His Punishment (17 page)

“I know. But if there’s anything I
can do to cheer you up or perhaps divert your mind away from all these, even
for a while, just tell me.” I see my own pain reflecting in his eyes. He is
absorbing what I am feeling. I know that and I feel guilty, it is unfair to
him. “I could ask my boss to grant me a vacation leave and I could take you
somewhere to forget.” He emphasized on the word boss as that would either be me
or my mom.

“Thanks Migs.” I smiled at him.
“Your being here is enough. I really appreciate it.” I wasn’t able to stop myself,
I hugged him and he hugged me back. “I wish you were James.”

The instant the words were out, I
realized what I said. “I’m sorry.” I told him as I moved away from our embrace.

I am not dumb. I know he feels
something for me. I am not an assuming person. He never told me so, but his
actions were loud enough for me to realize it.

“Then why not?” he asked and I was
puzzled.

“What?”

“Why won’t you let me be your new
James?” he asked me.

“I don’t get you.” I acted stupid.
I know what he meant, I just wanted him to tell me straight in my face.

“I will take care of you Tara. I
will love you even better than he did. I will make you happy even if it meant
taking my own happiness. I will do everything for you. I will take you to
Colombia, far away from here to forget him if you need that.” He was so willing
to do exactly what he said. I know that. I feel his sincerity.

“I will give you everything you
need. I may not be as rich as you are, but I have saved up. I could work twenty
four hours a day just to give you all the luxury in the world.” He was offering
me something that any girl would take up on anytime. But I am not that girl. I
am different. I am not just heartbroken. I feel completely broken.

“It’s not just about money Miguel.”
I tried to smoothly discourage him.

“I know, but I just want you to
believe me that I am more than willing to give you whatever you want and need.”
His voice seems pleading.

I looked at him intently. I don’t
know what to say.

“Just one shot Tara. You don’t have
to pressure yourself into loving me. You do like me, don’t you?” he asked
finding some assurance.

“I do Migs,” I’m no hypocrite, I
like him, but I know I don’t love him. And I’m not sure if I will get to love
him, or any other guy for that matter. “But just as my closest friend.”

“Some lovers start through
friendship.” He looked at her convincingly. “Then please . . . let me . . . let
me try.” I know what he is saying. He wants to try to pursue me and have my
heart.

“I don’t know if that’s right.” I
confessed the hesitance I am feeling.

“Just one shot. One shot Tara. If
you still don’t come to love me after everything, I will let you be,” he
pleaded now.

I sighed and didn’t know what to
say.

“Please Tara. Give me a chance,” he
continues to appeal.

“I can’t promise anything Migs.” I
stated.

“You don’t have to promise me
anything. Just let me try my best.”

I kept silent again.

He held my hand and I didn’t look
at him. He lifted my chin to look at him.

“One shot Tara. Will you allow me?”
he asked with insistent eyes.

I looked at him and found genuine
feelings showing from his charming eyes.

“Please . . .”

“OK.” I smiled back.

“Thank you.” He said softly and
kissed the back of my hand. “You will never regret it.”

“Tara! I need you to pack your clothes
for the weekend. We will be heading to Subic for a meeting with our new partner
for the expansion.” I heard my dad call out to me as I was eating dinner alone
in the house.

“Have you eaten dad?” I asked him.

“Yes. I’m sorry I just went home to
get some papers. I still have a meeting. Just tell your mom when she arrives
okay?” he kissed me at the top of my head and patted my shoulders.

“Okay dad. Take care.” I kissed him
back in his cheeks as I tiptoed when I stood from my seat.

“Oh, can you call Miguel and tell
him he’s coming too?” he turned back.

“Yeah, I’ll take care of it.”

“We leave tomorrow at 10 am. Tell
him to be at the strip at 9:30. We will meet our new partners there and they
will fly with us to Subic.” He elaborated a bit more.

“Yes dad.”

