Poisonous Love (Keanna & Gavin Story)

Chapter 23

Tumigil ako sa harapan ng opisina ni Gavin upang pumikit at huminga muna ng malalim bago nagpasyang pumasok sa loob. His office was usually quiet and cold, but it felt worst right now.

I found Gavin leaning on the backrest of his very comfortable office hair, and his eyes immediately darted on mine as soon as I entered his haven. I took time with every step I made that made me led closer to him until I was already in front of his massive glass table.

After I cleared my throat lightly, I smiled and look at him straight in the eye even when my knees were trembling because of the way he returned my stare.

"Is there anything you want, Sir?" I asked him in a polite manner.

Umigting ang kanyang panga bago nagpakawala ng malalim na buntong hininga. "I didn't know you're close with Donato," sabi niya. "Matagal na ba kayong magkakilala?"

Bahagyang kumunot ang aking noo sa kanyang napiling sabihin. Paniguradong hindi naman iyan ang sasabihin niya sana sa akin kanina noong pumasok siya sa aking opisina. Ayoko sanang pag-usapan pero ayokong maging bastos sa aking boss.

"Noong pinakilala mo kami sa isa't-isa, doon ko lang siya nakilala, Sir." sagot ko.

"Donato's not comfortable with girls, but he seems comfortable with you," he noted based on what he saw earlier.

I almost rolled my eyes. If what Gavin meant with Donato being comfortable with girls was he never saw Donato flirting with women, that's because he likes men, specifically, him.

"Donato is a great man," I told him. "He's kind and funny. We get along really well."

Gusto ko nang magpatuloy sa trabaho kaya gusto ko nang tapusin ang pag-uusap namin tungkol kay Donato. I wasn't comfortable talking to him about my personal life and feelings. He shouldn't mind my business.

Naningkit ang kanyang mga mata. "Hindi mo pa siya ganoong kakilala," sigurado niyang sabi sa akin.

"He's been your secretary for almost two years," I said, trying to prove a point. "That fact already speaks volume that he's a great man. If not, why did you make stay for so long, right?"

He remained staring at me, speechless because of my rebuttal that he couldn't counter because he knew I was right. I was spitting facts that he couldn't deny.

"Anyway, Sir, is that all?" I asked to stop the nonsense argument with him about Donato.

Ilang segundo pa niya akong tinitigan bago umayos sa pagkakaupo.

"I just receeived a notice that you haven't moved yet to the condo unit that the company has provided you and also, the car hasn't been claimed," he said. "Is there any problem with the unit or the car, perhaps?"

Nawala na sa isipan ko ang unit at ang sasakyan na kasama sa mga benepisyo na aking matatanggap dahil sa pagtanggap ko ng trabahong ito. It's been a tiring week for me, anyway. I'm physically, emotionally and mentally drained from meeting Gavin again and being beside him that consumed most of my working hours.

"Uhmmm. Hindi ko pa nache-check iyong unit pero titingnan ko 'yon sa Linggo..." paliwanag ko. "Iyong tungkol sa sasakyan... hindi naman ako marunong magmaneho kaya hindi ko rin 'yon magagamit."

Para naman siyang naliwanagan na oo nga pala, hindi nga pala ako marunong magmaneho kaya bakit niya ako bibigyan ng sasakyan.

"Well, do you want me to hire a driver—"

Mabilis akong umiling sa kanyang suwestyo. "Hindi na kailangan no'n!" pagtanggi ko. "Madali lang naman magcommute at saka malapit lang dito iyong unit, 'di ba? Aksaya lang 'yon sa pera."

Tumango-tango siya bago tumayo at tinanggal ang necktie na suot at saka hinubad ang suit. Halos mapaatras ako sa kanyang ginagawa. Bakit bigla-bigla siyang naghuhubad sa harapan ko?

"We're going to check your unit. Sasamahan na kita ngayon," sabi niya habang tinutupi ang puting longsleeve hanggang siko.

Agad akong nataranta sa pag-iling. "Huwag na!" muli kong pagtanggi. "Kaya ko naman gawin 'yon mag-isa."

