A Chance Encounter

CHAPTER 20

AUDREY hesitated to enter Emerson’s office when she saw the employee who had been scolded leave with a paled face.

Napangiwi naman si Martin saka napa-facepalm na lamang. He wonders how the Lady Boss will react. He couldn’t save his boss's image because everything was seen and heard by the Lady Boss. He could only sigh and gesture his hand to the closed door.

Audrey waved her hand ‘no’. “I won’t go in,” Aniya. Baka mamaya siya pa ang masigawan. “Pakibigay na lang ito kay Emerson.” Ibinibigay niya kay Martin ang packed lunch pero hindi nito tinanggap.

“Madam, mas magandang kayo na lang po ang magbigay.”

Napakamot ng batok si Audrey. Wala na siyang nagawa kundi ang pumasok nang buksan ni Martin ang nakasarang pinto.

Audrey took a deep breath before she entered Emerson’s office. Pagpasok niya sa loob, aatras na sana siya nang nakita niya si Emerson na nakakunot ang noo habang may binabasa. He seems to be in a bad mood. Pero isinara na ni Martin ang pinto.

“I came at the wrong time,” she said to herself.

Kumatok si Audrey sa pinto upang kunin ang atensiyon ni Emerson.

“What is it?” Emerson asked in a serious voice without looking at her.

“Em.”

One word from Audrey, Emerson, immediately lifts his head. His serious face suddenly changed to a soft face.

Audrey waved her hand hesitantly. “Hi.”

“Baby, what are you doing here?” Emerson asked as he stood from his swivel chair and walked towards Audrey. Napangiti na lamang siya dahil dumating ang asawa niya sa opisina niya.

Nagtaka naman si Audrey dahil sa bilis ng pagbabago ng ekspresyon ni Emerson. Parang hindi ito galit kanina kasi nakangiti na ito. It was a genuine smile. The smile Emerson always wore when they were together. Kahit papaano nakahinga siya ng maluwang.

Ipinakita ni Audrey ang dalang pagkain. “I have no class this afternoon, so I came to find you and bring you lunch.”

Emerson's smile didn’t disappear. Lumawak pa nga ito. Kinuha niya ang hawak ng asawa. “Salamat. Kumain ka na?”

Umiling si Audrey.

“Then let's eat together.”

Audrey nodded.

Iginiya ni Emerson ang asawa sa may sofa na nasa loob ng opisina niya. “Kanina ka pa ba sa labas?”

“I heard you scolding your employees.”

Natigilan si Emerson sa paglabas ng pagkain mula sa paper bag saka napatingin sa asawa. “Did I scare you?”

“A little.”

Hinawakan ni Emerson ang kamay ng asawa. “Don’t worry, I won’t yell at you like that. They are my employees. You are my wife. I would never do that.”

Ngumiti lang si Audrey saka tumango. I hope so. Though they have been husband and wife for a month now. It does not guarantee na kilala na niya ito ng mabuti. It would take a few months before she would really know Emerson’s true nature.

“Magluluto ako mamayang hapon ng hapunan natin,” sabi ni Audrey. It was Emerson who always cooked.

Ngumiti si Emerson. “Talaga?”

Tumango si Emerson.

“Pero hindi ako kasing galing mo na magluto.” Sabi ni Audrey. “Your cooking was superb.”

Napailing si Emerson saka pinisil ang pisngi ng asawa. “Don’t exaggerate it, Baby.”

Audrey pouted. “I’m telling the truth.”

“Whatever you say,” Emerson said. He didn’t argue with his wife anymore. Hinayaan na lamang niya ito sa gusto nitong isipin. Pero magluluto ang asawa niya mamayang hapon. Matitikman na niya rin sa wakas ang luto ng asawa niya. Laging kasi siya ang nagluluto. It’s not that he was complaining, but he wanted his wife not to work too much. He doesn’t want her to get tired.

Habang kumakain silang dalawa, napatitig si Emerson sa asawa. “Baby?”

“Hmm?” Audrey glanced at her husband.

“I have received an invitation.”

Audrey was looking at Emerson, waiting for what he wanted to say.

“It was a party. I was invited and I needed a date.”

“Anong party?” tanong ni Audrey.

