French Kiss in Paris

Chapter 16

She chuckles. "Oh no, please don't feel sorry. I understand and I can speak English as well, kinda."

"You perfectly can speak English, I like your accent though, it's cute,"

"Oh, merci, Cosette, I really appreciate it. I haven't seen Cashel for a long time and this surprises me a lot. How long have you guys been in a relationship?"

"Uh..." I hesitated. Hind pa ako sigurado kung sasabihin ko sa kanya 'yong totoo o hindi. Pero nabanggit ko na rin naman ang tungkol roon kanina so might as well go for it. "We're on three years—Oh, non, I'm sorry, three weeks."

"So you're new," aniya at bahagya siyang tumango. She has a little notebook in her hand and I guess it is something she brings anywhere she goes? I clearly have no idea. Ine-eksamina ko lang siya and she could snatch Cashel from me. "Anyway, I just asked it 'cause Cashel's my best friend. And we haven't been talking for like years since he moves to Paris for his so-called work."

"Yes! You're so right with that, his so-called-work," tawa ko pa at natawa na rin naman siya sa akin.

Nang makarating kami sa living room, Cashel turned to see us. His eyebrows are pulled together making a vertical lines in between showing too much both curiosity and confusion on his face.

"Did you guys just became friends?" he wondered.

I hope so! I hope she's just your best friend, Cash!

"I guess, we did!" sagot naman ni Amauree sa kanya sabay tingin sa akin. Her perfect set of white teeth are incredible. It looks like she's wearing veneers like mine pero mahahalata naman kaagad kung totoo ang ngipin o hindi.

I can tell that Amauree is the perfect leading lady for everybody. If she meant to take the spotlight form me, wala na akong magagawa do'n. Ako na yata ang babaeng pinanganak na palaging nag-a-adjust kapag hindi na sang-ayon sa akin ang sitwasyon. Once I'm at the top pero bigla na lang din lulundo na parang landslide at mananatili na lang ako sa ibaba. And how I can get up again? I need it shove myself up and just like any situations I've been before, I'll take the ladder and if it breaks, puñeta, ayoko na!

"Hey Cashel, I don't think I can stay longer, I wish I could but I have my work—an actual job, Cashel," she laughed and I did too. Napakamot sa ulo si Cashel dahil may bigla kaming napagkasunduan ni Amauree patungkol sa kanya.

"Allez, Amauree," Cashel sighs then his shoulder drops.

"La prochaine fois, je vais le faire!" Hinarap naman niya ako at hinawakan ang kamay mo. "I would also love to know you. Cashel never brings any girlfriend here before so I guess, you're the first one? When will you guys be staying here?"

"Until the holiday," Cashel said. "Or maybe after work, you can join us tonight? What do you think?"

"Oooh, I'll try! Je t'enverrai un message," Amauree said. Niyakap naman niya ako at hinalikan sa magkabilang pisngi at gano'n din ang ginawa niya kay Cashel. Seeing them so close with each other, pakiramdam ko hindi ko deserve na makita silang gano'n. I know Amauree came before me at wala akong karapatan magselos, Cashel and I don't really have a label.

Assumera lang ako.

Amauree quickly stopped by to the kitchen para magpaalam sa Mother ni Cashel at kay Adie. Nang umalis na siya ay tumungo na rin kami sa kitchen kung saan hinahanda ni Tita Marielita ang blueberry pie. Binigyan niya kami ng piraso sa platito. Naupo naman ako sa stool at pinanood pa nila akong matikman iyon. They are waiting to see my reaction. Hindi ko pa man masyadong nginunguya, the blueberry explodes in my mouth and they were happy to see my eyes widening from the sweetness of the pie.