A Setback Beauty

Kabanata 35: RAGE

Rage.

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        HUMINTO ako para pasadahan ng tingin ang mataas na gusali sa'king harapan. Right in front of me is one of the most successful construction companies in the country—the Altamirano Construction Inc.

It was owned by one of my batchmates, Lexus Altamirano who had just returned to the country after several years of business travel. I am here because we have some business to discuss.

Huminto muna ako sa pagpasok sa loob ng building para lingunin ang taong kanina pa nakasunod sa'kin.

"How long are you going to follow me?"

Sumipol siya at inilibot ang paningin na parang hindi ako nakikita.

"Kade." may pagbabanta sa boses ko.

He turned to face me, grinning.

I gave him a serious stare. "Anong ginagawa mo?"

"Hinahatid ka."

I let out a distress sigh. "Come on, just go. Let me do my work. Magkita na lang tayo mamaya. I'll text you."

"Text lang? Hindi tawag?"

"Alright! I'll call you."

"Mga anong oras?"

"Basta." Sumusuko ko siyang tiningnan.

He just chuckled. Lumapit siya sa'kin at dinampian ako ng halik sa pisngi.

"See you later, babe," he whispered in my ear before he moved away from me. He gave me a quick two-finger salute before turning his back.

Sinundan ko lang siya ng tingin habang patawid siya sa kabilang panig ng kalsada, papunta sa motorbike niyang nakaparada sa harap ng isang stall.

Nang makaalis na si Kade ay saka pa lang ako tumuloy sa loob. The guard greeted me as he opened the door for me. Lumapit ako sa front desk para itanong kung saang floor ang conference room ng kompanya.

"Here's the tap card, Ma'am. 12th Floor, Room B po." A petite lady smiled at me as she handed me the silver tap card after I showed her my ID.

Nagsimula na akong maglakad para hanapin ang ground elevator. Madali ko naman itong nakita.

"Good morning, Ms. Gallego. Kanina pa po kayo hinihintay ni Sir Lexus." A lady in her gray corporate attire greeted nang nasa labas na ako ng conference room. Hula ko ay ito ang secretary ni Lexus.

 "Come in, po." The latter opened the conference room door for me. Hindi ko rin nagamit ang tap card na hawak ko.

"Is he alone?" tanong ko.

Tumango sa'kin ang huli. I smiled as I gulped nervously. I hope he won't do anything to me this time like he did the last time I stepped inside his office.

I'm nervous, but I still composed myself. Nagsimula na akong pumasok sa loob ng conference room, sinusubukang huwag ipahalata sa kanya ang kabang lumulukob sakin sa mga sandaling ito.

"What now, Ms. Gallego? Nervous that we're just the two of us now?"

I jerked when I heard his voice again from behind me. I hardened my expression as I quickly turned to face him and gave him a death stare.

Samantala, unti-unting nawala ang nakapaskil na ngisi sa kanyang labi. "It's been years, but my conscience still bothers me...still regretting doing that to you. I'm just drunk and—"

"Shut it!" Kuyom na ang mga kamay ko. "I don't want to hear it anymore."

"I regretted it, but I can't stop myself from wanting you, Calleiah..."