When the Ash Fades (Fortalejo Series #2)

Chapter 14

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"Sigurado ka bang ayos lang na pumunta ako sa condo mo ngayon?" Basag ko sa katahimikan habang binabagtas namin ang matraffic na highway patungo sa condo niya. I know it's ridiculous to still ask that when it was him who asked me to come over to his condo in the first place but the silence and awkwardness after the kiss is starting to get me uncomfortable. "Hindi ka ba busy?"

Naramdaman kong tiningnan niya ako pero inabala ko ang sarili sa pagtanaw sa labas ng bintana. Pagkatapos ng nangyaring halikan ay parang di ko na siya kayang tingnan ng diretso sa mga mata. Pakiramdam ko ay mapapaso ako.

"If I were busy, you wouldn't see me here." Mataman niyang sagot.

I nodded, stopping myself to be sarcastic but I just couldn't. Hindi ko napigilan ang sarili ko.

"Right. You're not busy. Kaya nga sinamahan mo si Viviene maggym, di'ba?" Balik ko.

And his sighs as if he's trying his very best to strengthen his patience will always get me.

"I didn't go with her. Pumunta ako roon dahil sinabi sa akin ng Yaya Veron mo na umalis ka kasama si Alas Sandoval para maggym. And can't you see my clothes? Do I look like someone who would workout while wearing a button down long sleeves and some slacks?" Malumanay na paliwanag niya.

Binalingan ko siya. I squinted my eyes and raised a brow, not buying his explanation. "Nagpunta ka sa bahay?"

Siya naman ngayon ang hindi makatingin sa akin. But he still nodded. "Yes."

Woah, should I believe him?

"Bakit?" I asked curiously.

He sighed boredly. "I wanted... to see you."

I crossed my arms below my chest. Ilang sandali ko muna siyang pinagmasdan, hinihintay na bawiin niya ang sinabi niya pero hindi niya naman ginawa. I tilted my head and pressed my lips for a moment. "Pero ang sabi mo sa akin ay busy ka. Na may inaasikaso ka—"

He rolled his eyes. "Well, not anymore. I'm taking a short break. Marami akong pinsan. Sila na muna ang bahala sa mga kompanya."

Mga kompanya.

Nakalimutan kong marami nga palang kompanya ang pamilya nila. Silang mga Fortalejo. From construction and supplies, real states, a well-established shipping line, a famous airline, chain of hotels, mining company, and so many more to fucking mention. May sabi-sabi rin noon na si Don Ambrocio Fortalejo ang may hawak sa pinakamalaking share sa Fidel Rico Medical Hospital though it was never confirmed nor denied.

So, one thing is for sure, they are one of the richest families here in the country. But unlike any other rich families, they don't like to show off that much. Or even if they're seen in parties or in any elite gatherings, hindi naman sila magawang usisain ng mga media. At hindi ko alam kung bakit. Takot yata sa kanila.

I also heard from my father before that the Fortalejos just want to stay lowkey for no reason to the point that some people are thinking that the Navarros and Aguirres are richer than them.

"Hanggang kailan naman 'yang short break mo?" Tanong ko, parang di pa rin makapaniwala sa sinabi niya.

He shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe you can give me a suggestion—"

Kaagad ko siyang pinutol. "Ha? At bakit mo ako idadamay?"

I saw how his lips parted. Mas lalong naging mailap ang mga mata niya. I then looked away.

Tumigil ang sasakyan. Saka ko lang napansin na nasa isang basement parking na kami. Mabagal siyang nagkalas ng seatbelt bago ako binalingan.

"When is your graduation?" Pang-ibaba niya sa usapan.