Feleona’s POV
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"Congratulations, Fel. As always ang galing mo talaga," si Sofia sa akin, ang asawa ni Marco.
"Thank you, Architect," pormal na tugon ko sa kanya.
"And congratulations too, Raquel. I hope the two of you will work as a team?"
Papaikutin ko sana ang mga mata ko pero hindi ko ginawa, dahil nasa harapan kami ng maraming tao. I won, as most of the board voted for my design, and Raquel came second. I was confident that I would win this project, and I was right.
"We will work as a team, Architect Sofia. Don't worry. I am flexible and can easily blend into everything," arteng tugon ni Raquel sa kanya.
"Gecko ka ba?" taas ng kilay ko. Namaywang na akong tinitigan ang bruha.
"Hindi, bakit!?" talas na titig niya.
"May pa blend in ka pang nalalaman. Ano ka Gecho? Camouflage effect?" Ngiwi ko, at bahagya ang ginawang pagtawa ni Sofia sa amin.
I couldn't understand why the two of us couldn't be friends. Tama nga siguro ang kasabihin na sa bawat babae ay may isang kalaban na nagpapakulo ng dugo, at sa akin ay walang iba kung 'di si Raquel ito, na karibal ko sa bawat desenyo.
I have nothing against her, but she started everything. And its not my character to get defeated. Lalaban ako hangga't sa kaya ng propesyon ko.
"Excuse me, ladies," si Sofia sa amin. Tumango na ako at sumenyas lang din siya at umalis na. Bumalik ang tingin ko kay Raquel at unang umirap ang bruha.
Kaloka! Naunahan niya ako ah!
"Feleona, darling," si Ace sa tabi ko.
"These are the designs from last year."
"Thank you, Ace. Ibabalik ko lang din ito bukas, okay. I will provide a copy for myself."
Tumango siya at ngumiti na. "That's great. Are you free later for lunch?"
"Hmm, I'm busy, Ace. Puwede naman pero dito lang din sa loob ng canteen ng building na ito. I could no longer roam around later for lunch because I need to finish this." Sabay pakita ko sa papel na hawak ko ngayon.
"Okay. That's fine. Let's have lunch at the canteen late. My treat." Kindat niya. Ang gwapo nga naman ni Ace talaga.
"Sure. Thank you and excuse me." Pabalik na kindat ko at tumalikod na ako.
Hindi mawala ang ngiti sa labi ko at hinawi ko agad ang mahabang kulot na buhok ko. Hindi ko napansin na nakatingin pala halos lahat ng mga empleyadong babae rito. Isama mo na si Raquel sa kanila!
Too lousy Ace always invites me for lunch and dinner whenever I'm free. And I know that most girls here aim to get him.
Oh well, they can have him. He's not my type, and we are only friends.
It was past twelve when I finally finished. Ace is patiently waiting outside my office while chatting to the two secretaries around here.
Nahinto agad sila nang makalabas ako at napatitig silang tatlo sa banda ko.
"At last. She's finished, girls. I'll catch up late," si Ace sa kanila.
"Pasensya ka na. Gutom ka na ba?" Hakbang kong nauna at nakasunod lang din siya.
"Slight, but I made an order earlier to Chef Steve, and I believe it will be ready by now."
Siya na mismo ang nagpindot ng numero sa elevator at sabay kaming napatitig sa numero sa ibabaw rito.
I cleared my throat and composed myself; it was the same for him. I look at him beside me, and there's no doubt that Ace is perfect enough to become boyfriend material. But not my type.
I like to flirt, I'm an expert at that. Madaldal ako at lahat sila ay napapangiti ko, pero boring silang lahat dahil hindi nila nakuhang maipatibok ang puso ko.
Bumukas ang elevator at nilagay ni Ace ang kamay niya sa gilid nito, at hinayaan na lumabas ako.
"Thank you, Ace. You're such a gentleman."
Napailing agad siya at bahagyang napangiti na.
"I know I'm not your type, Feleona, but still I love to hang out with you. I couldn't hang out to my best friend nowadays. Dahil may isang dragon na namabubuga ng apoy sa mukha ko." Bahagyang tawa niya.
"Mabuti na lang at wala ka pang dragon na magbubuga ng apoy sa akin," habol na biro niya.
"Tsk, ang baliw mo talaga ano?" Iling ko.
Bumukas ang automatic sliding door ng canteen at amoy ko agad ang masarap na amoy sa hangin.
Oh, I love the smell of the food, which makes me hungry.
"Here, Fel," tugon niya at napatingin ako sa banda niya. Humakbang na ako na kung saan ay inihanda niya ang upuan para sa akin. Sumenyas na siya sa isang staff na nandito at tumango ito sa kanya.
"Pa-special ka talaga, Ace ano?"
Napatingin na ako sa iilang staff na mga babae rito at napakurap ako dahil ni isa sa kanila ay hindi nakatitig kay Ace.
Nakapagtataka? Dahil sa bawat araw na kasama ko si Ace na kumakain dito ay siya ang tinititigan ng lahat ng babae. Pero iba yata ngayon. Iba ang tinitigan ang mga mata nila.
