APOCALYPSE BABY

CHAPTER 4

Chapter 4

Tatiana

Hindi agad sya nakaimik sa mga salitang binitawan ni Ciel. Parang hindi ma-sink-in ng utak nya yung mga sinabe nito. Ang hirap i-digest. Hindi rin sya makapaniwala. Why Ciel is not this kind of person who throws flowery words. Trust me.

Sa ilang taong pagkakakilala nya kay Ciel, this is the first time he said something beyond his usual words. This is not so him.

Ang hirap paniwalaan!

Bahagya syang lumayo kay Ciel and with confusing eyes she look at him.

"Are you sick?" At hinawakan nya ang noo nito. Checking his body temperature.

Takang tinignan naman sya ni Ciel. Wondering what she is doing.

"Wala ka namang lagnat pero bat ganyan ka ngayon?" She asked totally confused. She eyed him for a moment and after a couple of minutes, an idea pops up on her mind.

"Oh my God!" Nanlaki ang mga mata nya at bigla syang napalayo dito.

Kumunot ang noo ni Ciel at tinanong sya nito kung bakit.

"D-don't tell me...." Pa-suspense nyang saad rito. Tila nairita naman si Ciel sa mga reaksyon nya dahil salubong na salubong na ang mga kilay nito.

"What?!" He ask irritatedly.

"Are you Ciel's clone?!?" She ask surprisingly.

Ciel's jaw dropped instantly. Tila hindi ito makapaniwala sa sinabe nya.

"What are you saying?!" Inis na tanong ni Ciel sa kanya.

Tinitigan nya ang gusot na gusot na mukha nito at bigla na lamang syang natawa. If you guys can just see Ciel's face. It's so damn epic! But nevertheless, he's still handsome.

"Y-you just have seen your face Ciel!" Natatawang saad nya rito.

He creased her forehead for a minute and afterwards he take a deep breath, composing his self.

"You know what? You're good in ruining the mood." He said poker faced. She chuckles.

"Oh sorry, my bad. It's just that I can't believe that you said something out of your usual words." She said and she shrugged her shoulders.

Ciel sighs as he sexily runs his finger through his hair.

"Be honored. Ikaw ang unang taong pinag-alayan ko ng mga matatamis na salita." He said.

"Oh I'm totally honored." She said sarcastically and she laugh. Nangingiting napailing na lamang si Ciel sa kanya.

Seriously, she never imagined that one day magiging ganito sila ni Ciel. Ciel is not that type of person na madaling i-approach. He have this very intimidating aura na mauutal ka kapag kausap mo sya. Lalo na kung di mo talaga sya kilala. Hindi nya alam na may ganitong side si Ciel na matutuwa kang kausap siya.

After a couple of minutes na pag-stay ni Ciel sa office nya ay nag-decide na itong magpaalam sa kanya. He need to get back dahil may naiwan pa itong trabaho na kailangan asikasuhin.

"I'll fetch you later." Saad nito sa kanya ng ihatid nya ito sa sasakyan nito.

Umiling sya at ngumiti sa lalaki.

"You don't have to. I brought my car with me. Just go home straight and take a rest. Ok? Don't mind me. I can handle myself pretty well." She said. Ciel eyed her for a moment and nodded his head afterwards.

"As you say so. Just take care ok? I'll just gonna call you later. See you tomorrow. Enjoy the rest of the day, Tantan." He kissed her cheek goodbye and ride off to his car.

She waved her hand as she watched Ciel leaving until she can no longer see him.

She's about to get back inside the shop when she recall something.

Wait. What did he just call her a little while ago?

Tantan?

Did Ciel just gave her a nickname? Oh my good Lord! She can't help but to smile. Parang kinikilig sya knowing that Ciel gave her a nickname and Tantan is actually pretty cute. Kyaaaaahh! Why!!!

++

Alas otso ng gabi nang sya'y makauwi sa kanila. Nag-overtime kasi sya dahil dumami ang customer nila pagsapit ng alas-singko ng hapon. At dahil kulang sila sa ngayon sa tao ay tumulong muna sya.

"Yo sis! Kakauwi mo lang?" Tanong ng kuya Blue nya sa kanya pagkababa nya sa sala. Tumango sya at napapagod na umupo sa sofa.

