I took a sip of wine while overlooking the whole city being slowly engulfed by darkness as the calming sunset slowly disappeared from sight. I really like how window panes replaced the walls, setting the perfect background and mood for this special occasion.
Nasa isa kaming private dining restaurant sa kabilang siyudad kaya tahimik, ayon sa kagustuhan ko. I guess he reserved the whole place ahead of time dahil kami lang ang nandito at agad-agad na dumating ang mga waiter na may dalang pagkain.
"Do you like it here?" Napatingin ako kay Damon na kasalukuyang pinapanood ang bawat galaw ko. I feel like he's trying to study my reactions... for future references, perhaps? Anyway, I'm not complaining. I actually feel something tingly in my stomach when he does that. Is this what they call kilig?
I hummed and assessed the place further while trying to act unimpressed. "Not bad... This place actually reminds me of the time I went on a date with a hot celebrity somewhere in London." I emphasized the unnecessary adjective as I watched his jaw clench in annoyance. With his brows furrowed, and eyes glaring at me to show how much he hated my remark, muntik na akong tumawa dahil sa mukha niyang nakabusangot.
"London, huh?" He muttered.
Men really hate it when women talk about other guys... especially on dates but I just can't help it! Hindi ko alam kung bakit ako natutuwa. Maybe I'm just getting back at him for all the women he's been linked to?
"How's the family business, by the way?" Pag-iiba ko ng usapan. That's right, Adora... Make him think about who's the other guy while you feast on this expensive meat. Hiniwa ko ang steak at isinubo ito. Ugh, as expected of wagyu beef. I'll never get tired of its tenderness which makes it melt in my mouth. Magnifique!
"Our fleet is growing... New vessels have arrived last week. These are more advanced, travels faster and definitely have greater capacities compared to the old models so we can cater to more clients in the future..."
I nodded. Buti na lang ay hindi niya pinapabayaan ang kumpanya. As the leading shipping company, we have to make sure that we are efficient while catering to the demands of our clients. It's a good thing that I placed my bets on his capabilities. Oh well, he uses it for other transactions too but I'm impressed na kaya niyang pagsabay-sabayin ang maraming trabaho whilst being in another country.
Now that I think about it, he's quite the busy bachelor. How he finds time for his hobbies and have dinner with someone like me is amazing.
"Actually, I consulted Genevieve Bustamante with regards to the businesses. And I'm planning to shift courses next semester... Business Ad... kaya ako nagtanong."
"Balak mong maging fashion designer, hindi ba? You're willing to give up your passion?" His tone suggests that he protests the idea. Atsaka, paano niya ba nalaman na gusto kong sumabak sa fashion industry?
A memory from our first encounter at Saint's suddenly registered in my mind: The day I gambled an important asset... one of our thriving family businesses in exchange for information and my freedom.
Ah, oo nga pala.
We had each other's personal backgrounds investigated that time. In a way, we already got to know one another before even having a proper meeting.
"Not really, I just don't think my course will be enough in the future. Kailangan ko ring isipin na balang araw, ako na rin ang magmamana ng mga hotel chains ni grandma, at..." I glared at him as a warning. "Yung Montecarlos Shipping Inc., kung mababawi ko pa by that time..."
As an heiress, I realized that I should stop fooling around. I may be filthy rich but these are all fruits of my family's hard work and excellence in their respective fields.
As expected, he was unaffected. The way he did not react tells me that it's gonna be a challenge to go against him. I know his type... The calm and calculated one. Compared to an aggressive person, one should be more wary and intimidated of people like this guy. Look away, and you'll fail to see the next day.
"Pwede naman kitang tulungan pagdating sa management ng mga mamanahin mong kumpanya. I don't want you to force yourself just because you carry the name."
"I disagree." I chuckled as I played with the raisins which I separated from my dessert. Gosh, I hate them. "Hindi naman sa napilitan ako kaya balak kong mag-shift. Managing hotel chains are actually interesting at Business Ad naman talaga dapat ang kukunin ko nung una but I ended up in Fashion Design because I was confident that my parents would just guide me throughout my career."
Napalunok ako. I fooled around and took things for granted. Ngayon, nagdudusa ako dahil sa mga panahong hindi ko na kailanman mababawi.
"We cannot always foresee everything that will happen in our lives, Adora. What happened to them was beyond your control. Life fucks us up in many ways... So don't be too hard on yourself. You still have your grandmother with you..."
Natawa ako sa sinabi niya. Definitely, life is that one guy at the party you didn't invite who wreaks havoc in your home.
Natigilan lang ako nang makasulubong ko nanaman ang mga namumungay niyang mga mata. W-What now? Is there something wrong with what I did? Natawa lang naman ako, ah.
