His Secret Proposal

2

3 P.M at Ukiyoto Restaurant.

Lumipad ang mata ni Daniel sa stainless steel na pangalan ng restaurant. It was a Japanese restaurant and known for its good original Japanese delicacies. The restaurant looks cozy and authentic, lit by the warm glow of hanging lanterns. The aroma of soy sauce, sizzling teriyaki, and freshly grilled yakitori fills the air. Tatami mats and low wooden tables create an inviting atmosphere, while the soft hum of traditional koto music plays in the background.

At dahil glass wall ang meron sa resto ay kitang-kita ang tao sa loob. Hindi pa rin maayos ang kaniyang pakiramdam dahil sa pagkikita nila ni Laurence. He knew what Laurence did but thinking it while looking at the man acting innocent made his blood boil. Hindi niya mapigilan ang galit na gusto sumabog sa loob niya.

He's so good at pretending. An award-winning a**hole actor.

The sliding door glides open, the chime above it jingling softly, announcing his arrival . Daniel West steps inside, pausing at the entrance. His tall frame contrasts with the delicate elegance of the room.

He scans the room with calm, observant eyes. The subtle lighting highlights his sharp features, and his presence commands quiet attention. The hostess, dressed in a traditional kimono, approaches with a polite bow.

"いらっしゃいませ (Irasshaimase)! Welcome to our restaurant. Do you have a reservation、 Sir?"

"Ah yeah, it's under Mr. Leander Marquis."

His deep voice is measured, with a faint trace of weariness. The hostess smiles and gestures toward a table near the window overlooking a serene koi pond. Wala pa rin ang ka-meeting niya at mukhang masyado siyang napaaga sa takdang oras na hinihintay. But it's okay. They're the one who needs to get the deal. Kailangan makuha nila ang trust ng kumpanya na hawak ni Mr. Marquis, it's a good publicity and exposure for their company too.

As Daniel walks to his table, the low murmur of conversation resumes. He notices the attention of a few diners but pays them no mind. Once seated, he removes his coat and places it neatly on the back of his side. The menu, crafted from fine washi paper, sits on the table.

A waitress arrives, kneeling slightly to meet his gaze.

"Welcome to Ukiyoto, Sir. Ahm would you like some tea to start?"

"Yes, green tea please. And I'll take your recommendations for today's specials. But could you serve it when my business partners are here?"

Tumango naman agad ang waitress bago nagpaalam. Daniel on the other hand takes a moment to exhale, his eyes briefly closing. The weight of the day begins to lift as the soothing ambiance wraps around him. Through the window, the koi swim lazily in the pond, their graceful movements mirroring the calm he seeks.

Few minutes later, Mr. Marquis arrived. Tumayo pa si Daniel para batiin ito. Akala niya ay isang matandang business owner ang ka-meeting niya pero nagkamali siya. Mukhang magkasing-edad lamang sila ni Mr. Marquis at base sa pangangatawan ng lalaki ay mukhang madalas ito sa gym.

“I'm sorry for your waiting, Mr. West. There's just an emergency at our company that needs my presence.”

“No, it's okay. Kararating ko lang rin. Anyway, shall we start?” Tanong nito nang maupo sila. Lumingon naman si Mr. Marquis sa paligid kaya nagkaroon siya ng pagkakataon na sinyasan ang waitress para ihain na ang order niya para sa kanila.

“Oh no, I thought she's already here.” Mahinang bulong ng lalaki na malinaw namang narinig ni Daniel kaya napatingin siya rito.

Daniel then blinks twice in confusion. “Is there something wrong?”

Napangiti naman na parang nag-aalangan si Mr. Marquis bago siya hinarap. “Wala naman. Sorry, it's just that this is my first business and I'm new to this so I hired an attorney for me to settle everything we need for agreement.”

“Oh, okay!” Napatango-tango naman si Daniel. Wala namang masama sa ginawa ng magiging kasosyo pero bahagya siyang nakaramdam ng pagkadismaya. Mukhang kailangan na naman niyang maghintay ng ilang minuto. Sa reaksyon palang kasi ni Mr. Marquis ay halatang wala rito ang attorney na tinutukoy nito. Napahinga na lang siya ng malalim.

Ilang taon din siyang hindi nagtrabaho at medyo hindi niya napaghandaan ang ganitong klaseng kleyente. But still he couldn't blame anyone. Kleyente pa rin si Mr. Marquis at kailangan niyang maglaan ng pasensya at oras para sa project nila.

“I think kumain muna tayo habang hinihintay siya, Mr. Marquis. What do you think?” Nakuha pa rin niyang ngumiti. Kahit paano ay napakalma niya ang sarili para huwag magsuplado sa lalaki.

“Okay, anyway please drop the formality. Hindi kasi ako sanay sa ganito. You can call me Leander, I think hindi naman nagkakalayo ang edad natin.” Natawa si Daniel sa tinuran ng kaharap. Totoo naman kasi iyon. Halatang magtropa lamang sila at hindi isang businessman. Simple lamang ang porma ni Leander at halata mong hindi rin gano'n kasosyal manamit. Pero kahit gano'n ay hindi naman nakaligtas ang lalaki sa mga mata ng ibang waitress na nasa restaurant.

