The Mafia Boss' Heart

CHAPTER 28

PAGBALIK ni Haze at Nicolo sa Maynila, sa kani-kanilang trabaho, maraming mga paper works ang sumalubong sa kanila. Nicolo had many meetings to attend and many documents to review. Pansamatalang tumigil muna kasi si Grace na magtrabaho dahil sa pagbubuntis nito. Medyo maselan ang pagbubuntis nito kaya naman pinayuhan ito ng doktor na huwag munang magtrabaho at umiwas sa stress. Since si Nicolo ang Assistant CFO, ito muna ang humalili kay Grace. Kaya lahat ng mga naiwang trabaho ng kaniyang pinsan siya ang nagpatuloy.

“So, how’s the new CFO?” tanong ni Liam kay Nicolo nang makapasok ito sa loob ng opisina niya.

Nicolo looked at Liam flatly and gave Liam the folder he was holding. “Sign it. And don’t call me the new CFO. I’m just an assistant.”

Liam chuckled. “Whatever.” Aniya saka pinermahan ang pinapapirma sa kaniya ni Liam. “Your trip wasn’t in vain. Good profit for the company.”

Tumango si Nicolo saka kinuha ang folder.

“I’m giving you and Haze incentives…”

Napatigil sa pagtayo si Nicolo. “Incentives? I don’t need it. Just give it to Haze.”

Napailing naman si Liam. “I know you have a lot of money. Alright. I’ll give it to her.”

Nicolo smiled. “Thanks, cousin-in-law.” Aniya saka lumabas sa opisina ng CEO.

Habang pabalik si Nicolo sa Accounting Department, may narinig siyang usapan ng mga empleyada na nakasabayan niya sa may elevator. Mukhang hindi siya napansin ng mga ito dahil tuloy-tuloy lamang ang mga ito sa pag-uusap.

“Jade was still pursuing Haze.”

“Oo nga.”

“Pero hindi ba may kasintahan si Haze? Iyong gwapong foreigner na nasa Accounting Department rin. Iyong humalili muna kay Ma’am Grace.”

“Bagay sila ni Haze.”

Napangiti na lamang si Nicolo sa narinig pero nawala ang ngiti niya sa sunod niyang narinig.

“Pero ilan sa mga kasama natin ang nakakita na may nagpapadala ng bulaklak kay Haze.”

“Oh? Sino? Baka naman si Sir Nicolo?”

“Kung si Sir Nicolo bakit naman itatapon ni Haze ang bulaklak?”

Nicolo frowned. Someone’s giving her flowers but she throws it away. He just smiled inwardly. He’s been busy these past few days and halos hindi na sila nagkikita ni Haze. Hindi na bale dahil hindi na siya abala mamayang hapon. He should invite Haze to have dinner with him.

Nang makabalik si Nicolo sa Accounting Department, tinignan niya si Haze. Seryoso si Haze habang nakaharap ito sa computer nito. And when someone approached Haze for some papers to be signed, she would touch her eyeglasses. Nicolo smiled and went back inside his office.

Kinuha niya ang cellphone sa bulsa ng suot niyang coat saka nagpadala ng mensahe kay Haze. ‘Amore, let’s have dinner later.’

‘Amore? Love?

Natawa ng mahina si Nicolo. ‘You got it right, Amore. It’s my endearment to you. Do you like it?’

Haze just smiled. ‘Yeah. I still have work to do. See you later.’

‘See you, Amore.’

HAZE was waiting for Nicolo outside the building. Nicolo went to get his car in the parking lot when Jade approached her.

“Haze.”

“Ano ‘yon?” tanong ni Haze.

Jade smiled. “Kumusta ka? Dalawang linggo ka rin sa Tagaytay.”

Tumango si Haze. “Oo.” Aniya saka inayos ang suot na salamin.

“Haze, can we—”

Biglang may nagbusina na sasakyan kaya naman napatingin doon si Haze. Automatikong gumuhit ang ngiti sa kaniyang labi nang makitang si Nicolo ang dumating. Kumaway ito sa kaniya kaya naman nagmamadali siyang lumapit sa sasakyan nito. She opened the car’s door of the passenger’s seat and get inside. Pero napangiwi siya dahil sumakit ang paa niya dahil sa shoe heel na suot niya.

“What’s the matter?” tanong ni Nicolo nang mapansin ang pangiwi ni Haze.

“My feet hurts.”

Tinignan ni Nicolo ang paa ni Haze. “You’re wearing shoe heels.” Aniya.

“It’s just two inches.” Haze reasoned.

“Even so. Wait for me.” Bumaba si Nicolo ng sasakyan saka kinuha ang sneakers na nasa likuran ng sasakyan. Then he walked towards the passenger seat. He opened the car’s door. Then he gave Haze a peck on her lips.

“Anong ginagawa mo? Baka may makakita sa atin.”

“What’s wrong with that? We’re boyfriend and girlfriend.”

Hindi na umimik si Haze. Tinampal na lamang niya ang dibdib ni Nicolo na ikinatawa naman ng huli.

“Let me change your shoes.”

Nakatingin lamang si Haze kay Nicolo habang pinapalitan nito ang suot ng shoe heels ng puting sneakers. Nicolo was really nice to her. And his niceness to her, she couldn’t let go. This relationship they have… I will try my best to cherish this relationship.

“Comfortable?” Nicolo asked after he changed Haze’s heels.

Tumango si Haze saka ngumiti. “Thank you.”

