There Was You (Completed)

36 - It's Storm Signal No?

A/N: "Storms are created when a center of low pressure develops with a system of high pressure surrounding it. This formation of opposing forcescan create winds and result in the formation of storm clouds. - wikipedia"

"I will hit you where it hurts the most."

Mr. X smiled as he saw the seed of doubt crossed Maine's eyes. The intel info that he got from his people hit the jackpot.

She still tried to fight it. "No, I don't remember him mentioning anything. I'm sure you're mistaken."

"Oh! I'm sorry, yes it must be a mistake. You know Richard. Sometimes when he tells stories, I don't know if he's bragging or joking. One time, he even told me that you took your snack together at the playground of the school. That must be a joke, right? But why do you think he said that?"

She feels headache developing with what she's hearing. "Sorry sir, I really need to go to the washroom. It was nice talking to you."

Mr. X was sipping his champagne when Maine's dad joined him.

"Where's my daughter?"

"She went to the washroom. You've raised a very lovely young lady there. I think the last time I saw her, she was still a kid. Tingnan mo nga naman no?"

He dismissed the complement. "Do you have news on the bid for the national highway? Have they gotten back to us?"

"Not yet. From the calendar of schedule they gave us, the technical committee of the funding agency will complete their technical evaluation in two weeks, then they will announce the shortlisted vendors before opening the financial bids."

"Keep me posted on the updates. We want to get that road project."

"Don't worry, my team made sure we submitted the best bid. Anything for VM Builders. Champagne?"

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Pagkatapos siguraduhing nakuha ni Mr. Mendoza ang envelope, mabilis na nagbihis at umalis si Richard. At hindi na niya tiningnan kung kausap pa rin ni Maine si Mr. X. Medyo kinabahan siya nang kaunti nang malaman na matagal na palang magkasama sa trabaho ang may-ari ng VM Builders at ang kaaway niya. Correction, umaaway sa kanya.

Pero sige lang, kung hindi siya paniwalaan ni Mr. Mendoza, at least sinubukan niya. Siguro naman kahit paano titingnan niya. Kasama sa binigay niya ang copy ng bid specs, design sa proposal, review notes niya at 2 voice recording ng usapan nila ni Mr. X kasama ang tangkang suhol sa kanya.

Pero si Maine at Mr. Mendoza? Hindi siya makapaniwala na totoo ngang mag-ama sila o tanga lang ba siya na hindi niya nakita ang koneksyon? Ano pa nga ba ibig sabihin non, e di si Mr. Vicente Mendoza nga ang tatay ni Maine.

Ano na self? Ano ka ngayon? Kaya mo pa ba? Hindi lang mayaman ang babaeng napusuan mo? Anak pa ng may-ari ng kompanyang pinagtrabahuhan mo. Kahit sabihin mo pang past tense at resigned ka na, ganon pa rin yon. Eto ang napapala ng hindi nagtatanong habang maaga nang makita mong Mendoza apelyido niya.

Sabagay, nagtanong ka naman. Pero ang tanga lang talaga! Ang tanong mo lang kasi, 'diba Vicente Mendoza pangalan ng daddy mo?' Siyempre, isasagot niya oo. Pero bakit nga ba hindi niya sinabi na iisa sila?

Paano ngayon, sasabihin ko bang alam ko na? Dapat ba umiwas na ko at mas sigurado ngayon na wala akong mapapala? O magpaalam nang maayos?  Ano, bahala na si batman?

Hindi niya napansin na malapit na pala siya sa apartment niya. Force of habit. Sabagay, sooner or later, kailangan na rin niyang ayusin mga gamit niya at maghanap ng lilipatan sa bago niyang trabaho. I-tetext na lang niya si Tope' na hindi na muna siya doon tutuloy ngayong gabi.