Stonehearts 5: Emerald

Two

As soon as my name echoed from his throat, everyone at the quarters stopped and gaped at me as if I was bizzaro, as if I was something erratic.

Sir Ray looked at him with questioning eyes. The prick smiled at him, flashing the mocking grin he used to have way back in college. Gusto ko siyang lapitan para mabura ang nakakainis na ngiti niya. Lord, why oh why?

"Kilala mo siya?" Sir Ray inquired in surprise, voicing out the question I know everyone's been dying to ask.

Hindi pa ba obvious boss?

He answered but his gaze was securely fixed at me, "Yes Sir. Isma and I go all the way back."

Then someone from the room finally spoke, "Isma?"

I cringed at the name. Ang tagal tagal na noong natawag ako sa pangalan na 'yon. I crinkled my nose and gave him a nasty frown.

"Oh, sorry. Architect Era Vinluan pala." Paninikis niyang muli. Gustong-gusto kong lumapit sa kanya at hampasin siya gamit noong folder na binigay sa akin ni Sir Ray kumakailan.

I fisted my hands, preventing myself from strangle the life out of him.

"Climente." I finally found my voice! Now it's his turn to frown and glower at me. Oh how he hates it when he's called by his first name. I secretly grin in victory.

Then there was a long, deep silence. I know every single person in the room is in daze with our familiarity with each other. Hindi lang nila alam. Kung gaano namin katagal kilala ang isa't-isa siya rin ang lalim ng init ng dugo ko sa kanya.

Boss eventually cleared his throat, "Okay, back to work everyone. Era, Cael please join me inside my office." He muttered before he stalked away, Cael following him.

I groaned. Gusto kong maghalumpasay. Hindi pa ba sapat ang pagkikita namin? Kailangan talagang kausapin pa kami ng sabay? I can't stand to be close to him without my blood boiling to 100C.

"Huy, Era. Ano 'yon? Anong nangyari?" Gaille asked as she popped her head above the divider of our cubicle.

I closed my eyes shut, massaging my temples. "Gaille,'wag muna ngayon please."

I saw her pouting once I opened my eyes again. Oh I know her, she will want all the juiciest gossip she can take. I shook my head before I took my phone and headed inside the boss' office.

Cael was already sitting comfortably on one of the chairs in front of Sir Ray while he was talking casually, something about London and Bridges.

I was still frowning and for the second time this day, our eyes again fastened with each other. And no matter how hard I try, I can't seem to peel my gaze off of him.

"Ah, still the cranky and moody Isma from college." He remarked as soon as I sat on the vacant chair adjacent to him.

I glared at him, "Still the cocky, good for nothing Climente from college." I retorted.

His grinning lips turned into a tight, straight line when he pursed it in disapproval. He both scowled at each other. If this was cartoons, you'll probably see static with the way we resent each other.

Boss cleared his throat again breaking the glaring contest. "So you two knew each other." He started.

Oh for the love of Jesus, Mary and Joseph! Hindi pa ba halata boss?! For a moment I want to shout him the obvious!

I was about to answer but Cael immediately beat me to it. "Yes, college. We met during our youthful days in college. Classmates kami sa ilang mga GenEd subjects. 'Diba Isma?" There's that wicked grin again.