Race Against Love (on-going)

Chapter 34

Warning: Very short update. ^_^

REESE

"Reese"

He uttered my name like a cupcake with mallows and candy sprinkles. Just by the sound of his voice, I almost melted. His voice is deeper and a little bit hoarse.

Am I dreaming? Pumikit ako nang madiin at dumilat.

Namamalikmata lang ba ako? I blinked once again.

He is real.

God, it's been so long. Akala ko hindi ko na siya makikita ulit.

Pero bakit ngayon pa? Kung kelan pinatay ko na siya sa puso't isipan ko.

At isa pa, ano'ng ginagawa niya rito?

"Adler..."

I found my voice. My tone sounded like accusing. Hindi para batiin siya. I did not sound like acknowledging his presence as well. Isa itong panunumbat.

" You guys know each other?" Naguguluhang tanong ng isang babae.

Hindi ko napansin na may kasama pala siya. Kahit nahihilo ako, I tried to focus on his handsome face with little stubbles growing on his chin. I blinked when he slid his arms around her waist. At hindi nakaligtas sa mga mata ko nang marahan niyang haplusin ang tagiliran ng babae. I froze. Like I was hit by an arrow. Here, in my chest.

" She's a good friend," maikling sagot ni Adler sa babae.

And Adler looked at me once again, like a good friend does.

So that's what I was to him? A good friend. So he never considered me as his girlfriend.

Masisis ko ba siya? He left and we didn't get the chance to talk. I refused to see and talk to him because it was no use. Pero bakit kung tratuhin niya ako ngayon parang kasalanan ko pa ang lahat?

She smiled sweetly at me. " I'm Nahya. Sorry, you're not familiar. Lahat kasi ng friend ni Adler kilala ko. You must be one of his college friends."

Nahya.

A name I can't forget. Siya ang babaeng minahal ni Adler noon.

She offered her hand. " It's nice to meet you..."

I was pulled back to my senses. Unbelievable. He's back. At hanggang ngayon hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala. At may gana pa siyang iparada sa harap ko ang babae niya.

Though mukha namang mabait si girl. Her smile is genuine. But I can't extend the same courtesy. We shook hands like new friends. But it seems like she's going to shake my world.

Bakit siya bumalik at kasama pa ang babaeng 'yon? Pakiramdam ko, sila ang gugulo sa tahimik kong mundo.

Well, tahimik nga ba? Parang kagabi lang naguguluhan ako sa pagpayag kong magpakasal kay Jhon. At hindi ako nakakatulog nang maayos. Lagi ko siyang naiisip.

At isa pa, ano'ng ginagawa niya sa party? So his family is part of our circle now? Impossible namang umattend siya ng walang invitation. Well, I did not see the list. And duh, I won't check each names.

Ibignagsak ko ang mga folders sa harap ko. Wala akong maintindihan sa mga binabasa kong report. May Operations meeting pa naman kami mamaya. At ayokong humarap sa kanila ng hindi ko kabisado ang nangyayari sa department ko. Especially when I took a few days off para magpahinga. Nagkatrangkaso ako.

Nakarinig ako nang mahihinang katok sabay bukas ng pinto.

"The meeting's is moved, to like...now na," si Wen.

"As in?" Tanong ko.

"Yep. Ngayon lang dumating ang memo. I'll cancel your lunch date," ngumiti ito.

She knows what to do. Alam niya kung ano ang mga priorities ng schedules ko. She's moving my lunch with Jhon. Jhon is always the second priority.

"I'll be in the boardroom," sagot ko.

Paglabas ni Wen, sabay pasok naman ni Toni.

" Alam mo ba na hindi na babalik si Ms. Semuria?" Bungad nito.

Si Ms. Semuria ang currect Vice President for Operations ng La Casa Grande. I heard she's on leave for over a month now for medical reasons. Pero hindi ko alam na hindi na siya babalik.

"Bakit daw?" Tanong ko.

" Baka kailangan niyang mag-rest," maikling sagot nito at pinipigil ang ngiti.

Na-weirduhan ako sa kanya. May sakit na nga 'yong tao nakuha pa niyang ngumiti. At lalong lumapad pa ang ngiti niya nang makita niyang puno ng pagtataka ang expression ng mukha ko.

At hindi na ako nakatiis. " Kanina ka pa nakangiti, mukhang masaya ka ha?"

" Kasi - kaya napaaga 'yong meeting kasi, ipapakilala 'yong bagong VP," nakangiti na naman ito at halos mapunit na ang pisngi.

"So? Syempre kung may mawawala, may ipapalit? Hindi mo pa sinasagot ang tanong ko. Ba't ang saya mo?"

" Halika na, basta malalaman mo. Nakakainis ka. Anak ka ng may-ari wala kang alam sa mga nangyayari," asar nito at hinila ako palabas ng office ko papunta ng boardroom.

Kahit naguluhan ako sa sinabi niya hindi na ako nagtanong.

At halos mapuno ang boardroom sa dami ng attendees. Lahat ng Managers, Assistant Managers at Supervisors ang kasama sa meeting. At dahil medyo mas maraming nauna sa aming dumating, nasa dulo na kami.

"Are we all here?" Panimula ng Operation's President na si Mr. Saldana.

Nang walang sumagot, "I think we should start. Alam niyo naman siguro na nag-file na ng resignation si Ms. Semuria due to health reasons. At dahil do'n we hired a replacement. I will formally introduce to you the new Vice President for Operations. And since he's a busy person, he'll be leaving for CDO branch after this meeting, this will be quick.

"He's the son of one of the partners. And just arrived from Germany after completing his studies. I will present to you..."

Hindi ko maintindihan kung baki ang lakas ng kaba ko nang marinig ko ito, "And just arrived from Germany after completing his studies".

Ang ilang segundong 'yon ay tila napakatagal bago niya banggitin ang pangalan ng bagong Vice President.

" Mr. Adler Figueroa."

***

Thank you for reading! ^_^