Hey, babe

Luna Elise Marcelline’s POV Nabigla ako sa tanong ni Cairo, pero hindi ko iyon pinahalata. Sa halip, dahan-dahan kong isinara ang folder na nasa harapan ko at inayos ang pagkakaupo. Tinitigan ko siya nang diretso, pilit na pinapakalma ang sarili ko kahit ang puso ko ay parang gustong kumawala sa dibdib ko. Sa dami ng mga tanong na puwede niyang itanong… Bakit iyon pa? “Why are you interested in knowing about my daughter’s father, Mr. Devereaux?” pormal kong tanong. Hindi siya sumagot agad. Nakatitig lang siya sa akin. At sa ilang segundo ng katahimikan, mas lalo kong naramdaman ang bigat ng presensiya niya. Nothing has changed. Siya pa rin ang Cairo Evander Devereaux na nagpabilis ng t***k ng puso ko noon. Mas lalo lang siyang naging guwapo ngayon. Mas mature ang features niya. Mas matalim ang jawline. Mas seryoso ang mga mata. At iyong dating malamig niyang aura na minsan ay kinaiinisan ko dahil hindi niya ako napapansin? Mas lumala. He looked intimidating. Powerful. Untouchable. Exactly the kind of man I promised myself I would never fall for again. “Because I have a feeling that I know the answer,” kalmado niyang sabi. Napataas ang kilay ko. “An answer to what?” “About your daughter.” “Liora?” Tumango siya. “Does she look like me?” Halos matawa ako sa tanong niya. “Excuse me?” “You heard me.” “Cairo, maraming batang may green eyes.” “Does she have green eyes?” Napahinto ako. There. That question again. “Why does it matter?” “Because I asked.” “And I don't have to answer.” Bahagya siyang sumandal sa upuan niya. “Still stubborn.” “Still arrogant.” “Still avoiding my questions.” “Still asking questions that aren't your business.” Bahagyang umangat ang sulok ng labi niya. “Maybe because you're making it my business.” Napairap ako. “Please. We're here because of the business proposal, not because you suddenly became interested in my personal life.” “I can be interested in both.” “Well, I'm not.” “That's not what I asked.” Napahigpit ang hawak ko sa ballpen. “Then let me make it clear. Whatever happened in the past is over.” His expression changed. “Is it?” “Yes.” “You sound very sure.” “I am.” “Then look at me and say it.” Napatingin ako sa kanya. “Say what?” “That you don't feel anything anymore.” Natahimik ako. For a moment, para akong bumalik sa nakaraan. Sa hallway ng university. Sa mga panahong gumagawa ako ng kung anu-anong dahilan para mapansin niya. Sa mga panahong kunwari ay nahihirapan ako sa isang subject para lamang magkaroon ako ng dahilan para lumapit sa kanya. At kay Cairo? Wala. Ni isang tingin. Ni isang espesyal na atensiyon. Until now. “That's childish,” sabi ko. “Is that a no?” “That's a yes.” “Interesting.” “What's interesting?” “You didn't say it.” “Because I don't need to.” “Exactly.” Napabuntong-hininga ako. “Cairo, we're adults now.” “I know.” “So act like one.” “I am.” “Then stop digging into my past.” “I wasn't digging into your past.” “Then what are you doing?” He stared at me. “Trying to understand why the woman I knew suddenly has a child.” My heart skipped. “People move on.” “Seven years is a long time.” “Yes.” “Did you?” I swallowed. “Yes.” “Good.” His answer was too quick. Too calm. And somehow, mas lalo akong kinabahan. “Why do you sound disappointed?” “I'm not.” “You are.” “You always did that.” “Did what?” “Assume you know what I'm thinking.” Napangiti ako nang mapait. “I used to.” “Used to?” “Yes.” “Not anymore?” “Not anymore.” He nodded slowly. “Then tell me something I don't know.” “Like what?” “Who is Liora's father?” I stared at him. There it was again. The question I had been trying to avoid. “That's private.” “I'm not asking for his entire life story.” “Good, because you're not getting one.” “Luna.” “Cairo.” “I'm serious.” “So am I.” Tumayo ako at kinuha ang folder. “Can we please return to our actual business?” “Fine.” He gestured toward the chair. “Sit.” Umupo ako, pero hindi ko inalis ang tingin ko sa kanya. “Let's discuss the distribution agreement.” For several minutes, naging maayos ang meeting. Numbers. Contracts. Delivery schedules. Investments. Everything was strictly professional. At iyon ang gusto ko. Hanggang sa muling magsalita si Cairo. “Your company has been expanding fast.” “Yes.” “Which means you need additional capital.” “We're handling it.” “Are you?” “Yes.” “Because your last quarter's numbers say otherwise.” Napatingin ako sa kanya. “You