He left the house already and I
dialed Miguel’s number. Since I was eating alone, I have the freedom to be on
the phone while eating.

“Hey Migs!” I said as I hear
Miguel’s deep hello.

“Dad told me to tell you we’re
going to Subic tomorrow. He’s requesting you to be at the strip at 9:30 as we
are meeting the new partners. They will be flying with us so dad doesn’t want
any delays.”

“Okay sweetie. I’ll be there on
time.” He answered.

“Sweetie?” I asked him surprised.

“Oh. Sorry. Did James call you
sweetie?” He sounded alarmed.

I laughed a bit. “No. That’s not
what I meant. I mean, why are you calling me sweetie?”

“I won’t stop pursuing you. And you
are a very sweet person, you deserve to be called sweetie. It’s what best
describes you,” he professed, “Not unless you prefer sugar? Or cupcake?”

“Whatever you say hunk!” I joked
back.

“Hunk huh?” I feel him giggling.
“That’s how you see me huh?”

I laughed at him.

“Hmmm . . . I must bring those tiny
bright red trunks I have stashed in my closet,” he teased back.

His body was perfect. Just as
perfect as James’ was. I shrugged my thoughts.

“It’s the thongs.” He added as he
laughed.

“Too bad . . . I thought you’d go
skinny dipping!” I laughed as I kept teasing him.

“You naughty girl! I knew you had
the hots for me!” he continued riding the banter.

“I thought it was the other way
around! Remember the first time we met at the breakfast buffet?” I reminded him
of his most embarrassing moment with me.

“Must you remind me of that?!”

I laughed harder. It’s so nice to
joke around Miguel. He never gets pissed.

“Oh well, we better get ready for
bed. We’ll be up early tomorrow and we still have to pack. Just make it good
for 3 days. I’m sure we will head back by Sunday.”  I told him.

“Okay. Good night sweetie.”

“Good night hunk!”

I went upstairs and prepared for
our weekend trip. I slid some of my one piece swim suits. I didn’t want to be
too revealing if ever Miguel and I decided to go for a swim.

I was excited with the trip. For
the first time after my heartaches, I will be going back to the beach.

I woke up early the following
morning as I didn’t want to be late for today. I’m sure my dad will kill me if
I caused the delay. I stood up feeling dizzy. I have slept so late from reading
some romance novel I found in the internet.

Of course, I wasn’t able to put
down the e-book until I finished it. I was happy because I read a
happy-ever-after kind of story. A story so different from mine.

I don’t know how I got into this
mess in the first place. If I didn’t study at my school since I was little, I
wouldn’t have known Lyn and I wouldn’t have enrolled in the same college as
hers  and I wouldn’t have seen James. Gosh! I wish my parents just enrolled me
at St. Benedict’s Alabang or somewhere else.

I slowly got up from the bed still
dizzy from lack of sleep. I went straight to the bathroom and showered. After a
couple minutes I was refreshed but my dizziness still there. I mentally
lectured myself that I shouldn’t have read last night.

I seriously hope the flight won’t
be bad. Dizziness before flying was never a good sign for me. Shocks!

I got down after I finished fixing
myself. I saw my mom at the table sipping her coffee.

“Hi honey!” she greeted me.

“Hi Mom.”

“You look pale. Didn’t you get
enough sleep?”

“Yeah, I stayed up late reading.”

“Oh no, and you’re flying. You
should have slept early.” I got her half scolding tone.

“Yeah. My bad.” I admitted as I sat
in front of her.

“Don’t eat too much or you might
have some motion sickness in the chopper,” she reminded me as she handed my
coffee that she poured from the pot.

“Good morning beautiful ladies,” my
dad greeted us cheerfully. “Ready?”

“Yes dad.” I nodded silently. Then
took a sip of my coffee quickly finishing half of it.

