"Eris."

I badly want to close the door as his face approached me, right the moment I opened it. Mukhang kanina pa siya dito.

"Anong ginagawa mo dito Nikko." I lazily said. He did not say a word,  he just held my hand and squeeze it. 

Agad kong inilayo ang kamay ko sa kanya.

"Please Nikko,  ayoko na nang ganito." Umiling lang siya.

"Hindi Eris,  ilalaban kita.  Lalaban tayo." He uttered as he reach out for my hand,  pero ako na mismo ang lumayo sa kanya.

"Mali Nikko,  maling mali." Saad ko

"Eris,  mahal na mahal kita.  Hindi ko kakayanin na mawala ka sa akin." I flew my sight on the other side just to avoid his gaze.

"No,  Nikko. please huwag ka naman selfish." I hold his hand this time. "Think of Hope,  isipin mo ang magiging sama ng loob niya kapag nalaman niya ito."

He held my hand tightly. "No,  Hope will understand."

"Hope is just like a Normal kid Nikko,  she wants her parents to be together." Binitawan ko siya. 

"Please gawin mo na lang to para sa anak mo.  She is a great kid,  huwag mong pasamain ang loob niya." Sabi ko at tumalikod na sa kanya.

Laking pasasalamat ko rin at hindi na rin siya sumunod sa akin. Sana napag-isip isip niya ang sinabi ko. Gawin na lang niya para kay Hope.

................

That scene earlier that morning still replays on my mind.  I suddenly remember Hope that time at nakaramdam ako ng sobrang pangungusensya dahil patuloy pa rin ang kuneksyon namin ni Nikko.  Ayokong masira ang buhay niya. She is nice,  ayokong mawala iyon sa kanya. Dahil diyan,  mas naging desido na ako na layuan siya.

"Is there something wrong Ms. Eris." natauhan ako nang tapikin ako ni Rina.

Umiling lang ako kay Rina. I took a deep sigh, para kahit papaano ay maging kalmado ako.

There so many things happened and still and I need to focus kahit gulong gulo na ako.  I have to meet my own set up deadlines and finish everything in my desk.

I spin the pen using my fingers as I stare on the final design of our latest collection.

What should I add here,  I actually wanted it to cover it with Swarobski crystals on the detailes and make it a bit see-through on top.  I took up my pen. I drew the additional details in it.

"What do you think about it? " I ask Rina.

"Its great Miss Eris,  you did perfectly in this gown." I raised my eyebrow to her comment, I am not satisfied on what she's saying. Alam kong may nais pa siyang sabihin. 

"Promise Miss Eris." She breathe heavily at tinitigan nang mabuti ang sketch.

"I think we should remove the cape,  and the swarovski should be in nude color para hindi masyadong plain."

I removed the cape and imagine the crystals will be nude,  kahit yung color ng gown.  Yes her suggestion is better. I took my other pens to finalize the look.

Rina waited until I finished the final sketch,  dahil siya muna ng makakasama ko sa pamimili ng mga fabric for our collection. Hindi kasi nakapasok si Taylor dahil hindi na siya halos makabangon kanina dahil sa sobrang hangover.

I still can't bear that Taylor is totally wasted last night and I still don't know why at wala man lang akong magawa para matulungan man lang siya.

Rina and I started to pack our things up becaus need to be early at the fabric store. If we come late marami na kaming kasabay, which is not good.

"Erisha!"Napaitlag ako nang salubungin ako ni Micha at huminto sa aking harapan.

"Balita ko wala si Taylor today,  that is why tutulong din ako to chose your fabrics in our collection."

Dismayado siya nang tango lang ang tanging tugon ko sa kanya.

"Eris."

"Sige na Michael, marami pa tayong gagawin." Saad ko at nagtuloy na sa paglalakad kahit alam kong hindi ko na siya nakakasabay. Alam kong nagtataka siya,  at hindi na alintana para sa akin iyon.

Micha opened the backdoor seat for me. I just smiled at him, papasok na rin sana si Rina nang pigilan ko siya.

"Rina dito ka sa tabi ko." Pareho silang nagulat nang sinabi ko iyon.  Hinila ko si Rina papasok sa may backseat. 

I just saw him frown na nawala rin naman dahil pumasok siya sa passenger seat.

Wala umiimik sa aming dalawa maliban si Rina na patuloy pa rin sa pagpapaalala ng schedules namin for today.

Simula kagabi, iba na ang pakiramdam ko sa kanya. Parang hindi siya yung Michael na kaibigan ko. He's like a stranger to me right now. I don't know what to say, I'd like to confront him pero mistula ako rin sa sarili ko ang uurong.

