Embers of Love

Chapter 03

To say I was shocked was an understatement—I was stunned that if it weren't for Errol's nudge, I wouldn't be able to move.

Immediately, I shook my head. "Wala," I whispered back, but his eyes remained squinting on me. "Wala nga."

"Huwag kang iiyak dito, ha?" Ani niya.

"Bakit naman ako iiyak?"

Errol shrugged his shoulders. "Ewan ko. Kapag ganyan na kasi itsura mo, ang kasunod nun, iiyakan mo na naman yung ex mong gago," he said.

I shook my head though I felt light-headed and said, "Hindi ako iiyak, okay?"

I took a deep breath to regain my composure and push aside the unknown emotions that were starting to overwhelm me. With great effort, I managed to force a smile and stood still as Sir Jun, our project manager greeted him a good morning and introduced us to him.

"Nice meeting you all, Engineers. Please make yourself comfortable," He responded with a nod, a small smile on his lips, gesturing us to sit again before turning to his side. "Pakihanda na po ang pagkain, Manang." I heard him said to Manang Alicia, ang mayordoma ng hacienda.

"Ipapalabas ko na, seniorito," Manang Alicia answered. He just nodded as a response.

The food came one-by-one and by the looks of it, you'll know they really prepared for us. There are a variety of meat, beef, and fish dishes served to us. Parang fiesta sa dami ng nakahanda sa harap naming.

"Parang fiesta," Errol whispered to me again, voicing out my thoughts. Kanina pa siya bulong nang bulong sa akin ng kung ano-ano na hindi ko naman mabigyan ng pansin dahil sa sariling suliranin.

"Huwag kang maingay!" Bulong ko rin sa kanyang dahil marami pa itong sinasabi at nakakahiya kung maririnig kami, o kahit makita man lang na nah bubulungan. Buti na lamang at nasa dulo kami ng hapag, malayo sa kanya.

"Let's eat," anyaya nya ng matapos ihain ang mga pagkain sa harap naming. Nagtanguan naman ang lahat at nag simula nang kumain.

And as we ate, Sir Jun and Mr. Jimenez started discussing the technicalities about the project plans and as one of the planning team, I mustered up the courage to contribute to the discussion when being asked, attempting to calm myself and divert my attention from the uncomfortable situation. However, each time I spoke, I couldn't shake the feeling of Mr. De Jimenez's penetrating gaze upon me. It was as if he saw through my façade, peering into the depths of my emotions and memories.

I shook my head mentally but as I struggled to focus on eating, but my mind kept drifting back to that fateful night and the series of events that led to this current predicament. The memory of my encounter with Mr. De Jimenez was still fresh in my mind, playing on a loop like a haunting melody.

I couldn't help but wonder if he remembered me as vividly as I remembered him. Did he recall the desperation in my voice when I asked him to sleep with me? Did he remember the vulnerability I displayed as I poured my heart out, only to be met with rejection? The mere thought of it sent a shiver down my spine.

Dios ko lang!

"Engr. Yoseco is our Senior Planning Engineer. All the plans we proposed for this project are all her ideas," Sir Jun said.

Oh, God.

"No wonder why your proposal is very convincing and promising," he praised, nodding as he glanced at me. "It never gave us a chance to have a second thought." He added and almost choked from it.

"Uh...Thank you, Sir. I just did what I think is best for the scope of project—and of course, without the help of the whole team, we will not come out with that proposal," I answered shyly, avoiding eye contact.

"Very well. I must say that your team is composed of the best engineers in your company," he agreed.

"Indeed. I guarantee you, Mr. Jimenez, that our team always performs their best."

"That's good to hear," he said.

They continued discussing, while I still try to avoid glancing at him. Inabala ko na lang ang sarili ko sa pagkain at sa paminsan-minsang pakikipag-usap kay Errol; na wala naman ibang sinabi kundi komento tungkol sa mga pagkaing nakahain sa amin.

"I hope you enjoy your stay here," Mr. Jimenez said. Tapos na ang lunch at oras para sa pagpapahinga.

"We will, Sir. But of course, the project's completion is our utmost priority of coming here," Sir Jun answered.

Mr. Jimenez smiled warmly. "That's understandable, but please don't be pressured about the project. I would still like you to enjoy what our hacienda offers."

"We will surely, Sir."

"Manang, pakihatid na po sila sa magiging silid nilam" Utos niya kay Manang Alicia pagkatapos. Agad namang tumalima ang matanda at iginaya kami paakyat sa pangalawang palapag ng mansion.

