FACADE

Chapter NINE

[Berlin's POV]

Seriously? Tsh.

Can he recognize that I don't like him?

I am genuinely, truthfully, and honestly annoyed with him. How dare he volunteer as my male lead? 

"Mapapatay mo sa titig mo si Akoz, just saying." Bulong sakin ni Sakura habang nakafocus sa cellphone niya. She is playing Call of Duty. I crossed my arms and scoffed.

I don't trust this guy, I really dont.

A man who is very good-looking, rich, has sense in fashion, a great car, and has money! Isa siyang Frondozo! He must be a cheater. Akoz Pricel Frondozo is not an exception.

Ramdam kong nagpapanggap lang ito as shy and warm person. No matter how many times he tried to smile friendly or kindly, hindi niya maitatago na isa siyang womanizer. Kainis. Pakitang-tao.

"Why you look so mad?" Tanong ni Sakura, nakatingin na ito sa kaniya. Habang pinagmamasdan naman ko si Akoz na maglakad palabas ng school. 

"Bakit hindi? Sakura, Akoz is going to be my partner. Like, ano plano niya?" I said in a low voice but emphasizing each word. "Magkasama kami almost everyday, for five months." I added. Sakura smiled and shrugged her shoulders.

"But he is nice." Sakura answered and started scanning her phone again. Hindi na ako sumagot. Basta hanggang ngayon, naiinis pa rin ako.

Akoz must be living a privileged life and has a golden spoon. He can get what he wants and hindi na imposible na ang mga babae. He is a two faced evil, and I am worried for my cousin.

Although matagal na nito kilala ang pinsan ko, I am still worried. What if si ate Klein pala ang target niya ngayon? I knew my cousin, she devotes herself too much when it comes to love. Ayokong mag-invest ng sobra si Ate Klein and then iiwan lang siya ng lalaking ito.

My ate Klein is being admired by almost, all of men, and no one passed; kahit pa ang pinakamabait at deserving na lalaki na nakilala ko. 

Iba rin si Akoz pag kasama nya ang pinsan ko. He looks nervous, he looks very attracted to her. Ayokong saktan lang nya ang kapatid ko. Nope, never. 

I'll make my mind. I will make sure to be harsh and give him a hard time pag magkasama na kami sa practice. For sure, lalabas ng ugali niya. Pag nakita iyon ni Ate Klein, malalaman nito kung ano ang totoong Akoz.

Knowing some Frondozos in showbiz and politics na kamag-anak nila na laging may cheating and bullying issues. Hmp. Just wait and see, Akoz.

[Narrator]

Lumabas agad ng classroom si Akoz para magtungo sa toilet room. Pakiramdam niya anytime susugurin sya ni Berlin.

Pagkapasok ni Akoz ng toilet ay agad syang naghilamos. Hindi nya alam kung tama ba ang ginawa niya, hindi nya alam kung magiging ayos ba ang outcome ng gagawin niya.

All he wanted to do is apologize to Berlin. He did something wrong on their first day. But that's it, that's all! He is trying to make up for it. Nagsorry na rin siya, pero why it seems like she hates him so much? 

"I didn't do anything wrong… right?" Akoz whispered and looked at himself in the mirror. He smiled again, just like what he did to Berlin. 

He just wants to befriend Berlin, not because she is related to someone he likes. Pero magaan ang loob niya rito.  He feels like she is a kind person and they can get along very well. She seems tough outside, sa tingin ni Akoz. But she has a soft heart.

"Hindi naman nakakainsulto." Dagdag niya ulit. Inayos nya ang suot niyang jacket at eyeglasses ay tuluyan na siyang lumabas sa toilet.

Paglabas nya ng toilet ay  nakasalubong niya si Berlin na patungo naman sa snack bar. Nagtama ang mata nila kaya napatigil sa paglalakad si Akoz. Ilang hakbang pa ang ginawa ni Berlin at tumigil ito para tumingin naman sa kaniya.

"What?" Mataray na tanong nito.

Lumingon naman sa likuran si Akoz, bago tumingin kay Berlin muli. "W-what?"

"May sasabihin ka ba? Why are you looking at me?" 

"W-wala, wala naman. By the way, goodluck satin!" Agad na tumakbo si Akoz papunta sa classroom. Wala na siyang balak pa marinig ang pagtataray ni Berlin sa kaniya.

[Cassidy POV]

"Hey, are we having Mr. Akoz Pricel Frondozo as Denver Lucas, the male lead?!" Hindi makapaniwalang tanong ni Elynna. She is holding the list of actors who will portray the upcoming musical play. 

"Exactly, we are going to have Berlin and Akoz as the main actors. So I am super excited!" Klein exclaimed while fixing her papers. 

"I am a bit curious about Berlin and Akoz' acting you know? Like, I have never seen Berlin na um-acting since she plays the violin and other musical instruments, and Akoz… it's my first time seeing him too." Which is true, I've been friends with them since high school. The five of us used to live in the same neighborhood.  Pero not even once, na nakita ko si Berlin umacting.

Elynna and Klein are great actors. I have watched their plays before. Sakura and I prefered to act off stage. Sakura is good with making props, and I like writing. Berlin is different, she is into musical instruments, pero she likes watching plays and films.

"Akoz is a great actor. Sabi ko sa inyo we were in the same club back in SHS right? He used to act as a supporting role but he is indeed a great actor." Napatingin kami ni Elynna sa sinabi ni Klein.

"I just don't get it. A timid boy like him could act in front of many people." I confessed. That's my first impression, he is a shy boy. But he is kind! We knew it.

"Same here." Klein agreed. "But he is a great actor and sings very well. So, I am curious what would happen between the two, and their teamwork." 

"Let's see!" Elynna yelled. Nagulat naman kami sa biglang sigaw nito. Saming lima sya lagi ang pinakahyper. Siya na nga ang pinakamayaman, siya pa ang pinakahyper. Pero once she gets mad, she is super duper scaryyy.

Klein is the one who takes care of us, she is like our mother. Sakura who rarely talks, serious, but once na magsalita sya or bibigyan ka ng advice kahit saan pa yan, it hits right in your heart. Berlin, our tsundere baby. She hates men for some unknown reason. We didn't know if she had someone she likes. 

But Berlin is a kind and soft person. Her voice, an angelic voice describes her heart.

And me? Huh. I'm the epitome of beauty.

I am alluring and seductive Cassidy that one one could get. Ganda lang, okay na.

"Kaninong phone yung nagriring?" Tanong ni Klein, naputol naman ako sa pag-iisip at agad na pumunta sa bag ko. "That's my phone." Kinuha ko ang phone ko para tingnan kung anong mayroon.

"Someone texted me…" I mumbled. I got a message from a guy I knew. I sighed to see his message. Always, he is always like this.

From: Hakin Prince

Can we meet tonight? I can pick you up sa building niyo :)

How many times do I have to explain that I don't like him? He tried many times, he tried to court me for a year and still-- wala syang balak huminto. I explained many times but he is a stubborn guy.