Chapter Four

A L T O N

            "Congratulations Mr. Parkyel I hope we can build a good partnership this coming project that we talked." I smiled and nakipagkamay kay Mr.Mariano, one of my business partners.

"Thank you," sabat ko naman at tumalikod na.

I immediately went to the table that was assigned to us. I'm looking at them intently. He's smiling and it's obvious Jon's enjoying Chelo's company. Assh*le.

I flashed my devilish smile and seat beside Chelo. I immediately drink the wine infront of me to ease the irritation inside my body.

Kinuha ko ang itinunghol na tissue ni Chelo at binalik ulit sa kaniya pagkatapos. I managed to smile despite of what I really feel.

"Thanks,"  ani ko.

"Aanhin ko iyan, itapon mo na." Ngumiwi pa siya.

I clenched my jaw but still my eyes remained on her.

"What's your position in MY company?" idiniin ko pa ang 'my' para malaman niya at ma-aware naman siya.

"Your secretary," prenteng sagot niya.

"Wohh, baka mag LQ na naman kayo niyan ha?" pabirong singit ni Jon. I gave him my deadliest glare so he will stop teasing us like an idiot.

"Eto naman hindi majoke," dagdag agad ni Jon at mabilis na nilagok ang wine niya.

"Tss. So if you're my secretary then it's your duty to follow me right?" ako.

Nginuso ko ang hawak-hawak kong used tissue.

"Oo na po kainis!" siya. Kinuha niya sa akin ang tissue sabay tayo. Nakita ko pang ngumuso siya.

"If you're lazy to follow, free to leave Ms. Salmonte. I can get a new and hot secretary anytime," I joked. Pero kitang kita ko sa mga mata niya ang iritasyon at ang hindi malamang emosyon.

"Wala po akong reklamo,sige na po itatapon ko lang 'to."

She left. I smiled softly but Jon caught it. As usual, I just looked at him badly but he just shrugged and gave me an annoying look.

"Do you want me to throw these to you?" inis kong tanong sa kanya. I'm  now holding a glass with wine and ready to throw it at him.

"Chill lang bro, hindi ko alam na ganyan pala ang epekto ni Chelo sayo," asar niya sa akin.

"Anong epekto? I don't have Jon so please shut up!" I shouted and drank some wine just to make me feel better.

"Joke lang eto naman masyadong defensive." Jon

"One more time, I will surely punch your fvcking face," banta ko sa kanya.

He raised his two hands as if talo na siya.

I sighed.

Pero napaisip ako sa sinabi niya. Damn it, secretary ko siya at wala'ng iba. I valued  her since she applied and maybe that's what Jon thinks about for being very affected in Chelo's presence.

"I'm back guys."

Napaayos kami ng upo ni Jon. Syempre kailangan naming ipakita na hindi kami nag-usap niyang lalaking yan para hindi manghinala si Chelo baka anong maisip e. Iba pa naman mag-isip ang isang 'to.

Tinignan ko ang wrist watch ko. It's already past 11 in the evening. We have one hour to go. Hinawakan ko si Chelo sa wrist.T umango lang ako kay Jon bago kami umalis.

"Alton saan na naman tayo papunta?" naiirita siya?

"Just wait," sagot ko at hindi na nagsalita.

"Balak mo ba akong kidnapin? Wag naman,wala kaming pera." Siya

I shut my mouth to lessen the atmosphere that we had. Ayokong patulan siya, baka ano pa ang masabi ko at mag-isip siya ng kung ano.

Wala akong iniisip kundi ang magiging reaction niya. I hope she'll like it. I'm so fvck up for doing something to please people. So I really don't know if this will be successful.

"We'll be there.." sabay tingin sa wrist watch "..in five minutes," sagot ko at binalik ang mata sa daan.

After few minutes of walking, finally we reached our destination.

We stopped in the middle of two small green hills. I saw how Chelo's lips smile widely, while her eyes were sparkling because of amusement.

"Alton ang ganda," manghang sabi niya.

I smiled.

Yeah, it's beautiful.

Those small green hills surrounded by Christmas lights. Colorful drones that keeps on flying until it reaches their limitations.