I ignored them and stand up to wash my hand in the washing area. Hindi na tumayo si Ace dahil may tumawag sa kanya.
"Bago ba siya? Ang gwapo ano?" saad ng babae na katabi ko. Naghuhugas din siya ng kamay niya.
"Oo bago. Kahapon ko lang siya napansin," tugon ng isa.
Nauna silang natapos at lumabas na. Pinatuyo ko lang ang kamay sa hand dryer at lumabas na din ako rito. I looked around, trying to find the person that everyone gossips. Then I remembered that guy who helped me the other night and that, I saw him again this morning.
Siya kaya siya?
Humakbang na ako pabalik sa mesa at nakatayong nakatalikod si Ace sa kabilang banda hindi pa siya tapos sa kausap niya. Our food was served, and the staff that did it smiled at me. I did the same. I sat down and grabbed my spoon and fork.
Inilapag ko lang ito sa plato ko dahil gusto kong punasan ulit ang mga kamay ko. Kinapa ko ang bulsa. Hindi ko mahanap ang panyo ko rito.
Binuksan ko na ang maliit kong bag, pero wala ito sa loob. Naiwan ko kaya sa banyo?
Anyway, I turn around and look at the floor that leads to the washing area. And then, I saw it.
Tatayo na sana ako para pulutin ito pero may naunang pumulot dito.
"Yours?" Halos pabulong na tanong niya nang matitigan ko ang mukha niya.
I nodded, and my lips parted. . . It was him, again.
"Thank you," I formally said and smiled a little bit.
He nods a little and then walks away, heading to the counter. I'm still standing looking at his behind, curious about what sort of a person he is. And then I realised that it was him the girls were talking to.
Kaloka, hanggang dito ba naman ay magkikita ulit kami?
At ano naman ngayon kung security guard siya sa gusaling ito? Mukhang ngayon lang yata ako kinabahan ng ganito sa tanang buhay ko.
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C.M. LOUDEN
Gabriel's POV . "What do you do for a living?" She ran her fingers on my shoulder, and I smirked. "Nothing," I said and shook my head. "Do you want to be my toy? I can give you everything you want." She whispers, and both of her hands are now wrapped against mine. I shook my head and was about to say something, but her lips captured mine. Magaling siyang humalik. Walang pagdududa. Mabilis ang galaw ng kamay niya at pumailalim ito sa damit ko. I kissed her like how she kissed me. It's tempting, and I can feel my hardiness. I know what she wants, and this is always like this to every woman I meet. When I was in the navy and had our short break, most boys went home to their wives and kids. And the rest that doesn't have obligations ended up like this. It's fun to fuck, and there's nothing wrong with it. We need it. I need it. Easy. She moans when she feels my hands around her back. Wala pa akong ginawa dahil nakaupo lang naman siya sa kandungan ko. I never stop caressing the bac
Feleona's POV . Abala ang umaga ko dahil sa panibagon proyekto. Ace will be out of this project because he will hold the Cebu project. Miss Jessica, the secretary of Mr Tolento, will be with me today for the selection of materials. Isa-isa kong kinuha ang mga blueprint na nagawa ko na para maipasa ito sa head developer at nang makita ni Civil Engineer Glenn Mondragon, siya ang head namin pansamantala sa proyekto. "Lunch at the Blue Bells Cafe, Fel. Engr Glenn Mondragon wants to talk to you," si Fatima, sekretarya ni Engr G. We called Engr Glenn Mondragon as Engr G for short. "Really? Bakit daw?" Tingin ko sa suot na relo. Pakiramdam ko kasi hindi ko mahahabal ito dahil sa proyekto. "I don't know. We're not close, Fel. Chaka!" Senyas ng kamay niya at bahagya na siyang natawa. Nakitawa lang din ako. Kalokohan talaga. "Ang chaka 'di ba? Saan ba kasi pinaglihi ang amo mo? Walang warning 'te. Ano siya bagyo?" Ngiwi ko, at mabilis ko nang kinuha ang mga gamit ko. "Sinabi mo ba. Pina
Feleona's POV . "Okay, I'm okay with this." Engr Glenn nodded and signed the papers. "Thank you, Engr," I responded with a smile. I arrived on time. Thank goodness. Akala ko mahuhuli kami dahil pinahinto ang kotse ng pulis kanina at hiningi ang lisensya ng driver ko. Mabuti na lang at inayos niya ang seatbelt ko dahil kung hindi ay tiyak penalty ito. Iniwan ko rin siya sa labas dahil pakiramdam ko late na ako. Pero laking tuwa ko dahil sabay lang din lahat kami. "Let's get them to serve our lunch. Gutom na ako," tugon ni Engr Glenn. Inayos ko na ang lahat ng gamit ko. "And I believe you will join us, Architect Tacadena?" si Marco Mondragon sa akin. "Yes, Sir. I will. Gutom na din po ako," ngiti ko sa sarili. Sumenyas si Marco sa isang staff na nakatayo sa gilid at agad nakuha ang instructions niya. Tumayo siyang bahagya at dinukot ang cellphone sa bulsa. "I will get Gab to join us," si Engr Glenn sa kanya. "Sure, Glenn." Tango ni Marco at tumalikod na muna siya patungo sa m
Gabriel's POV . I couldn't be more stupid of what has come to my mind. I get it. I got her. I have my plans and making sure that I will finish this before the end of the year. May tatlong buwan pa ako, at maraming pang pagkakataon na makuha ko ang buong tiwala niya sa akin. I stood still a few meters from her. I thought we would go somewhere, and that includes her job. But no, we are not because here we are at this lonely, sad place where dead people lay at rest. I felt the pang inside my chest, and it still hurts. . . that childhood memory I have hidden for years still haunts me. "I'm sorry, Siobeh. . . muntik ko ng makalimutan." Tingala niya sa langit at alam ko na pinipigilan niya ang sariling maiyak. She placed the chocolate cake she picked from the cake shop on her grave. A name was written in golden letters. . . Cariena Siobeh Costellos. My jaw clenched and my hand fisted behind me. Hindi ko man lang nakuhang makita si Diego sa huling pagkakataon noon dahil sa trabaho ko.
