Behind Every Man (COMPLETED)

Chapter 18

Chapter 18

This was definitely not the day to get sick.

There's a program this afternoon that I needed to attend with Archie tapos ay may business dinner pa kaming kailangang puntahan sa gabi. Not to mention the other appointments that I needed to go to this morning.

"Do you need me to get you anything?" Cheryl asked.

"Just a bottle of water," I quickly replied.

Sumandal ako sa couch at bahagyang pinikit ang mga mata ko. I could still go to those appointments. Hindi naman masyadong mahalaga iyon, but I still wanted to go. I try not to cancel appointments as much as possible because for me, it's a sign of disrespect. Also, I don't agree to just meet with everyone. There's almost always something there for me, so it's better if I attend.

Also, I would not like it if it's done to me, too. Importante ang oras ko.

"Thank you," I said nang iabot niya sa akin iyong tubig.

I just ignored as Cheryl watched me like I grew three heads. Nang makatayo ako ay ganoon pa rin ang tingin niya sa akin.

"What?" I asked, a bit irritated.

Mabilis siyang umiling. "Nothing," she replied.

I resisted the urge to rolled my eyes at her. "What's our first agenda?" I asked.

That morning, we attended three different meetings. It was fruitful. I mean, I wasn't expecting any quick result. I was more of establishing connections. In this world, it's all about connections. Kaya nga kahit mas gusto kong nasa condo lang ako, I still attend events—especially those attended by the right people. Even in college, I go to parties not for the sake of having fun, but for the sake of meeting people... and also, hearing some things that I know I can use in the future.

A little leverage never hurts anyone.

Nang matapos kami sa mga meeting namin ay dumiretso na kami sa office ni Archie. He said he wanted to see me first bago kami dumiretso sa auditorium. May awarding kasi sa mga bagong pasa ng board exams. It was a tradition here in the municipality. It was nice. I also suggested that the top 10 graduates of all batches be given monetary compensation. The parents did love that. Archie gets a high approval rating. It's a win-win for everyone.

"Hey," Archie said nang makita niya ako.

"Hi," I replied.

"Productive morning?"

I nodded. "I suppose so," I said.

"Paparating na 'yung lunch," he told me. "Kain muna tayo bago 'yung program dahil medyo matagal 'yon."

I was feeling tired from being all over town kaya naman naupo muna ako. Sandali kong isinandal iyong ulo ko. I just wanted to rest my eyes for a while dahil gusto kong magbasa ng article, but after some time, I felt someone gently nudging me.

"Love..." I heard someone say.

Idinilat ko ang mga mata ko. "I fell asleep," I stated.

Bahagyang natawa si Archie. "Yeah, you did. Ilang meeting ba ang pinuntahan niyo?"

"Three," I replied as I straightened out my back. I wanted to yawn and to stretch my arms but I saw Rosie sitting on the couch by the far right. I didn't want to be too comfortable in front of her.

He slightly nodded. I agreed that it wasn't a lot of meeting. I normally go to five meetings. I was just tired because we've been having a lot of sex—