Chapter 49: The Invitation
Victoria Abbel's Point of View
Trevor wasn't joking when he told me he will change my tires. He did it quietly and here I am standing behind to assist him. Hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala sa nakikita ko. The timid and frail Trevor can actually change tires. That was so unexpected. I thought all he can do is sing and play instruments. Silly me. There is really a lot to know about Trevor.
"You and Nigel, huh?" Trevor peeked at me.
"I told you, it's purely coincidence. Nakita niya lang ako na inaayos ang gulong ng aking kotse. And then he started helping me despite my refusal." I tried explaining the situation. I thought he was gonna give this topic up.
"You should have called me. I'm just thirty minutes away." He sounded a little hurt or that is how I assume it was. Napansin ko ang pagkapula ng kanyang tenga pababa ng kanyang leeg. Is Trevor actually jealous but so shy to show it?
"How could I call you? I'm avoiding you, duh."
"Kahit na. You can avoid me all you want but when you need help, you should contact me for help. I'm your boyfriend, let me remind you of that. I can help you with everything."
"Calm down, Trev. I know you can help in every way possible. Your manager hates me, I can feel it. And it seems like he knows me." When I said that, I piqued his curiosity. Nigel made it clear to me that he doesn't dislike me, I felt like he was lying.
"But the first time you saw him was at the party." Nagtataka na tanong nito.
"Yes, but he's giving me a weird vibe. And I'm telling you it was not a good one." Trevor kept quiet for a moment. As if he's thinking about it. Bigla na lang may pumasok na ideya sa isipan ko.
"OMG! Don't tell me he's jealous of me because I'm your girlfriend?" I mean, this is possible! Hindi na ako magugulat kung may magkakagusto sa kanya regardless of the gender. My boyfriend is hot and handsome and he's mine. I have this claim on Trevor. I am proud of him.
"He's straight."
"Then that possibility is crossed out in the list," I said and mentally cross it out.
"I don't want to talk about him anymore." He groaned. I nodded my head in agreement.
"Good. I don't want to talk about him either and spoil the fun." I tried pushing Nigel at the back of my head. I've known him for a short period of time, maybe there's more about him.
Naagaw ang atensiyon ko nang magsimulang mag vibrate ang phone ko sa aking sling bag. I hurriedly check my phone and it was my dad.
"Dad's already waiting me to come home." Nasabi ko nang malakas habang tumitingin sa phone ko ngayon. He's worried because it's already late.
"Want me to come? Your tire is done." Napataas ang kilay ko nang sinabi niya ito na parang hindi ito big deal sa kanya. Tiningnan ko rin ang pagtayo niya at pagaayos ng mga equipments sa loob ng aking kotse.
"Huh? Tinatanong mo ako kung pwede kang sumama sa akin? Are we ready for that?"
"Ready for what? Your dad knew about us dating. It's time to formally meet him as your boyfriend." Nakapamewang na ako habang sinusundan ko siya ng tingin sa ginagawa niya.
"Eh? At kelan pa kayo naging close?"
"Right from the start, princess." He turned to me and grin.
"So you've been contacting dad about us?" I frowned at Trevor. Is he for real? I saw him nod a little.
"Not constantly. Occasionally, yes. Where's your car keys?" Puno nang pagaalinlangan kong ibiniyay sa kanya ang susi ng aking kotse.
"I thought we both decided to stay our relationship secret for now?" I said when I entered the passenger seat and put my seat belt on. And when he positioned himself inside, he answered.
"I don't remember agreeing with you. I want things private honey, not a secret."
I watched Trevor closely. There's this unreadable expression on his face.
"Ayaw mo ba akong ipakilala sa pamilya mo? Why? Do I embarrass you?" Mahinang tanong nito sa akin. Agad akong napailing sa sinabi niya.
"It's not like that. I'm just worried. With all the drama that I made. In the end, I keep running back at you." I scratch my cheeks and remember all the stupid things I've done. It also affected my family.
"It's nothing wrong with that, Tori. I'm glad that you kept on running back at me." Trevor reached for my left hand and squeeze it lightly. It's so strange. With one touch coming from Trevor, my worries magically disappeared.
"Besides, no need to keep our relationship secret. Your family already knew that we were dating."
"Not only my dad?" Napataas ang boses ko. Nakita ko naman ang pagngisi niya.
"How about my cousins? They knew?" Nakita ko ang pagtango niya.
"Did you tell them?"
