Gone with the Wind (Upper East Side Two)

Chapter Three

03 - Playboy

Before entering his office, nakita ko pa si Axel, Zavi's secretary, na abala sa kanyang ginagawa. Hindi ko na siya nagawang ngitian dahil ang bilis ng hakbang ni Zavi papasok sa opisina niya.

Nang makapasok kami sa office niya ay agad niya akong binitawan at hinarap.

Even though he's mad, I can't help but be mesmerized by him. With those serious and hooded eyes, I can feel myself drowning and submitting to it.

"What are you wearing?" Sabi niya na hindi maikakaila ang galit sa tono nang pagsalita niya.

"A... dress?" Lito kong sagot sa tanong niya.

I watched him shut his eyes tightly and darkened when he opened them. His stares make me tremble but I regained my composure.

'Wag ka namang magpahalatang hulog na hulog, Thalia. Dapat medyo lang.

"Why didn't you tell me you're going here?" He asked. Tinignan ko siyang pinatong ang hard hat sa kanyang table na kanina pa pala niya hawak sa kanya at hindi ko lang napansin.

I watch him loosen his tie and opened the first two buttons of his black buttoned-down long sleeves.

"I just wanted to surprise you and for us to eat lunch together. I also wanted to see you and I missed you, Zavi." Sabi ko kahit nahihiya na sa mga salitang binitawan ko.

"I'm busy, Thalia. I can't attend to your caprices." He said using his low baritone voice. Napanguso naman ako ngunit ngumiti na lang nang makita nakatingin siya sa akin.

"It's okay, I can wait naman for you." Kahit nabigo ay hindi ko pinakita sa kanya.

"Don't you have classes?" Tanong niya habang kinuha ang ilang dokumento sa lamesa niya.

His brows were furrowed while reading something on that paper. Kahit nagbabasa at kahit masungit, ang gwapo pa rin niya sa paningin ko.

"Wala na, half-day lang ako tuwing Tuesday and Thursday." Ewan ko pero parang kailangan kong sabihin sa kanya 'yon.

Tumango naman siya pero parang wala siyang naintindihan sa sinabi ko dahil na rin nagbabasa siya.

Nakita ko siyang lumapit sa intercom at pinindot ito.

"Are they ready?" Tanong niya at narinig ko naman ang boses ng sekretarya niya. "Yes, Engineer. They're just waiting for you." Sagot niya.

"Okay, I'll go there in a few minutes." Dagdag ni Zavi.

He looked at me and motioned me to sit. Umupo naman ako sa black couch habang nakatingin sa kanya.

"I'll have a meeting to attend. You want to go home or you're going to stay here?" He's now buttoning his long sleeves and fixing his tie.

Kailan kaya yung araw na ako naman ang mag-aayos niyan? I smiled secretly imagining that.

"Thalia." Muntik naman akong napatalon nang makitang nakalapit na siya sa akin.

He's now wearing his black coat. Pinasadahan ko siya nang tingin at hindi ko na naman mapigilan ang sarili kong mamangha sa kanya.

He's the only man I adore. I have my fair share of boyfriends back then but not like this. Hindi ganito na kaya kong ibigay lahat. I dated them only because I just wanted it.

Nang makilala ko kasi si Zavi ay akala ko hanggang paghanga lang pero noong tumagal ay mas lumalim pa kaya hindi na rin ako nag-entertain noon dahil hindi ko na rin naman na gusto iyong gawain ko na 'yon dati.

"I'll stay here. Hintayin na lang kita para sabay tayong kumain." He nodded and went out to attend the meeting.

Makalipas ang isang oras ay hindi pa dumarating si Zavi. I looked at the door when someone entered. My smile faded when I saw his secretary.