Seducing Mr. Irresistible

Chapter 8

"That's a strong word to use to describe what I had on," sabi niya sa malamig na boses na ikinataas nang bahagya ng kilay ng babae.

"I just said you know how men are. Jacob told me that you can be rebellious. So if you are doing this to prove a point, please stop. Your brother is Jacob's best friend. Gago siya minsan, aaminin ko but their friendship is more important than his passing fancy. Save yourself from being hurt too. You are still under legal age so don't put yourself and Jacob in trouble. Uulitin ko, hindi mo ako kaaway," malumanay na sabi nito. May tipid pang ngiti sa labi nito.

She didn't smile back. Karibal pa rin ang tingin nito sa kanya but she should be thankful too. Because of her, maiiwasan na niyang makasama si Jacob na sila lang dalawa.

"Please do stay. Para naman mabantayan mo ang boyfriend mo and so you can discover that I don't have the intention of seducing him. I am not into older men and honestly, he is not my type. Excuse me. May gagawin pa ako," sabi niya bago tumalikod.

***

Hindi siya kailanman na-excite sa pasukan. But she is now. Tomorrow would be her first day and she felt happy that even for a few hours, makalalabas siya sa condo ni Jacob. She will be free. Maswerte siya that in the past few days, mukhang busy ito sa girlfriend nito at sa trabaho dahil hindi na niya kinailangang iwasan ito. Malamang gabing-gabi na itong umuwi at maagang-maagang umaalis kaya hindi sila nagkikita. Hindi rin niya nakita si Nicolette pero ayaw naman niyang tanungin sina Manang Pacita at Jezelle tungkol dito.

Her happiness was short-lived dahil pagbaba niya for lunch after siyang tawagin ni Jezelle, she realized na kasabay niyang kakain ang dalawa. Nakaupo na ang mga ito sa lamesa at mukhang hinihintay talaga siya. Seryoso ang mukha ni Nicolette and Jacob was thin-lipped as he looked at her. She didn't expect to see them today so she put on a black tank top na tinernuhan niya ng dark gray cotton shorts. Hindi niya maintindihan ang sarili dahil parang gusto na naman niyang ilabas ang katarayan niya. Kung tingnan na naman kasi siya nito kahit nasa tabi lang nito ang nobya, parang napakalaking krimen na ang ginawa niya.

"Do you want me to change?" tanong niya na nakataas nang bahagya ang isang kilay.

"Ma'am, paki-check po kung okay na 'yong roasted chicken," sabi ni Jezelle na biglang sumulpot mula sa kusina kay Nicolette.

Tumango naman ang huli but she touched Jacob's arm. Lumingon naman ito and the two had an eye contact for a second or two. Gusto niyang itaas pa lalo ang kilay.

Under yata si DFB?

Obviously, his woman was giving him a warning look. Tumayo na si Nicolette matapos siyang tapunan din ng tingin. Blangko ang expression nito.

"I won't be long," sabi lang nito bago sumunod kay Jezelle.

"Sit down!" utos sa kanya ni Jacob sa malamig na boses.

Poker-faced, she did sit down. She sat straight without looking at him. Sa tapat ng upuan ni Nicolette siya pumwesto.

"You just showed me that I can't really trust you. I expect you to abide by my rules even when I am not around!" he said through clenched teeth.

She turned her eyes to him but she didn't say anything. Mas maganda nang manahimik na lang siya dahil hindi pa rin naman siya mananalo rito. She said a silent thank you when Nicolette came back.

"It's ready. Pinapalagay ko na lang sa platter. We can start with the salad," sabi nito.

Gusto niyang matawa. She didn't trust Jacob kaya nagmamadali itong bumalik sa lamesa. She was not worried that Nicolette will ask her later about her provocative clothes though. She will just tell her the truth na hindi naman niya alam na makakasabay niyang kumain ang mga ito ngayon. Wish niya na matunawan siya after this meal.