Five months. We will be here for five months to monitor the project's progress. At kapag na siguro nang magiging maayos at maganda na ang takbo nito ay aalis na kami. Iiwan ang pamamahala sa construction ng dam sa construction manager. Bibisitahin na lamang muli rito si Sir Jun kada buwan pagkatapos.

"Rito ho ang magiging silid nyo," Ani ni Manag Alicia, nakahinto ito sa tapat mismo ng pinto ng silid.

"Maraming salamat po, Manang," sagot naming sabay ni Patricia, kasamahan kong engineer rin. Kaming dalawa ang magiging magka-kwarto.

"Walang ano man."

Manang Alicia opened the room's door and told us to come inside. We did. And to say that we were amazed by how the room looks inside is understatement. Because it really exceeded our expectations! From its spacious size, the furniture inside—the bed, the bedside table, and the vanity mirror and chair—everything is beautiful. Plus, the wooden sliding window that shows the whole view of the hacienda is really fascinating. Mas maganda pa itong mansion ng mga Jimenez kaysa sa mga mamahaling hotel na natuluyan na naming.

"Feeling ko haciendera ako," Patty commented as she sat on the bed, bouncing herself on the soft mattress of it.

I nodded and said, "It feels nostalgic although, I know, I had never been to a place like this." I stood by the window, looking at the view outside. "Ang ganda rito."

Patty stood and walked to stand beside me. "It's giving a pocketbook vibe," she said, chuckling. She then turned to me and by the looks she's giving me I knew she's going to say something scandalous. "Did you check on Mr. Jimenez? God! He's giving a haciendero vibes! Iyong masungit na senirito pero ubod ng gwapo!"

As expected.

"He's really a seniorito and haciendero, Patty." I said and I shook my head and left the window. I went to my suitcase and started unpacking my things. Gusto ko nang maligo at makapagpahinga.

"Ang gwapo niya diba?" kulit niya pa. Sumunod na rin para mag-ayos ng gamit.

"I will take the right side of the bed," I said instead. Tumango naman ito.

"Ano nga, Addi? Gwapo diba?"

Resigning, I nodded. "Oo. Gwapo. Pero huwag mo kalimutang kliyente yun. Siya ang may-ari ng project at nandito tayo para sa trabaho," paalala ko.

Close naman kami ni Patty at sanay na kaming dalawa sa mga ganitong usapan. Hindi na niya dadamdamin ang mga paalala ko. Minsan nga ay tatawanan pa ako nyan at aasarin.

"I saw him glancing at you from time to time. Baka type ka," ani niya bigla.

"Guniguni mo lang yun," Maang-maangan ko na lang. Hindi ko pwedeng sabihing totoo iyon at may dahilan kung bakit.

"I know what I saw, pero sige." She said with a shrug. She then stood and went to the bathroom after picking her clothes, leaving me. I just shook my head and continued arranging my clothes.

It was already 3pm when I woke-up from the afternoon nap. Tulog pa si Patty at sa tingin ko ay ganun din ang iba. Errol would have bombarded me with messages if they were.

Feeling thirsty, I decided to go downstairs to get myself a glass of water. It was so quiet outside that I could hear the faint sound my feet made as I walked on the wooden floor of the second floor. Hanggang sa pag baba ko sa first floor ay ganun din. Wla rin akong makitang kahit isang tao. Siguro ay nasa kanilang mga silid at nagpapahinga rin.

I am not sure where the kitchen is but I can still remember where the dining hall is, so I headed there. Hoping that I'd see someone who can help me to get to their kitchen.

I was already in the dining hall and was about to turn left to a door that I think was the kitchen when I suddenly bumped into someone. "I'm sorry," I immediately said and stepped backwards, but a hand holding my back stopped me from doing so.

"Engr. Adrielle Yoseco," he said, his voice deep and the way my name rolled on his tongue suddenly gave out an unfathomable feeling.

My heart gets wild and it annoys me.

"Do you need something?" He continued; his tone gentle yet firm.

"I... I will just get some water," I answered and I hated how I stuttered.

Damn it, Shanaia Adrielle! Get yourself together!

His hand slowly loosens its hold on the small of my back and I immediately took that as a chance to step back.

"Are you thirsty?" he asked and I immediately nodded, hoping he'll just tell me where I can get it. But I was wrong because he turned his back and said, "It's here. Follow me, we will get you your water."