Still In Progress

Chapter 17

I woke up early today. Ayoko abutan ng traffic sa daan. Paglabas ko ng gate, Chad's already waiting for me on his car.

I didn't expect him to be here. Di ako prepared makipagusap sa kanya. Lumabas siya ng car para salubungin ako.

"Hi Breen, good morning. Let's go?"

"What are you doing here Chad?"

"Picking you up?"

"But you didn't inform me."

"That's what you call surprise.  I just want to make it up to you. Sorry kahapon ha?"

"Ano ka ba? It's not a big deal. Alam ko naman people have things they do not want to talk about. Medyo tsismosa lang talaga ako. Hahahaha."

"Thanks Breen. Time will come, makukwento ko din sa'yo."

"Siya nga pala, naalala mo, ng nakita namin kayo sa Korea? Naiwan ka sa Korea nun, diba?"

"Yup, pano mo nalaman?"

"Sabay yung flight natin pabalik ng Manila. Actually, magkatabi pa ta'yo."

"Really?" "Yes."

Napatingin ako sa kanya. Gusto ko sana tanungin kung bakit siya naiwan, pero baka maulit yung nangyari kahapon.

Napansin ni Chad na may gusto pa sana ako sabihin. "I know you want to know why." Then he smiled. That killer smile again.

"Nawala ko kasi yung necklace ko."

"Ha? Necklace? San, sa Korea? Kaya ka nagpaiwan?"

"Yes. I thought naiwan ko sa hotel, kaya lang sabi ng housekeeping dun, wala naman daw silang nakitang necklace."

"I can't believe. Bumalik ka for that necklace?" 

"It's not just a necklace. That necklace is very important to me."

Then suddenly, I remember the locket. I know it's impossible, but i still asked him, "Is that a locket?"

Nanlaki mata ni Chad. "How did you know?" Kahit ako di makapaniwala. "Tell me, yung name sa loob ng locket is Tamara."

"Hey, how did you know that?"

Hindi ako makasalita. Is it possible, siya kaya may-ari ng necklace na yun. Nasa harap na kami ng office namin. 

"Breen, tell me. How did you know about the necklace?"

"Actually Chad, may napulot akong necklace sa hotel. Remember, we stayed in the same hotel. I forget to leave it in the reception. So nauwi ko siya. Nacurious ako, kaya sinilip ko if may picture inside the locket, pero name lang nakita ko, Tamara."

"My God Breen, can you bring it tomorrow? I want to check. Hindi ko ineexpect na makikita ko pa yung necklace."

Hindi na ako nakapagtanong kay Chad about the necklace. Based on how his expression brighten up nang malaman niya possible nasa akin yung necklace niya, I can tell how important it is to him. Tamara, ex-girlfriend kaya niya siya?

Pumasok kami sa studio na iniisip ko pa din si Tamara. I'm actually spacing out.

Ilang oras na din silang nagrerecord, pero wala pa din sa kanila attention ko. "Aray! Sinong bumato sakin?" Hinanap ko kung sino nagbato sakin ng plushies. 

"Ako, may angal? Kanina ka pa wala sa sarili eh. Sinabihan ka ni Clyde mag-order ng lunch diba? Asan na yung delivery?"

OMG, malapit na palang maglunch time. Nawala sa isip ko. 

"Ah, sige. Magtake out ako ng lunch. I'll be back." Sabay tayo ko palabas.

"Wait Breen, samahan na kita." Offer ni Chad.

"Chad, you can't leave. You need to check this out first before namin i-proceed yung recording."

"Don't worry Chad. I can handle this. I think Blue needs your help."

I went to the nearest restaurant. Buti nalang may malapit sa office. Dumaan na din ako sa coffee shop na katabi nito.

"Ano kaba Breen? May dala ka ng lunch, nakuha mo pang dumaan sa coffee shop." Naisip ko. Actually, gusto ko lang muna tumambay sa coffee shop. Kailangan kong magrefresh. Kailangan ko muna kalimutan ung about s necklace.

Paglabas ko ng coffee shop, sinalubong ako ni Brent.

"There you are. Akala ko kung nasaan ka na eh. Ang tagal mo bumalik. Sabi ni Blue, baka daw kung saan ka pa bumili ng food, kaya pinasunod niya ako."

"Grabe ha. Gutom na gutom na ba si Blue?" 

"Ata. Hahahaha."

"Siya nga pala Brent, do you know someone named Tamara?" Sabi ko kakalimutan ko muna eh.

"Tamara? Nope. Never heard. Why?"

"Wala. I think I read her name somewhere. Forget about it. Hahaha."

"Akala ko kung saan ka na nakarating eh. Almost 1 hour ka ng wala."

"Apologies my Lord. Here's your food." Sarcastic ko na sagot kay Blue.

"Breen, we'll be leaving in an hour. Sama ka sa akin, diba?" 

"Yes Drake, sasama ako sa appointment mo."

"Good." I can feel Blue staring at me. So I looked at him, pero bigla naman niyang iniwas tingin niya.

Drake's photo shoot is very impressive. I can't deny, perfect model talaga si Drake. No wonder ang dami niyang commercials and endorsements. I started taking pictures of him as well, para i-upload ko sa instagram nila.

"So Breen, what do you think? Okay ba yung mga pictures na nakuha nila?"

"Yup. Very nice. I think you're really born for this." I smiled.

"Wow. Did you just smile? Bihira ako makareceive ng complement from you ha."

"Grabe ka naman Drake. I know how to give complements when it is due."

 "Dahil dyan, i'll treat you dinner."

"Gutom ka na ba?"

"Hmm, actually hindi. Eh ikaw?"

"Busog pa din ako. How about coffee?"

"Coffee? Sounds great. I know a place na masarap ang cakes."

"You and your sweet tooth. Hahaha."

Masarap ka-kwentuhan si Drake. I didn't expect it from him. Malalim siyang kausap. Marami akong a-ha moments with him. 

"You know Breen, people think that I am just but a face. But I'll be honest, I used that to my advantage. I used that so that people will take time to get to know the real me."

"I'm sorry Drake. I must admit, I am one of those people who think that you are just a face. And I am glad we had this opportunity to talk."

"So, what do you think about me now? Perfect boyfriend material ba?"

"Hmm, pwde na. Medyo bawas bawasan mo lang ang pagiging mayabang mo. Hahaha."

"Ako, mayabang? Totoo naman sinasabi ko lagi ah." Sabay kami nagkatawanan.

"Let's go Breen. Hatid na kita."

"Okay." I'm glad sumama ako sa schedule ni Drake. It's like a breath of fresh air. And somehow, feeling ko mas naging close kami ni Drake, and mas nakilala ko siya.

"Oo nga pala. Baka makalimutan ko yung necklace. For sure, hahanapin yun ni Chad tomorrow."