Chance.

Lilia

"Sorry....I'm so sorry."

Garalgal ang boses na sambit ko saka humiwalay ng yakap sa pamangkin kong si Lucien. I just wanted to protect my sister and I blamed his husband for what happened to her.

I hid her from him and snatched her away, I was selfish.

"If I only wasn't that selfish...I-if only my mind was more open to see things more clearly."

Patuloy ang paghikbi ko, Lucien sighed harshly.

"I understand." Tumikhim itong seryosong binalingan ako ng tingin. "Enough of the blames, enough of bringing up the past, What's important now is the present. We should all keep moving forward and just cherish the ones you have and let each moments be special."

Sambit niya na lalong nagpaiyak saakin. I wanted to take Lucien too before, but my sister's husband didn't allow it. Masyado akong nagpadaig sa galit ko at pinagkaitan ko ng isang ina ang mga pamangkin ko.

"I'm sure that's what my sister will probably say, we were all hurt and the one who did all of this is gone already, I don't want to waste more years into hatred."

Saad ko.

"So stop worrying already auntie, nagugurang ka na eh."

Ngisi ni Ruby, I heard she is now dating Lucien, she's probably the one who asked Lucien to understand my side. Alam kong mahirap patawarin ang ginawa ko, but he still did.

"Also wag ka ng manguntrabida pa kina ninang Lucy, love life mo nalang atupagin mo auntie, let Mr. San Diego prove himself."

Dag dag pa niya, I just sighed harshly with my forehead creased. Ilang sandali ring nagtagal ang pag uusap namin bago namin napagdesisyunang pumasok na sa loob.

Hindi rin ako nagtagal sa lugar na iyon, I'm guilty alright. 

"How was it?"

Tanong ni Wade nang sundan ako nito palabas, I just sighed and hugged him.

"I feel terrible."

I said while hugging him, Wade hugged me back.

"I am guilty for doing that to them."

I sighed, humiwalay na ako sakaniya saka tinanaw ang mga San Diego kasama ng kapatid ko. She still couldn't talk, but she looks happy.

"You did the right thing, even though it's hard for you, you still gave her back and learned to forgive, I think that should be enough."

Wade uttered then smiled, hindi ko maiwasang bumigat ang pakiramdam.

"I don't know, even though they said they understand, I still feel like slapping myself."

I muttered, napasandal ito sa hood ng kotse niya at umiling saakin.

"Don't, you're beautiful."

Ngiti niya, napairap ako roon.

"Anong connect?"

Nakataas ang isang kilay na sabi ko, napanguso siya roon.

"I'm telling the truth, sorry if I don't know what else to say to comfort you."

Napakamot ulo siya roon.

"It's fine, alam ko namang pinakatalent mo ng manira ng araw."

Irap ko, natawa siya roon.

"But I could kiss you to make you feel better."

Ngiti niya, nangunot ang noo ko roon.

"Does your lips have some kind of anti guilt medicine?Obviously, no, so keep that kiss to yourself."

Pagsusungit ko rito.

"Your lost, di mo naitatanong, kapag hinalikan mo ako, mawawala lahat ng problema mo!."

Ngisi niya, napangiwi lang ako doon.

"Edi halikan mo nalang bawat tao sa mundo para may world peace."

Sagot ko na nagpanguso sakaniya.

"Hindi pwede kasi exclusive lang itong labi ko sayo!"

Muli pang banat niya, nailing nalamang ako.

"Hmm.. movie night? Just for distraction?"

Muling sabi niya.

"Baka ibang distraction kamo."

I said then crossed my arms, nailing siya roon.

"Just a movie night promise! I just want to make you feel better

Itinaas pa nito ang isang kamay na para bang nagpapanata.

"Wala ka talagang ibang balak?"

Tanong ko, saglit itong nag isip bago umiling.

"Fine, just a movie night."

That night we had a wild, rough sex.

Mariin akong napapikit nang maalala ang gabing iyon. That darn Wade promised he won't seduce me!

Ako naman itong si tangang bigay ng bigay!'

I sighed.

It's been a week since Ruby left and went to italy, walang ibang papalit sakaniya kaya ako ngayon ang nagpapatakbo ng Phantom org, since ako naman talaga ang nagpapatakbo nito noon bago ko ito ipasa kay Ruby.

Hati ang oras ko sa kompanya at sa organisasyon, mabuti narin para maiwasan ko ang kakaisip sa kapatid ko.

"I thought you have a mission?"

