The Business Rivalry

Chapter 10

2 WEEKS LATER

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12 days from now, we will release new sneakers. We prepared those for a month and we already have pre-orders pending for online buyers. So we're also quite busy.

Our collaboration sketch was finalized as well. We just made it in one day and passed it immediately to her manufacturers. It will be delivered to us by next week or 5 days before the event.

We used Rayni's draft and it's.... phenomenal. Grabe, I was speechless when I saw her drafts, no bootless, everything was well crafted.

As for my Rayni, we chat through FaceTime whenever our schedule is not that tight.

I have a date for this coming event! It's my first time actually. After... 4 years? Laging si Hannah kasi ang kasama ko.

Syempre nag yes ako kay Rayni the day she asked me to be her date, aarte pa ba ako? Rayni Fuentes na 'yan oh.

After the meeting pupunta sana akong break room kaso madami pala akong pipirmahang papeles ngayon, bumalik na lang ulit ako sa office at naupo muna sa couch.

Miss ko na si Rayni babe.

Should I text her? Later, work muna.

I remove my blazer and hang it on the rack, I get my laptop and the papers and start reading them.

Two months to go. It's the company's anniversary. I need to find a place for that. Then, two months Christmas party. My goodness, why did I launch my company in October?

Someone on Viber is calling.

Rayni? Video call? Fuckshit! I'm palpitating again!

"Hey, are you tired of using FaceTime?" She's scanning my place? "Rayni?" Nakatitig lang kasi siya.

"Oh, hey. Sorry. I'm just checking this android phone. Can you hear me?"

"Loud and clear. Wait, android?" I approached my desk drawer and took the phone stand at bumalik ulit sa couch.

"Yeah, Bless gave it to me. Mas madali daw gamitin 'to. Is that your office?"

"So... you now know how to use it? Where's the home button?" I teasingly asked.

"Are you teasing me again? Hmm, you didn't answer my question." Napatingin ako sakanya and she's crossing her arms.

"What question? Are you okay?" She looks tired. Wawa naman ang Rayni babe ko.

"I'm good. You're hot in your dress. It's the first time I've seen you without blazers." Shet, she's really gorgeous when she's smiling. Good thing I'm sitting down, baka nagse-shake na 'yung mga tuhod ko if ever I'm standing. Then, I gave her a smile as well.

I'm curious about her attire. I want to see it.

"Uh... what's your... look today?" I don't know where I got my confidence.

"Do you want to see what I'm wearing?" Don't smirk at me babe, baka mahalikan kita d'yan.

"Will you show me if I want to see it?" Shocks, I'm getting braver and braver every day.

"Let me think about that." She giggled. "Anyway, is that your office?"

"Unfair." But I can see that she's wearing a pink double-breasted blazer and a white v-neck tee? I guess? Ang lapit kasi sa mukha niya, I can see a bit of her collarbone. "Yes, it's my office."

"You're cute." Napaka straightforward talaga, halatang pro na. "Okay, I'll show it to—" She stopped when someone knocked on my door.

"Sorry, excuse me for a minute." I slightly smiled at her and she nodded her head. "Come in."

"Okay, I'll wait for you. Don't end the call." She said while squinting her eyes.

"I'm not the one who always ends the—"

"Excuse me, Ms. Kingsley." I glanced at him when he called me.

Istorbo naman, nag-uusap kami ng future ko eh. "Yes, Rich. What do you want?"

"Here's the report you requested in the meeting this morning." Kinuha ko naman 'yung inaabot niyang folder at chineck.

Budget? "How about the sales report?"

"Ms. Silva is still checking them. She told me to give this folder to you first."

"Double time. Tell her to give me the report in an hour."

"Yes, ma'am." He was about to leave when I remembered something.

"Rich, can you tell Ms. Abreo to find a place for... you know." Ayokong marinig ni Rayni about our anniversary team building. Why? I don't know.

"On it, ma'am." I nodded and gave her a weak smile at umalis na siya.

