ELC11
"Iyan po yung sasabihin ko dapat sa inyo." Ate Glen awkwardly said after we witness how they kissed.
I snickered. I saw how Six's eyes darted on me but my eyes went on the girl who's clinging on his arms. I rolled my eyes on him and went past them. Pagbuhulin ko sila eh!
"Ay jusko kang bata ka!" Ate Lucy shouted in surprised when I dropped the glass I was holding strongly on the kitchen counter after I chugged a full glass of water, creating a loud sound. I glared on the glass and held it tightly, pretending it was that leech bitch.
"Gusto mo ba?" she offered me a plate to me after she recovered from the shock I caused her. "Nakakita ako ng pasta dyan sa pantry kaya naggawa na lang ako ng spaghetti." she happily told me.
I sat quietly on the chair and she put a plate of spaghetti in front of me. My eyes stared at it for a while but my forehead creased when it was pulled back from where it was put.
Tumaas ang tingin ko.
"Pwede mo namang sabihin kung ayaw mo kumain, hija..."
Ate Lucy is still smiling in front of me with her curious eyes. I blinked and shook my head. I pulled the plate again.
"Kakain po ako."
"Ayos ka lang?"
My eyes glared at the spaghetti, remembering how the color of the food in front of me is close to what that leech's red dress. I stabbed the plate using the fork that I was holding. I rolled the fork and watch how the pasta became twisted on the fork like what I wanna do on someone right now.
"Mukhang ayaw mo naman..."
"Anong meron?" I heard Ate Glen's voice but I didn't remove my eyes on the spaghetti.
"Eh, etong si Reese mukhang may matinding galit sa spaghetti." sagot ni Ate Lucy.
"Naku, kaninang umaga pa sinasapian iyan. Kanina nga daw, kaya pala din natin mahanap nasa kwadra pala."
"Anong ginagawa doon?"
"Nagpapaligo ng kabayo."
I let go of the fork harshly, stomped my feet, and put my chin on the top of my palm. They both looked at me, shocked.
"Masama na talaga..."
"May albularyo doon sa bayan. Sa tingin mo?"
What's albularyo anyway? I watched them whispering to each other even if I can hear what they are saying. I am just waiting for them to finish their discussion so I could ask about that bitch that I intend to throw in the other planet.
The memory of their kisses flashed before my memories. My face turned sourer. I can feel an unexplainable tug inside my chest.
Who's the girl? And why did she kissed Six? But wait... I look at the two elder women who are still very engrossed in their conversation. Ate Glen is here? Then that means... who's left with Six?!
"Ate Glen!" I shouted.
She jumped out of surprise.
"O-oh?"
"Iniwan mo si Six?" I asked with irritation.
Her forehead creased. She stepped closer to me and she pulled the chair in front of me.
"Nandon pa nga lang tayo nagtutukaan na yung dalawa. Reese, wala akong balak maging audience ng kung ano mang gagawin nila."
My lips parted as some ideas crossed my mind as I listened to what Ate Glen said. The kissed that they shared with each other, getting more intimate and wild just like how it goes to the movies, touching each other.... their kisses versus our kisses.
I automatically groaned when I felt pain in my forehead. I saw Ate Glen's finger who just flicked my forehead.
"Ate!"
"Sir! Senyorito! Anong Six ka dyan! Sabi ko sayo galangin mo diba!"
Hinawakan ko agad ang aking noo at hinaplos sa kung saan ako pinitik ni Ate Glen. I pouted at her.
"Sainyo lang naman eh..." I said while massaging my head. "Sino ba 'yon, Ate?"
"Selos ka?"
I was taken aback. I cleared my throat and shifted my eyes. Am I jealous? No way! I'm irritated! I'm seething! I'm getting annoyed with just the presence of that bitch! I'm hating Six!
"Hindi no! Sino ba siya para pagselosan ko? Tsaka bakit ako magseselos?" I laughed sarcastically and rolled my eyes.
Ate Lucy walked towards us and sat beside Ate Glen. Great! Now I'm getting put in a hot seat!
"May gusto ka ba sa Senyorito, 'nak?"
