Chapter 34 – Say that again.

"Coffee, Sir?"

Hannah still works for Nate in the hotel. Pero sa bahay nito na siya nakatira at sinasabay na siya sa pagpasok after dropping Elisha to her school. Gusto pa sana niyang gawin 'yong dati na mag-i-stay siya sa school ni Eli but the kid herself said na kaya na nito with her yaya and Paul.

"Yes, please." Hindi nag-aangat ng paningin na sagot ng binatang busy sa laptop nito.

Maingat naman niyang inilapag sa tabi nito ang tasa ng kape na dala-dala na niya.

"Express?" He smiled at her.

"Yep..." nakangiti ring tugon niya. "For the ever busy GM."

"Come here."

"Hmn?" Kunot noong tanong niya na lumapit sa tapat nito, Nate's table in between them.

"A good employee deserves a prize." He pushed his laptop to his side then leaned over his table, almost closing their distance while looking at her lips teasingly.

"I am not aware of such," hindi siya umatras. "Wala ata iyon sa employee handbook."

"Come closer," he whispered. "I'll let you know what's not written in the handbook."

"Yeah?" Nahuhulaan na niya ang gagawin ni Nate but she wouldn't back down yet. Ang plano niya, lalapit siya nang sobrang lapit but would pull away at once kapag kumagat na ito. He was teasing her? Fine. "Like th—"

Nalunok niya ang sasabihin when Nate suddenly grabbed her face with both of his hands and closed their distance with an intense kiss. Deep and hungry were both understatement as Hannah found herself already at the top of the GM's table after few to several to hell she cared seconds.

Nate on the other hand kept pulling her closer as if he couldn't get enough of her.

It wasn't their first kiss but the intensity and the mixed emotions stayed the same. And probably gets even more deeper and intense with each passing second.

"Hannah–" his kisses lowered to her neck, his hands already on the hem of her blouse.

"Nate–" she held onto his hair, it was as if she was drunk. A part of her mind was screaming to tell Nate to stop but her body wouldn't obey.

Nadadarang siya ng apoy na hindi niya nakikita. It was the kind of flame that could burn them both and yet it was too good to get out of the fire.

Saved by the knock however…

Three calculated knocks separated them almost abruptly. But Nate still managed to pull away from her gently rather than rushly.

He looked at her with those pair of desire filled eyes after looking at the door.

"I'm not allowing interruption as this next time," he whispered hoarsely with a bit of a seductive smile on his lips.

She didn't find her voice as she could still feel her whole body burning. Tinulungan siya ni Nate na makababa sa mesa nito.

"Go back to your workstation, Ms. Rodriguez," nakangiting bulong nito na binigyan pa siya nang mabilis na halik sa labi bago siya binitawan.

"Y-yeah." Hannah felt her legs to be a bit wobbly.

"Come in," pormal naman na bigay permiso ni Nate kay Sarah na siyang kumatok kanina.

"Good morning, GM, Ms. Rodriguez," bati nitong ang laki lang ng ngisi, obviously nakita sila nito mula sa labas, making Hannah wanted to faint for being caught red handed.

Umiwas siya ng tingin bago in-excuse ang sarili niya.

"So sorry to disturb you, GM, but I've been trying to pass a call to you from Mr Lao. You weren't picking up but rest assured I perfectly understand why. But your partner on the other line couldn't wait." Narinig pa niyang half paliwanag at half tukso ni Sarah sa pamangkin nito.

Hindi na niya narinig ang sagot ng binata. Well, magaling naman itong magtago ng emosyon so he's probably okay.

Back at her working area, ibinaon niya sa palad ang mukha. She felt so ashamed that Sarah had to see them. Not that the old woman would make a big deal out of it in disagreement but rather she's sure na hindi siya nito tatantanan ng panunukso.

'Gosh, Hannah... Why did you allow that to happen?'

"Making out with the GM is not in your JD, Ms. Rodriguez," inumpisahan siya agad ni Sarah pagkabalik nito while Hannah's face was still buried in her palms. She didn't dare try to look at her.

'Make out? For real? With Nate Sarmiento?'

She felt her face burning in shame as realization dawned on her. Make out talaga???

"You better behave more professional next time." Patuloy ni Sarah na dinutdot ng daliri nito ang ulo niya nang 'di pa rin siya mag-angat ng paningin.

"Sarah..." she groaned na napipilitan itong tiningnan.

"Ang bilis ng progress n'yo ha?" tukso nito. "Noong nakaraan lang kung anu-ano pa drama n'yo. Ngayon naman halos 'di mapaghiwalay. So, tell me are you officially the GM's girlfriend?"