Pagtingin ko kay Rayni ang sama ng titig niya.

"Uhh... what's wrong?" I sweetly said. Feeling ko kasi sinasakal na niya ako sa isip niya.

"Who's that? Why did you smile at him?" She flatly said.

"His name is Rich from the sales team and Ms. Silva is from the finance department and she's part of the sales team as well. Same floor lang sila kaya madalas they pass the report together." I look at her for a few seconds. Those charming eyes have no emotions.

"But why did you smile at him? Is it required?" I smell jealousy, but I don't want to assume anything. Baka masaktan lang ako.

"Did I?" I acted like I was thinking.

"Don't play dumb, Blaine." Galit na? Hala siya. I put the folder down and stared at her.

I feel bad for saying this but I like seeing her like this, ganito ba siya magselos? She's hot and cute.

"I'm not a terror boss, all of my co-workers are my friends. Yes, I did smile, but it was more of... courtesy smile? He's older than me, that's why." She didn't say anything and she was just staring at me keenly.

"Okay." She feebly smiles. "The report you're holding is that a competitor analysis report?"

With my curved brow. "And how did you say so, hm? Ms. Fuentes?"

She chuckles, pinching her chin. "Because, same as you Ms. Kingsley. I'm releasing my new bag 12 days from now."

"Well, I'm sorry to disappoint you but it's a budget report." I opened the folder, stretched my arm as far as possible, then showed the report to her.

"Wow, impressive. Looks like your company has a lot of budget." She leans her back on her chair, giving me a mischievous smirk.

"What? You can see it?" Binoculars 'ata ang mga mata niya eh. I placed it on the table again.

"So, I guess you already read some competitors' analysis reports?" Why is she interested in that?

"Why? Did you make yours? Did you find my weakness?" I honestly don't like this kind of topic. Especially in view of the fact that we're indirect rivals.

"I can sense that you're not interested in that report? Okay, let's drop it." She plastered an apologetic smile.

"Do you know why I agreed to have you as my date for the event?"

"Because.... I asked you?" Ay, loko talaga.

"And I don't know why I agreed." Umiling-iling ako at kinuha ulit ang folder.

"So you're like... you regret it? Baka may iba ka namang i-iinvite? HeLlO? Rayni Fuentes na 'to oh, nagsisi ka pa." Ibang klase naman pala 'to, hindi ako na informed na to the highest level pala ang confidence niya.

"I'm sorry, pwedeng babaan mo ng konti? Masyadong mataas eh." Kinindatan lang ako, pa fall naman 'tong si ate. "At hello to you, too. Blaine Kingsley na 'to, aayaw ka pa ba?"

"Ohhh~ I love the confidence, babe." She leans closer to her phone.

Babe? Babe daw! Sheeeeet! Wait, check ko lang underwear ko.

Naka kapit pa naman siya. Ito kasi si ate ang lakas ng dating sa'kin. Sinabayan pa ng kindat at trance-inducing smile. She's so pretty and handsome at the same time.

Hay nako, Rayni. You're seducing me periphrastically and I'm falling, falling...

No, I can't. It's just admiration. Nothing more, nothing less.

But why can't I? Yeah, why can't I? Why? Argh! I don't f*****g know! Baka kasi... her nature of being a playgirl? Hmm, parang hindi. Parang.... may... as if someone is telling me not to... like her?

"Blaine? Blaine? Are you okay?" But her eyes are not lying. She's not looking at me with lust or anything.

Here I am again, lost in her shining, shimmering, splendid eyes.

What if she likes me too? Looking back these past few days, she's the one who always initiates a conversation. She's also sweet and caring. In short pa-fall.

I let out a sigh. Overthink pa, Blaine.

"You're in your company, right? Stay there. I'm coming." Coming? Coming daw? What's coming? Wait, why am I thinking of that? Condemn my brain, not me. Such a perv. Ano ka ba, Blaine?!

Fuck! She's not allowed to come here!

