Scandalous Affair: Atlas Mate

05

The delicious and well-presented foods made the dining table alive, along with the luxurious ornaments. The ravishing smell of the dishes made its way to my nose, making me salivate to eat more. The clanking of the silver utensils against the glass plates was like a piece of music to my ears, but all of the perfect atmosphere here in the dining room crumbled. The witch's obnoxious and high-pitched laugh rattled the four sides of the chamber. It made the glasses shook—almost breaking. 

The tasty food became bland in my tongue, nearly making me spit it to her. Even swallowing the water became hard as Ms. Sally Roma continued spreading her filthy charm towards the two men inside the dining. I knew her kind. They are an ambitious little gold digger trying their luck to win over my Dad. And I also know how to play this kind of game excellently. I can not remember how many bitches I have driven out of here. 

Well, hindi naman sa ayaw kong mag-asawa ulit or makahanap man lamang ng girlfriend si Dad. But, so far, all those girls who tried were all fake and have an ill-intentions. I do not want those girls to put a speck of dirt into the Valez clan. 

"I heard that you are an excellent architect, Mr. Mate?" 

Napataas ang aking kilay dahil sa sinabi ni Ms. Sally. Her awful voice kept on ringing in my ears making me want to shut her up. Come on, Olivia. Don't show yourself here. You'll lose the game if you are going to be driven by your emotion. Sumubo ako muli ng pagkain para pagtakpan ang nakasimangot kong labi. 

"I am an architect, but I am still far from excellent." Atlas said and he smiled at Ms. Sally.

I hate it. 

Why did he need to smile at her?! P'wede namang sagutin niya lang nang maayos. Saka saglit nga. Architect pala siya? I didn't know that. I hated Ms. Sally more. Paano alam niya 'yon samantalang ako ay hindi? She really came here prepared, huh?

My Dad laughed after swiping the sauce in the corner of his lips, "Come on, Bud. You were covered by famous magazines, and all your works were featured too. Be proud."

Mr. Mate smirked at Dad, "Are you proud of me then?"

Why did that sound different? Perhaps, it was the way he said it. It was sultry and teasing. Almost making it seems like they have a different relationship. Oh, my God! Agad akong napalingon kay Atlas na siyang katabi ko. Is he gay? Well, I don't mind it. Gender and sexuality don't define a person. Their heart and mind will always make them who they are.

It just pained me that he has a different preference. Wait, anong 'it just pained me?' Umayos ka nga diyan, Olvia Valez!

Naubo si Dad dahil sa tinanong ni Atlas. Sinamaan niya ng tingin, na siyang kinatawa lang ng isa.

"Yes." parang labag pa sa loob ni Dad nang sabihin niya ito, na mas lalong ikinatawa ni Atlas. Gustong-guto talaga niyang inaasar si Dad. Parang hindi kompleto ang araw ni Atlas kung hindi niya maasar si Oliver Valez.

"So you are an architect." I said in a flat quiet tone.

"Hmm, why?" he also said quietly.

"Nothing."

He looked at me intently as he put a piece of meat into his mouth. Atlas's heavenly eyes didn't leave mine as he slowly chewed the food. My eyes dilated as I followed every move of his lip as he chewed the food. I even saw how the juice of the meat slightly slipped into the corner of Atlas's tempting lips. Even the way his lip licked it was alluring. It was hypnotizing. I even swallowed as he did too. 

"Did I pleased you?"

Napakurap ako nang bigla siyang magsalita, at itinagilid ang ulo para mas lalo akong matignan nang maigi. I could feel some sweat starting to build up in my forehead. Para niya akong nahuling gumagawa ng krimen, at ngayon nga ay ini-interogate. I don't even know how to fucking answer him. Why do I need to answer him anyway?