Oneirataxia: My Fictional Man

CHAPTER 23

Chapter Twenty-three

True to Benjamin's words, tuluyan na nga niya akong inignora. It's been a week and since that day when he drove me away in his office, we started treating each other like a ghost. We only exchanged glances during meetings. Other than that, wala na.

This is it. Everything will fall back to its rightful place, lalo na't bali-balita sa buong kumpanya ang araw-araw na pagbisita ni Callie sa opisina ni Benjamin. Some say that it's only about business but I snapped that hearsay off. I know more than anyone else that it's not the usual business they are carrying out.

Silang dalawa lang ang nasa loob ng opisina, ayon kay Wayne. We didn't know, baka mas malala pa ang ginagawa nila sa loob kumpara sa ginawa sa akin ni Benjamin. He couldn't resist such charm that Callie possessed no matter how stoic and reserved he is. That woman is so enchanting that she could bewitch any man whom she laid her finger on, and Benjamin isn't an exception.

They finally have their own moments. The readers must have celebrated and are surely rooting out for them more. I only stood up like a hoe and villain in this story and they must be enjoying how burnt I was when Benjamin drove me away. I shouldn't mind them both but I'm too pissed that they have occupied my mind ever since.

"Ma'am?" pukaw sa akin ni Lanie sa matinding pag-iisip.

I glared at her but she only chuckled.

"You seem so grumpy these days Ma'am, do you have a problem?" pang-uusisa niya, her eyes are playful as she looked at me.

"Am I? This is my usual mood," I responded innocently, but his expression didn't change, as if she didn't believe by what I said.

"The inquiries from customers are roaring up high Ma'am. The gross income is stable as well. Everything in this company is flowing smoothly. So uhm, your mood is suited elsewhere. Or should I ask, para kanino---"

"Stop it," I said sternly. Damn this, am I too transparent? Obviously, I kept snapping out these past days.

"You seem not yourself, Ma'am. Do you want to have some fun tonight?" tanong niya.

I oddly looked at her. Is she inviting me for a bar-hopping?

"I won't drink Lanie, It's Tuesday tomorrow, a long day to go ahead," I said, refusing her invitation, but she just laughed and even sat on the visitor's chair in front of my table.

"No Ma'am, we're just going to watch a car racing. It's a much-awaited pursuit because it's only done annually by several smoking-hot and filthy rich men!" imporma niya na tili kinikilig pa sa huling sinabi.

"Filthy rich? Is that illegal?" pang-uusisa ko naman.

Natahimik naman siya at biglang napaisip. Maya-maya pa'y nagkibit-balikat siya at kinakabahang tumawa.

"Well, it's hidden from the eyes of the Government so you could say that it's illegal. But Ma'am, it's very fun! Kasama ko pa nga mamaya si Patrice, Jamaica, at iba pang babaeng single dito," sabi niya at tumayo na.

I still looked at her with my gloomy face, naninimbang ang aking tingin kung sasama ba ako sa kanila.

Car racing is hyped and fun but I cursed that sport before. A year ago, I almost got hit by a black Corvette sports racing car. Ang kausap ko pang lalaki 'nun ay tinakbuhan lang ako, hindi man lang ako hinila. Buti na lang talaga at biglang lumiko ang sasakyan kaya hindi ako nasagasaan.

What pissed me off is when that car didn't even break-off, patuloy lang itong humarurot at iniwan lang akong nag-aalburuto sa galit at kaba. At hanggang ngayon, 'di ko pa rin makalimutan ang plate number ng sasakyang yun.