"You've been staring at me as if your world revolves around me, Kiara."
Hindi ako nag-react sa sinabi ni Xanthos at nanatiling nakatitig sa kanya habang nakatutok siya sa laptop n'ya.
"Is there a problem?" he asked and closed his laptop. He removed his eyeglasses and faced me.
I sighed and hugged him. I nuzzled my face on his neck that made him let out a soft but manly chuckle. He smells good, it makes me feel comfortable for some unknown reason.
"I'll come back to work starting tomorrow, Dad needs me," I mumbled.
Xanthos went silent for a while. He hugged me back and kissed my forehead. I smiled and hugged him tighter, I don't want to let him go. I can hug him like this forever. I don't know why I'm acting like this towards him. I don't know why I'm acting like a clingy and immature girlfriend.
"You're still here with me but you miss me already? You're kinda scary, Kiara," he said and let out a manly laugh. I smacked his muscled arm.
"I'm serious, Xanthos. Magiging busy ulit ako. Hindi mo alam kung gaano ako ka-workaholic," sabi ko saka tinaasan siya ng kilay.
"What are you implying?" he asked while staring at me.
Hindi agad ako nakasagot. Napaiwas na lang ako ng tingin sa kanya dahil naramdaman kong nag-iinit ang magkabilang pisngi ko. Agad namang hinawakan ni Xanthos ang pisngi ko at pinaharap ako sa kanya.
"Kiara, is there a problem?" he asked and gently caressed my left cheek with his thumb.
"We won't see each other that much," I mumbled and averted his raking gaze.
Xanthos chuckled again and pinched both of my cheeks. I glared at him and punched his chest but it didn't bother him. Xanthos gave me a soft kiss on my lips and smiled at me. He looks like a cute soft boy every time he smiles like that. Bago pa kami dumating sa ganitong punto, naririnig ko na ang mga usapin tungkol kay Xanthos. Most people says he's a cold-hearted businessman who doesn't feel sympathy nor compassion to anyone. He only cares about his own gain and easily disposes people he doesn't need.
I don't believe those rumors now though. I know he's not like that.
"You don't have to worry about that," he said and while planting soft kisses all over my face.
"Hmm?" I asked, confused.Xanthc
"I will always visit you in your office. I'll help your father with his problem regarding NTC, so I'll be there more often. Okay ba 'yon?" he asked in a soft voice and kissed me on my lips.
I just sighed and nodded.
"Why is my baby still sad? Hmm?" he asked and cupped my face gently.
I held his large and calloused hand and intertwined our fingers. Xanthos looked at our hands and then looked at me again. He seemed confused with my actions, well, so do I. I don't know why I'm like this. I just want to be with him and cling with him as much as possible ever since I saw his sad eyes that night.
Pakiramdam ko ang dami n'yang tinatago sa 'kin.
"Xanthos," I muttered and caressed his cheek.
"Hmm?" he asked in a soft voice.
"Ahm, is it too much to ask for if I want you to be honest with me?" I asked and caressed his hand with my thumb.
"No, it's not. Why? Do you think I'm not honest with you right now?" he asked in a teasing voice.
Napakagat ako sa ibabang labi ko at napaiwas ng tingin sa kanya. Mas lalo akong nahiya, baka isipin n'ya masyado akong nagde-demand kahit wala naman kaming relasyon.
"T-That's not what I mean," I mumbled.
"I want to have sex with you right now."
Natigilan ako sa sinabi ni Xanthos at gulat na napatingin sa kanya. Napangisi naman siya sa naging reaksyon ko.
"What the hell are you saying, fucker?!" I growled in an angry voice. Xanthos just let out a manly laugh.
"You said you want me to be honest," tila pa-inosenteng sabi n'ya.
"Hindi ganyan!" naiinis na sabi ko saka sinuntok siya sa dibdib. Tinawanan n'ya lang naman ako.
"Ah, what a drastic change. You were like a cute puppy earlier," he said and hugged me.
"H-Hindi kasi 'yon ang ibig kong sabihin. What I mean is... I want you to express your true feelings. I-If your sad, show it to me and don't try to conceal it with a smile. Do you get what I'm saying, Xanthos? I-I mean, if it's not too much to ask for," I muttered and then averted his gaze.
