Nineteen

Chapter 2

▪XIX▪

James Christoph's P.O.V

Two weeks since I've met her. Officemate siya ni Jake. Naikwento din nito sakin that Trixie was promoted as Ass. Manager after ng five months contractual nito sa company. She's too young to be in that position. Marahil matalino at credible sa job. She is really different from any other woman I've met. Most of them were too curious about their looks.

By the way, I'm James Christoph Laochengco. My mom is a pure Filipina and my dad is a Chinesse. I'm 19 years old turning 20. I am an Engineer in Buildex Laochengco Co. Actually, my grandfather owns a business establishment company. I have two younger brothers. Si Dad ay businessman sinundan ang yapak ni lolo while my Mom is an Interior Designer.

After ng nangyari two weeks ago gustong-gusto ko talagang mag apologise kay Trixie. Hinihingi ko kay Jake contact number nito. I thought she was a typical girl who's party goer. I was wrong because the first time I've met her was the first time she went there. I was shocked when someone talked to her angrily. I thought it was her boyfriend then I remember 'NBSB.' At sinabi pa sa mukha ko na kapatid siya nito.

Nahirapan akong kunin iyon kay Jake. Wala talagang signs na ibibigay iyon sakin ni Jake. Nang magkita kami nila Jake last week, I was really hoping na kasama siya kaso wala talaga. So, I've decided to go in the company where they're working. Bago ako pumunta sa trabaho nito ay dumaan muna ako sa flower shop at agad na bumili ng bouquet of white roses. Pagkarating ko sa company ay diretso akong nagtungo sa information desk at doon nagtanong sa receptionist. Di ko naman kasi alam ang buo nitong pangalan kaya sinabi ko nalang ay Trixie.

"Sir, is it Ms. Trixie Nathalia Romualdez?" tanong ng receptionist.

"I am not sure, though," I was confused.

"She's the only Trixie here Sir, that's why I'm sure she's your looking for," paninigurado nito.

"Well, then thank you."

"I'll ask her first if she's able to have a visitor now," abiso niya. I waited there until she said that Trixie was done with her meetings.

"A suitor?" tanong nito.

"Nope," sagot ko.

"Good luck if you can court her," sabay tawa nito. I was about to tell her something but on the other hand I keep myself quiet because she maybe change her mind na papasukin ako. Besides, it wasn't a big deal. I'm here to say sorry and that's my only purpose. I don't know why am I doing this. No one pushed me to say sorry.

Pinahatid ako ng receptionist sa bestfriend ni Trixie na si Claire at agad din naman akong iginaya nito papunta sa office ni Trixie. I knocked on the office door, actually it's a glass door.

"Come in," ani ni Trixie.

She was working on her reports. She didn't notice that I'm not one of employees there.

"Just leave it there and I'll sign it later. Thanks for bringing the papers here," she told firmly. She was still busy with whatever it is. Maybe she noticed that I was still there.

"Ahhhh... What do you need?" she stuttered.

"Sorry if I disturbed you," I said.

"Business matter?" tanong nito.

"Nope. I'm actually here to apologise. I'm sorry 'bout what I've said there. And,this is for you," sabay lahad ko ng bouquet. I smiled.

"Sorry? Why would you say sorry if you really mean it?" okay I get it I was wrong. "Thanks for this but you know what  it was all done," she added.

"Sorry because I had no idea that it was your first time there and for making your brother felt so angry," I told sincerely.

"Whatever. Don't worry I'm not blaming you. That was just doomed!" sabay ngiti nito.

"Sincerest apology," dagdag ko.

"Can I have a minute with you after work? Coffee?" I asked.

"Don't insists because he's here later."

"He's here? Your boyfriend?" tanong ko.

"Are you kidding me? After all you've said and now you're asking me again boyfriend?" sarkastiko nitong tanong.

"He is too strict," tukoy ko sa kuya niya.

"I guess you're right on that part," halos sabay kaming napatawa.

"I just noticed that," paliwanag ko.

"I could say he was shocked the moment he had seen me there. It was really the first time I went there. They were not telling me where exactly we would go. Oh well, I couldn't blame them cause I was the one who were stupid not knowing kung saan ba yung byahe," kwento nito.

"The right term is over protective," I uttered. She did looked at me habang nagsasalita ako.

"Maybe. I'm one month grounded because of you," pabiro nitong paninisi sa akin.

"Why was it my fault?"

"If you didn't scolded and argued with me he wouldn't seen me there nor even noticed me," tuloy niya.

"He has eyes."

"At some point. Stupid!" she cursed. She laughed and then her brother called.

"Hello Troy. Aga mo naman tumawag?" Sa tingin ko araw-araw na itong sinusundo simula nung mahuli ito doon sa bar. Trixie told me that her brother is waitin' at the parking area.

"Then let's go to the parking area," sabi ko.

"Won't you go home now?" nagtataka nitong tanong.

"I would pero sabay na tayo bumaba," paliwanag ko.

"Okay," maikli noting sagot. As we went to the parking area her brother was already there.

"Who is that?" tanong ng kapatid nito.

"Jake's friend. He is Christoph," pakilala sa akin ni Trixie. Binati ko ito saka naman pinakilala pabalik, "Christoph this is Troy."

"Nice meeting you. You were the guy the last time, huh?" sigurado namang nakilala ang mukha ko nito ngunit nagawa pa din akong tanungin para sa konpirmasyon.

"Nice meeting you, too, bro. Yeah, you're right. Sorry about that night," paghingi ko ng pasensya.

"Okay na," ani nito tinaas pa ang kamay.

"Bye, we have to go," paalam nito sa akin.

"Bye. Take care." As she hopped in the car, Troy left his words.

"If you want to visit her just go to our house. Don't bring her anywhere else."

"Yeah sure," saka ako tumango.