Even After Everything (After #1) (COMPLETED)

26: Marco

When Johann got his own solo job and shoots, completely disregarding the two and I... I almost persuaded him to just be with us. To have a rest after the long days of going into different countries in the world... But as much as I would have liked that... I think it's better if he does his things while I... enjoy a rest with people who knew me so well.

"Bakit ikaw wala?" asked my previous girl classmates. "Hindi ba, usually, buo kayo na kinukuha?"

"That doesn't happen all the time." ngisi ko. "If isa lang kailangan, paano kami kakasyang apat?"

Dehado pa rin sila sa truth na si Johann lang ang kinukuha ng mga companies or networks to endorse their brands. If you'd ask me, I don't mind it. At all. From the start, I knew he'd do well if he did solo. At saka... hindi ko maide-deny na mas magugustuhan siya ng mga tao kaysa sa akin. O sa dalawa.

The two don't have any problems with it, so shall I. When we were in Paris, somebody tried to hire him as a model there. Malugod niyang hindi tinanggap 'yung invitation as it's based in France itself. He has family here... He has me... He cannot commit to being completely away from us.

I will admit his solely recruitment by that cute agent offended me. Kasi... hindi ba lagi naman akong pinupuri na may itsura? Even Johann admits I'm beautiful... but why only him? Pero hinayaan ko na... I love him more than to endure that stupid feeling...

Irregardless of that short jealousy, mas na-enjoy ko 'yung mga times na kasama ko ang mga dating kaibigan. Like him, I was beyond shocked when they started inviting me to their vacation, as soon as they learned na tapos na ang work ko. He encouraged me to go through it... He nudged at me not to worry about him working while I'm having a good rest I deserve.

Kung tutuusin... mas naiinis ako sa mga tanong nila kung nasaan siya at bakit hindi ko siya kasama kaysa sa siya lang ang kinukuha for endorsements. Money is never my problem, kahit noong bata pa ako. Meanwhile my Johann? I knew we were earning so much from the tour alone pero hindi ko siya kagaya kaya mas gusto ko na nandoon siya.

I think it's better if he's not with us. That way... he wouldn't have known Marco Perez my friends knew more than the Marco hyung he currently knew. I don't want that to happen.

Ayokong magbago ang tingin niya sa akin kapag sinama ko siya sa mga sobrang ingay na mga taong iyon.

"Hyung, sasabit ko lang."

Him opening the door beside me took me out but I continued brushing my teeth. Umilag ako nang pumasok siya but hindi ko siya tiningnan dahil wala pa rin siyang suot na damit. This bathroom reeks with his manly shower gel and I'm not complaining about it.

"Malamig. Mag-damit ka nga!" sita ko kahit nagsi-sipilyo.

I caught him smiling because of that. My view here is so damn good it hurts looking at his handsome wet face. Only wearing a white shorts, bigla niyang hinalikan ang batok ko.

"Mabango ka pa rin, huh?" biro nito at sinita ko siya uli.

"Hang it up and get out!"

Chuckling, he did so and closed the door afterwards. How on earth did it escape me na kasama pala sa bakasyon na 'to na makita siyang laging walang damit? Don't get me wrong, sanay na sanay na akong makita sila noon na walang damit dahil minsan ay nila mag-damit kapag practice!

Pero bakit ngayon... No, kahapon? Ever since we arrived here in Boracay, mas lalo akong nahuhulog sa kaniya?

I found him by the balcony, sitting with his broad back on me. May gitara rin siya sa kandungan at tumutugtog nang mahina. I dried myself first before coming towards him.

"Bad timing ang panahon." puna ko at tumitig sa labas.

The view from here, our resort room, is immaculate: tanaw na tanaw pa rin ang mahabang beach ng Boracay at kahit gabi na, may mga tao pa rin sa labas. Not to mention, umuulan pa rin ngayon but people are still looking for fun under their umbrellas.