Taming Sun in the Heir's Heart

Chapter 16

Dalawang linggo na ang nakararaan simula nang sagutin ko siya. Everything is smooth and under control. Busy siya at busy din ako madalas kaya puro facetime lang kami every night. Kapag may oras ay lalabas at magkikita gaya ngayon.

"Magde-defense kami sa isang school kung saan nagtatrabaho rin si Archirect Jim. The project he gave us was given to his students there too kaya hindi lang kami ang magde-defense that time." Pagkikwento ko, "Di ba kaibigan mo si sir Jim? Ba't ang higpit no'n?"

"He's Vanessa's ex boyfriend. But then it didn't work out because he realized something,"

"Sa'yo talaga may gusto si Vanessa kaysa kay Architect Jim." Me stating the fact.

"Yes," he agreed, "But instead of getting mad at me, we became close and we hated Vanessa together."

"Hated? But you were too close to her when you were talking to her that time I saw you with her in Le Repos Cafè?" I rolled my eyes at him.

He chuckled at my words and held my hand while he drives.

"We are watching a video of Ryves trying to dance your choreographed dance on tiktok." Saad niya.

"What? Which one?" Napaharap na ako sa kaniya.

"I forgot the song. Ryves deleted the video on my phone so I have no copy anymore." Damon chuckled sexily, "We're letting Ryves dance your dance covers since most of it are not sexy."

"Yeah. I don't like sexy dancing. I have young audiences." Saad ko, "Sa competition lang since, well, hindi naman ako ang makakapili ng kanta."

"I understand, and it's better like that. Iba ang impact kapag sa competition." he said, "And you look amazing all the time."

My cheeks heated up so I looked away smiling.

"You'll be busy this week?" I asked him.

"We have a new brunch coming up and we are hiring new employees, so yeah. I'm busy."

"Can I apply?" I asked.

"As an employee, no. As my wife, yes." He smirked, still looking straight on the road.

I squeezed his big hand while I laugh out the butterflies on my stomach. Itatawa ko na lang ang kilig ko. Para akong bata.

Nasa isang restaurant s***h tambayan kami nang maalala ko ang isang bagay na sa tingin ko ay importanteng sabihin kay Damon.

He is sipping on his coffee while watching me browse on my phone. He's infront of me sitting in a two seater table in an alfresco.

"Look at this," I showed him my phone, "He is Ivann Vasco, an engineer who graduated from Ateneo. He constantly texting me and sending me flowers."

"Constantly? Since when?" He sound edgy.

Tinitigan nito ang litrato ng lalaki sa phone ko pati na rin ang mga bulaklak na pinapadala nito sa bahay na si mama lang din naman ang nakakareceive at nakaka-appreciate. Madalas rin nitong pagtripan si Ralph noon sa pinag OJT-han dahil siya ang nali-link lagi sa akin.

"Since before you came?" Patanong kong sagot, "I thought he's just nothing kaya hindi ko na lang sinabi sa'yo. But now that you're my boyfriend, karapatan mong malaman sinong mga umaaligid sa'kin."

"And who's this guy?" He asked.

Inexplain ko na naman sa kaniya ang bawat mukha na lumabas sa album na 'yon. Compilation iyon ng mga manliligaw, masugid na admirer, o mga edgy na lalaki na nakikipag kaibigan sa akin pero naaamoy ng 8balls na may ibang pakay daw.

"There are a lot, Babe." He breathed out, I smirked.

"I don't know how that happened though. I only look like an average woman—"

"May nakapagsabi na ba sa'yo na para kang wine?" He cutted me off with that question.

"Marami na. Fine like wine daw. I don't understand, though."

He almost rolled his eyes at me. Tumayo siya inusog ang upuan sa tabi ko para magkatabi kami. Rich people minding their own business made me feel comfortable here. Maganda talaga na sa mga exclusive restaurant kami nagpupunta.

"You know, wine gets better with time. Habang tumatagal mas sumasarap," His tagalog term made my eyebrow raised, "In your case, habang tumatagal mas lalo kang gumaganda."

My eyebrow raised wiggled from shock and unknown feeling on my stomach. That made me make a straight face. I bit my lower lip to stop myself from smiling.

