Behind Curtains (ONGOING)

Kabanata 23

Kabanata 23

Business

"I'm sorry about this..." Sir Killian said, frowning as he pulled on a dark blue coat over his white button-down shirt.

I waved a hand at him, wanting to dismiss the glum off his face as I sipped my coffee.

"That's fine. It's work," I said, putting my cup down. "Napagod din ako kahapon. I think I'll be sleeping the whole day..."

Napabuntong-hininga si Sir Killian at dahan-dahang naglakad papalapit sa akin. Itinuko ang kamay sa likod noong inuupuan ko, he crouched to level our faces. His mouth in a grim line as he stared at mine. Ningitian ko siya.

Sir Killian and I were still in Boracay at alam 'yon ni Sir Stellan. Which was fine, aniya, because Sir Stellan wouldn't take any chances anywhere that's within Western Visayas for the mean time... as long as Mayor Lizares was in power.

Naging problema nalang iyon nang sagutin ni Sir Killian ang tawag kahapon, being informed that the CEO scheduled for today has a booked site inspection on a nearby construction. 

Na kahit si Sir Stellan iyong naka-toka ngayon, they both did not want to take the risk. It was up to Sir Killian to follow through.

They were contracted on renovating a luxury resort somewhere on this beach strip. A construction deal that should be prioritized as it was owned by Lady Linda's first cousin. And, according to Sir Stellan, Missus Floirendo wanted unmediated updates from either of them.

It's probably the main reason why Sir Killian was hesitant on turning down this specific work, kahit labag man 'yon sa kanya. Besides that, I also think Sir Stellan said some things that threatened him kaya hanggang ngayon ay mukhang banas na banas pa rin siya sa pag-alis.

"I'll be back before lunch time. Do you want to re-schedule the sunrise tour?" tanong nito, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.

"We'll see," I said cheerily, tinatago ang sariling panginginig nang pinalandas niya ang kanyang mga daliri sa aking leeg.

I caught his hand before it could slide lower and gently placed it on my lap, holding it with both of my hands.

"Let's do the sunset one first, then I'll think about it," wika ko.

Tahimik kaming nagkatinginan. At habang tumatagal ang lalim noon, the less I could stop myself from feeling anything remotely logical for him.

I wrinkled my nose, distracting myself from blushing.

"You should go," I told him, patting his hand. "The longer you linger here, the later you can come back."

"Right," he sighed, at akala ko ay tatayo na.

But I almost hiccuped when his hand on my lap grabbed one of my hands and kissed my knuckle. At nang unti-unting tumayo, Sir Killian leaned in closer to scoop my face. Napapikit nalang ako nang ilipat niya ang halik sa aking labi.

Before he could waste another hour here, though, Sir Stellan called again for a follow-up. Napatawa nalang ako roon.

Ang plano ko sana ay matutulog ako buong araw. But because my phone kept ringing, too, ay wala sa oras akong nagdesisyong lumabas na rin ng Villa. I made sure to call housekeeping first before I left.

Since I seldom go out, I always made sure to compensate myself by dressing up. I changed into a white, v-neck lace patchwork dress that fell a bit above my knees. I do not usually wear anything backless or spaghetti-strapped in this country unless I was in a place that was dominated with tourists and strangers, who really do not give a shit about how I looked.