"It'll be feasible if I'm coming with you. We're bringing my car. It'll save time," he reasoned out. "Also, I'm familiar with the tower so, we're going now. It's almost dismissal anyway. I don't want to hear any excuses."

Pagkasabi niya no'n ay dali-dali siyang naglakad patungong pintuan. Binuksan niya 'yon bago ako muling nilingon at hinintay na kumilos.

"Ano pa ang hinihintay mo?" masungit niyang tanong sa akin.

Wala akong nagawa kundi ang sumunod sa kanyang kagustuhan. Lumabas ako sa kanyang opisina at pumasok sa akin para kuhanin ang aking mga importanteng gamit sa loob. Gavin was waiting for me outside the office, but he walked ahead of me to the elevator when he saw me. And as usual, I just followed him quietly.

Nang makarating kami sa lobby ay panay bati ng mga nakakasalubong namin sa kanya. I made sure not to be a part of his spotlight though. I stayed behind his shadow so, I wouldn't get noticed.

The moment we got out the lobby, his expensive car was already waiting for us on the driveway. The valet gave the keys back to Gavin and opened the passenger's seat for me.

I thanked him for his chivalry before setting myself inside the car. Kita kong kinausap ni Gavin ang valet bago umikot patungomg driver's seat. Walang imik niyang pinaandar ang sasakyan at pinatakbo paalis.

"It's only a five-minutes drive from Qantara," he informed me.

I just nodded and rested my back on the backrest of the passenger seat, making myself as comfortable as I could. Mabuti na lang at hindi na niya ako muling kinausap pa hanggang sa nakarating kami sa condominium. Talagang malapit nga lang ito sa Qantara kaysa sa aking apartment.

We went straight to the elevator after parking the car in the basement. I wasn't sure if he's allowed to do that. As far as I know, you should be paying a parking slot in high-end condominiums like this.

"Where's your key card?"he asked me when we stopped in front of the unit's door.

Bigla akong kinabahan dahil hindi ko sigurado kung nadala ko ba. Ibinigay 'yon sa akin nung contract signing at hindi ko na alam kung saan ko nilagay. Inilabas ko ang aking wallet at nakahinga ako ng maluwag nang makita kong nandoon ang key card.

"Ito..." sabi ko at saka iniabot kay Gavin.

Umiling siya at saka tinuro sa akin ang pintuan. "Ikaw na ang magbukas. It's yours, anyway."

I bit my lower lip and did what he told me. I should be excited while opening my new home, but I was nervous instead. The door unlocked after a single tap with an interesting sound and it opened on its own.

Slowly, I pushed the door even more and it revealed a fully-furnished and cozy unit. Its interior palette was in mixture of brown and hues. Just one look, I was already in love with the flat. Kung papalarin akong bumili ng sarili kong condo ay baka ganitong interior din ang ipaayos ko. Even if this unit was just given to me as one of the benefits, it felt like I had a piece of me in it as I really love how it turned out.

"This unit has one living room, kitchen, bathroom and a bedroom," he told me. "You don't have to pack too much since this is fully-furnished already. Just bring your clothes and everything essential to you that you have in your apartment."

Tumango-tango ako kay Gavin. Syempre ay naisip ko na 'yon. Nanghihinayang nga lang ako sa mga appliances na nandoon. Maybe I should set up a garage sale for it or maybe, look for a buyer online. Pera pa rin ang kapalit no'n kung sakali.

"May plano ka na na kung kailan ka lilipat?" tanong sa akin ni Gavin matapos kung ikutin ang buong condo.

He was casually sitting on the couch while staring at me and waiting for an answer.

"Baka sa susunod na Linggo na. Kakausapin ko pa ang may-ari ng apartment," sagot ko. "Sisimulan ko na ang pag-aayos ng gamit ko ngayong weekends."

"You can't do it next Sunday?" he suddenly said.

Napakunot ang aking noo. "Bakit naman?"

"We have a business trip to attend to for three days," he informed me. "Didn't you check the schedule?"

