The Billionaire's Case

9-Start

Sandra

How Rome managed to know my schedule and even my house address was beyond me. I was sure that I did not give away any hints to him. It only led me to two names that might connive with him. But Denisse is busy with her honeymoon so it must be Karen. I dialled her number.

"Hello Karen." When she answered the phone I knew immediately it was her. Her voice sounded nervous.

["Friend! Ahm teka medyo busy ako eh tawagan kita mamaya ha."]

"No! You have been ignoring my calls and I think I know why. . .Did you tell on me?"

["Hala. . . Wala akong ginawang masama ah. Hindi ako ang nagsabi kay Rovic ng address mo. . . Ang sinabi ko lang. . . na nag-aral ka ulit. Ahm. . . tapos ang school. . . pero friend hindi ko sinabi kung anong schedule mo promise."]

I could almost see her raise her right hand to show her promise.

"How could you possibly tell him my schedule when you didn't even know."

["Exactly my point! O sige na babye na friend."]

"Karen." My voice was stern to let her know I was serious.

["Haaay. . .Oo na friend sorry na. E kasi itong si Denisse binigay pala ang number ko kay Rovic tapos tumawag siya sakin mga ilang weeks na rin nakalipas. Galit ka ba? Sorry ha. Gusto ko lang naman makatulong sa tigang mong lovelife. Magpadilig ka naman friend. . . pero in a conservative way."]

I wasn't able to keep myself from laughing at her. She always manage to make me smile even when I should be mad at her. Maybe I wasn't mad at her in the first place.

["Sands? Pinagtatawanan mo ba ako o natutuwa ka kasi nakikita mo na ang crush mo araw araw? Umamin ka na nga. Tayo lang naman. Hindi naman ako nakaspeaker phone sa kwarto.]"

"I thought you were busy? You were just holed up in your room?"

"Ha? Eh bakit iniiba mo ang usapan. Answer my question. Are you happy?"

I guess I can't escape her prying. She's my bestfriend after all.

"I was shocked at first when I saw him in class. The way he was warranted respect. I learned so much from him in a day than I learned from the previous professor in a month."

["Naku friend, siguro kasi undivided attention ang binigay mo kay Rovic. Kaya marami kang natutunan. If I know, hindi ka naman nakikinig talaga sa mga Prof mo. Kasi nabasa mo na lahat sa libro ang tinuturo nila."]

"I guess. Rome is different when he's in class. He's serious. He shows his intelligent and superior side. Very authoritative and commanding. It fascinates me just to look at him. I figured, I want to look at him all day and not just for two hours."

["Friend, teka aalis muna ko."]

"Where to? I thought you want me to tell you what I think?"

["Oo friend, sige lang magkwento ka pa habang on the way ako sa pupuntahan ko."]

"I asked you where you're going in such a hurry?"

["Sa simbahan! Magpapamisa 'ko! Sa Baclaran, Sta Clara, sa Quiapo at kay St. Jude! Juicecolored! Dininig na ang mga panalangin ko. Sa wakas nagka interes ka na ulit sa isang gwapong taong nakapantalon! Akala ko talaga wala ka nang pag-asa."]

I can't help buth laugh again at her foolishness. My life would have been boring without Karen.

"Silly! I'm serious though. I think I like seeing him everyday. . .I feel so much better with him around. . .The flowers, chocolates and the card I received today when I got home was not bad at all too. . . But please don't tell him that. Never ever tell him I told you that. . .Karen?"

I can't stop the grin that keeps on appearing on my face. I took my phone off my ear when I heard her scream.

["Waaaaaaaaaaaaaah! May pachocolates at flowers at card pa?! OMG friend!!! Malapit ka na madevirginize!!!"]

Good thing I was not drinking something or I might have spit everything on the floor. If Karen was here I could have strangled her because of her foul mouth.

"Kareeeennn!!! Someone might hear you!"

["Ay. Sorry naman naexcite lang ako. . . Talaga? Shemay friend kinikilig ako promise! O ano daw sabi sa card? Dali na Sands, kinikilig ako grabe ka. I'm sure nakasmile ka noh? O diba mas ok pag nakasmile. Lagi ka na lang kasing galit sa kanya."]

I was smiling. I laid in bed, took the card from my bed side table, hugged my pillow and read the message again.

Sandy,

I look forward to seeing you in class. I will do anything and everything just to be closer to you.

I know it would take time for the wounds to heal but I am willing to wait even another lifetime just to be with you again.

I miss you so much. I hope I made you smile.

Always,

Your Rome.

"As a punishment for you, I won't tell you what the card says." I enjoyed teasing Karen when I can. I am sure she is pouting and stomping her feet at her room.

["Sandra ang unfair mo ha. Dapat nga nagtethank you ka pa sa akin diba. At bestfriend mo ako! Karapatang pantao ko malaman kung ano ang nilalaman ng card na 'yan! Denisse and I deserves to know!"]

"Nope. Not telling." I know she's pacing her room, I can hear her steps on the other end of the phone line.

I left her hanging for a while as I used my cellphone and took a picture of the card's message, the chocolates and the beautiful flower arrangement of red and white lilies, stargazers and angel's breath. I sent it to Denisse and Karen with the caption Start of my happiness. After a few minutes, Karen was in hysterics again probably after receiving my message.

["Saaaaaandddsss!!! I am so kilig! Sweet pala ang attorney mo. Akala ko pag lawyer boring. Bagay kayo. . . Eeeeeeee!"]

She was literally screaming her lungs out and all I did was smile.

It felt good to smile thinking about him for a change. I love this feeling. I just hope that I am not making a mistake in ignoring all the warning signals that seem to invade my thoughts.

"Bye Karen." I ended the phone call and opened the red glossy heart shaped box of Lindtt Chocolates he gave me. I popped one in my mouth enjoying how it melts gloriously in my taste buds. He knew that this creamy chocolate goodness is one of my weaknesses.

I just hope he doesn't figure out what my greatest weakness was. Him. 

***

A/N: I had to set the next few chapters into Private to protect my copyright.

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