Below The Tide (Charity Series #1)

• Thirty Seven •

Betina Tiara

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Hindi ko pa nakakausap si Hailey magmula no'ng lumabas sila ni Zen pero ayon dito, nagawa naman daw n'ya ng maayos ang pinapagawa kong pasiyahin si Hailey sa pamamagitan ng pagyaya rito na kumain sila sa labas.

Kaagad n'yang dinetalye ang nangyari pero mas dinetalye n'ya kung anong naiisip n'ya noong nakita raw n'ya kami ni Claudius sa labas.

Mabuti na lang at medyo understanding na si Zen kay Claudius at kahit mukhang masama pa ang loob n'ya, nagawa n'ya pa rin itong palagpasin. Bakit naman hindi? Kumain lang naman kami sa labas at walang malisya iyon.

"Hindi n'ya ba sinabi na babawasan na n'ya ang binibigay na trabaho kay Hailey? Babe, what if this happens again? Are you gonna ask me again to treat her lunch for the second time?" medyo naiinis na tanong ni Zen, "I don't want to do that again..."

Inayos ko ang mga papel sa lamesa bago siya tignan, "You don't want what?"

"That! I don't want to go out with a woman except if it's you," nakasimangot n'yang sagot kaya naman bahagya akong natigilan.

"Alam mo namang ginawa ko lang 'yon para gumaan ng kaunti ang pakiramdam n'ya," inabot ko ang pisngi nito at nginitian siya, "Thank you so much for cooperation, Zen."

Hinawakan n'ya ang kamay ko sa kan'yang pisngi, "Babe, I can't refuse you but please, no more dealing with another woman."

"Opo."

Nang biglang sumilay ang ngisi sa labi n'ya. Naalala ko 'yung ginawa kong paghalik sa kan'ya sa bahay n'ya kaya naman nabawi ko ang kamay ko at kunwari'y nag-aayos na lang ulit ng gamit.

That was so unexpected from me. I have no idea I have guts to do that considering I have no experience in kisses.

Good gracious...

Pinagpasalamat ko sa loob ko nang biglang tumunog ang phone ko at makitang si Hailey ang tumatawag. Inangat ko ang phone ko para makita ni Zen na may tumatawag na siyang tinanguhan n'ya. Pagkasagot ko, sakto no'n ay nakita kong pumasok si Seven sa pintuan.

"Hailey?" bungad ko sa telepono.

I heard her cleared her throat, "Hello, Betina."

"How are you? Are you at the office? I haven't seen you, I wanted to see how bright you are..."

"Bright?" natawa siya, "Thank you. It's all because of you."

"Me?"

"Yes. Zen told me that you planned this because you're worried of me. I didn't know you would go that far but... thanks anyway, he helped me get my energy in a short time and that's enough for me to cheer up."

Dumako ang paningin ko kay Zen kung saan kausap na ngayon si Seven sa sofa at mukhang nagkakatuwaan sila.

He didn't told me about this! Sinabi kong 'wag sabihin ang tungkol do'n, e!

"W-Well that's right," naisagot ko.

"Ah, about your question... Sir Claudius had his magazine photoshoot so I had to assist him in studio this morning but he left right away to meet the company president, I believe he's now there. By the way he have a sample issue of magazine that was released earlier while me, I'm still here at the studio to deal with other stuff."

"Wait, so ibig sabihin ay okay na kayo?"

She sighed, I can feel as if she's nodding, "Yes... sa byahe kami nakapag-usap and... though he did not really say sorry, atleast I feel he somewhat understood my feelings... even just a little."