Seductive Return

9. Meeting with Him

WHEN Suzie arrived at home, it was nearly six in the evening. She was tired and sleepy. Today was a long day. She got into a fight with the student council’s president and by the end of the day, he became her tour guide.

“Good evening, Ate.”

She smiled and hugged her brother. “Hello, Gelo.”

“How was your first day of school Ate? Mine was great. I had a lot of new friends.”

“I got four but the one was unsure.”

“Unsure?”

“First met namin nag-away kami then at the end of the day, he became my tour guide.”

“He just can’t resist your beauty, Ate!”

“Gelo!”

She threw her bag at him but she missed. Gelo just laughed.

No one can ever imagine her brother is just eight years old. Gelo is intelligent and wise.

* * * * *

THE next day, Suzie forgot to bring her lunch box because she overslept. Angela was waiting for her in the classroom. They will have lunch together, she leaves first to buy her food because Angela had her own lunch packed.

Napanganga siya sa presyo ng mga pagkain. What is she expecting? Nasa rich territory siya.

She sighed.

“Ms. Cruz.”

She turned her head automatically upon hearing her name, recognizing right away the voice that called her.. “Mr. President!”

He walked towards her, “I apologize for coming late.” he said. “It happened because I had things to deal with first.”

“Y-You don’t have to come here because I’m not your responsibility. And… you have a lot of things to do. I’m just disturbing you.” She hated to say words she didn't mean.

“It’s alright. Don’t be shy. Anyway, are you done eating?”

Endi pa.

“Y-Yes,” ewan niya kung bakit iyon ang isinagot niya. She forced a smile but her tummy showed the truth behind her white lie. She knew Luis heard it. Her face burned and she wanted to run away from him and never see him again.

When she raised her head, she saw him looking at her with a smile on his lips.

“You! Don’t you dare look at me like that. I’m melting.” She uttered silently. “In fairness, a killer smile.”

“Liars go to hell,” she heard him say. “Halika, saluhan mo ako.”

Her right brow rose. Marunong naman pala itong mag-tagalog pinahirapan pa siya.

He pulled her but she didn’t move.

He turned to her. “Hmm?”

“Umm…M-Mr. Pres—”

He cut her off in mid-sentence by waving a hand in the air. “Call me Luis. Besides, did I not mention minutes ago that you don’t need to be shy?”

“But Angela’s waiting for me.”

“Angela who?”

“Angela Garciano.”

“I’ll just send someone to tell her you’re with me.”

He pulled her again and at that moment, she just went with the flow.

They were on their way when they saw Lance.

“Hello, Suzie!” Lance greeted her cheerfully.

She smiled at him.

“Do me a favor Lance,” Luis said. “Tell Angela Suzie’s with me.”

They continued walking without waiting for Lance’s reply.

“That sounds more of a command than a favor.” she commented.

Luis just smiled.

“Does he know who Angela is?”

“Very well.”

She wanted to know more about what's going on between Angela and Lance but it seems Luis won’t talk. She can feel it somehow, that there was something between her friend and Lance.

Luis brought her to the place where they exchanged apologies. There were lots of foods on the table and she was starving.

“Wow! Mukhang masasarap lahat,” she burst out. She covered her mouth as she realized what she said.

He ignored her comment and pulled a chair for her. As soon as she was seated, he sat across from her.

“Let’s eat.” He said casually.

She was tense because of the silence so she opened a topic to ease the tension but she got tired talking and noticed that she’s the only one who’s talking. “Hey!” she protested. “Why aren’t you saying anything? I know you can speak or did you swallow your tongue while eating?”

Luis smiled and it felt right. Parang nalaglag ang puso niya.

“Sarap mo kasing pakinggan eh,” he said. His smile was teasing her. “Sige, magkuwento ka pa.”

She frowned. “Napanis na ang laway mo.”

“So?”

“Baka tumirik na `yang mga mata mo. Natuyo na ang tubig sa katawan mo.”

