The Business Rivalry

Chapter 4

*Blaine

Did she figure out that it's... her?

"She's my... friend." I tried to let out a giggle but a nervous laugh came out.

"The photo looks familiar." She said in a low voice but I didn't hear it properly.

"Did you say anything?"

She shakes her head, "Nothing, I just... remember something."

"Thank you for keeping my phone safe, Ms. Fuentes." I really need to get out of here. Baka ilaglag ako ng bibig ko, mahirap na.

Ang daldal pa naman nito.

"Did you move your meetings?"

"Yes?"

"Have a seat. I want to talk to you." She pointed at her couch.

What?? Why? Shet, I'm nervous, baka halikan na ako ni crush!

"Yeah, sure." I tried not to make my voice shaky.

I sat on the couch and she sat across from me while her legs were crossed.

"How long have you been friends with Remi?"

Huh? Why naman si Remi ang first topic? ?

"Uhh. When I was 12? I think."

"How?" Is she interested in Remi?

"Her parents volunteered at the orphanage where I was staying."

"Is she a good friend?"

"Are you interested in her?" I stare into her eyes as I was really annoyed right now.

"Not her. But you." Oy, dahan-dahan naman po. ?? Sige, hindi na pala ako naiinis.

"I think I need to go. Your secretary is in danger." And I am as well. Even if I want to stay, I can't. Hannah is a bit wild when she's in a place where there are a lot of girls.

I was about to stand but she blocked me with her hand.

"What? What did you do?"

"I brought my secretary with me."

Her brows furrowed, "I don't get it."

"She likes your secretary. I need to save Bless." I stood up and was about to leave.

"How did you know her name?"

"Remi called her Bless." Hold on, she's not worried? "Aren't you worried for her?"

"Let them enjoy themselves, Blaine." She's smiling while approaching me.

Ang ganda talaga.

"You don't know Hannah. She's a—"

"Maniac?" Wha— How did she?

"How did... yo—"

She points at the couch with her hand and I immediately take my seat then she sits on the couch in front of me.

"I met her this morning." My gosh, you don't have to smile, babe. "How about her? How did you become friends?"

Is she really interested in me? Seryoso nga? Hindi nga?

"She's my classmate in college, both of us are scholars so we stick together. She's like my mom, dad, and older sister. Sometimes she's my grandmother." I silently giggle.

Maybe that being the case why Hannah is like that to me because she's the eldest in their family. Mas strict pa 'ata siya sa parents ko kung sakaling buhay pa sila.

"You two are really close?"

"Yeah. We clicked. So, accordingly. How about you and Bless?"

"I met her here. She's an applicant, there's something about her that always surprises me. So, I asked her to be my friend..." She stopped and lowered her head. "She understands me when no one else does."

"There's this kind of relief that there is someone who always stands on our side when the world turns its back on us." Being a public figure is not easy. Therefore, I'm really thankful to my employees, especially Hannah.

"I like talking to you, Blaine. I want to know you more."

Oh my f*****g goodness! I'm not ready for this! I know where this is going. She's going to ask me out, dating stage in a month or two, then officially dating, proposal in a year, and of course, marri—

"Blaine?" Shocks, daydreaming pa.

"Yes?" I smiled to hide my imbecility.

"Can we meet tomorrow? We can talk about ourselves and the auction. Can I also get your number?" I reached for my bag, looked for my business card, and gave it to her. "I want your personal number, Blaine." She chuckled.

"How did you...?"

"I talked to Remi this morning."

Remi told her about that? Why? Shuta ka, Rems. Nilaglag mo na naman ako.

Our conversation was interrupted by a knock.

"Come in."

Blessie and Hannah stepped inside and stood near Rayni's table.

"I'm sorry, the date's over. We need to go, Ms. Kingsley." I stood up and stood next to Hannah, si Blessie nasa kabila niya.

"And Ms. Fuentes, you have a meeting in 7 minutes."

"You came... together." I gazed back at Hannah's teasing stare.

"Yes! We chatted and—"

"We can talk about that later." I whispered to Hannah. "Uh. Bless, right?"

"That's Blessie for you, my baby Blaine."

"Don't call me that!" I whispered again. "Okay. So, Blessie. You didn't give her your number, didn't you?"

