Loving my Ex

Chapter 30: Wall

POV ni Paris

"Mom, where are you going?" Lucas asked when he saw the baggage I was carrying.

"Baby, come here." I sat on the sofa and carried him on my lap. "Mommy will be gone for three days, okay? I will be in Palawan for some work."

"But that's so long mom. Can't you come home later? And then you will go back tomorrow?"

I smiled. "Sorry baby. Pero malayo kasi ang Palawan e. Gusto sana kitang isama kaya lang magiging busy ako don. But I promise, I will bring you lots of pasalubong. Okay ba yon?"

"Okay po! You take care, mom." and then he kissed my cheeks.

I headed to the door after giving some errands to Jill.

I almost jumped when I saw Tristan standing right there in front of the door.

"Jesus! Tristan! Anong ginagawa mo dito?" Sumilip ako sa loob para makita kung nakita nya si Lucas. Ang lakas ng kabog ng dibdib ko. "K-kanina ka pa ba dyan?"

He shrugged. "No, I was about to knock when you opened the door."

Nakahinga naman ako ng maluwag dahil don.

"So, let's go?" he asked. Then carried my things.

I nodded and then we walked to his car.

It's been a week since that night, at simula non, naging maayos na ang pakikisama namin sa isa't isa. We've been civil when at work and friends when outside.

Somehow, parang may malaking tinik na nawala sa dibdib ko. But still, may parte pa rin ng tinik na yon ang naiwan. At yon ay ang takot na mawala sakin si Lucas.

Nilingon ko sya habang nagdadrive.

He still looks as good as ever.

"Hey, staring is rude, you know?" he said without even looking at me. I can see him smiling.

"I'm not staring. Duh?" I said and then looked at the window.

"Denial Queen." I heard him whispered.

"Hey! I heard that!"

He just smirked.

Tss. Yabang.

Nang makarating kami sa airport, andun na yung mga kasama namin. Andun din si Margaux.

Pupunta kaming Palawan ngayon para sa branching out ng hotel. At ang una naming gagawin ay ang pagaralan ang tourism status ng lugar na pagtatayuan ng branch.

We have to know kung malapit ba to sa attraction sites, kelan ang peak season at kung ano ano pa.

Ang mga pupunta ay ako, sya, secretary ko at secretary nya, Mr. Gomez and Mr. Hans.

"Ms. Fajardo. Hi." Mr. Gomez greeted me. With an oh-so-gwapong smile.

He's Steven Gomez. Twenty six years old, I guess. Single. And he's the Banquet manager of the hotel. Good looking and as I heard, a typical cassanova.

"Hi, Mr. Gomez." I greeted back. With a smile, too.

I heard Tristan clear his throat. He's standing at my back.

"Oh, and Hi, Mr. Tolentino." Steven greeted him.

Tristan just nodded.

"Ms. Fajardo, can I talk to you in a minute?" he asked.

I frowned. But still, I just shrugged and followed him.

"Paris, I don't want you talking with Steven. Well, except business matters." sabi nya nang makalayo kami.

I looked at him with a questionning look in my face.

"And why not?"

"Bacause I said so." He answered then crossed his arms on his chest.

"Because you said so?" Naguguluhan pa rin ako. Ano bang problema nito?

"Yeah. Because I said so. I'm your boss, remember? You'll do as I say."

"Pero kasali ba don ang pagkausap ko sa ibang tao? Wala ka naman dapat pakialam dun a!"

He held my arm. "Di mo ba nakikita, Paris? He's flirting with you!"

"And so?" I answered bravely.

"He's a cassanova, and I don't want you getting hurt!" sabi nya nang may diin. Mukhang napipikon na.

"Who says I'll get hurt? Malaki na ko, Tristan. Alam kong ginagawa ko. And besides, after what happened years ago, natuto na ko. I won't let myself being hurt again." I said and then pulled my arm out his grip.

He didn't answer. But I swear, I saw him clench his jaw.

After a second, we heard our flight number being announced.

"We better go. You surely don't want us being left again." he said with an icy tone.

Hindi ko sya pinansin at naglakad na ko pabalik dun.

Pagtapos ng paguusap na yon, I guess a wall between us started to build up. . . . .again.