"No. They're just quick to notice things. At tsaka wala na akong lakas itanggi kaya naman hinayaan ko na lang sila isipin ang gusto nilang isipin." I laughed at myself when I remembered trying to make everything a secret but in the end, they can see through me. I pinched Trevor's shoulder and stamped my foot. I don't know if being transparent is a good or a bad thing.
"Whatever you say, big shot." That's all I managed to say.
***
My parents greeted us with a warm smiles. My mother is healthier than before. She can walk now but she needed to use a cane to support her weight.
I greeted her back and kiss her cheeks.
"I'm with Trevor, Mom." Nahihiya na bulong ko sa kanya. Ngumiti naman siya sa akin pabalik at bumulong.
"Kay gwapong binata talaga ng kasintahan mo, Vee." Hindi ko maiwasang mamula ang aking pisngi dahil sa sinabi sa akin ni mom. Sabay kaming napatingin kay Trevor na ngayon ay nakikipagusap kay dad. Maybe they're talking about soccer or whatever. Trevor might be a quiet person but he easily gets along with my father. He, then suddenly glanced over where we're standing. I heard him excused himself from dad.
Trevor carefully approached us and gave my mom the bouquet of flowers he bought from the store before going here.
"How sweet of you, young man. Thanks for these fresh flowers." Mom smiled at him widely.
"Tulips reminds me of you, Mrs. Stanislaski." He added shyly.
"Just call me Tita. No need to sound so formal. Parang hindi ka naman kasintahan ng anak ko." Mom walks towards where the vase is placed and I assisted her to put all the fresh flowers on it.
"Trevor, come over here. Let's watch the final set of the game." Dad said while trying to pull Trevor out of my sight. I crossed my hands on my chest and pouted my lips.
"Dad! Para wala ka naman anak na lalaki para yayain manood ng soccer? Where's Cainn? Don't bother Trevor."
"Sinabi mo pa. Ano ba silbi nang magkaroon ng bahay kung ang mga anak ko hindi na nagsisiuwian." Dad said trying to remove the fake tears on his eyes.
"I'll watch it with you, Tito." Lumiwanag naman ang mukha ni dad sa sinabi ni Trevor. A huge grin cover his face, though he looks rather shy. Napailing na lang ako sa kanilang dalawa nang magka-akbay na naglakad papunta sa living room. Then suddenly a smile form in my lips unconsciously.
"I'm happy that you are happy, my baby." My mom said while arranging the fresh flowers on the vase.
"For the record Mom, if what I'm feeling right now is happiness then I don't want these feelings to stop." Napahinga ako nang malalim habang nakasandal sa pader. Hinihintay kong matapos si mom na ayusin ang mga bulaklak sa vase. Natutuwa rin ako sa tuwing pinagmamasdan ang mukha ng aking ina, there's so much life on it than before. I kept blaming myself for taking it away from her for the past few years. It was my dark moment and my family no longer talks about it. Afraid that I might blame myself even more and ruin my health. But I already let go of the past and focus on what I can become. As long as I have Trevor on my side.
Everyone suffers from dark moments in their life, but I recognize mine as a long-time friend. It's part of who I am and since I managed to recognize it, I can easily let go of it. I free myself from those moments with my efforts, taking full control over myself.
"Hold on to it, Vee. It's so hard to be happy these days." With a final touch on the flowers, she shifted her gaze to me. Of course, I'll keep this forever. I've been risking my whole life for this. My brothers used to tell me that I'm always making bad decisions, but making mistakes is still part of life.
"I will Mom, I will." Hinawakan ko ang kanang kamay niya at pinisil ito nang madahan. I can see the tears creeping on her eyes but she hurriedly wipe it using her free hands.
"Time comes so fast. Parang dati lang ang bata niyo pang dalawa." She commented as we walk inside the kitchen. The first time I saw Trevor seems like it's only been yesterday but in reality, it's over ten years already.
"You were badly smitten with Beatrix's youngest son. And now..." she pauses and laughs a little as if there's a funny idea in her head. I'm about to ask her what she meant about Tita Beatrix, Trevor's mom, having a youngest son. Where in fact, Trevor is an only child. Mom continued talking so I have no chance to ask. Siguro ay itatanong ko na lang ito kay Trevor mamaya.
