Scandalous Affair: Atlas Mate

01

O L I V I A   V A L E Z

Stupid, Olivia. Get yourself together. It would be best if you had not acted like that. 

When I glanced out the window, my mind raced faster than usual because of the things moving fast past us. I sighed and played with my fingertips as our car moved smoothly of the road. I continue fiddling my fingers as the man at front talks nonchalantly. Their baritones voice kept on bugging my head, especially his freaking deep voice. 

We are now on our way to a restaurant to eat our lunch. Sa bigat at bagal ng traffic jam papunta at paalis ng airport, ay inabot na kami ng tanghali sa daan. Napagpasyahan na lang ni Dad at ng kaniyang kaibigan na maghanap ng restaurant na makakainan ,kaysa sa bahay pa kumain. Mas maka-sa-save kami ng oras at makakain nang mas maaga. Masamang may palipas ng gutom tuwing summer sa Pinas. Hindi magandang kombinasyon ang init at gutom. 

Napapitlag ako ng makitang nakatingin na pala sa 'kin ang kaibigan ni Dad. Sa sobrang layo na ng nalakbay ng aking utak, ay hindi ko agad napansin ang mga kulay bughaw nitong mata, na tuwing titigan mo ay akala mo nakatingin ka sa langit. Well, kung sa ganiyang mukha naman talaga ang nagmamay-ari ng ganoong mata, ay para ka talagang nasa langit. 

I blushed because of the things going on in my head, and that didn't go unnoticed by that man. My cheeks heated more when the thought of Mr. Mate thinking that I was blushing because he was looking at me. God, can more things get embarrassing when I'm with this man? I don't want another shameful thing to happen when he's around. 

He glanced sideways, and a devilish smirk made its way to his redding lips. I hate that I'm drawn to this old codger, even though he irritates the hell out of me. There must be something wrong with me. 

"Why are you smirking?" my dad asked as he drives.

Hindi naman sumagot si Mr. Mate sa tanong ni Dad, at inilingan na lamang siya, habang hindi natatanggal sa kaniyang labi ang kaniyang ngisi. Dumeretsyo na siya ng tingin at hindi na muli ako nilingon. 

I heard my Dad murmur, "He must be hungry. The screws on his head had loosened again."

"Hey, I heard you!" 

"Good." then my Dad smirked at him. 

Nawala tuloy ang ngisi ni Mr. Mate sa kaniyang labi dahil sa pang-aasar na ginawa ni Dad. Now it's my turn to smirk too. Hindi pwedeng ako lang ang madidehado rito. 

Our car stopped and parked in front of a fancy restaurant. I think we are in a Thai restaurant. Hindi ko alam na mahilig pala si Dad sa ganitong klaseng kainan. The only Asian food he likes is Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, and Singaporean dishes. This is my first time eating Thai food, and I'm excited! 

Kapapatay pa lamang ng makina ng aming sasakyan nang lumabas si Mr. Mate. Nagulat ako ng buksan niya ang pintuan sa side ko. My heart skipped a beat, and I could feel my cheeks heating up again. God, here I am again. Gentlemen din naman pala si Mr. Mate. Akala ko ay lagi akong maiinis sa kaniya. Inilahad niya sa 'kin ang kaniyang kamay.

Hindi agad ako lumabas ng sasakyan, at pinakatitigan muna siya. You are a prim and proper person, Olivia. Remember. Mali ang inakto mo kanina sa airport. Kaibigan siya ng dad mo, and you should be polite. Show some manners! This is your time to recover your image. I collected myself first before taking his hands. 

There goes my heart again. Hindi na talaga ako natutuwa.

Remember that he's an annoying old man. Don't be a fool to get attracted to the looks and his devilish smirk. You are better than this, Olivia.