Those Blurry Lines

Chapter 22

Chapter 22

Admit

Hindi ako mapakali sa upuan ko. I have this urge to finish this early. I want to run away. My mind keeps on going back to Jackson. Why is he here? Akala ko ba ay nasa China siya?

"We are very honored, Engineer. Ikaw pa talaga ang nagpunta rito," ani Maggie. Binigyan niya si Jackson ng folder, iyong mga plano at informations namin for the building.

"I'm really hands-on when it comes to big projects. I should be honored. Lalo na at nalaman ko na sikat pala itong si Ms. Lois Fausto."

My eyes went to him. I raised a brow. He was like implying something. Pero walang halong biro ang mukha niya.

Kitang kita ko naman kung paano ngumiti ang mga babae kong kasama rito. I'm suddenly getting annoyed.

We haven't seen each other for years. Kahit konti lang iyong pinagsamahan namin, we still became friends kahit may boundaries pa.

Hinayaan ko nalang si Maggie na asikasuhin si Jackson, na parang gustong gusto naman niya. I'm not in the mood now. Hindi ko ito inasahan.

Patingin tingin ako sa kanya. Napakaseryoso na niya. Wala man lang bahid ng biro kagaya noon. It's like he's not the Jackson that I know anymore.

"I think this would be done next year. Mga February," aniya.

Maggie looked at me, asking for approval.

"No. It should be done in December. You still have five months," I said.

"This is a building, Ms. Fausto, not a house."

"My assistant told me that you're one of the best. Prove that to me."

He leaned back. "That's nonsense. We are yearning for quality here. If we rush it, there would be a lot of complications along the way."

"Now, what should we do about that? Our operation would start this January. After that, I'll go back to Paris. We already set a timeline, Engineer Kwon."

"Oh, mawawala ka na naman?" aniya.

Nakipagtitigan lamang ako sa kanya, hindi alam kung ano ang dapat na gawin.

He exhaled. "Seven months. That's my proposal."

Maggie chuckled nervously. "Ma'am, compared to others, mas maaga na po itong seven months."

"Then what should we do about our future schedules, huh?"

Jackson smirked. "Let's say, we'll do it within five months. Baka bumagsak ito. Baka biglang maglaho. Come on, Lois, let's not play a joke here."

"Am I joking?" I raised a brow, challenging him.

Umiling siya. "Baka naman tumakbo ka ulit. Baka takbuhan mo 'tong project na 'to. That's what you're good at, right? Disappearing.. running away.."

Napayukom ako sa mga kamao ko. "Don't tell me that you're so affected, Jackson?"

"No, I'm not. I'm just worried about this. Baka bigla ka nalang magback-out. Mahina ang loob mo, 'di ba?"

"How dare you." I gritted my teeth. "I'm true to my words, Jackson."

"Really? Your actions don't say so."

Naghamunan kami ng titigan. Nararamdaman ko ang pagkailang ng mga kasama namin dito.

I sighed. "Fine. Seven months."

He smirked and scanned the portfolio. We proceeded to the signing of contracts. Mainit pa rin ang dugo ko kaya hinayaan ko nalang na si Maggie ang kumausap sa kanya.