The Secrets We Keep (Completed)

Chapter Three

Jendra hated the way her heart jumped when she saw Paul waiting in the spacious lobby of Pan Pharmaceuticals. He looked devastatingly gorgeous in his crisp light blue and coal grey ensemble.

Mas maaliwalas na ang itsura nito kumpara noong maghiwalay sila sa harap ng apartment building niya noong Sabado ng madaling araw matapos manggaling sa King's Lair.

He never went to work during the weekend. Ang sabi nito sa text ay tumutulong itong mag-asikaso sa labi ng nasawing mga kaibigan. It was Monday and she never really expected he'd show up for their usual... or late lunch. Pasado alas dos na ng hapon at ngayon lang siya nakawala sa tinapos na trabaho. Medyo sumasakit na rin ang ulo niya sa gutom.

“Oh, is that her?” may bahagyang accent ang pagsasalita ng babaeng nakakapit sa kaliwang braso ni Stefan. She was very beautiful with her long curly hair and elegant shift dress. Mukhang kaedad o mas bata ito sa kanya, pero taglay ang confidence ng isang marami nang na-accomplish sa buhay.

Mabagal at medyo alangang naglakad siya palapit sa mga ito. Kaharap din ni Stefan at ng babae ang isang matandang lalaking may hawig sa babaeng unang nakapansin sa kanya.

“Yes, this is JC.” marahang hinila siya palapit ni Stefan at inakbayan. “JC, this is Sir Andreas Melloni and his daughter Giovanna.”

Curious ang tingin sa kanya ng mag-ama. Jendra just looked at them in awe. One of the mafia big bosses in the house! Sa dalas na binasa niya ang file tungkol sa mga Melloni ay kilala na niya ang magkakapatid sa mukha dahil sa mga litratong mayroon sila.

“You're a very pretty girl.” lumuwang ang ngiti nito sabay abot ng kamay sa kanya.

“You're... you're very beautiful.” namamangha pa ring sabi niya nang makipagkamay dito. The woman's handshake was firm. Tumingin ito kay Stefan, bago sabay na bumitaw sa braso ng binata at sa kamay niya.

“Thank you.” Govianna's lips quirked, then eyed Stefan. “I guess you're really off limits now, huh?”

Napakurap siya. What? May relasyon ba ang mga ito? Mag-ex?

Natawa si Giovanna. “Don't worry, sweetie. I guess Paul here doesn't just get close to any woman unless he really likes them. You're the first one we've heard of and met.”

“I... um, no. We're not...” napabuga siya ng hangin. “I just met him three months ago.”

“Giovanna, we are not--”

“You look lovely together.” deklara ng matandang lalaki na matamang minamasdan din sila kahit nakangiti ito. JC cannot imagine how this kind-looking old man, along with his brothers could have also masterminded the murder of so many people.

“You're not what?” nangingislap ang mga mata ni Giovanna. “You're going out for lunch, right? Have you taken her to Lucianna's? Hearty comfort food. Cozy, romantic atmosphere, and lovely view of the Mississipi River.”

“We don't have a reservation.” Stefan flatly said.

“You don't need one.” Sir Andreas said kindly. “Use my car and driver and be back here by six. Giovanna and I are meeting with the doctors upstairs anyway.” tumingin ito sa entrance, kung saan isang unipormadong lalaki ang nakatayo. He said a few words in Italian before he turned back to them. “It's setlled. Take your lady with you. Shoo!”

“Enjoy, guys.” Giovanna said with a wink. Hinawakan muli nito sa braso si Stefan bago masuyong hinagkan sa pisngi. “See you soon, sexy.” tinapik nito sa pisngi ang binata bago lumayo kasama ang ama.

Stefan blushed. He looked embarrassed when he turned to her. “I guess we can't say No.”

Indeed, they can't. Hinawakan ni Stefan ang kamay niya at sabay na silang lumabas. The driver looked excited to be actually doing something instead of just waiting for his boss.

“Signore said I take you to Lucianna's.” ipinagbukas sila nito ng pinto ng limousine.

“Are you okay?” tanong ni Stefan nang makaupo na sila sa loob at sumara na ang privacy window na naghihiwalay sa kanila sa chauffeur. Ilang sandali lang ay nasa daan na sila.

“Okay lang. Hindi ko lang ito inaasahan. Naisip ko nang sa Denny's o Dyers Burgers tayo pupunta.” hinila niya ang kamay mula dito.

A corner of his lips turned up. “I haven't been there just to eat. Palaging meeting at madalas, sa likod kami dumi-derecho, sa function rooms.”

“Ako nga hindi ko alam kung saan eksakto iyon.” Now that's the truth. Simula kasi nang dumating siya sa siyudad ay hindi pa niya iyon nae-explore. Naging abala siya sa trabaho at sa misyon niya. “How are you, Paul?”

Ngumiti ito. “Better. Thanks.” inabot nito ang kamay niya. “So, you just met one of them... or two.”

“Yeah.” huminga siya ng malalim. “Pasensya na kung hindi ako gaanong nagsalita. Nagulat ako.”

“Nagulat o natakot?” mataman ang tingin nito.

“Hindi naman nakakatakot ang itsura nila.”

“Yes...” he leaned close, his mouth near her ear as he whispered. ”But they're vicious. And very very dangerous if you cross them.”

“Mukha namang gusto ka nila, lalo ni Giovanna.” huli na nang naisin niyang bawiin ang sinabi, at ang kaakibat na tono niyon. She sounded bitter. Shit.

“Giovanna is cool.” simpleng sabi lang nito, hindi binibitawan ang kamay niya. “Did you know she owns clubs exclusively for women? It's called Sizzle. She has a spa service, a salon, a gym and strip club all in one place.”

Napakurap siya. Hindi niya alam iyon. “Really.”

“Yep.” naapiling ito. “At kinuha niya ako para  manmanan next week ang ilang activities at tao don, partikular na ang manager.” sumandal ito sa backrest. “She said he might be a traitor.”

Napakurap siya. “Oh.”

“I didn't want to do it.” he sighed. “Pero wala naman akong pagpipilian.”

Hindi niya inaalis ang tingin kay Stefan, habang bumibilis ang pintig ng pulso niya. May nais itong sabihin sa kanya, hindi lang niya matukoy kung ano.

“Kapag hindi ko nagawa ng maayos ang trabaho ko...” hininaan nitong lalo ang boses. “Baka hindi na ako makabalik sa King's Lair kahit kailan.”

“Paul...” hindi niya alam kung ano ang sasabihin. Napasinghap siya nang itaas ni Stefan ang kamay niya at dalhin iyon sa labi nito.

“I used to not care. I only wanted to get back at whoever killed my dad and sister.” he murmured against her knuckles, before he gently planted a kiss on them. Nakapako ang mga mata nito sa kanya, at parang matutunaw si Jendra sa kinauupuan.

The light touches of his warm lips was sending shivers and tingles through her. She could feel her cheeks burning, and invisble creatures dancing in the pit of her stomach.

Hindi tama ito. Dumirecho siya ng upo at huminga ng malalim.
Pero hawak pa rin ni Stefan ang kamay niya, mataman pa ring nakatutok sa kanya ang mga mata. “I want that still. But I also want to be with you more, JC. I don't think I am ready for anything next week.”