There's no sense in denying how happy I feel after Tres promised not to take Camille to the wedding. We met Ansel and Harper. The four of us had lunch together in an exclusive restaurant of the couple's choice. The food was great.
"Everything's actually set." Harper told us. "Alam niyo namang matagal ng handa lahat-lahat. So Ansel and I were planning to spend a week or at least a few days together before the wedding."
"We'd love to be there." Tres answered but is not looking at any of us. He's been glued to his phone right after he cleared his plate. It began annoying me honestly.
"Are you okay?" Harper mouthed after holding my hand. Tumango ako't ngumiti kahit alam ko sa loob-loob ko na hindi naman ako okay. "Anyway, someone will be joining us here. Na-traffic pa." Luminga si Harper sa paligid. Sinundan ko ng tingin ang direksiyong pinipupukolan ng mata niya. "Nandito na pala e."
What? Wait. The guy approached us. He gave Harper a quick hug while he tapped Ansel on the shoulder.
"Hi Maddy." Flickr greeted which made me feel uncomfortable. However, his greeting took Tres' attention away from his phone. "It's quite a while since we last saw each other."
Looking at Tres, I saw the sharp gaze he's shooting at Flickr.
"Hey man. How are you?" Bati naman niya kay Tres.
"I remember you." He just said, not taking the hand Flickr offered for handshake.
"Anyway guys, I know it came as a shock. But honestly, it's been just about two or three months since Ansel and I met my sister. She was married to Flickr's brother. So that's how we met." Harper explained. Oo nga, naikuwento pala ni Tres sa'kin noon na may nakakabatang kapatid si Harper sa totoo niyang magulang na matagal ng hindi nakakauwi sa kanila dahil dinala ito ng asawa sa labas ng bansa. It's a small world after all.
"Bro, damsel." Tres called out his friends' attention while we all are enjoying our dessert. "Maddy and I have to go. I have to drive her to the publishing house and she'll be late if we won't head now."
What is he talking about? Why is he lying to his friends?
"It's okay bro." Sagot naman ni Ansel. Tinapik niya sa balikat ang kaibigan. Samantalang, niyakap naman ako ni Harper bago kami tuluyang lumabas ng restaurant.
"What was that?" I asked him when we got in his car.
"What was what?"
"Why did you lie to them? We don't have to leave."
"Tsk. Aminin mo nga sa'kin, you just wanna be around that guy, don't you? I remember him, Madellaine." He angrily blared at me.
"Kung sabagay, kanina mo pa naman talaga gustong umalis. We didn't feel your presence there. Puro ka cellphone. Hindi ba makapaghintay 'yang babae mo?" I had enough too. I was too annoyed at him for accusing me and that's why I just exploded. "What does she want? Hook up with you like what you did last time?"
"Don't accuse me of anything. You know that I won't do that." He outrageously huffed at me. I flinched at the odd volume of his voice.
"Whatever, Tres. Alam mo, hindi na kita maintindihan." Here is my weak self talking. I'm crying again. "Hindi ka naman ganyan eh." I fixed my eyes towards the building passing by outside the car window so I could avoid looking at him. "Whenever we're together Tres, we just ended up fighting over silly things that we never even discuss before. Either that or me crying over how stupid you made me feel."
"You know why that happens?" This time, I glanced to see his face. "You act like a nagging girlfriend."
That was a slap on my face. I am not his girlfriend, that's what he's trying to say.
"And that's annoying. You're annoying." He even added.
I stopped arguing with him because there's no sense in doing it. In the end, I will just cry over my own stupidity, blaming no one else but me. This is all my fault anyway.
"Where are you going?" He asked when I got out of his car as soon as we arrived in their house. I directly headed toward the gate. "Madellaine."
"Stop chasing me! I don't want you to keep on hurting me, Tres! I don't think I deserve that!" I cried out. Anger is stressed in my voice. "I want all of this to end. So please, just stop okay? I love you but you're making me hate you. I don't want to end up forgetting how much you mean to me. So please, give me space."