"It's not because of your attitude, alright? Basta hindi lang nakakasawa titigan yung ganda mo unlike other pretty girls na sa una mo lang masasabi na maganda," nagkibit balikat siya, "Pero kapag tumagal na parang normal na. Yours is not like that. Mas lalo ka pang gunaganda habang tumatagal."

"So, hindi ka nagandahan sa akin nung una tayong nagkita sa Lerepos?" I raised an eyebrow but my cheeks are heating up.

"I find you pretty and flashy all the time." He said.

"Ikaw din naman. You're snob but still, people wants to be friends with you. Even girls! For sure, hindi lang pagkakaibigan ang sa kanila!" I pouted.

He made a teasing smile. Bahagya niyang pinisil ang pisngi ko.

"Sabi mo marami nang nagsabi sa'yo no'n. Ibig sabihin, marami na rin ang nakapansin?" It's now his turn to raise an eyebrow.

"Mostly, guy friends. Minsan naman sila Kuya kapag ikinukumpara ako sa ibang babae o kanila ate." I said with all honesty.

Pero tila hindi niya nagustuhan ang katapatan ko dahil kumunot na ang noo niya sa sinabi ko.

"Your brothers, its fine. They are acknowledging your beauty. But your guy friends... are you sure they are your friends?"

I rolled my eyes at his question. Pagdududahan na nito ang mga kaibigan kong hinahayaan niya lang naman noon.

"They're fine, Babe. Si Adi nga rin gano'n ang si—"

"Adi!" He exclaimed when he heard his friend's name.

I laughed out loud at his reaction. He shook his head in disappointment.

"I thought it was just Calder who's so into you—"

"Calder? Weh?" I asked him with full attention to him.

Agad siyang naging skeptic sa kinilos ko. Dahil sa gulat at medyo may ngiti sa labing sabi ko ay nagduda na ito sa akin.

"That's not what I meant," he tried to take it back.

"Don't worry. Ginawa ko lang silang tropa dahil wala akong nagustuhan ni-isa sa kanila." I smiled, "I know how to turn down men when they are taking advances."

Mabilis dumadaan ang mga araw kapag abala sa mga gawain. Hindi ko namalayang lumipas ang isang linggong puro gawain lamang sa major project ang ginawa sa week na 'yon kasabay ang ibang projects sa ibang course.

"Tangìna, kinakabahan ako." Bulong ni Ralph saka biglang nagunat-unat ng katawan habang nakaupo.

I puffed my cheek to suppress my nervousness but it's off no use. As soon as I look at the busy people around us, I can feel the tension and adrenaline of everyone.

This is the last day of the defense and we are the last group 6 out of 12 groups.

"We got sauteed back there," A student from UST whispered and laughed nervously as soon as they sat infront of us. They're done with their defense and... it was one of hellish.

"Pero ang gwapo ng owner ng hotel na pinapadesign." Saad ng isa na sa tingin ko ay bakla. Humagikhik ito at nakipaghigh five sa kasamang babae.

Nasa malayong bahagi kami ng room. Para itong conference room at masyado kaming malayo sa stage kung nasaan nagpe-present ang mga estudyante at kung nasaan ang mga panelist. Naipakilala raw kanina ang mga panelist at ang may ari pero hindi namin naabutan.

"Ang strict masyado. Kinakabahan na tuloy ako." Bulong ni Nica sa akin.

I'm playing my feet to not feel any nervousness. Parang natatae na ako sa kaba.

"Bakit ba kasi tayo huli? Mas tumatagal pa tuloy 'yung kaba ko." Sabi ko. Natawa naman si Ralph sa tabi ko.

Last two groups na lang ay kami na.

"Ilabas na ba natin 'yung alas natin?" Bulong ni Louis. Umiling ako.

"Wag muna. Kapag kailangan na lang. Hindi naman kasi talaga kasama sa requirements 'yon 'di ba?" si Angelo na nagkukuskos ng kamay dahil nilalamig ang kamay dahil sa kaba.

We agreed with him so we waited until it's our turn.

Para akong natatae nang makatayo na at naglalakad na sa unahan. We are known group. Being in this big event is either an embarassment or an achievement.

Inayos namin ang laptop at mga powerpoint. Nang maiayos na, saka lang ako lumingon sa mga panelist.

