Love In Progress

Chapter 6

Ride

"Oh sh*t, yung salamin ko." Hinarap niya ako sa kanya at hinawakan niya ang magkabilang balikat ko.

He looked straight into my eyes and said "Mischa, you need to stay with me the whole afternoon. You need to guide me because I can't see clearly!"

I rolled my eyes and started walking dahil na nag-green na yung traffic light for the pedestrian.

"Wait for me, Mischa. I can't see!"

We crossed the street and went inside the company. He's clinging to my arm kaya pinagtitinginan na kami ng mga tao. I took a very deep breath and faced him.

"Alright, I will help you but stop touching me, keep your distance."

He removed his hands immediately "Will do. Come with me to the exec office, I'm getting my things."

"Fine." I said not wanting to argue anymore.

Nakarating kami sa executive floor. The interior design here is indeed different. Classy and minimalist. Madaming glass double doors ang naroon at ang isa ay may nakalagay na 'President's office.' Sa labas noon ay may dalawang table.

Pumunta si Flint sa isang table na may nakalagay na 'Intern' at sa katabi naman ay nakalagay 'Executive Secretary'.

"You're here by yourself?" tanong ko nang napansin na walang katao tao.

"Yes, may kasama lang ako kapag nandito yung president. I'm such a loner here tapos ayaw mo pa kapag naghahang out ako sa departmet niyo."  Sabi niya habang busy sa paghahanap ng mga papel na dadalhin niya.

For some reason nag init ang puso ko at nakaramdam ako ng konting awa para sa kanya. Who would want to be alone in a whole floor in this tall building with hundreds of employees?

"Hindi ko naman sinabi na ayoko." I said and he smiled immediately at me at magsasalita na sana pero inunahan ko siya "Pero hindi rin ako natutuwa sa presence mo." Pagtapos ko sa sasabihin.

He then gave his whole attention to me and frowned like a child. Napailing nalang ako.

Ang dami niyang papel na kinukuha at hinahanap kaya tinulungan ko na siya dahil kung hindi ay baka malate pa kami sa team meeting. I accidentally saw a page na may nakalagay na 'LCAI and Hernandez Partnership Proposal.'

"You're writing a proposal for this company and your company?" I asked. Lumingon siya sakin at nakita ang hawak kong papel. Kinuha niya ito

"Well.. something like that. I'm done, let's go?"

Nakarating kami sa conference room na kompleto na ang team. Everyone stared at us when we went in. You guessed it right, it's uncomfortable.

The friendly Flint greeted everyone and suddenly nasa kanya nalang ang mga attention. He has that leader trait na when he speaks, you just listen.

Everyone settled down and started the meeting. After a long 2 hours, the meeting finally ended and it's time to go home!

"Do you know how to drive?" tanong ni Flint habang nasa elevator kami pababa sa strategic department.

"Yes. I drive occasionally."

"You need to drive me home."

"What?" napalakas bosses ko kaya tinakpan niya bibig ko gamit kamay niya. I immediately brush off his hand. Touchy.

Nakuha tuloy namin ang attention ng ibang nandoon pero nag bukas na ang pinto ng elevator kaya lumabas na ako agad.

"I won't be able to see the road clearly!" habol niya sakin.

"Mag-shuttle ka nalang pauwi."

"Paano yung kotse ko, maiiwan dito. Mischa..."

"Bat sobrang hassle mo, Mr. Hernandez! Gosh. Fine. Fine." I said, surrendering. Once again.

Hindi ko mabilang kung ilang besses na ako nag roll eyes habang kasama siya. My eyes will pop out in frustration with this guy.

His car is not some super expensive sports car, tyg for that. It also smells nice and is very clean. He guided me in driving at tinuro ang daan papunta sa condo niya. It's basically one block away from my condo, thankfully, it was a short ride. I was expecting to be free of him but I guess I'm wrong.

"Thanks!" he said habang pababa kami ng sasakyan. "Now, you need to eat dinner with me."

"I don't want to."

"I can't see the menu, masyadong malayo."

"Call your friends."

"They are busy."

"Call your cousin."

"May class pa yun. Isipin mo nalang pathank you ko sayo for driving me home."

"Nagluto na yung helper namin."

"Then I can eat in your place too."

"Oh my gosh!" I blurted out in frustration at ginulo ko ang buhok ko.

"Stop getting mad. Let's go!" he said cheerfully while dragging my arm.

Dinala niya ako sa isang fast food chain, on our way there, ang dami nang bumati sa kanya. Kilala niya ba lahat ng tao sa school nila? He told me his order and I ordered over the counter.

Pagkabalik ko, may grupo ng sosyalin girls ang nakatayo sa may table namin, talking to him. All their clothes are branded, their bags are screaming luxurious. Dahan dahan akong lumapit at napatingin sila sakin.

"Oh, by the way, Mischa, these are my blockmates" Flint said "And girls, this is Mischa."

Ngumiti lang ako sa kanila habang nilalapag ang tray na dala.

The girl in the center extended her hand "Hi, I'm Cheska, Flint's ex-girlfriend."

Napataas ang kilay ko. Feeling weird, I accepted her hand. Bakit kelangan niya pang sabihin yun? Wala ba silang closure? at isa pa it doesn't concern me.

She smiled, then turned to Flint. "Anyway, mauuna na kami. You know we don't eat fast food. See you guys around!" and then they left.