11:11pm

Chapter 9

The next day, I woke up late because apparently I lack sleep. But I have no choice so I quickly arranged myself to go to work.

The day went good and nadidiscover ko na kung anong tunay na nararamdaman ko kay Jhoana. Pero hindi, bawal. As always, sabay kami maglunch today. Di ko lang alam kung bakit mas clingy sya ngayon.

"Saan mo gustong kumain?" I asked her while she's clinging her hand to mine. Ganito naman sya lagi, di ko na rin sinasaway.

She smiled, "Kahit saan, basta kasama kita"

'Jhoana wag, marupok ako'

"You're blushing, Bei" she said and chuckled.

I cleared my throat, "Ang init eh, Tara, vikings" I said at nauna ng maglakad baka di ko na kayanin at maiuwi ko pa siya.

--

Pabalik na kami ng office and ako ang nagddrive nang biglang nagring yung phone ko.

"Jho, answer it for me please" I pleased her.

She followed what I said and mouthed that it was Maddie so I let her answer it but she set it to a speaker mode.

"Where are you?"

"Ohh, Hi too Mads! Wala bang 'Hello' diyan?" I said while still focusing on the road. Anyways, we're almost near to the building.

"I said where are you?" Naramdaman ko ang tensyon sa boses ni Mads. "Are you with Jho?"

"Yes, why?" I quickly parked my car when we reached the parking lot, get my phone to Jho and mouthed 'Thanks'

Maddie sighed, "Wag muna kayong bumalik"

Nagtaka ako, "Huh? Paakyat na kami" i said as I enter the elevator. I smiled when Jho interwined her fingers to mine.

'Don't make me fall too hard, please'

"Shit. Nandito na kayo?" Rinig na rinig ko ang frustration sa boses ni Maddie.

I laugh, "Bakit ba Maddie? Nandyan ba yung tinatago mong boyfriend sa amin?" Sabi ko at bumukas na ang elevator kung saan nandito ang office namin ni Jho at Maddie at iba pang employees namin.

Akala ko employees lang ang nandito..

"Andito si Papu at Jobok"

I almost drop my phone when I saw Jia's dad and Jobok waiting for me. I immediately move away from Jhoana who's clinging her hand to mine because I saw how Jobok stares at Jho.

I approached them and tried to act natural, "Hi Papu! Hi Jobok!" I said and hugged them.

Jobok is still looking at Jho while Jho is walking thru her office.

I guided them to reach my place and offer them coffee and snacks.

"What brings you here Papu?" I ask politely.

"Wala naman. Gusto lang naman ni Jobok makita ka" sabi nito sa akin.

"So sweet of you Bok" I said as I looked at Jobok who's wearing his blank face.

"Ate Bei, who were you with a while ago? Who's that girl clinged to you?" He asked me.

Pinagpawisan ako sa tanong neto. Tinitignan nila ako ng seryoso nilang mukha. I admit. Jia's family is great. Boto sila samin. And I also made a promise that I no longer will fell inlove other than Jia. Eto siguro pinanghahawakan nila kaya ganito makatingin.

'Ji, pakalmahin mo naman sila, please'

"Jobok, she's Jho, our head architect, my fri--"

Papu cut me off, "Oh, tumanggap ka na ng papalit kay Jia?"

I cleared my throat for the nth time, "Papu, the company needs it eh. Malaking kawalan po pag hindi ko tinanggap si Jhoana. In fact, she knows Jia. Dami nga po nilang pagkakatulad"

Nagulat rin ako sa sinabi ko. Wtf, lalo akong gigisahin neto.

"Pagkakatulad? Eh ano namang pinagkaiba nila, Ate?" Jobok asked me.

I smiled, "Madami rin. But the most important thing na pagkakaiba nila is I love Jia, and I don't love Jho. Maybe I love her as a friend but my love for Jia is secure" 

Dun rin naman kasi pupunta 'tong usapan. Di ko na pinatagal.

Nakita ko namang ngumiti si Papu, "Bok naman, alam mo namang hindi kayang ipagpalit ni Bea ang ate mo sa kahit sino. Kahit mas maganda pa o sexy. Diba Bea?"

I just smiled as an answer. Habang si Jobok nakatingin pa rin sa akin.

"Promise?" Jobok asked me while still looking straight into my eyes.

I was about to respond pero merong kumatok sa office. It's Pauline.

"Bea, your meeting with Mr. Fabregas will start within 10 minutes"

Sabi nito at umalis na.

"Oh anak, mauna na kami, may meeting ka pa pala" Papu said while I fix my things for my meeting. I also avoid the gaze of Jobok, I don't wanna promise something that I know, I can't fulfill.

"Sige po Papu, thank you po sa visit" I said and kissed his cheeks.

I turned to Jobok and I see him smile, I was about to say good bye but he hugged me, "Ate Bea, I trust you. Please don't ruin it" he said between our hugs.