Damsel and Distress

4. Fake Smiles & Cigarettes

"Why are you standing there?"

"What am I supposed to do?"

"We're supposed to be newlyweds, Clarissa. What would people say if we are constantly a meter away from each other?"

I scoffed. Talaga? May interes pa talaga siya sa sasabihin ng iba sa lagay naming ito?

"Do you think I'd still care about what they have to say right now?"

I held my breath while trying to calm my nerves. Sa inis ko ay nauna na akong naglakad papasok ng malaking bahay sa harap namin. The exterior screams old money. You can already appreciate the view after one look but the longer you stare, the more stunning it looks.

In very public events, I was used to grabbing attention. Pero dito, hindi. Lahat sila ay mga kilalang tao rin in their respective fields. I didn't get why people had to stare. Ah, tama nga pala. I have Kaiden here by my side, the devil himself.

"Is she that actress? Iyong... What was her name again? Was that Carissa or Clarice or Clarissa?" I heard someone whisper.

Hindi ko nga iyon guni-guni lang. Some people have their eyes pinned on me. I have to admit. I got conscious. I straightened my back while trying to keep my composure, as well as my pride.

Pero parang gusto kong tumakbo na lang pabalik nang makita ko si Theo na nakatingin sa gawi ko. His eyes were on me and I can tell that he was not expecting my presence.

Habang nakatayo siya ilang metro ang layo sa akin, he was looking dashing as always in his suit and tie... I could hardly breathe.

It has been so long since I last saw him. Hindi ko na din mabilang kung ilang araw niya na ba akong iniiwisan o baka ba kinalimutan niya na ako.

I swallowed the lump on my throat. How could he? He wasn't even decent enough to break up with me.

Ano iyon? Pinaniwala niya lang ako na mahal niya ako tapos iiwan lang ako sa ere? He even told me that the world will fall but he'd still choose me. In the end, I was the one who fell with his lies. Napakasinungaling talaga.

I hate him and I hate myself for knowing that I still love him.

"In a hurry, wife?"

Para akong binuhusan ng tubig na puno ng yelo nang lapitan ako ni Kaiden. He even wrapped his hands around me. Having that hand touch my bare skin sent shivers through my spine.

"Sinong may sabi na pwede mo akong hawakan?"

I thought we'd be arguing silently pero tinanggal din naman niya ang kamay niya sa likod ko. Iyon nga lang, hindi naman siya lumayo. He remained so close to me and I was about to roll my eyes at him and push him back but I had to remind myself that we are in public.

Alangan namang noong nakaraan lang, todo acting akong masaya akong ikinasal sa isang tulad niya tapos kokontrahin ko ngayon ang sarili ko.

People are already calling me a gold digger, monster, a bitch pero naniniwala akong mababalik pa din ang career ko sa dati lalo't wala naman akong ginawang masama. I know I said earlier that I don't mind what other people has to say but in the end, I have to care to do my job.

"I thought I'd help you make him jealous. I'm in a giving mood tonight." Bulong ni Kaiden sa tenga ko.

I had to close my eyes so I could ignore his scent but when I opened my eyes, I saw Theo looking at me... or maybe us. Kaiden was dangerously close and as I saw jealousy in Theo's eyes, nawala ang interes kong palayuin si Kaiden.

Baka nga tama siya. Of course, his intentions will always be wrong pero may makukuha din naman ako kung sasakay ako sa trip niya.

Nanginginig ang kamay ko at hindi ko man gusto, I wrapped my hand around Kaiden's arm. He smirked the moment he realized what I was doing.