Taped-Up Heart

XLIV. Attracted

Chapter Forty Four

Attracted

"I don't want to accept this project. Find another engineer," I said as I handed all the files to our head architect, Percy. Hindi ako affected, ayoko na lang talaga na makasama pa siya o makausap man lang.

"What? Why all of a sudden?" he asked.

"I just... nevermind." I sighed. "I don't want this project. 'Wag mo na akong tanungin kung bakit."

"But... the client won't continue this project if you're not the head engineer," he said.

"Call them again. I'm sure nagbago na ang isip nila. I already met the client, papayag na 'yon na iba na lang ang mag-handle ng project nila."

He sighed before leaving my office. Sakto naman na tumawag bigla si Daffin sa akin. Napa-ngiti ako nang makita ang pangalan niya. I immediately answered his call.

"Dinner later?" he asked.

I smiled even though he couldn't see me. "Yes, please."

"Why? Is there something wrong?" he asked.

Umiling lang ako. "Nothing. I just miss you."

I heard him chuckle from the other line. "I miss you too. I'll fetch you later, okay?"

"Okay."

"I love you," he said.

"I love you too-" Natigil ako sa lalaking biglang pumasok sa office ko kasama ang mga bodyguard niya. Kaagad akong napatayo. "Achaia."

"What the hell?" I asked.

"Accept this project," he said before putting the files on my table.

"And why would I?"

"You said it yourself, you're not unprofessional, Engineer Dela Cuesta," he said, emphasizing the word engineer. "If it's true, then do this. Accept this project. Work with me."

I crossed my arms before looking at his eyes. He didn't back down. Ang mga matang dati ay minahal ko. Umiwas ako nang tingin. I offered him my hand. "Then, it's a deal. I'll be the head engineer of your project, Vice Chairman Achaia Tiu."

Tiningnan niya muna ang kamay ko bago bumalik sa mata ko.

"I don't shake hands," he said.

Kalma.

Intindihin mo na lang siya.

Siguro hindi naman siya nagsinungaling na may mild OCD siya. At least... not everything was a lie, right? Sa dami ng kasinungalingan niya, kahit papaano may isa naman palang katotohanan.

Dahan dahan ay ibinaba ko ang kamay ko. "Fine."

"I look forward to working with you, Engineer," he said as his eyes went down and remained staring at my hands. Ibinalik niya rin naman kaagad ang tingin sa akin. "Dela Cuesta."

Nginitian ko lang siya pabalik.

With that, he turned his back on me and left my office. When I made sure that they already left, I suddenly clenched my chest. Oh, my gosh... bakit ba ako kinakabahan kanina?! Bakit ang bilis ng tibok ng puso ko?!

Paano ba naman kasi, bigla na lang siyang dumating. Tama. That's the reason. Binigla niya ako. Basta basta ba naman siyang pumasok sa office ko kasama ang mga bodyguard niya! Sino ba naman hindi kakabahan? Feeling ko anytime may pwedeng bumaril sa akin dito kahit nasa mataas naman na floor kami.

"So... that's the client."

Muntik na akong mapatalon sa gulat nang may magsalita nanaman. I saw Percy entering my office.