Saglit na natahimik si Xanthos. Napatikhim ako at inalis ang pagkakahawak n'ya sa kamay ko dahil baka maramdaman n'yang nanlalamig iyon. Hindi na lang ako tumingin sa kanya at kumuha ng isang unan saka niyakap 'yon.
I can smell his scent on his pillow, so comfy.
Xanthos cupped my cheeks and made me face him. He looks serious now. I just gulped and tried my best to avoid his gaze but he's persistent. I sighed and just looked at his handsome face.
"Well, that's honestly too much to ask for," he said and gave me a small smile.
Napasinghap ako sa sinabi n'ya at agad na inalis ang pagkakahawak n'ya sa pisngi ko. Mahina siyang natawa nang irapan ko siya saka dumistansya nang kaunti sa kanya. Agad naman n'yang hinawakan ang baywang ko at muli akong hinila palapit sa kanya saka pinaupo ako sa kandungan n'ya.
"Paano ba 'yan? I will only show my true feelings to you if you're my girlfriend," he said and kissed my hand.
Naningkit ang mga mata ko sa sinabi n'ya.
"Sinuswerte ka ba?" nakataas-kilay na tanong ko.
"Should I court you first then?" he asked and held his chin.
"Of course, I don't settle for less," I smirked.
"Hmm." Muli siyang napahawak sa baba n'ya na tila nag-iisip. Natigilan ako sa naging reaksyon n'ya.
"Hey, I'm just kidding. You don't have to do that if you don't want to," natatawang sabi ko saka pabirong hinampas ang braso n'ya.
Well, I'll be lying if I will say that I'm not disappointed, but what can I do? I shouldn't force him force him again just like I did when I seduced him. Medyo nakakapagsisi na ginawa ko 'yon, pero kung hindi ko ginawa 'yon, wala kami sa ganitong sitwasyon ngayon.
"Well, I honestly want to marry you right now, but I think you're kinda traditional, huh. If that's the case, I'll court you first," he muttered and kissed my cheek gently.
Nag-init ang magkabilang pisngi ko sa sinabi n'ya pati na sa magaan na paghalik n'ya sa pisngi ko. I feel special and treasured. I guess Xanthos will be a good lover. How can I not like someone like him?
"Just to inform you, I'll definitely give you a hard time, Mr. Archante. I will never forget how you hooked up with my mother." My eyes narrowed.
"Hey, hook up is not a good term, baby. It's just a business-related relationship. No romantic nor sexual relationship involved," he said, defending himself.
"Don't baby me!" I rolled my eyes.
"Why, baby?" he asked in a teasing voice.
Muling nag-init ang pisngi ko. Kinikilig ako sa tuwing tinatawag n'ya ako sa endearment na 'yan, pero ayaw kong ipahalata. Baka isipin n'ya na masyado ko siyang gusto. Hindi ako papayag na ako lang ang kinikilig nang ganito sa aming dalawa.
Natigilan ako nang may pumasok na ideya sa isip ko. Napangisi na lang ako saka napahawak sa ibabang labi ko. Nagtatakang napatingin naman sa akin si Xanthos.
"Hmm..." I ran my fingers on his hard chest.
"Are you calling me baby because you're my daddy?" I asked in my seductive voice.
Xanthos' mouth agape. I smirked and clung my arms around his nape.
"Am I right, daddy?" I asked in a hoarse voice.
Inilapit ko ang mukha ko sa leeg n'ya saka marahang inilapat ang labi ko ro'n. Muli akong napangisi nang maramdaman kong natigilan siya.
"You better stop this, Kiara. I said I'll court you," he muttered and tried to push me away from him.
"You teased me first, daddy," I said and glared at him.
"Stop calling me that. Baka magselos ang totoong daddy mo," natatawang sabi n'ya saka dinampian ng halik ang labi ko.
"But you like it every time I call you daddy while we're having sex," I mumbled and chuckled sexily.
"Hindi kaya," pagtanggi n'ya.