She glances at Hannah then smiles at me, "Not yet, Ms. Kingsley."

"Not yet? I'm sorry, but this woman is dangerous." I said while pointing at Hannah.

"You two are cute." Rayni said.

She's watching us? I wonder if she heard everything I said.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Ms. Fuentes." I said and I slightly bow my head.

"Tomorrow? You're faster than me." Hannah teasingly remarks.

"Shut up and let's leave. Come on, let's go." I'm also nervous here with Hannah, mahilig din kasi siyang mag laglag.

"See you tomorrow? Bless?" She flirtatiously waves at her which Bless responded with a smile.

"I'm sorry. But, you're not coming with me." I said with my raised eyebrow.

"Double date?" Babe, please. Not now. ☺

"What??" I glanced at her, she raised her brows and smiled. Gosh, why are you so beautiful? She's really a work of art.

"So it's a date? You have some explaining to do, Blaine."

"We're going. Thank you." I slightly bowed my head at my babe and dragged Hannah out.

"It's a date!"

"Shut it, Hans."

"So how does it feel? Are you in the 'getting to know each other' stage? Hinalikan ka na ba niya? Binigay mo ba 'yung number mo? Address natin? Or the company address? Did she invite you to her house? Pumayag ka ba kaagad? Kabilin-bilinan ko sa'yo mag pakipot ka muna 'di ba? Sabi ko 'wag na 'wag mong isusuko ang Bataan! Eh bakit parang isusuko mo na lahat kung hindi pa kami dumating?"

"Bwakanangshit, open the car." She was shocked and hold her chest, "Why?"

"Nandito na pala tayo sa parking lot ni hindi mo man lang sinagot ni isa sa mga tanong ko."

Hindi ko rin napansin, basta lakad lang ako ng lakad. Nahihiya kasi ako na ewan.

"Not yet." I immediately open the car door and sat in the passenger seat. And Hannah did the same in the driver's.

"Not yet? Alin do'n? Ang dami ng tanong ko, not yet 'yun lahat? Nako sinasabi ko sa'yo, Blaine ha. Kapag ikaw nasaktan na naman sa mga pinaggagagawa mo, ewan ko na lang. Basta ako hindi ako nag kulang ng pangaral sa'yo. Tch, tatandang dalaga 'ata ako kakasaway sa'yo eh." She snapped her fingers multiple times before I gazed at her.

"What?"

"Are you even listening?"

"Of course."

"Sige nga, ano 'yung sinabi ko." She crosses her arms and stares into my eyes.

"Alin do'n? Ang dami mo kayang sinabi."

"Ewan ko sa'yo, Blaine. Inlababo ka na naman tapos... nako! Anyway, do you want to go home?" Inis niyang kinamot ang noo niya and started the car.

"Did she just ask me out?" I blurted out after.... a minute? Saglit naman akong tiningnan ni Hannah.

"What did you two talk about that she asked you out on a date?"

"Hmm."

"Do you want to talk about it or are you leaving me hanging again?"

I face her and tap her shoulder, "Hans, you're a fan of hers. Is she serious?"

"I need to know what the two of you talked about before I can give you a comment."

"But, I don't want to tell you." Umayos ako ng upo and held the seatbelt tightly on my chest.

"Look at this girl. Who are you? Where's my baby Blaine?!" I squealed while hitting her arm. "Hey. Easy, girl. We're going back there. I picked the wrong woman."

"Hans, come on!"

"I think you lose a few screws, at 'yung pante mo baka naiwan din." Natatawang sabi niya.

"Ano na naman 'yang pante na 'yan?"

"Pante. Panty. It's pan-te. Not pante."

"Ang arte mo." Umayos ulit ako ng upo at pinagcross ang mga braso ko.

"Wow ha. Ako pa talaga ha, Blaine ha."

"Oh! She said in the meeting she's donating as well. Does she have an alias?"

"Of course, did you see any news that she donated?"

"No. What's her alias?" Humarap ulit ako sakanya.

"I can't tell you that. It's confidential. Umayos ka nga ng upo. Ang gulu-gulo mo. Sikuhin kita diyan, eh." Sabay taas niya ng siko niya.

I put my hands together, "Ow, please. Pretty pretty please?" I gave her the best beautiful eyes I've ever done in my life.

"That one is ugly. ?"