My heart skipped a beat for two reasons. Because Ate Lucy calling me 'anak' felt like I was really her family and second because that is a question I never even dare to bring up in my mind. I mean, yes, I admit that I am attracted to Six. I even said to myself that he's my crush but liking him... it felt deeper than that of what I thought before.
I chuckled.
"Ano po bang sinasabi nyo..." I said even if my heart is beating so loud like it was screaming for something different from my answer.
No! How could that be possible? Higit isang buwan ko pa lang siyang kilala!
"Reese, hindi naman sa pinapangunahan kita pero mahirap gustuhin si Sir. Bata pa lang 'yon nagsisilbi na kami sa pamilyang 'to at ni isa, wala pa kaming nakilalang nakapagpalambot doon. Tsaka alam mo naman diba? Kumpara saatin, langit ang Senyorito." Ate Lucy said while Ate Glen remained silent beside her but I saw how she gave me a small nod.
Langit? If the Andradas are the sky, then what are we? The outerspace?
I am a Legrand.
Pinigilan ko ang sarili kong ilabas iyon.
"Yung babae, si Ma'am Felize yon. Anak ng best friend ng Senyora kaya botong-boto talaga halos buong pamilya sa kanilang dalawa. Isa pa, kababata iyon ni Sir."
"Kaya mas bagay sila?" my eyebrows cannot help to shot up.
I can't even believe I'm having this kind of conversation with them! The least thing of my concern is what that bitch has! Naiiinis pa rin ako sa kanya!
"Parang ganon na nga..." Ate Glen said.
I think my eyebrow reached the sky. How was that? Abot ko na ba si Six kung ganon?
Bagay huh? Compared to anyone, I think I got most of the characteristics parents would want their children to marry especially those who want to secure a big catch on their net. Girls are dying for my brothers' attention. Almost everyone wants to be a part of our family. Unfortunately... stepping on this new life means leaving everything Kill Legrand has and live with nothing as Reese.
"Sila po ba?"
My heart felt heavier while I was waiting for a reply. I was somehow offended that they thought I'm nothing compared to that Felize. But what can I do? This is how they knew me.
Walang nakasagot sa kanila dalawa. I smirked and stood up. I guess I won't need to hear an answer. And so what if they are, anyway? I was just really having fun with Six. Di ko naman siya gusto... hindi pa naman siguro ako nakakarating doon.
"Excuse me!"
My feet automatically stopped. I gritted my teeth. Damn it! I should have not walked out! I turned on my side so I could face them. That's the only time I got to stare on the bitch because I didn't catch a full glance of her face a while ago since the first thing she did was to smooch Six's lips.
Anger burned into me again.
They are both sitting at the couch in the receiving area. Tamad na nakaupo si Six sa pang-isahan. His cold and bored eyes are looking at me like he was examining my soul. I didn't make my eyes stay long on him. I shifted on the girl in a tiny red dress.
Her hair is blonde, obviously, it's dyed. She's fair and skinny. I guess that's her definition of sexy. She looks like a walking bone. She's looking good with make-up only that the choice of her lipstick is not that complimentary with her outfit. And oh... she got a big designer bag beside her. Maganda... mukhang mas madami pang telang nagamit kaysa sa damit na suot niya.
"Can you bring us snacks? Gosh! Isn't it a protocol that you have to serve food at your visitors?"
My face turned sour because of the sound of her voice. It's too high-pitched!
"Oh? You can't understand me?"
I heard Six's sigh. "Ree－"
"Ang bilis mo ngang nakatakbo kanina eh tapos ngayon nahihirapan kang maglakad papuntang kusina?" I sarcastically whispered to myself.
"What is she saying?" she turned to Six. "I didn't know that you have a weird maid here. She looks incompetent."
I saw Anne coming unto our direction. She greeted them and when she went closer to me, I pulled her.
"Huy bakit!" I held both of her shoulders to make her face the two eyesores in front of me before I started walking again.
"Where are you going?"
I pretended that I didn't hear Six. I continued walking out of the mansion before I slap a bitch and punch a jerk. I'm so annoyed!
