46: About him
SAM' POV
Napapangiti na lamang ako while watching Mr. Austin na panay punas lang sa mga basong nasa harapan nito. Kasalukuyan akong nakaupo sa kabilang upuan ng mesa ngayon while enjoying the strawberry cake na nasa harapan ko.
I didn't know I have missed strawberry cake this much. Halos hindi ko na matandaan kung kailan ako huling nakatikim nito.
"I was really grateful na napadalaw ang batang 'yon rito. Akala ko hinding-hindi na ito pupunta rito kahit na kailan." Saad nito maya-maya without even looking at me, so immersed with what we he was doing.
"Maybe he had finally realized na bahay niya talaga ito?" I commented with a nonchalant shrug and popped another piece of cake into my mouth.
Dahil sa tagal ng gagong 'yon, it left me no choice but start a conversation with Austin na akala ko isang boring at masungit na matanda. But to my utter surprise, he was far from that.
He was sweet at masayang kausap ito. And by the way how he had tell how was his twenty years of life being in del Fuero's family, he had obviously adored them and treated them like his own. Austin had no other family with him at may pinag-aralan naman ito so probably he had just preferred it that way to devote his life to this family.
Kaya nga kahit ayoko sanang makipagkwentuhan dito, his story about Mr. Del Fuero's childhood just made me curious to hear him.
"Bahay naman talaga niya ito. At Kung hindi lang sana pumanaw agad si Mrs. Carmela, this house would've been livelier than what it was now." Saad nito maya-maya habang pinupunasan ng malinis na tuwalya ang mga baso na nasa harapan nito. Puno ng panghihinayang ang boses nito but at the same time, hopeful..
"Mrs. Carmela?" Maang na tanong ko dito when I have no idea kung sino ang Mrs. Carmela na tinutukoy nito.
"The lady of this house, Ms. Samantha..Sir Cameron's mother." Nakangiting saad nito and then continued what he was doing now.
Ohhh..
I didn't answered him and just nodded while I kept popping some cames to my mouth, wanted him to continue na siyang ginawa naman nito.
"At hindi rin sana mapipilitang umalis noon si Sir Cameron dito if his mom would have been there to stop his father na ipadala ito sa Canada."
"Canada?At ano namang gagawin niya dun?" Curious kong tanong with raised eyebrow.
"Para mag-aral... He was just thirteen that time and his father had to send him abroad para matuto itong tumayo sa sarili nitong mga paa."
I just stayed silent while listening at him, not wanted to interrupt his moment.
Then that explains why he had this cold behavior today. Ganun naman pala ang nangyari... Hmmm
"Hindi naman talaga ganyan yang si sir noon, talagang marahas lang talaga ang kabataan nito with his father kept treating him that way. Hindi ko alam kung bakit pero isa lang ang alam ko..."
That made me stopped saka napatingin dito, Curious to know what he was about to disclose. Malay natin, that could be something na makakatulong sa'kin.
"Gusto niya lang protektahan ang anak nya kaya't kinailangan niyang ilayo ito rito. Sa gulo rito."
"Gulo? Anong gulo?" I asked, now more curious about it.
"I'm not really aware kung anong gulo 'yon but I know it was something related to their business. Ronaldo del Fuero hadn't disclosed this in public pero base sa naririnig ko noon, may gustong magpabagsak sa kompanya nila noon and someone had even snuck some smuggled materials inside the company just to set him up for a crime. Tapos pagkatapos ng----"
"Wait, what? Smuggled materials??" This time, ibinaba ko na ng tuluyan ang tinidor na hawak ko, now completely taken with it.
Shit! I think it was more complicated than what I've thought it was! And I guess this mess had started mula pa man noon.
"Oo.." He stated without even looking at me, so immersed with his cleaning.
"At ba't naman nila gagawin yon, Austin? And who could have done that? Nalaman ba nila kung sino ang may gawa nito?" Sunud-sunod na tanong ko dito with held breath.