Napahagalpak ako ng tawa sa sinabi n'ya. Para siyang bata nu'ng sinabi n'ya 'yon. It seems like he really has a cute side.
"Totoo kaya! H'wag kang liar ha." Pinaningkitan ko siya ng mga mata.
Natawa siya sa sinabi ko. Napasimangot na lang ako at hinampas siya sa dibdib.
"Prove it to me then." He grinned and buried his face on my neck.
"Let's have sex," I mumbled and grind my hips against his.
Xanthos let out a manly and sexy moan. He gripped my waist tighter as if he's telling me to move my hips more.
Napangisi na lang ako at mas pinag-igihan ang ginagawa ngunit natigilan na lang ako nang agad akong inihiga ni Xanthos sa kama at pumaibabaw sa 'kin. Natawa ako sa ginawa n'ya.
"Akala ko ba manliligaw ka muna?" natatawang tanong ko.
"Fuck it, I'll just court you tomorrow. For now..." He removed his shirt revealing his sexy body. "...I'll punish my baby for teasing his daddy."
* * *
"Welcome back, Ma'am Kiara," the employees greeted me.
"Good morning, everyone," nakangiting bati ko rin.
Sa totoo lang tinatamad pa 'kong bumalik sa trabaho pero wala naman akong magagawa. Kailangan ni Dad ng tulong ko. Dumiretso muna ako sa office n'ya bago ako magtungo sa office ko. I missed him. Nawala sa isip ko ang bisitahin siya dahil kay Xanthos. Sana hindi nagtatampo si Dad sa 'kin ngayon.
Naabutan ko si Dad na nakatutok sa laptop pagpasok ko sa office n'ya. Mukhang busy talaga siya dahil halos hindi n'ya napansin na pumasok ako.
"Dad, good morning."
Dad stopped typing on his laptop and looked at me. Agad siyang napangiti at tumayo saka lumapit sa 'kin. Niyakap ako ni Dad, gumanti naman ako nang mas mahigpit na yakap sa kanya.
"I missed you, Dad," I mumbled and hugged him tighter.
"I doubt that, Kiara Amaris. You didn't visit me," tila nagtatampong sabi ni Dad saka kumalas sa pagkakayakap sa 'kin.
"Sorry, Dad. May kinailangan lang ako asikasuhin, babawi ako sa 'yo, promise." Itinaas ko pa ang kanang kamay ko.
Natawa siya sa sinabi ko saka bahagyang ginulo ang buhok ko.
"I'm just kidding. I know you have something you want to prioritize now and it's okay. I'm sorry for making you come back here just because everything's kinda messed up. You can quit working here once everything is okay. I don't want to pressure you on something you don't want," Dad said and caressed my hair.
"What are you saying, Dad? You don't have to say sorry for this. I'm very much willing to help you in any ways I can." I hugged him again.
"My daughter is the best. What did I do in my past life to have a daughter like you?" Dad chuckled and kissed the top of my head.
"Dad, I know how much you value our company but please take care of your health too. Napansin ko na pumayat ka," nag-aalalang sabi ko habang nakayakap pa rin sa kanya.
"Oh, sorry for making you worry, dear. I'll take a rest once this crisis is done. I promise," he said and tapped my back.
Mukkhang hindi talaga maganda ang lagay ng kompanya. Ngayon ko lang nakita si Dad na na-stress nang ganito. Hindi ko alam kung anong nangyayari, ayaw ko rin naman magtanong kay Dad dahil ayaw kong ito ang pag-usapan namin ngayon. Magtatanong na lang ako sa mga empleyado.
Gaya ng inaasahan ko, agad akong sinalubong ng secretary ko pagpasok ko sa opisina. Napabuntonghininga ako at umupo sa swivel chair saka nilapag ang handbag ko sa table.
"Ma'am Kiara, I don't want to burden you with a lot of paper works as soon as you came back but..." My secretary scratched her nape. Mukhang nahihiya siyang ipakita sa akin ang mga kailangan kong gawin.
"It's fine. Normal lang naman na matambakan ako ng trabaho dahil matagal din akong nagpahinga. Bring the files here, I'll work on them now," I said and smiled at her.