Look at their eyes but don't look at their faces. Nakatingin pero hindi nakatitig. Makikinig pero hindi papaapekto.

"Good afternoon panelist. We are the last group to present our proposed design concept for the hotel." Isa-isa kaming nagpakilala.

I breathe in when I saw how the panelists whispered to each other.

"Are you guys the famous influencers on youtube?" The woman in the middle asked.

I smiled, "Yes po, Architect Dustina."

Nagtanguan ang mga ito at nagseryoso.

"Right. We should expect more then? What do you think, sir Delborja?" Saad ng isang lalaking panelist kaya napalingon ako.

Saka ko lang napansin ang dalawang Delborja sa tabi. Nanlaki ang mata ko nang makita si Damon at Calder doon. Kaya pala hindi nagrereply?!

"I've seen their plates. Dapat siguro tayong maging mas strikto rito." Saad naman ng isang matandang lalaki.

"As you should, Architect. We are expecting for the best out of the ideas of these outstanding students." sabi ni Damon sa mababang boses kaya napangisi si Architect Jim.

Napalingon ako kay Architect Jim at ngumiwi. Nang mapang asar na tingin lang ang pinakita nito ay nagtuloy-tuloy na kami.

Simula sa design concept, site plan, site analysis, at floorplans, nasa floor plan palang kami ay napatigil na dahil sa mga tanong.

"Is that even possible? Base on your design concept, your design orbits around bamboos. Bamboos are light materials." Pagpuputol ng isang panelist.

Expected na namin ang mga ganitong tanong kaya naman alam na namin kung ano ang mga isasagot namin. Si Nica ang sumagot dahil sa kaniya nakatingin kahit si Ralph naman ang nagpe-present.

Nang sa elevations at sections na ay nagdagsaan na ang mga tanong nila. Kaming dalawa ni Louis ang nagpresent kaya sa amin napupunta ang mga tanong.

"Can we see the 3D representation?"

Ipinakita namin ang ginawang representation nito. Nang hindi pa rin sila kumbinsido ay mas binigyan namin sila ng iba pa naming hinanda bukod sa requirements ni Architect Jim.

"I don't think this will work. Mahihirapan sa construction," saad ng isang Architect, "I'm an architect s***h civil engineer. This will be very complicated for a nine floor hotel."

"This is the best out of the design concept for the two days meeting. If you can defend this very well then, we can assure to use this for the hotel," saad naman ng isa pa, "But this is really far from... possible."

"We also doubted our design concept at first. That's why we have to learn how the computation in construction works for Civil engineer." saad ko, "We have a short knowledge of the computation but I think we did it as we got a high rate of possibility of building the structure in this design."

Binulungan ko si Andrei na may hawak ng laptop kung pwede niyang buksan ang computation. Nang mabuksan ay inexplain ito ni Chris.

"Correct us if there's error with the computation. This is not part of the requirements but we had it done to make sure if our design is possible to build in terms of construction rules." I defended, "We did not violate site regulations as per law. And we made sure to not exceed the estimated costing we made since we found good suppliers for bamboos."

Tumango-tango ang Architect-Civil Engineer na panelist. Calder have to stand up to see up close the computation.

"What can you say, Engineer Delborja?" Architect Jim.

I gulped. Nagkatinginan kami ni Calder. Bahagya itong ngumiti kaya nagiwas ako ng tingin.

"The computation is right. It will be a tough job for engineer but, well, it's a good concept." Saad ni Calder kaya napabuga ng hangin si Ralph.

"Tough job means it will be difficult for our engineers to work on this. Will that be okay?" Ang panelist na kanina pa ang daming tanong, "I hope we will not rely on the computation of these Architecture students when it comes to civil engineers work."

Gustong tumaas ng kilay ko ngunit marami ang nakikinig at nanonood kaya yumuko na lang ako.

Habang tumatango-tango ang mga panelist ay sinenyasan ko sina Erick at Chris na kunin ang itinatago naming sikreto.

"We can actually just say that this is possible because there is a 3 dimensional representation and there is a computation." pagpatuloy pa ulit nito, "But we cannot guarantee its safety and security if haven't seen the physical representation of it."

Tumango-tango ulit ang mga ito. Rinig ang bulong-bulungan sa paligid nang dahil sa complicated but fantastic na design namin.