"Gaya ng sabi ko kanina, para pabagsakin ang kompanya Ms. Samantha. That's what their competitors wanted to happen anyway. At tungkol naman sa may gawa nun, I think Ronaldo had found out kung sino ''yon pero hindi ko lang alam kung sino because he hadn't confided that to anyone, even to his family." He answered with a shrug of his shoulder. As if he was just telling me about the weather of the day.
But heck! That isn't just something to take it easy. Smuggling is a crime! And It's something serious, for goodness's sake!
"Oh anyway, enough with this talk about this----"
"Wait. Last question..... " Tarantang saad ko when he was about to stop telling me about it na syang dahilan para mapatingin ito sa'kin.
I was just desperate now to even let him go and leave me die with my curiosities.
"Go ahead, Ms. Samantha. I'm listening." He stated with a kind smile.
"Did you perhaps know kung sino ang maaaring sinabihan niya tungkol sa bagay na nalaman niya? About who had snuck that in their company?"
"Sinabihan?" Kunot noong tanong nito and tried to think about it.
My chest started to thud in nervous now while waiting for his answer. It could be our great chance para mahanap ang taong 'yon. Through that friend of his. Dad couldn't be the only friend he had na pwedeng pinagsabihan nito. There could be someone else. I just hope so.
At sa tagal na paninilbihan nito sa mga del Fuero, I'm sure marami na itong alam tungkol sa namayapang del Fuero.
"Yes. Tingin ko kilala ko ang taong yon..."
This time, my heart thudded more than ever. This is it.
"Sino? Sino yon, Austin?"
For a few moments, he just studied me with his creased brows, probably suspicious with me. Probably with my eagerness and look of desperation.
I quickly pasted a small smile at him, wanted to let him know he had nothing to be suspicious of.. though the thought to just force him out for an answer was quite tempting to do.
I was able to let out a sigh of relief nang mga ilang sandali.lang, he returned the smile before answering me.
"I think it was his friend, Ms. Samantha. Nickandro. That's what I've remembered as his name."
Hearing that, disappointment suddenly filled me.
So it was dad again? Damn it! How could I ask dad about that kung pati ito, matagal naring patay?
"Pero sa pagkakaalam ko, that man had---"
"Died more than ten years ago now. Alam ko yon, Mr. Aust.... A few months before his friend's death."
"You know him?" Kunot noong tanong agad nito sa'kin.
I just nodded and gave him a bitter smile. I guess, hindi ko dapat itago 'yon.
"He's my dad.. Nickandro Romero is,..."
Shock quickly registered on his face at that as he slowly put down the towel on the table saka napaupo na lamang.
"Oh! So you are his daughter.."
I just nodded at him and heaved up a deep breath as I gave him a tight smile. His shocked eyes suddenly turned sorry after a few moments. And I know why he was sorry for me.
"I'm sorry for your lost, Ms. Samantha. Alam kong hindi madali ang mawalan ng mahal sa buhay.".
Sobra. I wanted to say that pero mas pinili ko nalang na tumahimik, afraid that I would bursts out in tears sa harap nito and appeared weak in his eyes. Kakikilala lang namin and it wouldn't be appropriate if I do that.
"Nickandro was a good man and a friend of Ronaldo. Kaya nalulungkot akong nawala agad ito." He continued. I didn't answered him and just remained silent.
"You know what, tingin ko parehong-pareho lang kayo ni Sir Cameron.."
Agad na umarko ang kilay ko nang bigla na lamang nyang sabihin yon.
"Pareho? And what makes you think na pareho kami ng gagong----I mean ng taong 'yon, Austin? Dahil ako? I couldn't think of anything na maaaring magkapareho kami."
"Your attitude, Ms. Samantha. Hindi kayo nagkakalayo."
"Attitude??"
At the hear of that, I couldn't help but let out a dry laugh at his statement.
"I don't think so..." Napapailing-iling na lamang na sagot ko sa kanya which he just answered with an amused smile and a shake of his head.
