No Strings Attached

-15-

Chapter Fifteen.

"Cancelled"

I slept in the spare room she had in her condo. Nung ginising niya ako dahil tapos na yung movie na pinapanood niya, I was too tired to move an inch. Ngayon lang yata ako nakaramdam ng pagod.

Being tired physically was not in my vocabulary. Siguro emotional tiredness, pwede pa dahil consistent na talaga yun sa buhay ko.

But I was used to working in a straight week, not get a day off and not get tired. I didn't really mind if I don't give that much importance to resting and relaxation. I prefer getting things done instead of pampering myself.

So what the hell happened?

Buti na lang ay maaga akong nagising. Sinilip ko si Eleanor sa kwarto niya pero tulog pa din siya. I didn't bother waking her up dahil naabala ko na siya kagabi by staying here when it's not part of the plan. Dumiretso na ako papunta sa parking to get to my car, at binalewala ang mga tingin ng mga nakakasalubong ko. They're probably thinking that I just came from a one-night stand and I'm just about to leave. I was too tired to care. Dumiretso ako sa bahay para magbihis at dumiretso ng office. Buti na lang at wala dun si Mom and Dad since they're on vacation because I'm not ready for any interrogation.

Mga 8:30 na ako nakarating ng office, a little bit late than usual pero since wala namang pending reports ay hindi yun big deal. I just have to sign the papers I left yesterday. Nakakahiya nga kay Claire kasi hindi na talaga ako bumalik kahapon. I was enjoying myself too much with Eleanor's company.

"Ito na ba lahat?" tanong ko kay Claire. Ngumiti naman siya at tumango kaya tinanong ko na kung ano pa ba ang dapat kong gawin.

"Wala na naman po, Sir Chance. You're free for the rest of this week. Magdaday off po ba kayo?" She asked hopefully. Napailing naman ako. I'm not really used to taking day offs pero napapadalas na ang bigla kong pag-alis ng office na minsan pa ay hindi na ako nakakabalik.

Lumabas na si Claire ng office nung magring ang phone ko. I grabbed my phone from my pocket, suddenly feeling my heart pounding louder than usual when I saw Eleanor's name on the screen. I glanced at my wrist watch. 9:30 na pala. Siguro, kakagising pa lang ng isang to.

"Hi."

(Hello, Chance baby. Nakaalis ka na pala?) I heard her yawn on the other line.

"Yup. I'm already in my office right now." I glanced around my office and leaned back on my swivel chair.

(Good for you, you're a morning person.) She grumbled.

"Yeah, right." I smirked. Nalaman ko na hindi siya yung tipo na tao na mapagmahal sa paggising ng maaga.

(Oh! And before I forgot, nakapili na ako nang girl. Can you meet her today? Don't worry, she's a Lawyer. Baka pagalitan mo pa ako kapag hindi. Mga after lunch date na lang. She's Angelica Martinez, 25 years old. I'll text you the rest of the details. Can you make it?) She drew a deep breath.

"Most likely," I said, frowning. Truthfully, I don't feel like going but Eleanor's doing this for me. Hindi ko alam but it felt like I should do this―if not for me, then for her.

(Okay, then. Good morning nga pala. See you later.)

"Bye," She ended the call. But not long after, na-reciece ko na yung text niya about the girl, Angelica.

Nakalagay dun yung common na gusto niya. The girl was from UST. Not that I have something against the students and alumni of UST. I was frowning the entire time I was reading her message.