CHAPTER 14
1260 Words
MATAGAL ng nagtatrabago si Noah sa kaniyang boss na si Elliot Amir Laurent Rios. It was long enough to know that when his boss asked him to investigate someone, it was never without a reason.
Pero iba sa pagkakataon na ‘to.
His boss had asked him to looked into Isabelle Valencia first. Now, he wanted information about her fiancé, James Ramos.
Muli niyang nirebyu ang dokumento na naka-display sa screen ng kaniyang computer.
James Ramos came from a wealthy family whose business had maintained a close relationship with the Valencia Family for years. Publicly, he appeared to be a respectable businessman—educated, well-mannered, and known for his involvement in several corporate events.
Pero hindi interesado si Noah sa panlabas na kaanyuan.
He wanted to know what was happening behind closed doors.
Looks can be deceiving.
Binuksan niya ang isa pang file.
James had been seen frequently with Isabelle’s younger sister, Sabrina.
Bahagyang kumunot ang noo ni Noah. Kapagkuwan tumaas ang sulok ng kaniyang labi. “Rich family had always this kind of drama.” Aniya habang napapailing.
There were also photograph of the two arriving separately at a hotel, only to leave together hours later.
Napasandal si Noah sa kinauupuan. “Quite a busy man,” he said, clicking his tongue.
Nagpatuloy siya sa pagbabasa. It was about the engagement between James and Isabelle. It was arranged marriage. And according to the documents he obtained, James was expected to gain access to certain Valencia business assets after the wedding.
Muli niyang binuksan ang isa pang report.
There were records of James’s involvement in questionable financial transactions within one of his family’s subsidiaries. Nothing conclusive enough to establish wrongdoing, but several transactions needed further examination.
At ito ang report na kailangan ni Noah.
He printed all the reports and headed to his boss’ office.
Pagdating niya sa opisina ng boss niya, kumatok siya ng tatlong beses.
“Come in.”
Binuksan niya ang pinto at pumasok.
“Sir.”
“What is it?”
“Sir, I have everything you asked about James Ramos.”
Mabilis na itinigil ni Elliot ang kaniyang ginagawa.
Noah started to tell everything he found out about James Ramos.
At habang nagsasalita si Noah, pahigpit ng pahigpit ang pagkuyom ng kamay ni Elliot.
Sa lahat ng sinabi ni Noah, isa lamang ang pumasok sa isipan ni Elliot.
Isabelle was the one who was suffering.
Even if Isabelle didn’t say it, her relationship with her parents is not that good.
Elliot took a deep breath. Then he exhaled.
The other day, when they ate together for lunch, Isabelle was silent the whole time. Tanging tango at pag-iling ang nagiging sagot nito. Then she would say ‘yes’ and ‘no’ whenever he asked question.
That’s the effect of someone who was being suppressed for long time—guarded and doesn’t trust anyone.
Nawawalan na sila ng kumpiyansa sa kanilang sarili. And when the confidence was gone, hindi na sila nagiging sigurado sa kanilang mga gagawin at sasabihin.
At ‘yon ang napansin niya kay Isabelle.
Isabelle had already lost her confidence. She is guarded and have trust issues.
Elliot exhaled and looked at Noah. “You may leave.”
Noah slightly bowed his head and left.
Nahilot na lamang ni Elliot ang sentido nang makaalis ang assistant niya.
Ipinikit niya ang kaniyang mata.
His father was right.
He doesn’t have the right to decide for Isabelle.
Pero kailangan niya itong makausap. He needed to hear her opinion before making decision. But if Isabelle will be harm, he will take her away whether she like it or not.
ISABELLE AND HAZEL were already closing the bakery when Hazel noticed the man leaning on the car. Namukhaan niya ito. It’s Elliot Rios.
“Isa.”
“Hmm?” Isabelle looked at her friend.
Hazel gestured to Elliot’s direction.