"But I do... At tingin ko, mahirap din ang naging childhood mo tulad ng sa batang 'yon, Ms. Samantha. You both have lost your parents at a very young age kaya alam kong hindi kayo nagkakalayo sa isa't isa. At gaya ng batang 'yon, alam kong pilit mo ring pinipigilan ang sarili mo na mabuhay muli ng normal, ang sumayang muli."
My smile gone in a second just hearing that. Then the want to cry took over.
Yes. Sobrang hirap. Halos mamatay na nga'ko noon dahil sa hirap. I had even undergone depression after that incident.
I bit my lower lip hard then smiled bitterly at him. Him who had now look apologetic.
"You can cry it out, Ms. Samantha. No need to stop it. Gagaan ang pakiramdam mo kapag nailabas mo na 'yang tinatago mong sakit diyan sa puso mo. Wag mong kimkimin. Mas lalo ka lang mahihirapan dahil diyan. Crying isn't making you weak, it was something that would make you feel fine. And it's something what would make you human.. and human do cry."
Shit! Why does he sounded like some DJ now? Giving me some advise as serious as heart disease. Goodness!
I quickly swallowed the lump inside my throat and then shook my head.
"No. I don't need to cry just to be fine, Austin. I am perfectly fine. Nakamove on nako sa mga pangyayari noon kaya hindi na kailangan." I lied as I forced to paste a big smile in my face, pretending I was all fine kahit na hindi.
Hindi ito kumibo and just stared at me with sadness in his eyes. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ganun niya ko tignan ngayon pero isa lang ang alam ko, he wasn't buying my lies.
Mas lalo ko pang tinatagan ang sarili ko and stared back at him while putting up an unaffected look in my face.
I heard him exhaled a breath and then slowly shook his head. Now with sadness visible in his face.
"I just hope na matututo rin ang batang 'yon to live like a human that we are. Alam kong mahirap din ang pinagdadaanan nito noon so I just truly hope na mahanap nito ang bagay na siyang makakapagpapasaya sa kanya."
I know he was talking about Mr. Del Fuero. And hearing that from, sounding so sad about it, di ko mapigilang mapaisip kung anong hirap din ang naging kabataan nito noon. Could it be possibly the reason kung bakit naging ganito ito ngayon? Being so cold and distrustful to anyone? Maaari nga kaya?
Nang maisipin yon, I muttered a silent curse.
I wasn't here para maging emosyonal sa harap niya! At mas lalong hindi para isipin ang taong 'yon. So what if he had life issues as well? Ano namang paki ko dun? I was here for my case kaya naman pull yourself together, Sam! Focus on what you have to ask him.
Yeah right. Enough with my dramas and enough of thinking about him.
With that thought in mind, I swallowed hard and then quickly shrugged that thoughts off of my system. I cleared out my throat first then looked at him.
"By the way, Austin," I started, causing him to look at me. "About those people na maaaring sinabihan ni Mr. Ronaldo tungkol sa taong kumuntsaba sa kompanya niya, may alam ka pa bang ibang tao na maaaring pinagsabihan niya tungkol dito maliban sa dad ko?"
"Ibang tao?"
"Yes. Ibang tao. Someone na palaging kasama nito other than my dad."
Again, my heart thudded wildly as I waited for his answer. His brows creases while trying so hard to give it a deep thought.
"Hmmm... Wala naman akong ibang napansin na palagi nitong kasama but just your dad..."
Again, I felt so disappointed at that.
I guess wala na talaga yata akong pag-asa to even find that man. To even solve this case. Pero kahit ganun pa man, that doesn't mean I'd give up with this mission. guess I just have to find that file no matter what and-----
"But I think you can just ask someone na pwedeng may alam nito, Ms. Samantha.."
That made me snapped my head up to him when he suddenly uttered that as hope bloomed inside me again.
"Sino??"
"His driver of course. You can just find his trusted driver at tanungin ito kung may alam ito tungkol sa bagay na'yan."
