Poisonous Love (Keanna & Gavin Story)

Chapter 7

Nagulat ako at agad kong tinigilan ang pagngiti nang makita kong sumulyap sa akin si Gavin habang kausap ang mga businessmen. Seryosong sinuklian ko na lang ang kanyang tingin. Mabuti na lang at hindi nagtagal ang kanyang pagtitig sa akin dahil muli niyang nilingon ang mga kausap.

"Excuse me." I saw Gavin mouthed those words to the businessmen who were talking to him.

Pinakawalan naman siya ng mga ito pagkatapos tapikin ang kanyang balikat. Agad na nagtungo si Gavin pabalik sa akin at nakita kong sinundan siya ng tingin ng mga kausap niya kanina hanggang sa makarating sa akin kaya naman bahagya kong iniwas ang aking mukha upang hindi nila ako makita masyado.

Some were famiiar to me. Maybe I've already met them before. I just hoped that they wouldn't be able to recognize me just like how the previous businessman we met yesterday recognized me.

"Pumasok na tayo sa loob," pag-aya sa akin ni Gavin. "The party's about to start."

Tipid naman akong tumango sa kanya at akmang kukuhanin niya ang aking kamay ngunit pasimple ko lang itong inilayo. Hinawakan ko ang gold chain strap ng body bag gamit ang aking dalawang kamay upang magmukhang natural lang ang aking pag-galaw.

I saw him slowly clenched his fist before turning his back and started walking. I just quietly followed him while maintaining the right amount of distance. I didn't want the people inside the hall to have a misconception about our relationship. If ever they'll ask, I'm going to properly and proudly introduce myself as his secretary and nothing more.

He suddenly stopped walking when we already approached the huge double doors that served as the entrance to the hall. He raised his hand to stop the guards from opening it.

My forehead creased while looking at him, and he slightly turned to look at me. "I need you beside me all the time," he told me. "Every businessmen and women inside this hall is a potential investor and client. Some of them are already part of our company. If ever there are details that's needed to be noted, I need you to jot it down. Am I being clear?"

"No problem, Sir." I gladly committed myself to his instructions.

Hindi ko naman maiwasang mag-iba ang aking damdamin dahil alam ko na ngayon ang pinakaugat na dahilan kung bakit ako nandito ngayon. Siguro ay pinag-aksayahan niya rin ako ng pera para magmukhang presentable ako sa mga makakaharap niyang mayayamang negosyante.

"Good." He simply said and nodded to the guards who immediately opened the double doors and revealed what's happening inside the elegant function hall.

I could see a lot of businessmen and women socializing to each other while drinking wine. May mga nakita rin akong mga sikat na artistang madalas kong nakikita sa telebisyon. Ang mga iba sa kanila ay nagsimula nang lumingon sa gawi ni Gavin na kalmado at taas-noong naglalakad sa gitna ng mga makapangyarihang mga tao. If I were him, for sure, my knees would wobble completely because of the intense feeling of intimidation. Ngayon pa nga lang na wala sa akin ang atensyon ay nanlalambot na ang tuhod ko.

"Gavin Alcantara!" humalakhak ang isang lalaking medyo may katandaan habang papalapit si Gavinsa kanilang grupo. "The youngest business prodigy of the country. It really runs in the blood, huh."

Gavin smiled as a response to the old man's praises and offered his hand for a handshake. "I wouldn't be here because of my family's legacy." He said and showed his humility.

Mas lalong humalakhak ang matanda at nakipagkamay kay Gavin. "A very humble man, indeed," sabi niya. "Iyan ang isa sa mga katangian mong nagustuhan ko sa'yo."

"Gavin, we've been in the field for years now," sumingit naman ang isa pang business man na nakita ko na noon sa isang magazine. "We witness how your father and grandfather handled your company. Nagkaroon man ng paglago ang kompanya ninyo dahil sa kanila, pero sa pamamahala mo mas bumilis at naging mapusok ang pagbulusok pataas ng kompanya ninyo. Qantara holds the country's most influential company that has the highest revenue of all and it's all because of you."

