Never Descending

Chapter 7

Don't involve

"Before I end this video, let me give a quick shoutout to @BeaAdelineManlangit, @boredkazekage, and @hakasoh." 

Pagkatapos basahin ang usernames ng mga nag-request mula sa previous upload ko ay binaba ko na ang phone at humarap sa camera nang malaki ang ngiti.

"And that's it for today's vlog! If you enjoyed watching, give this video a thumbs up, leave a comment, and subscribe to my youtube channel. Also, don't forget to click the notification bell to be updated with my latest posts." I charmingly grinned.

"Again, this is Iris Everleigh, your resident sultry bae, who believes that up is the only way." I expertly winked on the lens. "Bye! 'Til my next vlog!"

I waved at the camera before cutting off the shoot.

Ilang sandali pang nanatili ang ngiti sa labi ko habang nililigpit ang mga gamit. I briefly glanced at my wall clock and saw that it's already ten in the evening. This day had been quite draining. Hindi na 'ko makapaghintay na humiga sa kama at makapagpahinga.

After I finished putting back my stuff on their proper places, I went straight to the bathroom to get myself ready in going to bed.

I yawned as I was drying my hair with the towel. I'm too lazy to blow dry it so I guess I'll just wait a little longer before going to sleep.

Habang nakasandal sa headboard ng kama ay hindi ko maiwasang maalala ang nangyari sa gym kanina. By that, I meant Ace avoiding my kind gesture. He practically declined my initiative. Damn. I don't remember doing that to any other guy before. Sa kanya pa lang. Tapos ganon pa ang naging reaksyon niya. I slightly felt my cheeks heating.

Am I too fast? Was that too fast for him? Should I slow down a bit? But hell, I don't do slow. f**k. Pasalamat talaga siya at ang lakas ng hatak niya sakin. I don't think I'd be able to let him slip away. I won't easily let go of this chance without having a taste. Mark my words.

Kaya naman kinabukasan ay desidido ako sa paggising sa tamang oras. I picked my sexiest workout outfit which I think best fits me. I settled with a cropped dry fit halter top and a nike training shorts. 

I was pretty satisfied with my overall look so my determination just grew even stronger while I was on my way to the gym. I'll make sure to earn a progressive interaction with him today.

"Good morning, Ma'am!"

Kahit ang empleyado sa reception ay malawak ang ngiti sa akin. Sinuklian ko ang bati niya bago dumiretso sa loob. The smile was still plastered on my face while I was walking inside.

Unti-unti lamang nabitin ang ngiti ko nang agad na dumapo ang mata ko kay Ace na nasa chest press machine. 

He's wearing a black compression shirt and an under armour graphic shorts. He also has a dark wrist band on his right hand.

My brows furrowed. I hurriedly turned on my phone to check the time and see if I was late again today. Hindi naman. I was just right on time. Why is he extra early?!

Hindi na lang ako nagsayang pa ng oras at inayos na agad ang gamit sa locker room. I also approached Rian shortly and just asked for her instructions. I told her I can manage. I don't think having her around today would be a good idea.

I stretched my lips into a captivating smile before making my way towards Ace. Ilang metro pa ang layo ko sa kanya ngunit ang mga mata namin ay unti-unti nang nagtama. 

He was looking at me the same way as he did yesterday. Wala akong mabasa sa ekspresyon niya. I can only tell that his gaze lacks regard and interest. May kung anong humahalukay sa sikmura ko dahil sa klase ng tingin niya. s**t. No one looks at me that way.

I brushed off the ugly feeling and decided to maintain my smile. I was just about to widen my smile at him when he casually removed his eyes on me.

Pinagpatuloy ko naman ang paglalakad upang lubusang makalapit sa kanya. Hindi pa rin siya nakatingin sakin. Nang isang metro na lang ang layo ko sa pwesto niya ay ibubuka ko na sana ang bibig para batiin siya ngunit bigla siyang tumayo.

Napahinto ang mga paa ko kasabay ng munting paglaglag ng panga ko.

