Only You

Chapter 2: The Proposal

I walked to his desk while our eyes still locked. Standing in front of him. I can feel my knees shaking. Halo-halong emosyon ang bumabalot sa puso ko. Kaba. Saya. Takot. Ramdam ko ang kaba na halos lumipat na ang puso ko sa lalamunan ko. Saya sapagkat sa loob ng lumipas na limang taon ay muli ko siyang nakita. At takot na maaring ipagtabuyan niya ako at huwag ng pakinggan pa kung ano man ang sasabihin ko.

I look at him waiting for him to say something. But he just frowned and looked at me intently.

"Oh God please give me strength." usal ko.

"Nervous, Miss Robles?" He asked.

"I..I need your help." I stuttered.

"You need my help?" He asked sarcastically.

"Tell me what does princess Alexandra needing this time. Because the last time I checked she just vanished in thin air... without a trace! And now she's standing in front of me demanding for help." He said, his jaw clenched.

Napapikit ako. I already expected this will happen. He's angry. I can see it in his eyes. He hates me. And it's breaking my heart. If only I could turn back time and start my life again with him. But this is not what I came for.

"Our business is in bad shape." I said averting my gazed from him.

Kilala ang Robles Hotel and Suites sa Pilipinas at maging sa ibang bansa. Our hotels offer the best services in the world. We've kept that legacy for almost 25 years now. Dugo't pawis ng mga magulang ko ang ipinuhunan nila upang marating ang kinaroroonan namin ngayon.

Ngunit maaaring mawala ang lahat ng ito kung hindi ako kikilos at gagawa ng paraan. Halos sumikip ang dibdib ko sa tuwing naaalala ko ang mga taong lubos naming pinagkatiwalaan ng pamilya ko ngunit niloko at ninakawan lang kami.

Ang Villegas Shipping Company na lamang ang alam kong makakasalba sa kompanya namin ngayon. Kilala ito sa buong mundo na nangunguna sa larangan ng shipping industries.
Ang yaman at impluwensya ng mga Villegas ang nakikita kong tanging solusyon upang muling makabangon ang kompanyang pinaghirapan ng mga magulang ko. Subalit ang lahat ng ito at mangyayari lamang kung mapapapayag ko ang lalaking nakatitig sa akin ngayon.

"If it's not too much to ask... I would like to ask you a business proposal."

"A business proposal?" He smirked.

"You came here pretending to apply for a job. I must say you're that desperate to seek for help, Miss Robles. What made you think that I will accept your proposal?" He asked.

He was right I pretended to apply as his executive assistant. I did my best to get this close to him. I tried my best to get a hold of him but he seemed very good in avoiding me. Maybe because I've hurt him too much that he doesn't want to have any connections with me anymore.
But call me desperate I would gladly accept it. I'm doing this for the people I love.

"I am proposing that Robles Hotel and Suites merged with Villegas Shipping Company." There I said it.

"Hahaha! Is that a joke?" He laughed.

"Miss Robles, you cracked me up. That was the best joke I've ever heard."

"Please hear me out first. I am doing this for my parents. You're the only person I know who can help us from this mess. It's not about me. It's for them Adam.
So please..." I pleaded. I tried to hold back my tears. I don't want him to see me this desperate. But I was left with no choice.

He was quiet. He was just staring at me. If only I could decipher what's going on in his mind. If only I could tell him that I was sorry for leaving him five years ago.

I was about to turn around defeated and leave. Then I heard him say.

"Proposal accepted." He said.

Napalingon akong bigla sa sinabi niya. Napaawang ang bibig ko sa pagkabigla. Pilit kong sinisigurado kung tama ang narinig ko.

"Proposal accepted." Ulit niya.

Napanganga ako. Unti-unting sumilay ang ngiti sa labi ko.

"A-Adam... thank you." Kung alam mo lang kung gaano..."

"Not too fast Miss Robles." He said. Not letting me finish what I was about to say.

"I said yes to your proposal but... I have my conditions."

Napasinghap ako sa huling sinabi niya... kinakabahan ako sa kundisyong maaaring sabihin niya.

He stood up and walked towards me. He closed the gap between us. I could smell that very familiar scent again. It's making me weak. I can hear my heart beats so fast. He will always have this effect on me.

"A-Adam.." I stuttered.

"Hmmm." He said.

I closed my eyes thinking that he'll kiss me. I waited but it didn't happen. I opened my eyes embarrassed. I can feel my face turned red. I saw those brown eyes looking at me. I saw sadness. I saw anger. Oh God. Did I cause him too much pain that I am looking at a different person in front of me now. I bit my lip. Trying to hold back the tears that's about to fall. I looked away.

"Our companies will be merged.
In one condition."

Napakunot ang noo ko.
Halos tumigil ang tibok ng puso ko sa huling sinabi niya.

"Come back to me.... And be my wife again." He said.