"Tiningnan ko pero ang nakalagay roon ay ikaw lamang ang aalis," naguguluhan kong sabi.

Siguro ay kailangan kong i-doublecheck iyon mamaya. Baka mayroon akong nakaligtaang basahin. Kung nagkataon pala ay hindi ako makakasama sa business trip na 'yon dahil hindi ko alam na kailangan pa lang kasama ako.

"Of course, you have to be there. You're my secretary," he explained like it's like it's gonna be the answer everytime I'll ask why we have to be together most of the time.

Tinikom ko na lang ang aking labi dahil wala na akong masabi. He had a chain wrapped around me because I was his employee. I was like his dog, and he's my master. I was expected tp follow each and every order he make, but of course, with limitations.

Hindi na kami nagtagal pa ni Gavin sa unit. I was completely satisfied with everything. Iyong paglipat ko na lang ang iisipin ko.

Nang pumasok kami sa elevator ay pinindot ni Gavin ang basement ngunit pinindot ko rin ang groud floor. We're already done checking the unit and office hours will end in ten minutes. Hindi ko na kailangan pang bumalik sa opisina. Maaari na akong umuwi.

"Where are you going?" he asked.

Bahagya ko siyang nilingon. "Uuwi na po ako, Sir. Puwede naman na, 'di ba?" sagot ko sa kanya at saka sinulyapan ang aking wrist watch. "It's almost five-thirty."

I saw him glanced on his watch as well. Maybe he was checking if I was telling the truth.

"Why don't we have dinner first before you go home?" he suggested. "I'll drive you home after."

His offer was very tempting, but I need to fullfil the promises I made to myself. If I want to continue without adding more casualities to my heart, I have to keep my distance If I have an opourtunity, especially when we're off work.

Being with him at work was already a huge amount of trigger for another broken heart if my resurrecting feelings wouldn't stop. I shouldn't add fuel to the fire even more. That's already suicidal.

Umling ako bilang pagtanggi sa kanyang imbitasyon na kumain sa labas. Ang kanyang labi ay bahagyang napaawang at napatitig siya sa akin.

"Salamat pero hindi na kailangan."

Saktong tumunog ang elevator. Nag-angat ako ng tingin sa maliit na LED screen at nakitang nasa ground floor na kami. Isang ngiti ang binigay ko kay Gavin bago ko siya tinalikuran at lumabas ng elevator.

I left him inside the lift without any hesitations. Well, I managed break up with him before. The pain that it inflicted me was the worst pain I've ever felt like my heart was thrown to a pit of fire in hell. This was so much easier.

Dire-diretso ang aking lakad palabas. Panigurado akong may nagdadaan na mga cab rito kaya ayon na lang ang sasakyan ko pauwi. Gusto ko sanang mag-fx para makamura ngunit hindi ko alam kapag galing dito. Siguro ay pag-aralan ko na lang at magtanong-tanong ako pagkalipat ko.

I sat on the waiting shed while waiting for a cab to come when an extravagant car which was so familiar suddenly halted in front of me. Hindi pa man bumababa ang bintana ay kilala ko na kung sino ang nasa loob no'n.

"Get in," Gavin instructed me.

Napakunot ang noo ko. Hindi niya ba naintindihan ang sinabi ko kanina? Ang ayos-ayos ng ginawa kong pagtanggi sa kanya. Malinaw kong pinakawalan ang mga salita mula sa aking mga labi.

Muli akong umiling at saka tipid na ngumiti. "Huwag na. Sa apartment na ako kakain."

He bit his lower lip before he removed his seatbelts and went out of the car. Napaupo ako ng maayos. Akala ko'y lalapit siya sa akin ngunit tumigil siya sa pintuan ng passenger's seat at binuksan ito bago ako muling nilingon.

"Pumasok ka na. Ihahatid na kita," marahan niyang sabi na tila parang nanunuyo.

"Maiiba ang daan mo pauwi. Kaya ko naman magcommute," pagtanggi ko na mayroong tamang rason.

