Kabanata 23

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Hinintay ni Henrietta na makalabas ang dalawa. She did not glance at Vincenzo and the man was very displeased.

Pagkalabas nila ay tumigil si Vincenzo sa harap ng pinto. Henrietta's scent filled his nostrils and her skin brushed in his clothes.

Hindi kinilingan ng dalaga si Vincenzo at pumasok na sa elevator.

"Go to the company. I forgot something," ani ni Vincenzo sa kasama niyang babae.

"I can go with you," ani ni Mariel, ang secretary ni Vincenzo.

"Your presence is not needed."

Agad tumalikod si Vincenzo at hinarang ang palad sa papasarang elevator.

Hindi na napigilan ni Mariel ang lalaki. Tuluyang nakapasok na ito sa elevator. She's been working on his company for four years at magkakilala din ang mga magulang nila. She's been in love with Vincenzo for six years kaya napagpasyahan n'yang pumasok sa kompanya nito. She sigh. Wala pa ring progress ang pag-ibig niya kay Vincenzo but it's okay, at least malapit sila sa isa't-isa. She can come with him whenever there is a meeting and business trips. Alam niya wala din itong babae kung meron man na nagtatangka ay pinipigilan niya. The employees saw her as the future Mrs. De Luca and she's not against it. It is just a matter of time na magiging sila din ni Vincenzo.

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"Why are you here?" panimula ni Vincenzo habang naka lean sa elevator. His eyes shifted to the woman beside her who was looking straight ahead.

"I have a project here," sagot ni Henrietta at tiningnan ang wrist watch niya. Why does the elevator taking so long?

Vincenzo grabs her right hand at pinagsuklob ito. Her hand fits perfectly on his. Hindi naman pumalag ang dalaga.

"She's the company's secretary," tukoy ni Vincenzo kay Mariel na kanina ay kasama niya. He didn't say "my company" instead he said the company's secretary.

"You are free to do as you like, but you must remain faithful because we are now married. Hindi ako pumayag magpakasal para lang makita ang mga babae mo at maging katawa-tawa. If we are married then stay loyal habang hindi pa natatapos ang conditions nating dalawa. After that, you are free to pursue the woman you love. I don't care," Henrietta spoke.

Vincenzo pressed his lips. There is dark glint on his eyes when he heard her. Humigpit ang pagkakahawak niya sa kamay ng dalaga.

"Don't worry, wife, this husband's of yours wants you over than any woman out there," sagot ni Vincenzo at ngumisi sa reflection ng elevator kung saan kita ang mukha nilang dalawa.

Henrietta turned her body sideways and grabs Vincenzo's tie at inilipat ang mukha nito sa kanya.

"You better not break our deal." Binitiwan nito ang tie saktong pagkabukas din ng elevator sa floor na pupuntahan niya. Inayos niya ang buhok bago lumabas.

Vincenzo smiled with malicious glee. Sumunod siya sa dalaga. He was just standing too close in her back. Kung makita man sila ngayon ng mga empleyado ay siguradong pagkakamalan silang mag-kasintahan. Vincenzo looks like a protective man standing behind his woman shooing the dogs away. Well, that was true.

"Miss V—" naputol ang sasabihin ng assistant nang makita kung sino ang nasa likod ng babae.

Oh my god. The Vincenzo De Luca is here! Ang alam niya ay kausap nito ang president sa taas? What is he doing here... especially with Miss V?

"Uh..." Palipat lipat ang tingin niya sa dalawa.

"I'm interested to the drama you're going to make. It's just a coincidence, I and Miss V just stumble upon," balewalang sambit ni Vincenzo at umupo sa gitna ng long sofa.

Hindi iyon pinansin ni Henrietta at tiningnan sa mata ang assistant.

"Let's talk about the drama. Where is Director Kent?"

Director Kent has been winning big awards in the entertainment industry.

One of them is the "Best Production Director". His drama also wins grand prizes such as "Best Screenplay" and "Best Drama" and even the actors and actresses he chooses to play in his drama wins big awards. Kaya naman ang laki ng expectation ng netizen when the director is about to make another hit drama again! Isama pa na isang popular author ang magiging writer nito— si Miss V!

"Ah, nasa loob po si Director Kent. Pasok po kayo Miss V." Alam na nila na si Henrietta Vanderbilt ang nasa likod ng mga librong naging tanyag sa manonood at mambabasa. And it is their pleasure to work with an outstanding woman like her.

Pumasok sila sa isang office. Hindi pinigilan ng assistant si Vincenzo dahil interesado naman ito sa drama na gagawin nila. Pero bakit palagi itong tumitingin sa gawi ng dalaga? Uh, crush ba nito? Napailing ang assistant sa naisip. Ano ba ang iniisip niya? Makakain na nga lang.

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"Nice to meet you, Miss V."

"Nice to meet you too, Director Kent."

They both shook hands. Sa gilid naman ay biglang naningkit ang mata ni Vincenzo sa dalawang kamay.

"Nice to meet you, Director Kent," sabat niya sa dalawa at inagaw ang kamay ni Jones sa dalaga. He gave him a tight grip and Director Kent gave an awkward smile. Bakit parang ang sama ng tingin sa kanya ni President De Luca?

"Let's sit?" yaya ni Henrietta sa dalawa.

Umupo si Vincenzo sa tabi ng dalaga na medyo kalapitan ngunit may distansya pa rin. He leaned his back on the sofa and casually crosses his legs. Para siyang isang care-free na binata sa asta niya.

"Here is the script. If you have suggestions, tell me," ani ng dalaga at ibinaba ang script sa gagawing drama. Director Kent was impressed at the first scene of the story. When they say Miss V is a great author, they didn't lie. Unang episode pa lang, nakakabaliw na ang kwento. Ano pa kaya sa mga susunod na kabanata? Ipinagpatuloy niya ang pag-scan. There are unexpected twists on the scene along the way.

"It has a great script, I can say." Ngumiti ang direktor. "Hope we can work together successfully, Miss V."

Tumango si Henrietta. Of course, magiging successful ang lahat if they cooperate well at walang mga feeling queen and king sa set. Ang dami niya ng nakitang gano'n. Akala mo ang taas na ng naabot.

"I hope you don't mind, can I participate in selecting the leads of the drama?"

"Of course, you can," natutuwang sagot ng dalaga.

The director was about to speak when a knocking sound interrupted them.

Pumasok ang assistant nito.

"Direk, pinapatawag po kayo sa taas, importante lang po."

Director Kent nodded and shifted his gaze to the two people in front of him.

"You can stay here for a while. Babalik ako kaagad."

"Okay."

When the director was out the whole room was in silence.

"Wife..."

Hindi pinansin ni Henrietta ang tawag ni Vincenzo. She was scrolling through her phone when suddenly bigla s'yang binuhat nito at nakita niya na lang ang sarili na nakaupo sa hita ng lalaki.

"What the hell, Vincenzo?"

"You're still mad at me."

"I'm not."

"Really, looked at me then." Nagkatitigan sila nang biglang may nagsalita.

"Damn! PDA much?"

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© _eysteambun

Henrietta's BladeTahanan ng mga kuwento. Tumuklas ngayon