Everything About You

Chapter 45

Mom and Dad insisted on giving me a condo unit and a car as their gifts for me. Para narin daw may sarili na ako kapag balik ko ng Pilipinas.

Hindi ko na kinontra ang gusto nila at maligayang tinanggap ang mga ito. For years, I learn to live alone kaya naman hindi na rin ako sanay na humingi ng tulong sa iba. If I can do it on my own then I'll do it.

"Ma'am you have a meeting with Mr Centono at 10 am and Mr Smith at 12pm" my secretary mentioned while following me inside my office.

"Okay. Any more appointments?" I asked.

"Wala na po ma'am but your dad said he wants to disscuss something with you when your schedule's clear."

Binuklat ko ang folder na nakapaibabaw sa lamesa at sinimulan itong basahin.

"I'll meet dad after everything. Maybe 2pm" Aniya ko nang hindi sya manlang tinatapunan ng tingin.

"Okay ma'am." She said and exits the office to sit on her chair.

"I knew it! You're the famous Architect Faith Dela Vega!" Axel eclaimed ng makita akong papasok sa kung saan kami magmemeeting na dalawa.

I was surprised too. I forgot that his surname is Centeno and their family runs chain of hotels.

"Hi." I greeted him.

"Hi Rafi! I miss you! Long time no see!" He extends his arm and pulled the chair so I could sit. Tinanguan ko sya at naupo. "Thanks" I whispered.

"How are you? Mas lalo kang gumanda!" He looks so amused by seeing me right now kaya naman nginitian ko nalang sya.

"I'm good. Ikaw? Are you managing your family's business now?" I ask formally while he waves his hand for the waiter.

"Yes. Actually me and Vince are trying so hard to learn and be as good as our parents." He said still looking so amused by my presence.

"That's good then." Wala sa loob na napainom ako ng tubig dahil sa pagtitig nya ng maigi sakin.

"How about you? I heard you started your own firm? And you also are the head of architectural design on your family's company!" Dumating na ang tinawag nyang waiter at nagintay ng order namin.

"I'll have vegetable salad please. I can't eat much. I'm on a diet."

I heard him chuckled before dictating his order. Ng matapos sya at umalis ang waiter ay saka ko sinagot ang kaninang tanong nya. "Yes. Kakasimula palang. Its just small firm, dahil narin siguro sa tulong ng mom at dad ko kaya nagkatotoo. And yes I am the architectural design head of our company. Dad gave me 20% of his shares so I could learn how the company runs and also I could get what is really meant for me bonus na nga lang daw na naging isang successful architect ako."

He nodded attentively after hearing my story. "Uhm- lets go back to what is this meeting for." He turned his expression from playful and amuse to serious and poker face.

I cleared my throat before speaking. "You need an architect for your house?" I ask.

"Yes. I already bought the land where I want my house to be build. And its on Cavite." He said and slice the grilled steak he ordered.

"Tell me the details about your preferred design and I'll see what I can do with that." Napahinto ako sa pagsasalita ng magvibrate ang phone ko.

From: Ate Aijenn
Heard you're back! Can we meet? With Julia and Joyce. We miss you!

"Sorry someone texted uhm. Where are we?" I said and look back at him who's now staring amusely at me.

He look different. He grows his stubbles a lot and he looks mature now. Though he still has this playful aura. And he is still handsome just like before.

"That I should tell you my prefered designs?" Gumalaw sya ng konti sa upuan na parang nangawit at ngumiti sakin. "Maybe you can show me your designs. I think that's easier." He continued.

Napaawang ang labi ko sa sinabi nya. I was stunned because for the first time, a client wants my design to be use on his house. Kadalasan kasi ay masyadong mapili ang iba at kapag hindi nila gusto ay pinapabago kaagad nila.

"Then can we meet again so I can show you some of my samples?" I ask when I finally recover from shock.

He nodded and reach for my hand for a handshake. "Prepare the contract too. I want you to be my architect." He said after shaking my hand for a bit.

My mouth gap at what he just told me but I smiled after. "Thank you. See you next meeting?"

He chuckled. Lumapit sya para mabeso ako ng hindi nakuntento sa handshake lang. "I'll immediately set an appointment for that." He whispered.

Isang oras lang ang itinagal ng meeting kaya naman bumalik ako sa office para mag ayos ulit sa susunod na appointment.

Inilugay ko ang mahaba at kulot na buhok pagkatapos ay nagpolbo at naglagay ng kaunting lipstick.

I went to the parking and drove off to my next appointment for today.

"Hi Ms Dela Vega. Its so nice seeing you again after what? 7 years?" Agad namang bati sakin ni Cloud ng makita akong papalapit sa kanya.

He guide me to my chair and smile.

"te ves más bella que nunca"  he whispered while staring at my face.

"Gracias. Te ves tan guapo también."  I answered fluently speaking spanish too that made his mouth wide open.

"You speak spanish now?" Nagulat at manghang tanong nya sakin.

"I learned a bit. I studied in barcelona for five years." I said as a matter of fact.

"Wow." He mumbled.

"So lets start this meeting? Shall we?" I said while looking at him
I'm so good at this! Turning from casual to formal speaking became my talent already.

I notice his hair grew longer and he seems to don't get any hair cut for a year or so. Ang buhok nya'y hanggang sa taas ng balikat nya. He still has the most angelic aura because his features never change. Its still soft.

We ate lunch together after naming mapagkasundan ang pinaguusapan at pagkatapos ay sabay kaming umalis. Ako para bumalik sa opisina at sya para pumunta sa kung saan.

Its so good to see my old friends pero hindi ko akalain na we will reconnect through business.

Naglalakad na ako papasok sa building ng opisina ng hindi ko mapansin na may kotseng paparating.

I close my eyes and wait for the painful hit on my body but it didn't came. Naramdaman ko nalang na may humila sakin pabalik kaya naiwasan ang pagbundol sakin ng kotse.

"Ano ba! Kung gusto mong magpakamatay wag ka mamerwisyo ng iba!" Sigaw ng galit na driver ng kotseng babanga sana samin.

Hindi ako nakapag react. Maybe because I am still so shocked. Unti unti akong dumilat ng maramdamang parang may nakayakap sakin dahil sa pagkakahila.

I look up only to see those familiar grey eyes. Isang lalaking naka-cap at black mask ang nakahawak sa beywang ko.

He seems to be hiding dahil tanging mata nya lang ang kita sa muka nya.

My heart suddenly beats to its familiar fast pace na para bang kilala ng puso ko kung sinong may ari ng mga matang nakikita ko ngayon.

Bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko lalo na ng makita ko sa mga mata nya ang paghanga at pangungulila na agad ding nawala at naging malamig na tingin nalang.

Marahas nya kong binitawan kaya muntikan na akong matumba pero hindi manlang sya nagsorry at dire-diretso nang umalis.

"Wait! Hey! Thank you!" I shouted trying to call his attention but he didn't look back at me which made me pissed.

"Weirdo." Wala sa loob na bulong ko nang makapasok sa elevator.

Why is he wearing a mask and a cap? Ano bang meron? Hindi ko maintindihan ang suot nya ha! May tinataguan kaya iyon? But thanks to him hindi ako nasagasaan. Atleast kahit muka syang hoodlum sa suot nya nagawa nya akong iligtas.

To: Ate Aijenn
Let's meet later after work. Ace's haven. 8pm.