Love Me Too

Chapter 34

            

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Pierce is taking courage to face the woman he wishes not to see anymore. And here he is, naglalakad papalapit kay Scarlet habang hinihintay siya nito sa isang malamig at tahimik na lugar sa Antipolo. He can see her back while she folds her arm at tahimik na tinatanaw ang magandang tanawin ng nagkikislapang mga ilaw sa lungsod.

Tahimik na tumabi siya sa kinatatayuan nito at nagsindi ng sigarilyo. Scarlet felt his presence. Nilingon siya nito at ngumiti. He lied to Clarisse for not picking her up because of this.

"I feel delighted. For the first time, you choose me over your wife."

He smirked. He knows that she's only teasing him. "Whatever it is that you have to say, say it now," walang paligoy-ligoy na sabi niya.

He didn't come here because he wanted to. Pinaunlakan niya ang imbitasyon ng babae for the sake of Clarisse. Nakakita siya ng pagkakataong makarinig ng balita tungkol kay Lance.

Scarlet once again savored the beautiful night scenery of the city and smiled to herself. "Lance and I are getting engaged."

Natigilan si Pierce sa narinig. The cigarette was stuck in his mouth for a while. Matutuwa ba siya o madidismaya sa nalaman?

"Our families started talking about our marriage," she continued.

"S-So you're still together-" napapamaang na turan niya.

"He had forgiven me," tipid na sagot ni Scarlet.

"Lance must be really in love with you to forgive you that easily," ngingiti-ngiting tugon ni Pierce. "Congratulations...but why do you have to inform me about this?"

Kinakabahan siyang baka mag-uumpisa na naman ang dalaga sa pangungulit nito. Maybe she wants to hear his final words about her feelings for him.

"Because I want you to hold on to your wife thoroughly."

Napalingon siya sa kausap at nagulat sa hindi inaasahang sagot nito.

"What do you mean?" naguguluhang tanong niya.

Loneliness reflects in her eyes at tinitigan siya nito ng maigi. "Although my feelings won't agree but I need to accept that you'll never be mine...If I can't have you, then Lance has to be mine."

Napangisi si Pierce. He looked away at pinatay ang sigarilyo. Scarlet never matures. Everytime she opens her mouth, she only talks about things that are good for her. 

"Hindi mo kailangang sabihin sa akin yan. I'll hold on to her because I want to and not because you command me to do so."

"Hindi kita inuutusan. Pinapaalalahanan lang kita," madiin ngunit mahinang sagot ng babae. "Do you know that Lance has feelings for her?"