Housemates With Benefits [COMPLETE|PUBLISHED]

Oliver (34)

He hissed in derision after listening to what his older brother has to say. "You tell her, kapag natapos ang araw na ito na hindi siya dumating, kalimutan na niyang magkaibigan kami and over my dead body will I allow the two of you to get married someday. That liar!"

And he really did throw his cellphone at the nearest circular column. We both stared at the broken pieces.  After a heartbeat, mukhang natauhan siya mula sa kanyang tantrum. Naihilamos niya ang palad sa mukha, brushed his hair back with his fingers, at isinandig ang ulo sa backrest ng upuan. "That woman will be the death of me!  Jesus F. Christ!" 

Natatawang naiiling na lang ako.  Only one person can destroy Dmitri's cool.  Her name is Natalya.  Ang future sister-in-law nito.

"Manonood siya mamaya?"

"She'd better be," matigas nitong pahayag.  So tono niya, if I were Natalya, I would make sure to be there.  I think Dmitri will commit bloody murder if she did not come.

May lumapit na staff ng hotel para linisin ang mga nagkapira-pirasong parte ng telepono ni Dmitri.  Inaabot pa nito sa kanya ang SIM card. Sighing heavily, tinangap naman ito ni Dmitri.  

He stared at the SIM card on his hand.  "I need a new phone, man."  

"Ask your butler for one."

"Compliments of the Adriatico?"  Nakangisi na itong tumingin sa akin.

"Sure.  As long as you owe me a favor in the end."  Tumawa lang ito sa tinuran ko.

"Ang housemate mo?  Will she be standing at the bleachers later?," pag-iiba nito ng topic. 

Kumibit-balikat lang ako na ikinakunot-noo niya.  "What does that even mean?  Will she be there or not?"

Napabuntong-hininga ako at nag-iwas ng tingin.  "She's not coming."

"Huh?  Why?," buong pagtataka nitong usisa.  "You got field level seat tickets for her, right?  Sa kanya mo binigay ang mga hiningi mo kay Coach, 'di ba?"

Tumango ako.  As soon as nasigurado naming makakapunta kami sa finals, I secured the seats for Sabrina.

"So, ano ang problema?"

I mumbled my response at hindi niya iyon narinig.  "What again?  I can't understand you."

Muli akong bumuntong-hininga.  "Ang sabi ko, hindi ko siya naimbeta ng maayos."

Kumurap-kurap si Dmitri sa pagkakatitig sa akin bago humalakhak.  Napalingon tuloy sa amin ang ilang mga guests na nakaupo din sa Lobby Lounge a few tables from us.

"God, San Martin.  You're an ass."

"Tell me about it," nanlulumo kong sagot.  I am really an ass.  Na-realized ko din ito noong nagda-drive na ako palayo sa apartment.

"I can't believe that a manwhore like you can't even invite the girl of his dreams to come and watch your game.  What's wrong with you?"

"And you're so great?," asik ko din sa kanya.  He is getting on my nerves.  "Lusting after your future sister-in-law?  At least mine is free for the taking."

Dmitri smiled dangerously.  "Natalya will become part of the family, that I promise you.  Pero hindi bilang hipag ko.  Eh, 'yang si Sabrina?  Hanggang kailan siya sa'yo?  Being fuck buddies can only get you so far."

I was saved from responding nang muling lumapit ang butler ko.  "Sir," nakangiti at magalang niyang sabi sa akin. Magalang niya ring tinanguan at nginitian si Dmitri.  "Nakahanda na po ang kuwarto ninyo."  

I stood up from my seat and started after the butler nang may pinahabol pa ang captain ng soccer team namin.  "Grow a spine, San Martin."

I gave him the finger for his efforts and his guffaws followed me all through out the lobby.  Binalingan ko naman ang aking katabi. "Thank you, Edgar. I'll stay here just for tonight. I will not need much during this stay. Are my parents going to be staying here tonight?"