The Business Rivalry

Chapter 5

*Rayni

.

"Dating news?!" Just because she came here twice? That's the reason? What the f**k are these paparazzi doing?!

Oh, no. What if Blaine's company got affected by this 'news'?

"Bless, come here. Now."

Blessie's arrival at my office was faster than lightning. Maybe she could tell from my voice.

"Should I remove this 'dating news' and make these paparazzi's lives a living hell?" I said as I gritted my teeth.

"Since when did you care about 'articles'?" She asked with confused brows.

"But she... got dating news with me. You know my image. What if she suffers beca—"

"Hold your thoughts. I'm surprised you didn't search for Blaine's rumors/scandals."

"Uhh. What kind of 'rumors'?"

"Can you please use the internet? Do you want me to teach you how to type? You know how to use that mouse, right?"

"Bless! I'm serious here." I glared at her.

"Rayni, her rumors/scandals are pretty much the same as you. Alcoholic, party animal, and you name it."

"What?!" I shouldn't be surprised about that. Remember, she looks like a spoiled, selfish, b***h brat.

Sorry about that word again.

"And she's been in this industry for 10 years. She'll be fine with those articles."

"But—"

"Do you want to talk to her?"

"Uhh. No, no. I mean yes? No?"

"Uh-huh. She's concerned. Call her when we get home. She's probably busy with her work, not like the CEO I knew." Tinaasan niya ako ng kilay nang tingnan ko siya, aba. Ang lakas ng loob ah.

"Hey! I'm also busy with my work." Yes, I'm busy. But that Blaine is running through my mind all the time.

"I know. Now, get ready for the meeting."

*Blaine

.

"Ms. Kingsley." Hannah whispered while peeking at the door.

"Hm?" I replied without looking at her.

"Do you want some hot news?" One of her nicknames is Marites.

"No. I'm not done here."

"I'm done. I'll go downstairs to log out."

"What? Wait for me." It's 19:28, it's already dark and I'm scared.

This is what I get for working past the clock. I don't want to be left alone, especially when it's dark, but I still continue working at this time. Galing ano?

"Can you hurry up? I want to tell you this hot hot juicy juicy news." Okay, I'm a little bit... intrigued.

"I'm not interested in that."

"How much paperworks are left?" She scanned the papers on my table.

"Hannah, how many times do I have to tell you, that it's paperwork not paperworks."

"So ilan pa nga?"

"Hmm. Four. Stay there." Tinuro ko 'yung mga upuan sa harap ko.

"Are they urgent?"

"Not really."

"Okay, I'll wait." She said laughing and sat on the chair near me.

"You're the best, Hans." I gave her a tired smile.

I want new tasks and activities tomorrow, so as much as possible I tried to conclude my papers today.

"I know~ Now, go on. Keep on working. Don't mind me." I smiled at her and started reading the papers again.

"Wow. Rayni's dating news. The girl is hot." I immediately glanced at her, then she suddenly gazed at me and I started signing the paper. "Not interested pala ha?"

"Let me guess. Another celebrity again."

"Nope. Not a celebrity. Wait... is she a celebrity? Hmm. Let's just say... they're competitors in Forbs Global. More on... public figure? Alam mo na, 'yung maraming controversies." She said with a meaningful stare.

"Competitors? A business owner?" I ruckled my brows.

"Hindi ka interesado, 'di ba?" Aish, this girl.

"I'm not..... I'm just... asking." I said while signing the paper again.

"Read it first before signing. Okay?" She gasped and covered her mouth. "They saw her entering the Reign building."

"Okay, that's it." I stood and walked toward her, "Is that me?" I grabbed her phone this time. "What. the. f**k?" It was really me?!

"Do you like it or do you want to remove it?"

"I don't think we can meet tomorrow."

"Why? That's a good scoop if they spot the two of you together."

"And who do you think will suffer the fallout? It's not just me but the whole company... our staff. Reign's company and their staff. I can't let that happen." As much as possible, I don't want to be convoluted in a dating scandal.

"We're already involved, Blaine. What do you want to do? Give me the words and I'll do it."

I stride towards the window, staring at the buildings, cars, walking people, sky.

"These f*****g nosy people." I can't really stop them since I'm a public figure but... argh! "Let that be. Two days and apparently the public will lose interest."

"If not?" I pondered for a couple of minutes before I responded to her.

"I'll ask Rayni. After all, she's three years my senior."

"Okay. I'll wait for you in my office."

I should be happy about this because, damn. I got dating news with my forever crush but... I can't be happy. Knowing that the company's sales will suffer a downfall, and it's not just me who's going to be affected by it.

*****

We're on our way home when my phone rings and the caller is none other than, Rayni.

"It's Rayni."

"Answer it! Baka mag bago isip, bilisan mo."

I cleared my throat at inayos and boses ko, "Ahh ahh. Hello. Hellooo. Hello."

"Someone is tense."She laughed out loud.

"Stop laughing. I'll answer it now. Keep quiet."

"Hello. Blaine's speaking." I punched Hannah's thigh, tumatawa ba naman.

"Hi. It's Rayni. Did you see the... articles?" My goodness, her voice is so charming, sexy, and hot!

"Yes. And about tomorrow..."

"Let's cancel it?"

"Yes... it's not a good idea."

"You don't want to involve the employees. I guess?"

"Yes. But the stocks will no doubt will fall. They're still convoluted."

Syempre, employees namin sila kaya kahit issues namin, damay sila.

"Did your profits only come from stocks? Because I have product sales." I can hear some teasing tone.

