Alabang Boys Series #1
Jaesie Rosenthal knows what she brings to the table, and love is just another luxury she doesn't have any plan to buy. But a multi-million-peso agreement is something she will consider when it comes to business.
When Rico Dard...
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I COULDN'T grasp everything. Parang bigla akong nawala sa huwisyo matapos ang alok niya.
"What do you mean by puwede kang maging boyfriend ko?" naguguluhang tanong ko kasi ang usapan namin, originally, ay investment, hindi offer ng love life.
Dumepensa siya sa alok niya. "It's not what you think. Believe me, interested ako sa investment right now. And your café deserves financial support from anyone, but this is the case." He heaved a deep sigh and placed his elbows above the table. "Clark wanted to take you back again, and he's kinda ruining the barkada's mood. Interested din si Patrick na makipagbalikan sa 'yo, and they're having a huge conflict right now."
"Tapos gagatong ka pa?" Nagkrus ako ng mga braso at tinaasan siya ng kilay. "Alam n'yo, kayong magbabarkada, mga wala kayong magawang maganda sa buhay, 'no?"
"Pinipili ko lang ang pinakamagandang solution, okay?"
"So, tingin mo, magandang solution ang maging girlfriend ako habang pinag-aagawan ako ng dalawa sa mga kaibigan mo, gano'n ba?"
Bigla siyang kumuba ng upo at nagbuntonghininga na naman. Kitang-kita kong napu-frustrate siya pero pinipigilan lang niyang ipakita 'yon sa akin. Nakailang ngiwi rin siya, as if may hindi siya nagawang hindi tama.
"The investment part, I might consider accepting that. But you being my boyfriend?" I told him.
"Look, Miss Rosenthal, I'm not here to flirt or anything. Yes, I'm serious about my business, pero gusto ko lang i-consider mo 'to. Titigil lang sina Clark at Patrick kapag pumayag ka nang maging boyfriend ako."
"Beneficial ba sa 'kin 'tong offer para tanggapin ko? Mukha kasing nagte-take advantage ka lang dahil balak mong magpasok ng malaking pera sa café ko."
"Ah, nope! Don't bother!" sagot niya agad. "Busy rin kasi ako. Just want to tell you that my barkada's business is also my business. That's why I'm doing this. You don't need to date me every day or whatnot. Front lang 'to."
"So, basically, babayaran mo 'ko para magpanggap na girlfriend mo?"
"Nope." Umiling agad siya.
Nalilito na ako sa kanya. Parang ang dami naman niyang pakay rito sa akin.
"I'm serious with my investment. Let's separate that. My other offer is that I'll be your boyfriend in front of my friends. Kapag wala sila, we can be us. Hindi natin kailangang maging clingy or whatsoever."
"Pero si Rico Dardenne ka. Hindi ka lang basta kung sinuman."
Biglang nanliit ang mga mata niya habang tumatango-tango na parang ngayon lang niya 'yon na-realize. "Okay, ganito na lang. May requirements ba para mapapayag kita sa gusto kong mangyari?"
Ako naman ang natitigan siya nang mabuti.
Gusto niyang magpanggap kaming mag-on sa harap ng barkada niya. Clark might be a little unhinged, and Patrick is a nuisance, but this? I wasn't getting his plan right now, sa totoo lang.
