Feint (Royal Society #3) COMPLETED

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Eighteen

Rationality and Pain

I remained staring at them. I let my heart be enveloped with pain until it became numb. I let my stoic facade take over. I let emotionless eyes do its magic. I did all that... while staring at them.

"Luna, are you listening to me?" Mabilis kong binalik ang tingin kay Ate Hena nang maramdam ko ang pagtapik niya sa kamay ko.

"Yes, I am. You were saying about this girl. Why are you even interested in her life anyway?"

Ate Hena let out a sigh of relief. Akala niya siguro hindi ako nakikinig sa kaniya. I can multi-task, you know?

"I don't know either why Papa asked me to look for her. I've been looking for the woman named Carmina all these years, but no to avail. It's like she disappeared into thin air," Ate sighed again.

"Why is Papa even wanted to look for her? Mama is Papa's love of his life. I don't see any reason to look for another woman involving Papa."

"But - is that Elise?" I stiffened when I heard her name. Ate Hena saw them at alam ko kung ano ang isusunod niyang itanong. "Why... why are they together? That's Vince, right? The guy last night, your man."

Ate Hena is smart enough to pick up clues. Madali siyang makaramdam ng mga bagay-bagay. At alam niya kaagad na may mali. She won't keep her reign strong if she isn't this smart.

And because she mentioned them, bumalik nanaman ang galit ko. My jealousy earlier only heightened because they are still oblivious to our stares. Ano, may sariling mundo? Ganon?

I closed my eyes tightly when Ate Hena stood up. Of course, she won't let this go. It concerns her son and her sister.

Hindi na ako nag-abala pang tumayo at makigulo. I just watch them in front of me as I swirl my wine glass. Umagang-umaga ito na agad ang inumin ko. Just great, Amara.

I saw Ate Hena pointed me. Hindi ko masyado kita ang reaksyon ng mukha ni Vini pero nakita kong napatayo siya. Then he went in front of me while I remained staring at the glass.

Good. Argue with the drunk Amara and you'll see how bitchy I am when intoxicated.

"Luna..." he called and I can't stop myself from smirking. That voice. Nakakainis na ang bilis kong bumigay sa kaniya.

Not this time, though.

I slowly looked up to him. And he stood there like a little pup, waiting to be scolded by its owner. Unfortunately for him, the owner is possessive as hell.

"What?"

I saw him gulped and nervous expression was painted on his beautiful face. "Elise was just -"

"Go to her then," I stopped him.

"Luna."

I stood up from my seat and took my bag. "I said go to her. I wasn't asking for an explanation, Vince. I can see that you are busy with her."

He blinked at me. Like he can't believe the words coming out of my mouth. "Are you serious? Elise is married to your nephew!"

"Exactly!" I exclaimed. "Do you realize what you just did? You could've accused of being her man? She's a Royalty, Vince. And all eyes are set on her. Do you understand?"

"But we aren't doing anything, Luna. I just accompanied her -"

"In my expense?"

His lips parted, incapable of speaking. "Thought so," I said before leaving him immobile.

Hindi na ako pumasok at umuwi na lang. I don't need to inform Ate Hena of what happened because she was there anyway. Ayaw ko na ungkatin ang nangyari. It's done but it doesn't mean I'm okay.

Vini has been calling me nonstop kaya I decided to turn off my phone and blinds of my room. I am assuming, alright, that he would be outside, waiting for me.

I heard a knock and the opening of the door. "You look like a mess." It was Izaac, of course. Siya lang naman ang may lakas loob pumasok dito.

"Am not," sagot ko bago tumayo ng kama. "I'm wearing just fine clothes, Izaac. Cotton wide-legged pants and spaghetti strap top. What's wrong with what I'm wearing?"

Umiling sa akin si Izaac. "Not physically," he said and sat in my bed, facing me. "What do you want me to do with Vince? You want me to punch him? Kick his ass? Break his arm?"

I chuckled at him.

"I'm serious though. He can't hurt you like that. He may be my best friend but that doesn't give him the right to hurt you," Izaac said.

I sighed and sat beside him before laying down while staring at the ceiling. "Maybe I am just being immature. He really didn't do anything wrong... but it still hurts knowing that he chose Elise over me."

"What do you think? I might listen to you," I said, side-glancing him.

"That might of yours is only 1% because you don't listen to anyone, and that's a fact."

Natawa ako sa sinabi niya. I guess he's right. I ask for advices but I never really apply it. Wala lang, gusto ko lang makarinig ng opinion kahit na hindi ko naman iyon gagamitin dahil doon parin ako sa paniniwala ko.

"But you know what I think?" He asked. "It's my fault."

Napaupo ako sa sinabi niya at tinignan siya nang masama kaya napilitin siyang magsalita ulit. "Arlaise and I kind of argue about it and Vince got fed up and decided that he will be the one to accompany Elise," tuloy tuloy na sabi niya.

I slowly nodded at him which made him grin. "But that doesn't excuse Vini. He has his own set of my mind to decide. When I asked him last night, he already decided to push me over and choose Elise."

"Amara, you're being too hard on Vini."

"Have you seen me talking or even entertaining other man aside from him? Wala. I don't even bother knowing someone because I'd like to believe that I wanted to be faithful to him. Is it too much to ask for the same?"

I sighed and laid down again. "So stop defending Vini, Izaac."

I felt him stood up while my eyes remain closed. "I did my part so I'll let him do his," he said vaguely na hinayaan ko lang.

I hate being like this. Pakiramdam ko ang sama-sama ko dahil hindi ko naiisip ang standing niya. But what abouu my feelings then? Kung palagi siya ang magiging priority ko, Amara will no longer exist. I don't want that.

I love myself because I believe that no one can help me but myself. I have my siblings, Izaac, and Vini, but they also have their own problem. It's not like they should live to solve my problem. It is my problem in the first place, mine.

"I'm sorry," napadilat ako nang marinig ang boses ni Vini. But I remained in my position, my arms covering my eyes as I lay down in my bed.

"I'm sorry if you think that I chose Elise over you. I'm sorry if you think that I don't consider you as my priority. I'm sorry if I didn't see your feelings last night. I'm sorry if I hurt you, Luna."

I heard his footsteps walking towards me. "But I swear, I swear, Amara Luelle Nastia. You are the only woman that I love. Just... believe that one."

I sat up when I heard the breaking of his voice. He was... ohmygosh. He was crying as he knelt in the floor.

"Why are you kneeling?! Stand up! Stand up, Vince!"

He did and he immediately enveloped me in his arms. Ramdam ko ang higpit ng yakap niya sa akin. I clenched my fist, refusing to give back the hug.

"Call me Vini again, please. I can't stand hearing you call me Vince," he whispered.

I was about to... I was about to open my mouth and say his name. But hurt and pain took over my mind and heart.

"Please leave."

***
April 19th.