"I have product sales as well." I laughed, "I have a question."

"What is it?"

"If this gossip lasts for a week. What would you do?"

"Paano kung mag release kayo ng statement that you're doing a brand collaboration? Hannah said serioulsy.

"Not bad."

This kid is good naman medyo... she's just putting herself down. Wala siyang bilib sa sarili niya kaya dinadaan niya minsan sa pagkapilya.

"Bless is that you?" Hannah's face lit up.

"Yes. Rayni and I lived together."

"Blaine and I as well." Ang harot ng tawa natin dyan ah. "Let's plan a sleepover next time."

"Okay. Enough of that." I pushed Hannah's face away, "Actually, I've been thinking about a special collab, a limited edition. But, it's only for the event." This is what I came up with. Aside from gift certificates.

"Reign and Kicks & Heels?"- Blessie

"That's a great proposal, Blaine. I like it." I like you, too.

"You like it?"

"Yes. So. How many pieces? I'm thinking about five."

"I want one of each. So, let's auction the other eight?" I replied. I don't usually get a piece of an item from a collab with other brands. But considering its Rayni, syempre gusto ko meron akong remembrance to keep.

"Hold on. Are we doing five bags and five sandals? Shoes?"

"Yes. Five each. Your bags, and my sneakers."

"I want the sneakers one." Do you want my heart? Because I'm willing to give it to you.

"Okay. We have four bags and three sneakers to auction."

"How about me? I want the bag."

"Shut it, Hans. I'll buy you a new one." I whispered to her while covering the phone mic.

"I'll talk to them. Go get changed." She was already in her nighties. We're home already? I didn't even notice. It's Rayni's fault, she's fun to talk to.

I ran to my room and grabbed the first white nightie I found that I didn't even think about what design it was and put it on. Mamaya na lang ako maliligo. Baka kung anu-ano sabihin ni Hannah sa kanila eh.

I looked in the mirror, scanning my outfit before going back to the living room.

Hmm, it's kinda revealing.

It has a thick lace around my neck, my back is exposed, so does the other part of my b**ast, a deep cut from my chest area down to my belly, and the lower part is above the knee see-through.

Pwede na 'to. Makabalik lang agad at baka biglang mag goodbye na sila.

It's weird, I can't hear Hannah's voice. Are they done talking?

"What did I miss?" Hannah pointed the phone in front of me.

"Wow so... alluring. Ray, park to the side for a minute." Blessie's eyes widened and put the phone closer to her face.

What? They can see me?

Ay, puta talaga 'to si Hannah.

"What? Why?" Rayni asked na parang natataranta.

Pilit ko namang kinukuha 'yung phone ko pero nakahanap 'tong babaitang 'to na makalayo sa'kin.

"FaceTime? You requested it." I crossed my arms and stared at Hannah.

"But Ms. Fuentes suggested it." Ayan na naman 'yung mapang asar niyang kilay.

"Wow. Do you... always... wear something like that? What's your address?" Babe, calm down. It's just me.

Hold on. Did she just ask for our address?

"Did I hear that... I'm sorry but you canceled your date tomorrow because of the articles and now you want to meet her today?" Blessie said while laughing. "And at this time of the night."

"I... um... sorry." It's okay, babe. Gusto din naman kitang makita ngayon.

"So the canceled meeting tomorrow is a date?!"

"Hannah! Give me my phone!"

"We're going somewhere tomorrow. Do you want to join us?"

"Hans!"

"Our address is 101 building A on 25th. We'll be waiting. Bye! Ingat!" And she ended the call and tossed my phone on the couch.

"Hannah! Why did you give them our address?"

"Hindi naman sila makakapasok dito. Don't cha worry."

But deep in my soul, I'm waiting for her to arrive here and I swear I will make my move if that happens.

.

Routinely, we're here in the theater room while eating our dinner.

Mas gamit na gamit namin 'to compare to our dining table.

We were in the middle of watching a movie and eating when the doorbell rang.

"Blaine! I think it's them." Her neck became longer and her eyes were filled with anticipation.

Without batting an eyelash, "I don't think so. I bet it's the guard again dala 'yung order mo online for the.... 37th time." Sanay na ako d'yan. Ganitong oras naman lagi dumadaan 'yung guard kasi mostly ng orders niya hindi kasya sa mailbox and the riders leave the parcel at the receptionist.

"I'll check it out and I'll get more food. Go on and eat but pause the movie." Tumayo siya habang inisip sip 'yung mga daliri niya.

In fairness dito kay Julia Barretto. She's pretty. But Rayni is prettier.

Knock. Knock. Dalawang katok at bumukas na 'yung pinto and peeking out her head.

"Hi there."

Parang may kapareho siya ng ngiti. Is this real? She's here?

"May I...?" s**t! She's real!

I stood up and pulled her inside the room, sayang 'yung aircon eh.

"What are you... doing here?"

"I want to see you." My gosh, why are you so straightforward po?

The next thing I knew, she was now pinning me behind the door.

"W-what are you d-doing?" She's close! She's f*****g inches away from me!

I can feel the electric tension pulses through the air.

"I've never... seen you... this... close before." I don't know why I said that out loud! I can't think straight, I don't know what to say, what to do, or what to imagine.

Rayni's eyes flicker at my lips, and she breathes out slowly.

"Aren't you tired?"

"From what?"

"From running through my head all day." She leans closer to me. "And hmm, you smell nice."

Fuck! Nalaglag na yata pante ko.