Chapter 4

“A different answer? What do you mean by that Mr. Fierez?” paglilinaw ko at seryoso rin siyang hinarap.

Ganoon kadali? Iniisip ba niya na madali akong babae?

“You piqued my interest,” he said in a whisper tone and he also sounded very serious!

“I piqued your interest?” nagtatakang sabi ko.

“Mm,” he leaned closer which made my step backward, “You did.”

“Mr. Fierez, if I piqued your interest. Is it because I’m writing an article for you? No offense,” pahina nang pahina kong sabi dahil umiinit na rin ang mukha ko.

Masyado siyang gwapo at tingin ko sa background niya ay hindi kami bagay dalawa, kung ‘yon man ang tinutukoy niya.

“I’m a bit offended that you misinterpreted my phrase like that, but I don’t waste my time helping someone when they need a hand.” Huminga siya ng malalim at umayos ng tayo.

Ang asul niyang mata ay minasdan ang mukha ko, “Your beauty tied me in a situation where I’m afraid it’ll soon be my weakness, despite that I’m here explaining and trying.” Ngumiti siya matapos sabihin ang katagang ‘yon.

“Kindly forget what I’ve said then,” he said and was about to leave when my stupid self grabbed his tailored clothes.

He stopped before glancing at my hand who was gripping hard. “I-I didn’t mean to offend you, Mr. Fierez,” kinakabahan na sabi ko.

“You’re good, nothing to worry about the contract stated a while ago. I’m not that petty to involve personal feelings in work—”

“That’s not what I meant, I was just trying to clear up what messed my mind for days. Since you talked about personal feelings—” tiningala ko siya at awtomatikong sumalubong ang asul niyang mata, “It’s not that you’re not likable, our life has a big difference.”

“Uh huh?” he responded waiting for my next words.

“I’m afraid to disappoint you if you find out more about myself,” binitiwan ko ang damit niya at matipid na ngumiti.

“At least try me,” he utter before gently shaking his head in dismay, “Getting to know you more doesn’t mean we’ll end up in a relationship, no worries”

Huminga ako ng malalim, “Aren’t you too handsome for me?” natigilan ako nang maibulalas ang nasa isip.

“D-Did I just say that out loud?” hindi makapaniwalang tanong ko, lubusan na nag-init ang pisngi ko nang hindi niya mapigilang ngumiti.

“Yeah,” he whispered and shook his head as he tried not to smile.

Nasapo ko ang mukha dahil nabiktima ako ng asul niyang mata na kakaiba tumitig, makamandang masyado ang isang Fierez!

“That answers it, how about I send you home?” he offered, hindi na ako tumanggi dahil bukod sa gusto ko rin ay ayokong dagdagan ang sama ng loob niya.

Pagkarating sa tapat ng bookstore ay doon ko na naisipan bumaba dahil nasa likod lang naman nito ang bahay namin.

“This is a bookstore not your home—”

I cut off his words with a confirmation, “Our house is at the back of our store Mr. Fierez—”

“You should call me Maxwell from now on,” he chuckled, “No one calls their getting-to-know-more stage that formal.” He purposely cut me off as he mimicked what I did just a second ago.

Matagal akong napatitig sa mukha niya bago mahinang tumawa, “Who am I to call a billionaire by their name?” I retorted.

Hindi siya makapaniwalang ngumisi, “You’re Evelyn Vion. That gives you the right to call someone like me by my name,” he said.

“Tomorrow, I’ll try hard to call you by your name when we’re alone.” Pagtatapos ko sa usapan.

“Sure, goodnight.” He gave me a wink which made my heart flutter.

Ngumisi na lang ako, “Goodnight.” I waved him goodbye before walking near our bookstore.

Nagmadali ako pumasok dahil hinintay niya talaga ako makapasok sa loob bago siya umalis. Pagkapasok ay nasapo ko ang dibdib sa sobrang bilis ng tibok no’n.

“Hmm, kaninong magandang sasakyan kaya ang naghatid sa burikat kong ate?” Halos mapatalon ako nang marinig ang boses ni Jaidah sa gilid ng bintana.

“Sino ‘yon? Ikaw ha ate!” Jaidah exclaimed which made my face heat.

“A-Ano ka ba,” sita ko at nagsusungit na pumasok sa kwarto ko.

‘Sorry Ms. Sarah, mukhang hindi ko masusunod ang advice mo bwahahahaha!’

Bago humilata sa kama ay nag-shower muna ako. Nang abutin ko ang cellphone ko ay may text message kaagad akong natanggap.

From Maxwell Fierez:

I made myself clear, woman.

Umawang ng husto ang labi ko ng mabasa ang sunod niyang text message.

From Maxwell Fierez:

I forgot to type the word “My” before the last word. ;)

‘Isn’t he a bit possessive!?’