A Kiss Before Betrayal

Chapter 3

Rose

“Am I hearing this right? Xavier? Nakipag-kaibigan sayo?” Klaro ng bestfriend ko. I nodded again. “Oh my f*****g God. You… I mean… okay fine. After years of family rivalry with each other kayo na ba ang magtatapos?” She chuckled.

I sighed. “Ewan ko rin, Jeim.”

“Nag approve na ba lola mo rito?”

Umiling ako. “Wala pa ako sinasabihan kahit kay kuya hindi ko pa sinasabi.”

Jeim’s eyes lit with sparkles at hindi ko alam anong ideya na naman pumasok sa utak niya.

“oooh, Xavier and Rose on a secret friendship.”

“Shut up.” I smiled at that.

“Hoy, Rose. Wag ka mafa-fall sa lalaking ‘yan, ah? Ibang usapan ang relationship-“

“Jeim! God no! Hindi ko kakayanin makipag relasyon doon. Besides that he’s a bit cold na kung saan hindi ko type ang mga cold personality ta’s I heard he’s a playboy?”

Weekly or maybe monthly na lang may balita sa kaniya na may kasamang model sa dinner or functions.

“Hm… I don’t know, sis…” She smirked. “Xavier is kinda hot you can’t deny that. Sadiyang kalaban niya ang pamilya mo.”

I shrugged hindi ko na alam at ayaw ko na rin pag-usapan.

“Wala ka bang pasok ngayon?” I raised my brow at my best friend. She’s a fashion designer. Siya halos gumagawa ng mga damit ko.

“Oh, I have time. Lots of time.” She smirked playfully.

Kumatok ang sekretarya ko bago pumasok. “Ms. Araneta, Mr. Sevilla is here for the presentation.”

Napataas kilay ko at napatingin sa oras. It’s 8:20 in the morning. Aga niya, ah?

“Wow, determinado si boyet.” Kumento ni Jeim at natawa ako roon.

“Please, Jeim. I love you pero sibat na.” I pointed at my office door and she grabbed her things. She kissed my cheek before saying her goodbye.

“Balitaan mo ‘ko, ah?” She pointed at me before walking out my office.

Just a minute later ay pumasok na si Xavier sa opisina ko.

“Too early.” Side comment ko.

“What? You clearly stated any time in the morning?”

Okay that may be my fault. I nodded and told him to start the presentation. Hindi na rin siya nag sayang ng oras at dire-diretso ang pag presenta niya. Hindi ko maitatanggi na maganda rin talaga balak niya for Astrogaze.

“Okay, Mr. Sevilla, I’ll just email you tonight if you have been accepted to be my partner for this project.” Bilin ko katapos niya mag present.

He then looked at me. No, stared.

“Hm… remove the formalities, Red. Be my friend for a minute. You think I may have the chance to get this partnership?”

I chuckled at that. “Okay, this is your friend speaking. I won’t tell you. It’s kind of a secret you know?” I winked. “Red is not my nickname by the way.” Habol ko.

“What’s your nickname then?”

“Rose.”

Umiling naman siya. “I like Red better.”

I groaned. “Okay, out! Your time is done. Hintayin mo nalang email ko kung tanggap ka o hinde.”

He smirked at my remark. “Meet me at Retrogade? Let’s say 8pm”

I tapped my pen to the desk anxiously. “I don’t know… The Realest will make up some rumors once they saw us together.” I smiled apologetically as I denied his dinner offer.

“Then how about my place?”

He’s really pushing this.

“I’ll cook.”

I blinked. Once, twice. I sighed. “Fine. 8pm at your place. Now, out! I have work to do and I assume you too.”

He smiled. “See you later, Red.” He winked at me before going out of my office.

Dukutin ko mata niya e and those dimples. Really?

To: Jeim

Mag didinner kami mamaya sa bahay niya

From: Jeim

WTF HAHAHAHAHAHHA Hindi ikaw mag magpapakain ah???

Tangina nito.

To: Jeim

BYE. Blocking you.

Kumatok na ulit sekretarya ko para ipaalam na andiyan na yung susunod na mag p-present. The presentation went on until 11am natapos kay Callahan. Callahan family is one of our closest business acquaintance and a family friend.

“Okay, Arthur Callahan, Thank you for your presentation and I’ll review it thoroughly. I’ll just send an email if you got the position or not.” I smiled.

“Good to see you again, Rose. Wish you well with everything and thank you for the opportunity.” He bowed before going out of my office.

Okay… I looked at my notes and saw the list of who I really wanted to work with me.