"And trying it out out of curiosity is a suicide move for businessmen like you." saad naman ng isang Engineer, "If I would be part of this project, I will be glad to build this with these outstanding students. But this will be risky for our career if this fails."

I lick my lower lip as I look at Damon's side. He's raising his eyebrow at me. Inirapan ko siya.

"Kung meron sana kayong physical representation. Like scale model to see kung pwede talaga itong mapatayo..." Inantay kong dugtungan ito ng panelist habang nakikita na ang anino ng dalawa sa pinto.

Nang hindi na nito tinuloy ay ang pagngiti ko.

"If that's the only thing to prove and defend our design, we have here the scale model of our proposed design..." sabi ko sabay turo sa kabubukas lang na pinto ng conference room.

There we can see Erick and Chris holding the scale model or miniature of our design concept.

"Just like all of you, we also doubted our design. We want to prove among ourselves that our imaginations can turn into reality." Saad ni Erick habang naglalakad, "This is the revised design according to the computation using the materials needed in making a real-life structure."

Manghang-mangha ang lahat ng nadaanan ng scale model namin. I smiled proudly. Hindi kami natulog para diyan!

Tunay na cement, bamboo twigs at steel ang ginamit namin para maitayo iyon gaya ng computation sa construction. Ang pagbubuhos at ang bilang ng mga bakal at mga materyales ay ginaya talaga namin upang makita kung tatayo ba talaga ito.

"As you can see, this..." I paused, "will be the outcome of the hotel if our design will be aproved."

Napalingon ako kay Andrei na malapad ang ngisi dahil ang mga maraming reklamo at matanong na mga Architect at Engineer ay gulat na gulat at manghang-mangha na ngayon.

I felt relieved and satisfied at their reaction. I feel like we really did a great job.

Sir Jim is hiding his smile behind his hand covering his mouth.

"Sino nagisip na magcompute at gumawa ng scale model?" The panelist asked. He stood up to examine the scale model.

"Si Francy, Ralph, at Louis po, Engineer." sagot ni Nica.

"As expected from the 'Bermuda triangle'," ngisi na ngayon ng kanina pa kami niluluto, "My freshman architecture student son is a fan of you, Francy. I think I should tell him to be proud of his idol."

I gasped at that and saw Damon smirking, Calder chuckling and Architect Jim laughing at my reaction.

"We all work hard for this to happen. At... wala pa naman po akong title para maging idol nila..." ngumiwi ako. It felt weird.

"You guys are like an inspiration to all architecture student facing the same hardship." The other Architect said, "Continue inspiring them."

"Nakakapressure naman po 'yon." Biro ni Ralph kaya natawa kami.

"So, since they are the last group for the two days defense of these students from two different universities," panimula ni Architect Jim habang nagliligpit kami.

Hindi pinakuha sa amin ang scale model sa mesa kaya nanghihinayang namin iyong tinignan dahil baka hindi na ibalik. Sayang pera. Niligpit ang mga wire at kung anu-ano pa ay naupo na kami.

To Damon Delborja:

Thank you for not telling me you are the owner of the hotel we are designing >:(

"Sana ibalik 'yong scale model natin. Kahit 'di na mapili," malungkot at hopeful na bulong ni Chris, "Laki ng ginastos natin doon."

"We are always open to let you, the panelists, decide who has the better design concept proposal." Damon said in his usual firm tone, "We will respect your judgement about this."

"Money is not a problem so you don't have to limitize your judgement according to the budget. Feel free to choose whomever stands out the best for our hotel," Cadler smiled.

Nagsitanguan naman ang mga panelists at ang isa bahagyang natawa pa.

"We don't have to think or brainstorm anymore. I think, we all know who wins this, right?" the old Architect smirked.

"Well, I agree to that." One of the Engineer said, "Sa mga technicals ay ginawa na nila. Papers, materials, construction at manpower na lang ang kulang."

"I hope we all can see where our judgement is coming from, students? You've seen everything they presented and prepaired. No loop holes to give bad impression about their design." Litanya ng isang Architect na nakaharap sa mga estudyante.

Nagsitanguan at ang iba ay sumagot talaga na agree sila.

"I required only the needed plans in presenting design proposal. They added more to it without my consent to prove their design can come to reality." Saad ni Architect Jim, "It is a plus points since it helped them to elaborate and defend their proposal to the panelist. And I see nothing wrong with that."

