The Billionaire's Son

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Sage couldn't stop staring at me. Ramdam na ramdam ko ang bigat ng kaniyang mga titig sa akin. The host has to call him twice before he snapped out of this thoughts and pulled himself up. His face is a grim as he sauntered towards the stage.

Marahan akong napailing habang nakangiti. When Sage was done talking, he grabbed a glass of wine from a passing bartender. The event went on. Nang malapit na itong matapos ay nagsitayuan kaming lahat.

"Mal . . ."

I glanced at Sage and my gaze landed on his hand on my arms. Mahigpit ang kaniyang pagkakahawak sa akin.

"Yes, Mr. Monterio?" malumanay kong tanong.

He swallowed.

"What is it, Sage?" ani Leon. Hindi nito itinago ang pagka-inis sa kaniyang boses at pinanlisikan pa niya ng mata si Sage.

"Can we talk?" his voice sounded nearly broken.

I blinked. Then shrugged. "Of course," binawi ko ang aking kamay sa kaniya.

"But Mallory—"

"Relax, Leon," I placed my hands on his chest and tip-toed to give him a kiss in front of Sage. "Mr. Monterio just wants to talk to me," binalingan ko siya. Nagtiim-bagang si Sage. "Right, Sage?"

He gave me a single nod before he grabbed me away from Leon. I waved a little from him and followed Sage towards the balcony. May iilang tumatawag sa kaniyang pangalan pero hindi niya ito pinansin. Nang marating na namin ang balcony ay saka pa lamang niya binitawan ang aking kamay.

"What . . ." he started, then ran his hands through his hair in frustration. "Fuck," he cursed under his breath.

"What is it?" I prodded.

He gave me an unbelievable look. "You're really asking me that, Mal? I just saw you after a couple of years and you've . . ." pinasadahan niya ako ng tingin. "You've changed. A lot."

I scoffed. "What? Were you expecting that I'm still the same Mallory back then?" I rolled my eyes. "Sage, please."

"That's not what I mean, Mal." Anito sa matigas na boses. "And why the hell are you dating Leon?"

"Can you give me a valid reason why I can't date Leon?" paghahamon ko sa kaniya.

Sage shut his mouth. He stared at me for a long time before he hung his head low. "You got a new haircut . . ." he muttered.

My hands unconsciously went to my straight bob hair. A few months ago I dyed it with hazelnut color and turned out pretty good. "Well, yeah."

"I like your curls better, Mal."

"Too bad I don't." sagot ko naman. Sage gave me a helpless look. He looks like a lost boy who doesn't know what to do or what to say to a stranger. "Look, Sage . . ." I started. "If you really wanted to talk, why don't we have a dinner tomorrow?" nakangiti kong alok sa kaniya. His face instantly lit up. But he frowned.

"But Leon—"

"I promised, it'll be just the two of us. We have a lot to catch up, right?"

Sage stared at me, as if he's contemplating if he should accept my offer or not. After a few seconds, he nodded his head. "Okay. Okay, we'll meet tomorrow."

"Just text me the details, my dear Sage . . ." wika ko habang kinukuha ang aking iPhone sa purse. I handed it to him and showed him my number. His jaw clenched upon seeing the lock screen of my phone. It's a picture of Leon and I under a cherry blossom tree. It was the first picture we've taken together while we were in Japan. "I'm actually looking forward for grilled fish and white wine. Got any restaurants in mind?"