Waiting For You

Chapter 11

It took her quite sometime bago nagkaroon ng lakas ng loob na lumabas ng sasakyan at pumasok sa bahay. Spencer was sitting on the sofa in the living room scanning through his phone.  Dahan dahan siya umupo sa sofa katapat ng inuupuan ni Spener.

Halos 10 minuto na siya nakaupo dun pero wala pa rin sa kanila ang umiimik “What do you want to talk about?” Basag ni Chloe sa nakakabinging katahimikan sa pagitan nilang dalawa

“Free ka ba for dinner sa Friday?” Tanong ni Spencer

“Oo naman, bakit?” Agad naman na sagot ni Chloe

“Can I make a reservation for that night?” Tanong ulit ni Spencer

“Huh?” Naguguluhan tanong ni Chloe

“Can I invite you for dinner?” Ulit ni Spencer sa sinabi niya

Natawa naman si Chloe dun “Parang hindi naman tayo halos sabay magdinner gabi gabi”

“No, not that kind of dinner. Dinner out?”  Alanganin tanong ni Spencer

“What’s with the formality Spencer?” Chloe trying to hide the awkwardness that she is feeling “Lagi naman din tayo nagdidinner out together. So what’s special in this one?”

“So I would assume that’s a yes?” Di pa rin patalo ni Spencer

“Sure why not” Natatawang sagot ni Chloe and he smiled “So yun lang pala ang gusto mo pagusapan natin?”

He nodded “May dapat ba tayo pagusapan iba?” Spencer asked with a hint of playfulness in his tone

“Ah wala naman…” Pumeke pa siya ng hikab “inaantok na ako mauna na ako. Goodnight!”

 Nakailan hakbang palang siya sa hagdan ng tawagin siya ulit ni Spencer. “May kameeting ka bukas na mga bagong potential brand boutiques?”

 “Yup, paano mo nalaman?” Tila narelieve si Chloe sa tanong

“Wala lang  just confirming it, sige akyat ka na” Putol naman ni Spencer sa usapan nila. Nakailan hakbang palang ulit si Chloe ay tinawag niya ulit ito

“Ano nanaman?” Medyo naiinis na tanong ni Chloe

“You look so tensed tonight? Sigurado ka wala ka gustong pagusapan?” Spencer asked again this time tumayo na siya sa pagkakaupo and walk towards her

“Ako tensed? Hindi ah pagod lang” Defensive na sagot ni Chloe

“Sigurado ka?” tanong ni Spencer more steps toward her

“Oo naman, aakyat na talaga ako. And don’t call me anymore hindi na kita papansinin!” And with that she ran up the stairs.

When she was out of sight natawa nalang si Spencer sa reaction ni Chloe. May gusto man siya pagusapan he wouldn’t bring it up on a situation which will put Chloe or him in an awkward situation. There is time for everything nga as the saying goes and when is the right time? He doesn’t know either all he knows that it must be soon.

 “Ma’am Chloe, andito na po yun mga kameeting niyo.” Katok at pasok ng sekretarya niya.

Agad naman tumayo si Chloe para salabungin ito. Isang matipunong binata na halos kaedad niya lang ang pumasok sa loob.

“Hi I’m Ryan Rodriguez”  Pormal na pakilala ng binata

“Nice to meet you, and I’m Chloe the director of the sales and marketing department”  Pakilala naman ni Chloe sa sarili and shook their hands

“So Mr. Rodriguez, what can I offer you?” Magalang na tanong ni Chloe

“Drop the surname, di mo nga sinabi sa akin yun iyo” He smiled at her

“Its Veluz, este Davino pala” Napakamot naman ng ulo si Chloe. Minsan hindi pa rin talaga siya sanay gamitin ang bago niyang apelido

Natawa naman si Ryan dito “Who in this world, ang magkakamali sa surname nila?” Biro ni Ryan sa kanya

