That was the reason I gate crashed this party," biglang sabi ni Rob.

Napalingon ako dito.

"It appears he has a grudge on you. Does it have something to do with her?" dugtong nito.

"I'm interested, too, you know," sundot naman ni Ralph.

"Later, guys. Not here," I said. Nakaintindi naman ang mga ito.

We stayed for a little longer to chat with other business people there. As usual, there were some women who tried to hook up with us but no thanks. Ayoko ng complication kay Drew. Though Rob and Ralph got some numbers from a few women.

"Pareng Reid, binago ka na talaga ng pag-ibig," kantyaw ni Rob. Tumikhim ako to warn him dahil dumaan sa likod nya si Aris. Baka may mabanggit itong pangalan.

Bago kami umalis, kinausap namin ni Ralph si Engr. Montecillo for a meeting with him regarding our contract and if the partnership will affect it. He said we will talk about it after the holidays pagpunta nya sa Palawan. That's fine with me.

Nagpaalam ako kina Rob at Ralph na pupunta muna ako ng men's room bago kami umalis. Naghuhugas ako ng kamay nang mag-ring ang cp ko. Wala namang ibang tao sa CR so inilapag ko ang cp sa lavatory sink then put it on speaker phone.

"Half?"

"Oh?"

"Hinahanap ka ni Hope. FaceTime nga kayo, pwede? Kahit sandali lang. Ayaw matulog, it's past her bedtime."

"Ok, wait. I'll call you back in a jiffy. Naghuhugas lang ako ng kamay."

"Ok." Nawala na ito sa linya.

Minadali ko ang paghuhugas ng kamay. I dialled Drew's number and pressed the FaceTime button. Nakatungo ako sa cp ko sa lavatory habang nagpupunas ng kamay gamit ang paper towel.

Hope's face framed the screen, "Daddyyyyyyy!!!" Tuwang-tuwang bati nito. . Ume-echo ang boses nito sa washroom. Natawa ako. "You're so small like in tv!" bumungisngis ito.

"Hello, baby! I'll be back tomorrow. May work lang si Daddy. Sleep ka na. Mommy's worried na," sabi ko dito. Hawak ko na ang phone ko.

Hindi ko naintindihan ang sagot nya dahil merong nag-flash ng toilet. May tao pala sa isang cubicle.