Next to you

Chapter 17 (part 3)

It's been one month since that fateful day happened. That one fateful day that changed our lives forever.

No one noticed the change in our relationship. It's either that, or they didn't have the courage to ask. But everyone noticed the change about Wess' character. Being grumpy and all. Scolding everyone with just the slightest mistake. Lahat ilag sa kanya.

I am part to blame, pero anong gagawin ko? Since that day, hindi na niya ako kinausap. I mean personal na kausap. Yes, we talk pero about the hotel lang. Gone was the sweet talk, gone was the funny conversation. Nakakamiss, yes pero wala na akong magagawa doon, wala din akong gustong gawin.

Alex, arrived at Vegas, the following day. Alam ko, napansin niya ang pagbabago sa pakikitungo sa akin ni Wess. Paano ba namang hindi, eh lumipat na ako sa condo. Hindi na ako nakatira sa mansyon nila. I'm just glad hindi siya nagtanong.

"Miss Vanity, nasa labas po si Miss Alex, tinatanong niya po kung pwede raw po ba niya kayong maka-usap."

"Of course Jen, let her in. Please bring coffee as well. One black, one with milk."

Lumabas si Jen, at pumasok naman si Alex. Nagulat ako sa itsura niya, What's with colored hair? In demand?

"Hi ate Yan. Why so busy? Do I still need to book an appointment just to talk to you?"

"Of course not baby girl. You can come in my office anytime of the day. We can talk over lunch or dinner. What brought you here pala?"

"Are you somewhat busy ate Yan? Can we, you know, eat lunch outside?"

"Oo, ok lang. Wala naman akong meeting ngayon. Kahit hanggang dinner magkasama tayo, ok lang."

"Then let's go. Let's grab something, lunch na rin naman and oh oh go shopping maybe?"

"Ok, upo ka muna. I'll just fix these these mess, and then I'm off."

Habang nag-aayos ako, naupo si Alex sa couch and started reading magazines. Alex is an epitome of beauty. Kamukhang kamukha niya si tita Amelia. Her features are still angelic. Kung magkaka-anak ako ng babae, gusto ko kamukha ni Alex.

"Ate, are you done na? Hungry na ako."

"Yes, I'm done na. Let's go? Wait nagpaalam ka na ba sa kuya mo?"

"Yup. Sabi ko magla-lunch ako kasama ka, and baka hindi na ako makabalik ng hapon. Naipaalam na rin kita, don't worry."

Hindi na ako nag-comment. I grab my bag and started heading off.

Nakarating rin naman kami agad sa isang cozy resto, and started ordering food. We ordered steak, and orange juice. Yun lang solve na kami.

"Ate, what really happened?" Tanong ni Alex habang hinihintay namin yung order

"Uhm? What do you mean?"

"I know, nag-away kayo ni kuya. Hindi ka naman aalis sa bahay kung hindi eh."

"No, hindi kami nag-away ng kuya mo, Alex. Hindi lang kasi maganda na sa mansyon niyo pa rin ako nakatira samantalang alam na ng buong Pilipinas na ikakasal na ang kuya mo."

"Don't treat me like an ignorant little kid ate Yan. Sa tingin mo ba hindi ako aware sa nangyayari sa environment ko? Please, wag mo nga akong niloloko, dahil hindi magandang makinig ng lie specially kung alam mo ang totoo."

Nagulat ako sa outburst ni Alex. She's just 16 for god's sake. Napakabata pa para malaman at pakialaman ang mga ganitong bagay. Although genius, dapat hindi niya pinakiki-alaman ang mga ganitong bagay.