“That might be me!”  Sakay naman ni Chloe sa biro

“You’re interesting” Tuwang tuwa sagot ni Ryan

“So let’s get this meeting started?” Tanong ni Chloe

“Sure!”  Excited na sagot ni Ryan

Halos isang oras sila nagmeeting at sa isang oras nay un dalawang bagay lang ang napagtanto ni Chloe. First this guy is a good businessman, nakakabilib ang mga achievements niya at ang mga kaya niyang gawin at panagalawa this guy is hitting on her since he was trying to flirt with her nonstop. She is just keeping her professionalism on line kaya hinahayaan niya lang ito.

“You know what, I think you are wearing your ring on the wrong finger” Turo ni Ryan sa singsing na nasa kamay niya

“You mean eto?” Taas ni Chloe sa kamay niya which contains her wedding ring

“Yup! Guys like me might get the wrong idea that you are already married. Don’t want a fish running out from your net right?” Mayabang na sagot nito sa kanya. Nagtitimpi lang si Chloe at konti nalang talaga at mapapatid na ang pasensya niya

“What if I am?” Matapang na sagot ni Chloe

At isang nakakalokong tawa lang ang sinagot nito sa kanya. “You might have got me there but no that doesn’t work for me. Lumang style na yan. Anyway can you give me the tour now?” Pagiiba ng usapan ni Ryan

“Sure let me just grab some of my things” Tayo naman ni Chloe mula sa upuan niya. They made their way out of her office and onto the mall. While she was giving him the tour he didn’t stop with his shameless flirting even if Chloe was turning him down in all possible ways with respect.

After sometime ay hindi na rin makapagtimpi si Chloe kaya kinumpronta t niya na ito “Mr. Rodriguez, with all due respect can you please stop flirting with me?”

He then gave her that knowing smile “Bakit am I doing it the wrong way?”

Nagulat man si Chloe sa sagot pero nagawa niya pa rin kumalma. “Mr. Rodriguez, I think this tour is already enough. I think it would be a great pleasure to have you working with us. So I’ll be sending the necessary papers to your office as soon as I finish the proposals. So if you don’t mind I think we should go back to my office now?”

“Well its almost lunch time don’t you want to grab some lunch?” Alok ni Ryan

“Hindi na po Sir I have a next meeting after this” Mabilis niyang pagtanggi

“It’s on me. Do not worry I won’t let you spend on anything”  Tuloy na pagyayabang nito

“Sir if you want to have your lunch go ahead, pero hindi ko po talaga kayo masasamahan. So if you may excuse me I have to prepare for my next meeting” Magalang na paalam ni Chloe sa kausap. Pero hindi siya nakaalis dahil hinawakan siya nito sa kaliwang braso.

“Wag ka na magpakipot, I know you want me too”  Pasimpleng bumulong ito sa kanya to avoid creating a scene and that made Chloe snap. She slapped him hard on the cheek.

“Sorry but I don’t”  Matapang na sagot ni Chloe at tinalikuran ang kausap. Hindi pa siya nakakalayo ng marinig niya ang isang pamilyar na boses.

“Mr. Ryan Rodriguez, I’m Spencer Davino the COO of Mirage Mall” Pormal na pakilala ni Spencer

“Kilala mo ako?” Tila gulat pa si Ryan

“Of course sino ba naman hindi nakakakilala sayo” Spencer answered with a smile “So what do you think? Are we expecting a contract soon?”

“I wanted to, if not just for an inappropriate behaviour your sales and marketing director had just gave me”  Dismayadong sagot ni Ryan

“Mind telling me what happened?” Tanong ni Spencer sa kanya while locking eyes with Chloe which was standing frozen on her place

“Well she just acted bitchy when I ask her if she doesn’t want me? Alam mo na yun mga babaeng pademure effect pero alam mo naman gustong gusto ka, yun mga pakipot pero nasa loob ang kulo” Walang alinlangan explain naman ni Ryan sa kanya

“So that’s it? I bet I have to talk to her for a while excuse me”  Paalam muna ni Spencer

Nabaling naman ang tingin ni Chloe kay Ryan na ngayon ay parang tuwang tuwa sa nagawa niya. Then diverted her attention to Spencer who was fast approaching her.

