Romancing The Vixen

03

“Dad doesn’t like them.”

Natahimik si Danielle kaya’t akala ko ay hindi na siya magsasalita pa at makaka-move on na sa topic na iyon. However, to my surprise, she spoke once again. ”Ikaw. . .”

Nag-angat ako ng tingin sa kaniya at kunot-noo siyang tiningnan. “Hmm?”

“Ikaw ba? Ayaw mo rin ba sa kanila?”

My brows drew in a straight line because of her question. “My father hates their family for a reason, Danielle. K-Kung galit si Dad, e ‘di galit din ako,” kinakabahang sabi ko bago muling uminom ng alak.

“Really? So you’re basing your decision based on your Dad’s perception about them? Paano naman kung nagbago na pala ‘yong kinakagalitan ni Tito Darius at ni Tita Monika? Paano kung mabait naman pala ‘yong mga anak at hindi masama tulad ng tatay nila? Why don’t you give yourself a chance to know them first before you think that they’re really bad? Paano kung mabuti pala sila—“

“Paano naman kung masama?” I cut Danielle’s words off. Ibinaba ko ang hawak kong inumin sa lamesa upang muling magsalin. Hindi ko alam kung naka-ilang refill na ako pero hindi naman iyon problema sa akin. Just like my mother, I was born with a high alcohol tolerance. Baka nga kahit mas marami pa ang mainom ko kay Danielle ay ako pa rin ang mag-aalaga sa kaniya.

Matapos magsalin ng inumin ay saka ako muling nag-angat ng tingin kay Danielle. “You know, hindi naman ako palalayuin ni Dad sa kanila kung mabait sila. M-Maybe. . . maybe they are capable of hurting me even though they look nice from the outside. I just want to protect myself, you know?”

Danielle groaned. “Hindi mo naman malalaman na kaya ka nilang saktan kung hindi mo pa sila nakikilala nang tuluyan,” giit niya. Gumaya siya sa akin at nagsalin din ng inumin kaya’t hindi ko maiwasang mapailing.

“Hindi ko rin malalaman kung kaya ba nila akong saktan hangga’t hindi ako nasasaktan,” I remarked in a matter of fact tone before glancing towards Kayden’s direction. Nagtatawanan sila sa kabilang table kaya’t agad din akong nag-iwas ng tingin sa gawi nila. “I want to protect myself from the pain, Danielle. Hindi ako susugal na kilalanin ang kahit na sino sa kanila kung sa huli, ako lang din naman ang masasaktan,” mapait na dagdag ko.

Danielle looked at me confusedly. Mayamaya pa ay mahina siyang tumawa at napailing dahil sa sinabi ko. “Bakit naman napakaseryoso mo yata? Kung makapagsalita ka naman, parang sinaktan ka na ng mga Destura. Sabi mo nga kanina, you and Kayden are just civil. Saka isa pa, I’m just asking, ‘no. Hindi ko naman sinabi na kilalanin mo talaga sila.”

Just like before, I didn’t speak. Baka may masabi pa ako na hindi ko maaaring sabihin.

“I just don’t want to be associated with them,” mahinang sambit ko bago muling napatingin sa kabilang table. “Not anymore.”

“Right. Remember the last time that you messed up? That’s ridiculous. I’m sure Kayden, being in relationship with someone was such a pain in the ass. I mean, I can still remember how you walked out from the meeting. Galit na galit si Tito Darius.”

Right.

“But that’s all right. Hindi mo naman kasi kasalanan na nainis ka. Biglang bumaba ang sales ng Inara dahil maraming na-intriga dahil model at anak ng mayamang businessman ang girlfriend niya. Kung ako ‘yon, baka mainis din ako. Sabi ko naman kasi sa ‘yo na humanap ka na rin ng boyfriend. Huwag kang magpapatalo roon kay Kayden,” Danielle said and let out a soft chuckle.

I swallowed the lump on my throat before sipping my drink. I unconsciously looked towards the table beside us and saw him looking towards my direction. His brows arched slightly as if he’s making sure something. Nang makilala ako ay tipid siyang ngumiti kaya’t agad akong nag-iwas ng tingin.

Peke akong umubo at nagpapanic na tumayo mula sa aking kinauupuan. Muntik pa akong mapasigaw nang matapon ang laman ng hawak kong baso ng alak. Dahil sa nangyari ay naka-agaw kami ni Danielle nang atensiyon sa ilang taong nakapaligid sa amin.

“Are you all right?” Danielle asked as she rose up from her seat. “Do you need some tissue? Saglit lang, kukuha ako—“

“No!” Mabilis kong pagtanggi kaya’t nag-angat siya ng tingin sa akin. I smiled awkwardly towards her. “I-I mean, k-kaya ko na nang mag-isa. Dito ka na lang, I’ll just go to the restroom.”

Danielle’s brows drew in a straight line but I just smiled at her. Wala naman siyang nagawa kung hindi ang mapailing at bumalik sa kaniyang kinauupuan. “Hihintayin kita rito, all right? Kapag hindi ka bumalik within ten minutes, susundan na kita,” bilin niya. I just answered her with a small smile before making my way towards the restroom.

I was breathing heavily while walking, subconsciously glancing to my wet dress. Malakas akong napabuntong hininga at akmang magpapatuloy na sa paglalakad nang may biglang humarang sa aking dinaraanan.

I stopped walking and turned my head up, only to find a familiar man towering me. Wala sa sarili akong napalunok at gulat na napaatras nang mapagtanto kung sino iyon. “Y-You. . .” I trailed off.

A mischievous and wicked smile etched on his lips as he crossed his arms over his chest. “Hindi na kita nakita malapit kay Kuya mula noong birthday niya. . .” panimula niya bago humakbang palapit sa akin.

He stepped closer but I immediately drew away. Mahina naman siyang tumawa sa biglaang pag-atras ko kaya’t mas lalong bumilis ang t***k ng puso ko. I wasn’t expecting to see him here! Sa lahat ng lugar at sa lahat ng pagkakataon na maaari ko siyang makita, bakit dito at ngayon pa?

The playful smirk and cold eyes of Zephyr Destura, Kayden’s younger brother, met my gaze.

I nervously gulped while he’s looking towards me. Mas lalo namang lumapad ang ngiti niya marahil dahil sa aking reaksiyon. “Akala ko ay hindi na kita makikita pa malapit kay Kuya noong minsan kitang nahuli. Hindi ko naman alam na hindi ka pa rin tumitigil. Mahirap bang mag-move on?” he added.

My jaw clenched before bravely looking at him. “I am not here for your brother. I am with my cousin—“

“Oh. Is that why you’re secretly flirting with him and trying to get his attention a while ago?” he asked and leaned closer to my face. Muli naman akong napalunok nang makitang ilang dangkal na lamang ang layo ng mukha namin sa isa’t-isa. He smirked while looking at me. “Are you still trying to take him away from his girlfriend? Why? Do you want to be a mistress now. . . Miss Perfect?”

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