reviewed our financial reports?” “Of course.” “You're very thorough.” “It's my job.” “Right.” He slid a document toward me. “I can offer you a better arrangement.” Napakunot ang noo ko. “What's the catch?” “No catch.” “Nothing is free, Cairo.” “I didn't say it was.” “Then what do you want?” “Your company.” Napatingin ako sa kanya. “What?” “Not ownership.” “Then?” “A partnership.” I studied the document. “Why?” “Because I think your company has potential.” “That's all?” “Yes.” “Nothing personal?” His eyes met mine. “Nothing personal.” Hindi ko alam kung bakit parang may kurot akong naramdaman sa sagot niya. I quickly looked away. “Fine. I'll have our legal team review this.” “Good.” Tumayo ako. “I think we're done.” “Not yet.” Napatingin ako sa kanya. “What now?” “Your daughter.” Napapikit ako sandali. “Cairo…” “I just want to ask one thing.” “What?” “How old is she?” I stared at him. “Why?” “Just answer me.” “She's six.” His expression froze. Just for a second. Pero nakita ko. And that was enough to make my stomach twist. “Six?” ulit niya. “Yes.” He looked down at the papers in front of him. Then back at me. “Interesting.” “What's interesting about that?” “Nothing.” “Cairo.” “Nothing, Luna.” I narrowed my eyes. “I know you. You're hiding something.” “Funny.” “What?” “I was about to say the same thing about you.” Hindi ako nakasagot. He walked toward the window, hands inside his pockets. For a while, he simply stared outside. Then he spoke without looking at me. “Does she know about me?” My fingers tightened around the folder. “No.” “Why?” “Because there's nothing to know.” He finally turned around. “Are you sure?” “Yes.” “You're lying.” Napasinghap ako. “Excuse me?” “You're lying to me.” “You don't get to accuse me of lying.” “I know you, Luna.” “No. You knew me.” He paused. “That sounds different.” “It is.” I walked toward the door. “Whatever you're looking for, Cairo, stop.” “Why?” “Because I don't want my daughter involved.” His expression became serious. “I don't want to hurt her.” “Then stay away from her.” “That's not an answer.” “It is mine.” I opened the door. “Luna.” I stopped. “Don't call me that way.” “Which way?” “Like you still have the right.” His eyes softened for a moment. “Do I?” I looked at him. “No.” Silence. Then I forced myself to smile. “We have a business relationship. Let's keep it that way. No personal attachments. No questions about my daughter. No digging into the past.” He stared at me. “You've changed.” “Yes.” “You weren't this cold before.” “I had to grow up.” “Because of me?” “Because of life.” I turned the doorknob. But before I could leave, his voice stopped me. “Luna.” I didn't turn around. “Does she have my eyes?” My entire body went still. I closed my eyes. Just for a second. Then I looked back at him. “Lots of people have green eyes, Cairo.” “That wasn't my question.” “It's the only answer you're getting.” “Why are you afraid to answer?” “I'm not afraid.” “Then answer.” I smiled. This time, I made sure he couldn't see how much his question affected me. “Because I don't owe you an answer.” I stepped out. But before the door completely closed, I heard him speak again. Very quietly. Almost like he was talking to himself. “She has my eyes, doesn't she?” My hand froze on the doorknob. I didn't turn around. I couldn't. Because if I did… He might see the truth written all over my face. I finally walked away. Fast. Too fast. Pagdating ko sa elevator, saka lamang ako huminga nang malalim. I pressed the button. Once. Twice. Again. “Come on…” Nang bumukas ang elevator, agad akong pumasok. Pagkasara ng pinto, napasandal ako sa malamig na metal wall. My heart was still racing. Seven years. Pitong taon kong piniling manahimik. Pitong taon kong pinrotektahan si Liora mula sa mga tanong na hindi ko kayang sagutin. At sa pitong taong iyon, hindi ko kailanman inisip na makikita ko ulit si Cairo. Mas lalong hindi ko inisip na sa unang araw ng pagkikita namin… tatanungin niya kung anak niya si Liora. Napapikit ako. “Please, Cairo…” Hindi ko alam kung kanino ako humihingi ng pakiusap. Sa kanya ba? O sa sarili ko? Dahil ang totoo… Hindi ako natatakot na malaman niya ang tungkol kay Liora. Ang kinatatakutan ko ay ang mangyayari kapag nalaman niya ang buong katotohanan. Dahil baka hindi lang isang ama ang babalik sa buhay ng anak ko. Baka pati ang lalaking minsan kong minahal… bumalik din sa buhay ko.