Behind Closed Doors

Chapter 18

Marcos' Pov

Sa loob ng dalawang araw na wala si Francheska para akong nasa ulap. I am very happy and more than satisfied. Finally, Eva was able to break free from her fears and insecurities. Mas lalo ko tuloy syang minahal. And i made a promise that i would never do anything to hurt her again.

"Sweetheart, i have to go. Baka gabihin ako ng uwi. Pagdumating si Francheska at wala pa ako just tell her i missed her okay?" I said before kissing her lips.

Bilang isang engineer, isang once in a life time experience ang mapansin ng isang kumpanyang kagaya ng Dela Tierra Industries. Ito ang pinakakilalang infrastracture firm sa buong bansa. At ang matawagan nila ako to invite me for an interview is an opportunity i would never pass.

Pagbaba ko ng sasakyan sobrang namangha ako sa ganda ng napakataas na building na nasa harap ko. This building was designed by one of the country's most famous architect Antonio Dela Tierra.

"Marcos Salazar, please. Have a sit." I didn't mean to but i felt intimidated by the man standing before me.

"I'm Engineer Greg Salvador, the head of the engineering department of Dela Tierra Industries." And my interview begins.

I gave my best to impress Mr. Salvador because i want this job. I want to be a part of this company. Nagsisimula palang ako pinangarap ko ng makapasok sa kompanyang ito. Ngayong nabigyan ako ng pagkakataon sisiguraduhin kong hinding hindi ko sasayangin ang pagkakataon na 'to.

"Impressive. You're smart, willful and talented. I think the company would be very lucky to have you. You're hired Mr. Salazar. He smiled as he shook my hands.

Hindi ako makapaniwala. Natanggap ako  Nagawa ko! Makakapasok na ko sa kompanyang pinapangarap ko.

"I want you to come back here on Monday, seven o'clock sharp, for your site tour and orientation. Okay?" He said.

"Yes, sir. I'll be here on Monday and i won't be late." I assured him.

"Good. Very good." Mr. Salvador replied.

Habang papunta ako sa parking are ay para akong naglalakad sa ulap. Sobra-sobrang saya ang nararamdaman ko. Hindi ako makapaniwalang natanggap ako sa Dela Tierra Industries. Napakaswerte ko!

I was pulled out of my thoughts when my phone rang on my suit pocket. I took it out only to be dismayed as i read the name on the caller id. Agad kong kinansela ang tawag. Wala akong panahong makipag-usap sa kanya.

Wala na akong pakialam kung anong kaya nyang gawin. Basta iiwasan ko na sya. Hindi na ko magpapatakot sa kanya. At lalong hindi ko na uulitin ang nagawa kong kasalanan.

"Hi! Decaf please and one slice of mocha cake." I ordered when the waiter approached me.

"Marcos? Hi! Good to see you here." Nabigla ako ng may biglang bumati sa akin pag-alis ng waiter.

"Jessica? Hi! How are you?" I greeted her back.

"I'm great. Mind if i join you?" She asked pointing to the vacant seat in front of me.

"No, please. Have a seat." I invited her.

"Kamusta ka na? I heard that you're playing husband now." She began the conversation.

"Haha! Yeah, i'm living with my girlfriend and her daughter." I answered.

"How's life been treating you then?" She asked habang hinihimas ang kanang kamay kong nakapatong sa mesa. Natigilan ako. Is she flirting with me?

------

Eva's Pov

Simula nung gabing 'yon palagi ng maganda ang mood ni Marcos and it also makes me happy. Ramdam ko 'yong magandang naging epekto nun sa relasyon naming dalawa. Malaki rin ang naitulong nun sa sarili ko. Nagawa ko ng alisin ang takot at insecurities ko. Pakiramdam ko finally nakalaya na ako.

"Kamusta ang negosyo?" I asked Diane pagdating ko.

"Everything's great Eva. And... you are looking great too. What's that? An after sex glow?" She teased. Bigla tuloy nag-init ang mukha ko.

"Hey! Tone it down. And how could you say that?" Paano nya nalaman eh hindi naman ako nagkukwento.

"I've been married for sixteen years Eva. Do you think a look like that is something i don't know? You're practically glowing." Dagdag niya pa.

"Oh." Yan nalang tuloy ang nasabi ko.

"Ms. Eva may naghahanap po sa inyo." One our crews inform me.

"Thanks Harry. I'll be there in a sec."

Wala akong idea kung sino ang taong naghahanap sa'kin. Wala naman kaming scheduled deliveries ngayon. I saw a woman sitting on the far corner of the restaurant. Judging by her looks mukha syang mayaman.

"Hi! My staff said you were looking for me?" I said while smiling.

"I'm Sarah Sandoval and we need to talk." Hindi ko gusto ang tono ng pananalita nya. So i sat on the chair in front of her.

"I know you. I know who you are and what you're about to say so don't waste both our time." Hindi na ko nagpaligoy-ligoy pa.

—Flashback—

Naglalakad ako sa loob ng mall para maghanap kung saan ko mabibili ang damit na ireregalo ko para sa birthday ni Diane. Paakyat na sana ako sa second floor ng mall when i saw a man na kilalang kilala ko. Marcos is walking towards a fine dining restaurant with a woman i don't recognize.

Base sa kung paano ipulupot ng babaeng 'yon ang braso nya kay Marcos halatang may relasyon sila. Parang sinaksak ang puso ko ng milyong milyong matatalas na kutsilyo. Then i remembered a time when Marcos spoke of a name. Sarah.

Sinubukan kong makalapit sa kanila ng hindi nila napapansin. Mabuti nalang at mukhang pareho silang may malalim na iniisip kaya parang hindi sila aware sa nangyayari sa paligid nila.

—End of flashback—

"Is that so." Parang nawala naman ang tapang nya ng malaman nyang alam ko ang naging relasyon nila ni Marcos. Lalo na ang pakikipaghiwalay nito sa kanya.

"Yes, i know that you and my boyfriend had a relationship and that he already broke up with you because he loves me. Now, kung naghahabol sa kanya, problema mo na 'yon. I'm busy so if you don't have anything else to say you can leave now." I left her dumbfounded and it felt good. It felt so good to be brave.