Control The Game (COMPLETED)

Chapter 37

#CTG37 Chapter 37

"Ano 'to?"

"Cupcake."

Iñigo arched his brow. "Obviously," he answered. He was silently working in his cubicle when I gave in and handed him the cupcake that I bought during lunch time. It was bothering me that he wasn't talking to me. I wasn't judging him for his work—I was looking out for him. I just didn't want him saying yes to things just because he thought they were shiny.

"Stop being mad at me."

"Hindi ako galit sa 'yo."

"Also, stop lying," I said. "Let's just not talk about work, okay? Hindi na ako magsasalita ng kahit na ano tungkol sa trabaho mo."

Between the two of us, I still believed that I was right... But that didn't matter anymore. I just wanted us to talk again.

"Okay," he said, a small smile appearing on his face. "May party mamaya. Gusto mo akong samahan?"

I pursed my lips. I wasn't a big fan of going to parties because going to parties means talking to people... And I wasn't much of a talker. But I missed Iñigo. Hindi niya talaga ako kinausap ng ilang araw.

"Okay," I replied. "Pero wala akong isusuot," I continued. All my dresses were left at home. Puro pangpasok sa school at trabaho lang ang meron ako sa condo.

"Bili na lang tayo after work."

"Okay..." sagot ko. I really didn't want to spend money on dress, but I had no choice. Wala si Rory dito para pahiramin ako ng damit. And I really wanted to spend this day with Iñigo.

The rest of the afternoon, I was focused on working. I even requested a different cubicle para naman hindi ko nakikita si Iñigo tuwing kausap niya iyong mga senior lawyers o kapag may kausap siya sa conference room. It was working, so far.

When afternoon came, dumiretso kami ni Iñigo sa mall. We were only walking side by side, but I really missed him although I couldn't find the strength to tell him that. I wanted to hold his hand, but I couldn't find the guts to do that.

"Okay na?" tanong niya nang naka-ngiti nang bigla niyang kabigin ang kamay ko at hawakan. Kanina niya pa napapansin na sinusubukan kong banggain ng kamay ko iyong kamay niya. I pursed my lips and nodded. I fought off a smile. I liked being like this. I was happy I lowered my pride and took the first step.

Iñigo told me that it was a formal party courtesy of his frat.

"Ayaw mo 'dun?" he asked, pointing at a high-end boutique.

I shook my head. "Department store na lang."

"Dun na lang. Ako magbabayad," he insisted.

"No, may pera naman ako," sagot ko. Malaki naman iyong kinikita ko sa trabaho. I liked that I could still rest after work. But I was already looking for other job opportunities. I decided that I should work elsewhere para hindi kami magbanggaan ni Iñigo. I couldn't help the look on my face. Baka kung ano ang maging reaction ko kapag may nakita na naman ako sa office.

"Please?" he asked. "Sabi ko sa sarili ko ililibre kita kapag nagka-pera ako, e..."

I drew a deep breath and nodded. Baka pag-awayan pa namin 'to.

We went inside this store and Iñigo watched as I tried different dresses. I avoided looking at the price tag and just let Iñigo have his way. Pagkatapos nun ay binili niya naman ako ng stilettos. He got himself a tuxedo. Ang dami niyang pera ngayon.

"Wow..." he said, his mouth parted as he saw me walk dressed in the gown that he bought me. It was a black halter floor length dress. I only wore red lipstick.