“Let’s go. Let’s just grab the
sandwiches your mom prepared and eat on the way. I’m so excited for this day.”
I saw my dad kiss my mom. I took another sip of coffee before I stood up.

“You two take care okay?” she told
us.

“Yes mom.” I kissed her.

She walked with us to the door and
waved as we drove to the strip. I can’t help daydreaming of the book I read and
think of my parents. I am so happy I was born of loving ones and I am so
envious they are madly in love with each other. I sincerely wish that I would
find my perfect match as they have found theirs with each other.

After thirty minutes, we were at
the strip already and I am bit okay. Still dizzy but better now. I told my dad
I will go to the washroom first and join him in a bit.

I called Miguel on the phone to
check on where he is when I went out and I was startled when he answered right
at my back.

“Morning sweetie!” he threw his
irresistible smile.

“Morning!”

“Are you okay?” he asked.

“Yeah. I slept late now I’m a
little dizzy. But I’ll be fine.”

We started walking to the waiting
area and saw that our bags are being carried to the chopper. I looked around to
check if there are other people there. We were expecting our new partners to
fly with us.

We were still alone in the area and
my father is not there.

“Miss Tara.” I heard the assistant
in the strip call me.

“Yes?”

“Your father and the others are
already in the chopper they sent me to get you and Sir Miguel.”

“Oh I see. Let’s go.” I told Miguel
and stood up from the lounge.

We started walking to the strip
where the chopper is waiting. The air coming from it is blowing me away and I
was immediately steered by Miguel by the arm. I held onto him tightly so I
won’t stumble over.

Looking at how we are walking, it
may be deduced that we are not just co-employees or friends. We were so close
it was easy to confuse us as lovers if people who didn’t know us would see.

As we got to the chopper, I saw my
dad sitting at the first row of seats with an old man whom I guessed was our
new partner.

I bowed a bit as sign of respect.
“Good morning sir.”

“Good morning.” I heard him say.

“This is John Aguilar.” I heard my
dad say as we stood outside the chopper’s door.

“This is my daughter Tara and our
new Hotel Manager, Miguel.” He introduced us to Mr. Aguilar before we boarded.

“You have a lovely daughter
Thomas.” I heard him say.

“Thanks Uncle John,” I blushed
lightly at his compliment.

As soon as we got up and went to
the back seat, I saw a pair of furious eyes looking at me and I catch my tongue
instantly.

“And that is James, Mr. Aguilar’s
only son and their new Marketing VP.” I heard my father say as he pointed to
the same guy intently throwing me a burning stare.

“James.” Miguel extended his hand
to him and James shook it. “Nice to see you again.”

I didn’t know what to say. James
kept staring at me with questioning eyes.

“Would you like to sit by window
sweetie?” I heard Miguel ask and didn’t wait for me to answer.

I saw James’ jaw tightened. He
continued staring at me without removing the scorching look in his eyes. I knew
he heard the endearment Miguel called me but I was in no mood and he is in no
position to demand for an explanation so I just shut up.

Miguel immediately sat beside James
and left me without a choice so I sat beside the window. I knew Miguel is tall
and wouldn’t find it comfortable being sandwiched by James and I but I know why
he’s doing this. I feel he is starting to protect me with all his power.

I heard the pilot signal that we
are ascending soon.

“Have a fun and relaxing flight,”
he called to us before we headed up to Subic.

Fun? Relaxing? I felt dizzy once
again. I tried to force myself to sleep than to witness the glaring contest of
my seatmates.

***

“Sweetie?” she heard Miguel’s voice
and she opened her eyes to look at him.

Tara didn’t feel anything when the
chopper landed at Subic Intercontinental, their biggest resort hotel in the
country. It is probably the reason why this is the first one to be expanded
with the new business venture. Though she was not informed about the details of
the new partnership, she has already concluded in her mind that Subic Intercontinental
would open a Casino, as it is James’ family’s business.

She was too dizzy through the whole
flight. But she felt she dozed off for a few minutes during the flight as she
doesn’t remember anything about it.

