Illuminated Memories (La Lune Series #1)

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What my father said about Clive made my day complete. Kaagad naman kasing nagpaalam si Clive na uuwi na daw siya dahil tinawagan siya ng daddy niyang may nais daw itong pag-usapan. Even though, he appeared to be hesitant to leave suddenly after being introduced to my father. Mabuti nalang at tinawanan lang siya ni papa habang ako naman ay pinayagan siyang umalis.

I waited for my dad in the couch of his office, waiting for him. My dad just shakes his head at me every once in a while. I obviously ignored him as I continued reading the Trade Magazines meant for business. Wala man akong maintindihan, wala na akong magagawa. I'm too bored for my own good kahit ang cellphone ko hindi na kayang magpaaliw sa'kin.

"How was your try-out?" Dad asks, while gathering his things and putting it in his briefcase. I shrug and sigh heavily, "Ayon, nakakapagod pero ayos naman."

He chuckles, "Mabuti naman at nakahanap kana nang pagkakaabalahan mo."

I smile at him and stood up after seeing him opening the office door. Suddenly he stilled, making me look at him in confusion.

"Aelin, is Clive the same person who you've already met in Starbucks right after we landed here?" He shakily asks. I scrunched my nose, thinking deeply. First meeting namin ni Clive sa Starbucks, he paid for my drink and here we are now.

I let out a laugh and nodded afterwards, "Yes, dad." He also laughs and shakes his head. "That boy really knows what he's doing..."

Nang sinabi niya 'yon, nakailang lakad na'ko at nauuna sa kaniya kaya napatigil ako bigla. "What do you mean?" I furrowed my eyebrows at him.

His eyes widen and eventually relaxed, wearing that cold mask again. I just know that there's some things that I don't know about my past, because of my damn overprotective brain - that it makes me so oblivous on the things around me.

"Nothing." He muttered and started walking towards the elevator, indicating that the conversation is over and I have no other choice but to follow him. I roll my eyes and sigh heavily. This day has been a roller coaster of emotions. Walang nagsalita sa aming dalawa pagkapasok sa sasakyan at pati narin sa bahay. We ate silently and just muttered a little good bye to eachother.

I know he's protecting me from pain. Hell, everyone does and it sucks.

Days passed by and before I could fully understand everything around me. My breathing hitched when pain erupted in my right ankle making me yelp.

"Aelin!" Nagaaalalang sigaw ni Clive at ng mga team mates namin nang sabay. Napaupo ako sa sakit, a tear sliding down the side of my check. Clive immediately brought me in the clinic before I could say I was fine. Isang linggo nalang, La Lune's Week na. I can't just let myself be the burden of my own team.

"Clive, bumalik na tayo. Natapilok lang ako habang tumatakbo. Ayos laㅡ" Nagmamakaawang saad ko.

"No."

"Edi wag." I roll my eyes and look down on my covered ankle. I sigh, "Minsan na nga lang ako naglalaro, doon pa ako minalasan. Isang linggo nalang eh," reklamo ko sa kaniya habang nakanguso.

He chuckles. "Ang lampa mo kasi. Sa susunoㅡ"

"There will be no next time! Baka mabali na buto ko sa susunod na laro." I cut him off. He shakes his head as he smiles. He stands in front of me, in the middle of my slightly parted legs and slightly raised my chin uo using his right hand as he hugs the other one on my waist.