"He had a driver?"
When I stupidly asked that question as if I can't believe he had actually a driver before, he suddenly chuckled while shaking his head in amusement.
Of course, sino ba namang hindi matatawa sa tanong na'yon? Ronaldo del Fuero was a multi-billionaire afterall so he can afford having drivers as many as he want.
Dumb Sam! Pretty dumb!
"Yes. He had a driver before, Ms. Samantha." Saad nito while smiling at me which I returned with a sheepish smile.
"At kahit saan man siya pumunta noon, he was always with his driver kaya nasisiguro kong masasagot niya ang mga katanungan mo."
"Kung ganun, pwede ko bang malaman kung saan ko makikita ang driver na'to?"
I looked at him with expectant eyes, for a few seconds, he just stared at me with scrutinizing stare. As if studying me kung bakit gustung-gusto kong malaman yon. Pero mga ilang sandali lang, I was able to let out a relief sigh when he had picked up the towel again at saka ipinagpatuloy ang naudlot nitong paglilinis then answered me.
Maigi ko lang syang pinakinggan, not wanted to miss any information about that driver. From his name , address and to his relatives na pwede kong tanungin kung nasaan na ito ngayon.
I just kept nodding my head as I listened intently to whatever he says.
"Hindi ko alam kung bakit gustung-gusto mong malaman kung sino ang nagtanim ng mga smuggled items na'yon, Ms. Samantha. At kahit na gusto kitang tanungin ngayon, I won't still ask you. I know you have your reasons why at kung magiging masaya ka sa ginagawa mong 'to, then I have no right to stop you." He ended while looking at me as if he was trying to read my mind.
"Pero isa lang ang masasabi ko sa'yo..Just be careful.."
"Be careful? Why?" I asked, not that I'm not aware with the danger that comes with me digging up into this kundi curious lang ako kung bakit nya nasabi yon.
He became more serious nang itanong ko yon sa kanya.
"Just be careful because given na hindi ito sinabi ni Ronaldo sa kahit kanino, then that means na delikado ito. That man behind it could be someone so dangerous. Kaya mag-iingat ka."
Yes. He was right. And it could be someone who can kill anyone he want.
Agad na lamang akong tumango rito and just remained silent. Agad naman itong tumango and leaned his back against his seat. Looking relieved with my answer.
"Anyways, wag na wag mo palang sasabihin kay sir Cameron na sinabi ko'to sa'yo, okay? Pinakaayaw nitong pinagsasabi ko'to sa ibang tao."
"No need to worry. Hinding-hindi ko yon sasabihin sa kanya." Saad ko as I make a zipping motion with my finger over my mouth.
"Rest assured."
He just shook his head saka ngumiti sa'kin. Smiling at me with a knowing glint in his eyes. Agad na umarko ang kilay ko dun, wondering why he was giving me that look now.
"What? May problema ba, Austin?"
He quickly shook his head saka ngumiti pa lalo sa'kin, making me more curious.
"Napanood ko pala ang balita tungkol sa inyo kahapon."
"You--you did?" Tarantang sagot ko dito, suddenly felt embarrased with what I have done.
"Oo. And I was glad na ginawa mo yon, Ms. Samantha. "
I frowned when he suddenly said that, confused and at the same time surprised with that.
"And may I ask kung bakit?".
"Simple. I haven't seen him reacted that way before. And it was good na makita ko uling maging ganun ang batang yon. He hadn't let any woman to be even an inch near him kaya nakakatuwa lang na makita kitang hindi man lang natatakot na gawin 'yon sa kanya."
I think the creased line on my forehead now deepened more dahil sa sinabi nyang yon. Still unable to understand his point.
Sinasabi ba ng matandang to na bakla si Mr. Del Fuero kaya allergic ito sa babae? He must be out of his mind, is he not?