"Come over here, 8balls. Let us disclose the defense and let us award you 8 as the best thesis." Sabi ni Architect Jim at nagpalakpakan ang mga tao.

"8balls pa din talaga tinawag sa'tin." Natatawang sabi ni Gelo habang naglalakad kami papunta sa harap.

"Hello, ako nga pala ang nagdesign ng hotel mo," I teased Damon. I extended my right hand infront of him to act like I want a handshake.

"Nice to meet you, Miss Architect. Can you design my house with my soon to be wife?" He teased too, which made me laugh.

"Depende, sino ba muna ang wife?" I asked raising an eyebrow at him.

He smirked at me. Nakabukas na ang pinto ng front seat ng BMW niya nang lumingon ito sa akin.

"Ewan ko. 'Yung inireto sa anak ng isang Architect kanina sana e." pagpaparinig nito.

Ang kaninang ngisi ko ay naging tawa na ngayon. Nang maalala ang paguusap kanina. Ang architect na hindi kami gaanong kilala ay nagsabing kung wala akong boyfriend ay irereto niya ako sa anak niyang Architect na.

"I'm inlove with someone else po, Architect Dizon," Nakangiti kong sagot. He made an exaggerated gasp but didn't said a word.

"Oo nga 'no? Sayang 'yon, inlove na daw. Kanino kaya?" I smirked.

He looked down on me, lumingon-lingon pa muna ito bago humalik sa noo ko. Ang mayabang nitong ngiti ang nagsasabing satisfied siya sa nangyari ngayong araw.

"I feel so proud of my little evil. You are so smart, talented, and beautiful." Pinanggigilan ako nitong yakapin nang makapasok na kami pareho sa kotse niya.

Ang 8balls ay naghiwa-hiwalay na rin ng landas dahil may ibang pupuntahan si Louis, Ralph, Gelo, at Nica. Pumunta na lamang ng condo ni Nica sina Chris, Erick, at Andrei upang maibaba ang mga gamit.

"Swerte mo." ani ko kaya natawa siya ngunit tumango rin.

"Ang swerte ko," he smirked, "I hope we can have a lot of meetings to attend together for the construction of the hotel."

"Baka hindi naman kami ang humarap, we're still students." saad ko habang nagre-retouch ng aking make up.

"Kayo ang haharap. You guys have to explain further and collaborate with other employees to make the design possible," litanya niya, "I will lend a room for your friends so they can still have their space to do your homeworks, while you'll be staying with me."

"What? With you? Why? What for?" Sunod-sunod na pala ang tanong ko, hindi ko namalayan.

"Wala," sagot niya, "so I have time to spend with you inside the office while I work? I will be stress free if that happened."

I crinkled my nose, "'Wag na lang."

"Nope, I will be profuctive if that's the case. Plus, there are a lot of girls trying to enter my office—"

"What?!"

He was shocked for my sudden outburst that he stared at me for a second. Until a form of smile went to his lips and a small sexy chuckle came out.

That made me shut up and think of our relationship and our life status. I never thought about this when I answered yes to him that sunset.

He's handsome and intelligent. His lifestyle, family background, achievement, and everything he desires are shouting privilege and nobelity. His snobbish and intimidating aura makes him more mysterious, making all girls curious of him. I can't deny that, even I fell for that. Girls kneeling infront of him, even beg for his attention is not far from possible. Kahit sino ay gugustuhin siyang makilala, kahit sino ay mahuhulog sa kaniya.

"What are you thinking?" He suddenly asked.

Nasa tapat na pala kami ng school at dapat bababa na ako kaso nakatulala pa ako rito kakaisip. I fixed my things and put it inside my bag.

"Nothing," I answered, "Wait for me. May kukunin lang ako."

I went inside to change. I'm wearing my school uniform right now for our defense.

From Ralph:

Boii after exam daw, punta tayo ng dagat. Nag aaya si Chris, bday niya 'di ba?

Malapit na ang birthday ni Chris at siguradong hindi ito papayagang magvacation nang mismong birthday aalis.

To Ralph:

Arat? When ba? 26 -30 lang ako available ha. Saka sino sino tayo?