"Don't walk away from me." He ordered in his blank emotion. His fingers are wrapped firmly around my wrist.
"Why are you doing this? Why do you make me feel like you hate me?"
"Because it's the truth!" He shouted. I can feel the warm liquid racing down my cheeks after he said that. "I hate you and I don't know why!"
"Then let me go." My voice, sounding so frail, trailed off.
"I can't."
Why is he being so difficult? I cannot comprehend him. He's becoming a puzzle.
"Naiinis ako kapag nakikita kita at mas naiinis ako kapag hindi kita nakikita." He sounded vulnerable when he said that and for the first time, there's an emotion in his eyes. There was sadness and I don't know what else that is. Maybe, hatred. That's probably it.
Bakit ang gulo niya?
"You're technically just my ex. And the thought of that is hurting me. But even without the memories, I can feel how much I want you close to me, Maddy."
That is still not enough for him to keep hurting me.
"I need to go."
"Subukan mo." Galit na naman niyang saad, nananakot ang boses niya. "Subukan mong iwan ako. Sisirain ko ang buhay mo."
"Fine. Wala ka na rin namang masisira." I said, determined to free myself from the toxicity of our relationship. Oh Maddy. You're delusional. Matagal ng walang kayo at ikaw ang may kasalanan, ikaw ang nagdesisyon non para sa inyo.
Alam kong ilang araw nalang, luluwas na kami sa isla kung saan gaganapin ang kasal ni Ansel at Harper. The two invited me personally and I cannot take my yes back just because Tres is treating me this way. Bahala na. Siguro naman, sa mga susunod na araw, makakahugot na ako ng lakas. I just have to stay away from him. He's the one draining all my strength. But it just hurt so bad too. I can't let him go. I love that jerk so much.
Break lang Maddy ha? Walang sukuan. I reminded myself. To get myself occupied, I continued writing the manuscript. Somehow, writing made me forget about my broken heart. I didn't even notice the time until I yawned. Oh geez. It's already midnight and I haven't even taken my dinner. Dad called informing me earlier that he won't be home. He has to stay at the hotel for his early flight tomorrow. I think, pupuntahan niya si mommy.
"Shit!" I cursed for the first time when I saw a silhouette of Tres standing on my doorway connected to the balcony of my room. I was so astonished.
"Ano na namang ginagawa mo dito?" Wala akong pakialam kung sumisigaw ako sa kalagitnaan ng tahimik na gabi.
"What else? I want to see you Maddy." He answered like nothing happened earlier today. Why does he always act like that? Confidently, he walked in the room.
"Oh wow. Now you want to see me." I muttered sarcastically.
"Please, let's stop the screaming. I can't sleep thinking you're mad at me." That sounded so sweet and my heart automatically melted. But I can't be this soft. Tres knows well how weak I am when it comes to him and so he's using it for his advantage.
"Go home."
"I'm home." Damn. He smiled. He just used his smile on me and my knees weakened. How could the world be this unfair huh?
"Tumigil ka ah. At 'wag na 'wag kang uulit na umakyat diyan para makapunta dito sa kwarto ko. Paano kung may nangyari sa'yo?"
"Walang nangyari sa'kin."
"Why are you so annoying?" I almost cried again. Nakakainis na kasi. Tres caught me off guard when he drew closer and hugged me.
"I miss you too." Ugh. This smug.
"Please stop hurting me, Tres." I heard myself beg.
"Stop being annoying." He replied. "You're so beautiful and it's so annoying sometimes."
What does that even mean? I frowned at his statement and oh... he smiled. That just made my room glow out of sudden. Tres Palmer, what do you do to me?
"You're driving me crazy, Sydney Madellaine Zarragosa."
Huh. Well. I'm crazy about you, Tres Palmer. I decided not to voice that out or he'll smug about it in the morning.
"Can we go to sleep now?" He asked, making me blush and nervous.
"No! I mean. No as in you're not sleeping here."