"I know this is a crazy thing to ask from you, Ms. Samantha pero kung maaari sana, wag na wag mong iwan si sir Cameron. Nakikita kong nagiging iba sa'yo ang batang 'yon at maaaring dahil sa'yo, muling babalik ang dating makulit at pilyong Cameron na nakilala ko noon."
Hindi ako umimik and just listened to him intently as I resume popping cakes to mouth. Curious with it as well lalo na nang muling lumungkot na naman ang mga mata nito.
Was he really like that? I couldn't imagine Mr. Del Fuero being a nice human before. Dahil mukhang malayong-malayo yon sa kung ano na ito ngayon.
Nagpatuloy ito sa kakakwento nito about Mr. Del Fuero's childhood life with hopeful yet sad voice.
And hearing his stories from this old man, maaari nga talagang naging normal na bata rin ito noon gaya ng naging buhay ko noon.
"I could even remember him nung muntikan ng malunod ito dahil sa katigasan ng ulo nito noon."
"Malunod?" Gulat na tanong ko sa kanya habang napapatigil sa kasusubo.
Tama ba yong naririnig ko? The great Mr. Del Fuero had almost drown himself?
"Seriously? He did?"
"Oo. Muntikan na itong malunod noon. He was just five years old that time at kakatuto lang nito kung pano lumangoy, but as stubborn as he was, ayon, bigla na lamang tumalon sa six feet deep na swimming pool nila noon saying he was the best swimmer in their swimming class. Tsk, tsk, tsk. Good thing I was there to save him that time. Hindi ako magtataka kung hanggang ngayon, takon parin ito sa malalalim na tubig."Napapangiting saad nito while thinking back at the time.
Hindi ko alam kung anong magiging reaksyon ko sa impormasyong to. Pero isa lang ang masasabi ko,....
Holy shit! Him? Muntikan ng malunod? At takot sa tubig? Heck! Kaya naman pala nawalan agad ito ng malay nung mahulog kami noon sa isang tulay sa Canada. Because the bastard was really scared of deep water!
Just the thought of all of that, tuluyan na'kong napahalakhak ng tawa which caused him to smile as well.
"Ah so ganun pala.." saad ko while nodding my head in understanding, still laughing at it.
"So Mr. Del Fuero had almost drown himself before dahil sa kayabangan nito. Serves him well!" Then again, I bursts out into another laughter. Suddenly forgotten what we have just talked about.
Huh! Ayan kasi ang yabang yabang. Kaya siguro ang gaspang na ng ugali nito nga-----
"Anong nakakatawa, Ms. Javier?"
My laugh instantly died down in a second when I heard that booming voice from my right, surprised with his sudden appearance.
Damn it. Bakit kailangan niya pang sumulpot agad dito when I wasn't done yet with my amusement!
Austin stopped whatever he was doing as well pagkarinig sa boses na'yon and then looked at his way--alarm couldn't be even detected in his eyes.
Mukhang masaya pa nga yata ito eh.
"Sir Cameron, buti naman at nandito na kayo----"
"I am asking you, Ms. Javier. Anong nakakatawa rito?" Putol nito sa matanda habang nakasipat lang sa'kin.
In one look, halatang narinig nito ang usapan namin. And I think it was the last part. No doubt.
I quickly put up a straight face and cleared out my throat first before I started my lies.
"Nakakatawa? May nakakatawa ba rito, Mr. Del Fuero? Wala naman akong nakikita rito..." I feigned with a shrug on my shoulder then resumed my eating, as if nothing had happened here at hindi ko ito pinagtatawanan kani-kanina lang.
"We were just talking about the nice weather today and this strawberry cake na gustung-gusto ko.hmmm.." I pretended while exaggeratedly enjoying every bite of this cake habang pikit ang mga mata. As if I was in heaven.
Pero ang totoo nyan, gustung-gusto ko ng tuksuhin at pagtawanan ito.
I can feel his sharp stares at me while groaning pero hindi ko na pinansin 'yon and just continued.
Kahit gusto kong asarin at tuksuhin to, I think sa susunod nalang.