1. Sevilla

2. Callahan

Hm… Tough call.

Napangisi naman ako dahil biglaang naisip na pang-aasar.

After 2 rings he answered.

“Hello, my Red Rose.”

“Oh, now it’s Red Rose?”

I heard him chuckle through the phone.

“To what do I owe the pleasure of this phone call?”

I cleared my throat before speaking. “I have a list and I need you to be my friend for a minute.” I smirked. Using his line he used on me earlier.

“Uh-huh, what list?”

“The list of potential companies for a partnership for Astrogaze. I have narrowed it down to two and it’s either Sevilla or Callahan which is better?”

He was silent for at least 5 seconds and I bit my lower lip.

“Are you seriously just asking me who to choose to be your partner? Me or Callahan?”

I chuckled.

“Nang-aasar ka ba?”

Now, I laughed. “Did it work?”

“Oh, damn right it did… ‘Yeah, I’ll be there in 5 minutes. I just have an important call.” Narinig kong sabi niya siguro sa sekretarya niya.

“Oh, I’m an important call..” I stated slowly. “Kidding. Won’t take much of your time. See you later, Bye.”

“Teka, Red-“

Huling dinig ko sakaniya bago ko binabaan ng phone call. I was about to get up and have lunch nang nag vibrate ang phone ko.

From: Xavier

Well that’s rude, Red Rose.

I chuckled and bit my lower lip. Not bothering to type in a reply. Bahala siya.

I changed his contact name from Xavier to Off-limits. ‘Cause he’s supposedly off-limits due to family complications.

I’m about to meet with my father for lunch and I plan on telling him pero hindi ko sasabihin na nag uusap kami ni Xavier or we’re friends to start with.

“Hi, dad.” Bati ko nang makita ko na si papa nakaupo sa resto.

“Hi, darling. How’s work this morning?” Bati niya.

Kaupo ko ay kinuwento ko na kaagad ang mga nag presenta.

“I mean I can’t deny na maganda ang plano ni Xavier Sevilla, dad.” I pouted.

He nodded. “Why not go for it? Your grandmother didn’t protest about it either. I can’t also deny that Xavier is Rafael’s smartest son.”

I nodded slightly. “Is it okay though? If I accept Xavier to be my partner for this project?”

Dad smiled a bit. “Syempre, sa akin okay lang. I trust Xavier. I met him a few times back.”

Napapadalawang isip ako dahil kay lola.

“You know… why not go for it? Ito lang din ang project na hindi ka binawalan ng lola mo makipag partner sa mga Sevilla so why not take the once in a lifetime opportunity?”

Oo nga, eh… Ito lang ang project na kung saan hindi ako binantaan ni lola patungkol sa mga Sevilla. I was preoccupied with my mind during at work thinking about who my partner will be regarding this Astrogaze.

From: Off-limits

Work ka pa? Sunduin na kita.

I quickly type in my reply.

To: Off-limits

Yes, I’m still at work. Wag mo na ako sunduin, I’ll meet you at your penthouse.

I quickly wrapped up my work and saw it’s already 7:30 kaya nag prepare na rin ako umalis. Nag park muna ako sa building residence ko bago umalis ulit tutal magkatapat lang kami building.

I also changed my formal attire to casual.

Karating ko sa floor ni Xavier ay kumatok na ko sa pintuan niya.

“Hello, Red. Good evening.” He smiled a bit before opening his door widely as a gesture for me to enter his home.

His interior is all black. Dark palette.

“I’m almost done cooking, you eat steak, right?”

I nodded. I walked behind him and saw he already prepared the plates. Umupo naman na ako at tinignan ko siya. He’s wearing a white shirt and a black sweatpants.

“You know, I was waiting for an email since 6pm.” Malakas na sabi niya dahil asa kitchen siya habang ako’y nasa dining area na.

I chuckled. “Ooh, did you check your spam emails?” Pang-asar ko lalo.

Sumilip siya saglit sa pinto at nakitang nakakunot ang noo niya at magkasalubong ang kilay kaya natawa ako. Umirap siya at bumalik na sa pagluluto.

Mayamaya lang ay lumabas na siya sa kitchen at natakam naman ako bigla sa linuto niya na steak.

“I just checked my spam emails, wala.” Sungit naman niya.

Natawa ako lalo. “At talagang chineck mo?” habang tinuturo niya.

“Tawang tawa talaga, oh.” Ngisi niya at dahil sa katatawa ko ay hindi ko napansin na hiniwa niya na yung steak na para sa akin at linapag na sa plato ko.

