Sunlight Deception (Isla Series #1)

01

"Come on, Sasy."

"If I'm a pro, I'll definitely help you. But sorry ka, pareho tayong palpak diyan."

They scanned the café, as if looking for someone. When they saw me, they immediately walked to where I was sitting. Cali greeted me with a kiss on the cheek.

There were no chairs left aside from the seat beside me, so Jericho had no choice but to sit there. Umusog ako nang kaunti. Tiningnan niya ako at tinaasan ng kilay. I looked back at him and shrugged.

May lumapit na waiter sa table namin. "Good morning. Can I take your order?"

"I'll have my usual. The french toast and mango shake. Thank you po," magalang na sabi ni Cali habang inaayos ang camera niya sa taas ng lamesa. She's a vlogger.

"I'll have the same, please." Narinig kong sagot ni Echo.

"Gaya-gaya," I whispered to myself pero narinig niya pala. He turned his head to me at tinaasan ako ulit ng kilay. Hindi ako nagpatalo. I raised my brow too. I took my cup of tea and sipped on it. It wasn't that hot since kanina pa ito.

The waiter looked at Sasy who had a hand on her chin. "Yours, Ma'am?"

"Ikaw," wala sa sariling sabi ni Sasy. Sa gulat ko, nabitawan ko ang baso. Nalayo ko naman ito sa 'kin kaya kay Echo ito natapon.

"Fuck," he hissed.

"Oh my god! Sorry!" I was panicking. Agad-agad akong kumuha ng tissue sa lamesa. I moved a bit closer to him para mas maabot ko ang katawan niya. I wiped his arm and leg na natapunan. He looked stunned at my sudden move pero pinagpatuloy ko ito.

I was aggresively wiping his body. I was too focused, but after a few more dabs of tissue on his body, I noticed that our table was silent. Nag-angat ako ng tingin at nakitang nakatutok sa amin 'yung camera ni Cali. Pinipigilan niya ang tawa niya, ang katabi niya ay nakaawang ang labi.

I flinched a bit before looking at Echo when I felt him hold my hand. Hindi ko napansin na nakapatong na pala iyon sa bandang tiyan niya. Nagkatitigan kami at doon ko lang napansin ang hazel brown niyang mga mata. He gave me a small smile, and I noticed the dimple on his left cheek.

"Ako na," he whispered in my ear. I stared at him for a while.

He had brown curly hair, thick brows and lashes, reddish lips that looked so kissable. Girls would probably feel insecure pag nakita nila si Echo. He was tall and tan, and his body had muscles in the right places. I just noticed now that he had a dimple sa left cheek niya na nakikita kapag ngumiti. Matagal na ba iyon?

"Ako na," ulit niya. I gave him the tissue at bumalik na sa ayos ko kanina. Tumikhim ako at umiwas ng tingin noong na-realize ang ginawa ko.

Gosh, Ariesse! Nakakahiya ka... But was I checking him out? If yes, bakit?!

"Order mo raw, Sas."

"Ay, oo. Tuna sandwich and iced americano na lang," nahihiyang sabi ni Sasy. Umirap ako. Iyan kasi, lahat na lang binabanatan! Nadamay pa tuloy ako! Umalis na agad ang waiter pagkatapos makuha ang order nila.

I was busy admiring the waves and some people surfing from afar. Some were chilling by the beach and taking pictures. Malapit na atang mag low tide.

I looked at Sasy when I realized something. "Where's Raya?"

"Shoot. Alam mo naman 'yon," Sasy answered and shrugged, typing on her phone. She suddenly looked at me and smirked. I stared back at her until hindi ko na nakayanan. Ang awkward!

"Unsa man? You're creeping me out," I told her.

"Wala lang," she replied while playing with her necklace.