She saw that everybody has disembarked
the aircraft and it is only the two of them left inside.

“Sorry. I really get terrible
motion sickness in the air if I didn’t have much sleep,” she apologized.

“It’s okay. Come on, let’s go. You
wouldn’t want to be late for the meeting. They have set it up for lunch at
11:30. Your father told me to tell you. And I will be heading to the admin for
some orientation. Subic Intercontinental is far bigger than Boracay Plaza,” he
told her.

“What do you mean? Are you being
stationed here?” she asked her as they went down the chopper and walked to the
resort’s entrance.

“Yes. I guess you were asleep when
your dad told me about it,” he shrugged.

“Oh, I’ll miss you.” She sadly held
his arm as they continued walking.

He stopped in the middle of the
pavement and stopped her walking too. “No, you won’t,” she saw his famous wide
smile that showed all his pearly white teeth as perfect as the toothpaste
models.

“What?” now she felt lost.

“Your dad said you’ll be staying
here for the time being until they have set up the Casino Operations,” his
smile suddenly faded after he finished his sentence.

“Why do I get the feeling that
there’s a
but
coming after that line?” she wondered why his smile left
his face so abruptly.

“James will be staying as well.” He
silently gave her the news.

She was stunned. Miguel and James
together with her. But then her eyes lit up again,
he’s getting married.
Then
she felt sad. She knows that reminder was supposed to relieve her but she felt
awful.

 “Let’s go. I need to freshen up. I
feel better now after my nap, but I think I should stay a few more minutes in
bed before the meeting.” She started walking to the entrance.

“Let me walk you to your room
before I go to the admin,” he held her gently.

“Thanks Migs,” she pressed the
elevator to the tenth floor as they entered one of the elevators.

“Migs? Where did hunk go?” he
laughed a little reminding her of the pet name she gave him.

She laughed louder but even she
herself felt it was empty. Then she just slapped his shoulder lightly.

“Will you be okay that James is
here with us?” he seemed worried possibly after sensing her laugh was shallow.

“Business is business. I am mature
enough to handle him. I should start acting professional. This is my chosen
career anyway.” She winked at him and he smiled back. She was guided by Miguel
out of the elevator.

“You know I’m just here for you, no
matter what.” He played with the strands of her hair. “Keep that in your cute
little head.”

“I am thankful you are here.” She
blushed and turned to the door where he stopped.

“I’m glad to hear that sweetie,” he
gave her a light peck in the cheek.

They both heard someone clearing
his throat at their back and they looked around. And they guessed it right.

“Don’t you have company rules that
state no two employees must be in a relationship?” they saw the furious stare
of James as he stood at their backs clearly coming out of his room.

Tara didn’t respond to what he
said. She didn’t know how to react to him.

“Yes, they do. But there wasn’t a
rule on an employer-employee relationship.” He threw back a more intense stare
at James.

James was not able to respond but
his annoyance was evident when he clenched his fist at his side and his jaw
muscle moved. He turned around and opened the door to room 1020 and walked back
in.

Tara was just shocked at what
Miguel told James but she didn’t clarify anything. She knew James would think
Miguel and she is a couple now, after that remark.

“This is yours.” Miguel offered her
to enter the door to room 1021 after he swished the keycard. It was the door
across James’.

Tara looked at the door.
Such
luck!
Then she entered. “Where’s yours?”

“1023.” he pointed the door beside
her room.

She knew her father had a favorite
room and it was on the higher floor so she didn’t ask anymore.

“Okay. I’ll see you at lunch.” She
smiled at him and closed her room door.

Tara wasn’t able to take a nap. She
just lied still in her bed staring at the ceiling and kept thinking of the guy
across her room. She stood up quickly when she noticed the clock beside her
bed. It was 11:10. Good thing the meeting was over lunch, she knew she didn’t
have to dress up formal.