“Wedding anniversary of one of my shareholders. I have to go kahit ayaw ko.”

Natawa si Audrey dahil sa ekspresyon ni Emerson. Halatang ayaw nito kasi nakakunot ang nuo nito.

“Sige.” Pagpayag niya.

Emerson’s face lit up. “Thank you, Baby. Don’t worry, all you have to do is to stand beside me. After greeting the couple, we will leave and go home. Wala naman akong balak na magtagal doon.”

Tumango lamang si Audrey.

“Pero…”

Emerson looked at his wife. Uminom siya ng tubig. “What’s the matter?”

“I’m not good at socializing. I might screw up and embarrass you.” Matapat na sabi ni Audrey na ikinatawa ni Emerson.

“You’re too honest, Baby.”

“It’s better to be honest than screwing up.” Sagot naman ni Audrey.

Ngumiti na lamang si Emerson.

After they ate lunch, Audrey stayed in Emerson’s office. Emerson was currently in a meeting at the conference room. Kaya siya ngayon ang nakaupo sa upuan ni Emerson.

“So, this is how it feels to sit in the boss’ chair,” Audrey chuckled. “It’s comfortable.”

Wala naman siyang ginagawa. Nagbabasa lamang siya ng business books. She doesn’t like business at all. Business books can give her a headache. Kaya nga Arts ang kinuha niya dahil mas madali ‘yon para sa kaniya. Napailing siya habang nakatingin sa mga libro na nasa shelf sa loob ng opisina ni Emerson.

Kapagkuwan napatingin siya sa cellphone ni Emerson na nasa lamesa. Naiwan nito at nakalimutan nitong dalhin. Hindi niya hinawakan ang cellphone ni Emerson. Tinignan niya lamang ito. There was a message and said, ‘How are you, Honey? I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have left you. I miss you.’

Natigilan si Audrey at napatitig na lamang sa mensahe. Pakiramdam niya may tumusok sa puso niya pagkabasa niya ng message.

Iniwas ni Audrey ang tingin sa cellphone ni Emerson at pinilit ang sarili na huwag mag-isip ng negatibo. She was still forming trust in her husband, but now, when she read the message, it was like her trust was shattered. The sender used the word ‘Honey’, so she assumed it was a woman.

Who was she?

“Is Emerson in love with someone? And yet he says he wants our marriage to work.” Napasimangot si Audrey.

Hindi na niya hinintay si Emerson na makabalik mula sa meeting nito. Nag-iwan na lamang siya ng post-in-note na mauuna na siyang uuwi. Pero hindi maganda ang mood ni Audrey na lumabas ng opisina ni Emerson.

Audrey felt something in her that she couldn’t explain. She was feeling something she couldn’t explain.

Napabuntong hininga na lamang siya. She was bothered by the text she read from Emerson’s phone.

Habang nasa kusina si Audrey, nakangalumbaba siya habang iniisip kung sino ‘yon? Should I ask Emerson? Pero baka sabihin niya na pinakialaman ko ang cellphone.

Pinilit ni Audrey na kalimutan ang nabasa niya pero kahit anong gawin niya hindi ito mawala sa isipan niya. She was really bothered and uneasy.

It was already six in the evening when Emerson got home, and Audrey had just finished cooking dinner.

“For you.”

Napatingin si Audrey sa bouquet na ibinibigay ni Emerson. She looked at her husband. Ngumiti siya saka kinuha ang bouquet. “Salamat.”

Emerson smelled the delicious aroma of the food. “Smells good, Baby.”

Audrey just smiled and prepared the table. “Magpalit ka na. Kakain na tayo.” Aniya. Ibinaba niya ang bouquet sa may upuan at hinanda ang hapagkainan.

Emerson noticed that something was off, but didn’t pay attention to it and went to the room to change his clothes. Pagkatapos niyang magpalit ng damit, pumunta siya sa kusina. His wife was already eating when he entered the kitchen. Pinagmasdan niya ang asawa. Parang iba ito ngayon.

Tahimik lamang si Audrey. Tanging tango at iling ang itinutugon niya kay Emerson kapag may tinatanong ito.

Emerson stared at his wife. “Did I do something wrong?”

Umiling si Audrey. “I’m finished. I’m going to the rooftop. Can you tidy the kitchen later?”