"You tired?" Tanong naman ng kuya Thadeus nya. She rested her head on the sofa and nodded her head.

"Aww kawawa naman ang princess namin." He heard her Kuya Blue said. She open her eyes and frowns at him.

Blue chuckles as he pats her shoulder.

"It's ok, Tati. You're doing great and we're so proud of you." Her Kuya Thadeus said. And when she look at her two Kuya's, kita nya sa mga mukha nito na proud nga ito sa kanya. Para bang may humaplos na kung anong mainit na bagay sa kanya.

This is why she loves her brothers so much. Madalas man sya asarin ng mga ito, at the end of the day, they still treat her like a precious jem and they always feel her that they are proud of her.

"Thanks mga bro. Dami nyong hanash." She said joking. Napaismid naman si Blue sa kanya at napailing naman si Thadeus.

"You're good at ruining the mood." Ismid ni Blue sa kanya.

She chuckles. She remembers, Ciel said the same thing. Oh my! Is she really a mood wrecker?

"I know right." She said and she smirks. Umirap lang sa kanya si Blue at tahimik naman na nagbasa ng magazine si Thadeus.

"Well, anyway, di pa ba umuuwi si Kuya Red? I'm starting to miss him!" She frowns.

"As you can see. Red is still busy on his so-called-arcade business." Blue said as he shrugged his shoulders.

She puck her lips at itinaas nya ang mga paa nya sa coffee table.

"Really? Kuya Red is really serious about that?" She asked. Blue nodded his head and speaks while tapping on his phone. "Yeah. He's so damn serious about that."

"And I think, he's going to get Ciel as an investor." Singit ni Thadeus sa usapan nila. Napaayos sya ng upo sa narinig. Gulat syang napabaling sa kuya niyang prenteng nagbubuklat ng magazine.

"Seriously?!" She said in shock with her eyes wide open. Thadeus nodded his head and give her a quick glance.

"Yeah. Why sound so surprise? Didn't Red tell you?" He ask. She shook her head and said no.

Why the hell Kuya Red didn't tell her?! And is he serious about getting Ciel as his investor for his arcade business?

Knowing Ciel, hindi ito ganun kadali kumbinsihin. Lalo na kung usapang negosyo ang pag-uusapan. It's not a joke.

She sighs and rested her back at the sofa. Kahit na close ang pamilya nya sa pamilya ni Ciel, she thinks na hindi agad agad makukumbinsi ng kuya nya si Ciel na mag-invest sa business nito. Don't get her wrong, it's not he's doubting his kuya's convincing power. Sa kanilang apat na magkakapatid, Red is the type of person na madaling makakumbinsi ng mga tao. He's good at convincing people. But for Ciel, she have this feeling na mahihirapan ang Kuya Red nya. Knowing that stone-hearted business magnate.

"Do you mind helping Red, Tatiana?" Siryosong tanong ni Thadeus sa kanya at isinara nito ang magazine na binubuklat nito.

Napamaang naman sya. Ano namang maitutulong nya sa Kuya Red nya?

"What do you mean?" She asked, creasing her forehead.

"You're close to Ciel right?" Thadeus blurted out. Nagulat naman sya. Pano nito nalaman?

"H-how.." Hindi sya makapagsalita ng ayos. Talagang di sya makapaniwala na may alam ang kuya nya. Like wtf.

"Of course, I'm his bestfriend and you're my sister." He shrugged his shoulders.

And it makes sense. Oo nga pala. He's Ciel's bestfriend. Malamang alam nito kung ano ang mga nangyayare sa kaibigan nito and her, being his sister, di na dapat sya magtaka. Thadeus has it's own way of knowing things.

"Yeah whatever. So, back to the topic, how should I help Kuya Red with me being close to Ciel?" She ask.

Thadeus crossed his arms in his chest.

"Use it to help Red convince Ciel to invest in his arcade business. Bukod sa suporta na maibibigay mo sa kanya, it's the least you can do." Thadeus told her. Napaisip sya.

Kuya Thadeus is right. She's 100% sure that her Kuya Red is doing his very best for his arcade business and she wants to help him.

"Ok. I'll try my best to convince Ciel. I'll go talk to him tomorrow." She said as she smile.

