Chapter Seventeen

Tiningala ni Louise ang matayog na building sa kanyang harapan, must be 30 floors or something.

Tiningnan niya ang address mula sa hawak na business card, yes, looks like she's at the right place. Alas dos pa ang appointment niya sa CEO ng AG Group pero medyo napaaga siya nang dating, 1:30 pa lang. Maaga kasi siyang umalis ng Sta. Martha dahil alam niya kung gaano ka unpredictable ang traffic sa Metro Manila. Biyernes pa naman ngayon kaya mas inaasahan na niyang mas malala pa ang traffic na daratnan. Well, it's a good thing na maaga siyang nakarating. Better than late ,she thought.

"Yes, ma'am what can I help you with?" nakangiting tanong sa kanya ng receptionist pagpasok niya.

"I have an appointment with AG Group"

"Oh that would be 22nd floor. The lifts are located just right there" the receptionist pointed at the direction kung nasaan ang elevators.

"Thank you" she turned around nang may maalala "oh. by any chance, would you happen to know the name of their CEO?"

"Sorry ma'am. Please speak to their receptionist upstairs" hinging paumanhin nito. Isang tango ang kanyang naging tugon at nagtungo na sa elevators.

She pressed 22 on the elevator pad. Hindi nagtagal ay bumukas ang pinto ng elevator, leading her to a tastefully decorated office. Just like the rest of the building, makintab na marmol ang sahig nito papasok, the whole office was surrounded by frosted glass. Isang malaking signange ang agad niyang natanaw na nakasabit sa malaking wall nito "AG Group of Companies". She pushed the door at nabungaran doon ang isang reception desk.

The lady greeted her courteously. Nang sabihin niyang may appointment siya sa CEO ay nakita niya ang pagkabigla sa mukha nito, ganoon pa man ay magalang siyang pinaupo nito sa isa sa mukhang mamahaling upuan nakapalibot sa reception. Inalok din siya nito nag maiinom, to which she politely declined.

She surveyed the office. Naaadornohan ng ilang paintings ang mga dingding ng opisina, natitiyak niyang hindi biro ang halaga ng mga iyon. The whole office screamed of class and sophistication. Inabot niya ang isang magazine mula sa coffee table at nagsimula itong buklat buklatin, just to pass time.

Maya maya ay isang lalaking naka amerikana ang pumasok. Agad itong binati ng receptionist at sinundan sa opisina. Hindi nagtagal ay lumabas mula sa opisina ang lalaki at nagtungo upang batiin siya.

"Hi! you're here to meet our CEO?" friendly at masigla ang boses nito.

She put away the magazine she was reading upang tignan ito. The guy smiled even broader ng makita kung sino siya. Siya naman ay namilog ang mata. Tumayo siya upang pormal din itong batiin at tanggapin ang nakalahad na kamay nito.

"Well, small world isn't it? Louise, right?" nakaplaster sa mga labi nito ang ngiti. His dimples were showing, and for the first time ay napansin ni Louise that he's a good looking guy. The good looking type na parang pang matinee idol, kagaya ba ni Diether Ocampo noon.

She accepted his hand with a smile "small world indeed, Mr. Alvarez"

"Woah, call me Kurt. Masyado namang pormal ang Mr. Alvarez" inilahad nito ang kamay "this way to my office".

Kurt's office was a simple one, naroon sa gitna niyon ang isang malaking executive desk at nasa isang bahagi niyon ang 3 piece couch set, isang glass na lamesita ang nasa gitna ng mga couches.

"Please have a seat" naupo ito at pinagkrus ang mga binti. She sat opposite him.

"A-are you the President & CEO of AG Group?" alanganing tanong niya.

He chuckled "oh no, no. I'm so much nicer than that bastard, I assure you"  biro nito  "I'm the vice CEO" he stated.

She laughed at his joke "you know, I'm curious about that guy. He is very mysterious I heard"

"Well, I guess he has his reasons" kibit balikat na sagot nito "anyway, what's your business with him? we're all surprised that you're meeting him" he paused a bit "you see, he only meets with our board and our long term clients"

She doesn't know what to say. She's feeling a little uneasy telling him na narito siya dahil narimata ang mga ari-arian nila because her dad got into gambling.

Si Kurt ay nakatingin sa kanya na tila naghihintay ng sagot.

"uhm...just some things about my father's properties" sa wakas ay tugon niya sa tanong nito. She gave him an uneasy smile.

He nodded and Louise was thankful na hindi na ito nag usisa pa, instead he steered the conversation in a different direction. He asked more generalized and friendly questions about her, like where she was from and what does she do for a living. They've spent a few minutes chatting and Louise found herself enjoying his company. Palabiro ito and his personality is just refreshing to be with.

Maya-maya ay kumatok ang receptionist at sinabing hinahantay na raw siya ng CEO.

"Thanks so much for your time, Mr. Alvarez" she gathered her bag na inilapag niya sa kanyang tabi.

"Ayan ka na naman sa Mr. Alvarez eh!" naiiling na wika nito

"Oopss. sorry! I mean, Kurt"

"That's better!" nasisiyahang wika nito "I wish I could show you to his office pero nariyan na yata ang next meeting ko" hinging paumanhin nito

"Okay lang. I'm sure I'll find it"

"His office is at the penthouse" he said. Palabas na si Louise nang muli itong magsalita "let's have dinner sometime. What do you say?"

She smiled at him and nodded.

Matapos makalabas ng opisina nito ay nagtungo muna siya sa washroom para mag re-touch. Tiningnan niya ang repleksyon mula sa life sized mirror na nasa isang haligi ng banyo. She was pleased with what she saw. Her smart casual attire fits her perfectly. She was wearing an ankle length skinny jeans, paired with a sheer white long sleeved top, na kanyang i-tinuck in sa pantalon. She accented her look with an Hermes belt, ang sapatos ay itim na Christian Louboutin na may anim na pulgada ang taas. Maliban sa Cartier na relo at perlas na hikaw ay wala na siyang ibang alahas na isinuot.

She inhaled & exhaled a few times bago lumabas ng banyo at magtungo sa penthouse.

Ding! bahagya pa siyang nagulat sa tunog ng elevator nang bumukas iyon. She stepped out of the lift at bumaon ang takong ng kanyang sapatos sa malambot na carpet.

"Ms. Saavedra?" salubong sa kanya ng isang babae. Marahil ito ang sekretarya.

"Y-yes" she controlled her breathing. Damn it! Bakit ba kabadong kabado ako?!

"This way please" pormal na sabi nito at nagpatiunang lumakad. She followed the lady hanggang marating nila ang tapat ng isang silid, nakapinid ang pintuan niyon. "You may go in, he's excpecting you" the lady said and left her.

Tatlong katok sa pinto ang kanyang ginawa bago pinihit ang seradura niyon at pumasok. Maluwang at moderno ang opisina, floor to ceiling ang bintanang nakapalibot doon, which made the office bright.

"Good afternoon" alanganing bati niya.

Nakatalikod ang lalaki at nakatanaw sa labas ng malaking bintanang naroroon sa opisina nito, overlooking the metropolis. Matangkad ito, malapad ang mga balikat.

"Hello, Louise..." wika nito and slowly turned around to face her.

Tinakasan ng kulay ang mukha ni Louise, her heart started beating erratically in her chest. Hindi siya maaaring magkamali sa baritonong tinig na iyon! That voice that haunted her for 6 years! She stared at the man in front of her, pigil ang kanyang paghinga.

"G-Gael?" she croaked.