Nights Like This

CHAPTER 5

Contrary to what I was praying for, the team actually agreed to come on the welcome dinner party for Sir Vance. Nakakahiya naman to pull myself out so sumama na rin ako bilang naka oo naman na ako kanina.

Gabriel kept on insisting na sumakay na ako sa kotse nya at sa kanya na sumabay and then he'll drive me home butof course, I respectfully declined kuno kahit na I almost gritted my teeth in front of him sa ka- kulitan nya. May kotse naman ako so I drove myself here.

"What do you wanna eat, Camila?" rinig kong tanong ni Gabriel sa akin. I didn't raise my head on him kahit na narinig ko naman kung ano yung sinasabi nya and I intend on continuing to do so but I could feel the stares of the team on me.

Inangat ko ang ulo ko to look at Gabriel and forced a smile. Tinuro ko yung menu na hawak ko. "I'm still contemplating, sir."

"You should try vongole pasta. It's good," he encouraged me.

"I'm sorry. I'm allergic to clams sir," sabi ko sa kanya. Napa awang ang bibignya nang sabihin ko iyon.

"Oh really? I didn't know that! Oh yes!" Gabriel snapped his fingers. "Yeah! I remember your father telling me that," casual nyang sabi.

What now? He didn't have to say that.

He's really asking my father that kind of information? On my father of all people? I don't think my father even knows how old I am now. He was never really present in my life. He just pretended to be whenever there's camera. I bet he wouldn't know that I have a pollen allergy so that was the time that I know that he's bluffing when my father never really sat and ate meal with me.

I am not really allergic to clams. In fact, I love it because it's so yummy. I just said tha tout of impulse that I want to annoy Gabriel kahit na on a little things as much as he did to me. I want him to bring out his real self behind of the persistent and friendly facade.

I didn't say anything but smiled habang mahigpit ko na hinakawakan yung menu board sa gigil kay Gabriel. Gustuhin ko mang mag react violently, hindi ko magawa pero hindi ko magawa because that would put this dinner into different mood.

I don't wanna be selfish and turn this event like it's for me whe it's not. It's for sir Vance.

"One lemon ricotta pasta for me," sabi ko sa waiter and then closed the menu. I leaned back para maka sandal sa upuan ko at kalmahin yung apoy na nagliliyab sa akin.

I ordered that just to stay present on this event even thought I've been thinking of dashing outside and leave them here but I am not giving Gabriel the satisfaction that he wants if I walk out.

"One Alfredo for me," rinig kong sabi ni Sir Vance na nasa tabi ko lang.

I noticed na tahimik lang din talaga sya. He's not speaking unless somebody talks to him first. He just observes most of the time.

"How is the company so far, Mr. Robles?" Gabriel said, opening a topic while we wait for our orders to be done. The waiters also started to pour our glasses wine.

"So far, I've am liking what I have been doing from the time that I've been on the company, sir."

"That's great! Can I say that I'm impressed with you? You lead your team well kahit na well, bago ka pa lang and I believe you guys are still on the adjustment period," ani Gabriel kay Sir Vance.

No, but really. I agree with Gabriel on that. Sir Vance certainly knows what he's doing. I am also impressed with how he works and we could see how he fits to be on that position. These days are so hectic to the company and he handles a lot of things in his plate but he handles them well, almost perfectly. He's also an easy person to work with.

"Thank you, sir. It's not just on me. It's also on the team members who work hard and lets me do my job as they do theirs harmoniously. I also think the reason why I could lead them well despite of me being new is because we respect each other's boundaries at work because we don't want to make everything uncomfortable while we work, " sabi nya.

Mula sa kaninang pagkaka- yuko I raised my head on his direction nang marinig ko ang huling sinabi nya. I don't know if it's just me but I am kind of getting something on that sentence.

"Hindi ba, Ms. Serrano?" dagdag nya.

Sir Vance looked straight at my eyes all while his eyebrows are shot upwards. Because of the sudden unexpected call for my name, I couldn't hide the surprise on my face.

"Y- yes, sir. We respect each other in our team even though we're close and all that. Respect and boundaries are important at work," sabi ko. Purposely, pinag diinan ko talaga yung words na respect and boundaries.

I just hope that that will be enough for Gabriel to reflect on himself because he don't have that two. Very obviously.

Sir Vance's lips curled up to me as he sips on his wine. He looked satisfied.

If I am not mistaken, he actually did that on purpose to knack some sense on Gabriel. If that's really it then my respect to this person actually went up.

"R- right. That's important," ang tanging nasagot ni Gabriel.

He must've realized that he don't have that.

Feeling better, I started to enjoy my food. Hindi na rin naman ako binigyan ng remark ni Gabriel although I could still feel that he's throwing glances at me. Through the night, the topic pinned on Sir Vance.

Apparently, this isn't the first time for him being a manager because he was a OM at another company and resigned before he applied at KSW. That must be the reason why he's naturally good at this. Experience really never betrays.

Also, what's funny at least for me is that sa tinagal tagal ng interrogation na naganap, 'yan lang ang information na nakuha nya kay Sir Vance. I take that as he really values his private life because he never really mentioned about it.

And oh. He said he loves drinking.

"Excuse me. I'll just go to the restroom," paalam ko.

I rose from my seat saka lumakad papunta sa restroom. I checked the time and it's past 8 in the evening. The dinner's almost over and sooner or later, uuwi na rin naman kami. It's not yet too late for a nice warm bath when I get home.

I did the deed and then lumabas na rin from the restroom but to my surprise, I also found Sir Vance na pa labas ng mens comfort room. Nauna lang sya sa akin ng kaunti and I think he didn't see me.

"Sir," tawag ko sa kanya. He stopped walking and looked back.

From being serious, his expressioned lightened when he saw me catching up to him.

"Ms. Serrano," tawag nya sa akin.

"Just call me Cami, sir." He smiled and nods. "Right. You also said that last time. Sorry, nasanay lang talaga ako to call people formally," aniya.

Kumpara kaninang umaga na napaka sleek ng pagkaka push back ng buhok nya, ngayon may mga strands na na bumabagsak sa mukha nya but it still looks good on him.

"It's fine sir. Uhm... I don't know if I am just assuming or what but assuming that I'm right with my gut feeling, thank you for saying those words that forced Gabriel to shut his mouth- oh. Sorry. He's still the boss but I always curse him on my mind," sabi ko sa kanya.

But seriously, sorry not sorry.

Sir Vance chuckled. "You're right. That was really for him to shut his mouth. I don't like how he talks to you and disrespect you everytime. I mean, as your boss of course," he said.

I'm really fascinated about how his voice sounds so deep like it's a cave with endless depth but he speaks with total softness. Like, is that really possible?

Tumango ako saka nginitian sya. "Thank you, sir. I am so fed up with his antics that all I could do is curse him on my mind."

"Of course. I don't know what's up but you can always curse him when it's just the two of us. Verbally. I won't tell. I also don't like his vibe the moment that he tried to disrespect you," pag amin nya.

He slipped both of his hands on his pocket as we walked to our table again. Seeing me and Sir Vance walk towards the table, Gabriel's expression soured.

I feel empowered lalo na ngayong I have sonebody that also doesn't like Gabriel and I'm glad that it's my boss, Sir Vance. And he's cool for that.