Sinundan ng tingin ni Isabelle ang itinuturo ni Hazel.
Nagulat siya nang makita si Elliot na nakasandal sa sasakyan nito.
Nanunuksong siniko ni Hazel ang kaibigan. “Looks like someone is here for you.”
Isabelle looked at Hazel. “I’m already engaged.”
Hazel rolled her eyes, “you said it… engaged. Not married.”
Hindi na umimik si Isabelle.
At that moment, Elliot walked towards Isabelle.
Bahagya pang natigilan si Isabelle nang makita niya si Elliot. As usual, Elliot was dressed in suit, but this time, he was wearing glasses, and that adds to his charm. He became more handsome because of his glasses.
“Mr. Rios.”
“Elliot,” he corrected.
Hazel was smiling while looking at Isabelle and Elliot. These two… they looked good together.
Pero sa sitwasyon ni Isabelle, mukhang malabong mangyari ‘yon.
Hazel frowned at that thought.
“Pwede ba kitang makausap?” Elliot asked.
Isabelle glanced at her wristwatch and then at Hazel.
Ngumiti si Hazel. “See you tomorrow.”
Tumango si Isabelle. “See you.”
Nang makaalis si Hazel, ibinalik ni Isabelle ang tingin niya kay Elliot. “Anong pag-uusapan natin?”
“Come with me.”
Isabelle hesitated.
Elliot let out a small sigh. “Wala akong gagawin sa ‘yo.”
Isabelle remained silent.
“Okay. You decide. Kung saan ka komportable, doon tayo mag-uusap.”
At that moment, Isabelle’s stomach growled.
She blushed in embarrassment.
Elliot smiled.
“I know a place. Though maraming tao doon pero malawak ang espasyo.”
“Okay.” Binuksan ni Elliot ang pinto ng passenger seat. “Get in.”
Pumasok naman si Isabelle.
“Just tell the way,” sabi ni Elliot nang makaupo siya sa driver seat.
Sinabi naman kaagad ni Isabelle ang lugar.
Elliot smile hearing the name of the place.
And his smiles widened when they arrived.
“Ang tagal na rin muli ng huli akong nakapunta rito,” sabi ni Elliot.
Napatigil sa pagbaba si Isabelle saka sumulyap sa binata. “Nakapunta ka na dito?” tanong niya na may halong gulat.
Well, Elliot is a rich after all. This kind of place was for average people like her only.
Nasa isang night market silang dalawa. Sa bungad pa lang, naamoy na ni Isabelle ang amoy ng mga pagkain.
“Yeah. Noong bata pa ako. Dinadala kami rito ni Kuya tuwing free time niya. Then whenever I am on school vacation, I came here with my twin brother.”
Lumaki ang mata ni Isabelle. “May kakambal ka?”
How come she never heard of it? Pero paano niya malalaman, hindi naman niya pinapansin ang mga walang kabuluhang bagay sa mundo.
“His name is Ellis.” Sabi ni Elliot at bumaba ng sasakyan. Ganun din si Isabelle. “But he’s not here. Kakaalis niya lang noong nakaraang araw dahil may emergency sa kumpanya na minamanaged niya sa ibang bansa.”
Napatango na lamang si Isabelle at hindi na nagtanong pa.
Pumasok sila sa night market at tumingin ng kung ano ang pwedeng bilhin.
They ended in a barbeque stall.
They ordered and sat on the vacant table.
“So, anong pag-uusapan natin?” tanong ni Isabelle nang makaupo sila.
“It’s about your fiancé.” There was a sourness in Elliot’s voice when he said the word ‘fiancé.’
Natigilan si Isabelle. “What about him?”
“I asked someone to investigate him.”
Nagulat si Isabelle at hindi agad nakapagsalita. Then after a few moments, word came out from her mouth. “W-why?”
“Because I wanted to know if you were safe with him.”
And I wanted you to know what I feel about you, Isabelle.
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