A Night to Regret

Chapter 10: Oozing s*x appeal

Chapter 10: Oozing s*x appeal

"So, may I know how's life being a single mom, Sky?"

I c****d my eyebrow with a naughty smile on my face as I glanced at my laptop's monitor where Allison and I were using a telecommunication application software called Skype. Well, it's been a long time since I last talked to her. It was almost a year since we lost communication with each other because we're too busy in our lives.

I started combing my hair. "Well, here I am, blooming as ever. It is hard having a kid, especially that I have also work to work on. How about you? How's being an internationally famous fashion model?" I suppressed a grinned smile.

Allison frowned but later on, she flew me a flying kiss. I chuckled from her gesture. "Sshh. Lower your voice, Sky. It's only you that knew that I am like that. It's very hard if I trigger the crowds and notice me. It is hard to escape the media and paparazzi." She lowered her voice.

I couldn't help but laugh my ass off. Allison was so funny at this moment talking at her. Even though she became a big-time model outside of the Philippines, she was choosing to separate her private life and her career life. She was in a crowded place and was into a disguise. The thing is making her so funny was that she was trying to hard to disguise herself when in fact it really suited her to wear some baggy clothes. She just didn't like to wear like any of those anymore.

"I wish I didn't choose this modeling." She rolled her eyes.

"Oh come on, Alli. Be thankful that your dream to be a famous model came true."

Afterward, she smiled but with a bit grimace on her lips. "Yeah, you're right. But hey, I think I'm starting to regret that I choose this path instead of continuing the path of being a civil engineer." She sighed. I sent some sympathy for her. It must have been hard for being succumbed to this path she chose.

She and me when we were on our college days, we both took the degree of Civil Engineering. When I got pregnant and needed to separate from my best friend, Allison, she didn't know that that is the time that she was discovered as an international model. Allison was the first one who got the license of engineer and first graduated from between us. She told me before that she managed her time of being a model and studying. After she graduated, she focused on the modeling industry and left her profession. She was lucky but unfortunately, regretting it. She didn't know that what I had gone through was much difficult than hers, taking part-time jobs, studying, and taking care of my son, Oasis. But I guess I shouldn't compare mine from hers because mine was different. We both had different paths but still ended up being a licensed engineer.

I looked at her video image on the monitor. She has this sad look and I wasn't used to it being her sad as ever. I regret that I asked her about her career life. So stupid of me, isn't it?

She clapped her hands to get my attention. "Let's stop this melodrama, Sky. Where is the little Oasis?" She looked at my behind. I laughed. It's as if she was seeing my son. "Why the cute little child is not showing his bubbly attitude right now? Was he not there, Sky?"

I chuckled. "My son was not here, Allison. He is at my parent's house. I need to get him home. My parents already missed him." I gave her a peace sign the moment I saw her pouting her lips. "Sorry. My son is not here right now."

"Aww, too bad. I missed your son's jolly attitude. When I get to have time to go home in the Philippines, he will be the first person I want to go to with just to play with him. He is super cute."

"Ouch." I dramatically clutched my shirt. "You're gonna come here in the Philippines just so you could see my son ONLY, Alli? How about me?"

Allison rolled her eyes. "Oh cut the crap, Sky. Of course, I am also gonna visit you. It's not like I am gonna forget about you. You're one of my favorite people. Psh." We both laughed at our silliness. "Gosh! I missed this kind of moment. I missed this," she said. I agreed with her. Who would have thought that we were gonna miss everything of what we also did before?

I missed those moments where we were so problematic about the Basic Math in our first college years. Kidding aside, we both had difficulties with Basic Math so much. There is so much more and I don't know how to start as difficulties came with us. But despite it, we didn't give up. But unfortunately, when I got pregnant, I wasn't on her journey anymore.

I c****d my eyebrow when Allison suppressed a naughty smile afterward. "What?" I said, laughing. She was giving me a look so I couldn't guess what she was thinking right now.

She paused for a moment then she placed her chin in her palm. "Tell me, Sky. It's been six years. Do you have special someone already to be with you for the rest of your lives and be a father to your son, Oasis?"

I gave her a look, unbelievable to what she was just saying right now. "What kind of question is that, Allison?" I rolled my eyes. Why would she ask me this kind of question I have no interest to pay attention right now? I am so freaking busy taking care of my son.

"What? It's a normal question. It's quite impossible if you don't even have a man in your mind as of now?"

I silenced. A certain man tried to snitch in my mind but I shoved it down to the hell. That's impossible! Why am I thinking about Eros Setfopolous?! I glared to the monitor when I felt my cheeks heated. "You're insane. Of course, I've got nothing here. I'm focused on my job and to my son. Do you really think I still have enough time to look for a guy right now? Oh please, Allison! Swear, I have no time for that." I slowly took a deep breath as I felt my heart suddenly beat fast. What was that?

