e-LOVE-ator

Chapter Two: Conquering Love Full of Adversities

"GOOD morning Mr. Montreal." Pagbati at salubong ni Nadia sa papalapit na boss -ang CEO ng hotel na kanyang pinagtatrabauhan, at siya ring nakatatandang kapatid ng sikat na artistang si Philip. As his secretary, she always made sure everything was efficient workwise.

His eyes travelled on her from head to toe, then stopped on her neck. He stopped walking and stood right in front of her. To make matter worse, he was eight inches taller than her at six feet, way taller to her dismay because she had to literally look up to face him.

"Hmm, I like how your neck is naked from that cheap necklace you used to wear."

Biglang kinapa ni Nadia ang leeg, nakagat niya ang labi nang maalala kung paano niyang ibinalik ang kuwintas na regalo ng dating nobyo.

The elevator opened and she followed him inside. Kasasara pa lang ng pinto nang bigla itong humarap sa kanya. "Mahal mo pa ba siya?" basta na lang nitong tanong.

Sa gulat ay 'di niya alam kung paano itong sasagutin kaya umiling na lamang siya.

"Good. Because I fired him." Balewalang pahayag ng kaharap habang nakapamulsa ang mga kamay sa black slack pants.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Nadia sa takot. "D-dahil ba sa kapalpakan ko?" Chase Montreal was known for being strict.

Bahagya itong umiling. "Hindi mo kasalanan. Ayoko lang sa competition. Ngayon, pwede na ba kitang ligawan?" as if he was just asking for his favorite cup of black coffee.

Tigalgal man, binawi niya ang sarili. "Bawal! Nasa company policy natin iyon," aniya pero ngumiti lang ito.

"I'm just reminding you that I'm the boss. I can change the rules whenever I want."

Nadia was dumbfounded. Hindi niya akalaing may ganitong side ang kanyang boss. Mabuti na lang at tumunog ang elevator hudyat na nakarating na sila sa opisina nito. Dahil sa nerbiyos, inunahan niya ito sa paglabas pero hiniklas nito ang kanyang braso at idinikit siya sa may pindutan ng elevator.

"Mr. Montreal!" Gulat man, kinalma niya ang sarili.

"Call me Chase. Try it once, you may like it." Pilyo nitong ngiti.

"My neck hurts."

Tumawa ito. Bahagya itong dumukwang at ipinantay ang taas sa kanya. "So, liligawan kita ha?" Naglaro ang paningin nito sa kanyang mukha, bago muling dumako sa kanyang leeg.

Nailang siya mga titig nito kaya natakpan niya ang leeg.

"You have a beautiful neck, and I wish to make it mine." Halos pabulong nitong sabi.

"C-Chase-"

"You said it. Do not take it back or you'll be punished." Mabilis nitong agaw.

"Wait! What?" She was a quick thinker, an efficient secretary, pero hindi iyon umubra ngayong nasa harap niya ang boss.

Tumalikod ito at humakbang patungo sa opisina nito. Sumunod siya.

"Boss kita. You can't do this." Pinanood niya ang pag-upo nito sa swivel chair.

"I can, and I will." Binuklat nito ang white folder na nasa mesa.

"Dating is not allowed in this company. It's your policy." She reminded.

Umangat ang paningin nito sa kanya. "Not mine, my father did which it wasn't a problem then. I didn't pay much attention to it until I met you. Dating you will be the second violation when you agree to date me, pirating you from the branch and making sure you become my secretary- was the first." Pilyo nitong muling ngiti.

"You did what?" Nanlaki ang kanyang mga mata sa narinig. Hindi makapaniwala.

He signed something on the paper and put it back inside the folder, then handed it to her. "Please give this to the HR."

Saglit silang nagtitigan bago siya kumilos. Naguguluhan pa rin. Humakbang siyang palapit sa pinto pero natigil sa paglabas nang tawagin siya nito. Humarap siya rito.

"Do you know how long I have waited for your neck to be free from your ex's necklace?"

"Huh?" Muli na naman niyang nahawakan ang leeg.

"Long enough to get that damn dating policy to be rewritten. Oh, and not to mention the long and boring discussion with my father, explaining that dating is allowable under certain conditions. That was painful in the butt, but it was worth it. YOU are worth it."

Every word he said touched her heart. Bakit hindi man lang niya iyon napansin?

"That folder," nguso ni Chase sa kanyang hawak, "contains my freedom to date and love you. Well, gano'n din sa mga sikretong relasyon na mayroon sa kumpanyang ito. Everyone has their freedom to date as long as it does not affect the company, otherwise it will be a ground for termination."

Nanlaki ang kanyang mga mata. "S-seryoso?"

Ngumiti ito, lumapit sa kanya. "Seryoso." Nakatungong tugon nito sa kanya.

"Now back to my question, pwede na ba kitang ligawan?"

Mabilis na kumabog ang dibdib ni Nadia. Her neck hurts from looking up to him but her heart was too busy to even worry about it.

"It's been three months since your break-up, or do you want me to give you more time to heal?" Matipid na ngumiti si Chase.

Alam niyang kaakibat ang sakit sa bawat relasyon, naranasan niya iyon pero tanggap at tapos na siya roon. Starting a new one will not guarantee a happy relationship but it's worth trying, especially when the man made an effort to make it possible. Sabi nga nila, a new love will heal the old love, tama man o mali, conquering love full of adversities is a gamble that she would like to take on.

Tumango siya. "O-oo."

Masayang ngumiti si Chase. May kinuha ito sa bulsa at ikinawit iyon sa kanyang leeg. Nagtatakang tiningnan niya iyon-kuwintas na may bilog na pendant. Her eyes grew bigger when she realized it was a ring. She looked at him, asking.

"Kapag handa ka na, isuot mo ang singsing na iyan para malaman ko kung tinatanggap mo ang proposal ko."

"Chase..." Napalunok siya.

"The necklace looks beautiful on you, and I'm happy it's mine. I love you, Nadia."

Yes, this time she'll be happy. Ngumiti siya. "My neck hurts."

He laughed.