Elyu Series #1: Drifting with the Waves

Chapter 38

"What exactly do you want with my son?"

Tumigil sa ere ang hawak kong tasa at napatingin sa Mommy ni Ivo. She's staring at me coolly, and then she chuckled, placing back her teacup on the table.

"I'm sorry, that sounded too harsh..."

Namula lang ang pisngi ko sa hiya. I kept my mouth shut and decided to listen to what she has to say because I'm not sure how to respond... yet.

"Ivo is my only son. He had a tough childhood because of his father and I... failed to protect him." she let out a sigh. "Alam kong importante ka sa anak ko, pero hindi ko alam kung ganun din siya sa iyo. I don't want you breaking my son's heart."

I placed my hands primly on my lap as I stared back at her.

"Wala po akong intensyong saktan si Ivo."

"I hope so, hija. I'm too old to meddle in a relationship between adults."

Tumango ako. After she caught us in Ivo's office, she invited me for tea. Hindi makasabay si Ivo sa amin dahil may mga meetings pa siya kaya bahagya akong kinabahan. I saw her on screen before, and she can be intimidating if she wants to. Ivo inherited none of her toughness and fierce. He was soft as a cream, always willing to melt into one's soul as a way of showing his love.

Pagkatapos naming mag-tsa-a, inihatid ako ng Mommy ni Ivo pabalik sa office nila dahil sasakyan niya naman ang ginamit. Magalang akong nagpaalam at pumasok sa loob. Laura's eyes widened when she saw me stepping out of the car and turned away. Hindi ko na siya nangitian nang makasakay na ng elevator.

"Raya!"

Ivo stood from his desk when he saw me entering the office. A shadow of worry is etched on his face as he walked towards me.

"Hindi mo sinasagot ang mga tawag ko." He pouted like a child.

"Tumatawag ka?" kumunot ang noo ko at kinuha ang phone mula sa bulsa. I tried to bring the screen to life only to find out that my battery is drained. "Sorry, low-batt pala ako."

"Ayos lang, katatapos lang ng meeting namin." He guided me back to the couch. "Anong sinabi ni Mommy sa 'yo?"

"Huh?" I gave him an amused look.

He scratched his jaw uncomfortably. "Kilala ko kasi si Mommy, baka kung anu-ano na ang pinagsasabi sa iyo tapos—"

I chuckled. "Tapos?"

"Tapos in-offer-an ka na pala ng 30 million para layuan ako." He tsk-ed. "Kapag nangyari yun, tanggapin mo ang pera, ah? Tapos hati tayo."

I laughed at his silliness. Hindi naman tumatawa si Ivo at seryoso lang na nakatingin sa akin. I figured he must be really worried about what his mom said so I gave him a gentle pat on the shoulder.

"Wala siyang sinabing ganun, Ivo. Mabait ang Mommy mo."

"Talaga?"

I nodded and placed my bag on the couch. Napasulyap ako sa relo ko. Pasado alas sais na pala. Siguro mga alas dyez y media na akong makakarating sa Pangasinan pag bumiyahe ako.

Ivo plopped next to me, reaching for my hand.

"Can you not go home tonight?"

"Huh?" napalingon ako sa kaniya.

"Gabi na, tapos mag-isa ka lang na magda-drive. I'm too tired to drive you, and I wouldn't risk it." Ivo swallowed and turned away, the tips of his ears burning red again. "P-Pwede namang sa condo ko nalang."

Amused, I scooted closer to him. "Dun ako matutulog?"

He let out a sharp exhale, nodding slowly. "Kung gusto mo lang. Kung hindi ka komportable, tatawagan ko ang secretary ko at ipagb-book kita ng hotel. Basta huwag ka lang uuwi."