"Oh? Are you sure? It's quite impossible that you have no suitors."

"That was when I was in Brazil. Cut the shitty idea, Allison. I assure you I've got no idea in my mind right now. I am not focusing there." I silenced for a moment then I crept out a grin at her. "How about you, silly girl? Do you have a special someone as of now or a boyfriend?" I crossed my arms over my chest.

I caught her blushing then she looked away. Oh yeah. Of course, she already has. She's famous, isn't she? It's so very impossible that she has no suitors or boyfriend. Also, it is quite impossible if no one sees her beauty. Any men would catch their attention.

"Oh yeah, what was that? The international famous model, Allison Suarez is blushing? Whoa! Whoa! That's new, Alli. Who is this guy? Do I know him? When will I know him?"

My grin grew wider as Allison, herself, told me that she already has a guy now and that she is not telling me. I've got to push her further. This is intriguing. "Gotcha!" I shouted so her gaze was at me now. "You're now caught, Ms. Suarez. Tell me, who is this guy? Hmm..." She was biting her lip. Now, she was really caught. I know that gesture of Ms. Allison Suarez. "Oh please. Alli? Seriously? Ain't you gonna answer my question? I'd love to hear your story."

"Okay. Okay." She raised her hands as if surrendering. I couldn't help myself but chuckle from her action. She really was blushing right now. I could clearly see it because her skin is pale and white especially her face. "He is now my boyfriend but I couldn't tell yet who he is, okay?"

"Aww. That's very unfair." I pouted but she only chuckled. "So, when will I know him, huh?"

Allison just smiled and spoke, "This Christmas. I will be going home before Christmas Eve strikes. Have a Christmas in my parents' house, okay? Bring also with you of Tito Matheus and Tita Divina. At that time, I will introduce to you who my boyfriend is, okay?"

I shrugged. "I don't mind waiting. Since the month of today is September. It's worth waiting that I will wait for three months." I grinned. But in my inside, I'm wondering who is this guy who makes my dear friend blushed.

"Yeah. So, hey, I have to go, okay? I have my photoshoot today."

"What? It's already passed 9 P.M. there, right? You have to work at this night?" I asked in disbelief. I looked at the wall clock. She and I have a different time zone. It's already 6 A.M. on mine.

She was the one who shrugged. "That's how I work. There's nothing I can do. I have to bear with it even though I want to sleep my ass here." We both released a laugh. Then she bid goodbye. I shut down my laptop and got ready myself. I still remember my presentation regarding the Josiemarie project. I felt nervous as of now because this is my first time showing my presentation about the progress in the building project.

I arrived at C&D Enterprises at 7:30 in the morning. The meeting will be started in an hour and I really have to prepare so I wouldn't embarrass myself in front of the board of directors and also the shareholders.

About my son, Oasis, I brought him home to my parents' house because I became too busy right now and don't want to repeat the history that happened. Oasis kept on pleasing me to come with me but I refused. At that moment, I scolded my son. I was the one who got trauma from that incident and Oasis didn't even have a traumatic reaction after we went to the construction site.

What kind of mother am I if I am going to let my son put in danger again? You will protect your child from harm and you are hoping on choosing that it should be you that was almost damn. And I almost lost my son. Almost. If I lose him, I wouldn't know what to do in my life. Thank God he was saved.

I entered the conference room. Good thing there is no one here yet. It was really my intention to come here in the office so early. I placed all the materials I needed for reporting. Powerpoint presentation is done and all the folders containing about the said project were all here. I was done checking my formal suit, I already was done tying up my hair... hmm... What else I forgot? I believe I didn't forget anything. I've already done everything right, I guess.

I'm feeling confident as of today but I couldn't help the nervous I am feeling right now.

I went to the comfort room to have some retouch to my make-up even though it was really fine. I fanned myself in front of the mirror and chanted 'keep calm and relax'. After I was done the mantra that I was doing, I returned to the conference room and was surprised to see Mr. Eros Stefopolous in the conference room already.

My heart started to palpitate. But luckily, I managed to smile at him and even greeted him. "Good morning, Mr. Stefopolous. You're a bit early," I said with my solemn tone. I cleared my throat to hide the nervous I was feeling right now.

"Good morning, too, Ms. Hitherway." He glared at his wristwatch for a while. I got a chance to check on his black corporal suit and to his face. His face was sculpted like one of the Greek gods. It was so unfair. In my mind, I want to caress his face but that's so insane of me to think like that.

"So, it's you who will discuss the Josiemarie project. By the way, how's your son?"