I guess I will be really busy, huh. Mukhang pansamantala akong mawawalan ng oras kay Xanthos. Sana lang talaga totoo ang sinabi n'yang bibisita siya rito sa office ko pero mukhang wala akong matatapos na trabaho kapag ginawa n'ya 'yon.
"What happened to the company while I was gone? Bakit mukhang hindi maganda ang lagay ng NTC?" tanong ko sa secretary ko nang madala na n'ya sa opisina ko ang mga files na kailangan kong asikasuhin.
"Sabay-sabay pong nag-pull out ng investment ang mga major investors natin. Ayaw na rin magpa-supply ng mga materials ng ibang branch sa ibang bansa. Sa totoo lang po nakakapagtaka na sabay-sabay nangyayari 'to, Ma'am Kiara. Nawawalan na rin ng tiwala ang board of directors at shareholders kay Mr. North," paliwanag ng secretary ko.
Napabuga ako ng hangin at napahilot sa sentido ko. Ngayon lang nangyari sa 'min ang ganito. Kapag hindi naagapaan 'to, may posibildad na ma-bankrupt ang NTC o kaya mapatalsik si Dad sa sarili n'yang kompanya.
As expected, I spent my whole day in my office. Halos nalimutan ko na rin kumain pero buti na lang dinalhan ako ng pagkain ng secretary ko.
Napatingin ako sa cellphone ko nang mag-vibrate 'yon. Nabuhayan ako ng dugo nang makitang nag-text si Xanthos.
Xanthos: Still at work?
Me: Yup. I'm so busy right now. May meeting pa ako sa possible investors bukas. I wanna hug you already :(
Hindi agad siya nakapag-reply sa text ko. Napakunot na lang ang noo ko at muling bumalik sa trabaho. Napapitlag na lang ako sa gulat nang tumunog ang phone ko. Agad akong napangiti at sinagot ang tawag nang makitang si Xanthos 'yon.
Malala na 'ko.
"Hello, Xanthos." I did my best to sound normal. I can't show him that I'm excited just by the fact that he called me.
"Have you eaten? It's late," he said. He seems worried.
"Ahm, yes." I lied.
Hindi pa ako nakakapag-dinner, mamaya na lang. Baka fast food or instant noodles na lang ang kainin ko since fast food chain at convenience stores lang naman ang bukas ng ganitong oras.
Napakurap na lang ako nang basta na lang akong binabaan ng tawag ni Xanthos. Gulat na napatingin ako sa phone ko para siguruhin na binabaan nga n'ya ako ng tawag. Napaawang na lang ang labi ko.
What the fuck is wrong with him?! I can't believe I became excited because he called me... but that asshole dropped the call just like that? How dare him?!
I just shook my head and did my best to focus on my work. Hindi ko na lang iisipin ang lalaking 'yon... maybe he's just busy. Well, whatever, I don't care.
Natigilan ako nang makarinig ng katok makalipas ang ilang minuto. Agad akong napapitlag nang mapatingin sa pinto. Ngumiti sa 'kin si Xanthos at inangat ang paper bag na hawak n'ya matapos n'yang pumasok nang basta basta sa office ko.
"W-What are you doing here?" I asked, still shocked.
"I know you didn't have dinner yet. You're not a good liar, Kiara," Xanthos said and sat on the chair in front of my table.
He put the paper bag on my table and took my laptop away from me. Hindi na lang ako pumalag nang niligpit n'ya rin ang mga papel sa table ko at itinabi 'yon sa gilid. Inilabas n'ya ang container na laman ng paper bag saka ipinaghain ako. Napangiti na lang ako habang nakatitig sa kanya.
"I know how dedicated you are but don't starve yourself. Aanhin mo pa ang lahat ng pera mo kung mamamatay ka naman sa sakit?" tila nanenermong sabi n'ya.
Natawa ako sa sinabi n'ya. Grabe, bakit naman mamamatay agad ang nasa isip n'ya?
"Tatay ba kita?" natatawang tanong ko.
"No, I'm your future husband." He grinned. He took my hand and kissed it.
"Hmm, if you're my future husband, then my Mom will be your mother-in-law. That will be so awkward, Mr. Archante," I said as my eyes narrowed.