“I think so too, you can call me Daniel.” Sang-ayon niya nalang mayamaya.

And after that the awkwardness between them melted like ice in the desert. Nagsimula na rin kasi silang magkwentuhan tungkol sa ilang bagay patungkol sa isa't isa. Tila nga nakalimutan na nila ang katotohanan na may hinihintay sila. They are having fun talking about random things about their life. Tila hindi nga naging business meeting ang pinuntahan ni Daniel.

At habang nasa usapan sila tungkol sa buhay binata biglang may tumikhim sa kanilang gilid. Natigil tuloy ang kanilang usapan at tawanan.

Pareho silang nag-angat ng tingin sa taong nakatayo sa tabi ng table nila. Ngunit nang dumapo sa bulto ng isang tao ang mga mata ni Daniel ay sandaling tila tumigil ang lahat. Tila ba nawala ang ingay sa paligid habang nakatutok ang mata niya sa isang babaeng ang atensyon ay nasa kausap kanina lamang.

Sandaling nawala sa wisyo si Daniel at rumihestro sa utak ang imahe ng babaeng nakita niya sa billboard. His lips parted after realizing who she was.

It's her!

Parang humiyaw ang kaniyang isipan nang makilala ang babae. Pinakititigan niya ang ayos nito na parang mawawala ito sa kaniyang paningin.

Halata sa awra nito ang pagiging strikto. She has this clean girl vibe but in dark fashion. Malinis ang pagkakapusod ng buhok at hindi magulo tingnan ang naiwang mga buhok sa gilid. Her skin looks soft and clean. Maski ang maliit na eyebag ay bumagay sa maliit nitong mata. Her small lips is tempting kahit halatang tanging lip gloss lamang ang meron.

Napalunok pa si Daniel habang nakatitig sa mga labing iyon. Her lips pressed into thin lines.

“I'm sorry I'm late!” Ngumiti ito kapag-kuwan at parang napanawan si Daniel ng wisyo dahil sa ngiti nito.

Maputi ang mga ngipin at pantay-pantay iyon. At kahit ilang beses siyang kumurap ay talagang gandang-ganda siya sa itsura ng babae. Tila iyon ang unang pagkakataon na nakakita siya ng gano'ng klase ng babae.

She's simple but definitely captivating. Baka kapag nagpaganda pa ito ay baka mabaliw na ang mga lalaki sa paghahabol sa kaniya.

“It's okay, we're just talking about random things, Meg. ” Si Leander ang sumagot dahil tila hindi pa rin bumabalik sa sarili si Daniel.

“Ah Daniel?” Untag ni Leander nang mapansin ang paninitig nito sa abogada.

Napakurap-kurap siya at saglit na tumingin kay Leander na mukhang nahalata siya. Mapaglaro ang ngiti nito na pinakawalan sa kaniya.

Ang babae naman ay kumunot ang noo dahil sa ginawa niyang paninitig dito na mukhang napansin din.

“This is Attorney Juanco,” nakangiting pakilala ni Leander, nagpapalit-palit pa ang tingin kay Daniel at sa babae. Tumayo naman agad si Daniel na hindi inaalis ang tingin sa babae.

Walang ano-ano’y tinaasan siya ng kilay ng babae dahil sa asta niya.

“I know,” wala sa sariling nasabi ni Daniel na ikinalaki ng pagkakangiti ni Leander. Bahagya pa itong napailing dahil sa nakikita. “Hi, I'm Daniel… Daniel West!” Walang hiya-hiyang inabot ni Daniel ang kamay sa babae.

Tiningnan naman iyon ni Megan ng ilang sandali bago abutin. Nang tingnan niya ang lalaki ay hindi siya ngumiti.

“Hello, Mr. West, I'm Attorney Juanco, Mr. Marquis lawyer.”

She's about to pull her hands away when suddenly Daniel grip her hand tightly. Naramdaman niya ang pahagyang pagpiga ng lalaki sa kaniyang kamay na kina-kunot ng noo niya.

“It's nice to see you—Oh!” Nailing sandali si Daniel ng mapagtanto ang sinabi. Tila nawiwirduhan namang kumunot lalo ang noo ni Megan.

“I mean it's nice to meet you, Attorney Juanco.”

Finally, he let go of her hand.

Nagpasalamat na lang si Megan at binitiwan na siya ng lalaki bago umupo sa tabi ni Leander. Ang lalaki naman ay napansin na malagkit ang titig ni Daniel sa kaniyang abogada at mas lalo siyang napangiti. Hindi niya nalang pinuna iyon. Sanay na kasi siya sa mga lalaking napapatitig talaga sa abogada.

As the tea was served and the meal began, the atmosphere shifted into a business tone. Daniel, still distracted by Megan’s presence, struggled to keep his focus. Panay pa ang sulyap niya sa babaeng halatang walang interes kundi pag-usapan ang tungkol sa business na mamamagitan sa kanila.