I should not think about it,  I ask Rina for a pen and paper to list out fabrics to use and for designing stuffs.

As we arrived to the shop we started to do our business here,  dahil may kasunod pa kaming meeting with Sahara malls.  Of course Shira will be not there.

"Alam mo ba Eris,  yesterday I am with

I roll my eyes,  yeah you have fun with the girls.

Nakatingin ako sa kanya habang nagkukwento siya. Those fabricated stories na sobrang nakakairita. How many lies does he already told us.  I knew what happened in his night, probably he ended up with his girl in his bed.  Yet,  he told those na parang hindi ko man lang siya nakita kahapon.

I know it is him,  I know he saw us, He deceived me, all of us hereand still he still have gut to face me.

"Erisha. Creepy mo na ha. Sino yan?"

"Nothing."

I hate it when I have nothing to do about it. Kung sana ay gaanoon na lamang kasimple ang mga bagay

I divert my attention to the fabrics, while Micha still utters for his stories.  I chose not to listen to those lies anymore,  baka mas lalo lang ako mainis na hindi na ako makapagtimpi pa.

Micha did the final transaction with the owner, while Rina and I left the shop and go back to Amaya,  to prepare our presentation with the Sahara malls.

As,  Andromeda Santos already arrived,  we first started with a presentation before she will do some inspection in out facilities.

She greeted us with a smile,  her aura is a bit lighter than the first time I met her.  She seems to be friendly na halos  lahat na nandito sa conference room ay binabati na niya.

After the presentation she offered her hand.

"I'm so excited to see what Amaya got Erisha." She grinned.

"I am sure you will not be disappointed Miss Andromeda."

Andromeda just smiled at us.

We took our rides on and went to our facilities.  Good thing that all of our new facilities starts to operate. I am confident that everything will go well and we'll meet what Sahara malls demand.

As we arrived Andromeda always greets with the employees and check the production and its product.  Until she went on the blue gown that is worn by a mannequin.

She hold the gown slowly,  as she looked on the details.

"Can I have this Eris." She pointed on the gown.

"Please Eris."

"Sure." I chirped.

"Well then,  I already saved thousands already. Thank you very much," and she hugged that gown like she must be the one who owns it.

Nakatinginan na lang kami ni Rina.  I did not expect that.  But nevermind,  she still looks cute.

After the inspection, they handled the gown to Andromeda.  She was in her full smile,  the moment she received the gown.  To her excitement, ni hindi man lang niya ito pinahawak sa assistant niya.

"Ate,  is right about you. Sorry of being such a mean."

"I am just doing job Miss Andromeda."

"Just call me Mida,  because I already consider you as a friend."

"Thanks Mida." She just winked at pumasok na sa sasakyan niya.

"Rina call all our employees,  mag-order ka ng lunch para sa kanila."

"Miss Eris,  are you sure,  there are lots of them."

"Deserve nila iyon Rina,  for a job well done." I smiled.

"Sure Miss Eris,  right away."

After a lunch with my employees we headed back to the office.  I grabbed my laptop and answered some of my emails.

"Miss Eris, si Si--"

"Hello Eris."

"Hi Mark." I greeted him back. Umupo siya kaagad sa tapat ko.

"How's everything going,  balita ko tuloy na tuloy na kayo sa Sahara malls.  That's great!"

Tumango lang ako.

"Si Taylor,  kamusta? "

"I think she's fine." I shrugged.

"Yup.  I know she will be fine.  By the way I brought you lunch." Aniya at ipinakita sa akin ang dala-dala niyang paper bag.

"I already ate,  nagpakain ako sa mga tao sa factory, because they did a great job."

"Let's see kung matanggihan mo ito."

Naamoy ko na ang inilalabas niya sa bag. I knew it!  Adobo iyon. Agad niyang inaayos ito sa harap ko.

"Thanks Mark,  abusado na ako niyan sayo."

"Nah,  anything for you Eris." He smiled. 

Be both laugh and started to eat the food.

"Erisha." Pareho kaming natigilan ni  Mark at sabay na tumingin kay Michael.

"Eris." He said in his baritone kaya napakunot ako ng noo.

"Dont mind it. Just enjoy your lunch." Aniya at agad agad na lumabas na sa office.

Napailing ako,  he is acting weird.

"What's up with him."

"I don't know Mark, kumain na lang mun tayo."

...................

