When The Bitch Falls

CHAPTER 27

Few days after that confrontation, Cadmium's treatment towards Kira had grown colder than before. He would only notice her presence if they have something to discuss about the project, but other than that, he would  avoid  her. Good thing, the design of the hotel was not yet done. She still has a reason to meet  him.

"Good morning!" masayang bati ni Kira nang makalapit siya sa pwesto ni Cadmium dito sa loob ng cafe.

Tahimik lamang itong nakaupo sa pandalawahang table. Nag-angat ito ng tingin mula sa pagtitig sa laptop na nasa harap nito. Dumukwang siya palapit at akmang hahalikan ang pisngi ni Black ngunit agad na umiwas ang binata. Napasimangot si Kira at naiinis na hinila ang bakanteng upuan sa tabi nito. Umupo siya doon at inayos ang suot niyang mini-skirt.

Awtomatiko siyang napalingon kay Cadmium nang tumikhim ito. Umangat ang ibabang labi ni Kira nang mahuli ang pagsulyap ni Black sa kanyang hita. Agad naman itong umiwas ng tingin at sumimsim ng kape.

Marahan nitong inilapag pabalik sa ibabaw ng round table ang cup nito at pinakatitigan si Kira. "I've invited you over to discuss a few things about the project."

"I know," she mumbled before hissing.

"You've said it through text."

She saw how Cadmium shook his head in disbelief.

"We have finished the framework and structural design for the building except for its view. Do you have any idea about it? You can do it on your own if you want to," he uttered with a very authoritative voice. It came out more like an order, not a suggestion. "Besides, you would later own this building, why not have your idea for the design?"

Kira nodded, a smirk forming on her lips. "I agree. We could have its walls painted with black."

His eyebrows met halfway and he threw her a warning look. "This is a serious matter, Kira. I am not here to just listen to your foolishness."

Tumaas ang kanang kilay ni Kira at marahas siyang napasandal sa kanyang kinauupuan. "I am serious. I want the walls black. Is there any problem with that?"

"Can you just think of a better idea, then?" he answered in thick sarcasm. "It's the worst I have heard."

Inirapan niya si Black at pasimpleng hinila ang cup nito. Hindi na nagawang umangal ng binata nang mabilis siyang sumimsim ng kape mula doon. Nilasap niya ang init ng cafe americano. Sa halip na magpasindak sa nanlilisik na mata ni Black, kinindatan niya lamang ito at tumawa nang mahina.

"Where's your manners, Ms. Fuentes?" His pupils dilated, making his eyes look darker. "You can't just drink on someone else's cup."

Imbes na mainis sa pambabara ni Cadmium, naramdaman niya ang biglaang paglukso ng puso niya dahil sa narinig.

"So you're back to being my critic, huh?" nanunuksong tanong ni Kira habang pinapatong ang kanyang baba sa kamay na kasalukuyan ding nakatukod sa ibabaw ng table. "Welcome back, Cadmium Harris. I missed you."

Napatiim-bagang ang binata at itinuon nang muli ang tingin sa laptop. "Please stop flirting.”

"Then, stop talking about the project, too," panunubok niya.

"If it's not about business and work..." Black paused a bit. He took a little moment to pin his laptop close and enclosed it in a laptop case. "Then I should just leave. I'll text you if something comes up."

Pagkatapos iyong sabihin, mabilis na tumayo si Cadmium bitbit ang mga gamit nito at tumalikod na sa gawi niya.

"Black, wait!" tawag ni Kira sa binata nang humakbang ito palayo.

Tumigil si Black ngunit hindi ito humarap sa kanya. May iilang estudyante na napalingon sa gawi niya. Gayunpaman, hindi niya pinansin ang mga matang nakatutok ngayon sa kanya. Kay Cadmium lamang nakatuon ang buong atensiyon ni Kira.

She gathered enough courage before she spoke again, "What if it's about the past... Our past that you've mentioned, can we not talk about it now?"

Narinig niya ang malalim na buntong-hininga ni Cadmium. Pinihit nito ang sarili paharap. Nang dumapo ang tingin ni Black sa kanyang mukha, pinakatitigan siya nito ng ilang segundo. Lakas-loob niyang sinalubong ang malamig nitong tingin.

He heaved a deep sigh again before speaking, "I'll tell you everything about it..." Bigla itong huminto at umiwas ng tingin. "If you can remember Carlo Harris."

Kira's eyebrows suddenly met halfway. Her brain suddenly buffered. Carlo Harris. That name seemed to ring a bell. But, who is that guy and what does he have to do with her past?