"FO, Kathy. Friendship Over na tayo if you dont take this Mariano contract." Jami threatened. "Ito na Kathy eh. Ito na yung momentum natin. It's what we've been waiting for."
I bit my lip. Tumingin ako kay Jamie na nakahiga sa hospital bed. I am so worried after her Mom called me yesterday that Jamie had been hospitalized. Over fatigue daw ang dahilan kung bakit bigla nalang itong nahimatay. Hindi na ako nagtaka dahil bukod sa family business nila na lalo pang lumalago, ay tinutulungan niya din ako sa business namin.
"Pag-iisipan ko muna, Jam." I sighed. I had less than twenty minutes to get into the city to meet Matthew and give him my final answer.
Wala pa akong maayos na tulog simula ng nakita ko si Matthew. Seeing him had brought everything back, all the heartache and crushing despair of his rejection.
And now he offered something that's hard to refused.
I lifted my chin and turned to Jamie, who was standing with her mouth opening and closing. May gusto siyang sabihin pero alam kong hindi niya magawa dahil sa sobrang pagkabigla.
"Jamie, would you please inform Mr. Mariano that I am not taking on any new clients." Kalmado kong sabi pero sa loob ko ay nanginginig na ako.
"Pero-" Jamie was cut off by Matthew who had stepped in front of her.
"Miss Jamie, would you be so kind to leave Miss Kathy and I to have our meeting in private?" He asked.
I gave Jamie the 'dont you dare leave me' glare. Pero mukhang hindi ito naapektuhan.
"Sure, I can do that. May business meeting din ako na pupuntahan mamaya."
Our office door opened and closed as Jamie took her exit, but to me it felt more like the sound of a vault locking down for good.
Nakakabinging katahimikan ang sumunod na nangyari. Walang nagsasalita sa amin ni Matthew, inabala ko ang sarili ko sa pagtingin ng mga files sa desk ko.
"So you are not interested in doing business with me, Kathy?" Matthew asked with a smile.
"Ayoko." Mabilis at sigurado kong sagot.
"Why ever not?" He asked. Ang isang kilay nito ay nakataas. "I thought you would be jumping at this chance to get your hands on my money."
I tightened my mouth at pilit na hinarap ang mga titig ni Matthew. "I am surprised you are interested in engaging the services of a filthy little slut-those were you words for me back then, were they not?"
Walang mababakas na galit sa mukha nito, but I could sense it all the same. I had known and loved that face so well in the months we had been together. Bawat parte ng maganda nitong mukha ay nakatatak na sa utak ko. The smile that could melt stone, the mysterious gaze that could heat blood, the mouth that could kiss like a teasing feather, or with such hungry passion.
"Wala naman sigurong kinalaman ang 'sexual proclivities' mo sa pagiging interior designer mo. You have a good reputation profesionally. That is why I am serious to have you responsible for my new project."
My chin went even higher. "I told you, I am not available."
He grinned. "You should atleast look at what I am offering."
"Kahit pa bilyon ang laman ng kontrata mo hindi ako makakapayag na magkaroon pa ulit ng kahit anong koneksyon sayo. Business or otherwise."