Nicolo smiled and gently patted his girlfriend's head. “Let’s go. Let’s have dinner.”

Nicolo closed the car’s door and went to the driver's seat. Then he drove the car towards their destination.

Kumuyom naman ang kamay ni Jade dahil sa nasaksihan niya kay Haze at Nicolo. “I was one who met Haze first.” Gigil niyang saad.

While Nicolo was driving, Haze was staring at Nicolo.

“What?” Nicolo asked when he felt Haze’s stare.

“You’re handsome.”

Nicolo chuckled. “Sei bellissima, amore mio.”

“Ah?”

“I said you are beautiful, my love.”

Napakurap si Haze saka bahagyang natigilan. “My love?”

“My endearment to you.” Wika ni Nicolo. He glanced at Haze. “I know you’re not used to it but get used to it. I’ll be calling you ‘Amore’ from now on.” He smiled.

Ngumiti si Haze. “Then what should I call you?”

“It’s up to you.”

“Nic?” Haze asked. Then she pouted. “I can’t bring myself to call you ‘Amore’. Nahihiya ako.” Aniya. Totoo naman ‘yon. Talagang nahihiya siya. Mas sanay siyang tawagin si Nicolo sa pangalan nito.

“As long as you’re comfortable, Amore.” Nicolo smiled.

“It’s my exclusive right?”

“Yes,” Nicolo nodded. “Your exclusive right.”

Napangiti ng malawak si Haze.

Nang makarating sila sa isang Italian Restaurant, ipinarada ni Nicolo ang sasakyan sa may parking lot saka sila bumaba. Hinawakan ni Nicolo ang kamay ni Haze at pumasok sila sa loob ng restaurant.

Namangha si Haze sa ambiance na mayroon ang restaurant na kinaroroonan nila. “It’s so relaxing.”

Napangiti si Nicolo. Pinaghugot niya ng upuan si Haze saka hinalikan ito sa nuo bago siya umupo sa upuan na nasa tapat ng dalaga. Then he called the waiter.

“What do you want to eat?”

“Ikaw na ang bahalang umorder. Wala akong alam sa mga Italian cuisine.”

Tumango si Nicolo saka siya na ang nag-order ng pagkain nila ni Haze.

Habang hinihintay nila ang order nilang pagkain, abala si Haze sa pagtingin sa paligid. “This is our first and last to come in this place.”

Nicolo frowned. “Bakit naman?”

“This place was expensive. My budget couldn’t afford it.”

Natawa ng mahina si Nicolo. “Don’t worry, I’ll be the one to pay. And even if we eat here every day, I won’t go broke.”

Tinaasan ni Haze ng kilay si Nicolo.

“Can’t I treat my girlfriend? If you’re not comfortable in this place, then you decide next time.”

Haze smiled. “Pinky promise.” She stretched out her hand to make a pinky promise to Nicolo.

Nicolo could only sigh. He really couldn’t win an argument with Haze. Ikinawit niya ang hinliliit sa hinliit ni Haze. “Pinky promise.”

Ngumiti si Haze.

When their order arrived, they started to eat. While eating, Nicolo received a call from Alonzo.

“Young Master, the sender of the anonymous email you received was from the Second Master.”

Natigilan si Nicolo. “My uncle?”

“I checked it many times, Young Master. It was confirmed. It was from Uncle Ramon.”

Kumuyom ang kamay ni Nicolo na nakapatong sa may lamesa. Nakita ito ni Haze kaya naman tinignan niya ang mukha ni Nicolo. Bahagya siyang natigilan nang makita ang ekpresyon na madalang niyang makita sa binata. Nicolo always wore a genuine and warm smile in front of her but this time, Nicolo’s face was blank and he looked like he’s angry. This is the part of Nicolo that she seldom sees.

“Alonzo, contact my father. Tell him about Uncle Ramon.” Nicolo ordered.

“Yes, Young Master.”

Nicolo ended the call and he looked at Haze. Natigilan siya nang makita niyang nakatingin sa kaniya ang dalaga. “What’s the matter?” he asked, smiling.

His face changed so fast. Haze thought and shook her head. “Nothing.”

Nicolo smiled. “Eat.”

Haze nodded.

After eating, the couple went out of the restaurant. But it was raining heavily.

“Wait for me here. I’ll get the car.” Wika ni Nicolo saka pinahawak kay Haze ang wallet at cellphone niya upang hindi ito mabasa. Then he run towards his car.

“Nic—”

Tinakbo ni Nicolo ang kotse. He quickly opened the car’s door to the driver seat and went inside. He drove the car towards Haze and he took the umbrella from the backseat. Binuksan niya ang pinto ng kotse saka binuksan ang payong. Then he went to Haze.

“Let’s go.”

Inakbayan ni Nicolo si Haze saka inalalayan niya ito patungo sa kotse.

“You’re wet. Tanggalin mo na ang coat mo.” Sabi ni Haze.

Nicolo undressed his coat. He was just wearing a white shirt inside his coat.

Dinama naman ni Haze kung basa ang damit ni Nicolo pero hindi naman. Kapagkuwan kinuha niya ang panyo sa bag saka pinunasan ang mukha ni Nicolo.

Napatitig si Nicolo sa kasintahan. Kapagkuwan hinawakan niya ang kamay ni Haze na may hawak na panyo. He leaned to Haze and smiled. “Can I kiss you?”

Kusang tumango si Haze.

Smiling, Nicolo kissed Haze.