“Are you alright?” Agad na tanong ni Spencer pagkalapit niya kay Chloe

She nodded and smiled “No harm done” 

“Sure?” Tanong niya ulit and she nodded.

“So are you apologizing for your behavior earlier?” Napatalon ng konti si Chloe dahil nagulat siya sa paglapit ni Ryan

Spencer then transferred to her side sliding his arm to her waist pulling her closer. “Sir, but I guess we have a misunderstanding here.”

“So kaya pala ayaw mo sa akin dahil boss mo ang gusto mo?” Mapangbintang ang boses nito

“What if oo? May magagawa ka ba?” Matapang na sagot ni Chloe. Sisingit sana si Spencer pero pinigilan siya ni Chloe “And excuse me hindi ko siya boss we are partners. My name is Chloe Reign Yap Veluz, now does that ring a bell?”

“But earlier…” Parang nalilitong tanong ni Mr. Rodriguez

“Yes, I’m now Davino because I’m married to this guy”  Pointing to Spencer “So this ring is not fake, it is not on the wrong finger because it does serve a purpose”

“So what’s the catch here? Time na ba para tumawa ako?” Hindi pa rin sumusuko na sagot ni Ryan “Everyone can pull that show”

“Mr. Rodriguez, if you don’t mind please leave before I call security. We will be sending you the proposal tomorrow that is if you are still interested.” This time hindi na nagpaawat si Spencer.

“I’ll wait for that. And I can leave on my own” Sa wakas ay sumuko din ito

“You are still interested with doing business with him??” Halos di makapaniwalang tanong ni Chloe kay Spencer at agad din naman kumawala sa kanya when Ryan was out of sight

“Well business is still business, but I didn’t promise him that I will give him a proposal that he can accept” Spencer said giving her a wink

At nangiti naman si Chloe dun “And I thought your taking his side”

“Of course I won’t. Pero seriously are you alright?” Concerned ulit na tanong ni Spencer

“Oo nga ang kulit naman nito. normal lang naman yan sa kahit saan trabaho” Chloe shrugging him off

“Ang alin? Ang maharass? Hell no, not especially you” Spencer showing his protective side

“Ang mga mayayabang at feeling sila ang hari ng mundo” Chloe correcting him

“Pero Chloe you know what, I’m proud of you” Segway naman ni Spencer

“Kasi?” gulat na tanong ni Chloe

“Remember last time when something like this happened? This time you know what is the right thing to do” Proud na sagot ni Spencer

“Syempre I learned from the best” Sagot naman ni Chloe and smiled on him

“At siyempre ako yung the best diba?” Tuloy na tanong ni Spencer

“Gusto mo sumunod dun kay Ryan?!” Banta naman ni Chloe sa kanya

 “Sa akin ka naman talaga natuto diba??” Pagmamalaki ni Spencer

“At uso ang salitang humble” Chloe stating a fact

“Fine, pero Chloe seryoso ka sa sinabi mo kanina?” May malaking ngiti sa mukha ni Spencer while asking this

“Alin dun?” Sinusubukan ni Chloe balikan ang mga nasabi

“Na ako ang gusto mo?” He tried asking in a sweet way

“May ganun ba ako sinabi?” Nagtatakang tanong ni Chloe

“ You even answered “What if oo? May magagawa ka ba?” Spencer imitating her

“At ang assuming mo naman, it was just to provoke him” Depensa naman ni Chloe

“It was not assumed it was implied” Hirit naman ni Spencer

“Bahala ka na nga dyan, may meeting pa ako byee” Paalam ni Chloe sa kanya at umalis

Napakamot naman ng ulo si Spencer “Lagi nalang ako natatakasan nun ah”.