Tumango-tango at nakisali na rin ang medyo may kabataan na negosyante. "Nakakamangha rin ang edad mo," sabi niya. "You're only what? Twenty four years old? Halos dalawang taon mo pa lang hinahawakan ang kompanya ninyo pero grabe na ang mga achievements mo."

Kita ko sa mukha ni Gavin na medyo naiilang siya sa mga papuri ng mga kausap na negosyante. He might look arrogant because of the confident aura he's always executing, but to be honest, he's filled with humility.

"Thank you for the compliments, but I was still stand on my ground," Gavin said and smiled shyly. "The credit still goes to the former CEO of Qantara. They are the one's who started the legacy and I just continued to nurture what they planted."

All the businessmen on the clique looked so proud of Gavin as they all stared at him with smile on their faces. If only Tito Bryson heard Gavin's small speech today, I bet he would look at his son just like how these businessmen looked at him.

"Gavin, there you are."

Lahat sila ay napalingon sa babaeng papalapit sa aming gawi. My lips slightly parted while watching her gracefully walked her way to us.

She was wearing a gold dress that hugged her body. It highlight her curves that were on their right places. Her hair was styled in a loosed ponytail, making her cheekbones very defined. Also, her pointed nose, thin lips, long lashes, sparkling eyes and properly shaped eyebrows did not escape my scrutinization. She looked like a legit goddess.

Manghang-mangha ako habang tinititigan siya at lalo na nang tuluyan na siyang makalapit. Medyo mas matangkad siya sa akin kaya kinailangan ko siyang tingalain ng kaunti.

Nawala lang ang aking pagkamangha nang diretso siyang lumapit kay Gavin upang yakapin ito at mabilis na hinalikan sa pisngi. Hindi nakatakas sa aking tingin ang paghawak ni Gavin sa kanyang baywang upang masuportahan ito sa pagtingkayad nang hinalikan siya sa pisngi.

"You're here," Gavin sounded like he wasn't expecting her presence. "I thought you're busy tonight "

She smiled and even her simple smile looked so elegant and classy to me. It looked so natural on her. "We unexpectedly finished the shoot early so, I decided to come here," she explained before she averted het gaze to the other men. "Good evening, gentlemen."

"Beautiful as ever, Stephanie." The old man praised her.

She chuckled in a girly way. "Well, I'm very flattered, Mr. Luciano."

The old man laughed heartily and turned to Gavin with full of adoration. "Gavin, you're very lucky to have, Stephanie. She's the kind of girl you shouldn't let go of."

"Oo nga!" The other man agreed. "She's kind, classy and very beautiful. Wala ka nang hahanapin pa."

An arrow of bitterness with a combination of pain struck my heart again. Comparing the words I've heard before when I was still with Gavin and these words they were telling Stephanie, I couldn't help but to feel so insecure and worthless.

Kapag siya ang pinares kay Gavin, si Gavin ang swerte. Samantalang kapag ako ang pinares kay Gavin, ako ang swerte.

Hindi naman na siguro ako dapat na magtaka pa dahil isang tingin ko pa lang sa kanya ay alam kong karapat-dapat siya para kay Gavin. Nasisiguro ko ring mayroon na siyang maipagmamalaki.

Nahihiya namang tumawa si Stephanie at umiling ngunit kitang-kita ko ang pamumula ng kanyang pisngi. Pasimple niyang sinulyapan si Gavin na mayroong suot na tipid na ngiti bago muling hinarap ang mga kalalakihan.

"We are not...uhm...together." Mukhang hindi pa alam nitong Stephanie ang kanyang sasabihin at saka muling tiningnan si Gavin.

"Nako, Gavin!" Umakbay ang medyo kabataan na negosyante kay Gavin. "Kumilos-kilos ka na. Sa pagkakaalam ko ay maraming nakapila rito kay Stephanie at gustong subukin na kuhanin ang kamay."

Sumang-ayon na naman ang matanda. "We'll she's the only daughter of the Aragons. Natural lang na maraming pumipila para hingin ang kanyang kamay."

My throat dried up, and I was completely frozen while staring at this elegant woman in front of me. Insecurities were already eating me up. It felt like the confidence I had in me was draining in a very alarming speed. I bitterly smiled as my eyes started to heat up because of the tears that wanted to he released, but I still did my best to keep them from falling.