"Ikaw talaga Victoria, mana ka sa tatay mo. Back in our times, your father is such a heartthrob. He can make everyone fall in love with him because of his easygoing personality." When mom started to talk about her early days with dad, I can't help myself but be hooked on her stories. It's so nice to hear about their dating lives before they get married and have children. At sa tuwing nagkwekwento siya ay nagkakaroon ng sigla ang kanyang mga mata. She was reliving it and I can feel that she was genuinely happy about it.
"But your dad doesn't look at other girls but me. He was so persistent that I couldn't help myself but to like him back." I laugh a little and started eating the grapes on the rack.
"You must be very beautiful mom that dad became head over heels for you." She chuckled from my statement.
"That's because Stanislaski's only love one person in their life, Vee. And I'm really happy that you finally found someone who you want to be together with." Napatigil ako sa sinabi ni mom at napaisip. Kahit ang ubas na ilalagay ko na sana sa aking bibig ay napatigil na rin.
"Hey ladies, what are you two talking about?" Biglang pumasok si dad at kasunod naman nito si Trevor. Biglang nagtama ang paningin naming dalawa. Is it true that Stanislaski only love one person in their life? In my case, is it Trevor?
"Nothing darling, just telling Victoria about our early days." Hindi ko na pinansin ang usapan ng aking mga magulang at matiim na napatingin kay Trevor.
Trevor walks towards me. I love the way how he advances toward me, it seems like he's going somewhere important. Trevor and I come a long way, I no longer have to go to him because he's now coming to me.
He then suddenly put the grapes that I'm about to eat in my mouth.
"Hey," he said to me, pushing the strands of my hair at the back of my ears. The mere touching of our skin sends a shiver down my spine.
"Did Dad tire you out?"
"He talks a lot. Just like you." Napahawak si Trevor sa kaniyang batok at napakamot.
"Parang sinasabi mo na nagmana ako sa tatay ko?" Pabiro kong hinampas ang kamay ko sa kanyang dibdib ngunit agad niyang nahuli ang kamay ko.
"Kanino pa ba?" He muttered while suppressing his laughter, yet he didn't let go of my hands.
"Set the table so we can eat now, shall we?" Naagaw ni dad ang atensiyon ko.
"What's our food for today dad?"
"Your favorite. Seafoods." My smile widened when I heard about our meal.
"Yey! We should really prepare real quick. Come on, Trev." I said and started to put the plates that we will be needing.
When the four of us finished our meal, Trevor and I decided to stay in my room before he go. Uuwi ang mga kapatid ko mamayang gabi habang si Trevor naman ay aalis dahil pupunta pa ito sa studio nila. We stayed in my room for like four hours already and all we did is cuddling with each other and play video games.
"I don't want you to go," napasimangot na sabi ko at yumakap sa kanyang likod. Ang dalawa paa ko naman ay nakalagay sa kanyang bewang. He's sitting on the corner of my bed and preparing to go.
"I don't want to go, too. But I have to." Mas lalo lang ako napasimangot sa sinabi niya. Pinapawesto niya ako sa kanyang harapan at ngayon ay naka upo na ako sa kanyang lap. I encircled my arms to his neck and my feet on his waist. He's holding my waistline to support my weight.
"I know because of your work. I'm also just a little worried. Dahil sa nature ng trabaho mo marami kang makakasalamuha na tayo. And you're good-looking, everyone wants to be with you." He slowly put his finger on my lips and make a quiet shh sound.
"Wala ka dapat ipagalala, Tori. I belong to you now." He leaned over me and kissed me full on my lips. His tongue stroked into my mouth like he wants to claim me whole. Weakness shoots my whole system when I felt him sucking my lower lips. Mabuti na lang at nakaupo ako sa kanyang lap dahil kung hindi ay kusang bibigay ang mga paa ko dahil sa paraan ng kanyang mga halik. His kisses are sweet, not aggressive but not soft either. There's this intensity that I want to taste forever. What we're doing is much more than meeting two lips together. This is what real kisses are. To keep myself from melting, I tightly wrap my arms around his neck.
Dahil lunod na lunod na ako sa mga halik niya ay hindi ko namalayan na napapahiga na ako sa kama habang siya naman ay nakapatong sa akin. He's caressing my head and the his other hand smooth up and down my back, before gripping my hips and pulling me close to him.
"Nothing can keep us apart now. I'll make sure of that." His voice is husky and his breathing is ragged.
And because of his meaningful kisses, I forgot to ask about the younger brother that Mom was talking from earlier.
***
Hi! Few chapters left. Thank you for reaching Chapter 49. Seeu all sa epilogue.