Reckless Abandon

Chapter Sixteen

Enrico's POV

"Sir Enrico, it's for you."

Tiningnan ko ang manila envelope na nilapag ni Ann sa aking mesa. "Kanino yan galing?"

She shrugged. "Hindi ho sinabi."

I ripped it open and peeked at the contents inside. It spat out a few photographs. The first one I saw was an old, black and white family photograph. A family of three, with a young daughter about sixteen years old. She had a long straight hair, smiling brightly.

The second photo was a girl on a wedding dress, her back facing the camera. The last photo was a side profile of a woman that looked so insanely familiar.

Kinuha ko yung pinaka-unang litrato at ikinumpara iyon sa huli.

A shrill crept down my spine. Am I thinking it right?

The same siren smile. Big brown eyes. Small cherub nose. The girl in the photo might have aged in years, but she looked the same, her features only more refined and fuller.

Hindi nga ako maaring magkamali. The girl in the photo is none other than Eureka.

But who would send this to me? At bakit? Para saan? I examined the envelope but it says nothing. No return address. No nothing.

I peeked at the window where I can see a view of the tables from my office. Who might have sent these to me? I took another look at the young smiling Eureka in the photo and caressed my thumb on her pretty face. She looked so young, innocent, carefree... her eyes were shining so bright.

How could she turn into someone like how she looks now? Cold, heartless and piercing. Parang ibang tao na ang nasa litrato at sa Eureka ngayon. 

Or, maybe I'm just imagining it.

Binalik ko sa envelope ang mga larawan at tinago sa drawer ko. Parang pakiramdam ko pinadala 'to sa akin sa isang mahalagang rason.

Suddenly, a knock came on my door. "Sir?" it's Ann, my secretary again.

"Yes?"

"Nandito na ho si Ma'am Alice."

Napapikit ako. Hindi talaga ako lulubayan ng babaeng 'to. Lumabas ako ng aking office at nilapitan ang pinaka-makulit, pinaka-mapilit, at pinaka-nakaka-asar na babae sa buhay ko.

I recognized her red hair immediately. "Alice."

She turned around and smiled at me. "Chicooo!"

Parang natunaw naman ang inis ko nung nakita ko siyang ngumiti. She knows she is irresistible. I hugged her back.

"Ano na naman, Alice?" I asked, feigning my annoyance. She broke the embrace and put her hands on my shoulder.

"Wala. Bakit? Na-miss lang kita ng sobra!"

I rolled my eyes jokingly. "Yeah, right."

"Seryoso! Ba't ba ayaw mong maniwala sa akin? Hindi mo man lang ba ako na-miss?"

"Hindi."

"Kahit konti?"

I playfully rolled my eyes. "Hindi nga sabi."

"Grrr! Shut up. Nasaan na ang sapatos ko? Dali! Bilis!"

Inabot ko sa kanya ang malaking paper bag na nasa counter.

"Oh, ayan na."

"Yay!!! Thank you, Chico! As always you're the best!" she yelped like a little girl and kissed my cheek. I closed one eye and pretended to look grossed out.