One Lost Summer (Brave Series #2)

Chapter 37: Grale

Ashton Grale Buenavista

Nasa kusina si Grale para maghanda ng hapunan nang marinig niya ang pag bukas ng pinto ng kanyang condo. That automatically formed a smile on his lips because for sure that'll be Majarlika. 

Kakauwi lang niya galing sa shooting ng isang bago niyang commercial at napagusapan nila kanina ni Majarlika sa tawag na huwag na lang niya itong sunduin. Of course it was a long discussion because Grale doesn't really want to let Majarlika drive alone and be stuck alone in the traffic of the Metro. Pero syempre, dinaan na naman siya sa lambing at smooth talking ng girlfriend para kumbinsihin siyang hayaan na ito dahil kaya naman daw nito ang sarili. 

Of course Grale knows she can take care of herself very well but then he really doesn't mind driving to and fro just to pick her up in her home. He even prefers that because he would have a lot of time to be with her. Every minute with her is just a time well spent. 

Nag hugas si Grale ng kamay pagkatapos dinampi ang kamay sa suot na apron. Iniwan niya saglit ang steak na niluluto na patapos na rin naman at tsaka tinahak na ang palabas ng kusina.

"Babe, I'm not yet done with the steak, but…" Unti-unting humina ang kanyang pagsasalita at nabura ang ngiti na malapad na nakaguhit kanina lang. 

"Grale."

"Thea… How did you get in?"

She pursed her lip. "I still have the duplicate key, remember. Akala ko nagpalit ka na ng lock pero… hindi pa rin pala."

Grale licked his lip and then removed the apron from his head. "What are you doing here, Thea?"

"Am I not allowed to be here anymore?" She asked back.

"What do you think, Thea?" He clenched his jaws.

Thea removed her gaze away from him and sauntered around the room. Ang mga mata nito ay tinitignan ang bawat sulok ng living room. Her eyes stayed longer on the long black couch in the middle. Hindi napigilan ni Grale ang mapapikit nang makita kung anong klase ng emosyon ang dumaan sa mga mata nito na nabura rin ng ilang segundo. Of course, that fucking couch was a witness to all their playful moments. 

"Did you do it with her?"

His forehead creased. 

"Did you enjoy doing it with her? Did you do it here, too?" She touched the arm rest. "Or she prefers the bed?"

"The hell, Thea!" Lumapit siya sa babae, bawat hakbang ay mabigat. He grabbed her arm, forcing her to face him. "You don't disrespect Majarlika in my own home, Thea. Why are you even here in the first place?"

Thea showed a bitter smile and yanked her arm away from his grip. "Nandito lang naman ako para batiin ka ng Belated Happy Birthday."

He hissed. Nauubusan na siya ng pasensya but Grale reminded himself that he used to love this girl in front of her and once even thought of spending the rest of his life with her. 'Yon na lang amg kinakapitan niya para hindi bastusin ang dating nobya at itulak ito palabas ng kanyang pamamahay. 

"Well, thank you. But I really think you have to leave now, Thea. Majarlika will be here in a minute and she won't appreciate it if she sees you here."

She chuckled. "Why, Grale? Natatakot ka ba na iba ang isipin niya? Aren't we allowed to be friends anymore? Hindi ka ba niya ganun pinagkakatiwalaan?"

He glared at her. "You're enjoying this, don't you? You're enjoying every second of your life dragging everyone in your own pit of misery that you created yourself."

Parang bula na nawala ang ngiti sa labi ng dalaga. She was obviously caught off guard and somehow Grale felt guilty saying those words but then he couldn't take them back anymore. Thea stood straightly and dropped both of her arms on her side.