His Broken Gem

HBG 23

Stella's POV

I've been making myself busy to avoid him, I put so much time at work to avoid him.

"Aren't you spending too much time here?" Angelo commented as we took a break.

We are here to discuss above the lawsuit filed by one of our clients. It's still under investigation because I know, myself, that we didn't do anything.

"Do you even spend time with your boyfriend?" he asked. I sigh as I put down the paper.

"Are we already done here?" I asked, avoiding his question.

Sandali pa niya akong pinagmasdan hanggang sa tumayo na siya at pinagpagan ang coat niya. There's no dirt or dust in it, he's just overreacting.

"Well, the investigation is almost done, so you can expect anytime this week," he said as he gathered his things. I grab mine and lead the way outside of my office. He rushes to open the door for me.

I look at him before he opens the door. "How long are we going to keep seeing each other?" I asked him coldly.

"Until the deal is over," he said as he opens the door and motion his hand like a person who's guiding a royalty.

He's so extra.

"Ma'am, ready na po ang sasakyan," my secretary said. She's already ready to leave too. I just nodded my head and started to walk towards the elevator. Nakasunod naman sila sa akin hanggang sa marating namin ang basement ng building. My secretary was the one driving my car, Angelo drive his. Pupuntahan kasi namin ang site to check the situation.

Habang nasa biyahe ay biglang nag-ring ang phone ko. I check the caller ID before rejecting the call. My phone rang again and it's the caller from the first one. I sigh as I turn it off again, but this assh*le keeps on calling.

Napagdesisyunan kong i-off na lang ang phone so he will stop pestering me. I was about to turn it off when a message suddenly pop in.

"Umuwi ka nang maaga. I'll prepare the dinner," basa ko rito. I rolled my eyes when there's another massage again.

"Nagtataka ang mama mo. She's asking me if we have a fight."

Then tell her we have! I thought. Another message came.

"Because she always saw us okay and sweet, but we're not spending more time from the past few days."

I put down my phone and rubbed my temple. I'm trying to remember why am I mad? Why am I avoiding him?

'Because you can't accept the fact that he sided with that spoiled b-tch,' Megan stated.

I groan. "Not this again, Megan," I told her.

"Ano po 'yon, ma'am?" my secretary suddenly said. I look at her and saw her looking at the mirror.

"Nothing," I told her as I mentally scolded myself for thinking out loud.

'Just admit it already, you're jealous. Even I could feel it l, Stella,' Megan added. I shook my head as I can not accept what Megan said. I took out my phone and call him. It took him 3 rings before answered. Before he can say anything ay inunahan ko na siya.

"Tell her I'm busy," I said.

"I already told her that, but she still believes that we should make time for each other. Siya rin ang nagsabi na rito ka mag-di-dinner," I heard him say in a low voice.

Mom was probably just around that why he's being sneaky.

"Fine," I sigh in defeat, not wanting to put a fuss on it.

Maybe I overdid my role as a fake girlfriend. It's just a deal, so it's okay. He said that he don't have any relationship with that girl. As long as he doesn't have any relationship with the girl, I guess it's okay.

When we arrive at the site, We took a tour around the wreck family rest house. After confirming some things, we agreed to grab a lunch.

"Did you take everything?" I asked my secretary. Tumango naman ito.

"Relax, Stella. Let the investigator handle everything," natatawang sabi ni Angelo.

"I'm just making sure everything."

Naiiling na lang itong umiwas ng tingin. We've talker for a little bit more before deciding to go back to our offices. I did my work and forgot about the time. Kung hindi pa kumatok ang secretary ko ay hindi ko na talaga mapapansin ang oras.

"Excuse me ma'am, may naghahanap po sa inyo sa labas."

I look at her through my laptop before saying, "Did they have an appointment?" I said before turning my gaze back to my laptop.

"No ma'am—"

"Then tell them to leave," I simply said as I review the email that Angelo sent me.