Friday morning pagkagising ni Chloe, Spencer was nowhere to be found. Nagiwan lang ito ng note sa dining table na may kailangan siya asikasuhin kaya nauna na siyang umalis. So Chloe just prepared her own breakfast then headed to the office. 

“Chloeeeee!!” Bati ni Janelle sa kanya pagsagot niya sa cellphone niya

“Oh napatawag ka! Anong meron?” Tanong ni Chloe

“Tara lakwatsa tayo mamaya gabi!” Yaya ni Janelle

“Hindi ako pwede tonight eh…may lakad kami ni Spencer…”  Nahihiya niyang pagtanggi

“Magdadate kayo? Ayiieeee kayo ah di mo sinasabi ganyan level na pala kayo!” Pangaasar ni Janelle

“Anong date pinagsasabi mo! Magdidinner lang kami ng mokong na yun. Gusto mo sumama?” Alok ni Chloe

“Ayaw ko noh, patayin pa ako ni Spencer. Next time nalang tayo lumabas” Bawi  ni Janelle sa pagaaya

“Sira bakit ka naman papatayin nun.” Sagot ni Chloe sa kanya

“Saan ba lakad niyo?” Tanong ni Janelle

“Hindi ko nga alam eh di naman siya nagsabi, di rin naman siya nagparamdam pa tong araw na to. Malay mo hindi din tuloy” Explain naman ni Chloe

“Naks may pamysterious effect pa tong Spencer na to. Balitaan mo ako sa mangyayari ah!” Excited na sabi ni Janelle

“Anong mangyayari pinagsasabi mo dyan” Saway agad ni Chloe

“Hahaha, basta..byeeee” Paalam naman ni Janelle at baba agad ng telepono.

Bigla tuloy napaisip si Chloe sa sinabi ni Janelle. Bakit nga ba may pamsyterious effect pa tong si Spencer ngayon. At asan na ba yun? As if on cue biglang nagring ang cellphone niya.

“Chloe! Are we good tonight?” Tanong ni Spencer as a confirmation

“Ikaw dapat tinatanong ko nyan asan ka ba? Tuloy ba tayo?” Tanong ni Chloe

“Oo tuloy tayo, I’m on my way back to the office. So let’s meet at around 5:30?” Tanong ulit ni Spencer

“Alam mo you sound like a teenager asking me out on a date” Chloe spoke not thinking first

“What if I am?” Biglang seryoso naman si Spencer

“Sira! Joke lang yun noh” Bawi naman ni Chloe after realizing what she said

They met up on time and went on to their dinner place. Halos di naman makapaniwala si Chloe sa kung saan siya dinala ni Spencer.

“You drive all the way here to Tagaytay for this dinner?” Gulat na tanong ni Chloe

“Well, the steaks here are the best.” Simpleng sagot ni Spencer

“Now that’s even weird, we drove this far just for a steak?” Tanong ulit ni Chloe

“Andito na naman tayo why not just enjoy the place?” Spencer trying to calm her down

Nag-iba naman ang mood ni Chloe pagkapasok niya sa loob ng restaurant. From the outside it looks like a typical ranch type steak house pero pag pasok sa loob ay iba ang ambience na dala nito.  They were guided to a balcony type room. There was a table for two placed in the middle of the place. Place were decorated with lights and different sort of flowers.

“Are you sure we are on the right room?” Pabulong na tanong ni Chloe sa kanya and he just nodded on her. When they were settled on their seats with the help of their waiter Chloe cannot help but stare and admire the view.