Ugh! I hate you, Sinjin Xylus!
"I just went here to give you that invitation but I realized I missed being here! I wanna stay for some days. Do you mind?" she asked slowly putting her fork on her mouth. I rolled my eyes when I saw how her tongue played around it while looking at Six.
I gripped on the glass pitcher tighter and held it up again when I saw that Six's glass is already filled. I walked towards Felize's side to fill her glass. My forehead creased when I thought someone's piercing my skin and I wasn't wrong. I can't understand why it feels like I'm getting burned by Six's ice-cold stare.
Kanina pa siya ha! I rolled my eyes on him and put my eyes back on the glass I was filling.
"Six? Okay lang diba! I miss going around here! You can accompany me! Tapos sabay na rin tayong bumalik sa Manila after two days for my mom's party. Isn't it a nice plan?"
Tumalikod na ako noong natapos ang dapat kong gawin.
"I'm afraid I'm too busy to accompany you." rinig kong sagot ng kanyang malamig na boses bago ako makalabas ng dining room. "But you can stay."
Am I done for today? I wanna go out of this place now!
She can stay huh, Six? Oh, right. C'mon, Kill! No matter how different Six is from almost all the guys and no matter how cold his personality is, he is still a man with needs! Remember how he just kissed you harshly and without pretense? He's no different! He's also a sex-starved bastard like everyone else!
What? Where will she sleep? In his room?
"Bad mood?" Dandi asked when I entered the dirty kitchen.
Kakadating niya lang kanina dito pagkatapos ng huli niyang klase. She wanna go home with Ate Lucy that's why she proceed here instead of going home.
Bad mood? No! I'm way past that! I just can't accept that all the kilig that I felt before is all for nothing! I sat in front of her and put my chin in my palm while my elbow is resting on the table.
"Reese, alam mo may event sa school namin next week. Pwede outsiders... ahm, in case lang, gusto mo ba pumunta?"
The line my eyebrows are forming and the crease my forehead has immediately vanished when I heard her say that. Dali-dali kong inayos ang ulo ko. My heart started beating so fast because of excitement. Everything that's keeping me irritated suddenly became washed out.
If only I could see myself in the mirror, I know my eyes would look twinkling in delight! School! Oh my god! I always dreamed to step on a school ground!
"Yes! Yes! Pwede ba talaga?"
Dandi chuckled. "Oo, foundation week kasi next week. Naisip ko lang tanungin ka kasi parang magugustuhan mo."
My heart clenched warmly as I look at her. It was melting me to hear that she thought of me for the event. I stood up and went to her side to give her shoulder a hug from behind.
"Thank you, Dandi! Punta tayo! Sama ako!"
She's so good! I am very happy that fate took me to meet her and her mom. They are like my second family...
"Oh? Bat kayo nagyayakapan dyan?" nakangiting tanong ni Ate Lucy noong pumasok siya kahit ako lang naman ang nakayakap at tumatawa lang si Dandi habang nakahawak sa braso ko.
"Ate! Sasama ako daw ni Dandi sa school niya!" I happily said. I let go of Dandi to go to Ate Lucy's side.
"Ay oo, masaya nga doon sa eskwela niya kapag may events. Teka... ni hindi ko nga naitanong ito noon. Nakapag-aral ka ba, Reese?"
She stopped at the kitchen counter. I froze and my smile vanished but I tried my best to take it back. My excitement died down and I felt a stab on my heart because I hate the fact that I have to lie every time they asked about me. They've been so good yet all I do is lie to them.
"Di po ako nakapasok sa school..." I smiled sadly.
The only thing I can do is to lessen the lies I give them. It's true that I didn't attend any physical school. I just omitted the fact that the reason why I didn't is that I am home-schooled.
I felt terrible the whole night. I wasn't able to sleep fast so I just stared at the ceiling for a long time. Like the usual nights, I prayed to God because He's the only one who I can talk all my worries and fears now without having so say a lie.
