Lies After Lies (Love Game Series 1)

CHAPTER 21

"Who are we waiting for? Kanina pa tayo naghihintay." Pagrereklamo ni Rick kay Zach. "Importanteng tao ba ang hinihintay natin?"

"Alam mo, puro ka reklamo. Kumain ka na lang diyan." It was Gian who answered. "Late ka rin namang dumating."

"Bakit kasi dito tayo? Puwede naman sa Hemera." Rick tsked. "Ayaw mo ba sa café ng bebe mo?"

Napailing-iling na lang si Zach sa kaibigan. "Hindi puwede doon, hindi puwedeng makita ni Alhana kung sino ang kikitain natin."

"Sino ba kasi?" Gian asked. "Is that person related to you or Alhana?"

"It's Atlas."

Naibuga ni Rick ang sinisimsim nitong kape. Gulat na gulat sa narinig niyang pangalan, "You talked to Atlas?"

"I did. She needs your help. Tutal ikaw naman ang may alam sa mga ganitong bagay."

"Is this about their dad?" Kumunot ang noo ni Gian. "You're going all out for this girl, huh?"

"Like how you're going all out for Shawn's sister?" pang-aasar niya rito. "Love, huh?"

Gian shook his head and chuckled, "We are friends after all."

"Ayaw ko kayong maging kaibigan." Sabi ni Rick. Bakas sa mukha nito ang pagtutol. "Pakiramdam ko hindi ko kakayanin ang ganiyang klase ng pagmamahal. I still like to play games. Ang seryoso niyo sa mga babae niyo."

"That's why a lot of girls hate you, Flame."

Napalingon silang tatlo sa pinanggalingan ng boses. Atlas walked towards them and sat beside Zach. On the opposite side of her seat was Rick who suddenly went silent.

"So kumusta ka na, Flame?" Atlas spoke while looking at the menu. "Mukhang hindi ka pa rin nagbabago. Babaero ka pa rin."

Rick sighed, "I'm just not into commitment. I like how simple my love life is. I date and I fuck. No strings attached, no complications. Simple."

Atlas chuckled, "Love scares you. Iyon ang sabihin mo. Napakarami mong dahilan. Ayaw mo lang naman magaya sa mga kaibigan mo na binibigay ang lahat pagdating sa pagmamahal."

"That's not a bad thing." Sabad ni Gian. "Love is worth the risks and the sacrifices."

"Yeah, I agree." Pagsang-ayon naman ni Zach. "It is always worth it."

Nagkibit-balikat lang ang dalawa sa sinabi nila ni Gian. Atlas ordered her food before they started discussing about what are they here for.

"What should I call you?" tanong ni Rick kay Atlas. "I mean, I've known you as Atlas pero last week someone introduced you as Xena, tapos ngayon naman mag-uusap tayo dahil ikaw si Alhara. So alin sa mga iyon? Xena, Atlas or Alhara?"

"You are not allowed to call me, Alhara. Hindi naman kita kapatid. And don't call me Xena kasi hindi mo naman kaibigan si Xena. So, you have no choice but to call me Atlas, Flame."

"It's Rick. No one calls me Flame when I'm not in business."

"But you are. Because I'm hiring you."

Rick looked at Zach, confused. "She's hiring me? Why?"

"Bakit hindi mo itanong sa kaniya?" Zach answered. Natatawa siya sa itsura ng kaibigan na mukhang gulong-gulo sa kung ano ang nangyayari. "Nandito na nga siya hindi mo pa itanong."

"Dude, she's scary when she's Atlas." Bulong ni Rick habang tinatakpan nito ang bibig para hindi makita ni Atlas ang binubulong niya. "I mean look at her."