Nagmamadali na ako palabas nang magreply ulit si Ralph.

From Ralph:

Baka kasama tropa nila Caleb. Si Caleb daw nag aaya kay Chris e. Alam mo bang magpinsan sila?

Ha?

"Do you know Chris and Caleb are cousins?" Bungad ko kay Damon nang makapasok sa kotse niya.

Magarbo itong nakapark sa harap ng school sa gilid ng gate. Ang yabang, kala mo hindi mahuhuli dahil sports car e wrong parking naman. Ako pala may kasalanan.

"No. They are?" Balik na tanong ni Damon habang inaayos ang kung ano sa dash board.

"Oo daw e. Chismis ni Ralph ngayon," sagot ko, "Nagaaya daw si Chris ng vacation para sa birthday niya. Pero si Caleb daw ang unang nagaaya kay Chris dahil magpinsan sila."

"I didn't know they are cousins. I've been to Caleb's house and attended their parties or family events, and met his parents. But I never saw Chris there." Mahabang kwento nito. At parang napagod pa dahil huminga ng malalim.

"Baka hindi mo pa kilala si Chris no'n? Lately mo lang din naman sila nakikila." Sabi ko. Tumango-tango lamang siya.

To Ralph:

Hindi ko alam. Walang nabanggit sa akin si Chris.

"Baka kasama kayo?" Tanong ko kay Damon.

"We haven't got invited, though." He said, "Isama mo na lang ako."

"Ngi! Baka nga hindi pwede magsama ng girlfriend o boyfriend, e!"

"It's just you and Nica will be the only girl in the circle."

"Gano'n naman na noon pa. That's never been a problem, though," I smiled at him.

He didn't answered. I croaked my head to the other side to rethink my words.

"But I can ask if I can bring you? Hindi pa naman nila alam na tayo na." And I remembered something, "Hindi nga rin ata nila alam na nanligaw ka e!"

Kumunot ang noo niya at mas lalong hindi nagsalita. Natawa ako sa ekspresyon ng mukha nito kaya lalo akong nagiliwan sa pagtingin rito. Umiigting ang panga nito at tila galit sa kalsada habang nagmamaneho.

"Just tell me if you're embarassed telling everyone about us and I will accept it." matabang nitong salita. Pabulong at tila sarili ang kinakausap.

"Okay. I'll tell everyone about it. Just give me some time. Ang mahalaga naman dito ay... alam na ng pamilya ko at iniimbitan ka sa bahay," saad ko.

Mabagal bago ito lumingon sa akin. Nagtaas ng isang kilay at tila naghahamon ang tingin nito sa akin. Ganoon din ang ginawa ko kaya ngumisi lamang ito.

We did our usual date. Eat and catch up. Hindi nauubusan ng pagkukwentuhan. Sa bawat kwento ay mas nakikilala pa namin ang isa't isa.

"Francy, I've heard a lot of things about you. How are you, pretty girl? Do you finally found a boyfriend now?" My adviser from senior highschool.

We are in one of Delborja's hotel right now for our reunion. Dahil nga graduate at pa-graduate sa college na ang iba sa amin ay nag ayos ng reunion ang dati naming president para makapag catch up at mai-celebrate ang success ng bawat isa.

"I'm fine, Ma'am. I have a boyfriend right now. He's a..." diretsahang sagot ko, "Hotelier, ma'am."

Nanlaki ang mata nito at natutuwang malapad na ngumiti sa akin. Ang kulubot ng mukha ng matandang prefessor ay madedepina sa balat nito, ngunit hindi maikakaila ang magandang mukhang nalipasan na ng panahon.

"Really! Ipakilala mo sa akin, hija! I'm not impressed with your choice of men the past years, e. Baka this days, maayos naman na?" Pakiki-usyoso ng matanda.

I remember her hating on that guy who chose my friend over me. For advicing me to stay away from that guy who courted me together with the other girls from different department. Wala siyang alam sa mga nang yari pero ginabayan niya ako. Parang naging nanay ko sa journey na itinago ko sa pamilya ko.

"I'll let him meet you once we're not busy, ma'am. I'm sure, you'll love him." Matamis na ngiti ang iginawad ko sa kaniya.

We started eating in a long table. Nasa isang private hall kami sa hotel at doon nagpa-buffet. We're around 50 so we need a bigger place like this to gather.

