Flying Without Wings (Del Gallego Series #1)

Chapter 27

Chapter 27: Help

When I finally received the address after texting the number attached inside the envelope, kinuha ko kaagad ang bag para pumunta. Kasama ko si Rouge na naglalakad patungo sa kotse. He then unlatched the door and I was about to enter when someone pulled me making me gasped.

Nabundol ako sa isang matikas na dibdib.

His scents instantly invaded my nostrils.

Napakurap-kurap ako at napa-angat ng tingin sa pamilyar na lalaki. Maximo is staring darkly at Rouge while his hand is on my back, possessively settled. Kumalabog ang puso ko bigla at nag-init ang pisngi.

"M-Maximo..."

"Sa'kin ka sasama," aniya saka ako hinatak patungo sa kanyang kotse.

Wala akong naging salita at pumasok na lamang doon. I gave him the address but he just glanced at it and nonchalantly nodded.

Napanguso ako at pinaglaruan na lamang ang daliri habang nagmamaneho siya. I saw the veins in his hand while he gripped the steering wheel. It made me realize what he's trying to conceal. His jaw even clenched, causing me to sigh.

"Maximo..." I called him softly.

Doon lumuwag ng kaunti ang hawak niya. He swallowed hard when I tried to reach for his hand. Napatingin siya sa'kin gamit ang namumungay na mga mata bago bumuntong hininga.

"Kasama ni Apollo si Corina," sabi niya kapagkuwan.

I nodded.

Through years of working with me, it might be embarrassing to admit, but somehow, I slowly learned to trust my secretary. Kilala ko na si Corina at alam kong mapagkakatiwalaan ko ito.

Maximo fixed our intertwined hands, making me smile.

I actually been looking for Corina earlier. Kaya pala hindi pa ito bumabalik nang utusan kong pumunta sa eskwelahan ng anak para ibigay ang nalimutan nitong baon, ay dahil pinaubaya rin muna ni Maximo si Apollo dito. So maybe Corina was there because Maximo who supposedly watch Apollo is here with me.

Napakagat labi ako at pinigilan na ang pag-ngiti dahil sa pag-sulyap ng katabi ko. Maximo is calm already. But he's always glancing in me every once in a while, but I just pass over it, dahil ganito naman ito palagi. Tahimik ko na lamang hinawakan ang kanyang kamay buong biyahe.

Hanggang sa mapatigil ako nang makita na ang lokasyon na ibinigay sa akin ay katabi lamang ng gusali na pagmamay-ari ng pamilya ni Maximo. Nagsalubong ang mga kilay ko at napatingin sa kanya.

He didn't see my curious gaze when he parked his car.

"Nandito na tayo," aniya na ikina-kurap-kurap ko.

Wala sa sariling tumango ako at bumaba. I was puzzled for a few minutes that, for goodness sake, I was ignorant that we had actually entered the building. It was as if I lost for a moment.

Pansin kong marami na empleyado at ilang nagtatrabaho ang nakatingin sa'min dalawa. Kung hindi man ay napapahinto na lamang para padaanin kami. Kumunot ang noo ko sa mga nangyayari.

Even though Maximo is only sporting a casual shirt and jeans, he looks stylish and attractive, while I'm now dressed in my business-casual attire.

A group of employees then line up. "Good morning, Mr. Guerrero and Madam!" sabay-sabay at magiliw na sabi ng mga ito.

Napakurap ako nang malaman kung ano ang nangyayari. I looked at Maximo and eyed him questioningly.

He just pursed his lips and mouthed, "Address."