His Unwanted Wife

Chapter 3

Do you ever experience meeting an old.. close friend.. after not seeing each other for years? Hindi lang ganoon.. you both hated each other before parting ways.

I always thought about how different the friendship is when you are young and when you became in the age.. that you can call yourself as an adult. Sometimes.. the fleeting moment and the excitement you felt everytime you hang out with your friend.. suddenly faded over time.

Like a romantic relationship.. friendship can also lead to falling out of love.

"Goodmorning, ladies," Kelly said while wearing her most remarkable smile. I still remember how I admire that smile before. It's calming and.. genuine. It's too honest that once she doesn't like something.. it's visible in her smile.

"She's working here? I thought she's not into business?" Lily whispered while glancing at Kelly from time to time.

Napatingin ako kay Lily. I'm wondering what she's thinking right now. In the first place, the three of us used to be the great buddies back in high school.

"Isn't it just right that she's working here? This is their company. She has a big part of this large empire, " I answered.

Tumango lang siya. Ibinalik ko ang tingin kay Kelly. Did she stop modeling? Or she's just taking a break by working in a different field of her career? Because if she did really stop, it's too bad. She left the country for that dream. It's shame in a sense that she quit her job after inflicting lot of pain to us before.

I removed my sight from her. I don't care anyway with what she's been doing with her life right now. I have my own to worry. Sigurado naman akong wala rin naman iyong pakialam sa buhay ko. O kung sa anong nangyari sa akin sa nagdaang taon.

I saw how Kelly glanced at my direction. She stared at me for a couple of seconds but she was not stunned at all. Hindi ko naman ineexpect na magugulat siya. Its just.. her reaction were nothing.

Did you became heartless over years, Kelly Lane?

"Let's go, " Lily looked at me.

I nodded, glancing again at Kelly who's talking to an employee for the last time. I was about to turn my back when something caught my eye. No.. it's someone.

It's my first day. Why do I have to see him this early? Am I out of luck?

Tumalikod na lang ako. Hindi ko kaya kung tatagal pa ang mata ko sa kanya. He's just . . . too much, too much for my sight. And I don't want him to see me. Siguradong darating ang araw para doon. Pero hindi ako magiging komportable kung ngayon.

When Lily finally dragged me to the place when I didn't have any chance to see him, she immediately checked my face.

"Are you okay? Does seeing him.. hurts you? Kung gano'n.. pwede naman tayong umalis na lang dito at—

"I'm fine, Liliana. I am here for the job, not for something else.. or someone. Let's just be both do a better job here. " I paused when I remembered something. "Are you really sure about working here? Hindi ba't gusto ng mommy mo na sumunod ka sa France?"

Ngumuso lang si Lily. "I'll get bored there, Eli. And my mom wanted me there to start modeling. Do you really think I want that?"

Napatawa na lang ako. "If you stay here though, you might spend your young years studying medicine. " Lily's father is a doctor. I know how much Tito wanted Lily to become a doctor like him.

I already forgot that I saw Logan just a few minutes ago. But when I saw his big picture in the hallway while walking to the waiting room, I just sighed. Hindi ba ako tatantanan ng lalaking 'yun?

Bumalik ako sa wisyo ng bahagya akong tinapik ni Lily. Anyway, thanks to her, I'm back to reality!

But the world's playing with me again. Logan suddenly walk through the hallways, too. Agad naman kaming tumabi ni Lily at nakahinga lang nang diretso lang ang tingin nito sa dinadaanan. He was walking fast, too.

Humakbang ako paatras nang makitang lumingon ito sa direksyon ko. Did he saw me? Or Lily? Hindi naman siguro?

Nahimasmasan naman ako nang makalagpas na ito at sinundan ko na lamang ng tigin. He's well-toned now, wide chest, well-developed muscle and . . . did he cut his hair? Of course! Obviously! May kahabaan ang buhok niya dati. I unconsciously drift my eyes to his body. I just imagine how his abs would fit on his favorite shirt!

"Gwapo, diba?"

Pinandilatan ko nang mata si Lily dahil sa tanong niya. Does she have to say it? Kung alam naman niya kung ilang babae ang nagpipilahan makuha lang ang atensyon ng lalaki.

"I'm just kidding, " pagbawi niya. Tumigil lang siya sa pang-aasar nang may lumapit na staff samin.

"Are you Miss Eli Mignonette Ramos?" A lady in a uniform said. Must be an employee.

"Yes." I answered. Ngumiti naman ito sakin at inimuwestra ang isang kamay sa isang direksyon.

"This way ma'am. The editor-in-chief is waiting inside."

Lumingon ako kay Lily dala nang pagtataka. Nagbikit-balikat lang ito na tila kuryoso rin sa mga nangyayari.

Napataas ang kilay ko sa empleyado ngunit sumunod rin ako sa direksyon na tinatahak niya.

Lily left at nauna na sa cubicle niya. I mouthed my 'thank you' to the employee nang makarating kami sa office ng Editor-in-Chief. I shook my head dahil sa kaguluhan. Anong kailangan nila sa kin? Hindi naman ako ganon ka importante na kailangan pang ipatawag. Unless . . .

I bit my lower lip. I hope not.

Kumatok ako sa pinto at binuksan ito. The chills welcomed me as soon as I enter the office. Napahawak ako sa balikat ko nang maramdaman ang lamig. Thankfully, I'm wearing a long sleeve floral top kaya kahit papano'y nakakayanan ko pa ang mababang temperatura.

It's a modern office- looks like a bachelor style. White, cream and gray. Walang masyadong furnitures but you can see the effort of interiors. The couches screams money. Honestly, I like it! I hope I can have one of this soon!

Nanuyo ang lalamunan ko nang makita ang nakaupo sa swivel chair, na matamang nakatitig sakin.

It was Kelly, wearing her specs and holding a pen. Kahit ang bahagyang paglaro niya ng ballpen, I can still see the elegance.

Lumapit ako, anticipating for what she would say. I'm nervous and scared pero nangingibabaw ang kagustuhan kong malaman ang sasabihin niya. She has just two things to say.. it's either painful or not. Well.. I don't care anymore.

I'm already numb for all the pains I've been through. Kung tutuusin, wala lang ito kumpara sa karanasan ko noon. This is nothing, compare to that painful past.

Napailing ako, erasing that thoughts.

Awtomatikong napahaplos ako sa pulsuhan nang dahil sa naisip. Anxiety, stress, and regrets are filling me. No, please not now.

I composed myself, binabalewa ang lahat nang emosyong nabubuo sa katawan ko. Ipinangako ko na sa sarili ko na hindi ko na ulit iyon gagawin. Now that I have children.

She smiled, in a very sarcastic way.

"It's nice to see you again, Eli Mignonette Ramos Brandon."

I'm not pleased to meet you. I'm not pleased to see you.

I'm afraid, I'm exhausted.

Wag niyo na sanang gisingin ang nakaraan ko.

Everything's too much. Just . . . too much.

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ᕦʕ •ᴥ•ʔᕤ