THE ROOM fell in silence the moment Roi Niccolo stepped in and met gazes with Ezra, who's equally stunned as him.
Seems like time slowed the moment their eyes met. It's stupid to admit but, everything slowed down. Memories started to cascade their minds like a nonstop CD player.
Roi could feel his heart beating fast as he stares at the woman he once owned. The woman who's been the witness of his struggles, his ups and downs. He could feel the familiar feeling that he feels everytime she's near. He could feel the regrets slowly creeping in his system.
Ezra slowly felt the pain in her heart. The pain of the past that she wanted to forget comes back. Here's the man who abandoned her. The man who threw her away like she was nothing.
Before Roi could speak, Ezra stood up and glances at the manager.
"Manager Ree, thank you for the job but, I changed my mind," she said that made the manager and even, Roi was caught off guard.
I changed my mind! Ayoko palang makita siya!
"Why, Miss Ezra?" Manager Ree asked in confusion.
Huminga nang malalim si Ezra at hindi nakasagot. She wants to tell her that she doesn't want to see Roi anymore. She doesn't want to be near him anymore but, before she could speak, Manager Ree beats her.
"Miss Ezra, bakit nagbago bigla ang isip mo? Akala ko gustong-gusto mo nang makahanap ng trabaho? Liezel mentioned it to me and now, it's here. Why are you changing your mind?"
Natahimik si Ezra. Ilang sandali pa ay narinig niya ang boses ng lalaki. Naramdaman niya ang presensya nito nang lumapit ito sa pwesto nila. Umiwas siya kaagad ng tingin.
"She's my new assistant?" she heard him asked. Manager Ree nodded at the guy and she can already feel his gaze at her.
"Why are you changing your mind? Is it because of something personal?" he asked her directly. Napapikit si Ezra para kalmahin ang sarili.
"Hindi," sagot niya pero, taliwas doon ang nasa isip niya.
Roi smirks and leaned his lower back on the manager's table. Humalukipkip ito at tinuon ang mata sa kaniya.
"Then, why? Are you my fan?"
Ezra scoffs in disbelief and finally, turned to look at the smirking guy. "Hindi rin!" mabilis niyang sagot at mukhang mas ikinatuwa pa 'yon ng lalaki.
"Bakit nga? Nahihiya ka sa akin?" Roi's lips tugged upwards in amusement.
Ezra scoffs in disbelief. Kapal ng mukha!
"Miss, if you have any personal problem with me, set that aside. Be professional in your new job. Afterall, you're here just for work, right?" Roi raised his brows and looks at her, as if challenging her.
Hinarap ni Ezra ang lalaki at humalukipkip din. "I don't have any personal problem with you. Bakit? Sino ka ba?" she asked mockingly and turned to Manager Ree who's watching them in amusement.
Naramdaman ni Ezra na hinahamon siya ni Roi. Mukhang gusto nitong makita na apektado siya sa presensya ng lakaki pero, hindi. Hindi niya hahayaang maging mahina sa harap nito. Hindi niya hahayaan na makita ng lalaki na apektado siya. Hindi niya hahayaang maapektuhan siya.
"Binabawi ko na, manager. I'll do my job here. Thank you for accepting me. P'wede na po ba akong umalis?" tanong niya.
"Yes, you may. Thank you for your time, Ezra."
Ezra nodded and smiled. She'll do the job. Magtatrabaho siya dahil gusto niyang tumulong sa mga bayarin nila sa bahay.
Trabaho na ito, Ezra. 'Wag mong hayaan na mawala na naman dahil sa lalaking 'yon. Isa pa, hindi ka talaga dapat mahiya sa kaniya. Siya ang nanakit sa 'yo kaya siya dapat ang mahiya.
Pero, sa inaasal ng lalaki, walang hiya eh. Kung makaasta sa harapan niya, parang walang sinaktan.
She shook hear head at her thoughts. She just decided to walk towards the room where her friends are. Kumatok siya doon at tinawag ang mga kaibigan. Binuksan ni Crisa ang pinto at nasilip niya ang ginagawa ng mga ito sa loob. Nanonood pala sila ng movie. Nakita pa niya nilingon siya ni Ruiz at kinawayan na agad niyang binalik.
"Ezra, tapos na kayong mag-usap ni Manager Ree?" tanong ni Crisa at nilawakan ang pagbukas ng pinto.
Ezra nodded. "Uwi na tayo?" she asked. Crisa turned to look at Liezel and asked the same thing. Tumango si Liezel at doon lang napansin ni Ezra na tulog pala si Alyssa at katabi nito ang boyfriend niya. Pareho silang tulog sa kama doon at nakakumot pa. Si Bench at Ruiz ay parehong sa sahig nakaupo habang nanonood ng movie.
"Nakatulog na si Aly. 'Wag na nating gisingin muna at baka magalit pa si Jayzee," sabi ni Liezel.
"Pero, uuwi na tayo," sabi naman ni Crisa. "What if patulong tayo sa pagbubuhat kay Aly pababa? Para sa bahay na makatulog si Aly," dagdag nito.
Napailing si Liezel. "Nope. Maraming makakakita at baka magka-issue pa. Jayzee will be mad," sabi nito.
Huminga naman nang malalim si Crisa. "Ganito na lang, mauna na kayong dalawa tapos, uuwi kami kapag nagising na si Aly," suhestiyon niya. Liezel agreed at her.
Ezra sighed and agreed. Gusto niyang makauwi na dahil hindi na siya komportable sa titig ng nasa likod niya. She can feel it.
Nagpaalam si Liezel kila Ruiz, gano'n din si Ezra. Lumabas si Liezel sa kwartong 'yon at magpapaalam sana kay Manager Ree nang makita niya ang iba pang nandoon.
"Uy, Deiv! Roi! Nandiyan pala kayo. Bakit hindi kayo pumasok sa loob?" tanong ni Liezel.
Roi didn't answer. He just stares at Ezra who's not looking at him. Deiv noticed and chuckled. Nilingon niya si Liezel at sinagot.
"I'm waiting for Roi. Sabi niya ay gusto niyang matulog muna eh pero, mukhang nagbago ang isip," natatawang sabi ni Deiv bago tumungo papasok sa kwarto kung nasaan ang iba.
Liezel went to Roi who's been silently watching Ezra. Gustong-gusto na ni Ezra na lumabas kaya magsasabi sana siya kay Liezel pero, nagsalita ang lalaki.
"Manager Ree, may I have a request?"
"Yes? What is it?" The manager asked.
Ezra stiffened when Roi's eyes went to her. Seryoso at matiim ang tingin nito na parang ayaw siyang mawala sa paningin. Ilang sandali siyang tinitigan ni Roi bago ito nagsalita.
"Rehearsals will start tomorrow for the upcoming concert..." he trailed while his eyes are still on her. "I will be needing my assistant all the time. 24/7, to be precised," sabi nito.
Manager Ree's lips pursed in amusement. "Then? What are you trying to say?"
Roi remains looking at her. "Can I request for my assistant to move in with me until the concert tour is over?"
Ezra's eyes widened in disbelief. Liezel's low squeals can be heard and the manager's chuckles.
Roi just smirks at her reaction.
What the hell is going on inside this guy's mind?
YOU ARE READING
Boundless
Romance[SOON TO BE PUBLISHED] Everyone deserves a second chance however, are you willing to give one to the person who already wounded you? To the one who abandoned you? Roi Niccolo Kingston had aspirations of being a singer, and Ezra Marie Crisanto did no...
