PREVIEW Always You

3

Now

Napangiti si Alexis nang makita kung sino ang naghihintay sa kanya sa kanyang opisina.

"Fitz! It's good to see you."

Tumayo si Fitz sa visitor's chair at lumapit sa kanya. May magandang ngiti na nakaguhit sa mga labi nito. Ibinuka nito ang mga braso at niyakap siya.

Natatawang gumanti ng yakap si Alexis. Her friend was happy, that was very much obvious. Masaya siyang makita ang kaligayahan nito. He was such a good man, he deserved all the happiness in the world.

Tinapik-tapik niya ang likod ni Fitz. "Congratulations again," bati niya. "I'm so happy for you."

May kaunting inggit siyang nararamdaman pero pilit niya iyong inalis. Walang lugar ang mga negatibong pakiramdam. Her friend deserved everything good he had in his life right now.

"Thank you," sagot ni Fitz habang kumakalas sa kanya. "Manse loved the flowers and the Belgian chocolates."

"She did? I'm glad. You're very lucky to have a woman like that. Akalain mo, pumayag siyang pakasalan ka."

"I'm a very lucky man."

Pinuntahan ni Alexis ang kanyang desk at inilapag ang mga dalang folders at tablet bago siya naupo sa kanyang executive chair.

Binalikan naman ni Fitz ang visitor's chair.

"When's the wedding?" kaswal niyang tanong.

"We haven't set the date yet but I want it as soon as possible."

Tumango-tango siya. "It's going to be a wonderful wedding."

"I'll make sure of it."

"Another wedding to attend. Parang nagpapakasal na ang lahat ng mga tao sa paligid ko. I'm feeling—"

"Left out?"

"No. I'm feeling old," natatawang sagot ni Alexis. Hindi niya aaminin kahit na yata sa sarili lang ang pakiramdam na parang napag-iiwanan na siya.

"Manse has an older brother—"

"No," pigil ni Alexis bago pa man matapos ni Fitz ang sinasabi.

"Come on, Lex."

"This is what I hate about friends that are happy and in love. Gusto nilang in love rin ang mga tao sa paligid nila."

"It's the most glorious feeling."

"I know. I have a daughter to prove that."

Banayad na natawa si Fitz.

Bahagya nang nagseryoso si Alexis. "Now that the small talk is done, what do you really wanna know? Ano ang talagang dahilan ng pagbisita mo sa office ko?"

Nasa iisang building sila, ang kanilang headquarters. Nasa magkaiba lang silang palapag. She was on the top floor with their boss.

"How is he?" Mas seryoso na rin ang mukha ni Fitz. Nasa mga mata nito ang pag-aalala.

Hindi na kailangan pang tanungin ni Alexis kung sino ang kinukumusta ni Fitz. She knew he was asking about their boss, Xavie.

Xavier Mondego was not just their boss, he was also their good friend.

"He's fine. He's just going through something. You know how it is sometimes. He'll get over it." Gusto niyang paniwalaan ang mga sinabi kahit na alam din niyang may iba sa pagkakataon na ito.

"We both know something is going on," sabi ni Fitz. "Iba sa pagkakataong ito. He's usually in good mood after he sees her. He's given me the CEO position of Gemini."