He literally stood up. And started walking away. Without giving me a f*****g glance. It was as if he was pretending that he didn't see me although I'm certain that our eyes met earlier!

What the hell is this? Is he trying to play hard to get or something? God. I haven't met someone as elusive as him in my entire years of hooking up. He's so hard to figure out.

Nakasunod lang ang mata ko sa kanya hanggang makarating siya sa treadmill mula sa kabilang dako ng lugar. He got on the equipment and eventually started it. His back is facing me from the far away distance.

I gritted my teeth in persistence and began taking my steps towards him again. Dahil nakatalikod ang pigura niya mula sa pinanggalingan ko ay kumpyansa akong hindi niya na 'ko matatakasan ngayon. 

He was busy striding on the machine l when I got near. Sumampa na rin ako sa bakanteng treadmill sa tabi niya. I know he already sensed my presence even just by his peripheral vision. I mean, it's impossible not to. But he didn't even bother glimpsing at me!

Tuwid lang ang tingin niya sa harap. Hindi namamansin. I nearly rolled my eyes. Ang arte. It was as if he's damn telling people that he's untouchable. I get it, Ace. You're f*****g expensive in many ways. But I badly wanna have you at all cost too.

Tumikhim ako.

"I'd feel bad if you keep on ignoring me," madramang wika ko.

Hindi ko na naitago ang hinanakit sa boses ko. Kahit ako ay bahagyang nagulat sa tono ng pananalita ko. 

Wala akong narinig mula sa kanya. Habang humahakbang ako sa treadmill ay tinapunan ko siya ng tingin. His face remained on its rigid form.

Hindi ko na tinanggal ang titig ko sa kaniya. I shamelessly stared at him so he'll feel pressured to regard me.

I coyly pouted.

"Why are you even avoiding me?" I said. "Gusto ko lang namang-"

"I'm not interested." he cut me off.

I stiffened at his civil tone. Unti-unting napaawang ang labi ko.

"What?" I mumbled in a small voice.

He said he's not interested, Iris. He f*****g said that.

I blinked repeatedly in startlement. No way. Is this it? Is this the end for my envisioned s****l relationship with him? Red flag na ba?

I shook my head. No. I'm not giving up easily. I don't think I'll have a peaceful life knowing that I just let go of someone like him.

I batted my lashes innocently.

"What do you mean you're not interested?" kunwari'y litong tanong ko. "Gusto ko lang namang maging ka-close ka. What's wrong with being close?"

Yes, Ace. What's wrong with it? I just wanna be close to you. Close as in to feel you near me. On top of me. Beneath me. Skin to skin. And.. more.

I heard him breathed out sharply. Then he abruptly pressed the stop button with vigor. Nang huminto ang makina ay tinignan niya ko nang diretso.

Natigilan ako. Tila may sariling buhay ang daliri ko na hininto na rin ang makina. His intense stare sent me shivers. All over. Especially on my nape. Malalim ang tingin na iginagawad niya.

Unti-unting nagsalubong ang kilay niya.

"Why do you want to be close with me?" he uprightly asked.

I swallowed.

Come on, Iris. You're braver than this.

Tinapatan ko ang titig niya. Then I slightly shrugged with confidence.

"Because I like you." I bluntly said.

I instantly felt proud after letting it out. It's nice to get it off of my chest.

Dahan-dahang gumuhit ang kunot sa noo ni Ace. The depth of his stare didn't falter.

He then averted my gaze while suddenly looking annoyed for something. He even somewhat shook his head a bit as if he was disappointed or such. Nagtiim-bagang siya. The way his perfect jaw clenched was breathtaking. 

Nang ibalik niya sakin ang mabibigat niyang tingin ay halos manginig ang tuhod ko.

"You're rather vocal for someone who's already in a relationship." he gravely spat. 

Lumukot ang noo ko habang pinoproseso ang sinabi niya.

Bumaba siya mula sa treadmill nang hindi pinuputol ang pagkakatingin sa akin.

He eyed me intently.

"I can't stand any form of cheating so do me a favor and don't involve me with your escapades." he clearly said.

And like what he always does, he turned his back on me and walked away.