He clicked his tongue and ignored me. Why am I not surprised at what he did? Sumalampa lang naman siya agad sa kama na para bang siya lang nagmamay-ari nito.
"Goodnight, Maddy." He said, closing his eyes. Oh perfect face, why are you doing this to me?
To avoid all the possibilities that can happen between the two of us, I opted to stay on my couch. Besides, it's comfortable sleeping there. I know I slept on the couch that night but when I woke up early that morning, I was already in my bed and not only that, there are muscular arms wrapped around my waist. I don't wanna be hypocrite and say that it wasn't comfortable because it sure was the most comfortable sleep I've ever had my whole life. I slowly shifted my body around to face him. His eyes are still closed. He really has a perfect face. Those brows were perfectly in shape as if trimmed everyday. His lashes are curly and long. And that pointed nose proudly highlights how attractive he looks. Perfect jawline, that's one of his assets. Well everything in him is his asset. And of course, don't forget about those lips... full roseate lips that tempts to be kissed.
"Good view for the morning, eh?" The smug arrogantly crowed. Well, my fault. I didn't make sure he's not awake when I fancy about how perfect he is. "That's why you shouldn't walk away from me again, Madellaine."
"You shouldn't let me go."I snapped back.
"I didn't. Isn't it why I'm here?"
Oh. My heart melted at how that sounded so good... so true. I can only hope he means it.
"I'll call mom. We'll have breakfast in the house."
"No. Let's get ourselves something to eat. I'll just cook for us." I retorted and seeing the smile on his face, there seemed to be no problem at all.
"Alright babe." He said, smirking and before I could anticipate what he'll do next, he kissed me. It was quick. "Thanks for giving me a good morning, beautiful."
Who wouldn't fall for someone this sweet and poetic? His voice alone makes my heart pump faster than normal.
"Smells good." Tres whispered who stood behind me, hugging me.
"I don't even know how this will turn out." I said worriedly. I know how to cook but setting his parents' cooking skill as a standard, I don't know if this breakfast will give Tres a smile on the lips after.
"Oh baby. I'm not referring to the food." I tilted my head to look at him. "I'm actually referring to you."
"Stop flirting." I told him frankly but he just chuckled at that. "Tres." Pinandilatan ko siya ng mata. Pero hindi siya nagpatinag. Humigpit ang yakap niya sa'kin at nakuha niya pa akong halikan sa leeg.
"Can I just have you for breakfast?" He whispered, sending shivers all throughout my body.
Geez. That was tempting. I almost said yes. Good thing I realized we're in the dining room.
"Stop it or..."
"Or what?" Nakangising sabad niya. "You are too innocent to punish me, Madellaine."
"Oh babe. Don't underestimate me. You called me lioness before. You don't want to see that side of me again." Nakangising sagot ko naman.
"Feisty. A feisty girlfriend sounds perfect for me." He said, smiling. "I'm hungry babe. Let's eat or let me eat you."
Panicking at his flirtation, my feet moved quickly. I placed the last plate of food I cooked on the table. When everything is set, I sat down without looking at the flirt who's still watching me. Well, I can see him smirking in my periphery. Why is he so good at annoying me?
"Chill, Maddy." He huffed and sat across me.
"Are you always that flirt?"
"I guess so." He answered with a dimpled grin.
"Moron. Now, you eat silently. Don't talk to me." I said, still avoiding his irritating gaze. The last time I checked, his last name is Palmer and not Annoying. But right now, he's the latter. He did what exactly is opposite to what I want him to do. He didn't stop until he made me look at him or talk back to him.
"If you will not talk to me, I'll talk to Cami."
Oh boy. I hate that name. With a faked fiery eyes, I drilled my fork into the poor innocent sausage.
"Don't you dare."
"Oh baby. I like it when you're jealous."
"You'll have to take that back." I challenged.
"What will you do, Maddy?"
I have no idea yet so to take time, I took a small bite of the sausage.
"I will kill both of you." I said, joking but on second thought, I wanna mean it in some way.