Tanaw ko ang dalawang lalaking nagpinta ng madilim na kulay sa buhay ko. Them smiling like nothing happened bad before makes my heartache a hundred of times than before.

Nakakalungkot na 'yung mga nagbigay ng trauma sa atin, nakalimutan na 'yung bagay na nagawa nila. Samantalang ang mga nabiktima, halos hindi makatulog at makapagisip nang dahil sa trauma na naibigay nila. Ang unfair.

"Francine Lucy Ignacio, an influencer or vlogger on t****k and youtube. I'm on my 5th year in architecture. Hopefully, makagraduate na at makapag-start na ng apprenticeship." I smiled genuinely at everyone.

"Sana all, influencerist," saad ng isang naging kaibigan noon. Nagtawanan ang iba.

Pinagpakilala ang bawat isa. Sinasabi ang kanilang mga achievement at pinagkaka-abalahan sa mga nagdaang panahon.

Tapos na ang event at nagke-kwentuhan na lang ang bawat isa. Dahil sa pagiging sicial butterfly ko noon ay kahit sa kabilang department na kasama namin ngayon ay nakakausap ko rin.

From My D.I. Delborja:

A manager told me you're in our hotel branch in Pasay? Nandito ako ngayon. Let's meet I miss you

Napangisi ako sa kakulitan nito. What a big baby! I thought he'll never be this clingy because of his character. Nagkamali ata ako.

"I bet you still don't have a boyfriend." A guy from a different department stated.

Instead of answering, I only smirked. Nandito ang adviser namin at alam naman niya kaya hindi ko na kailangan pang magsalita.

Nandito rin sa circle ang dalawang lalaking nanligaw sa akin noon, nag aantay ng isasagot ko.

"When you're that famous with handsome men around you, it will be difficult to find a perfect man." saad naman ng isa.

"So you mean to say, ang dali niyang makahanap ng manliligaw niya before dahil hindi naman kagwapuhan ang nga nasa batch natin?" Natatawang biro ng isa pa. They all laughed at that except my ex suitors.

"Pero, a perfect woman like Francy? Kapag jinowa mo na ang ganiyan, hinding-hindi mo na gugustuhing maghanap pa ng iba." saad ng kaibigang babae

"Consistent with honors, dancer, singer, sporty, model, department representative natin sa intrams, model, ano pa ba?" inisa-isa nila, "Ang tanga lang talaga ng ipagpapalit siya sa iba."

Pasimple kong itinaas ang kilay. I saw how these two men became uneasy every minute pass. Not to mention, paiyak na iyong dati kong kaibigang babae na jinowa ng dating nanligaw sa akin.

"Baka may mas better pa sa akin. Don't you think? Hindi rin naman ako perfect." Sagot ko naman dahil ako ang topic.

"Kahit ano pa man 'yan, hindi deserve ng kahit na sino na masulutan ng jowa o ipagpalit ng jowa sa iba ha." Saad naman ng isa.

"Maybe she knows how to choose fine man now, don't you think? Only if they'd get interested over a woman filled with pride," Hilaw ang ngising saad ng dating nanligaw sa akin. Christopher I think is the name. Iyong nanligaw sa akin kasabay ang ibang babae.

Natahimik ang lahat at tila nagulat ang iba sa kakapal ng mukha ng lalaking 'to. Alam nila ang brief story ng nangyari at nag-aantay sila ng isasagot ko.

"Hala! Sir, hindi naman na po kailangan. Ayos naman po ang lahat," We heard a commossion from a far kaya napalingon kami.

Ang manager at si President na kausap ang kararating lang na si Damon galing sa isang meeting, suot ang suit and tie niya.

I raised a brow when he walk near me, snaked his arm around my waist, and kissed me temple.

"You don't have to pay for anything since I think, my girlfriend enjoyed this event you prepaired." He smiled shortly to everyone before turning his head back to me.

I'm still in awe that my shocked smile turned into smirk and into a grin. I'm so freaking proud!

"Ma'am. This is my boyfriend, Damon Delborja." Sabi ko sa aking adviser.

"When you said hotelier, I thought he's just a normal– oh my! What a pleassure, Mr. Delborja." Magalang na pakikipag usap ng adviser kay Damon.