Working Girls Series# 1: Beautiful Nightmare

Chapter 8

Max closed the book he had been reading for hours now and massaged his nape. He went to his laptop to check on what's happening downstairs. He should refrain from watching her but he promised himself it will only take a minute to check whether that witch had already set his house on fire.

Yeah. Alibis, Max.

She's lying on the couch as usual and she's reading, too. He recognized the book. Of course, he does. It's one of those many books his shrink told him to read. It's suppose to help you overcome depression by learned optimism.

Why is she reading such book?

Hindi naman siguro ito depressed kasi hindi halata sa kanya. And how could a young gorgeous woman like her be depressed? It's so unlikely. Unless, she is really his enemies' spy. Marami sa kanyang mga kaaway sa negosyo ang may alam tungkol sa madilim niyang nakaraan pati narin sa mga pinagdaanan niyang trauma. Some of them are just waiting for the right time to use those against him.

Sino ka ba talaga, Mia Catherine Cordova?

He will know soon. Pinaembistigahan niya na ito. Let's see if you are really as innocent as your eyes convey or you're just a very talented actress.

Since it seems like his house is safe for now, he went to his mini fridge and got himself a sandwich for dinner. He doesn't want to go downstairs in case Little Miss Accountant would want another conversation with him and he'll end up laughing with her or worse, ogling her oh-so-delectable body.

After he had shower an hour later, he checked his laptop again while drying his hair with his towel. Catherine is now asleep, curled up on the couch. The book she was reading is now lying on the floor. She must have fallen asleep while reading.

Max is contemplating wether he should give her a blanket or make her transfer to one of his rooms. But it's too late now to make her move to another room since she's already sleeping soundly. Blanket it is, then.

Hinay-hinay na bumaba si Max ng hagdan at walang ingay na lumapit kay Mia. Medyo nakabukaka ito sa paghiga. He had to restrain himself from staring too long. Ingat na ingat niyang kinumutan ito. Malamig ang panahon kaya siguradong giniginaw ito ngayon.

He picked up the book on the floor and put it on the center table.

"Green."

Napalingon siya dito nang bigla itong magsalita. He thought he had woken her up but her eyes remained shut while mumbling words he can't quite hear nor understand. He can only make out the words green and apples.

What is that suppose to mean?

Napatitig na lamang siya sa mukha nito. She looks so fragile while sleeping. She has midnight black hair that flows over her shoulder. Hinawi niya ang ilang hibla ng buhok na nakaharang sa mukha nito. He stopped himself from caressing her cheeks. Baka magising ito pag ginawa niya 'yon. Nagkasya na lamang siya sa pagtitig dito. From her arched eyebrows, long velvety lashes, pointy nose to her pouty lips.

What would they feel against his?

He bet they'd feel as soft as a petal and as sweet as honey. He slowly bent his head towards her. Just one taste and he would be satisfied.

"So green."

Napatigil siya sa planong paghalik dito. Napangiti na lamang siya sa sarili niya. This girl knows when to ruin a moment. He somehow felt guilty of trying to steal a kiss from an unconscious woman. He sighed and contented himself on kissing the tip of her nose instead. Tumayo na siya't tahimik na pumanhik sa taas.

***

Sinadya ni Mia na maagang gumising ngayon. Kailangan na niyang umalis dito. Maganda naman na ang panahon. Tumila na ang ulan. Medyo makulimlim parin ang kalangitan pero hindi na malakas ang hangin tulad kahapon. Niligpit niya ang mga gamit niya. Kasalukuyan niyang tinutupi ang kumot na siguradong galing kay Max nang makita niya itong pababa ng hagdan.