When he think that he won't make me admit it, I saw him from the corner of my eyes looked at Mr. Austin.
"Austin?"
"Sir?" Anang matanda who sounded expectant. "Gusto nyo rin po bang kumain ng kinakain ngayon ni Ms. Samantha? I can----"
"That's not what I want, Austin. Ano na namang sinabi mo sa kanya? You're not perhaps telling her my---"
"Ah!"
Napalingon agad ang mga ito sa direksyon ko when I snapped that. Sounding as if a sudden idea comes to my mind.
"What, Ms. Javier?" Asar na tanong nito while glaring at me.
With a tight smile, I answered him.
"I forgot something in my car. Wait, kukunin ko na muna 'yon." Then with that, I quickly got up on my feet then headed towards him and then to the door without even meeting his suspicious glare.
Better to take a flight now before Mr. Austin could even admit it. Lagot pa'ko.
But wait Sam, are you not going to even ask him kung anong ginagawa niyo sa lugar na'to?
Nang maisipan yon, I suddenly stopped sa tapat nito before I could even pass him.
Agad namang kumunot ang noo nito when I stopped and looked at him.
"What?" Tanong agad nito sa'kin in a hissed.
"By the way, bakit mo pala ako dinala rito, Mr. Del Fuero? Are you here to search for that file? Nakita mo ba?"
"File? Anong file 'yang sinasabi mo, Ms. Samantha?"
When Austin asked that, Mr. Del Fuero instantly groaned in disapproval with his eyes sending me a warning glare at me. A 'watch-your-mouth!' kind of glare.
Oh yeah shit. Ang laki talaga ng bunganga ko! At ang tali-talino ko para baguhin ang usapan.
Napakagat na lamang ako ng labi ko and then guiltily smiled at the old man. Confusion was all over his wrinkled face.
"It was nothing, Austin. Tinatanong lang ni Ms. Javier ang tungkol sa kontrata naming dalawa. Just that." He lied without even taking his eyes from me.
"I won't be here long so don't even bother yourself to prepare my room today, Austin. We're leaving now." And then with that, laking gulat ko na lamang nang bigla na lang nitong hawakan ang kamay ko before he dragged me out of the kitchen. Dragging me like he was just dragging some animal that needs some leash. Shit!
Wala na'kong nagawa kundi sumunod na lamang dito as I looked at the amused Mr. Austin with an apologetic smile na agad namang sinagot nito ng isang tango.
He just remained silent at hindi man lang lumilingon sa'kin habang hilahila ako palabas ng mansyon. We were now heading to the wide door na pinasukan namin kanina. At nang tuluyan na kaming makalabas ng mansyon, agad na kong binitawan nito and then faced me with no nonsense in his face. Gone was his 'tiger-look' and now it seems like he had some important matter that he was about to disclose to me.
"What? May nahanap ka ba?"curious kong tanong.
"Your voice, Ms. Javier .." he warned in a hiss as he cautiously looked around us which made me more curious about it.
May nahanap ito. Walang duda.
"Anong nahanap mo?"
For a while, he just looked at me with pursed lips, staring at me like he was skeptical to even share that piece of information to me.
This shit!
"Come on now, Mr. Del Fuero. Hindi ako nakikipagbiruan sa'yo rito. Sabihin mo na sa'kin ngayon. I know you've find something up there." I said with eagerness.
Hindi parin ito umimik and just let out a loud sigh na siyang mas ikinainis ko pa lalo. Pero maya-maya lang, I noticed him fished out something from his pocket inside his suit jacket.
And then I frowned nang may bigla na lamang itong iniabot sa'kin. Some old picture.
"Ano 'na naman 'to?" Litong tanong ko sa kanya as I took it from his hand.
"A picture. Take a look at that photo."
Agad ko ng tiningnan ito and then my frown deepened when I get a closed look at it.
"It was your dad and my father. Nakita ko yan sa mga gamit niya kanina. It was hidden behind my picture na nasa isang frame. Mukhang sinadya yang itago and this."
