Undying Flame (Nathan Kyle & Jhauztine Chloe Story)

Chapter 10

I reached the 45th floor of the Emperor Financial Holdings building at around three forty-five. It wasn't a long drive but the series of texts between me and Kyle made the silent trip uncomfortable.

"Yes, Ma'am? Do you have an appointment?" the receptionist immediately stood.

I nodded my head and handed her my I.D. "Yes, at four o'clock but it's still early."

Agad siyang tumango at mukhang chi-ne-check sa laptop na nasa harap niya kung may appointment nga ba ako. "Oh, yes. KCR Firm. Of course. I tell Mr. Orfiano's secretary right away. Maupo ka muna."

I did what I asked. I look around and saw nothing but black and white and gold. Looks like the owner isn't fond of decorating because of the minimalist design.

I am still rehearsing in my head kung ano ba ang mga tamang sasabihin. I've done more reasearch this afternoon and I learned that this empire built from the ground not from family's wealth- which was the first thing I assumed. Six years pa lang ang kompanya pero isa na ito sa pinaka-competative sa market. I also learned that they are now pushing towards international brokerage. At ang pinaka-nakakabilib sa lahat ay nang nalaman kong twenty seven years old pa lang ang may-ari. Whoever that Chandler Orfiano is mukhang hindi siya 'yong tipong nagsasayang ng oras.

"Siguro, hahayaan ko na lang siyang magsabi ng gusto niya bago ako magsasalita." I said under my breath.

"Miss Salces? Mr. Orfiano would like to see you now." The secretary called, I nodded my head and followed her strides.

RIC CHANDLER ORFIANO

The label on the door read. I furrowed my eyebrows. Ric Orfiano? As in Ric the kid I used to play with when I was still in the States?

Kumatok ng tatlong beses ang sekretarya niya saka binuksan ang pinto para sa'kin.

"Sir, Miss Salces is here." She announced.

Saka nagtaas ang lalaking 'yon ng tingin mula sa laptop niya papunta sa akin. I saw how his eyes widened, and I'm sure I have the same expression.

"Cleng? Ikaw ang pinadala ng KCR dito?" halata ang gulat sa boses niya.

Napangiti ako, amused and happy at the same time. "No freaking way!"

He stood immediately and treaded his way towards where I'm standing. He gave his secretary a look that made her scurry away but at least closing the door gently on her exit.

Nang kaming dalawa na lang, agad naman niya akong niyakap. I returned the hug and gave him a pat on the back.

"I can't believe it. Kailan ka pa rito sa Pinas?" agad na tanong niya nang kumalas kaming dalawa sa pagkakayakap.

"Matagal na. Dito na ako nag-College." I left the part on which my parent's divorce forced me to go here.

"Talaga ba? Akala ko lumipat lang kayo ng states." Umiling ako. "Have a seat, please. May gusto ka bang kainin o inumin?"

I shook my head no before occupying the couch he pointed. He sat adjacent to me before crossing his legs. He looks so formal, way different from the boy I used to play with. But nevertheless, he had grown to such and exquisite man. You can't find an inkling of his boyish charm, just pure sexy, manliness.

I realized I've been studying him for a while, so I cleared my throat and broke the silence, "Alam mo bang kabang-kaba ako kanina? Ang bilin kasi sa'kin maarte ka raw."

He too chuckled, "I will lose money if I'm not careful, Cleng. Kailangan maging maingat ako. Or 'maarte' as you may term it.

"Anyway, sobrang nawirduhan ako nang nabasa ko apilyedo mo. I thought it sounded familiar, hindi ko naman naisip na baka 'yong bata na kalaro ko noon ay may seocnd name pala."

He nodded his head, leaning over his left arm. "Same thoughts. Akala ko kung sino 'yong Chloe Salces na biglang gustong magki-meet. I knew you as Cleng, not Chloe. Ngayon ko lang tuloy napagtanto na nickname mo pala 'yon."

I paused for a minute, taking everything in. Simula talaga nang nagka-labo-labo ang projects namin, kung sinu-sinong tao sa nakaraan ko ang muli kong nakikita. Hindi ko nga alam kung para bang ito maganda o hindi.

"Nag-engineer ka pala. 'Diba may real estate business si daddy mo sa US? Wala kang planong i-take over."

My deep thoughts were jumbled so I again focused my attention on Ric. "Hindi ko pa alam, eh. I mean it's always an option, pero nang unuwi kasi ako rito at nakilala ko si Dawn, I saw to it that I'll try to provide for myself. Lagi niya kasi akong sinasabihan na 'wag siyang tularan." I ended my sentence with short laugh.

"Sino si Dawn?"

"'Yong best friend ko. I met her when I was College. After that we've been inseparable. Medyo magulo kasi ang buhay niya kapa pala-advice."

He nodded his head and said nothing more, so I moved the conversation to business. That's when he changed from an old acquaitance to a businessman realquick. He made clear of the things he wanted. Lahat naman 'yon hindi ko tinutulan, madalas ang ginagawa ko ay magdagdag ng ideya sa mfa gusto niyang mangyari, to tweak it a little, which he willingly welcomed.

Natapos kaming mag-usap pasado alas-sais na. "Si bossing na bahala sa iba mong gusto, pero rest assured, next week magpapadala na kami ng tao rito."

He closed his laptop and rested his chin on his hand. "Gusto rin kitang magtao rito, puwede ba 'yon?"

What did I say about him losing his childish vibe? Forget about it. Kasi ngayon, parang nakikita ko sa kanya ang Ric na kalaro lagi sa sandbox.

"Not really sure about that, may ibang project din kasi akong minamando." I gently said.

He c****d his head sideways, "Talaga ba? What if I requested for you personally kay Anton or kay Mr. Real mismo?"

Bigla rin akong napa-isip. Hindi naman malabo na pagbibigyan siya. Ang laki niyang account, that's why Sir Anton is tiptoeing around him. Milyon ang mawawala sa kompanya kung mag-re-retract bigla si Ric.

Seeing that I'm speechless over the matter, he rested his back on his big leather chair, realizing his conclusion.

"It's settled then. I'll highly request for you to be deployed here in my company. Mas gusto kong may kakilala ako kung mag-ou-outsource lang din naman ako."

"Sige, ikaw bahala. If ever it gets approved, you'll be seeing me around very often." Panloloko ko sa kanya.

He grinned at me. "It will be approved. See you here next week, Cleng."