Feleona's POV . "Rock, paper, scissor's, shoe! Yes! panalo ako!" Lundag ko sa sarili dahil natalo ko siya. "Ugh, I hate you," ikot ng mga mata niya. "And what do you want me to do?" "See that gwapo in the corner?" Turo ng kamay ko. Excited ako sa sarili dahil kanina ko pa pinagmamasdan ang gwapong lalaki na ito. Mag-isa lang siya at siguro mga isang dosenang babae na ang lumapit sa kanya, pero lahat sila ay inayawan niya. He seems mysterious. A typical behaviour of a man I like. Gusto ko ang mga hard to get na lalaki katulad niya. At hindi malinaw sa akin ang mukha niya ay naakit ako sa pangangatawan niya. "And? He looks pathetic," nguya niya ng bubblegum sa bibig. "No, he's preserve, Siobeh. Go get him. Get his number," ngisi ko at kumurap ang mga mata ko habang nagtitigan kami. "Really, Feleona Mae?! Type mo ang mga ganyan lalaki?" Sabay hawi sa mahabang kulot na buhok niya. Walang pigil ang pag-nguya niya sa bubble gum. "That's all you want me to do? To get his number and
Gabriel's POV . I saw her getting out, driving her car out. I was about to give her something and will introduce myself formally that I am her new neighbour. But I guess it's not the right time. I followed her discreetly and saw her getting inside the cinema with her friend, Elsa. I purchased a ticket for the same movie and went inside. I was sitting behind her. It was a little dark, but I could see her. The woman beside me purposely spills her drink, wetting my pants. She flirted earlier with me, but I ignored her because my attention was on Feleona. I was not interested. Tumayo siya at lumabas kaya sumunod ako. Pero bago paman ito ay humingi nang paumanhin ang babae sa tabi ko, at gusto niya akong samahan para mapatuyo ang gilid ng pantalon ko. I knew what she was up to as she flirtatiously looked at me. I nodded. I have no time to waste because I don't want to lose Feleona in my sight. And that leads us to the hallway of the toilet area. I saw her eating like a chipmunk. She
Feleona's POV . "Did you say you met Gabriel at the cinema? And before that, a lot had happened, and you did not tell me?" Pamaywang niya sa akin. I choose not to tell her because it wasn't important. It just happened that Gabriel was a common friend of Engr Glenn and Marco. Walang dahilan para ipaalam ko kay Elsa at mukhang hindi naman siya interesado. "It's not a big deal, Els. And besides, it was a coincidence." "Kahit na, sinabi mo sana. Ano raw ba ang ginagawa niya sa sinehan? May ka-date ba siya?" Nagkibit-balikat na ako. Pakialam ko ba. Isip ko. Hindi ko na siya sinagot at humakbang na ako palabas at nakasunod lang din siya sa akin. "Hoy! Wait for me! Ba't ka ba kasi nagmamadali. Eh, hindi mo naman 'to gawain na umuuwi nang maaga ah?" Binuksan ko agad ang kotse at pumasok na ako rito. Mabilis din siyang pumasok sa kabilang banda at isinuot ang seatbelt niya. "I want to get out of here. I don't want to see his face." Sabay andar ko sa sasakyan. "Talaga lang ha? Kung hi
Feleona's POV . I was zipping the ice-cold coffee while he was driving quietly. Somehow, having him as my driver today made it easier for me. We were even using the company's car, I believed. Ganito naman talaga kapag on field inspection na. Madalas ang mga personal na gamit ni Glenn ang ginagamit ko. When we arrived at the area, everyone seemed busy. The building looks firm, almost more than half of its construction. Ahead, I saw Engr Torayno together with Engr Pimentel. Sila ang head engineers sa proyektong ito, at isa ako sa mga Architects na napili ng kompanya. Maliban sa akin ay may dalawa pa. I talked to them for more than two hours, and Gabriel patiently waited somewhere. I couldn't care less about whatever he wants to do with his time because I am here for work. We did some inspections, and I showed them the latest design approved by the panels. Everything was okay, and it was time for lunch after five hours. Late na nga ang lunch namin dahil abala kaming lahat pero okay