Make Her Mine in 50 Days

Chapter 7

Seeing her face as soon as I wake up in the morning would be such a blissful view, if I didn’t let my fear crept into my system so bad. I got so scared. Natakot ako sa isang bagay at hindi ko man lang sinubukan. Hinayaan kong kainin ako ng takot. Pero hindi lang naman para sa sarili ko ang takot na ‘yon, kundi para na rin sa kanya.

Mas maganda na ang saktan ko siya habang simula at mababaw pa lang, kung totoo man ang nararamdaman niya para sa’kin, kaysa ang saktan siya sa huli kung kailang malalim na ‘to.

My feelings for her are still uncertain. Walang kasiguraduhan. I’m afraid that I’ve mistaken my feelings, and even hers, as something else. She was just playing. It all started with a deal. She entered my life because of a stupid game that I let myself be involved without knowing the consequences that I might suffer along the way.

I’m scared that it might just be lust, especially when I gave into temptation last night. O baka masyado akong naghahanap ng kasiyahan kaya ko lamang siya napansin. I took advantage of her weakness, and I’m a jerk for doing that.

Kung sakali mang susubok ako ulit, ay hihintayin ko munang matapos ang limampung araw na kailangang lumipas magmula noong nagsimula ang kanilang laro. Doon ko lamang masisigurado ang kanyang nararamdaman para sa’kin at pati na rin ang aking nararamdaman para sa kanya.

If ever she pushes me away when that time comes for hurting her, I will chase her down and make her mine. It will not be just because of a deal anymore. It is going to be real.

My phone suddenly rang and it drifted me away from all of my thoughts. Napahinga na lamang ako ng malalim nang makitang si Tiffany ang tumatawag. She texted me yesterday that she came to my condo unit. Hindi naman ako madalas naroroon dahil may bahay ako ngunit doon ko dinala si Xylia kahapon.

Hanggang mawala ang tawag ay hindi ko ito nasagot sa pag-iisip ng dapat kong gawin o sabihin sa kanya. She is Xylia’s step sister. Iyan na lamang ang pumasok sa isipan ko. I should, at least, be nice to her.

And because I wasn’t able to answer her call, she sent me a text message that I immediately read.

From: Tiffany

Can we go out for lunch today? I just really want to talk to you.

Napahilamos na lamang ako sa aking mukha bago nagtipa ng aking mensahe para sa kanya.

To: Tiffany

Sure. Should I pick you up?

Agad naman siyang nakapagbalik ng mensahe sa’kin at ganoon din naman ako.

From: Tiffany

No need to pick me up. I’m at the restaurant where we ate lunch before with Dad.

To: Tiffany

Okay. I’m on my way.

I removed my suit and folded the sleeves of my inner white shirt. I got my key fob, phone and wallet before I left the office to eat lunch with Tiffany.

As soon as I got in the restaurant, I saw Tiffany on the same table. She was just sitting there while staring at her phone.

“Tiffany,” I called her attention.

I was already standing in front of her, but she didn’t notice my arrival. I can sense that her mind’s somewhere else where only she can come in.

She was startled when she saw me. Sa sobrang gulat ay nabitawan niya kaagad ang kanyang cellphone at napatayo pa.

“Brendt!” gulat niyang pagsambit sa’king pangalan.

“You seemed so preoccupied,” I smiled at her before I took a seat.

She followed me, afterwards and sat down. Nakatitig lamang siya sa’kin habang pinasadahan ko ulit ng tingin ang lamesang puno na naman ng pagkain.

I never got to pick what I wanted to eat whenever I eat lunch with her or Mr. Saavedra.

“Uhm... Brendt…” nag-aalangan niyang pagtawag sa’kin.

Napatikhim naman ako bago nag-angat ng tingin sa kanya. I raised a brow at her to tell her to continue whatever she’s going to say.

“I... I saw Xylia on the same floor as your condo unit yesterday...” She trailed off and played with her fingers.

Kumuyom naman ang aking panga. As much as possible, I don’t want anyone else to know what happened between Xylia and me. I want the people around her to respect her.

“She was wearing the same dress she wore during our Dad’s wedding with my Mom,” dagdag niya pa. “Did... Did she sleep there?”

“Let’s not talk about it, Tiffany,” sabi ko na lang at saka kumuha na ng aking makakain. “You have nothing to worry about your step sister.”

Kinagat niya ang kanyang ibabang labi bago muling nag-angat ng tingin sa’kin. “I’m not concerned about her,” sabi niya na nagpakunot ng aking noo. “It is you whom I’m concerned about...”

Hindi ako makapaniwala sa naririnig ko galing sa kanya. Kaysa sa kapatid niya na babae siya mag-alala ay ako pa ang inalala niya. Does she even care about Xylia? I mean, she should. Even if she’s just her step sister.

“Xylia can be manipulative in many ways,” she continued. “She loathes me and my mother. She might be using you to get back at me. Ayoko lang na madamay ka sa alitan naming pamilya.”

My forehead creased even more. “I assure you that it’s not her intention,” I defended Xylia. “She’s my employee. We’re somehow close. That’s all.”

Napanguso naman siya at saka muling tumango-tango bago nag-umpisang kumain. It was such an awkward lunch as we ate in silence. Nakikita kong iniisip niya pa rin ang patungkol kay Xylia. I needed to stop her from doing so.

“Uhm... Kailan nga ba ako gustong ma-meet ng Mommy mo?” I tried to open up a topic and I was glad when I caught her full attention as she lifted up her gaze at me. “Para maisingit ko na rin sa schedule ko.”

“Really?” she almost exclaimed, very excited.

I nodded as an assurance, and she clapped her hands.