I couldn't help but gawk at his handsomeness when he sat in the table. I suddenly felt more nervous than before. Why am I feeling this way again? Why is it like every time Eros is around?

I shook off the thoughts in my head. "Well, I left him to my parents for a while. I'm afraid if he is here, I'm sure something will happen to him again." I sighed, reminiscing the time my son almost pressed by those huge, heavy boxes.

"It's just an accident, Ms. Hitherway."

I felt a sudden chill when the tone of his voice was quite different. It was all serious. There's an authoritative tone in him and I think my knees got weak. I composed myself.

"I know that, Mr. Stefopolous. You cannot blame me for not caring for my son. You do not know how it feels that you almost lose your son. It's against my will that I did not bring him here but for his safety, I will do it," I said seriously. He shouldn't use that kind of tone at me if he was talking the motherly side of me. He never experienced how to be a mother. He shouldn't speak like that at me like he is someone I really know.

He silenced for a moment. He must have realized that he stepped out in the boundary. "Where's the father of your child to take care of him?"

I pursed my lips into a thin line. Don't answer it. You have no obligation to answer him. Because I don't know who the father of my son was.

"Did I hit a nerve? I think that's too personal, isn't it? I'm sorry."

I gawked at him. I caught him staring at me. I chose to look away and didn't answer him. But it is so rude to me if I didn't answer it. "You're right. That's too personal. Besides, I have no obligation to answer you. So don't invade."

I wanna smack my head right now. What was that all about? He's my boss for goodness' sake! Why am I talking to him like we were on the same level!

I saw him opened his mouth to say something but the board of directors just entered the room. I stood properly. Once all of them were sitting in their respective seat, I started the conference meeting about the progress of the Josiemarie project. It took me half an hour to discuss and said all the progress about the building project. After I told them the actual result of after five months of an ongoing project with Josiemarie project, it was Eros' turn to discuss the project.

I almost got distracted and almost got a mental block, when my eyes met Eros' eyes earlier. I felt uncomfortable when he was the one who is in the front right now. His eyes were focused on me. As in focus, his eyes were on me while he was speaking in front and I was sitting in my respected chair.

He was discussing the next project and assigned me to lead the project since I was the head engineer. This project called Calligenia Parádeisos. It's a resort actually. This time, this is a big time. It will be served as a five-star resort so meaning this should be created beautifully. The name Calligenia is a Greek word meaning 'born of beauty' and while Parádeisos is a Greek word meaning 'paradise'.

"Ms. Hitherway, we're expecting you for this new project. We're expecting your performance for this. This is a big project for C&D Enterprises. We're counting on you."

There was his stare again. I couldn't help but gulp while all the eyes of the board of directors and the other staff that was included in this project. I'm starting to dislike Eros because he kept on looking at me. I was as if like prey and he was the predator who keeps watching his prey carefully.

I smiled as an answer to his thoughts.

He looked away at me then looked at us one by one and returned his gaze at me again. I felt like I wanted to melt as my heart palpitated. This was so weird that a guy is looking at you. I wasn't really used to anyone who keeps on looking or staring at me with no reason to tell. I didn't feel like this when I was in Brazil but this guy who was looking at me, makes me feel like I wanted to hide behind my seat.

All I did to myself was to castigate. Then the meeting adjourned. I was thankful enough that I could get rid of myself in the eyes of Eros Stefopolous.

The board of directors was the first one to leave and next was the staff. I felt nervous all of a sudden when I realized it was Eros and me who were only here in the conference room while I was fixing the things I used for reporting. I could see him through my peripheral vision. I turned my back on his direction so I couldn't see him in my position.

Why do I have a feeling that I wanted to get out of this place right away?

Or I'm just being paranoid, am I not?

I packed all of my things. I turned around and almost shrieked when Eros was in front of me already. I closed my eyes for a sec then looked at him as I calmed myself. I couldn't help looking at his eyes.

"D-Do you have a-any problem?" I asked, stuttered.

I want to nudge myself. Why am I getting nervous again? Just because he was oozing s*x appeal and I was like attracted to him? Was I? Where did I get those words? Why am I making things a big deal?

Yeah, I admit. I'm attracted to him but I didn't know how did that idea come up from me. There was something in his eyes that talks to me. Weird. That is how I interpret the emotion in his eyes. It's like he wants to say something but something was stopping him.

"Have lunch with me."

"What?" I asked, forehead creasing.

"I said have lunch with me, Ms. Hitherway."

I silenced for a while. What does it mean? Was he asking for a lunch date? Oh geez! Come on, Sky! Don't jump into conclusion. Stop making a conclusion!

"What for?" That was the only thing it came out from my mouth. My mind went blank just upon looking at his lips. Weird. His lips looked familiar.

He smiled. Damn! "Let's just say I want to know you more."