I
Upon return to Manila, something has changed between Atty. Yhera and Seigfred. They became comfortable with each other.
Yhera could still vividly remember when she and Seigfred kissed after their dinner during their last day in the hotel. Seigfred walked her to her suite and before letting her in; he gently held her hands and looked at her with so much adoration in his eyes. Slowly he comes closer until his face was just one little finger far from her. Both of them can feel each other's breath When Seigfred's lips touched hers lightly she did not resists. She even closed her eyes to savor the feeling that was enveloping her whole body. She quivered as his kiss deepened. She felt elated. They only stopped the kiss when both of them could not anymore breathe and simultaneously laughed. Atty. Yhera's face was totally in red.
Before letting her go, Seigfred whispered, "I love you Yhera."
She just looked at him, smiled a bit, and excused herself before entering her room.
While reminiscing that, Atty. Yhera could not help to smile.
"Ahhemm, hello Atty. you want coffee?" it was Mila who is grinning at her.
Atty. Yher did not notice that her secretary already entered her office.
She smiled at Mila, “Hi Mila, yes, my usual coffee please.”
"Right away Atty. Yher. I am happy seeing you happy Ma'am." Mila smiled back at her and then immediately prepared her coffee.
Even if she will not admit it, but right now, she is falling for Seigfred already. She is getting afraid of what she's feeling. She does not like it. She doesn't want to be hurt again.
Her phone suddenly beeped. Seigfred has a message, "Can I invite you out for dinner tonight?"
She replied in a joking manner, “Why not, it is good to eat for free,” with a laughing smiley at the end of the message. Seigfred answered with a long, “hahahaha.”
Atty. Yhera is in good mood the whole afternoon.
At dinner time, Seigfred brought her to a well-known Old Chinese Restaurant in Binondo. She was amazed because this restaurant happened to be her favorite place in Binondo. Usually, she, her Mom, and sister dine in this restaurant.
“Seigfred, you know, this is my family's favorite restaurant here.” She smiled at the Man who looked so ruggedly handsome tonight, wearing a Lacoste dark blue polo shirt with a khaki jacket and maong pants.
"Yes, I asked Mila." He winked at him.
Atty. Yhera sighs in reply with rolling eyes. Seigfred just laughed at her and started to eat.
After their dinner, Atty. Yher decided to go home already. Since she left her car at their office's parking, she asked Seigfred to bring her there instead of bringing her direct to their home. However, Seigfred insisted to bring her home and then fetch her in the morning going to the office. Atty. Yhera could not resist as usual.
Atty. Yher could not sleep. Seigfred's handsome face seems to linger in her head. She castigated herself and reminded her heart to stop until she falls asleep.
II
Days passed by, Seigfred continued his consistent showing of affection to Atty. Yhera. He never fails every day.
As they were having dinner one night, Seigfred invited her to be his date in his Company's Anniversary Ball that will be held in Shangrila Makati. Of course, she agreed.
On the night of the Anniversary ball, Seigfred fetched her. As they entered the grand lobby of the hotel, Atty. Yhera could see the watchful eyes of most of the employees of SYS, Inc. Tables were arranged in circles leaving the center free and open. They settled themselves in the very first table near the right side of the Grand Stage. The table has signage stating Reserved for the CEO and other top management. After a while, a middle-aged man and Rhoda arrived and sat beside them. She found out that Rhoda's companion is her father, who happens to be one of the stockholders of SYS, Inc.
Rhoda never smiled at Atty. Yhera; she just poked her with an assessing look. As she could not find fault in the evening attire of Atty. Yhera, who is wearing an elegant black half-shouldered long gown. She just pouted her lips and focus on watching the staff presentation on the stage.
After staff presentations and some talks, including Seigfred's inspirational talk, the emcee announced the serving of food.
Atty. Yhera eats just enough as she is not used to eating much. Then, she excused herself to go to the comfort room. She was followed by Rhoda.
"Atty. Yhera, I am surprised to see you here." Rhoda's voice is actually quizzical.
"Oh, hi Rhoda, why would you be surprised? Our law firm is one of the retained counsels of SYS, Inc. I am here to represent our law firm." Atty. Yhera then put on her lipstick and a little powder.
Rhoda made a smirk. "Really? I just thought you were here because you are trying to pounce on Mr. Seigfred Yee."
Atty. Yhera calmed herself, made a deep breath, and looked at the woman beside her, who is looking at her through the CR's mirror. “Should I be pouncing on to Mr. Yee, what is it to you? Would I be hurting you Rhoda?” She is actually asking a leading question to Rhoda. It's like when she is in court, she usually uses this tactic to get the answer she needs without actually directly asking bluntly.
Rhoda became silent and with narrowed eyes stared at Atty. Yher. “Someday, he will be my husband. So better keep your distance.” Then Rhoda turned her back and left without even giving any courtesy to excuse herself from Atty. Yher.
Atty. Yher has been in shock with what Rhoda has said. Later on, she simply shook her head and return to the ballroom area. She tried to relax and walked graciously heading to their table.
Seigfred is already sitting beside her empty chair and near Rhoda. He smiled as she saw her coming. Atty. Yhera smiled back sweetly and sits beside Seigfred; then, with a swift glance, she tried to see the reaction of Rhoda. The gritting of teeth of Rhoda did not pass unnoticed from Atty. Yhera's keen eyes. Secretly, Atty. Yhera smiled. She will not blatantly fight with Rhoda in a rude or unprofessional manner but she has her ways of letting her understand that she cannot be just bullied so easily.
Seigfred looked at Atty. Yhera with so much admiration in his eyes. Indeed, this woman is very elegant and alluring. She can really carry herself well.
Atty. Yhera noticed the way Seigfred looked at her. “Hey, why are you looking at me like that?”
Seigfred took her right hand and kissed it. “You look so beautiful Yhera, always. If only I can kiss you now.”
Rhoda's eyes who heard Seigfred's words grew fiery with jealousy.
Atty. Yhera smiled sweetly and said, “You can but not here.”
Seigfred's eyes danced magically, stood up, and offered his hand to Atty. Yhera.
Atty. Yhera shook her head, stood up, and whispered to Seigfred's ear. “Not now. Maybe later when we go home.”