Control The Game (COMPLETED)

Chapter 25

He laughed. "Chose not to mention that one."

"My answer from before remains the same, if you must know. If you tell me you like me now, thank you pa rin ang makukuha mong sagot."

He laughed again. "Your dad really likes me. Kung gusto mo rin ako, then things would be perfect."

I shrugged, hugging my books close to my chest. "Too bad my dad doesn't get to decide on who I'd date," I said, smiling at him sarcastically.

The resto his parents chose was on the other side of the hotel. It was an awful long time to walk without talking to each other.

"How did you know Iñigo?" he asked.

"Our college is not that big, you know?"

"Right," he said, smiling as if he was utterly entertained by my response. "Was just surprised that you know him."

"Why?"

"Because the last time I heard, walang masyadong kaibigan si Iñigo sa college."

I wanted to ask more, but at the same time, I felt like it would be an invasion of Iñigo's privacy if I pried into his life... At kung may gusto man akong malaman, si Iñigo na lang mismo ang tatanungin ko.

"Here!" we heard someone say. Napa-tingin kami at nakita namin na naka-upo na sina Gracey sa gilid ng resto. They looked like they're all having fun. Napa-tingin ako kay Rhys. Kung kapatid nga niya si Gracey, then it meant na 'childhood friend' din niya si Iñigo... pero bakit ganoon ang reaksyon ni Iñigo nang makita niya kahapon na galing ako sa kwarto ni Rhys?

The parents were a delight. They were nice and very grateful na kasama ko si Rhys last week. Napansin ko rin na mabait sila kay Iñigo, but there's something I couldn't exactly point out... There's something weird about it... Something I knew I shouldn't concern myself about because I had other priorities.

"How about you, Iñigo? When will you take the BAR?"

"Next, next year, Tito."

"If you need anything, tell Gracey, okay?"

Iñigo just smiled and focused his attention on the untouched food on his plate. I did the same. The parents were nice, but I felt so out of place and I just wanted to leave... Nandito naman ang parents ni Rhys, so there's no need for me to stay.

When the dinner, ended, I excused myself para pumunta sa CR. Nagsabi si Gracey na sasama siya sa 'kin.

"Small world talaga, no?" Gracey said. Naka-tayo siya sa harap ng salamin sa CR habang pumasok ako sa cubicle. "Ikaw pala 'yung Cha na nambasted kay Rhys."

"Di ko siya binasted—"

"Yes, yes! He said he told you he liked you and you said thank you? That was hilarious! Ikaw pala 'yun! Now that I know it's you, it makes total sense," she said. I opened the door, my brow arched at her. "I mean, it makes sense na ikaw 'yung gumawa... Usually, Rhys is the one who does the thanking," she said, shrugging. "But my twin's standard is impossibly high. Ikaw lang nagustuhan nun."

I think I should feel flattered, but I just felt bad. It must've taken lots of guts para sabihin sa akin ni Rhys iyon, pero salamat lang ang sinabi ko sa kanya. Kaysa naman paasahin ko siya sa wala. Magsasayang lang kami ng oras dalawa.

"So, you're twins..." I said, diverting the topic.

"Yeah... I mean, magka-mukha naman yata kami," Gracey said, smiling. "Mukhang bati na kayo ni Iñigo, ah?"

"For Iñigo's ex, you're too... close."

She smiled. "Because before I became his 'ex,' I'm his best friend first," she said. "I hope kung magiging kayo man, you won't stop us from being friends... We're just friends, Cha. I'd always look after him."