KABANATA 17

THEY STARED at each other for a long time— not in a romantic way, though. Dahil siya ay nanatiling nakataas ang kilay habang ito naman ay naka-kunot ang noo sa pagtataka. Ilang sandali pa’y una itong nagbawi ng tingin at huminga ng malalim. Tumayo ito at hinubad ang suit bago muling nagsalita.

“How was Maureen’s party?”

She gritted her teeth in annoyance. “You should have come so you won’t be asking me about it.”

Van shook his head and started to loosen his tie. “Why are you being bitchy, Demani?”

She gasped exaggeratedly. “I didn’t expect you to ask me that, honey?”

“You know what? Spill it. Just tell me what's making you angry when in fact, I should be the one to feel that way. Ang paalam mo ay sa party ka ni Maureen pupunta. I called mom and she says you left this afternoon to come home early. Now what? Limang oras kang na-traffic? My office is in the city, too, Demani. And it normally takes me one and a half hours to reach