He glared at her and she froze.

* * * * *

AFTER class, she was walking to the room Luis told her where she could find him. She was humming a song as she walked towards the door of the College’s student council room.

She was about to open the door when it opened on its own. With wide eyes, she raised her head only to see this scary man with sharp eyes and dangerous appeal, for short, Keith. Two buttons from his collar were widely open to reveal his chest. No necktie, no identification card but more than complete with his s*x appeal.

“What are you doing here?” he asked in his deep voice.

She froze for a moment before she uttered, “Luis.”

She felt cold as she saw him raise his eyebrow. He turned his head and called up the person she was looking for.

“What?” she heard Luis ask.

“Cinderella’s looking for you.”

She frowned upon hearing his description of her.

As this arrogant man opened the door wide, she saw Luis in a puzzled look. As he saw her, he smiled at her and she felt as if her heart skipped a beat.

“Come in.”

As she stepped forward, the door bangs behind her.

“I’m sorry for that,” he apologized.

“Yeah, we’re sorry for his rudeness.” Cris said. “We’re sorry, Ms. Cruz. That was Keith ‘masungit’ Myers in case you don’t know him.”

She raised her right arm. “Can I ask a question?”

“You’re already asking, Ms. Cruz.” Carla said. “Joke lang! Continue,” she permitted her.

“Why does everyone know me?”

“You’re the only scholar here.” Carla answered.

Humirit naman si Lance. “Dahil ikaw ang target ni Bruha.”

“What?” may problema ba ang tainga niya? Target ng bruha? Sino?

Si Cris ang sumagot sa tanong na hindi niya maisatinig. “Remember that girl with sharp eyes yesterday morning? That was her.”

Charmien.

“Bakit?”

“She’s in love with Luis,” sabi ni Lance. “That she will kill anyone who loves him.”

“Marami namang babae na in love kay Luis ah. Bakit ako ang pinag-iinitan niya?”

“Wala siyang pakialam sa ibang babaeng nagkakagusto kay Luis dahil kampante siyang hanggang tingin lang ang mga ito pero ikaw, nakakalapit ka kay Luis ng walang kahirap-hirap.”

Dahil sa nalaman niya mula sa madaldal na si Lance ay nanlumo siya. Lalayo na lang siya kay Luis habang maaga pa.

She vowed to hide the sadness in her eyes. Sayang.

She cleared her throat before she spoke. “Ahm..M-May naiwan nga pala ako sa silid-aralan . Ah, babalikan ko muna.”

She turned to the door but before she could touch the doorknob, Luis called her.

“Suzie.”

Muntik na siyang mapatili nang may humawak sa balikat niya. She turned to see who it was but very careful not to let him see her face. Kahit dibdib lang nito ang nakikita niya ay alam niyang si Luis iyon. Because of his scent.

He lightly touched a finger in her chin to lift up her head. And to force her to look at him.

Napanganga na lang siya dahil sa sobrang lapit ng mukha nito.

“You’ll be back,” It wasn’t a sentence or a question. His voice was full of command and authority.

Tumango siya nang marahan.

He let go and walked towards his table and went back to his work.

Now, she just realized what she said. “Tanga! Iiwasan mo nga, hindi ba? Bakit tumango ka? Naman Suzie!” sermon niya sa sarili.

“Naku naman, Luis!” Lance exclaimed. “Huwag ka ngang mang-akit dito sa loob ng SCR at baka magkaroon tayo ng estatuwa dito ng wala sa oras.”

Siya ba ang ibig sabihin nito? She frowned and answered her own question, “Obviously.”

“`Kita mo nga at nagsasalita mag-isa.” sabi pa ni Lance.

“Oo nga,” segunda ni Cris. “Maawa ka nga sa mga nabibiktima mo. Nagiging baliw eh. Nagsasalita ng walang kausap.”

She frowned at them and walked away.

“He even said he liked you.” pahabol si Lance.