“Thank you for this dinner, friend.”

“Mhmmm…”

Ngising tumingin ako sa kaniya at nakitang steak naman niya ang hinihiwa na niya. Hinihintay ko siya matapos para sabay kami kakain talaga.

“Pikon ka na ba?” Tanong ko at nakita kong umirap siya.

“Yun ba ang goal mo ngayon?”

“Ooh, pwede.” Ngisi ko at dun siya napangiti na kung saan lumabas na yug mga dimples niya.

“Haha.” Tawa niyang sarkastiko kaya natawa na naman ako.

“Next time, dinner sa place ko. Ako naman magluluto.” Nanlaki mata ko sa sariling sinabi dahil hindi naman talaga ako magaling magluto. Lutong bahay, okay lang pero steak ay nahihirapan na ako. Expect niya kaya niyan steak?

Bago ko pa mabawi ay nagsalita na siya.

“Okay, let me taste your version of steak.”

Putangina

“Ah…” wala na tuloy ako masabi. Kumagat ako sa steak at napapikit pa ‘ko sa sarap. “Mmm... sabihin mo sa akin timpla nito.” Sambit ko.

He crossed his arms across his chest and he smirked, showing his one dimple.

“Ayoko nga.” He said, cocky.

“K. ‘Di naman masarap.” Nagsinungaling ako. Masarap. Super. Malambot pa pagkakaluto.

“Ah, talaga? Kaya pala napa ‘mmm’” He reacted how I acted the moment I tasted his steak pero more exaggerated.

“Hoy!” Angal ko at doon siya natawa. “Bastos bibig mo, ah?” Tinuro ko siya gamit ang tinidor.

Huminahon na siya sa pagkatawa at bumalik na ang tahimik sa aming dalawa. I guess the awkwardness is still normal because after everything between our families, we decided to be friends and now I decided to work with him. To let him help me.

“Okay, seriously, nakuha ba ako o hinde?” Tanong na niya, seryoso.

“Magagalit ka ba sa akin kung hindi?” I pouted.

He just stared at me for about a minute bago umiling.

“Sabi mo hinihintay mo email mo ‘di ba? Ito na, oh.” Turo ko sa sarili. “Personal email.”

“Uh-huh?” He clocked his head to the right as a sign of confusion.

“Hay nako…” umiling ako dahil hindi niya na-gets. “I’m here to personally deliver you the message that you…” I pointed at him. “are officially accepted to be my partner for Astrogaze.” Ngumisi ako pero walang excitement sa mukha ni Xavier ngayon.

“Seryoso ba? Pag ako jinojoke time mo talagang hindi kita kakausapin. Talagang mag-aaway ulit pamilya natin.”

I pouted. “Isang araw pa lang tayo friends ta’s FO na?”

“What FO?”

Goodness

“Friendship over!”

“Okay, okay, but seriously? I’m the one you chose?” Turo niya sa sarili and I nodded before finishing the last bits of my steak.

“No jokes?” Claro niya ulit. Grabe naman pala trust issues nito.

I nodded again as reassurance. “Oo nga, ang kulit, ah? Isang tanong mo pa ulit si Callahan na lang kukuhanin ko.”

“Oh, f**k no.” Angal niya.

Natawa ako at napangiti siya nang kaunti.

“Thank you…” malumanay niyang sambit

“Build my trust for you, Xave. I trust your plans and I want to trust you more regarding this.” Seryosong sabi ko.

Napa-angat isang kilay niya. Nanlaki naman mata ko nang tumayo siya bigla mula sa kinauupuan then he did a 90-degree bow.

“Never worry, sweetheart. Although I will work your trust for me.” He winked.

“Okay, yun lang. Bye.” Biro ko at tumayo.

He looked at me with disbelief. “Wow, eat and run ano?”

Natawa na naman ako. In the end, tinulungan ko siya magligpit pero ayaw niya ako pahugasin ng pinggan dahil malas daw yon, ewan ko rin sa kaniya. Nag stay pa ‘ko nang kaunti sa bahay niya bago niya ako hatid kahit sabi ko huwag na dahil tatawid lang naman ako pero makulit siya at hinatid pa rin ako hanggang sa floor ng penthouse ko.

From: Off-limits

Thank you again :)

Napangiti naman ako at umiling bago mag type ng reply.

To: Off-limits

You owe me one though.

From: Off-limits

Oooh scary. What is it?

To: Off-limits

Hmmm basta.

I plan on using it reaaaal good.