What You Mean To Me [COMPLETED]

CHAPTER ONE

YUMIKA SQUIRMED in her seat as she popped her knuckles. Kanina pa siya patingin-tingin sa malaking wall clock na nakakabit sa dingding ng opisina ni Attorney Tan. Hindi na niya mabilang kung ilang buntong-hininga na ang pinakawalan niya para lang maibsan ang kabang nararamdaman. Sa totoo lang ay gusto niyang tumakbo. Gusto niyang umalis habang hindi pa dumarating ang taong hinihintay nila. She wasn't ready to face him yet. She wasn't ready to see him up close.

Cade Hernandez, the man who left her two days after their wedding. Hanggang ngayon ay ramdam parin niya ang sakit na dulot ng pag-iwan nito sa kanya kahit dalawang taon na ang lumipas.

The door suddenly squeaked open and Yumika's head shot up in an instant. Lumakas rin lalo ang pintig ng puso niya. Dumating na ang pinakahihintay nila. Yumika breathed in and forgot to let it out. Why, the devil incarnate was still looking so damn good. So much better, in fact. He wore a dark blue button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up past his elbows, at humuhubog iyon sa matitipuno nitong mga braso. He looked taller compared before. He even looked sexier with his hair pushed back. Parang kagagaling lang nitong mag-shower. He's got a perfect five o' clock shadow which added mysteriousness in his overall appearance. Ngunit mas lalong nahugot ang hininga niya nang magtama ang kanilang mga mata. Cade stared at her for three seconds before he eyed her up and down. Feeling tuloy niya naglaho ang suot niyang pencil skirt. His dark eyes met her brown eyes once again. Gusto niyang umiwas ng tingin ngunit parang hindi niya magawa. It was like she suddenly went weak.

"Cade, hijo." Ang tinig ni Attorney ang pumutol sa tila hipnotismo sa kanilang dalawa ni Cade. Humugot siya ng hininga kasabay na napalinaw si Cade sa lalamunan nito.

"Attorney..." Anito sa baritonong boses nito na nagpatayo sa kanyang balahibo. "Sorry for keeping you waiting. Medyo traffic kasi papunta rito."

"It's okay. Kararating lang din naman ng asawa mo." Sagot ni Attorney Tan sabay tingin sa kanya. Cade didn't glance at her though, instead he slouched on the comfy chair as if she wasn't there.

Okay, fine. If you can ignore me, I can do the same for you. Aniya sa isip. "Attorney, let's get to the point why you called us. I have to be somewhere else by ten 'o clock."

Bumuntong-hininga ang matanda. "Okay, this is all about the last will and testament of Franco." Tukoy nito sa namayapang ama ni Cade. Napatuwid ng upo ang binata, halatang interesado sa sasabihin ng attorney.

Two weeks ago ay inatake sa puso ang ama nito at hindi na nga nito nakayanan pa. Iyon ang dahilan kung bakit muling nagpakita si Cade. He showed up at the last vigil of his late father. Yumika didn't see him since he came back, or rather she was intentionally avoiding meeting him and this would be their very first meeting since he disappeared.

"Am I part of this, Attorney Tan?" Tanong niya.

"Of course. You are a Hernandez, after all."

"Only by marriage. Mas nararapat na nandito si Steph." Giit niya na hindi man lang tinitingnan si Cade. She was fully aware of his gaze though.

"Tinawagan ko na si Stephanie pero hindi siya makakarating ngayon. With her consent, she told me to go on with this even without her. She will meet me anytime today though." Tumingin ito kay Cade. "Shall we proceed, Cade?"

"By all means, Attorney."

"Okay," tumingin ang matanda sa papel na hawak nito. "Nakasulat dito sa last will and testament ng papa mo na mapupunta kay Stephanie ang La Manière. Isa itong clothing line, Cade at simula ngayon ang kapatid mo na ang hahawak nito. It caters wedding gowns and fabulous dresses."