This Time ( You Got Me Book 2)

Chapter One

" Anong iniisip mo?" Itiningala niya ang mukha mula sa pagkakahiga sa dibdib ko. Just seeing her lovely face makes me think that I'm the luckiest guy in the world.

"Just imagining the little Jacob and Little Andrea running around this house," Tapos na ang construction ng bahay at interior design na lang ang kailangan. Kalahatian pa lang ng construction nang magsimula kaming asikasuhin ang kasal. Uncle John was right when he assigned Architect Arceo and Architect Madrid to construct our dream house. I invited them to our wedding dahil napalapit na din kami ni Andrea sa kanila sa loob ng pitong buwan na nakakadeal naming sila sa lahat ng transactions regarding the construction. I don’t know what happene, but the two of them just disappeared right after the project. I tried to ask Uncle John but he said he don’t know. I’m sure ayaw lang niyang magsalita. Sa bagay, that’s their personal life bagaman naging malapit na kaibigan na din namin silang dalawa.

“Parang  ang dami naman ng balak mong maging baby natin,” natatawang saad niya sabay pisil sa pisngi ko.

“Of course, I want a big family.” I really wanted one. Gusto kong punuin ng malalakas na tawanan at kulitan ang bahay na iyon. I was really looking forward on my future and forever with her.

“Sigurado ka bang hindi ka magloloko kapag nakasal na tayo?” May himig ng pagbabanta sa tono ng boses niya.

“I would never, ever, do that Hon,” I hugged her tighter while we’re sitting on the bench located at the garden of the house. Gabi na nun at naisipan naming daanan ang bahay. We really enjoy visiting it kahit hindi pa man tapos. Nauupo lang kami sa bench at walang sawang pinagmamasdan ang bahay na ilang buwan na lang ay titirahan na namin after the wedding. I can’t wait to call her my wife.

“Siguraduhin mo lang dahil yari ka sa akiiiinnnn,” Pinanggigilan niya lalo ang pisngi ko.

“Aahh, awwww!”

“What do you mean she resigned?!” Halos pasigaw na ang tanong ko na ‘yun kay Mikee.

“I don’t know. That’s why I’m asking you. What happened to the both of you that she had to resign and effective immediately pa?!” I actually don’t know. Basta na lang niya ako hindi kinausap at sinabing pagod na siya. That’s she’d fed up and tired of all my excuses. Akala ko lilipas din ang galit at tampo niya. But she suddenly resigned and nowhere to be found. She left me without any word. I tried to find her but even her family won’t tell me where the f*ck she was. Then everything started to fall apart for me. My career, my life, myself.

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“You’re tensed,” Mikee commented after taking a sip of her coffee. Hayan na naman siya sa mga makahulugang tingin niya.

“I’m bored. We’ve been waiting for thirty minutes already. Wala ba siyang sense of time management?” I’m really irritated. Sa lahat ng ayaw ko ay ang late. Masyadong pinaninindigan ang connotation ng Filipino Time. Talaga ba Jake? Or am I just trying to hide what I really feel. That after two f*cking years ay makikita ko ito sa unang pagkakataon pagkatapos niyang mawala ng parang bula.

“We we’re advised that she will be late. Isa pa tayo ang may kailangan sa kanya, don’t forget that,” mariing paalala niya.

“Yeah, I know.” What else can I do? As if I have a choice.

“How about I visit your house so Oliver and I can catch up?” I smiled widely to convince her.

“And have a drinking session? No way. Kung may problema ka ay ibang kaibigan mo muna ang abalahin mo. Stay away from my husband,” she said while rolling her eyes. Natatawa na lang ako dahil dati-rati ay pangarap niyang magkasundo kami ng asawa niya pero ngayon naman na close na close na kami ay naiinis siya.

“Grabe! I want to spend time with Ethan also. Matagal ko ng hindi nadadalaw ang inaanak ko.” For the past two years, I spent most of my weekends at their house. Playing with their son, watching sports game with Oliver. She didn’t seem to mind. But lately, I guess my presence irritated her.  Sumusungit na dahil sa stress sa bago niyang posisyon sa bangko. At alam kong partly sinisisi niya ako. Napilitan siyang tanggapin. We stayed silent for a couple of minutes.

“Are you ready to face her?” seryosong tanong niya like trying to break the ice.  As if hindi siya ang may kagagawan kung bakit nandito kami ngayon.

“Do I have a choice?” I sounded bored.

“You need this account, Jake.” Naiintindihan ko naman siya. I was actually thankful to her. She could’ve given this to other managers. But still, she chose to help and support me. Kung hindi lang talaga sa complication ay hindi ako hesitant na tanggapin ito.

I just nodded.

“Ma’am Mikee!” Just the sound of her voice made my heartbeat raced. Hanggang ngayon ay tanda ko pa rin ang boses nito na minsang nilinlang ako.

“Andeng!” Mikee immediately stood up and welcomed her with a warm hug. Can’t blame her. Naging super close sila nang itranfer niya ito sa branch niya. I can still remember all help she did para lang matulungan kami dati. Pero lahat nasayang.

“Stop calling me Ma’am. Hindi mo na ako boss ngayon. Isa pa ay makaibigan pa din naman tayo,” she just smiled at what Mikee said.

“Grabe, ang ganda ganda mo lalo.” Hinawi niya ang ilang piraso ng buhok papunta sa likod ng kanyang tenga. Hanggang ngayon ba ay hindi pa rin siya sanay na pinupuri siya? I bet not! Masyado nang malaki ang ipinagbago niya. Even the way she dress is very different from her style before.

“Ikaw nga itong mas lalong gumanda at sumeksi, parang wala kang anak.” D*mn! Her smile is still breath-taker.

She looked different. Mas naging maganda at balingkinitan ang katawan. Nagmature din ang mukha niya but she aged beautifully. She looked sophisticated and there’s finesse in her gestures. I almost forgot to breathe the moment she turned her gaze to me.

“Mr. Arellano, long time no see.” She said seriously showing not a bit of happiness upon seeing me.

“Ms. Hernandez,” I just answered. Pinilit kong gawing kalmado at walang emosyon ang boses at mukha ko so that she wouldn’t know how affected I was by her presence; her long gone presence.