My mood didn't improve when I woke up the next. Madaling araw na ako nakatulog pero kailangan ko ding gumising ng madaling araw para samahan si Ate Lucy sa palengke. I only slept for two hours and my head hurts because of it. Plus there's a lurking leech in the mansion that fuels my inner monsters more.
"Hindi mo ba ako nakita? Are you stupid?!"
"Sorry, Ma'am－" I mistook you irrelevant. "Di kita napansin."
"Gosh! You don't even use respectful words! How can you get hired here? I'm gonna tell this to Tita!"
That sounds so whinny. Err... hindi naman siguro ako ganon? I grimaced and watch her wipe off the sauce in her body. Ate Glen asked me to deliver merienda to them in the backyard. Kakadating lang din kasi nila galing sa opisina. I sarcastically chuckled in my head when I remembered Six telling me that I'm not allowed to go back to the office again. Tapos ito pwede?
"Ni hindi mo ako tinutulungan!"
I raised my eyebrow. Why the hell would I when it's obviously stained already and there's no way it can be put back unless it will be washed? Di naman ako magician.
"Ma'am, magpalit ka na lang ng damit." I tried my best to sound less sarcastic, suggesting the most appropriate solution that she can't seem to realize because she's too busy doing a nonsense remedy.
"I'm going to tell this to Six!" she said, glaring at me and walking out.
I boredly stared at her angry steps, determined to complain at Six.
"Sure..." I whispered and looked down on the poor carbonara on the floor. Great! More jobs to do for me!
What a day!
"Huy, pumunta ka na sa kwarto nyo at magpahinga. Ako nang bahala dito." Ate Lucy nudged my arm when I was slopping down the chair with my eyes nearly closing. I'm so sleepy! I blinked repeatedly and stretched my neck to keep myself awake.
"Baka may iutos pa si Ate Glen..."
"Andyan naman yung iba. Lakad na." pagtataboy niya saakin.
I pouted but I still stood up. I really wanna go now that's why I can't complain!
"Goodnight, Ate." paalam ko bago ako lumabas ng dirty kitchen.
I was a little disoriented because the quiet sound of the mansion is lulling me. The sound of crickets entered my ears when I'm nearly out of the main house. My eyes manage to stop the maid's quarter already.
Finally!
I doubled my speed as I stepped out of the house but I nearly shouted when I felt someone grip on my wrist and cover my mouth to stop me from shouting. I struggled against his strong hold even if I know who he was. Of course, there's only one person who can give me this electrifying sparks. My drowsiness pulled back and I was again, wide awake.
He pinned me into the wall and caged me using his both arms. Madilim ang buong paligid. Ni isang wall light ay walang nakabukas sa parte kung nasaan kami. Did he plan this?
"Ano ba?" I irritatingly asked.
His face is too close to me. I am once again burning in heat because of our closeness. The only thing that helps me see him against the pure darkness of the night is the moon.
"Brat..." he huskily said.
My forehead creased. What?
"Tinapunan mo daw ng carbonara si Felize."
I snickered and I tried to push him away but he's just so strong. So, it's about it huh? He really confronted me for it? Ridiculous!
"Accident yon! At brat? Sinong mas brat saamin kung nagsumbong pa nga siya! Papagalitan mo ba ako kaya ka nandito? Edi go－ano ba! Wag kang lumapit!"
"Nope. It was rather an excuse."
My hand stopped pushing him. I felt like I was stoned and my heart skipped a beat. What is saying? Mas lalong nagwala ang puso ko noong mas lumapit siya saakin. I gasped when I felt his breath as he goes closer to me. My hands suddenly weakened as I felt his lips tracing my chin. I felt something in my chest exploded and heat spread on my system like a wildfire.
Fuck! This man!
"Y-you can't kiss me." I tried to resist.
"Ah-huh... says who?" he asked using his low tone while putting light kisses on my cheeks.
"Hmm?"
The air I was breathing became limited. His voice is sending me chills in the spine. Before I realize it, I moved my face up and my lips parted naturally because of what I am feeling. It seems like it was the only thing he was waiting because as soon as I opened my mouth, he pulled me on him, and savaged my lips with his kisses.
Instinctively, I held on him and kissed him back.