What Ties Us

Chapter 9

Irene

"Ako na lang po ang pupunta sa site. Just stay here. Please let me manage this" mahinahon kong sabi kila mom.

Naalis na lahat ng employees na nasa nagibang hotel. This is the time where  they will check what really happened. Kung bakit nag-collapse yung building.

"Make sure to wear safety gears. We don't want you to hurt yourself" paalala ni dad.

Thank God they agreed. Nginitian ko sila at agad na bumalik sa room to apply my make up. Dahil mainit sa pupuntahan ko, I decided to wear a white blouse with my beige shorts. I paired it with my white sandals.  

Palabas na ko ng lobby "Irene! Oh I mean Madisson!" tawag ng pamilyar na  boses.

I turned just to see the person and I was so shocked. Happy as well.

"Hi Ashley! How are you?" tanong ko agad pagkatapos ko siyang yakapin.

"I missed you. Hindi ka man lang nagpaalam sa'kin na aalis ka. I even called you for how many times" she pouted.

"I'm so sorry. Wala din naman akong maihaharap sa inyo, after all what happened sa'min ng kuya Ashton mo" pagpapaliwanag ko.

"The whole fam knows about your issue but don't worry, I believe you didn't do it. I mean how will you do it di ba? Ashton is so bobo" inis niyang sabi.

"Really? Naniniwala ka. That's why I love you Ashley" sabi ko sa kanya. Natuwa ako nang sabihin niya yon. I mean atleast may naniniwala sa'kin tungkol don.

"I just can't accept the fact na divorce na kayo. Look sinayang ka niya! You're so sophisticated and beautiful and sexy and-" she keeps on blabbering.

"Hey tama na. Masyado mo naman akong pinupuri niyan" pagpigil ko sa kanya habang pinipigilan ang sobrang ngiti.

Speaking of divorce, magpapasama ako kay Ry para hanapin yung mga papel mamaya.

"You know what Irene, I mean Madisson haha, I keep on watching you sa television kaya lalo na sa mga interviews. Minsan nga gusto kong ipakita kay Ashton pero naisip ko huwag na because you know what, I think what happened years ago is still too sensitive for him" and then she pouted.

"Don't worry Ashley. Your kuya is now happy with her woman" sabi ko tsaka ngumiti sa kanya.

Her eyes went to saucers.

"You know about that?" bulong niya sa'kin.

"You know I still want you for my kuya. Don't know but may something kay Emily na I don't want. She's so so mabait but I feel like hindi" she crossed her arms while saying that.

"Yeah Emily. Actually ahm... she's my cousin" gosh it's so akward for me to say that.

"What.the.hell! I am so sorry. Ang small word naman. Alam ba to ni Ash?" kunot noo niyang tanong.

Tumango lang ako. Tinignan ko ang oras at mukhang malilate ako kapag di pa ko umalis dito.

"As much as I want to catch up with you, may kailangan pa kong asikasuhin. This is my card..."
kumuha ako sa bag ko at binigay sa kanya.

"Call me whenever you want. I'll make time for you" sabi ko sa kanya at niyakap siya ulit.

"Yeah me too. Someone's waiting for me din kase. See you!"

"Kindly contact my tita Ginne, nasaan na yung sinasabi niyang magche-check nitong site" sabi ko sa assistant ni dad na ngayon, assistant ko muna.

"No need, andito na ko"

What the-

Tumalikod agad ako para tignan siya. Someone's kidding me. Si Ashton talaga wala ng iba?

"You? I mean bakit ikaw?" pagtataka ko.

Inalis niya ang shades niya "I am an engineer, remember?" he raised his brows.

"Leave us first. Thank you" pagkatapos kong sabihin yon umalis agad ang assistant ni dad.

I crossed my arms "Ano na namang kalokohan to. Bakit nandito ka, sinusundan mo ba ko?"

He laughed. "Don't be ambitious. Your tita asked me to help your family. You need me Irene, more than I do.

Hindi naman niya talaga kailangang magtrabaho pa. I mean he's so freaking rich! May malalaking kompanya sila, pero alam ko din naman na gusto niyang mag-engineer noon pa"

Ayoko ng palakihin pa to. "So Mr. Ashton Romano slash Mr. Engineer, let's go and check the site?" nginitian ko siya ng halatang pilit tsaka naunang maglakad.

"Wait. Lilibutin natin ang hotel niyo suot yan?" napahinto ako sa sinabi niya. Sabay turo sa damit ko.

"Why? What's wrong?" tinignan ko ang suot ko kung may mali ba. Nothing!

Tinignan ko siya habang tinatanggal niya ang helmet niya sa ulo. What do you call that? I think it's hard hat? Okay I don't know.

Lumapit siya at nilagay ito sa ulo ko. Akala ko tapos na, lalayo na siya pero hindi. Mas lumapit pa siya and whispered something beside my ear.

"You should be careful Ms. Renov. Kapag nasugatan ka, wala dito mga lalake mo" bulong niya tsaka naglakad papasok ng site.

That asshole! Anong karapatan niyang sabihin 'yon?

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