Again, I frowned when he handed me a piece of paper na tinupi ng makailang ulit.
Without any question, kinuha ko na agad yon saka binuklat.
"MJ.Bpg-206? Ano 'to?" I queried at him with my brows creases in utter confusion.
"Kasama yan sa picture na 'yan. Hindi ko alam kung ano 'yan but I have a suspicion na importante ang bagay na'yan. My father won't hid that and that picture kung wala namang silbi ang mga bagay na'yan."
I didn't talked and just continued staring at these things na nasa mga kamay ko.
Just awed with all of these. Seeing dad smiling at his friend beside him and this code...
Tama siya. Hindi naman ito itatago kung hindi importante ang bagay na'to. But then again, hindi rin naman namin nasisigurong may silbi nga ang mga 'to. Baka pinapaasa lang kami nito.
"Hindi naman kaya isa lang tong memento, Mr. Del Fuero kaya itinago ng papa mo ang mga 'to?"
The moment I'd asked that, a loud scoff of disbelief escaped from him while shaking his head.
"Don't try to joke around me, Ms. Javier. Kung isang souvenir lang ang mga yan, then how would you explain yang nakasulat diyan sa papel? Do you really think na isang souvenir yan? I can't believe you!"
I can't resist but scowled at him. Sounding like I was the most idiot to even assume that.
"Okay, fine! Sabihin na nating may silbi ang bagay na'to but then, paano? Hindi ko nga maintidihan kung ano ito."
"I think it's a code. I don't know kung para saan yan but I'm certain it was."
I tried to consider that idea and then glanced down at the photo and at the small paper again na nasa mga kamay ko.
Yes. This was maybe a code. A special code. Pero para saan? At ano namang ibig sabihin nito?
Kahit anong baliktad pa ang gawin ko dito, I couldn't still decode it.
"If it's a code, then I guess we have to atleast decode this one nang malaman natin kung ano ito."
He slowly nodded in agreement saka ito nagsalita.
"You better be. I know you're good at that. And maybe you can trace that place na nasa photo as well. Baka----"
"Wait. Did I just heard you say I'm good, Mr. Del Fuero?"
Agad na tumalim ang tingin nito sa'kin as his lips pursed in tight line ng bigla ko yong itanong sa kanya.
"No. I said you can do it and just that."
"No! I swear I heard you complimented me just now kaya wag mo ng bawiin yon. I know I'm good at anything kaya-----"
"No. I wasn't." He firmly denied without even giving out any emotions in his face.
"No. I swear I heard you----"
A ringing of his phone under his suit jacket interrupted me from my tease.
Perfect timing!
With a groan, he answered that but not without throwing a glare at me.
"What?" Agad na bungad nito sa kabilang linya.
Hinayaan ko nalang muna ito saka muling sinipat ang bagay na nasa harapan ko.
He could be right. Baka magagamit nga namin ang bagay na'to. Pero dahil hindi ko parin maintidihan ang nakasulat sa papel, napapabuntung hininga na lamang ako.
"Call her and tell her I'm going to meet her later this afternoon. I'll be there in an a bit. Bye." Narinig ko pang saad nito sa kausap nito before he put down his phone and then turned to look at me.
"Let's just continue this talk next time. May kailangan pa'kong gawin ngayon sa office. Sa'yo na muna yan and try to decode that one. I'm leaving now." He informed me in a hasty manner before he quickly ran to his car and drove off from there. Leaving me all alone sa labas ng pinto habang nakasimangot na nakamasid sa papalayo nitong sasakyan.
He was probably going to meet Gloria later kaya ganito nalang kaexcited itong umalis rito. Ni hindi man lang ako inayang sumama naring umalis sa kanya.
That bastard!
I hope they'd live painfully ever after their date later! As if I'd give a damn about it!
Shaking my head, agad na rin akong pumasok sa sasakyan ko saka umalia doon.
~~~~~~~~~