"Pero ma'am, sabi niya po kilala niyo po siya."

I stop what I am doing and sigh. I look at her blankly.

"Didn't I tell you that no matter who that person is, they should have an appointment for them to meet me," I reminded her.

"Pero kasi ma'am..."

"You're dismissed," I told her waving my hand to motion her to get ot of my office. I turn my attention back to the laptop when the door suddenly opens.

"Sir, bawal po talaga," I heard my secretary said. I closed my eyes and sigh. Whoever he is, he's one of those people who's persistent and annoying.

"Stella," a low baritone voice called me. Agad akong napamulat ng mata at nilingon ang nagmamay-ari ng boses na iyon.

He was furiously looking at me with a disappointment in his eyes. I glance at the clock beside my table and notice that it's already 7:25 in the evening.

Shoot. I forgot!

"Ma'am, sorry po talaga. Ayaw niya pong magpapigil," paghingi ng despensa ng secretary ko.

I just nodded at her and dismissed her. "It's okay. You can leave now," I told her.

There was a hesitation in her eyes as she looks at me and Sebastian. But she did comply to my order and go out. When door close, I took a glance at him but his stares are still the same.

"We have a agreement, Stella. Sana sinabi mo na lang na hindi ka tutuloy para hindi umasa ang tao," he said.

I bit my lip as I fell guilty. I didn't breally notice the time. Maybe, I got used at ending my work late lately that why I didn't even check the time.

"I just didn't notice the time, and also I got busy from working," I reason out.

He huffed as he brush back his hair in an attractive way. He looks frustrated and annoyed but he still looks handsome.

Gosh! What am I saying?!

"Stella naman, kanina pa kami naghihintay pero ni isang text, hindi mo nagawa," he said, frustrated.

I lowered my head before I realized something. Agad na napakunot ang noo ko at tiningnan siya.

"Wait a minute, why are you scolding me?" mataray na tanong ko.

"Because you're being irresponsible," he answered. I huffed as I put my hands on my hips and look up.

"Just because I didn't come on time, you're already making a fuss over that thing," I scoffed.

"Wow, coming from the one who said not to waste time," he mocked, sarcastically laughing.

Natameme naman ako dahil do'n but I didn't make it obvious. I rolled my eyes at him before collecting my stuff and organized it. I grab my bag and belongings before walking towards the door.

"Stuff fussing and let's go. Hahabol na lang tayo," I told him. But before I even reached the door, he already opened it.

"Don't bother!" masungit na wika niya at nauna nang lumabas sa akin.

I blink multiple times, shock by his action. Why is he so upset? It's not like I'm always being late naman ah? Sumunod na lang ako sa kaniya at pinauwi na ang secretary ko. I didn't wait for her response and catch up with him.

Why does he have long strides? I'm having a difficulty on catching up. Nasa elevator na siya habang nakaharang ang kamay niya sa pinto, preventing it from closing. I skeptically enter the lift while galncing at him. He's the one who presses the floor we are going to. Deretso lang ang tingin niya sa harapan habang naka-krus ang kamay sa ibabaw ng dibdib niya.

He looks cute when he's upset.

Nang marating namin ang basement ay nauna na siyang naglakad papuntang sasakyan. Wala na masyadong sasakyan sa parking lot.

I followed him to the car. Binuksan niya ang pinto ng passenger seat, akala ko ay papasok siya roon pero nanatili siyang nakatayo sa kilid habang hawak-hawak ang pinto.

I look at him confusedly. Baka para sa akin? Ewan ko ba. He's not looking at me naman, so how should I know that's he's doing it for me?

I hesitantly entered the car and took a seat. Nakita ko ang paglahad ng kamay niya sa harap ko. I look at it before looking at him.

Does he want me out? Baka naman hindi talaga para sa akin 'to at nag-assume lang na pinagbubuksan niya ako ng pinto. I sigh as I attempted to get out, he immediately stop me pushing my shoulder in place.

"What are doing?" he asked with a furriwed eyebrows.

