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"Sorry, Fritz. Mas mahal ko ang career ko kesa sa 'yo."
I scoffed. Naalala ko na naman kung paano nakipag-hiwalay 'yung ex ko. Parang ako pa 'yung ayaw makipag-break, ah? When in fact, I was kind of relieved when he did that. At least, I can now have my time back to focus on myself.
It's been three months.
Of course, I've moved on.
Pero minsan, naaalala ko pa rin talaga siya... We have good memories together... We were great together. Mahirap kalimutan basta-basta. Sometimes, I miss him...
"Wala ka pa bang balak mag-boyfriend, Ma'am?" asked Antoinette, iyong receptionist na friend ko.
I rolled my eyes. Palibhasa siya, happy ang lovelife with a hottie!
"I don't have any prospect."
"What about him?"
Napatingin ako sa inginunguso niya. My eyes widened.
Naka-upo sa lobby ang isang lalaking clean-cut ang buhok, naka-blue na polo, at dark na pantalon. His arms were spread like a king on sofa's backrest. He's with a girl, different from who he was with from yesterday.
I scoffed.
"That's Loyd Javier, Antoinette," I said, shaking my head. "He's a playboy."
I've known him since I was in College. Niligawan niya ako—no. He just tried. Hindi ko kasi pinayagan. I won't put myself in a pedestal for letting me courted by a playboy. Hindi marunong mag-seryoso ang mga ganyan. Muntik na akong mabiktima dahil matagal na akong may feelings sa kanya noon... but then, he's a womanizer. My bad.
Umalis na lang ako at nag-lakad papunta sa elevator. I have lots of work to do. Masyadong hassle ang pagiging manager ng hotel dahil kailangang libutin ang operation ng kabuuan. Lalo na kung ang makikita sa paglilibot ay mga hindi kaaya-ayang bagay.
Pumasok ako sa elevator kasama 'yung checklist ko sa isang folder. The door was closing when there's someone who suddenly inserted his arm in-between, causing the door to open again. I gripped my folders tightly against my chest when I saw Loyd's smiling face.
"Uy, Fritz!" feeling-close na bati niya.
I nodded at him.
Naka-ngiti itong pumasok tsaka pinindot ang top floor. Mang-gugulo na naman siguro 'to sa opisina ni Sir Chase. Wala talaga 'tong magawa sa buhay. Kung 'di nambababae, nang-gugulo naman sa CEO namin.
Umirap ako.
Dalawa lang kami sa loob ng elevator. My breathing hitched. Amoy ko 'yung pabango niya... Teka nga, bakit ba ako apektado rito?
"Sa'n punta mo? Sa opisina ni Chase?"
Diretso lang ang tingin ko. "I'll take rounds."
"Ah, oo nga 'no? Manager ka nga pala rito," sabi niyang natatawa.
"Oo. Hindi naman ako katulad mo na puro pasarap lang sa buhay ang alam."
"Aguy." He touched his chest and faked a hurt. "Nang-realtalk ka na naman, ah."
Bilisan mo na... bulong ko sa isip ko habang naka-tingin sa number na nasa itaas ng pinto. Malapit na 'yung floor na pupuntahan ko nang biglang pindutin ni Loyd 'yung emergency button kaya huminto ito.
Humarap ako sa kanya at kumunot ang noo.
"What the hell?"
Humarap din siya sa 'kin. Mas lalong bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko. Ugh! This guy was my first love. Minahal ko 'yung ex ko at break na kami ngayon. Bakit apektado pa rin ako sa mokong na 'to? I still miss my ex boyfriend... kailangan ko muna ng break sa mga ganito. So why the hell is he here, bugging me?!
He's looking at me intently, smiled plastered on his pore-less annoying face—which is dangerous to my unhealed heart! For goodness sake, kagagaling ko lang sa break-up!
Napa-atras ako nang humakbang siya palapit sa 'kin.
"Anong ginagawa mo?" I hissed.
"So, single ka na pala. May chance na ba ako sa 'yo? Can I be the man to make you happy now?"
I pushed his chest.
"Kabi-break lang namin, Loyd. I don't want any relationship right now."
"Oh, come on, Fritz," he chuckled. "I know it's been three months. Three month rule, remember? I gave you that. Now, give me the chance I want."
I arched a brow. "Alam mo, puro ka lang salita."
"What?" humalakhak siya.
See? He's never been serious! Puro lang siya kalokohan. Paano ko siya bibigyan ng chance? Ni hindi nga ako sigurado kung seseryosohin niya ba talaga ako.
"Watawat," pambabara ko.
He laughed once again. Umirap ako.
Hinayaan ko siya sa tuwa niya. I tried to reach the reset button but I failed when he caught my wrist. Hinila niya ako palapit sa kanya kaya magkalapit na iyong mukha naming dalawa.
Loyd has this stupid grin on his face now.
He's clearly enjoying this.
"I will court you starting today, Miss Salvador."
I stared at him intently. "A-yo-ko."
Binitawan niya ako kaya nakaya kong lumayo sa kanya. Darn, this heart isn't getting any calmer! Traydor na puso!
His forehead creased. "Ano bang ayaw mo sa 'kin? Ilang beses mo na akong inaayawan, ah. Masakit 'yun."
"You're a playboy," I said, stating the obvious.
He raised both of his brows, asking me for an explanation.
I rolled my eyes.
"How can I be sure that you're serious on courting me? You can court me and still have your women in my back," I smirked. "I don't need another heartbreak right now, Loyd."
His face turns serious.
"You wanna know how to stop me from hoarding girls?"
Umiling ako. "I am not interested—"
He cut me off. "Be with me."
My mouth parted.
"What?"
He took a step closer. I swallowed the panic which has blown my system. He cornered me. He put his hands right beside my head. Itinapat niya 'yung mukha niya sa mukha ko, letting me see how serious he is. Gone was the playful Loyd. Seeing his face up this close never helped me calm my nerves down.
"Give me a chance. I will prove myself to you. I'll show you how serious this Loyd can get with the woman he likes for about couple of years already."