So, siya pala si Miss Aragon na sinasabi kanina ng reporter. Siya ang madalas na ka-date ni Gavin sa mga events at parties. Hindi ko naman maipagkakaila na karapat-dapat siyang maging kapareha ni Gavin. Sa mga papuri pa lang sa kanya ng mga nakakatanda ay alam kong nababagay siya para kay Gavin.

Halos matigil naman ako sa paghinga nang mahagip ng aking mga mata si Gavin na nakatingin ngayon sa akin. Iyon ang naging sanhi kung bakit ako nilingon ni Stephanie. She was wearing a very curious and innocent look while staring at me. Her forehead slightly increased before she turned to Gavin again.

"Do you know her, Gavin?" She curiously asked Gavin with a feminine voice.

Gavin just remained staring at me without saying anything. Even the businessmen on the circle looked at me of curiousity. Hindi ko kinaya ang kanilang kuryusong tingin sa akin kaya ako na lang ang lumapit sa kanila.

Inilahad ko ang aking kamay kay Stephanie at nagsuot ng tipid na ngiti. "Keanna Peredo po, Miss Aragon," pagpapakilala ko sa aking sarili. "Ako po ang bagong sekretarya ni Mr. Alcantara."

She smiled and held my hand for a shakehand. "Nice meeting you, Keanna, and please, just call me Stephanie. My surname's too heavy for me to carry," she said and slightly chuckled before we released our hold from each other. "But...I didn't know you already removed Donato as your secretary, Gavin. Where he is now?"

Hindi pa rin natanggal ang tingin sa akin ni Gavin kaya naman nag-iwas na ako ng tingin sa kanya lalo na nang hawakan ni Stephanie and kanyang braso upang makuha ang kanyang atensyon.

"You're idling, Gavin." Medyo nahamigan ako ang pagtatampo sa boses ni Stephanie.

"I'm sorry..." Gavin apologized immediately. "Well, Donato's transfered to a different department as the head."

Stephanie nodded while her lips were slightly pouted. Nang sumilay muli ang kanyang ngiti ay nakita kong lumandas ang kanyang kamay na nakahawak sa braso ni Gavin patungo sa kamay nito kaya muli kong iniwas ang tingin ko dahil sa naramdamang paghampas sa aking puso.

"Daddy's on the other table and he wanted to talk to you tonight. Let's go," she hold Gavin and excused themselves to the other businessmen before she pulled Gavin where she wanted him to be.

Hindi naman umangal si Gavin sa gusto ni Stephanie at nagpatinaod siya sa paghila nito. I know Gavin. Kung ayaw niya ay hindi siya sasama pero siguro ay ganoon na sila kalapit sa isa't-isa at pati sa pamilya nito.

Hahakbang na sana ako para sumunod sa kanila ngunit agad ko ring pinigilan ang aking sarili. Kinagat ko ang aking ibabang labi. Pumihit ako at iniba ang landas na tinahak. Nang makita ko ang sign kung nasaan ang comfort room ay binilisan ko ang aking paglalakad hanggang sa makarating ako sa loob. Kapag sinundan ko sila, pakiramdam ko ay hindi ko na mapipigilan ang pagsabog nag aking damdamin.

I was thankful that the comfort room cubicles were all empty. I went straight to the cubicle for people with disabilities as it was the largest cubicle of all. Ini-lock ko iyon at saka dinala ang kamay sa aking dibdib upang maramdaman ang pagtibok ng aking puso habang pinakawalan ko ang mga luhang kanina pa gustong kumawala.

Tanga ka, Keanna! Gaga ka!

Anong iniiyak-iyak mo, ha? Hindi ba't ito naman ang gusto mong mangyari? Ayan na!

Remember why you let him go.

Remember why you set him free. Remember why he shouldn't be yours. Remember why he'd be better off without you. Remember why you chose to hurt him even when you love him so much that hurting him would also break your heart.

Ipinikit ko ang mga mata ko habang inaalala ang lahat kasabay ng pagdaloy ng sakit sa aking sistema.

"Keanna! Keanna! Keanna!"

