She Loves Me More

Chapter 1

    

                                                               *****

LANCE OLIVER PEREZ

"Atty. Perez si Mrs. Leonida po nasa kabilang linya."

Pansamantalang ibinaba ko ang hawak na cellphone. "I'm still talking to another client."

"Okay po. I'll tell her to call again."

I continued with my current phone call. Ngunit di pa man ako nakakalimang salita muling bumungad sa pinto ng aking opisina ang isa sa aking mga secretary.

"Atty. Perez, your father is on the line 2."

I waved my hand and shook my head. Alam ko kung para saan na naman ang itinatawag nito. He'll remind me again about the blind date he set up for tonight.

"Sabihin ko na lang pong nakaalis na kayo para sa appointment meeting niyo."

Binalikan ko ang aking kausap. And again another knock on my door.

"Atty. Perez, there's a call from Kline Contruction legal office."

I nodded and I gestured for a return call.

"Sige po. I'll tell them."

"Sorry for the interruptions Mr. Costelo," despensa ko sa aking kausap.

Another knock.

"Atty. Perez, Atty. Clarisse Calderon just called. She said she's on her way to your settlement meeting."

That one completely got my attention. Napilitan akong tapusin ang akong pakikipag-usap. I had no choice but to stand up and leave the office. Kapag si Clarisse na ang aking ka-meeting, iniiwasan kong mahuli sa aming appointment or else makakarinig na naman ako ng mahaba-habang sermon. I lost her as my girlfriend but I gained a friend who also happens to be my biggest critic.

Tumayo ako sa aking mesa at binitbit ang aking briefcase. I fixed my tie as I head to my door.

"Attorney ano pong sasabihin ko sa Kline construction pag tumawag ulit?" salubong sa akin ng aking staff.

"Tell them I'll drop by later to their office. By the way where are the documents I need for that company?"

"Eh Attorney nirerelease pa lang po ng messenger sa Registry of Deeds."

Nagsalubong ang aking mga kilay. "I told you that the documents should be here early in the morning!"

Namutla ang aking kausap sa pagtataas ko ng boses. "Ah-eh attorney kasi nagkaroon daw ng emergency meeting yung releasing officer kaya hanggang ngayon ay naghihintay pa rin yung tao natin."

"Nevermind. Ipadala mo na lang ang papeles na yan sa appointment venue ko kay Atty. Calderon. Dapat andun na ang magdadala bago pa man matapos ang meeting ko," madiing sabi ko.

"S-Sige po. Kukulitin ko na lang yung messenger natin."

"Mrs. Dakdak what's my next appointment after Atty. Calderon?" Kumunot ang aking noo nang paglingon ko'y bakante pala ang mesa ng aking kinakausap.

"Wala po si Mrs. Dakdak ngayon," paliwanag ni Nadine, isa sa mga sekretarya ko.

"Ano? What will happen to my schedules?" iritableng sabi ko.

"Ah nasa akin na po sir. Inihabilin niya na po kahapon."

Ibinigay nito sa akin ang isang index card.

"Nakasulat na po diyan lahat ng mga appoinments niyo for today."

I raised an eyebrow as I read it at saka ko itinuloy ang paglalakad.