Tumikhim ako at nag-iwas ng tingin. "R-right. Anyway, I c-can still venture into the Fashion Industry whenever I'd like. Marami naman akong connections and I can take an internship at LEFEBVRE...Then I'll establish my own brand, with my own effort and prove to everyone that I'm not thrown into this world just to be some guy's trophy wife... "
Habang nagdadaldal ay napaisip ako. Maybe I'm talking too much in front of someone who operates businesses like a genius. Realistically speaking, hindi magiging madali ang lahat ng gusto ko. I'll eventually have to take risks and make sacrifices to be on top.
"I thought you didn't want to be tied down by a ring?" His eyes gleamed, na parang hinuhuli nya ako sa mga sarili kong salita at parang iyon lang ang labis na nakahuli ng atensyon niya.
I smirked and watched as the waiter filled my glass with red wine again.
Not so fast, Ainsworth.
"Well, yeah... for now. Unless an eligible bachelor proves himself worthy of my love, then maybe I'll revise my proposition!"
Hindi siya sumagot. I watched him take a sip on his wine glass, and basked myself with the view as his Adam's apple moved seductively when he swallowed the drink. Napakurap ako sa pagkamangha. Since when was I attracted to a man who did something as trivial as drinking from a wine glass? Surely not until now!
Ngumisi siya nang mahuli niya akong nakatingin sa kanya. Ni hindi ko napansin na kinakagat ko na pala ang pang-ibabang labi ko! This is becoming a stupid habit of mine. Merde!
"Speaking of propositions, what are your plans for vacation?"
Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. "What does a boss have to do with his associate's personal life?" I teased.
"Let's refrain talking about the mafia when we're together. I'm asking you as... a suitor." Nalaglag ang panga ko sa gulat. As a suitor?!
Bigla akong napatayo na ikinagulat ni Damon. "A-ah... M-mag... I'll just... go... to the powder room." Nakayuko kong paalam at hindi ko na hinintay and tugon niya. Wala ako sa sarili habang naglalakad patungo doon at muntik pa akong mawala kung hindi lang tinuro ng waitress ang daan.
Pagkapasok ko pa lang sa loob ng powder room ay napatalon agad ako dahil sa hindi ko malamang dahilan. Parang may kakaiba akong nararamdaman sa puso ko na kailangan kong ilabas. Mabigat ito pero masaya sa pakiramdam. It's nothing like I've experienced before!
Tumawa ako nang makita ko ang aking sarili sa salamin. I look like an idiot.I didn't know that courting was still a thing for him! Plus, I didn't expect him to bring it up out of the blue!
Mas lalo pa atang sumiklab ang damdamin ko nang ilang beses ko nang basahin ang definition ng "suitor" sa dictionary kahit na alam ko naman ang ibig sabihin nito talaga.
"Ugh! Stop smiling already! Fierce, Adora... Fierce!" I held my cheeks to stop myself from grinning. Shit, is this another intensity of kilig?! Hindi ko mapigilan ang sarili kong ngumiti!
Hindi ko alam kung paano ko napakalma ang sarili ko sa loob ng kwartong iyon. Ang akala ko pa nga ay mas lalo akong mababaliw doon, eh.
With a stoic face, I went back to the dining area with my final answer on mind. Napahinto lang ako nang madatnan ko ang waitress na tumulong sa akin kanina na abala sa pakikipag-usap sa date ko. I rolled my eyes as I observed her gestures and the way she looked at him. How dare she flirt with a customer! At parang natutuwa pa ata si Damon sa pinag-uusapan nila!
Ah, ganoon pala.
Nagpatuloy lang ako sa paglakad at sinadya kong tamaan yung balikat nung babae kaya naantala ang usapan nila. Bigla akong hinarap nung waitress at nawala ang iritado niyang ekspresyon nang makita niya ako.
"Oh, my! Sorry... Hindi ko sinasadya." Tinapik ko ang balikat niya at nilahad ko sa babae ang aking upuan habang sarkastikong ngumingiti. "I see you're getting along with my... boss pretty well. Would you like to replace me instead?"
Kumunot ang noon ni Damon sa kaniyang narinig at nalaglag naman ang panga nung waitress. Pabalik-balik ang tingin ng babae sa aming dalawa habang umiiling para maisalba ang sarili niya sa kahihiyan. Agad siyang yumuko at nagmadaling magpaalam bago umalis.
"Tss..." I flipped my hair and walked away from the scene. Bahala siya diyan!
"Adora!" Tawag ni Damon sa akin sa malayo pero hindi ko siya pinansin. Nang makapasok ako sa elevator ay panay ang pindot ko sa ground floor para hindi ko siya makasabay. Laking pasasalamat ko nang magsara ang pinto bago pa man siya makapasok.
Hinalughog ko ang purse ko para kunin ang susi ng aking sasakyan pero naalala kong nasa bahay na pala ito. Napatampal ako sa aking noo nang mapagtanto kong kailangan kong sumakay ulit sa sasakyan niya para makabalik sa Montessori dahil hindi ako marunong mag-commute.
Ugh, bakit ko ba kasi naisip na gawin iyon?! Ang stupid lang!