Iritang sambit ko nang naririto nanaman si Wade, he is one of the high ranked agents of the organization. A

lso the one managing the Tech security department idagdag pang may kompaniya rin siyang pinatatakbo. Kaya hindi ko alam kung saan niya nakukuha ang lahat ng oras na ginugugol niya sa pagtambay rito sa opisina ko.

"I finished it early."

He said cooly as he sat on the visitor's chair near my table. Inilapag niya ang report tungkol sa pinagawa ko sakaniya kahapon.

"Then don't you have a company to manage?"

I asked.

"I can manage it even if I am not in there."

Kibit balikat na sabi niya saka tumitig lamang saakin, I frowned.

"I'll give you another mission then, so you won't pester me all day."

Sambit ko, nawala ang ngiti nito at bagsak ang balikat na tumingin saakin.

"But i just finished a mission."

He frowned, I rolled my eyes on him.

"I'm you're boss here, kung wala ka naman palang gagawin ay eto nalang, kaysa naman tumambay ka rito maghapon."

I said while browsing on the files on my computer. 

Nagpapaawang tumingin pa ito saakin, hindi ko iyon pinansin dahil kapag hinayaan ko siya rito ay haharutin lang ako niyan hanggang wala na akong natapos.

"Ahh! It hurt---"

I glared at him.

"I won't fall for that again Wade, do your mission and let me work in peace."

I said then gave him something to do, It will keep him busy. Kahit pa labag sa loob niya ay bagsak ang balikat niyang tumayo at tinanggap nalamang ang pinagagawa ko.

"Nanghihina ako."

Arte niyang muling bumalik sa kinauupuan kanina, I frowned.

"Gagawin mo ba iyan o ibaban na kita dito sa opisina ko?"

Kunot noong sabi ko, Wade shrugged.

"Kiss muna?"

Ngisi niya, mariin nalamang akong napapikit sa kakulitan ng lalaking ito.

"Wade stop being a man child and just do it.."

Napapahilot sa sintidong sambit ko, napasimangot siya roon.

"Why? You want a mature guy?"

He asked, nangunot ang noo ko doon.

"No! I mean yes!"

I said, sumeryoso bigla ang muka nito.

"So ayaw mo saakin?"

Malungkot ang matang sabi niya.

"Not exactly?"

Medyo naguluhan ng sabi ko.

"So you like me?"

He asked with his lightened face.

"Yes!--No! Gago ka, pinagtitripan mo ba ako?!"

Iritang sabi ko.

"Why would I? Seryoso ako sayo baby!"

I glared at him.

"Aalis ka dito, o sisipain na kita palabas?"

Inis na sabi ko.

"Ang harsh mo saken mahal! halikan kita diyan---"

I glared at him.

"Out Andrada!"

Inis kong sambit na nagpatawa lamang sakaniya.

"Okay, okay I'll go."

He frowned then stood up, nailing nalamang ako. Nang akala ko ay paalis na ito ay muli nanaman siyang bumalik na ikinakunot noo ko.

"Chill, may nalimutan lang ako."

Ngiti niya, saglit ko lamang siyang sinulyapan saka ibinalik ang tingin sa binabasang reports patungkol sa mga nakumpletong misyon ng mga agents.

"Okay."

I said as I continue reading the reports.

But then to my surprise, Wade suddenly lifted my chin as he stole a kiss from me!

"Wade!"

He just chuckled and then winked at me as he left my office. Nailing nalang akong napangiti, that man doesn't know how to stop.

The whole day became peaceful, walang nanggugulo o nanghaharot saakin.

It felt kinda lonely.

I sighed and shook my head, Wade is a walking danger zone for my heart. Napaka rami kong naging masugid na manliligaw noon na nangungulit saakin, pero ibang iba ang naging epekto ni Wade kumapara sakanila.

Baka naman kasi ay dahil umaapaw ang pagkapapansin nito.

Maybe I just got used to it that it's starting to feel lonely, whenever he's not here.

"No, I won't let myself fall.."

I whispered.

"Etchosera ka."

Agad akong napalingon sa pamilyar na boses na iyon. It's again, Juan Isidro, masama ang tabas ng muka nito as usual at nakasimangot lamang saakin.

"Ikaw matandang tuyot kanina pa ako dito, hindi mo ako pinapansin dahil mukang busyng busy ka sa pakikipag conference mo sa sarili at may pa walking danger zone ka pang nalalaman."

Sambit niyang nagpamulagat sa mga mata ko.

"Oo kanina pa ako nandito at kanina ka pa nagsasalitang mag isa! Naku ikaw matandang tuyot ka, halata namang bet na bet mo si fafa Wade may pa I won't let myself fall ka pang nalalaman! Hoy! Di ka na teen ager noh! kaya ka tumandang dalaga kasi napaka choosy mo!"

