Paradox [BoybandPH]

s i x

I stared at him, going out of my mind, baffled. What is he doing here?

I absentmindedly looked at his clothes. He's wearing a navy blue polo shirt, khaki pants and loafers. Then, my eyes went back to the familiar logo on his shirt.

Just like that, it clicked.

My eyes widened at the realization. How the hell did I forget that he's working here? I swallowed the lump stuck in my throat.

"Grabe Sef ha. Alam ko gwapo ako pero kelangan ba starstruck na starstruck ka?"

Bigla akong bumalik sa ulirat nang magsalita siya.

Tumayo ako nang matuwid, clearing my throat. Good job, Sef. Mukha kang tanga kanina. Pero imbes na sagutin siya, lumingon ako kay Dad, plastering a practiced sweet smile on my face.

"Dad, diba sa Mckinley to sila Kuya Ford? Bakit siya andito?"

"Kuya?" Singit ni Ford. Sinipa ko agad siya nang manahimik.

"Madalas magre-shuffle sila nang location na assigned. And since you know each other, I'm thinking this is a better choice. In that way, mas kumportable ka."

Yeah, right.

I baldy wanna scoff at him but that would be too obvious para kay Ford.

Siguro if this happened three months ago, I won't have second thoughts. I'd be starting in a heartbeat. Baka niyakap ko pa si Dad and thanked him.

Pero, iba na ngayon.

But instead of acting so affected, hindi ko na lang ginawang big deal yun. I don't wanna question Dad's judgement on this. Hindi niya naman siguro i-aappoint si Ford kung di naman talaga siya magaling.

That's why I chose to be mature about it. The faster I start, the faster I will learn. Once I learn enough, Dad will surely let me on my own, so I will no longer need Ford's help.

Oo. Yun nga. Yun ang gagawin ko.

"Okay! Shall we start, Mr. Valencia?" I mockingly told him.

"We shall." He grinned at me. Nag-bow muna siya kay Dad at sabay kaming lumabas.

"So, here's your key. Para sa locker mo, which is this way." He instructed me, pointing to the left wing, across Dad's office.

"Nasa loob na nang locker mo yung uniform mo. Your Dad already prepared it few weeks ago."

Really? Possibly after the trip.

"Come here. I'll introduce you to the crew."

My breathe hitched when he put his arms over my shoulder. Saka lang ako kumalma nang binaba niya na ang kamay niya pagdating namin nang locker room.

Hindi ito kalakihan. Tila pa-reactangle to. Nasa left side ang mismong mga lockers, habang nasa left naman ay ang mga upuan. Sa dulo ay sa tingin ko'y comfort room para sa mga crew.

"Guys." Tawag ni Ford sa mga kasama, agad naman silang lumingon. "Say hi to Stephanie, sya ang pinakabagong crew. Sir John's daughter."

"Hi ma'am." Bati nila.

"Call me Sef na lang." I smiled at them.

They welcomed me warmly. Nikki, the youngest, even hugged me. I smiled at them and shook their hands one by one as they introduce themselves.

Pinagbihis muna ako ni Ford para sa uniform ko bago daw kami lumabas. May dalawa pa daw sa crew sa labas na ipapakilala niya. Sinunod ko naman siya at ilang minuto'y lumabas na ko.

Yung iba, nagpaalam na dahil graveyard shift sila. Sina Nikki at ang tatlo pang crew ang naiwan.

"Sef, these are Dara and Patrick. Guys, this is Sef."

First thing I noticed was Dara's thick eyebrows, almost the same with mine but hers is darker. Her plump lips is bagay with her face and her black, shoulder-length hair. Next to her is Patrick whose really good-looking and neat. He's taller than the two of us, maputi siya and he has hazel eyes.

"Hi, I'm Dara Veronica Reyes, 26. From Quezon City!" Natawa ako sa introduction niya.

"Hala siya, kabogera ng taon. Kahit kailan. Hi, Patricio. Pero pwede ring Patricia." He winked, I was quite shock knowing he's gay. I didn't see it coming. "Welcome."

"Hi guys." Bati ko sa kanila.

Ford faced me, "Are you ready?"

"Born ready." I answered smugly.

***

I spent the whole day trying hard to learn things. Mixing some drinks, familiarizing myself with the products and some terminologies. It's not difficult naman kasi it's almost the same menu with other coffee shops. The crew is so friendly and approachable kaya I didn't have a hard time.

For now, I'll mostly observe muna but I tried to serve din if needed. Lalo na nung peak time dahil sunod-sunod na ang pasok nang customers.

Now, I'm talking to Nikki regarding usual complaints sa café when we were interrupted by my trainer.

"Tama na yan, huy. Break na muna tayo Sef."

"Break agad, wala pa ngang tayo?" I joked.

"Edi tayo na." He looked at me seriously. I stiffened.

Ilang segundo kaming nagtinginan but his lips twitched. I saw a ghost of smile on his face. I scowled at him.

Narinig kong natawa si Nikki kaya agad akong namula.

"Boom!" Dagdag pa niya. Tuluyan na ring natawa si Ford kaya mas lalo akong napasimangot.

Dire-diretso akong pumunta sa locker, to get my phone. Pero di nagtagal narinig ko ang mga yapak niya pero di ko siya nililingon.

"Sef."

I halted at my steps, kumunot ang noo ko nang napagtantong hindi pala si Ford yung sumusunod saken.

Nilingon ko ang pinanggalingan nang boses at nakita ko ang isa sa pinakapaboritong tao ko sa mundo.

"Baby boy!"

I threw myself at him at di rin naman siya nagreklamo. Hello? Sa sexy kong to, ang gaan ko kaya. I heard him groan pero niyakap niya ko pabalik para siguro di ako mahulog.

"Sef, kasama ko si —"

Bago niya pa matapos yung sasabihin niya, nakita kong pumasok si Ford, kasama ang isa pang best friend ko. Natawa pa siya sa kung anong sinabi ni Ford pero agad ding nawala yun nang makita kami ni Neil.

May nakita ako sa mga mata niyang hindi ko maintindihan. Surprised? Betrayed? Hurt?

But why?

Nakita kong napatingin siya kay Neil, tapos saken ulit. Palipat lipat ang mga mata niya. Dun ko lang narealize ang posisyon namin ni Neil.

"Baby." I whispered, para maibaba niya na ako.

Nakita ko rin siyang halos parehas sa ekspresyon ni Sue. Nang makababa ako, sasalubungin ko na sana si Sue pero bigla siyang nag excuse para daw mag-CR.

Nagkatinginan kami ni Ford. Confusion is also etched in his face, probably same with mine.

Ano inaarte nang isang yun?

Nako, for sure nagseselos na naman yun kasi si Neil ang una kong pinansin.

"Nagselos ata sayo." I whispered.

"Baka sayo." He retorted.

"Asa."

A/N.

Hi guys!
Two updates in one day. Not bad, isn't it? Btw. Let me know if I'm writing it correctly. I never experienced working in a coffee shop so Im not really sure what the hell am I talking abt.

Pls, don't forget to hit the star button below.

YEN ▪