EVER SINCE WE WERE TEN

CHAPTER 30

We had a peaceful dinner. Konting chikahan and kumustahan lang. Kyle then sent me home.

"Good night Rian" he's still standing outside the gate.

"Good night Kyle." papasok na sana ako sa loob ng bahay pero napansin kong hindi pa siya umaalis.

"May sasabihin ka pa?" he looked at me wide eyed. Parang nagulat pa kasi nahulaan ko kahit pa sobrang halata naman.

"I want to give you something. N-nakalimutan kong ibigay sayo nuong nasa isla pa tayo." he fished his hand in his pocket and he showed me the bracelet I wanted in that island. 

"H-how?" unti unti kong tinanggap ang bracelet. I can't take my eyes off from the pretty bracelet. It's just a small gift but a very special one for me.

"I thought you really wanted it kaya binili ko. Sige, pumasok ka na" he smiled at me, and I smiled at him back. 

Lumapit ako sa kanya at kinulong siya sa isang mahigpit na yakap.

"thank you" kumalas ako sa yakap at napansin kong naiilang siya.

"C-can uhm. Can we eat outside tomorrow? I-I mean a date? You know, a friendly date?" napakamot pa siya sa batok niya habang nagsasalita.

I just looked at him intently, tinitimbang ang reaksyon niya. He's not looking at me. Mukha siyang teenager na first time magyayaya ng date sa crush niya. 

"Ok" biglaang sabi ko at tinalikuran na siya. He's still standing there, at unti unting gumuhit ang ngiti sa labi niya. Loko talaga.

Just like yesterday, hinatid ulit ako ni Kyle sa opisina. May pasok siya kaya medyo nagmamadali na rin. Pagkababa ko nga ay agad niyang pinaharurot ang kotse.

Pagdating sa office, I expected daddy's secretary to greet me and orient me with todays schedule, but an unexpected man halted me.

"Mr. Leviste. What can I do for you?" I slightly nodded my head to acknowledge his presence. I don't think OI have a meeting with him. What is he doing here in my office?

"Good morning, Brianna. I'll be attending an auction. I want you to be my date." seryoso niyang sabi. He must be insane! 

"Mr. Leviste, thank you for the invite. But I'll refuse" plastik ko siyang nginitian. Mukhang naapakan ko ang ego at pride niya sa pagtanggi ko kaya nawala na ang maoaglarong ngiti sa mga labi niya.

"You can't say no to a Leviste darling. You are coming with me." he looked at me intently. Kinabahan pa ako ng konti dahil sa tono ng pananalita niya pero hindi ako nagpatinag.

"I have a fiance, Mr. Leviste. Please leave. Have a nice day"  hindi ko na maitago ang pagkairita ko sa kanya.

He just smiled weirdly again. Inabot niya ang kamay ko at hinalikan ulit ang likod. This time, I quickly grabbed my hand away from him. Mukhang hindi naman siya nainsulto at mas lumitaw pa ang mapaglarong ngiti sa labi niya.

"As you wish, Ms. Brianna. If you won't come, then I'll make sure you can't refuse next time. See you again" kumindat pa siya bago tuluyang lumabas ng opisina. What is wrong with him? Hindi ko nga siya kilala personally then he would act as if were close? 

I chose to forget what happened this morning. I can't let him bother me and ruin my whole day. I still have a "friendly date" to look forward too.

It's almost 4pm when I took a break. Hindi na nga ako lumabas para mag lunch. Daddy's secretary just had my food delivered and I ate while reading some paper works.

I looked at my wrist and there I saw the pretty ocean blue bracelet Kyle bought for me. I smiled unconsciously and took a photo of it. I was about to post it in my Instagram when Shawn's name appeared in my screen.

"Hey there pretty lady!' bungad ni Shawn saakin. Hindi pa rin siya nakakabalik. Everything's going fine with our bar, pero hindi pa niya ito maiwan sa daming paper works na kailangan gawin regarding the incident at mga naiwang trabaho na rin mula pag-alis namin.

"What's up handsome?" napatawa nalang kaming dalawa sa kakulitan namin. I kinda miss him. hindi na kasi siya nahiwalay saakin ng matagal ever since we met at the hospital kaya medyo na mimiss ko rin ang pangungulit niya.

"I'm going back there in a week or two. I have a surprise for you" it earned a gasp from me. He's going back!

"Really? that's good! You wouldn't tell me the surprise, would you?" naeexcite ako sa surprise niya! Hindi naman kasi siya masyadong mahilig sa surprises kasi parang kumakati dila niyan kapag may suprise at naeexcite.

"It wouldn't be a surprise if I would. Anyway, I just called to inform you. I still have lots to do. Take care love!" we both bid goodbyes and the call ended. Now, I can't stop myself to look forward to my dinner date.

Unlike last night, nagliligpit pa lang ako ng gamit nasa parking na si Kyle. I just told him to wait for me there. Before heading there, dumaan muna ako sa banyo para tignan ang itsura ko. I'm wearing a white, long sleeved v-neck blouse and brown high waisted slacks with a gucci belt and brown stilettoes. I brushed my black straight hair with my hands and put a light lipstick to add color to my face. I felt contented with how I look kaya agad akong pumunta sa parking.

"What took you so long?" again, he snatched my bag from me. 

"Sorry, may kinailangan lang tapusin." Inaalalayan niya ako sa paglalakad because I'm wearing heels. 

Pagdating namin sa sasakyan, the front seat window is open. The woman I saw with him when he ditched me was there, seating at the front seat.

"I thought were eating out?" I asked him quietly. Nakatingin lang ang babae saamin. I don't think she can hear me.

"I'm so sorry Rian. She's Ellaine. Ka-partner ko sa thesis namin. I offered na sa bahay na lang namin gawin para masundo kita. Promise babawi ako, please?" he looks uneasy and nervous. Of course he should be. Sa tagal kong inayos ang sarili ko sa banyo and the excitement I felt the whole day, ma popostpone lang pala ulit. Well, I understand. It's for his studies kaya hindi ako dapat magreklamo.

"Yeah, it's fine. Just drop me home" I said at papasok na sana sa backseat.

"No, sa bahay ka kakain. Ellaine, please transfer at the backseat" napansin ko ang masamang tingin na pinupukol ng babae saakin. Ba't sakin ka galit? Ako ba nagpapaalis?

"Dito na'ko sa likod. Let's go. I'm hungry" hindi na rin nagpumilit si Kyle dahil agad akong sumakay sa likod. The woman, Ellaine just looked at me mockingly. Anong problema nito?