“I’ll text you,” she said. “Tatanungin ko si Mommy kung kailan ka puwedeng pumunta sa bahay. But... actually, you can go there anytime you want. I know Mom and Dad wouldn’t mind.”

“Just text me, then,” sabi ko na lang.

I was glad that I managed to divert her attention. Sana lang ay hindi niya muling maisipan ang patungkol kay Xylia.

But then, I know she will still think about it. It’s hard not to think about Xylia. Mismong ako ay nararanasan ko ‘yon lalo na nang magsimula kong mapansin ang hindi niya pagpasok. She didn’t ask for a leave nor notify her boss about her absences, but I managed to cover it up. I’m worried about her. Alam kong ako ang dahilan kung bakit hindi siya nagpapakita.

“Do you know why she isn’t coming to work?”

Hindi ko na mabilang kung ilang beses na itong natanong ni Kiel. It was starting to annoy me, seeing that he’s also concerned about Xylia.

“Can you please stop asking about her, Kiel? I already told you a hundred times that I don’t know,” sabi ko ngunit kahit alam ko naman ay hindi ko siguro sasabihin sa kanya.

“I’m just hoping for an update,” he defended himself. “What’s wrong with that?”

“Well, I don’t know,” giit ko naman. “At kung araw-araw na pumapasok ka ay iyan lang ang itatanong sa’kin, na para bang ang pagpasok mo sa trabaho ay nang dahil lang sa kanya, I don’t want that.” Hindi ko na napigilan ang aking inis.

Kumunot naman ang noo nito. “What are you suggesting, then?” paghamon niya sa’kin.

I took a deep breath. Mabuti na lang at kinausap din ako ni Tito patungkol sa pagtrabaho ni Kiel sa kompanya. It’s time for him to face his responsibilities as the heir of their prestigious hospital. 

“You handle your family’s hospital,” I told him before I averted my gaze.

“Did my Dad talk to you?” he asked.

Muli naman akong nag-angat ng tingin sa kanya. “Your Dad’s right, Kiel,” sabi ko. “Plus, Kelsey wouldn’t like you, neglecting your responsibilities to your family. Man up, Kiel! It’s time to face your future, that’s why I’m already firing you.”

I saw how fast his expression changed when I mentioned Kelsey’s name. She is his sister who has already died. She is Kiel’s kryptonite. And because of that, he didn’t object to my decision to fire him anymore.

“Mr. Stewart, I would just like to inform you that Ms. Xylia Saavedra is at the HR’s office,” my secretary said through the intercom and it made me halt whatever I’m doing.

“Just now?” Napatayo ako sa aking upuan habang nakapindot sa intercom.

“Yes, Sir,” she confirmed.

I let out curses before I immediately went down to the HR office to finally see her.

It has been almost a month since I last saw her. Hindi ko man lang naisip na baka nga ngayon ay pumunta siya dahil ito na ang tapos ng kanyang panandaliang kontrata sa kompanya.

It’s crazy, right? I want her far from me, but I also don’t want her gone.

“I won’t sign the contract, Ma’am…”

I heard her say, full of conviction, at the same time I opened the door of the HR’s office.

“You won’t sign the contract?” I asked her right away.

Habang tinititigan ko siyang nakatagilid sa’kin ay hindi ko maiwasan ang pananabik na makita ang kanyang mukha. Baka kung sakaling makita ko siya ay matigil na ang pananabik na nararamdaman ko.

She turned around, and I was stunned to see her flashing a sweet smile at me. That. Same. f*****g. Smile. Muli na namang bumilis ang pagtibok ng puso ko. Her smile is like some kind of drug for me. It can make me hype up so easily.

“Yes, Sir. I won’t,” she said in a very formal way.

Bumalik naman ako sa reyalidad kung saan tuluyan na siyang aalis.

“And why is that?”

I couldn’t help but stare at her intently. I thought I'd already memorized her face, but as time passes by, she’s getting more beautiful and that makes her look different.

“I have a valid reason, Sir.”

“And what is that valid reason, Miss Saavedra?” tanong ko at tinaas ko pa ang aking kilay.

“I’ll be handling our company, Sir,” she reasoned out with a smile. “Thanks for giving me a chance to work here as a training before handling my father’s company. It was a pleasure to experience working here.”

Bahagya naman akong natigil. I thought Tiffany’s the one who’s going to handle their company. But if that is her real reason, alam kong wala na akong magagawa at kailangan ko na siyang pakawalan.

“Thank you, ma’am. I’ll be going to pack up my things.”

Muli akong napatingin sa kanya nang marinig ko ang kanyang pagpapaalam sa HR bago siya muling humarap sa’kin.

“Nice working with you, Sir. Thank you again,” she bid farewell and walked towards where I stood to leave the office.

It felt like my heart’s breaking into pieces as I watched her walk away. Is this the kind of feeling she felt when I walked out, the last time we saw each other? Can I just take back the pain I made her feel?

“Xylia…” I absentmindedly called her as I turned around to see her once again.

“Yes, Sir?” Muli niya akong nilingon.

I’m sorry... Please stay.

I can’t explain how much I wanted to say those words, now that she’s finally leaving and wanting to cut any connection she has with me but, I can’t... Tama na muna ang mangyari ito hangga’t hinihintay ko pa ang tamang pagkakataon.

I heaved and shook my head. “Nothing,” I said. “Just… take care.”

I was so thankful that she gave me one last smile to remember. “Kayo din, Sir. Take care,” she said before she finally went out.

This is the start.

The time to start in measuring and weighing my feelings for her; to see if I could last the upcoming days without her; To see if I would still look for her like how I did for almost a month; to see if I’m not just longing because of the last heated moment I had with her; and to see if I’m really falling for her.