Armaya Nicolai

Chapter 5

I heard Eros is about to go out of his car. I can sense his movement inside his car kahit busy akong ayusin ang sarili ko dito sa labas. When I heard the slam of his car door, alam ko ng nakalabas na ito. I almost gasp with the smell of his perfume. Manly but gentle. I really don't know how to describe it. I gently pinned some of my hair at the back of my ears saka lang ako umangat ng tingin only to gasp with I'm seeing.

I just didn't know he can even be more... err? good looking? That's perfectly an understatement. Nakasuot siya ng black pants, a black shirt inside his open dark blue chekered long sleeves polo. When I stared up at him ay inaayos nito ang suot na white Nike cap.

"I'm sorry." I suddenly said. I actually have to say that because I think it's rude that I've been checking him out.

"Oh please. Don't make me guess for that sorry. Hindi naman siguro dahil sa tissue?" He said. Napailing na lamang ako.

"I don't want to ask about the uhmm tears but my mom once told me that ice cream could be a good help for girls who are crying.. It's pretty effective with my sister, Adi, though. So? You wanna come inside?" He asked pointing back at the restaurant. Honestly, ayoko ng bumalik. I already texted Julien that I need to go somewhere para lang makaalis sa lugar na ito.

"No thank you. I don't have any business in there anyway. I cancelled it already. Besides, di naman masarap yung coffee dyan tsaka wala namang ice cream?" I said. Well, the coffee is good. I just don't want him to have a reason na pilitin pa ako although why am I expecting na pipilitin niya ako?

" Oh really? That coffee is really that bad in there? That's unexpected." He said. Hindi ko alam pero feeling ko ay nadisappoint siya. I just nod a little bit because suddenly I felt unsure.

"I actually have a meeting inside. I'm about to meet someone for the unit I bought along Pasay." he said. Saka ako natigilan. Maybe it's just coincident na pareho kami ng sadya?Then my phone rang, it's Julien. I excused myself to Eros, he raised his hand to tell me to go on while he fished his phone out to text someone.

"Madam! Nasaan ka na? Nasa coffee shop na po ako. E kasi nagtext na sa akin si Mr. De Jesus nandito na daw siya--ay ayan! Nakita ko na kayo!"

Kayo?

Then I looked back at Eros na busy sa pagtetext nang bigla itong napalingon sa akin. I don't know what but there is really something about him that makes me feel comfortable and uncomfortable at the same time. Weird.

"There you are!" Eros said when he saw Julien. Nagliwanag naman ang reaction ni Julien nang makita si Eros. I thought I had the same reaction too everytime I see him.

"Mr. De Jesus, magkasama na pala kayo ni Ms. Castillo. Akala ko pa naman ay nagback out na to si ma'am. Tara na sa loob para makapirma na ng deed. Mas matagal pa byahe ko kaysa sa sinadya ko dito. Ang unfair ng life ano?" Daldal ni Julien. Gustuhin ko mang tumanggi sa pag-aaya nito ulit sa loob ng coffee shop ay nahiya naman ako sa effort nitong makarating.

"I guess you'll have to try the ice cream then." Eros said. I answered him with a smile.

Nang makapasok kami muli sa coffee shop ay agad naging alerto ang mga mata ko. Mukhang umalis na sila Tita Olivia. Mas naging magaan na ang pakiramdam ko. Ayoko na ng ganoong klase ng confrontation. I heard staffs greeting Eros, kaiba sa pagbati nila sa mga customers. I got confused.

"Boss! Welcome back!" I heard one of the staff said. Eros chuckled and gave them a high five. Narinig ko din ang pagkamusta nito pabalik sa mga staffs.

I got confused so I tap Julien na ngayon ay nakaupo na sa bakanteng seat.

"I'm confused.. What is Eros in here?" I asked her. Kunot noo naman itong napatingin sa akin.