CHAPTER 22
1261 Words
THE BRANCH of Verdan Group in London was busy as Lucien had been in back-to-back meetings since morning. By the time his assistant left his office, he leaned back in his chair and rubbed the bridge of his nose.
“I need a break…”
Pinulot niya ang cellphone niya. He scrolled through his contacts before pressing one familiar name.
Agad namang sumagot ang kabilang linya.
“Well, well,” a cheerful male voice answered. “The great Lucien Hale Verdan finally remembers he has friends.”
Natawa na lamang nang mahina si Lucien. “I’ve been busy.”
“You’ve been missing,” the person from the other line corrected.
“I know.”
“So?” his friend asked. “Why the sudden call?”
Sumulyap si Lucien sa glass wall habang may munting ngiti sa kaniyang labi.
“Let’s meet.”
“Oh?”
“I’ll introduce someone.”
Sandaling natahimik ang kabilang linya.
Then—
“Who?”
“You’ll see.”
“Oh, come on.”
“No.”
“Is it a client?”
“No.”
“A business partners?”
“No.”
“A government official?”
“No.” Natatawang sagot ni Lucien. “Ano bang sinasabi mo?”
His friend clicked his tongue. “Nakakapagtaka kung sino ang ipapakilala mo. And this is the first time you've called after many years, saying you’ll introduce someone. I’m curious who it was.”
Lumawak ang ngiti ni Lucien. “You’ll find out later.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me.”
Just then, the office door opened. Neriah stepped inside carrying a paper bag and two cups of coffee.
She smiled the moment she saw him.
“Lucien.”
Agad na lumambot ang ekspresyon ni Lucien.
“I brought lunch.”
The cheerful voice on the other end of the call suddenly became suspicious. “Bro, who’s that?”
Lucien looked at Neriah, who was already unpacking the food on the coffee table. His smile was already impossible to hide. “I told you. I’ll introduce her later.”
“Fine. Hindi na ako magtatanong.”
“Book a restaurant for tonight.” Sabi ni Lucien.
“Considered it done.” His friend didn’t hesitate. “Should I call the boys?”
“Of course.”
A loud whistle came from the other end. “They’re never going to believe this. They’ve been betting you’d stay single forever.”
Napailing na lamang si Lucien. “I’ll see you tonight.”
Bago nagpaalam, nagpahabol pa ng isang tanong ang kaibigan ni Lucien. “Bro?”
“What?”
“Does she know she’s dating the coldest man in our circle?”
Lucien looked toward Neriah again. She was busy arranging lunch, humming softly to herself as though she belonged in his office.
Ngumiti si Lucien. “I don’t think she’s agreed with you.” Aniya, saka pinatay ang tawag.
“Neriah.” Tawag ni Lucien. Tumayo siya at lumapit sa dalaga. “I invited my friends to dinner.”
“Oh?”
“Gusto kitang ipakilala sa kanila.”
Napakurap si Neriah. Lucien had mentioned to her before his friends, and he wanted her to meet them. Hindi niya akalain na totohanin nito ang sinabi nito sa kaniya. Introducing her to his friends means that their relationship is not like before. They will label up.
And she’s happy.
“Kakabahan na ba ako?” biro ni Neriah. She handed Lucien one of the coffee cups.
Lucien accepted the coffee before gently taking her free hand. “No. Sila ang dapat na kabahan.”
Tumaas ang isang kilay ni Neriah. “Bakit naman?”
If they found out about your background, I’m sure they would be nervous to meet you. Lucien thought.
Ngumiti siya. “Dahil hindi pa nila ako nakikita na ganito.”
“Like what?”
Hindi sumagot si Lucien. Ibinaba niya ang hawak na kape at hinawakan niya ang magkabilang baywang ni Neriah saka ito inangat.
Agad namang napahawak si Neriah sa balikat ni Lucien.
Ngumisi si Lucien at pinaupo si Neriah sa kaniyang lamesa.
“Anong gagawin mo?” tanong ni Neriah.
Lucien loosened his tie. “What do you think?” he asked back.
Neriah had an idea of what Lucien wanted to do. Nababasa niya ito sa mga mata ng binata ang gusto nitong gawin. But later, they would meet his friends. She doesn’t want to look messed up.
Bago pa man makapagsalita si Neriah, kinabig ni Lucien ang batok niya at hinalikan siya sa labi.
Lately, Lucien always kissed her. And every time, they make out.
Gusto na nga niyang palakpakan si Lucien dahil kapag aabot na sila sa puntong nabubuhayan na ito, mabilis nitong nakokontrol ang katawan nito.
Katulad na lang ngayon, bago pa man lumalim ang halik nilang dalawa, tumigil na si Lucien sa paghalik sa kaniya.
“Let’s stop.”
Napailing si Neriah. “I told you, it was okay to make love—” her words were cut off when Lucien covered her lips with his hand.
“Darating tayo diyan.”
Neriah rolled her eyes. “Kumain na lang tayo.” Aniya, bumaba mula sa lamesa ni Lucien.
THE RESTAURANT that was booked was overlooking the River Thames; its warm lights were reflecting off the water outside.
At ang pinakagusto ni Lucien ay walang masyadong tao.
Nang makarating sila, naghihintay na sa kanila ang apat na kaibigan ni Lucien sa isang private dining room.
The moment Lucien entered, one of them stood and spread his arms dramatically. “Look who’s finally remembered he has friends!”
Napailing na lamang si Lucien. “Still as loud as ever, Adrian.”
“And you’re still allergic to replying to messages.”
Another man chuckled. “Leave him alone.”
A third leaned back comfortably in his chair. “I told you he’d only show up if he had a good reason.”
Kapagkuwan natuon ang atensiyon nila sa magandang babae na nakatayo sa tabi ni Lucien.
“Well…”
“So, it's true.”
Sinulyapan ni Lucien si Neriah.
“Neriah,” he introduced her to them.
She smiled politely. “Hello.”
“This is Adrian. The noisy one.”
“Hey!”
Hindi pinansin ni Lucien ang protesta ng kaibigan.
“Leo.”
The bespectacled man nodded politely. “Pleasure to meet you.”
Tumango si Neriah.
“Dylan.”
A relaxed man with rolled-up sleeves raised his glass. “Nice meeting you.”
“And Marcus.”
The oldest among them smiled warmly. “We’ve heard absolutely nothing about you.”
Ngumiti si Neriah. Talagang walang maririnig ang mga ito tungkol sa kaniya. Wala pang dalawang buwan na magkakilala sila ni Lucien, pero inangkin na niya ito sa ikalawa nilang pagkikita.
“I suppose that’s because he doesn’t talk much.” Sabi na lamag ni Neriah.
All four men nodded in perfect unison. “Exactly.”
Napabuntong-hininga si Lucien. “I invited you for dinner. Not to bully me.”
“No promises,” Adrian replied.
At nagtawanan ang lahat.
Later, dinner was served.
At habang kumakain sila ng hapunan, nagkukuwentuhan sila.
Pero ang laman ng kuwento ng mga kaibigan ni Lucien ay tungkol sa kaniya.
Lucien mostly listened, occasionally correcting exaggerated versions of old memories.
Neriah noticed something she had never seen before.
Lucien wasn’t the quiet, reserved businessman she knew.
Around his friends, he laughed more. He interrupted them and even teased them.
Ngumiti si Neriah. So, this is what he was like before life became more complicated.
- Writer