I massaged my eyes. "Uh, Rayni. I'm good.... Just thinking of someo—"

"Someone?" She looked pissed. Mainit 'ata ulo niya ngayon?

"It's something. I don't have someone." She glances at her wristwatch with furrowed eyebrows.

"Meeting? Go ahead. Mamaya na lang ulit." Nginitian ko siya at nag wave na ako.

"I think the guy is late. It should be delivered by now." She whispered but I heard it haha! May lahi din akong Marites eh.

"Are you expecting a guest? Should we talk later?" I scanned her gesture. She was startled. Her eyes widened but she immediately composed herself.

Wala pa ngang kami, malihim na siya agad. Hmpf!

"Do you have a pollen allergy?" I smell you, Rayni. ?

"Did you send flowers to me, Ms. Fuentes?" I was right, mas lalo siyang nagulat. She opened her mouth but nothing came out.

And she swallowed. Hard. "H-how did you know....?" Did I hear her falter? The great Rayni Fuentes stumbled over her words?!

"You said 'guy', 'delivered', and 'pollen allergy'. So I put them together." I really don't want to assume anything kaso ang lakas dumamoves nito ni Rayni babes eh.

"Ugh. Why are you so clever? Unfair, I want to surprise you but I spilled it." Sabi niya habang nanga... nangangalumba? Nalumbaba? Is that ma? Mangalumbaba? What was that word again? Mangalumba? Whatever, she said those while leaning her chin on her hand.

Wow, she's... drop-dead gorgeous. Everything on her face is well-drafted.

Those excellently shaped eyebrows, her dark brown optic, orb, globe, eyes, whatever you call it, her perfectly shaped nose, those seductive, plump, and flabby lips, gorgeously aligned white teeth, her soft and smooth skin, a wonderful mole in her lower left side of her eye, those sexy and talented hands, she's also brainy, athlete, even the shape of her head ang ganda, isama na din natin 'yung hair at ears niya. Gosh... she's so faultless. Not to mention her height.

Grabe ka Lord, may favoritism?

"Blaine?! Are you okay? That's it, I'll go there." Bwakanangshit! Blaine naman, ano ka ba! This is humiliating!

Oh, please, Lord take me now.

"Baby Blaaaaine!" My door burst open, causing my heart to jump out of my body.

Wait lang naman po, Lord. Hindi pa pala ako ready, hindi pa po ako nagkakajowa. Kidding lang po. ?✌

"Bullshit, Hannah!" I'm holding my chest and leaning my forehead on my other hand.

"Oh, yeah. I forgot." Tumakbo siya at lumuhod sa harap ko. "Sorry, tubig oh." Binuksan niya 'yung bottled water and gave it to me.

"Blaine, I'm on my way." Hannah and I turned our heads on my phone.

"No, I'm fine. You don't have to. On top of that, there are still several paparazzi outside my building." 2 weeks have passed and the issue is still fresh, our names are also trending sometimes. Even though the public didn't see us after the day I went to her office.

I can see in my peripheral vision that Hannah is mischievously looking at me.

"Ms. Kingsley is right, Ms. Fuentes. You don't have to, besides, I'm right here at her side. Plus..." Kinuha niya 'yung bouquet that's lying on the floor. "... flowers for Ms. Kingsley." She wiggles her brows and smirked.

Ano na namang trip nito?

Flowers from my Rayni? "Oh, it's finally here." Kinuha ko naman at inamoy. Hmm, smells like orange.

Umupo na si Hannah sa tabi ko.

"Uhh, who gave that to you?" Isn't this bouquet from her? But her confused eyes are waiting for my answer.

"It's not from you?" I slightly lifted the bouquet.

"No, that's not what I picked at the shop." Picked? She personally picked them? Wow, I feel so special. ?

Pero sandali. Kanino galing 'to?

I asked Hannah using my eyes, na gets niya naman. We really know each other very well.

"I don't know. I didn't check the card. You told me before that I shouldn't look at them so...." I checked the card and I immediately gave the flowers to Hannah when I read the first word on it.

