Pulling the Wrong Strings

Chapter 20

Natasha's POV

We just came back from England. Yeah, dun muna kami nagstay ni Nathan for five years. To be specific, sa bahay ni Pops Fernan where my mom and dad is.

"Babe, you ready?"

I finished putting my lipstick before answering. "Yeah, give me a second. I'll just finish this."

I saw him gets out of our bedroom, napatingin naman ako sa phone ko. Should I accept my highschool friend Eliah's invitation on her birthday party that will be held at Batangas? If I'm not wrong, she is friends with Franco too. I might see him there, nah, I will surely see him there. That's what I'm avoiding, ayoko siyang makita.

I wore my earrings before I stood up and pick up my coat. Medyo malamig na dito sa Pilipinas because it's already raining, June na kasi kaya tag-ulan na. 

"Will Ashton like our gift?"

I'm looking at my phone while Nathan is driving. I'm busy searching some updates on what happened to people who are close to us.

"Magdalene?"

I looked away for my phone to look at Nathan. "You saying something?"

"Babe, what are you doing with your phone? You are not listening to me."

I smiled a little. "I'm sorry. I was trying to be updated with others, babe. I'm looking at my Facebook's news feed."

He chuckled and he hold my left hand and gave it a quick kiss.

"You don't need to do that, babe. We can catch up with them later at Ashton's party."

Oh, he is right. Makikita nga naman namin sila later sa birthday party ng anak nila Ashmiya at Calyx. Yeah, right. If I'm not wrong, it's Ashton's 5th birthday.

"Welcome back, Natasha!" Napapikit ako sa higpit ng yakap sakin ni Daphne. It's not like I don't miss this bestfriend of mine pero I'm not fond of tight hugs.

"After five years nakabalik na rin kayo," napangiti ako when I saw Ashmiya and Calyx on her side carrying their Ashton.

"Yeah. Ashton really looks like Calyx," I commented while looking at the five year old birthday boy.

"Gwapo diba?" Sabi ng daddy ni Ashton.

I smirked before nodding my head. Hindi maipagkakaila na gwapo nga ang batang 'to lalo na siguro when he is grown up.

All of their friends are here, Layner with his wife Shailyn together with their twins, Hans with his family too--I've known him because he is a great friend of Ashmiya, Myka Salcedo with his husband and their child, Pier with his girlfriend slash my cousin, Farrah. Daphne of course with her photographer boyfriend, Kevin. Paris with her husband, Jack who is busy playing with their newborn baby--Theodore. Misaki with my bestfriend Luke. And Nathan's buddies, Thomas and Duke.

Wait. Where is that guy? Wala siya dito?

"Franco cannot come, nasa business trip siya since yesterday." Thomas said.

Napatango naman ako and I continued eating my steak. All of them are talking to each other, catching up for the times they have  been apart.

"Thanks for coming, Natasha and Nathan. I know you guys just came back from England but still pumunta pa rin kayo dito. Thanks again," Ashmiya hugs me and I hug her back.

"No worries. We also want to see Ashton that's why we are here atsaka to catch up with you guys too," Nathan said while smiling.

"Salamat talaga pare. Ingat kayo ni Natasha pag-uwi," Calyx said nang maihatid na nila kami sa may labas ng bahay nila.