Denying Affinity (Affinity #1)

Epilogue

Their heads turned to my direction. I didn't miss the way his eyes widened, his mouth went agape when he saw me. "Avis?"

Ngumisi ako at yumuko para halikan siya sa pisngi. I ignored the way he stiffened when I kissed him and sat at the chair beside him.

"Who's she, Luke?" biglang singit ng babae.

Muntik ko nang kunin ang baso sa ibabaw ng lamesa at isaboy sa pagmumukha niya ang laman nang marinig ko ang boses niya. Mabuti na lang at nagawa ko pang kontrolin ang sarili ko. Ibinaling ko ang atensyon sa babae at ngumiti sa kanya bago inabot ang kamay ko.

"I'm Charlotte Marzan. His girlfriend. Ikaw, sino ka?" matamis ang ngiti ko ngunit ang hindi ko lang sigurado ay kung abot iyon sa mga mata ko.

Bumakas ang pagkabigla sa mukha niya nang marinig ang sagot ko. Tiningnan niya ang kamay ko na nakalahad. Nag-aalinlangan na inangat niya ang sariling kamay para tanggapin ang kamay ko pero bago pa niya mahawakan iyon ay binawi ko na.

Namutla ang mukha ng babae. "You're his girlfriend? M-May girlfriend ka, Luke?"

Inilipat ko ang tingin kay Luke Dashiel na hindi pa rin inaalis ang titig sa akin hanggang ngayon. Hindi siya sumagot sa tanong sa kanya, kung sinadya niya iyon o dahil hindi niya lang talaga narinig ay hindi ko alam.

Nawala na ang ngiti ko at hindi mapigilan ang pagbalik ng malamig kong ekspresyon. "Oo. Bakit? May problema ba don?"

Umuwang ang labi niya sa naging sagot ko at parang hindi alam ang isasagot. I expected her to throw a fit and leave but she didn't. If I want her gone, then I gotta make her uncomfortable.

With a new plan in mind, I creased my forehead and looked at Luke Dashiel. "Wait.  Didn't you tell me that you were meeting... Callum today?"

"Avis," Luke Dashiel quietly called my name. I laid my eyes on him and tried to read him through his face but he remained impassive. Having him look at me this way made me want to shiver. It wasn't cold but it lacked the warmth that he used to have.

"What?" I snapped at him. "Yun ang sinabi mo sa akin. You said you're going to hang out with the guys. Who's this girl then?" I looked at the girl and gave her a death glare.

"Uhh..." the girl sounded unsure. I chose to ignore her and resumed with my lines.

"Are you cheating on me?" I asked, my eyes still settled on Luke Dashiel. The girl took a sharp breath.

"I s-should go... I-I'm sorry." agad na tumayo ang babae para makalakad palayo ng table at makaalis ng restaurant.

My eyes followed the girl as she walked away and fully disappeared from my sight. The mask that I was wearing for a show earlier was kept away and my frigid expression was back in its place.

I could feel his eyes on me. For some reason, I couldn't make myself move. Every muscles in my body was tight and locked in place. My lungs were slowly failing and my heart was racing inside my chest.

I should leave.

No. I need to leave.

"Tell my sister that I did my part." I coldly said before standing up to leave the place.

I was shaking as soon as I stepped out of the restraurant. My lips were trembling and I was catching my breath like I've ran several miles.

"Avis!" I heard someone call me from behind.

Lumingon ako sa likod at nanlaki ang mga mata nang nakita si Luke Dashiel na nagmamadali sa paglalakad at mukhang sumusunod sa akin. Tinawag niya ulit ako pero hindi ko siya pinansin at ipinagpatuloy lang ang paglalakad. I need to stay away from him.

Mas binilisan ko ang bawat paghakbang. Dere-deretso ako patungo sa wing kung saan ko iniwan ang sasakyan ko. Hindi ko na naririnig ang pagtawag niya sa pangalan ko pero kahit hindi ko tingnan ay alam kong nakasunod pa rin siya sa akin.

Hinalungkat ko ang car key mula sa bag na dala-dala. Pipindutin ko pa lang ang car remote ay biglang may pumulupot sa bewang ko at humila sa akin paatras. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa pagkabigla nang tumama ang likod ko sa matigas na katawan.

I inhaled sharply and a masculine mouth watering scent filled my nose. My knees immediately weakened at the feel of him pressed against me.

I could feel my body yearning for him. It had been three years. Three long years of not talking to him. Of not being this close to him. Three years of not being able to touch him.

Mabilis ang tibok ng puso ko at halos matanggal na iyon mula sa dibdib ko. I feel completely restless. My eyes were starting to blur and I was slowly shaking my head.

I felt Luke Dashiel's breath fanning against the nook of my neck. I almost shivered. I held my breath when I felt his soft lips lingering on my skin. My eyes closed when he gave my neck a butterfly kiss. I melted.

None of this should be happening. Galit siya dapat sa akin. He should hate me. Be furious of me. Pero bakit ganito?

His lips lifted from the side of my neck. He was breathing on my skin when he situated his lips. My eyes flashed open. "I missed you, Avis."