I know whose handwriting that is.

I saw how Rayni plastered a smile on my gesture.

"What? Why? Are you allergic to it?" She asked smiling.

She's cute. Ugh!

"Yes, if those are not for my... special someone. I don't like tulips either."

"Arte, pero kinuha niya kanina at inamoy pa." Hannah whispered. I elbowed her para umalis na siya, may iaasar na naman siya saakin mamaya, pero ang loka tiningnan lang ako ng 'I can't believe you' look, so I stepped on her foot.

"Aray naman, Blaine! Bakit ka nang-aapak?! Pinapaalis mo na ako?" Whining while holding her injured smelly foot.

"I didn't do anything! Don't accuse me of something I—"

"Eh bakit mo ako nilalakihan ng mata?" Trip niya yata akong ilaglag ngayon.

"Gidecek misin yoksa seni kovacağım?" (Will you go or will I fire you?)

"Aalis naman ako, I just checked to see if you were okay." Tumayo na siya at dumaan sa harap ko. "Panagutan niyo sana kung magpapakilig kayo." Pagpaparinig niya.

I don't think Rayni is listening. She's still smiling as if she's watching something funny.

"Before I forgot." She stands behind me and stares at Rayni. "Ms. Fuentes, hinay hinay lang po sa pagtitig na makalaglag panty baka mawalan ng hininga 'tong boss namin, mahirap na. Hindi naman po siya aalis. Kalma lang, ha?"

She's ignoring my glare! Lokang 'to.

She was about to leave and immediately went back to her position.

"'Pag pinaiyak mo 'to, lagot ka sa'kin. Aabangan kita sa kanto." She squinted her eyes and pointed at her hidden biceps.

"Don't worry, Hannah. Iingatan ko siya." Wait lang po, I'm not prepared!

I looked at Hannah to hide my smile at Rayni. "Hannah, lalabas ka ba o lalabas ka?"

"Ito na nga po naglalakad na oh." Pagbukas niya ng pinto pareho silang nagulat ni Acacia. "Susginuu naman 'day! Katok 'man kasi."

"Kakatok na sana ako kaso biglang bumukas eh." Tumingin naman siya saakin at tinuro 'yung flowers na dala niya.

"Ma'am, for you. Ms. Andal received this and asked me to give it to you." Naglakad siya papunta sa'kin, sumabay din si Hannah, makikichismis 'to, malamang sa malamang.

I hope this is the bouquet Rayni sent for me.

"Thank you." I weakly said and smiled.

"You're welcome, ma'am."

"Psst, Acacia. Kanino daw galing?" Bulong niya habang naglalakad sila palabas. Marites talaga.

"Hindi ko alam eh. Ms. Andal didn't say anything." Sagot naman niya.

I instantly showed it to Rayni to confirm if it came from her.

"Yes! That's it. Bakit kaya ngayon lang 'yan? I told them to deliver it at exactly 12:10." She slightly frowned. Cute.

"Baka na traffic. What's with the flowers? It's not my birthday. Not Christmas." Tapos chineck ko 'yung bulaklak kung may card.

"It's congratulatory flowers for your newly released footwear." She paused for a few seconds. "Are you looking for the card?" I turned my gaze at her, and there she was. Spreading her lips in a sexy way.

"Uh... just making sure that... it's yours?" I can't help but smile at this gorgeous woman, I hope she won't notice my flushed cheeks.

"I'm sorry... but I didn't put any cards on that bouquet." She said, crossing her arms. "Just in case someone saw them, so I decided not to place a card. "

"Okay. I'll show you how to make a surprise without spilling it." I placed the flowers on my lap.

"So you were saying that... you're going to surprise me?" She points at herself, squinting her eyes.

"That's a secret, Ms. Fuentes. But okay, I'll tell you. Malakas ka sa'kin, eh." I bit my lower bit to prevent myself from smiling. 'Yung titig niya kasi parang she wants to kiss me.

"I'm looking forward to it, Ms. Kingsley."