Desire for Eminence (Dream Series #2)

7

Usual

Ilang araw nang hindi nagpapakita si Lincoln, abala sa trabaho lalo na at mayroon silang mga bagong venture sa business. Tita Ellen really took everything seriously, huh? Palagi niyang pinaaalahanan si Lincoln tungkol sa mga meetings at out of town schedules na kailangang puntahan.

The responsibilities on his shoulders are heavy. Nag-iisang anak siya kaya kailangan niyang mas pagbubutihan ang trabaho.

I am still inside the coffee shop nang tumawag siya. He's doing this a lot these past few days. Calling and texting me whenever he can. Masyado nang hectic iyong schedule niya para makipag-landian.

Umuulan sa labas kaya naisipan kong manatili muna at gumawa nalang ng mga assignments sa isang major subject.

"Hi." i answered, pinatayo ko nalang ang cellphone sa lamesa at nilagay ang maliit na pot ng succulent sa likod para hindi mahulog.

Its a video call this time, i continued answering while he's still on the phone.

"Where are you?" his voice is a bit tired, he is now wearing his white longsleeve shirt.

"Coffee shop." still not looking at the camera. I heard him sighed and moved a bit, nasa office parin siya? Anong oras na ah?

"You're still working?" i asked and lifted my gaze back to him.

"I still have one meeting left, did you eat already?" i shook my head and continued writing my ideas on the last part of the task. It's a business plan, i have to pass this next meeting.

"It's already past seven in the evening, Celene." he sighed.

"Mamaya na, Lincoln. Uuwi din ako." i answered immediately. He brought medicine last time cause i felt sick. Hindi ko alam kung bakit naging sakitin ako dito sa Manila. Siguro namimiss ko lang iyong pamilya ko at ang Isla.

It is my first time to be away from home.

"You're feeling better now?" i heard him asked, i only nodded. Hindi na ako nagsalita baka saan na naman patungo 'tong usapan namin. He already scolded me last time dahil sa unhealthy diet ko sa condo.

Hindi naman ako mahilig magluto kaya minsan lang din ako nakakapag-grocery. I only ordered delivery food tuwing nagugutom ako.

"I still have to catch my flight to Palawan after this meeting. I wont be able to meet y--"

"I'll end the call now." i heard him sighed and nod defeatedly. Wala naman siyang responsibilidad saakin kaya ayokong maging pabigat sa kaniya. I dont want to take much of his time lalo na ngayon at abala sila sa company nila.

Hindi ko na hinintay na magpaalam siya at agad ko nang binaba iyong tawag.

Vale is finally back on his studies hindi na katulad nung nakaraang linggo na halos buong araw nang tulog at hindi pumapasok.

Hindi na ako nakapunta sa condo niya dahil wala namang tao dun, palging wala si Vale at abala sa pag-aaral. He cant cook for me cause he is busy so pointless din kung pupunta pa ako sa condo niya.

I ordered a meal from a chinese restaurant for takeout at agad nang pumara ng taxi pabalik sa condo.
Medyo nabasa din sa ulan dahil tinakbo ko pa iyong paradahan ng taxi kanina.

Binuksan ko ang kurtina, inilahad naman nito ang naglalakihang mga buildings at city lights.

I unpacked the food at inihanda ang lamesa. I went inside my room to changed for a comfortable clothes bago umupo at kumain.

My phone beeped and its a message from him.

Please dont skip your dinner, Celene. I am now at the airport with mom.

I took a picture of my table and sent it.

Just got home from the coffee shop. I hope you treated your mom for dinner too.

Inabala ko na ang sarili sa paglilinis ng condo pagkatapos kong kumain.
Ilang araw na rin kasi akong palaging nasa labas at umuuwi nalang para matulog.

I changed the pillowcase and sheets in the bedroom. A faint smile fromed on my lips when i found the aesthetic pillowcases that i bought from the mall weeks ago.

Nakalimutan kong gamitin 'to sa unan na nasa living room. It's a white pillow but has a gold intricate design on the side.

I unboxed some of the items i bought for the kitchen too.

I stopped when my phone keeps on ringing, he suddenly called.

"What?" i answered the call.

"I miss you." his deep voice softly hummed in my ear. Surprised by his sudden words. I breathe deeply and slowly sat on the couch, feeling the unusual beats in my chest.
"Can you open the door for me? I just needed to see you." he continued.

"Huh?" eyes widened and immediately walk to the door.

"I am here outside your unit." he chuckled. I ran and opened the door. He's standing with a paper bag on his hand. I saw him suppressing his smile when he saw me surprised.

"I thought you're at the airport?" He leaned closer and place a kisses on my lips. I felt him smiled as he wrapped me tight in his arms.

"You want to come in?" i asked, he only shrugged as he handed me the paper bags.

"I just needed to see you." he hugged me again but it's tighter than before.

"What about your mom?" He didn't bother answering, i just felt him cupling my cheeks and leaned closer then pressing his lips for a passionate kiss. I shut my eyes to feel his warm kisses touching mine. He gently part my lips and kissed deeper.

"I better go." I gasped for air when he chuckled and let go. I nodded and looked inside the paper bags.

I laughed when i realized there's bugers, fries and nuggets!
I remembered mentioning this specific fastfood when we talked last time!

"I miss you." he chuckled and caress my cheeks with his thumb. I nodded amd smiled tightly at him.

"You're crazy." i shook my head and laughed. Hindi naman na kailangan 'to. Nung isang araw pa naman ako nag-crave ng nuggets! Nakalimutan ko na.

"Thank you." i leaned closer to him and softly trace a kiss on his lips. Hindi ko na kailangan nito pero napaka-insensitive naman kung sasabihin ko pa iyon sa kaniya, nag-effort iyong tao para dito.

I can still eat this later kung magugutom ulit ako.

I remembered i suddenly craved for this in the middle of the night and i got so desperate so i whined and bombarded him with my frustrations. Hindi kasi available iyong delivery services ng fastfood kaya nainis ako.

"I'll see you when i get home." he whispered on my ear when he hugged me for one last time.

"Okay..." I nodded and smiled kahit hindi niya naman makikita.
Nag-iingay na iyong cellphone niya dahil sa tawag pero hindi parin pinansin ng taong 'to. Baka si Tita iyon!

"Bye." i said after he let go of me then softly pecked my lips. He nodded and turned his back on me. Naglakad na siya habang kausap naman iyong tumatawag sa kaniya.

He's with me for a month now. I dont even know where i stand in his life. We're in this confusing unlabeled secret relationship together.

It is not what i have planned but i didn't really have any choice, right? We start off on the wrong foot.