Unforgotten Love Affair

Chapter 3 Getting on My Nerves

I can't believe to see him here in front of me in middle of this meeting.  I lost myself a little while. Bigla na Lang ako nakaramdam ng unexplainable uneasiness in his presence.  This can't be true... Anyone please tell me it's just a real bad dream. I pinched myself and realized I'm about to face my worst nightmare. Cannot be! Oh dear...
Dinig na dinig ang tindi ng tibok ng puso ko.  I closed my eyes. Pero imbes na makatulong, Mas lalo akong na tense. 
"... The CEO of Oragon Hotels, Mr. Marko Raphael Oregon." That's the last words I heard from dad. Saka pa bumalik ang katinuan ko.  Tanungin ba naman ako... "Sophia Margarette, are you okay?" Dad! Kelangan ba bigkasin buong pangalan ko? Pambihira!
"Ahemmm... I'm fine dad. Medyo kumirot lng kaunti ang ulo ko. But I'm fine. Yeah." You know it's more telling it to my self that I'm fine... Ugh!!! Alam ko kanina pa sya titig na titig sa akin... I hate it! The guts!
"So we are finally going to rise another chain of hotel just like that in Vegas and New York?" Excited na sabi ni dad. Syempre additional project Ng kumpanya 'to. At malamang this is the start of my agony.
Pansin ko Ang katabi nyang babae. Malayo sa pagiging secretarya Nya. Maganda at pati katawan, pwede na ihambing sa mga modelo.  Sobrang kapit sa lalaki. Nakakagigil... Nakalimutan ata nito na andito sila sa meeting at Hindi sa bar. I hate the sight. Ang sakit sa mata Ng mga ito.  Mata nga ba, Baka pati puso... My other mind said. Iwinaksi ko Ang ganoong isipin.  This won't help.
"Yes Tito... This will be the next top rising hotel in the Philippines. I assure you that we will make it big hit to tourists." Confident nyang sagot Kay dad.  "Meron po etong pent house if some preferred it to big spaces at times. Bale occupying two floors yun. Then yung top most floor ay para sa CEO Ng kumpanya. You know the perks of being one Tito". And he smiled while looking at me. What is he trying to prove? Nakakainis! I'm so dying to walk out of this room.  I can't breath same air with him. Gosh!
"Iha Ang firm ninyo will take charge of the whole construction till the finish of it. I'm referring to interior design. Since certified architect ka at famous interior designer in the country, it is just right to leave those things to your care.  And since it is a big project after all, kayo ni Raphael Ang magtutulungan na gumanap nito. Well, He is also a registered civil engineer by profession. Masyado Lang sya focused sa pagpapalago Ng branches Ng hotel since he graduated as HRM also." His father proudly said.
"Dad!" Angal ni Raphael. "You don't have to mention it. Tssss..."
"Hon..." Abah! Nagsasalita din pala etong parrot na 'to? Ang OA Lang.
Ano ba Ang role na malanding parrot na eto dito. Gosh! Wala talaga syang ka taste-taste sa babae noh. Kaya ba Nya ako iniwan nuon kasi andito na sa buhay nya tong  babae na Kung makakapit ay parang tuko? Paasa!!! Why do I let myself fall for this womanizer! I can't believe it. I wanted to curse that madness moment many times.  But it can't bring back those times and be stucked with "what ifs".  I'll just end up regretting myself. Wala talaga ako mapapala sa lalaking ito.
Hindi ko na sila tinapunan Ng tingin. I just make myself busy to come up an idea of the making up the hotel.  Merong casino pa kasi sa ground floor just like that of the Resorts World. Me naisip na ako. I just need to see the place to finalize it.
Nang mapansin Kong nagsitayuan na ang mga attendees, Ng umpisa na din akong magligpit Ng gamit para makaalis na rin dito. Sumisikip na kasi Ang mundo naming dalawa. Nadagdagan pa ng alalahanin na I'll be working closely with him in the coming days. Is part of the joke?! Ugh!
When I'm about to leave the room, I heard him calling me... His baritone voice that bring chills to my veins. Napatayo ang aking mga balahibo.
"Sophie..." I stopped walking. napapikit ako and took a deep breath.  Bakit parang musika sa pandining ang pagbanggit nya ng pangalan ko? Ramdam ko na ang init ng katawan sya sa likuran ko. Ibig sabihin nun, sobrang lapit na Nya sa akin. Oh God! I can't let him fool me this time.  "Trying to escape from me this time, babe?" He barely whispered to my ear.... Oh no!...