Pang ookray nito saakin, bahagya akong napangiwi roon.

"Ano bang ginagawa mo rito? and who let you in?"

I asked to change our topic.

"Si Violet, bakit? Saka nakikibalita lang at di na kita gaano nakikita, malay ko ba kung tumalon ka na sa ilog or nagpakalunod sa imburnal."

Irap ni bakla, inis ko siyang binato ng lapis, maarteng umiwas naman agad ang gurang na baklang to.

"I'm just busy, ang oa ng imagination mong gurang ka."

I said as I went back to work.

"Ewan ko sayo! Anyways, balik tayo kay Wade! Kung ayaw mo ay ibigay mo nalang sakin."

Bitter na sambit niya.

"Gusto ka ba?"

Taas ang isang kilay na sabi ko, napasimangot siya roon.

"I hate you."

Pagmamaktol niyang nagpangisi lamang saakin.

"Bakit ba naman kasi hindi mo na bigyan ng chance? Akala mo naman ang ganda ganda mo."

Saad nito, bahagya akong napasapo saaking noo.

"Bakit ba parang pinamimigay mo na ako mars?"

Sambit ko, ibinato niya saakin ang lapis na inihagis ko sakaniya kanina, agad ko naman iyong nasalo.

"Obviously, you love him, halata naman sa itsura mo, marinig lang ang pangalan niya. Kulang nalang magkadikit na mga bituka natin mars! Kilalang kilala kita! You won't let yourself fall? Aba! You're too late! Hindi ko alam kung ano ba iyang pag iinarte mo, wala naman akong nakikitang problema kung sakaling magiging kayo. 

Why would Wade waste his time pursuing you, kung hindi totoo yung nararamdaman niya? You're 45 already! Kung tutuusin ay kung may pagtitripan lang din siya ay malamang yung kasing   edad o mas bata sakaniya. I can see that he really loves you, unlike some of your past suitors, real talk, ang arte mong gurang ka!"

Litanya nito, I blinked, medyo natahimik ako roon.

What's stopping you Lilia?

"What if one day he wakes up on his delusion? What if one day, he doesn't want me anymore? I'll end up being alone again."

I sighed, Juan Isidro glared at my direction.

"Gaga ka! Matalino ka sana kaso nasobrahan! Masyado kang advance! You're the one who's delusional here, ang dami mo ng pinalampas na pagkakataon, pati ba naman ito? Why don't you give it a try? Malay mo naman last na ito."

He shrugged.

Marami pa kaming napag usapan ni Isidro, karamihan ay tungkol sa bago niyang boyfriend at marami pa niyang mga reklamo.

Maya maya pa ay nagpasya narin itong umalis, chineck ko rin muna ang bawat departments saka muling bumalik sa opisina ko para sa mga bagong reports at files na kailangan.

Inasikaso ko rin ang mga proposals, emails at virtual meetings kasama ng ilang investors. It was the usual hectic schedule.

Pagod na pagod ako nang makabalik sa opisina ko sa kompanya. I yawned, umunan muna ako sa bag ko at pumikit sandali matapos kong pirmahan ang mga nareview ko ng mga proposals.

Nang imulat ko ang mga mata ay buhat buhat na ako ng isang napaka pamilyar na pigura.

"Wade?"

Kunot noong sabi ko, kinindatan lamang ako nito.

"Did I wake you up?"

He asked, tameme lamang ako sakaniya.

"Where are you taking me?"

I asked calmly.

"You shouldn't drain yourself too much."

He said while still carrying me.

"Can't help it, Anyways can you put me down now?"

I asked, ngumisi lang itong umiling.

"You're not my boss here."

Sambit niya, napasimangot ako roon.

"I own the building."

I glared at him.

"You own me too, but I'm not your employee. Kapag binaba kita hindi ka naman sasama saakin."

Sabit niya sabay labas ng dila, napangiwi lang ako doon.

"You sure like abducting me, is this your hobby?"

I said, napangiti siya doon.

"Like I said, gagawin ko lahat para mahulog ka saakin. So prepare yourself babe, I don't care if you're older than me or even you were at the very top, I will still reach you and make you say those three words. Hindi talaga kita titigilan, kukulitin kita hanggang sa hanap hanapin mo na ako."

Litanya nitong nagpakagat labi saakin, I suddenly remembered Isidro's words earlier.

"Fine, I'll go with you."

I uttered then looked away, malapad siyang napangiti roon.

"Great!"

He winked at me and started running while carrying me!

"Wade!"