A Setback Beauty

Kabanata 5: INCOMING TROUBLE

Incoming Trouble.
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LIBAN sa hampas ng alon at lagaslas ng mga tuyong dahon sa paligid, nakakabinging katahimikan ang bumalot sa pagitan naming dalawa ni Kade habang naglalakad kami sa gilid ng infinity pool papunta sa parking space.

He stayed with us for a minute after we finished eating. Manang, even I, advised him na magpahinga muna. After a few minutes, nagpaalam na siya dahil may importante raw siyang pupuntahan.

Ako na ang nagkusang sumama sa kanya pabalik ng kanyang sasakyan. I'm obliged to do it since he's my unexpected visitor and it's perfect timing na clear ang schedule ko ngayong araw.

Napahinto ako sa paglalakad nang huminto ang nauunang si Kade at lumingon sa'kin.

"Thank you for the lunch. Your workers are great, especially your cook. Masasarap ang luto nila."

Tumaas ang isang kilay ko sa narinig. "Of course. Kukunin ko ba silang cook kung hindi sila masarap magluto?"

Narinig ko ang mahinang pagtawa ni Kade bago siya muling lumingon sa'kin. "Alam mo bang ikaw ang pangalawang babaeng bumara sa'kin nang ganyan?"

I bit my lower lip as I felt ashamed of what I've just blurted.

"Hey! Natahimik ka na diyan? Don't worry, hindi naman ako na-offend."

Napaangat ako ng tingin sa kanya nang maramdaman ang mahinang pagtapik niya sa balikat ko.

"But kidding aside...masarap ang luto nila. Kung pwede ko lang silang hiramin sa bahay ko ng ilang araw-"

"I'm sorry, but you can't, Mr. Montalvo. They're my employees, not yours."

I stared at him blankly, but he just grinned.

"Chill...I know it. I'm not really serious about what I've just said. They're yours since they are your employees. By the way, thank you for being hospitable."

I smiled sheepishly ."Y-You're welcome. Pasensya na kung simple lang ang mga naihanda namin, hindi kasi naming inaasahan na—"

"No, it's okay. Hindi mo kailangang mag-sorry. Sa katunayan, ako pa nga dapat ang humingi ng pasensya sa inyo dahil nakisama pa ako sa salu-salo n'yo. Thanks for inviting me to your team lunch. I liked the foods you have here. They're fresh and delicious."

"You're welcome. You can come here anytime you like. We usually serve Filipino food, especially fish and other seafood, but if you prefer international foods, we have two restaurants here that serve them." I smiled at Kade, pero nasa dagat na ang atensyon niya.

"I will definitely come back to this place. This is a great place." His eyes are filled with amusement as he watches the crystal-like sea dazzle under the scorching sun.

I followed his gaze and smiled.

"Yeah. A place for people who want a serene escape," I said quietly, listening to the waves crashing on the fine, white sand.

He walked more slowly. I did the same. The blazing sun might toast our skin—his tanned skin and my fair one—if we aren't under the row of palm trees beside the infinity pool.

"Palagi kong naririnig sa mga kaibigan ko ang lugar na ito. They say a lot of compliments to this resort, they even say that this is one of the best beach resorts I can find here in Santi Tierra. And you know what? They're right! Casa de Gallego is breathtakingly...beautiful."