The Bastard's Wife (On-Going)

Chapter Fifteen: Jealousy

Audrey

Halos hindi maipinta ang mukha ni Riley. He opened his mouth, he was about to say something but didn't continue. Umayos naman kami ni Chris at tumayo. Nakatitig lang sa akin si Riley, hindi malaman kung magsasalita ba o hindi.

"Hey, I thought that you'll be working at the tower project. Nabisita lang si Chris, he wanted to see if I was okay and..." Simula ko pero hindi na rin natapos dahil biglaang nagwalk out si Riley. Napatingin naman ako kay Eros na sinundan lang din niya nang tingin si Riley paalis.

"Uhm.. Auds, I should probably go. I'll see you." Biglang paalam ni Chris. Bigla naman naging awkward ang aura namin, samantalang si Eros ay nakaharang lang sa pintuan.

"That's a good idea. And maybe next time, don't come here at all." Sabat ni Eros.

"Eros!" Saway ko. He had no business to say that to Chris. I looked at Chris at umiling lang siya, letting me know that it's okay.

Eros gave way for Chris to get out then looked at me.

"I'll go too, but I suggest you look for Riley. The green eyed monster took over." He advised. Napairap na lang ako and pushed him gently out of my unit.

"Don't tell me what to do, Eros!"

**

I went down to the parking lot but his car wasn't there anymore. Kasunod ko naman si Eros na para bang may hinihintay. What the hell does he want now? Ka-lalaking tao, napakachismoso.

"Maybe you should call him?" Natatawang banat ni Eros. Napabuntong hininga na lang ako.

"I thought you're leaving? What the hell are you still doing here?" Naiiritang banat ko. Itinaas nito ang dalawang kamay, tila sumuko na.

"I'm just saying, thought I could help." Nangingiting sagot nito at dumeretso na sa mamahaling sasakyan niya. Before he was completely out of the parking lot, bumusina ito ng isang beses at kumaway sa akin. What an ass.

I picked up my phone from my pocket and dialed his number. It kept ringing but he didn't answer. Knowing that he's driving, hindi ko na ulit siya tinawagan but I texted him.

"Come back and let's talk. Please don't drive when you're upset. Let's talk instead."

I went back up to the apartment and waited there. I know that he knows that Chris and I are very close friends. Best of friends. Chris and I never crossed the boundaries of being more than friends. He's there whenever I break down and he helps me to stand back up and that is it. And I have never thought that Riley would ever get jealous of someone. He's not the jealous type.

I texted him again asking where he is but still no reply. I get it. He's trying to cool off. I guess I'll have to do the waiting game until he's feeling better.

**

I fell asleep but gained consciousness when I felt a hand brushing my hair. I looked up and saw Riley. I gave him back the key so that whenever he wants to come here, he has access. He stopped then just turned his back on me. Bumangon ako paupo at pilit siyang hinarap sa akin. I can smell the alcohol and cigarette from him. He's facing me pero naka-yuko. Inangat ko ang mukha niya and that made him looked at me.

"What wrong?" I asked. I saw how red his eyes are. He cried?

"I.. I got jealous. I didn't want to say anything earlier that might provoke you so I left." Mahinang sagot nito. Nag-iwas ulit ito ng tingin and he sniffles a bit. Iniharap ko ulit siya and I saw how his eyes started to get glossy. Is this man here really about to cry?