Hinihingal at hindi mapakali ang aking kaklase na lumapit sa akin habang nagrereview ako para sa aming pagsusulit sa susunod na subject pagkatapos nito. Hindi kasi ako masyadong nakapag-aral kagabi dahil tambak ng mga assignments para sa morning subjects.

"Kumalma ka nga," sabi ko naman sa kanya nang aking lingunin. "Bakit ba?"

Tinapik niya naman ang kanyang dibdib bago tuluyang kumalma. "May naghahanap sa'yo sa labas ng room!"

Napakunot naman ang aking noo. Malakas ang pakiramdam kong si Jethro lang ito ngunit nang iliapt ko ang tingin sa back door ay nanlaki ang aking mga mata at agad na napatayo sa aking kinauupuan. Kausap niya ang kanyang kaibigan habang naghihintay sa may likod na pintuan ng aking silid.

I heard my classmates started to whisper because of the unexpected man standing at our room's back door, while my heart's about to burst and explode. I was feeling of a mixture of happiness and nervousness.

It's been a week since our first encounter. Ngayon ko na lang siya ulit nakita kaya naiintindihan ko ang pagwawala ng aking puso. Ang hindi ko nga lang maintindihan ay kung bakit talaga ako nagkakaganito. Bakit napakalaki ng epekto niya sa akin gayong noong isang linggo ko lang siya nakilala.

And most importantly, what is he doing here? Why is Gavin Alcantara looking for me?

Dahan-dahan akong naglakad papalapit sa kanya dahil kapag binilisan ko ay baka madapa ako. Masyadong nanlalambot ang aking tuhod sa sobrang kaba at saya lalo na nang ako'y lingunin niya. Pakiramdam ko ay mahihimatay ako sa kanyang titig at ngiti.

"Hi!" He brightly greeted me when I was already standing in front of him.

"Uh..." I couldn't even find the right words to say to him.

Where's your guts now, Keanna? Ang anga-angas mo sa Cagayan Valley pero pagdating sa kanya ay natatameme ka.

"Professor Tactay asked me to give this to you." He said and he handed me a familiar folder.

My eyes slightly widened. That's my case study papers! I chose Qantara Corporations as the subject of my case study. I studied the advancements and innovations of their company that contributed a lot to th growth of their revenue. I wanted to identify and enumerate possible techniques and plans that could help other companies achieve what Qantara Corp. can achieve.

Mabilis at tahimik akong nanalangin na saja ay hindi niya binasa o sinilip man lang ang aking case study. This is his family's company. If there's anyone who can intensely criticize my work then, it'd be him.

"I kinda read some parts of your case study... " he slightly hesitated admitting me what he'd done. "Professor Tactay told me that it's a good study about our company so, I was curious about it. I'm very sorry if I wasn't able to ask for your permission before reading it."

Nakaawang ang aking mga labi nang mag-angat ako ng tingin sa kanya. "O-okay lang." Nauutal kong sabi kahit na alam ko sa sarili kong hindi ayos sa akin ang pagbabasang ginawa niya sa aking papel. Kabadong-kabado ako at gisto kong malaman ang kanyang iniisip patungkol dito.

Or better yet, huwag niya na lang sabihin kung ano ang tingin niya. Baka mamaya ay hindi maganda!

"You did a great job with your case study. It's written very well." He surprisingly complimented me while wearing a smile on his lips.

Hindi ko maiwasan ang mabigla sa kanyang papuri. "Talaga? Hindi ka nagsisinungaling?" Wala sa sarili kong tanong.

Bahagyang kumunot ang kanyang noo at natawa sa aking reaksyon. "I'm not," he said. "Bakit naman ako magsisinungalng?"

I just pursed my lips and shook my head. Niyakap ko ang folder at saka ngumiti sa kanya. "Salamat," sabi ko.

The smile on his lips remained and he nodded once. "You're welcome. So I'll see you around the campus."

Ngiting-ngiti akong tumango sa kanya at pinanood siyang umalis kasama ang kanyang kaibigan. Bago sila tuluyang lumiko sa dulo ng hallway ay muli siyang lumingon sa akin na mayroon pa ring suot na ngiti.

I think I got it bad.