“Spencer sigurado ka we are not invading anyone’s date tonight? Like this room hindi ba dapat may ibang gagamit nito?” Paninigurado ni Chloe

“Oo naman, I made reservations for tonight we are not crashing anyone’s date tonight” Spencer answered honestly

“So ikaw din may pakana ng lahat na to?” Tanong ni Chloe

“Well if I say yes maniniwala ka ba?” Balik ni Spencer sa tanong

“Hindi” Sagot ni Chloe

“Nagtanong ka pa”  Natawang sagot ni Specner

“Sabi ko na eh, imposible naman kasi yun” Confident na sabi ni Chloe

Hindi na sila nakapagusap pa dahil dumating na ang pagkain nila, or pwedeng sabihin mga pagkain nila. Bukod kasi sa specialty steak nila ang sinerve may mga ilan pa kasi dagdag. Karamihan mga paborito nilang pagkain.

“Spencer ang dami naman nito, at tsaka I didn’t know they serve these things here” Turo ni Chloe sa ibang pagkain na nasa lamesa nila

“Kainin mo nalang wag ka na magtanong” Utos naman ni Spencer at yun naman ginawa ni Chloe. Dahil nga sa dami ng pagkain ay hindi nila naubos ito pero halos lahat naman ay natikman nila.

“Excuse lang saglit ah, restroom lang ako” Paalam ni Spencer. Nung umalis si Spencer ay lumapit naman ang waiter para iligpit ang pinagkainan nila

“Kuya, di ko alam nagseserve pala kayo dito ng ganyan kala ko puro steaks lang kayo dito” Nakipagkwentuhan naman si Chloe sa waitress

“Ah ito po ba? Actually hindi po, si Sir lang po ang nagluto nyan kanina. Ang swerte swerte niyo po sa kanya. Hindi lang gwapo, mabait at talented pa!” Tuwang tuwa naman kwento ng waitress

“Wait siya nagluto nito?!” Gulat na tanong ni Chloe

“opo, ang sweet po noh? Kung ako ang gawan ng ganto sasagutin ko agad yun on the spot!” Kinikilig na kwento ng waitress bago umalis

After few more minutes bumalik na si Spencer “So are we ready to go? Binayaran ko na rin bill natin kanina on the way pabalik ko dito”

Di naman umiimik si Chloe still processing what the waitress told her earlier. “Chloe?” Kuha ni Spencer sa atensyon niya

“Galing ka na dito kanina?” Di niya mapigilan itanong

“Sino nagsabi sayo?” Gulat na sagot ni Spencer

“Di na importante kung paano, pero bakit?” Sagot ni Chloe

“Bakit ano?” Spencer still acting clueless

“Bakit kailangan mo pumunta dito?” Pagulit ni Chloe sa tanong

“Hindi ko alam kung sino ang nagsabi sayo, or kung gaano karami ang alam mo. But  before you freak out let me explain” Pinangunahan na ni Spencer si Chloe because he doesn’t want everything to be ruined

“But before that can I ask you a question?” Tanong ni Spencer kay Chloe and she nodded

“Is this sweet enough? Or romantic enough for your standards? I mean if someone do this for you magugustuhan mo ba? Magiging masaya ka ba?” Simulang pagtatanong ni Spencer

“Well you did this for me now, so are you asking me if nagustuhan ko siya?” Takang tanong ni Chloe

“If you want to assume it that way, pwede naman” Sagot ni Spencer na nakangiti

“So this time iassume ko lang na para sa akin to?” Litong tanong ni Chloe

“It doesn’t need to be assumed, para sayo talaga to. I just want to hear your thoughts. Or if you don’t want just a yes or a no, ok ba ang ganito?”Tuloy na pagtatanong ni Spencer

“Io naman, pero bakit?” Chloe trying to put the puzzle pieces together

“Well I’m just practicing” Explain ni Spencer

“Practice for what?” Clueless pa din na pagtatanong ni Chloe

“Which brings me to my second and last point” He paused before continuing. Para bang may silent debate na nangyayari sa kanya.

“Which is?” Chloe asked curiously

He stayed quiet for few more seconds before finding the courage to speak. “Chloe, pwede ba kitang ligawan?” He asked looking directly to her eyes.