The Gentlemen Series 6: Chris, The Macho Lawyer (SELF-PUBLISHED)

TWENTY-FIVE

Let Go

I couldn't tear my gaze from his retreating back.  Nakakainis! Nakakainis talaga! I am so pissed at myself for swaying like that! I know that forgetting the man won't be easy lalo na't ilang linggo palang ang nakakalipas mula ng huli kaming nag-usap.

I am not a hypocrite so I won't bother to deny that I don't missed him, because I really do. But I promised myself na kailangan kong panindigan ang desisyon ko. Ayokong maiwala pa ang konting respetong natitira sa sarili ko. Ayoko na ring ipagsisiksikan pa ang sarili ko sa taong hindi ako ang magiging prioridad. I am a selfish woman. And I intend to be one in this lifetime.

Napahawak na lamang ako sa sandalan ng upuang pinakamalapit sa akin. Ngayon ko lang naramdaman ang panghihina ng mga tuhod ko. Alam kong hindi madaling kalimutan si Chris, but I will get over him somehow, some way. I know I will. I must.

"Veronica! I've been looking for you, babe."

Nilingon ko ang  taong tumawag sa aking pangalan. Pakiramdam ko ay natanggal lahat ng pagkabahala sa sistema ko. "Zandro." Sinalubong  ko ito ng yakap. I smiled as I looked up at him. "Nakabalik ka na."

"Yes Ma'am, fresh from Palawan. Do you really miss me that much? You seemed really happy when you saw me." He smirked, eyes twinkling.

Ah, Mr. Tease is at it again. "Shut up, you know I've been missing you. Nakahanap ka lang ng kapalit ko eh, you dumped me that easily." I pouted.

He rolled his eyes that made me giggle. "You shut up. No man on his right mind would dump a woman whose name is Veronica dela Vega."

I chuckled, subtly hiding the pang of pain that crept in my heart. Trust me Zandro, that man does exist. And his name is Christopher Villaforte.

"Ayoko sanang umattend sa okasyong ito dahil hindi ko pa nababawi ang ilang araw na pagpupuyat sa trabaho sa warehouse ng kompanya. But then, Lawrence and I had a short meeting a while ago so I decided to stay and might as well enjoy the night. Nang makita kita, I know magiging sulit ang gabing ito. You look exquisite, as always, Veronica." He grinned habang pinasadahan ako ng tingin mula ulo hanggang paa.

Tinaasan ko ito ng kilay while raising my chin up. "Unfortunately, I don't own you anymore, darling." I said using a fake British accent. Lalo lamang ngumisi ang gago. I know this man is hopelessly in love with someone else. I can't wait to see the girl that change the elusive Zandro Alcantara.

"You should visit Palawan, Veronica. There are so many things to explore there. Have you heard Fortress Island? My relatives owned it. The Salvatore brothers are your fan, by the way." He winked. Maingat na hinawakan ako nito sa siko. Iginiya ako nito patungo sa long table na nasa harapan ng di kalakihang platform na nagsisilbing stage para sa okasyong ito.

"Fortress Island? No. I never heard such an island before. I don't even remember you mentioning to me that you have other relatives. Akala ko'y purong  barakong Alcantara lang na mga pinsan ang mayroon ka. Well, ofcourse, maliban sa iyong dalawang nakababatang kapatid. But I really want to go to Palawan, Zandro. Lamang ay wala akong panahon sa ngayon. Pag mayroon na I will definitely give you a call so you can tour me around there. Gusto ko ring makapunta sa inyong hacienda, Zandro."

"Na tinitiyak kong kung magkaganun man, ay pagkakaguluhan ka ng tagaroon." He added.

Naputol ang pag-uusap namin ng dumating sa mesa namin ang barkada ni kuya. They kissed me on the cheek while complimenting me about this and that. I rolled my eyes but can't hide the happiness on my face. I missed these monkeys kahit ba ilang linggo lang akong nawala.

Reid was being his usual self. Giving everyone a stoic face and a cold shoulder. If you really don't know the man personally, you would think he's the most dangerous one. He has almost the same aura like Kuya and Chris. When you look at Reid, you might think has a secret that no human being is allowed to know whatever that is. But don't get me wrong, he still has sweet bones on his body.