"N-not yet." Sinabayan niya iyon nang pag-iling.

"What?" Exaggerated nito siyang pinanlakihan ng mga mata. "Hindi pa? But you kissed like you're already married!"

"Sarah... I don't really know. He hasn't told me anything yet. Wala kaming usapan na kahit ano."

Parang noon lang din niya iyon naisip. Ano nga ba itong pinapasok niyang relasyon with Nate Sarmiento?

"Why don't you ask him?"

"As if I have that courage. But I think we're okay. I'll let him have his sweet time on the matter."

"Malabo 'yan." Umiiling-iling na komento ni Sarah.

"I know. But I couldn't demand anything from him, right? He's still Nate Sarmiento and he's my boss," na-stress siya bigla, but she was trying to understand the situation. Kung base naman sa pakikitungo sa kanya ni Nate ngayon, confident siya na okay sila.

"Alright." Tinapik siya nito sa balikat bago naupo sa pwesto nito nang tumunog ang telepono. "GM?"

-----

"Book me the next flight to Macau." Tinawag sila ni Nate sa opisina nito. "NS Hotel's construction there has a problem. I need to look into it."

"How long will you be there?" tanong ni Sarah na nagsusulat sa hawak nitong planner.

"Three days," he answered, throwing Hannah a glance who on the other hand, remained silent.

'Three days,' ulit ng dalaga sa isip niya, ang tagal no'n. She would surely miss Nate. Ngayon-ngayon pa nga lang sila nagiging okay tapos aalis naman ito. That's kinda heartbreaking. Pero slight lang. Mami-miss niya lang ito nang sobra.

"I'll be back as soon as I can. There's no need to be sad, Hannah." The next thing she knew, nakalabas na pala si Sarah and here's Nate Sarmiento walking towards her with a concerned face.

"H-huh? It's okay... What are you saying?" kaila niya na akmang iiwas but he was quick to grab her for a hug, it's comforting she must admit.

"Do you want to come with me?" Masuyo nitong hinawi ang buhok na naligaw sa kanyang mukha.

"Nate, I'm okay. I'm not sad– alright, just a little bit," she said but he looked like he didn't believe her one bit. "I'm going to miss you," nahihiya at napipilitang amin niya.

"I'm going to miss you too, Hannah." Idinikit nito ang noo sa noo niya. "Come with me to Macau?"

"And leave Eli alone? Maybe next time, GM. When our little girl can already tag along." She smiled up at him.

"I love the way you care about Eli." Nakangiti ring saad nito. "But aren't you gonna change your mind? It's three days, Hannah. Three d*mn days and I'm sure to miss you so d*mn much."

"Then just don't think about me often," she managed to say before Nate captured her lips for yet another kiss.

"I would never even try," he whispered just enough for her to hear.

She smiled against his lips. Nate loves her, nararamdaman niya iyon. She just had to wait patiently until he would declare it to her.

-----

"Bakit 'di ka sumama?" Pasermon na bungad ni Leah sa kanya sa telepono.

They were just chatting kanina when she suddenly called.

"And made him think I'm such a clingy woman?"

"Ano ka ba, gusto ng mga lalaking in love na in love 'yan!"

"Bakit, gano'n ka rin ba kay Caleb?"

"Hindi ah, siya ang clingy sa akin." Leah chuckled bago sinundan iyon ng iyak ni Bethany. "Sshh, anak, I'm talking to ninang Hannah."

"Tingnan mo, pati si Bethany ayaw sumang-ayon sa sinasabi mo," natatawa niyang sabi.

"Wala pa siya noon, hindi pa niya alam," depensa ng kaibigan niya habang pinapatahan ang sanggol nito.

"Seriously, I don't want to appear like I won't be living without him. Three days is a short time," kumbinse niya sa sarili niya.

"Sinong niloloko mo, Hannah? Boses mo pa nga lang, lungkot na lungkot na. Dapat kasi sumama ka na eh. Marami namang kasama si Elisha sa bahay."

"It's not proper to leave her alone," giit niya.

"Okay fine. So nasaan na si Olive? I saw her new commercial. Mukhang nakabalik na siya sa industriya."

"I haven't seen her yet. I really don't know what happened to her. Wala namang nababanggit si Nate."

"Why don't you ask?" Sinabayan niya ang kaibigan sa tanong nitong iyon, kilala na niya tong si Leah.

"Leah, hanggat hindi sinasabi ni Nate sa akin na mahal niya ako, I feel like I don't have any right to ask him about anything. Especially with matters about her ex."

