Chapter 29: Collision

Avery's Point of View

I had just signed the contract.

The proposal was well-structured, and their corporate agenda aligned with our advocacy work. I hoped this collaboration would be a success, despite the tension in the room.

"Dinner tayo," Kiefer said with a grin. Napangiti ako. Convenient timing, as always.

He turned to Elliot and Yumi. "Gusto niyong sumama sa dinner namin?"

"Mukhang busy sila, Kief," I said calmly, stepping toward the elevator.

"We're not," Elliot replied.

Of course not.

Yumi—his secretary and ex. And kung hindi ko pa siya nahuling may kasamang babae sa kama niya five years ago, I might've still believed she was just an ex.

"Okay," I said shortly.

As we waited for the elevator, Elliot stepped in beside us. I could hear Kiefer chatting lightly with Yumi behind me. They were oddly civil.

I reached to press the button, but Elliot did the same. Nagdikit ang aming mga kamay. I quickly withdrew mine and focused on my phone.

Aldrin had messaged. Kaibigan naming pinoy rin ni Kiefer sa ibang bansa. He had feelings for me but I didn't return them. He just wouldn't give up.

Then he called.

"Nasaan ka? Miss na kita." malambing nitong tanong.

"Nasa office pa. Magdi-dinner kami." sagot ko pabalik.

"Wait kita sa condo mo." uubusin nanaman nito ang mga stocks kong pagkain.

"'Wag mong ubusin ang food ko, ha," I joked.

"I already unpacked. Overnight ako." he said.

Typical na mayaman, pero ayaw bumili ng condo.

"Basta wag mong dungisan kama ko—"

Before I could finish, Elliot bumped into me as the elevator doors opened. My phone dropped and shut off.

"Dahan-dahan naman," I snapped, picking it up.

"I'll buy you a new one," he said, coldly.

"No thanks. I don't need anything from you." pagtataray ko.

I started to walk away, but he grabbed my wrist tight.

"Nasasaktan ako. Bitiwan mo 'ko!" pilit kong binabawi ang kamay ko pero sadiyang mas malakas siya sa 'kin.

"Gano'n lang? Kagaya ng pagbitaw mo sakin noon?" I froze.

His grip tightened, and I couldn't move.

"Get away from her." Kiefer pulled me back. I glared at Elliot.

So many things I wanted to scream. So many truths I buried. But what for?

Dinner was tense.

Kiefer insisted I ride with him kahit available naman ang kotse ko.

Twenty minutes later, we arrived.

ME | KIEFER

ELLIOT | YUMI

The seating was awkward.

Kiefer and Yumi chatted. Elliot just... stared at me.

He even cut my steak and handed it to me.

"Thanks, pero 'di naman ako baldado. I can handle myself," I muttered.

Still, he stared.

"Can you stop staring and just eat your food?" malamig kong sabi.

He eventually obeyed. But his presence was suffocating.

He looked... different. Broader. Taller. Formal. Gwapo, admittedly.

Focus, Avery.

I borrowed Kiefer's phone and texted Aldrin.

"Let's go to the club," sigaw ni Kiefer.

"I have work." anas ko.

"You're the CEO," Elliot mocked. "You make the rules."

"My staff works 12-hour shifts. I do, too." pagtataray ko.

"That's what overtime is for." patong naman ni Kiefer. Aba't nakipagkampihan pa sa lalaking 'to.

I clenched my jaw. "Fine. Sasama na ako."

Elliot's jaw tensed. Good.

We arrived at G-Hub.

Yumi and Kiefer were dancing.

Which meant... Elliot and I were left alone. At a table. With alcohol.

He ordered whiskey and Jack Daniel's.

"I'm not drunk," I said.

"Could've fooled me."

"Challenging me?" tanong nito.

"Sort of." sagot ko.

"Coin game. Heads-I ask. You drink if you won't answer. Tails-you ask." pag-explain ko ng mechanics.

"Game." saad naman niya na parang handa nang manalo.

Flip one: Heads.

"Do you still love me?" walang pagdadalawang isip niyang tanong.

I froze. But I just drank both shots.

Flip two: Tails.

"Have you had sex with strangers?" I asked, kahit alam ko na ang sagot.

He drank.

Flip three: Tails.

"Are you still attracted to me?" tanong ko.

He paused. Then he drank again.

Hmmm... I removed my blazer. Untied my hair. Unbuttoned my blouse.

He swallowed hard. Hindi pala attracted, huh? Ngumisi ako.

Flip four: Heads.

"Have you ever slept with someone abroad?" kuryosong tanong niya.

"Never. I'll only sleep with someone I love." diretso sa kaniyang mga matang saad ko.

He looked away.

Then he asked, "How are you, really?"

"I thought I was okay. But the more I try to forget, the more it hurts." makahulugan na sagot ko. May epekto na ata ang mga nainom kong alak.

"And you?" tanong ko naman pabalik.

"After you left, I became worse. Ikaw lang 'yung magandang nangyari sa buhay ko. Nawala ka pa." he said wholeheartedly.

My throat tightened.

"'Yung Aldrin—boyfriend mo?" tanong niyang muli.

"No. Friend lang. I haven't loved anyone since you." nakita kong may tumakas na ngiti sa kaniyang labi.

He nodded, quietly.

"Why did you choose him?" I don't know what to say.

I stayed silent.

"Because you loved him more?" dagdag pa niya.

I drank again.

"Silence means yes." saad niya.

That stung.

I excused myself to the restroom. When I returned, he was still there. Quiet. Staring at his drink.

I went to the front bar. "One shot, please. The strongest one."

Nilagok ko agad ang binigay na alak. It burned.

Then I danced to the dancefloor. Like I was weightless.

Pinalibutan ako ng mga lalaki. One touched my waist. I slapped him but he pulled me.

Then—

BOOM.

Elliot tackled him.

Fists flying and there's blood!

"Stop!" I screamed, hugging Elliot from behind.

He didn't stop.

"Elliot, tama na!" baka mapatay niya na 'yung lalaki!

He froze. Then grabbed me.

"Sa kotse." turan niya sa bahay bukas ng pinto.

"Ayoko." pagmamatigas ko.

"Please." saad niyang muli.

"No." pagpipilit ko.

"Sakay!"

Tears fell and I turned to walk away.

But he pulled me back and kissed me.

Dahil doon, memories flooded in. Bumalik sa isipan ko ang lahat.

Our laughter. Our fights. Our stolen kisses. Our mornings.

Our love.

But now?

I didn't know where this would lead.

Only that something between us... was far from over.

Itutuloy...