Napabitaw tuloy ako sa mga kamay ko, "Bwakanangshit! I'm doing my best here."

"Okay, fine. How about. Ask her tomorrow. On your date?"

"What should I wear??"

"Normaaal clothes..? Or if you want, just wear nothing." She winked at me.

"Hans! Sabi mo 'wag isusuko ang Bataan."

"Oo nga. Know what? I don't think you can attend any meetings in that situation. Let's talk about this after work. Copy? Baby Blaine?"

"Stop calling me that! It's disgusting!" Sigaw ko sakanya sabay sandal sa upuan ko.

"Now that you finally have a date with your forever crush, ayaw mo ng tinatawag kitang baby Blaine?!" Sumigaw din siya.

"I'm always like this to begi—"

"Lokohin mo lelang mong panot, Blaine Kingsley."

"Ano na naman 'yan?"

"Nasa Pilipinas tayo, kaya dapat mahalin ang sariling atin. Use our language." She hold her fist above her head.

"Mahalin ang sariling atin pero use our language. Are you on drugs?"

"Yes..." She placed her palm on her chest, "Love drug."

Tch, korni talaga kapag naiin-love.

"Hannah, it's just an effect of lack of s*x. You're not as active as you used to be."

"At least madidiligan na ako, eh ikaw? Kailan pa nga 'yung huling chukchakan mo?" I quickly averted my gaze and stared at the window.

"Okay, fine. You win."

*****

*Rayni

I sat across from her, scanning her. I just realized that she's gorgeous.

She can't look in my direction, she's so cute.

Yes, I'm interested in you. But looks like hindi siya masyadong convinced.

She bantered with her secretary like they were siblings. They're definitely close. What a touching scene. She has this side of being protective.

Blaine has something in her aura that makes me captivated. And I want to find out what that is.

"Double date?" Yes, Blaine. Take this as a sign that I want to know more about you.

It took her three seconds to react. She was surprised. Of course, and she's cute.

Once again, I'm saddened that our chat ended. She's fun to talk to. Her voice, face, demeanor, laugh, smile, everything about her is dreamy.

"And you. Young woman, you need to explain as well." Bless said with a raised eyebrow. Oh, she's still here? I wasn't aware of her presence.

Umupo ako sa chair ko at humarap naman si Blessie sa'kin.

"Do you like Blaine?" I can sense that she likes her.

"Like as in..."

"As a woman. As a romantic partner."

"I'm a fan of hers."

"Her secretary is my fan and my secretary is her fan. That's cute." I chuckled for a few seconds. "But, Bless, I saw how you looked at her after the meeting with Remi when her secretary called her by her name."

She sighs, "Rayni, I was just surprised. Which secretary will call you by your first name... in a public place?"

"You have a point." Well, her reaction now is genuine. I can assure myself that she's just a fan.

"Tomorrow... is a date, huh?"

"Oh. We're late for the meeting." Going out of my office and she's right behind me.

"Avoiding the question makes you look more suspicious."

"Okay! I'm telling you... when we're at home." Pumalakpak naman siya na parang seal.

Bless and I are open to each other, we honestly treat one another as sisters.

"If you want to know more about her, just ask me. I'm her number one fan." She said with pride in her smile and held her head high.

At 4:45 PM, I suddenly thought of Blaine. So I called Blessie via the intercom, and she arrived in a few minutes at my office. Nakatayo ulit siya sa harap ko.

"Did you call me?"

"Do you know all about Blaine?"

"Not all. But, if you put it at a percentage..... 87%?"

"Hmm.. what's her... alias?"

"Error... file not found." She answered in a robot-toned voice that made me chuckle.

"Bless! I want an honest answer." Hindi ko alam kung matatawa ako o maiinis, eh.

"Rayni, anything but that. You know it's an off-the-record thing."

"Do you know her schedule?"

She narrows her eyes at me, "Last time I checked, I'm your secretary, not hers. I'm a fan, not a stalker." She places her hand on her waist. "I thought. You're functioning... normally."

"Ugh. There's something about her that makes me want to know more." I shyly said.

This is so not me.

"I saw a new article and both of you are trending for... hours now. Search for that and you'll know more." All she said and left.

Hmmm, let's see. Where is it? I typed her name first, then entered...

What the f**k?!

"Dating news?!"