Chapter 2

Makalipas ang isang linggo ay nagbihis ako ng maayos dahil sa exclusive party ng mga Fiere Company, nalaman ko rin na ‘yon ang pangalan ng kumpanya nila Maxwell Fierez.

Habang lumilinga linga ako para mabilis siyang mahanap ay natigilan ako nang may kumalabit sa likod ko dahilan para lingunin ko ‘yon ngunit asul na mata ang sumalubong sa titig ko.

“So you came,” he stated in a whisper tone.

“Mr. Fierez,” bahagya akong tumungo upang magbigay respeto.

“You can sit with us, since you’re gonna need to know me better, right?” he said as his piercing blue eyes stared directly at mine, my lips almost parted when he offered me his hands as I am wearing a 5 i5-inch heels, but still his height is taller than me.

Mabilis kong inabot ang kamay niya sa pagkahiya, sabay kaming naglakad at pagkarating sa table ng mga Fierez ay magaganda silang ngumiti sa akin.

“I heard you’re going to write an article about us,” his father said, “I also heard from your company’s president that you’re a good writer Ms. Evelyn Vion.” Inilahad nito ang kamay sa akin kaya naman ay ginandahan ko ang ngiti.

“Thank you so much, Chairman Fierez. It’s my pleasure to meet the greatest of all in terms of business,” inabot ko ang kamay niya at bahagyang yumuko.

“Well, you know how to make a businessman’s heart flutter. Nice meeting you, young lady.” Ngumiti ako nang paupuin nila ako.

After their short announcement, the party started and all of them greeted everyone. “Well, you can start asking me, if you may.” Napalingon ako kaagad kay Maxwell na maganda ang ngiti.

Ngumiti rin ako, “So Mr. Fierez, do you have a word for the aspiring businessman who sees you as their role model?” I asked tsaka ko inilabas ang notebook at ballpen ko.

Napaisip naman siya, “In order to be a successful businessman, you need to be cautious and sometimes you have to be selfish, a lot of people may deceive you in the process, and a lot of opportunities benefits the other party more than you, be selfish and don’t bite their trap. Pursue and don’t give up,” kalmadong sagot niya.

“Thank you Mr. Fierez, my next question is for an exclusive interview about your personal life, would you allow me?” Baka sakali ko.

“Hmm, sure. It’s my choice to answer or not right?” I gave him a nod before reading the question for him.

“A lot of rumors are circling around the world, is it true that you’re thirty years old? I heard from a lot of publishing company that you are faking your age to look better and to intrigue your people?” sabi ko, medyo kinakabahan ako sa topic na ito dahil baka mainsulto ko siya.

“It is true that I am thirty years old. Faking something about your identity is considered crime and it may harm my company and I don’t need to fake my age, I even look younger than my actual age.” Pinigilan ko ngumiti nang mahina pa siyang tumawa habang sumasagot.

Taas ng confidence niya sumagot, and I must admit that he’s only speaking truthe truth. Akala ko nga ay college student siya kung hindi lang dahil sa malaki niyang braso.

Ha? Braso!? Tama na ang pagpapantasya Evelyn!

Napailing ako upang iwaglit ang nasa isip, “Mr. Fierez, my next question will be personal. Are you in a relationship right now?”

His lips parted to my question before it turned into a playful smirk, “Do you have a boyfriend? A husband?” Nangunot ang noo ko nang ako ang tanungin niya.

“Po? W-Wala po,” nahihiyang sagot ko.

“That’s great, and to answer your question. I am not in a relationship as of this moment,” he said while staring at my face which made me conscious.

Nagpatuloy ang tanungan at nang matapos ‘yon ay nakipagkamay ako sa kanya. “Thank you for answering all of my questions, Mr. Fierez.”

Ngunit nang kunin niya ang kamay ko ay napansin ko kung gaano kalambot ‘yon, naglapat ang labi ko at matipid na ngumiti.

“My pleasure,” ngisi niya.

Iniiwas ko ang tingin sa asul niyang mata na para akong inaakit palagi.

“Have fun at the party,” mahinahon niyang sabi at bahagya akong nagitla nang bahagya siyang lumapit sa akin, nang hawakan niya ang buhok ko ay natuod ako.

“But don’t let an ant live in your hair,” he said before removing the ant, nahihiya kong inayos ang buhok at umiwas tingin.

“T-Thank you sir,” mahinang sabi ko at napapahiyang umalis sa harapan niya.

Kumuha muna ako ng drinks at nag-enjoy sa mamahalin na alak nila rito, halos lahat ay tinikman ko at masasabi kong quality.

Tinikman ko rin ang mga deserts nila hanggang sa may kapwa writer ako na nandito rin, ang kalaban namin na publishing company.

“I wonder, what did you offer to have an exclusive interview with Maxwell Fierez?” usisa niyang sabi kaya matipid akong ngumiti.

“Wala.”

“Oh, maybe your body? Oh my gosh! It would be nice to write an article about that, iwouldn’t it?” sinabi niya iyon nang may bahid ng sarkasmo at suot niya rin ang ngiti na sobrang plastic.

Nandito na naman ang insecure rival ko, “Is my body that worth it just to have an exclusive interview with a Fierez?” balik tanong ko.

Umirap siya bago pekeng tumawa, “What did you sell then? Your soul?”

“Wala nga, stop being delusional.” Tatalikuran ko na sana siya ngunit hinila niya ang braso ko para iharap muli sa kanya.

“Aren’t you rude to your senior?” ngising tanong niya ngunit ang mata niya ay nanlilisik na sa pagkairita sa akin.

“Senior? Hindi ko alam na si Ms. Sarah ka na pala?” peke akong tumawa at iniwan na siya doon, wala na rin naman siyang nagawa.

Nang medyo nakainom na ako ay naisipan ko na rin umuwi dahil matatapos na rin ang event, habang naghihintay ng taxi ay nalingon ko ay may ari ng yabag ng paa.

“Mr. Fierez, uuwi na kayo?” Baka sakali ko at magandang ngumiti sa harapan niya habang nakatitig sa mukha ko ang asul at makamandag niyang mata.

“Mm,” he gave me a nod as he grabbed his keys on his pocket, “It’s already late, how about I give you a ride?” he said.

“Po? Bakit po?” naguguluhan na tanong ko.

“I plan on getting to know you better,” he leaned closer, “If you let me, at least.”

Umawang ang labi ko kasabay ng paglaki ng mata.

‘Getting to know me better?! What does that mean!?’