KABANATA 3

Things went well for the past few days that I’ve been working as Rome’s secretary. Medyo nagiging stable na ulit ako dahil hindi na siya ganoon lumalapit sa akin sa tuwing wala siyang kailangan. And I think it’s better that way.

“Sir, you have an appointment with Salvador’s Law Firm this afternoon.” Ibinigay ko na sa kaniya ang Letter of Approval para sa dalawang kompaniya.

He just nodded at me. “See me at the parking lot in ten minutes.”

“Ho?” Nangunot na ang noo ko dahil sa sinabi nito. “Sasama po ako?” tanong ko pa.

“Yeah. I need you to be there to record the meeting. It is essential for the company’s accuracy.”

“N-noted, Sir.”

Wala na akong naging ibang choice kung hindi ang sumunod sa utos niya sa akin. Isa pa, dala rin naman iyon sa scope of work ko kaya hindi dapat ako magreklamo. Ito kasi ang unang meeting ni Rome na hindi sa loob ng kompaniya kaya medyo nanibago ako.

Habang nasa byahe kaming dalawa, tahimik lang akong nagmamasid sa bawat dinadaanan namin. Ayokong makipag-usap kay Rome. Kung puwede lang talagang bumilis ang oras habang nasa byahe kami ay ginawa ko na just to avoid him.

“How are you, Gail?”

I didn’t answer. Nagkunware na lang akong hindi ko narinig ang tanong niya at ipinagpatuloy ang pagmasid sa labas ng windshield.

“How are you during those time after we broke up? I m-mean, did you give birth—”

“No offense meant, Mr. Sullivan.” Hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili ko at humarap na sa kaniya. “We’ve already talked about it, right? We will treat each other as civil as possible? Kaya please, no personal questions, you’re crossing inside the line.”

Huminga na siya nang malalim sabay iling. “I know I’ve done the worst thing to you but I hope you could forgive me soon, Gail. As much as I want to fix everything between us…it’s just too late, I’m marrying Summer now.”

There was a moment of silence between the two of us for a few seconds.

“Good for you then.” I smiled at him. “Whatever your life and mine right now, let’s just stay as it is and remain as my boss and I am your employee.”

Hindi na sumagot sa akin si Rome. He continued driving hanggang sa makarating na kami sa Law Firm kung saan siya magkakaroon ng meeting sa mga lawyers. Habang naglalakad kaming dalawa papasok sa loob, mayroong sumalubong sa amin na dalawang lalaki. Isang may edad na at isang mga nasa mid-20’s.

“Welcome to Salvador’s Law Firm, Mr. Sullivan!” bati ng lalaking matanda sabay sulyap sa akin. “And who is this beautiful lady?”

“That’s Gail—”

“Hello, Sir! I am Mr. Sullivan’s secretary,” pagputol ko kay Rome. Baka kasi kung ano pa ang masabi niya mamaya.

Ngumiti na sila sa akin. “I thought you were Rome’s girl. But anyway, let’s get to business.” Tumalikod na ang lalaki at nag-umpisang maglakad.

“This way to Attorney. Salvador’s office, Sir,” usal pa ng isang lalaki.

We went our way until we stopped in front of a big door. Binuksan na ito ng lalaki at tumambad sa amin ang mawalak na opisina na mayroong ilang mga tao sa loob.

Naglakad kaming dalawa ni Rome hanggang sa makarating sa tapat ng desk ng isang lalaki na sobrang pamilyar sa akin kaya nangunot ang noo ko. He was also looking at me, familiarizing my face. I think we’ve met somewhere before.

“Gail Santiago?”

Tumango kaagad ako. “A-ako nga ho. Do I know you by any chance?”

“Do you guys know each other?” Rome interrupted, pointing his hand to the guy in front of us.

Ibinaba na ng lalaki ang kaniyang laptop sabay tayo at ngumiti sa amin. “I am really sorry for the sudden reunion, Mr. Sullivan. I am Attorney. Kevin Salvador, by the way, I am the owner of this firm.” He took a glimpse on my direction. “And this girl right here, we’ve met a few years ago because of a common friend, I bet she has already forgotten about me.”

“Ah, I see,” maikling tugon ni Rome. “Let’s get to business then. I don’t have the whole time of the day for this meeting.”

“Sure, let’s settle down.”

They started talking about being business partners habang ako naman ay ginagawa ang trabaho kong pag-record and do some notes. On the other hand, hindi ko rin mapigilang isipin kung saan ba kaming dalawa nakita nitong Kevin Salvador.

All I know is that he’s really familiar.

Thirty minutes passed at nagkaroon na rin ng agreement sa pagitan nilang dalawa. Hindi lang din naman pala Law Firm ang business nila kung hindi mayroon din silang mga hotels at five-star restaurants. Isa rin ito sa dahilan kung bakit gusto ni Rome na makasama sila sa mga business ventures nito.

“I had a great time with you, Mr. Sullivan.” Tumayo na si Kevin at nakipagkamay kay Rome. “I am looking forward on this business partnership.”

“I’m also glad, Mr. Salvador. Let’s discuss other things next time, we need to go.”

Tumango na si Kevin at nilapitan na rin ako sabay abot sa akin ng maliit na card. “This is my personal number, Miss Santiago. I have things to discuss with you when you have some free time.”

“A-ah…salamat po, Sir,” mahinang tugon ko pa. I am somehow hesitant lalo pa at hindi ko pa tuluyang naaalala lahat.

Umalis na rin kaagad kami ni Rome sa building at bumalik sa sasakyan. His face started becoming wary habang nakatulala sa steering wheel.

“Sir, hindi pa po ba tayo aalis?” pagtatakang tanong ko sa kaniya. Nagmamadali rin kasi ako at day off ko na bukas kaya kailangan kong mag-grocery para kay Angel at kay Olive.

Marahan nang humarap sa akin si Rome. “Bakit ka kilala ni Kevin? Bakit hindi ko alam na nagkakilala na pala kayong dalawa? When did you meet that guy?”

“Ha? Ano’ng ibig mong sabihin?” pagtatakang tanong ko pa. Ayokong maging assuming pero napapansin kong daig niya pa ang jowa ko sa sobrang interrogation.

“N-nothing. Let’s go, Summer’s waiting for me.”

Suminghal na lang ako at napa-iling. Ang weird ng mga kilos ni Rome ngayon. Daig niya pa ang babaeng dinadalaw ng pulang-araw.

Pasado alas-singko nang makabalik kami sa kompaniya. Dali-dali ko nang tinapos ang accomplishment report ko ngayong linggo para maka-uwi na kaagad ako. Habang nagpi-print ako ng reports ay biglang pumasok sa loob si Summer, ang fiancé ni Rome.

“Baby! I’m here na, shall we go?” anito.

Tumayo na si Rome at kinuha ang mga gamit nito. “Why are you here? I told you to wait for me at home.”

“You know that I’m always missing you after work,” nilapitan na ni Summer si Rome at marahang minasahe. “I just want you to know that I’m always here for you. Besides, Tita Veronica wants to have dinner with us tonight. You know I’m her favorite.”

Bigla akong natigilan nang marinig ko ang pangalan ng ina ni Rome. Hanggang ngayon ay naaalala ko pa rin ang mga panahong pinagtatabuyan niya ako dahil ayaw niya sa akin. I know understand what kind of person she wants for his son…and that’s Summer.