"I'm gonna meet someone near your place," he reasoned out.

Lumabi ako at napaisip. Bakit niya pa ako inaaya kaninang kumain kung may kikitain naman pala siya?

I was suddenly pulled out from my thoughts when I felt his rough hand and warm hand holding mine. I wasn't able to take my hand back due to shock. The next thing I know, I was already settle inside his car.

I thought it was going to be another quiet ride, but when his phone rang becausw of his mother's spontaneous call, I suddenly felt excited. I missed his family, especially Tita Gaile who stood like my mother here in Norte when I was still in a relationship with Gavin.

"Hey, Mom..." Gavin casually greeted Tita Gaile on the other line.

"Where are you?" Tita Gaile asked with her sweet voice.

I couldn't keep myself from smiling upon hearing her voice, but at the same time, my longingness for her got only worse.

I called your line in the office, but you're not answering. I figured you're out early," she explained. "You said you're staying here tonight. Will I still be expecting you to come home?"

"Of course, Mom. I'm driving already," he answered and assured his mother.

My forehead slightly creased. What did Tita Gaile mean? Gavin doesn't go home often or did he already leave home to live independently?

"Oh, okay! she sounded so relieved. "Anyway, can you please buy my favorite wine on the way home? You father's too lazy to get out of the bed."

I saw Gavin smiled at Tita Gaile slightly whined.

"No problem, 'Mmy," he said like a very obedient boy to his mom.

"Okay. Drive safely. See you later. I love you," Tita Gaile showered him with words that could make anyone's heart melt, especially when it came from your mother.

Gavin's smile got wider. "Love you, too, Mom."

Tita Gaile ended the call, and Gavin's smile slowly faded away.

I pursed my lips, thinking that I wanted to know more about Tita Gaile. Maybe Gavin wouldn't mind if I ask him about his mother. My intentions were pure. I just really wanted to familiarized myself again with Tita Gaile even though, I was sure she's holding a grudge on me for hurting her only son.

"Kumusta si Tita Gaile?" lakas-loob kong tanong kay Gavin.

He glanced at me, and it seemed like he wasn't expecting my sudden question about his mother.

"She's fine," he simply answered my question.

Unti-unti kong itinikom ang aking mga labi at naghihinayang na ngumiti. "Paniguradong galit siya sa akin," bulong ko na alam kong dinig niya nang mabuksan ko ang labi kong magsalita.

Yumuko ako at saka pinaglaruan ang aking mga daliri na namamahinga sa ibabaw ng aking hita. Kung puwede lang saan noon na hindi ko putulin ang relasyon namin ng kanyang ina kahit na nakipaghiwalay ako sa kanya ay ginawa ko na. But I knew it was inevitable the moment I decide to break her son's heart and cut my connections from them.

"She's not mad at you," Gavid quietly said.

Napalingon ulit ako sa kanya.His eyes were on the road and his grip on the steering wheel was tight as I could see his veins wanting to pop up out his skin.

"I know Tita Gaile's kind, but I don't blame her for being mad at me. I understand..." I said even though I was very hopeful that she wasn't really mad at me like what Gavin's just said.

"What good will it ing me to lie?" he asked me calmly and turned to me as he stopped the car to obey the traffic rules. "I'm telling the truth. She got hurt... for me, but she's not mad at you."

After a long time, my heary finally felt warmth once again. I genuinely smiled at Gavin, and his lips slightly parted while he held my stare.

"Thank you for telling me," I expressed my gratitude. "It really means a lot."

Kumunot ang kanyang noo na tila naguguluhan. Nanatili ang kanyang titig sa akin bago muling nagsalita.

"How can you look and smile at me like there's nothing wrong?" he asked as his eyes were pleading for something I couldn't name.

Natigilan ako sa kanyang ibinabatong tanong. I feel so wronged. The way he said it, it was just like I just commited a sin.

Before I could say something, he tore his stare from me and stepped in the gas to put the car in motion.

"Nevermind what I said," sabi niya na lang at hindi na ulit umimik pa.