"You want me to get out, right?" I said.

"Idiot, I'm asking for the keys," he stated.

"Huh?" I asked him as I didn't get what he means. Keys?

"How can I drive this car without a key?" he asked me sarcastically. My mouth form into 'o' as I realized what he is asking for. I give him my key as he closes the door on my side and turnig around towards the driver's seat. Napa-iwas ako nang tingin ng buksan niya ito at pumasok.

Look at this man, he's upset yet he's still a gentleman. What a green flag for a woman.

I flinched when he suddenly lean on my direction. Agad akong napa-atras at sumiksik sa pinto.

"W-wait? W-what are you doing?" I asked him as he keeps on leaning towards me. Our faces were only a few inches, hindi siya nakatingin sa akin habang nilagay niya ang kamay niya sa likod ng ulo ko.

Is he going to kiss me?

"Wait, w-we shouldn't be doing this. There's no on around so we don't need to do this," I explained as he slightly push ny head towards him, I can already felt his breath in my right cheek.

He lowered his head as I heard a click. I felt a light squeese on my chest. Napalingon ako ro'n sa tinitingnan niya at nakitang inaayos niya ang seatbelt ko.

"What are you blabbing about, I'm just putting your seatbelt," he said as he looks at me, napalingon din ako sa kaniya.

I forgot how close our faces are, and almsot yell as I saw his eyes. No one moves between us, we are just staring at each other eyes until he lean more closer.

Napapikit naman ako dahil do'n and waited for his lips to meet mine. But seconds has already passed but I didn't felt his lips above mine.

"Are you expecting a kiss from me?" he whispered in my ears. My eyes immediately opened and saw him smirking at me. Nakabalik na siya sa upuan niya habang nakangising nakatingin sa akin.

What the hell?

"Of course, not!" I snapped and compose myself in my seat.

Did I really expecting him to kiss me? My gosh, that was so embarrassing.

'Now tell me you still didn't like him,' Megan mocked, smirking.

What's with them and their smirks? It's annoying!

"Shut up," I said.

"I'm not even saying anything," Sebastian said. I look at him, more embarrassed than before as he caught me talking to myself.

"Just drive," I told him and looked away.

I can feel my face heaten. I'm probably as red as tomato, right now. Gosh! Just let the earth below me open and swallowed me up.

He chukles sexily as hebstart the engine.

"Relax, maybe next time I'll grant your wishes, just tell me," he teased.

"Shut your mouth up before I kick your ass," I told him but he just laughs at me as we left the basement.

I ignores him the whole ride and busied myself with my phone. When we reach the condominium building ay nauna akong lumabas ng kotse.

"Teka lang," he said laughing as I heard his footsteps behind me. At dahil niya biniyayaan siya ng mahahabang biyas ay agad niya akong nahabol.

"Hey, I'm just kidding," he said as we entered the elevator. I look at him and catch him smiling na agad niya tinanggal. But it's obvious that he's stopping his smile.

I rolled my eyes on him and ignores him the whole lift. Kinukulit niya pa rin ako hanggang sa makarating kami sa floor ng unit namin.

"Sorry na nga kasi," he insisted.

"Puwede ba, tigilan mo 'ko." I faced him when we reached the door. Ako na ang nagbukas nito at agad na pumasok. Kinukulit niya pa rin ako hanggang sa makapasok na kami.

"I said, I'm sorry," he said.

"I don't need your apology."

"Sorry na kasi," he insisted, following me behind. Natigil naman kami sa pagbabangayan ng may marinig kaming tumikhim. Sabay kaming napalingon sa kitchen door.

"Ano 'yan? LQ?" Mika inquires, wiggling her brows up and down.

"We're not lovers," I corrected her.

"Edi, FLQ," she said smiling.

My brows furrowed in her statement. What does that even mean?

"FLQ. Fake Lover's Quarrel," she said laughing.

I sigh and shook my head at her.

She's really weird.