"That will be chaotic, isn't it?" he said as if it didn't bother him at all.
I smiled when I suddenly imagine being married to him. I guess he' s right. It will be chaotic... but exciting.
* * *
"Don't skip lunch," seryosong sabi ni Xanthos sa kabilang linya.
"Oo nga po," sabi ko na lang habang nakatutok sa laptop.
"I'm serious, Kiara," seryosong sabi ni Xanthos na tila nagbabanta. Natawa na lang ako at inayos ang earphone sa tainga ko.
"Fine, hindi na 'ko magpapalipas ng gutom ulit," sabi ko na lang. Baka abutin pa kami ng ilang oras dito kapag ininis ko pa siya.
Ilang minuto rin kaming naglandian ni Xanthos sa tawag. Kailangan ko na kasing maghanda para sa meeting ko mamaya. I hope it will be successful. Wala na rin kasi kaming choice.
"Ikaw ng bahalang kumausap sa market team, you know what to fo, right?" I asked to my secretary while fixing my skirt.
"Yes, Ma'am."
Kinuha ko na ang bag ko at agad na lumabas ng opisina ko ngunit natigilan ako nang mapansing tila nagkakagulo ang mga empleyado sa floor kung nasaan ako. Ano'ng nangyayari?
"Ma'am Kiara!"
Natigilan ako nang mapatingin sa 'kin ang ilang empleyado, 'yung iba nagsilapitan pa at halos napalibutan ako.
"W-What's happening here?" I asked, stuttering.
"Ma'am Kiara, t-totoo po bang hindi na si Mr. North ang chairman ng NTC?"
Napapitlag ako sa tanong ng isang empleyado. Nagtatakang napatingin ako sa kanila, halos nasa akin naman ang tingin nilang lahat na tila hinihintay nila ang sasabihin ko. Nanghina ang mga tuhod ko at agad na napaiwas sa natatakot nilang mga mata.
"I-I will talk to Mr. North first, h'wag kayong magpanic at bumalik na lang muna sa trabaho," pagpapakalma ko sa kanila.
Hindi ko alam kung saan ko nakuha ang lakas ng loob na sabihin ang mga 'yon kahit ako mismo ay kinakabahan ngayon. Wala akong alam sa nangyayari, hindi ko maintindihan kung ano ang nangyayari pero ayaw ko namang magtanong sa kanila. Ayokong isipin nila na masyado akong mangmang sa mga pangyayari sa sarili naming kompanya. Ayokong mawalan sila ng tiwala sa 'kin.
Agad akong nagtungo sa office ni Dad. Natigilan ako nang mapansing bahagyang nakaawang ang pinto at mukhang may kausap si Dad ngayon.
"I-I thought you'll help me, why did you buy all the major shares behind my back?" Dad asked. His voice is shaking as if he's about to cry.
I never saw him like this before.
"Mr. North, business is not a charity. You know that, right? Stop fighting, you've had enough. Hindi ko naman kinuha lahat sa 'yo. Hindi ka naman mamumulubi kung wala na sa 'yo ang NTC, 'di ba? You still have a lot of properties. Stop fighting, old man. Just sell your remaining shares to me, name your price and just take a rest with your daughter. That's not a bad deal, right?"
Natigagal ako nang marinig ang pamilyar na boses na 'yon. Nanghihinang napakapit ako sa pintuan... hindi. Mali ako ng naririnig ngayon... imposibleng gawin n'ya sa 'kin 'to.
Dahan dahan kong itinulak ang nakaawang na pinto pero gumawa pa rin 'yon ng ingay. Napatingin sa 'kin si Dad, nanlaki ang mga mata n'ya nang makita ko pero ako ang mas nagulat sa naabutan ko. Halos nakaluhod na si Dad sa harap ng kausap n'ya ngayon.
Napatingin sa 'kin ang kausap ni Dad, tuluyan ng nanginig ang katawan ko nang makita kung sino iyon. Agad na nanlabo ang paningin ko dahil sa mga luhang nagbabadyang kumawala mula sa mga mata ko.
"Cadence..."