Bcd: Zia

Chapter 4

Kahit na nakaka-badtrip na nandito pa rin siya, hindi ko pa rin maiwasan matuwa na sobrang kunot na ng kaniyang noo na aakalain mong pasan niya ang mundo.

"Seriously Niko, I thought you left already. I'm busy with work so why would I think na nag-hihintay ka pala sa labas?"

Niko? Eh Kolas lang 'yan eh!

Kumakain na kami ngayon sa hindi kalayuang restaurant sa building ng mga Fehid. And yes you're right, Nikolas the great monkey came with us! Ugh! The nerve!

Umirap si Nikolas na ikinatawa ko. Ang bakla! "You should at least remove your no-appointment-no-enter policy! Hindi ako papasukin ni Farah kahit pinsan ako ng may-ari!"

Tawang-tawa naman si Neil dahil talagang inis na inis na si Nikolas. "That's why it was set as a policy so it should be followed. Glad Farah really obeys the only policy. Madagdagan nga ang sweldo niya." hindi pa ma alis-alis ang ngisi sa mukha ni Neil.

Natatawa naman akong nag-salita. "Bakit ba kasi nag-hintay ka pa? What do you need ba?"

"I told you I don't have work today! And I'm supposed to go to the venue with you but you chose to have a lunch meeting with my cousin!" he stopped eating and I swear, he looked so cute when he's pissed. Parang bata!

"Here we go again. Parehong policy lang naman kami ni Neil eh."

"What?! No appointment no entry ka rin?! So kung my appointment sayo makaka-enter na?!"

Binatukan ko na. Ang bastos talaga mag-isip ng lalaking ito! Feeling ko sobrang pula ko na tuloy. "Hell?! Of course not! Ew! I mean, no appointment with my secretary, no appointment with me. Ganun 'yun!"

Humagalpak ng tawa si Neil na ikinalingon ng mga tao sa restaurant.

God! Sana lamunin na ako ng lupa. Sobrang nakakahiya ang sinabi ni Nikolas.

He wiped his mouth. "Good! Good! Mabuti!" paulit-ulit na sabi niya na ikina-iling namin ni Neil.

"So Mr--"

"I said call me Neil Miss Uy. I prefer it that way."

"Then call me Zia, Neil. Since hindi naman nagkaka-layo ang age gap natin."

He flashed a smile. "Better. Zia. Really really beautiful name."

Binitawan ni Nikolas ang hawak niyang utensils at nilingon siya namin ni Neil. Problema neto?

"You guys are professionals. At least use the 'Mr' or 'Miss' to show respect."

Tiningnan ko siya ng masama. "Well wala namang masama. You're my friend, he's your cousin, he's my client, were on the same age, might as well use the first name basis."

"Friend lang talaga ha." narinig kong may sinabi si Nikolas pero hindi ko maintindihan iyon.

"I think Zia's right. It's cool we call each other by first names."

"Still professionals don't do that."

"Then let's forget were professionals." naiinis ko pang sabi. Ano ba kasi ang problema ng Nikolas na to! Nakakairita na!

"So I was saying, Neil, I heard from my secretary that you'd like to have a party for your employer's compensation?"

"Yup. I have a workers who're with us since the very beginning and I think they deserve a break. Pero hindi ko naman gusto na cheap party lang. Syempre invited rin naman ang mga investors so why not really prepare for it."