I am staring at our picture. How could Michael,  do this to us.  Gusto kong nang malaman,  Hindi ko na kaya na ganito lang, at alam ko ay malaki ang kinalaman niya kayang halos magpakalunod na sa alak si Taylor.

Sakto at tapos ko na rin ang ginagawa ko at maari ko na siyang puntahan.

But speaking of,  he entered my room rushed towards me, halos muntik na siyang masubsob sa may table ko.

What's the matter with him?

"Eris,  you are in danger." Hingal na hingal niyang sabi.

"What?"

"Yes,  Eris there is a threat to you 'wag na wag kang lalabas dito muna please." He grip my hand tight.

"Please,  Micha I don't have time for your pranks today."

"Eris,  I am not joking here,  maniwala ka sa akin."

I already smashed the table sa inis.

"How can you act like there's nothing happened Michael? Kasi hindi ko na maisip.  I know that you where there at that club last night.." I stopped I don't know how to say that in his face. 

I just sigh, I knew it.  He is guilty about it.

"Eris,  hindi dapat natin yan pag-usapan sa ngayon."

"No, Hindi ko na alam kung ano ka Michael, at hindi ko na rin alam kung dapat pa ba ko na maniwala pa sayo. Hindi ko alam kung totoo ba lahat ng nakikita ko ngayon sa'yo! Ano ka ba Michael? Ikaw ba yung kaibigan ko?" I took a deep breath.

"Siguro nga may kinalaman ka pa kung bakit nagpakalasing si Taylor.  Does she know?"

"Eris please, ayoko muna pag-usapan ang kagabi.  Pero pakiusap..  Huwag na huwag ka munang aalis ngayon,  nasa panganib ka Eris, dahil hindi kaya ng kunsensya ko kung may mangyayari sa'yo na masama."

Umiling lang ako. "Hindi ako naniniwala sa'yo, huwag na huwag mo akong paikutin." Saad ko at tinalikuran ko siya,  pero nahagip din naman niya ako kaagad.

He hold up my elbows put his face right into mine, which giving me chills. It creeps me out how he stares me, like I need to follow what he's saying.

"Eris, huwag na huwag kang aalis dito," Ma-awtoridad niyang sabi.

"Lumayo ka sa akin." I push him away.  Mabilis akong naglakad papunta sa may elevator. Alam kong kasunod ko pa siya, kaya mas binilisan ko pa ang lakad.

I breathe with relief when the door closes before he appraoched me.

................

"Eris!"

Pinaharurot ko kaagad yung sasakyan para hindi siya makahabol. Everything is weird, I don't know what the hell is going on right now! Is he serious on the matter?  Napailing ako,  I just wanted to go back at the unit.

I still keep my eye on that car, talagang nakasunod na ito sa akin. Maybe it is just a coincidence that we both drove in a same direction.  I don't want panic. 

I decided to stop the car at and suddenly the car stopped. Suddenly Michael's voice played on my mind,  there's something bad happening to me.

Napailing ako. I am just being paranoid. Wala dapat akong ipagalala. 

I breathe with relief when the car does not move in its place. 

But no,  the car steered again.  This is not good. 

Worse,  it still follows my direction.

I dialled until a policeman reaches for my car and asked why.

"May sumunod po sa akin,  that car." Napatingin rin ang pulis sa kotse na papunta sa amin.  Habang papalapit ang kotse mas lumalala ang kaba ko,  paano kung may masamang balak ito sa akin.

But that car drove to the other street,  which give me a little relief.  Pero hindi pa rin ako ganoon kakampante,  paano kung balikan ako ng kotse na iyon. Alam ko, ako ang puntirya ng kotse na iyon.

"Huwag po kayong mag-alala Miss, papaimbestigahan po namin ang sasakyan na iyan."

"Maraming salamat po Mr.  Officer."

I am so thankful that the police is kind enough to accompany me until I reached the unit, kaya kahit papaano ay naging kampante ako, but still I can feel that I am in danger.  Michael new all about this,  kailangan ko siyang makausap,  pero hindi muna sa ngayon.

I hurriedly run back at the unit, and double locked the doors. Sumilip din ako sa peephole at mabuti walang tao doon.

"What's happening Eris." Sabi ni Taylor habang naghahain ng pagkain.

I look at her,  she's fine but I can see it in her eyes that she still sad. So I just hugged her. Ayoko nang sabihin ang nangyari kanina,  ayoko nang madagdagan pa ang aalalahanin niya sa akin. Ito lang din ang alam kong maitutulong ko kay Taylor sa ngayon.

"Are you fine Eris?"

I just nod.