Leander, on the other hand, took the lead in the discussion, outlining the terms of their proposed collaboration.

“We’re offering a 12-month exclusive partnership,” Daniel explained, his voice steady yet eager. His business persona slowly taking over. Marami itong binanggit na parte ng offer nito sa kumpanya na gusto nila makuha.

Leander nodded. “That’s reasonable, but I’d like to see how this aligns with our current campaigns. Transparency is key, especially with our audience base. I assume you’ve included contingencies for adjustments?”

Megan’s gaze flitted between the two men, her pen gliding over her leather-bound notebook. “I’ve drafted the agreement to reflect flexibility. We’ll provide bi-monthly performance reviews and amend terms as necessary. This ensures a balanced partnership.” Her tone was professional, yet there was a sharpness in her delivery that made Daniel’s chest tighten.

“Impressive,” he muttered under his breath, drawing a curious glance from Megan. Tinaasan pa siya ng kilay ng babae nang mahuli nito ang mga mata niya na titig rito. “I mean, that sounds thorough. It’s important that both parties have equal footing.”

Palihim na napangiti sa paghanga si Daniel habang nakatitig sa babae. Si Leander naman ay nagpatay malisya sa nakikita sa lalaking kaharap.

“Exactly,” Megan replied curtly, her voice like silk wrapped in steel.

As the discussions progressed, Daniel couldn’t shake the feeling that Megan was more than just an attorney. She carried an aura of control and competence that demanded attention. He found himself stealing glances at her as she detailed legal terms with precision. Para bang ito ang unang pagkakataon na nakakita siya ng babaeng propisyunal kung magsalita. Madalas kasi sa mga babaeng nakakausap niya ay hindi ganito kalalim at katalino magsalita. Ibang-iba si Megan sa mga babaeng nakasalamuha niya.

And finally after a moment, the deal was sealed. Daniel and Leander shook hands, and Megan handed over the signed agreement. “I’ll have copies sent to your office next week, Mr. West,” she said, her tone cool and detached.

As they stood to leave, Leander excused himself to take a call, leaving Daniel and Megan alone. Daniel seized the opportunity.

“You’re good at what you do, Attorney Juanco,” he said, his voice low and sincere. “Very impressive.” Tumango-tango pa siya habang matamang nakatitig sa abogada. Akala niya ay madadala niya ito sa compliment pero naging natural pa rin ang pagiging strikto sa awra ng babae nang harapin siya.

Megan raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a faint smirk. “That’s what I’m paid for, Mr. West.”

He chuckled softly. Pakiramdam niya ay nakaramdam siya ng challenge dahil sa response ng babae sa kaniya.

“Yeah, of course! But you know what you're too pretty for an attorney. Akala ko nga model ka!”

She stared at him for a moment, her expression unreadable. Then, with the faintest smile, she replied, “I’ll take that as a compliment. Have a good evening, Mr. West.”

Nagulat naman si Daniel nang tumayo ang dalaga at ligpitin ang gamit nito. Napamaang pa siya ng tumango ito sa kaniya bago siya talikuran dala ang mga gamit nito.

As she turned to leave, Daniel’s mind raced. Hindi siya makapaniwala na tila dinedma ng babae ang pagpapakita niya ng interes dito.

There was something about her—something he couldn’t quite place. He was still lost in thought when Leander returned, snapping him out of his reverie.

“Oh, umalis na si Attorney?” Natatawang tanong ni Leander at lumingon pa sa paligid. Tumango naman si Daniel na may ngiti sa labi. “Ready to head out?” Leander asked, noticing Daniel’s distracted expression.

“Yeah,” Daniel replied, his eyes flickering to the door where Megan had disappeared.

“Mukhang kakaiba ang epekto sa'yo ni Attorney ah!” Tudyo ni Leander sa kaniya at bahagyang natawa siya roon. Hindi niya magawang seryosohin. Iyon ang unang pagkakataon at para sa kaniya ay wala lang ang naramdaman kanina.

“But something tells me this isn’t the last time I’ll be seeing her.” Mahina niyang biro habang pinaglalaruan sa kamay ang susi ng kaniyang kotse.

Leander grinned knowingly. “I wouldn’t bet against that.”

Nakatinginan ang dalawang lalaki at sabay natawa sa iniisip.

Outside, as the night settled over the city, Daniel’s phone buzzed with a message. Kinawayan niya muna ang paalis na si Leander sakay ng kaniya kotse bago tingnan ang kaniyang cellphone.

Nang makuha niya ito sa bulsa ay tila naglaho ang magandang mood niya kanina. It was from an unknown number but he had an idea where it came from.

‘Careful, Mr. West. Sana nanatili ka nalang sa Los Angeles!’

Humigpit ang hawak ni Daniel sa cellphone niya pero hindi siya nakaramdam ng takot. The sender’s name wasn’t there, but he had a sinking suspicion it had everything to do with that man.

Kung akala niya matatakot siya sa pagbabanta nito. Nagkakamali siya!