I Wanna Be Yours

Chapter 3

Explosions when our worlds collide
Something that we can't deny
There's something about us
Us ~ Anna of the North

Getting to know Clark Medina was proving to be a difficult task.

Actually, that was an understatement. It was proving to be an impossible task.

Leah squirmed as Clark glared at her from across the table. He had agreed to an interview with her at a coffee shop but so far he wasn't speaking.

"Nakakaintindi ka pala ng tagalog..." Leah felt embarrassment rush through her as she remembered their early encounters.

Clark nodded.

"Lahat ng sinabi ko?"

He nodded again.

"Pati 'yung je-"

"Yung jebs? Oo."

"Sorry..." Leah said shyly.

"I agreed to this meeting. Now don't waste my time," Clark said, his tone flat.

She nodded and picked up her notebook and pen. "May mga tanong lang ako...to get know you better. Um, paano nagsimula ang Woodlands?"

"I believe the history of our wood shop is on our website. You should do your research, Leah." He took a sip of his coffee.

She slammed her notebook down. "Binasa ko. Gusto ko lang sana marinig na ikwento mo. Ice breaker, diba?"

Clark smiled but it didn't reach his eyes. "There she is. I was starting to think the girl on the street was someone else."

"Pinaglalaruan mo ba ako?" Leah demanded.

Clark didn't answer her. He just sat there drinking his coffee in a way that made Leah wish she could grab that mug and throw the hot liquid in his face.

She closed her eyes and took a long deep breath, realizing that she would get nowhere if she attacked Clark. She didn't even know what it was about him that made her have violent thoughts.

'Swallow your pride, Leah,' she told herself. 'Para sa career. Para sa pamilya."

"Clark," she said in an even, gentle tone. "I know we got off on the wrong foot. Humihingi ako ng tawad sa mga nasabi ko-"

"Like when you accused me of stealing your wallet." He cocked his head.

"I'm sorry," Leah emphasized. "I was wrong. I hope we can start again...start fresh. I'm Leah Olivar." She held her hand out across the table.

Clark looked down at her hand. "I accept your apology. But I don't think we can work together."

He moved to stand up and Leah rushed to stop him. "Wait, wait! Clark, please..." she stood in front of him and blocked his exit. "Huwag kang umalis! Please, bigyan mo pa ako ng isang chance. Please...nagmamakaawa ako."

He looked taken aback by her sudden desperation. "What's the big deal? We'll get another ad agency and you can get another client. We don't have to see each other again. Problem solved."

"Kung ganoon lang sana kadali 'yon." Leah found herself tearing up and she hated it. She fought back the tears. "Oo, hindi mo kami kailangan. Maraming ad agencies diyan. Pero ako, kailangan kita."

Clark's eyes that were darting around at the people around the cafe, some of whom had turned to watch them, suddenly focused on her.

"Wh-what?"

"Dinala ako dito para ako ang gumawa ng campaign niyo. 'Yun lang. Kapag nawala ang account, babalik na ako sa Pilipinas. At please, Clark, hindi pwede mangyari 'yon. Kaya please, huwag kang lumipat sa iba. Please, bigyan mo ako ng isa pang chance." Leah dropped down to her knees and begged, not caring how she looked. "Please, please..."