Reckless Abandon

Chapter Nine

Enrico's POV

On our drive home from the mall, tahimik lang si Eureka. Parang masyadong malalim ang iniisip niya.

"You okay?" tanong ko sa gitna ng katahimikan.

"Yeah, okay lang ako." she anwered softly.

I focused on my driving, but I can't help but wonder how mysterious and strange this woman is. She had a very quiet demeanor, but even without a word, she can catch attention in a roomful of people. But underneath that quiet confidence she has, is this unexplainable uneasiness. Na para bang may bumabagabag sa kanya at hindi niya masabi-sabi.

Gusto ko ring malaman kung anong nangyari sa kanya nung isang gabi. Naaalala kong may binanggit siyang pangalan.

Amadeus.

That's right, that's it. Baka naman boyfriend niya?

Geez, I should know if this girl is taken. If she is, the better. If she's not...well, I can always steal her away.

Aaah, pwede ba Enrico, tigilan mo nga itong mga iniisip mo! You're just expressing how thankful you are sa ginawa niyang tulong para sayo. Nothing else.

Pero kasi, she is just so... beautiful.

Okay, fuck it! Okay! I think I'm attracted to her. That's it. That's it, Enrico. That's it.

Nung nakabalik na kami sa place niya, dumiretso siya sa kanyang malawak na balcony. I put the bags of groceries on her kitchen table and watch her take a seat in that small La-Z boy she had and stared down at the city.

It's almost six in the evening, and the sun was melting into the horizon with its lush pink and orange. I can see the view of the whole metro from here, the highways are again busy for the evening rush hour.

"Hey miss, I have to get going."

Hindi siya sumagot. What do I do with this woman?

"Bye, Eureka. See you around... I guess?"

"... or never."

Napatigil ako sa paglalakad.

I sighed and made my way out to her building. While I was driving I took a good minute to watch her from the balcony from downstairs, inside my car.

Why do I have this sudden urge to try and unravel her secrets?

Habang nagda-drive ako pauwi sa bahay ko, bigla akong napangiti ng mag isa.

Gago ka talaga, Enrico Hale Buenaventura. Hindi mo pa ma-amin amin.

But dude, you've been pussy-whipped.

Eureka's POV

"Argh!" I groaned. This is so not my day! "Shit." bulong ko habang tinatapos ang isang report at pinaplantsa ang mga karagdagang preparations para sa launching ng branch na 'to.

Alas kwatro palang ng hapon pero pakiramdam ko buong magdamag na akong nagbanat ng buto. For about a hundred times today, nag-ring na naman ang telepono ko. I feel so confined in this damned office. This used to be my dad's but now it's mine. I should decorate it to make it feel personalized, but I don't have the luxury of time for now.

With a sigh, I finally picked up the phone before the annoying ringtone would make me smash my head to the wall.

"What's up?" sagot ko.

"Hello po, Maam Eureka. May delivery po para sa inyo."

"Delivery?"

"Yes po. Shall I bring it to your office?"