"Eh ikaw ba, sinabi mo na bang mahal mo siya?" Nananantiyang tanong nito sa kanya.

"Not yet, but–"

"Naman pala!" Leah snapped. "Hannah, mauna ka na kasing magtapat. Sabi mo nga, naghahanap si Nate ng totoong magmamahal sa kanya. Olive failed him. Ipakita mo sa kanya na ikaw na 'yong taong hinahanap niya."

"That's what I'm trying to do, Leah, okay?"

"Make sure. I'm so excited to see you, Nate and Eli as a happy family."

"We will be."

"That's my girl. Go go go!" Leah cheered and she just laughed.

It was nice having Leah when she lost her friendship with Olive. She was so much better and worth every bit of trust she gave.

Kahit kaibigan pa rin naman ang turing niya kay Olive, hindi naman siya sobrang bait para hindi sumama ang loob niya rito. But she's not closing her doors to Olive. Kahit na medyo impossible na silang magkaayos dahil sa mga taong pareho nilang mahal ang nakataya, sina Nate at Elisha.

-----

"Mommy, where's daddy?" tanong ni Elisha nang umuwi siya mag-isa na wala si Nate.

"He's on a business trip, anak," she kissed Eli.

"Where?"

"Macau."

"How long?"

"Three days."

"Without us?"

"It's a business trip, Eli."

"Why didn't he say goodbye to me?" Elisha pouted.

"He said he will call you."

"Why is he not calling yet?"

"Maybe he's busy."

"Uhmn... Okay." Tumigil na ito sa pagtatanong at nagpakarga sa kanya.

"You're growing so fast, anak. You're heavy!" Pinaghahalikan niya ito habang paakyat sila sa silid ng bata.

"Because I eat a lot!" Eli giggled.

She was thankful for Eli's life. Malaki ang nabago sa buhay niya mula noong dumating ito. Elisha made her a better person. Being her mommy was the greatest achievement she had so far. Hinding-hindi niya pagsisisihan ang naging desisyon niyang bigyan ito ng pagkakataong mabuhay sa mundo.

Pero dapat pa rin siyang magpasalamat kay Olive, she's still Elisha's mother to begin with.

"That's very good, Eli." Ibinaba niya ito sa kama nito.

"I love you, mommy.." Hindi pa ito bumitaw. "I'm so happy that you're here again."

"Me too, Elisha. Promise ni mommy, I'm not leaving you again. You and daddy."

Magkayakap pa rin sila ng bata nang mag-ring ang cellphone niya.

"It's daddy," bumitaw siya sa yakapan nila at sinagot ang video call ni Nate.

"Daddy!" Patiling bati ni Elisha na inagaw agad ang cellphone niya.

Hinayaan muna niya ang bata na kausapin ang ama nito.

"Hi baby," Nate greeted. "How's my little girl doing?"

"You're bad," naka-pout na sabi ni Eli. "You left without telling me."

"I'm sorry. It's urgent, anak. I'm sure mommy already told you."

"She did..." sagot nito. "She told me you're on a business trip."

"Can I talk to mommy, Eli? I want to see her."

"Okay!" Agad nitong ibinigay sa kanya ang phone niya matapos nitong bigyan ng flying kiss si Nate. "Mommy-"

"Thank you, Eli. " She calmed herself first before looking at the screen. "Hey." She smiled at the charming Nate Sarmiento, kung gwapo itong nakasimangot, mas gwapo ito kapag nakangiti and Hannah almost felt the need to hold her heart to keep it still.

"Hey... " ubod ng gwapong ngumiti ito. "Miss me already?"

"I think you're the one who's missing me already."

"You're right... I'm missing you, Hannah," he made a sad face.

"I miss you too, Nate..." she chuckled.

"Tsk- Don't give me that look, Hannah, it makes me want to cut my trip short."

"What?" Maang na tanong niya, anong look?

"That," he said. "That innocent look. When you seem unaware how much you affect me."

"Nate!" She blushed, she couldn't get used to him.

"I miss you," seryoso nitong pahayag matapos na tila tinititigan lang siya ng binata.

"Me too, Nathaniel..."

"Say that again."

"What?"

"My name... "

"I miss you too, Nathaniel," nakangiti niyang ulit.

"You make it sound like I'm the only one named Nathaniel."

He smiled warmly as he looked at her with so much love. He moved his hand to touch the screen as if to touch her face.

"I wish you're here with me, Hannah."

She returned the smile and that same look of affection.

I love you na lang ang kulang to make everything official. She would like to tell him now that she loves him. But she'll wait patiently until he's back. It's better to tell him in person.