Blue tap her shoulder at napatingin sya rito.

"Good luck. I'll do my best para tulungan din si Red." Anito.

"Me too." Saad ni Thadeus.

Napatingin sya sa dalawang kuya nya at napangiti. This is what you called sibling goals. All for one, one for all.

Hang in there, Kuya Red. You're handsome and gorgeous siblings will be there to help you.

Kinabukasan ay maagang syang gumising upang pumunta sa kumpanya ni Ciel. This is the very first time na makakatapak sya sa NMGM CORPORATION and she feel abit excited.

"Good morning Ma'am. What can I do for you?" The receptionist greet her warmly. She greeted her back as she smiles.

"Good morning too. Can I talk to Ci-- I mean, to Mr. Middleton?" She ask.

"Did you set an appointment with Mr. Middleton, ma'am?" Tanong muli nito sa kanya.

"Unfortunately, di na ko nakapag-set coz this is an urgent matter. Can I still have a talk with him even tho I didn't set an appointment with him?" Magalang nyang tanong rito.

The girl smile at her. "Wait lang po, Ma'am ah?" Saad nito. Tumango sya at may tinawagan ito sa telepono.

Maya maya ay tinanong nito ang pangalan nya at nakangiting sinagot nya naman iyo.

"Tatiana Amber Castillo." Tumango lang ang receptionist at maya maya ay binaba na nito ang telepono.

"You can now proceed to the president's office. Floor 51, turn right at may makikita po kayong wood-grain texture fiberglass door." Nakangiting saad nito sa kanya while giving her the directions.

Ngumiti sya at nagpasalamat bago tumungo sa elevator. She press the 51th floor button.

Sa totoo lang, medyo kinakabahan pa sya dahil hindi nya alam kung pano nya kukumbinsihin si Ciel. Sana naman kahit papano makumbinsi nya si Ciel.

The elevator stop when it reach the said floor. The door opens at isang malawak na espasyo ang bumungad sa kanya. She step outside of the elevator and find the wood-grained texture fiberglass door.

Nang mahanap nya iyon ay di muna sya pumasok. Tumayo muna sya ng ilang segundo. Thinking of what she need to tell Ciel to convince him.

Ilang buntong hininga ang ginawa nya bago sya kumatok ng tatlong beses.

"Come in." At isang baritonong boses ang narinig nya mula sa loob. It's Ciel's voice. Sa di malamang dahilan, she can feel her heart leap.

You can this Tatiana! For kuya Red!

She twist the knob at tinulak nya un papasok. She step inside the office at namangha sya sa lawak at ganda ng opisina ni Ciel.

The room's color was monochrome, and the furnitures are all grey, black and a little bit touch of white. And the interior design is so lit! Lalo na ang floor to ceiling window na nasa gilid nya kung saan tanaw mo ang buong syudad at ang ibang katabing naglalakihang building din.

Oh my God! Sana ganito kaganda ang office nya!

"Ang tagal mo. Kanina pa kita iniintay." Isang baritonong boses ang umagaw sa atensyon nya.

Bumaling sya kay Ciel na blangkong nakatingin sa kanya habang prenteng nakaupo sa swivel chair nito. Oh! She totally forgot about him, seriously!

But in all fairness, ang gwapo nito tignan sa suot nitong white collared shirt with pastel blue coat, a pants and pair of leather boots. A total hottie. Please remind her that this hottie is a CEO.

"Sorry for making the president wait." She said sarcastically. Umiling iling naman sa kanya si Ciel.

Tumayo ito at naglakad patungo sa kanya. He circle his arms around her waist as he leans closer to her.

Nabigla sya at hindi agad nakagalaw.

Her eyes are wide open and she can smell his natural-perfumed mix scent. It smell so damn sexy!

"Did you know that I'm so excited to see you and you just made me wait for almost an hour." He whispers sexily at her ear. Lumayo si Ciel sa kanya and he eyed her from head to toe. Then grins sexily afterwards.

Bigla naman syang naconscious. She feels kinda uncomfortable. What's with this guy! She's just wearing a floral wrap top, a wide leg jeans, and a pair of blush pearl slides. No need to eyed her from top to bottom.

"Why are you wearing such sexy clothes? Don't you know that it makes me want you." He said still grinning.