Tumango si Emerson.

Wala ng imik si Audrey na umalis ng kusina.

“Is she mad?” patanong na saad ni Emerson sa sarili. Ito ang unang beses na ganito si Audrey. Pero kung galit man ito, bakit ito galit? At sa kaniya ba ito galit? He never failed to read people, but as for his wife, he couldn’t read what was wrong with her.

After Emerson ate, he tidied the kitchen and followed his wife to the rooftop. But he took the bouquet with him. Napatigil siya nang makita niya ang asawa na nakahawak sa hand rails at nakatingin sa buwan. Naglakad siya palapit sa asawa at ipinakita sa harapan nito ang bouquet.

Nagulat naman si Audrey sa biglaang paglitaw ng bulaklak sa harapan niya. Mabilis siyang napatingin kay Emerson. “Ano?”

Emerson gestured to the bouquet.

Kinuha naman ni Audrey ang bulaklak. “Hindi ko natanong kanina. Anong okasyon? Bakit mo ako binibigyan ng bulaklak.”

“Wala.”

“Wala? Sigurado ka?”

Napakamot ng batok si Emerson. “I want to pursue you.”

Audrey was stunned. “Ah? Manliligaw ka?”

Tumango si Emerson. “Oo.”

“Pero mag-asawa na tayo.” Sabi naman ni Audrey. No need for that.

“Kahit na. We got married without an emotional foundation. I want to create an emotional foundation with you, Audrey. I want our marriage to work. So, I hope you are the same.”

Sandaling nakalimutan ni Audrey ang rason kung bakit hindi niya masyadong pinapansin si Emerson. “Of course, I like being your wife. Since growing up, I have never felt cared for. You’re the only person who makes me feel I am cared for. Thank you.”

Ngumiti si Emerson. “Now, can you tell me what’s wrong? Napansin ko na wala ka sa mood.”

Nawala ang ngiti ni Audrey sa labi. Nag-iwas siya ng tingin.

“So, I hit the nail on the head,” Emerson said. “Audrey, tell me. Did I do something wrong?” he asked. Hinawakan niya ang magkabilang balikat ng asawa saka ito pinaharap sa kaniya.

Audrey sighed. “I’m sorry.” She muttered under her breath, but Emerson heard it. “I accidentally saw something on your phone. I never touched your phone. I just saw it.”

“The message,” Emerson stated.

Audrey nodded.

“You’re my wife. You deserved to know. Though it was an unregistered number, I know who it was. Judging from the message, it was from my ex-fiancée.”

Nagulat si Audrey. Hindi niya alam na may ex-fiancée si Emerson. An old love. “Ex-fiancée?”

“Yeah. We were getting married, but she backed out and went abroad to pursue her dreams.”

“You love her?” Audrey asked, even though she didn’t want to ask, and she didn’t want to hear the answer. Bakit pa niya kasi tinanong?

“Are you jealous?” Nakangiting tanong ni Emerson.

Audrey rolled her eyes. “Bakit naman ako magseselos?”

Emerson chuckled. “I did like her. But it wasn’t the same feeling I had for you. Audrey, I fell in love with you at first sight. Sa ‘yo lang ako nakaramdam ng ganito. As for Debbie, it’s not my habit to look back at the past. You are my wife now. My attention and everything are yours.”

Literal na napatulala si Audrey kay Emerson. Ano raw? Fell in love at first sight?

Ngumiti si Emerson saka pinisil ang pisngi ng asawa. Pinaikot niya si Audrey at ang likod nito ang humarap sa kaniya. Kinuha niya ang cellphone sa bulsa saka ipinakita ito kay Audrey mula sa likuran kaya parang nakayakap na rin siya rito.

“Your finger.”

Audrey was stunned at their position. She could feel her heart beating so fast.

Kinuha ni Emerson ang kamay ng asawa saka hinawakan ang daliri nito. Using Audrey’s finger, he unlocked his phone. “My phone password was A-U-D-R-E-Y,” he said as he tapped the letters using Audrey’s finger.

Natigilan si Audrey nang malaman ang password ni Emerson sa phone nito. The phone unlocked, and she was even more surprised when she saw the wallpaper on Emerson’s phone. It was her.