Over Each Ruins (Virago Series #2)

and the mayhem

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CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
and the mayhem
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Another day passed, and another, then another, until almost three weeks had gone. In those three weeks, our cycle went on; eat, go out together, go home, cook, and sleep together sometimes. Novan and I had unbelievably gone closer - something I didn't expect, to be honest.

He had a really big change during those days as well. He's smiling often and he's even laughing at the most senseless jokes there is! Halos malayong-malayo sa Novan na una kong nakilala at 'yung pasyenteng hindi ko sinukuan.

Now that I look back to the past, his changes are just astounding. And my heart flutters at the thought that he is finally making it.

"I told Mama that you need to rest, but she insisted for you to come." Novan groaned while driving to White Plains - the villa where Tita Selene appointed us to come for dinner.

Dumating daw kasi ang ama nina Novan kaya ganu'n at may sorpresa rin daw sa'kin si Tita Selene.

"It's fine," I chuckled, "You know I wouldn't say 'no' to your mom's request."

I saw him scoff, "Aren't you tired from our trip yesterday?"

Nilingon niya ako saglit bago binalik ang tingin sa daan. I expressed my refusal then. Umiling ako sakanya. Simpleng pagliwaliw sa clubhouse area ng Mivida lang naman ang ginawa namin kahapon. May mga cafe at iilang stall pala sa Mivida galing sa small businesses ng mga taga-roon. Mayro'n ding pool in which the clubhouse is exclusive for kaya naisipan naming bisitahin kahapon.

"I'm guessing my father planned this dinner. And knowing Mama, she will introduce you to him," He said seriously tsaka niya ako saglit na binalingan ulit, "I hope he won't intimidate you."

Ngumisi ako, "Not in the least, Nov. I wasn't even intimidated by you. What more when it's your father?"

I saw him shrug then he stirred the wheel sideways, towards where White Plains is. Pinanood ko naman sa bintana ang mga bahay na naglalakihan at ang iilang residenteng naglalakad sa gilid ng daan.

Iisipin ko pa sana ang patungkol sa ama ni Novan pero inagaw na ng lugar ang atensyon ko.

White Plains is a high-end villa like what I expected. The houses screamed luxury and class. Novan said this is where her Mother used to live, which became a vacation house when they stayed outside of the country. Ngayon lang 'ata nila babalikan dahil sa paanyaya ng ina nilang maghapunan.

"Solace..."

"Hm?" Napatingin ako sakanya.

"There's the place." Giya niya sa isang medyo puti at malaking bahay na tulad ng bahay ko sa Mivida ay napapalibutan ng berdeng halamanan.

I gaped at the sight of it, lalo na sa malapitan. Hindi 'ata kasi simpleng bahay itong vacation house nila. It's a mansion with cream motif that contrasts perfectly with the green lawn.

Hula ko pa ay hanggang tatlong palapag ang bahay dahil sa mga bintana. It's not modern-themed pero elegante ang bahay tulad ng mga nadaanan namin. What made it entrancing is the orange sky while the sun is setting down.

"Should we go?" Novan gave me a half-smile after parking my Camaro. Tumango ako pero kinakabahan pa rin.

Inayos ko rin muna ang suot na dark red tie-back sundress. Nagd-dalawang-isip pa ako lalo na't hindi ako sigurado kung tama ba 'tong suot ko, but Novan assured me that it's fine.