She flushed on what he said. What the hell.. Ano bang pinagsasabe ng lalaking to?! Ofcourse, she knows what he means. She can always feel this magnetic pull attraction between her and Ciel. Whenever they are closed to each other, para bang magnet na ayaw humiwalay ng mga katawan nila sa isa't isa. Especially, when Ciel's holding her in his arms, may kakaiba syang nararamdaman and she's sure na parehas sila ng nararamdaman ni Ciel. Hindi sya pwedeng magkamali dahil ramdam nya iyon sa lalaki.

The feeling of something is arising inside of you and the atmosphere was suddenly thicking around, that's what she totally feels whenever Ciel is holding her.

Maya maya'y inaya na sya ni Ciel na umupo sa sofa na nasa kabilang side ng office nito. He offered her a drink pero tumanggi sya.

"What do you want to talk?" He asked with his baritone voice.

She heaved a sigh and she started to talk.

"I'll be getting straight to the point here." She said and she look at Ciel. Siryoso lamang itong nakatingin sa kanya habang prenteng nakaupo with his legs crossed. Hinihintay nito ang mga kasunod pa nyang sasabihin.

"Red Zaijan Castillo, my brother was planning to build an arcade business and.." She paused for a moment, inhaling some air and she continues. "My brother wants you to invest in his business. I'm here to convince you to invest in his business." And there she finally said it.

Ciel c****d his eyebrow, digesting what she have said.

"You want me to invest in your brother's business? Isn't Castillo Clan known as one of the most great business magnates in the world? From Don Antonio Castillo to your father Levi Axel Castillo. Not to mention that your family is also powerful and influential, so why did your brother want me to invest in his business? His business can survive without any of my investments." Ciel told her as he give her an icy look.

Natahimik naman sya. Of course, he's right. Kuya Red's business can survive without any of Ciel's investment. Kuya Red is a Castillo and their father is a well-known business magnate just like Ciel, and she's sure na ang ibang businessmen dito sa bansa ang paniguradong kusang mag-iinvest sa business ng kuya nya kapag nagkataon, para lang magkaroon ng connection sa pamilya nila.

Hindi nya alam ang isasagot nya kay Ciel dahil hindi rin nya alam kung ano bang dahilan ng kuya nya para kuhaing investor si Ciel. Like pwede naman ito kumuha ng iba pang investors na mag-iinvest sa business nya, marami pang ibang well-known business magnates dito sa bansa katulad ni Tito Sandro. Pero bakit si Ciel pa? Si Ciel pa na mahirap kumbinsihin pagdating sa mga ganitong bagay.

"Hindi mo alam ang isasagot mo dahil di mo rin alam kung ano ba ang plinaplano ni Red. Well, dapat kami ni Red ang nag-uusap tungkol dito, Miss Castillo." Saad nito sa siryosong boses.

Hindi sya ulit nagsalita. What he said is true. Wala naman talaga syang alam sa kung ano man ang plinaplano ng kuya nya, basta na lamang sya sumang-ayon sa kuya Thadeus nya na tulungan ang kapatid nila. She made an impulsive move. Great.

She sighs.

"B-but I want to help Kuya Red." She said and she bites the insides of her cheeks.

Ciel heaved a sigh as he lean closer to her. "I know Tantan, but this is a business matter. Red and I should be the one to talk about this." And he tucked some loose hair strands of her in her ear.

She bow her head while playing with her fingers. Mukhang hindi nya matutulungan ang kuya Red nya sa pagkumbinsi kay Ciel. Even tho, they are close...

"But... If you really want to help Red, you can do something for me to consider your proposal." He heard Ciel said.

Napa-angat sya ng ulo at nasalubong nya ang dalawang pares na mga mata ni Ciel. Sa di malamang dahilan ay bigla syang kumabog ng malakas ang kanyang dibdib.

May kutob syang hindi maganda ang susunod na sasabihin ng lalaking to.

"W-what?" She mumbles.

Ciel caress her face in a most pleasurable way. Their faces is an inches away from each other and she can feel that kind of attraction again.

"I want you to spend the night with me and I'll consider investing to your brother's business."

•••

Heyyyyyy!!! What can you say about this chapter? Feel free to leave a comment. :>

-ate ck