Manghang mangha pa rin si Chelo at umikot umikot pa habang naka spread ang mga braso.  My mood lightened up. I knew she'll like it. She's a kind of woman who can appreciate even small things and I'm happy for being herself all this time.

I lead her under the mahogani tree. Nipalag ko muna ang picnic mat at tinungo ang tree house na nasa ibabaw ng kahoy na kinaroroonan namin.

I went down and placed the rattan basket between us and took the food inside it.

"Palagi ka bang nandito?" tanong niya pagkaupo pa lang.

Umupo na rin ako.

"Hindi, ngayon ko lang 'to nakita." Kumuha ako ng egg sandwich sabay abot sa kanya.

"Thanks, ang sarap ha! From now on, favorite ko na 'to," cheerful na sabi niya.

I turned my gaze opposite to her. I can't bare seeing her that happy. I mean, she's to fragile. I don't want to hurt her but how can I do that?

"You liked it?" puna ko sa kanya. Tumango naman siya.

We filled our eyes with the beautiful scenery. It was late at night but with the help of Christmas lights and drones, it became very bright.

I took off my jacket and put it on her shoulder. I felt like electricity when I applied my palm to her arms.

Damn, ano iyon? Why I can feel those things I haven't felt before ?

"Wear this , it's cold." I tried to act normal but still no use. I'm fvcking affected with her presence. Kailan ba ako nagsimulang gumanito?

She's not doing anything but looking at me intently with those brown and deep eyes of her.

I pulled her beside me. She let out a sigh. I think this is too much. Why I am doing this?

Sinandal ko ang kaniyang ulo sa balikat ko. I slowly circled my left arm on her waist. Nakahinga ako ng maluwag nang hindi niya ako suwayin. All I want is to make her position comfortable, that's it.

"I want to go there." Tinuro niya ang pinakatuktok ng bundok.

I nodded.

She stood up and went to the highest part of the hill. I followed and I sat down beside her. None of us spoke.

I checked my wrist watch.Ang tagal na pala namin dito. 6 seconds to go before 12 midnight.

"Let's count down Chel," I murmed behind her ears. I saw how she reacts when she realised how near I am beside her.

Pero ilang sandali ay nilihis niya ang kaniyang mga tingin at tumango na lang.

I held her hand. Napaawang ang bibig niya dahil sa ginawa ko, pero ngumisi lang ako sa kaniya.  Pinisil ko ang kamay niya at naghintay.

"Ready."  5 seconds..

"5"

"4"

"3"

"2"

"1"

"WOW." Chelo.

I asked her sister if what Chelo likes to do or watch. So I prepared all of these. To be honest , all I wanted to do is to make Chelo happy even I act like a bastard sometimes. She serves me for about 5 years so I think it's time to do what is right. Enough for wasting every second, minute, hour and day.

"Taon-taon ba kapag may ganung event kayo may ganito?" mangha pa ring tanong niya at hindi maalis ang tingin sa walang tigil na fireworks display. Maybe aabot ito ng 5minutes.

"Nope, I prepared this for you," diretso kong sagot.

Lumitaw na naman ang gulat sa mga mata niya. How I like seeing her like this. Para siyang inosente sa mga tinuran niya.

"Why, bakit ang bongga naman ata?" siya

"I just realised something."

Nakita ko ang pagningning ng mga mata niya. Fvck, is she crying ?

"Really huh, edi thank you," sabay yakap sakin.

Lumitaw na naman ang pamilyar na pakiramdam kapag magkalapit ang aming katawan. Para akong dinadala sa alapaap dahil napaka komportable ng mga yakap niya. I can also smell her girlish scent. I touched her soft and brown hair.

"Chelo," I whispered hardly. My heart is beating so fast. Para itong lalabas. Marahan ko siyang tinulak, takot ako na baka marinig niya ang pintig ng puso ko.

"Oh sorry masaya lang ako," sabay bitaw sa yakap niya sa akin. Inayos ko ang nagusot kong three piece suit.

I nodded to show that I'm okay. Damn it, I need to calm my heart. Still beating so fast and it made me hard to breath.

--------