The Aftermath of a One-Night Stand (Aragonza #2)

Chapter 13

He's never heard of that theory. Nailing siya.

"Kylie wouldn't do that. She's too nice."

Kylie turned at the mention of her name. Ngumuso ito at saka nilaro-laro ang tenga nya.

"You'll never know. Baka nagmana sa 'kin ng pagka-selfish 'yang batang 'yan," sabi naman ni Red. Humalik ito sa anak at saka nagpaalam, "I'll just tell the maids to prepare our lunch."

Tumango siya. Naglakad siya papunta sa terrace kung saan may nakalatag na blanket at maraming nakapaligid na unan. Inilapag niya roon si Kylie saka siya naupo. May mga stuffed toys na nakalagay doon. Kumuha siya ng isa at saka iniabot iyon kay Kylie.

Kylie took the toy from his hand, looked at it and threw it away.

"Pati ba naman sa stuffed toys, may galit ka?" tanong niya sa pamangkin.

Ngumiti lamang ito at nilaro ang mga domino na nakakalat sa blanket.

"Don't eat that, okay?"

He played with Kylie until lunch. Itatapon nito ang stuffed toys kung saan, sya naman ang naging tagapulot. Mabuti na nga lamang at hindi ito umiiyak, so hindi sya nai-stress. Nang mag-lunchtime, binalikan sila ni Red para sunduin.

"Kakain na!" she announced. Kinalong nito si Kylie. "Come, uncle."

Sumunod siya papuntang kusina. Troy was already sitting at the dining table. He got up and pulled a chair for Red. Siya naman ay naupo sa tabi ng kapatid.

"Ginataang alimango ulit?" taas-kilay niyang tanong. During his last two visit, ginataang alimango palagi ang pananghalian ng mag-anak.

"Don't look at me. I didn't ask for it," Troy told him.

"I'm pregnant," dahilan naman ni Red.

Hindi na lamang siya nakipagtalo. He knew how overwhelming cravings are, siguro lalo na para sa mga buntis. Troy didn't seem to mind. Palibhasa'y paborito rin nito ang ginataang alimango.

Kylie fell asleep after lunch. Doon na nila ito sa terrace inihiga para maginhawa. Red arranged some pillows against the wall. Doon ito sumandal katabi ni Troy. He's on the opposite side. Once settled, nagpadala sila ng juice sa katulong.

"Wala kayong planong lumabas ngayon? Nandito naman ako. I can look after Kylie."

"We didn't invite you here to babysit Kylie," Red told him. "I want to talk to you about what happened last night."

He frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Don't deny it, Vince. Vico and I saw you. May clear panels yung pintuan ng KTV for the staffs to check kung may kababalaghan nang nangyayari sa loob ng room. We were just outside, looking, when it happened. Oh, sorry. I meant... didn't."

Binigyan siya nito ng makahulugang tingin. He knew that people can see what's inside through the glass door. Blurred 'yong kalahati noong pintuan, with strips of clear glass at kahoy naman ang ibabang kalahati. He just didn't expect them to look.

"Why didn't you kiss her?"

"Kiss who?" Troy asked with a frown.

"Carlene," sagot ni Red. "They were about to kiss, pero hindi natuloy."

He rolled his eyes. Kahit kailan talaga, mahilig makialam ang hipag niya.

"What?" laglag-pangang tanong ni Troy. "You and Carlene? So it's not over?"

"Boses mo," saway ni Red.

"It's not gonna happen again."

"And what made you so sure?" Red asked in a hushed tone. "Halata namang attracted kayo sa isa't isa. Why not take the chance while it's there?"