First Glance

Chapter 18

Chapter 18

"Nicole…"

Her smile faded because shock registered on her face but was immediately replaced by hatred. I smiled sadly.

Being Niko's girlfriend, gusto ko na magustuhan ako ng pamilya niya. Even though okay naman sa akin ang mga magulang niya, gusto ko rin maging okay kami ng kapatid niya. Hindi man sinasabi ni Niko pero alam kong mahalaga sa kaniya ang kapatid niya. At ang mga taong mahalaga sa kaniya ay mahalaga din sa akin.

So, I will do everything to make his sister accept me.

"Pasok ka, Nicole…"

She didn't move.

"Uh…" still, I smiled. 

"Why are you here?"

For the first time, I heard her angelic innocent voice.

"Wala pa kasi ang kuya mo dahil nasa Japan pa siya, kaya ako 'yung nandito…" hindi ko na alam ang sasabihin kaya ngumiti ako at "Halika, pasok ka…"

"No, I will head back already."

She turned her back to me but I immediately called her.

"Nicole,"

She just looked at me with her cold eyes.

She looks like Niko.

Ganoon din ang pares na matang nakita ko kay Niko noong una ko siyang nakita. Kaya alam ko, alam kong katulad din siya ni Niko. Sadyang hindi niya lang alam kung paano i-express iyon and I understand.

"I love your brother…" I started. "I love everything about him…" I smiled as I remembered all the things I love about Niko. His kindness, his gentleness, his flaws and imperfections… all. I love it all. "I know how much your kuya loves you, so if you think I will hurt your brother... I will never do that. I understand if you don't trust me now, but I hope you'll be okay with me someday because you are important to me as you are to your brother, okay?"

Guilt reflected in her eyes.

I hugged her.

"I'm sorry… I'm just afraid that you will get kuya from me… he's my only bestfriend, the only one I have and I just…" her voice mirrored the emotion I saw in her eyes so so I patted her back and convinced her that it was okay. "...can't accept that someone will take him away from me…"

"But, I can be my your friend too,"

"Really?"

"Of course! I can be your sister and bestfriend at the same time…"

My heart burst out of happiness when I saw the joy reflected in her eyes. 

I hugged her tight. 

This kid is so precious.

Noong una ay medyo nahihiya pa siya sa akin pero noong huli ay naging komportable din siya agad. We watch Netflix and eat all day hanggang sa tumawag na 'yung Mommy niya at hinahanap siya.

"She's with me po, Tita,"

"God! I thought something bad happened because I called Niko earlier to ask how Nicole was but he said he was in Japan so I was worried! But, I'm glad that she's with you! Are you two okay na ba?"

I chuckled. Niko was right, his Mom is so sweet but a little bit exage but it's cute!

"Yes po, Tita… she's currently at the sala po, kaya huwag na po kayo mag-alala…"

"Okay… just send her home before eight, okay? Her driver is outside the condo lang,"

"Yes po, Tita…"

Sinunod ko ang naging usapan at hinatid sa parking ng condo si Nicole. I waved my goodbye at tumaas na ulit ng nakalayo na ang artista van nila. 

I opened my phone as I lay down in Niko's bed. My brows furrowed when I received a series of messages from Niko on Instagram. 

nikobernardo: hey, is nicole there?

nikobernado: hey, baby

nikobernardo: im worried

nikobernardo: mom called and she said that nicole is with you

nikobernardo: is she being hard on you?

nikobernardo: please call me as soon as you see this, i miss you:(

I chuckled. 

I tapped the video call button and I laughed when he answered immediately even before ringing. He's hugging a pillow with his sleepy eyes and topless upper body. He really likes being topless when sleeping.

"I miss you too…"

"I know," I gulped as soon as I heard his husky voice. He's damn hot and cute at the sams time, what the fuck. "Don't worry, I'll be back tomorrow,"

"Did you enjoy your stay there?"

"No," I looked at him confused.

"Why?"

"Because you're not here."

I chuckled. "You really miss me that much, huh?

"Yeah…" he smiled.  "Should I fetch you at work tomorrow?"

"No, you should rest…"

"It's fine, I insist."

I nodded. 

We were just silent the whole time but it's not awkward, instead I feel so at home, at peace. I am reviewing a lot of emails on my phone while we were listening to some chill songs. I was about to talk when I saw him on the screen, sleeping.

I smiled.

"I love you,"

And I ended the call.

"Okay, that's it," 

We bid our goodbyes to our Agency's CEO, after she ended the meeting. I prepare my things before heading back to the parking lot. Tito sent me my schedule for today, and my next sched is a shoot to the studio so I quickly headed there.

They greeted me and I greeted them back. Mabilis nilang inumpisahan ang makeup ko. I was busy watching them do my hair when Tito came and apologized that he was late. 

It's fine, kahit nga hindi na siya pumunta, okay lang. Not because I don't want him here though.

The shoot started at nine at hininto muna nila ng dumating na ang lunch break. We ate together with the crew. After that, they retouch my face before we continue the shoot. 

I was in the middle of the routine nang nakarinig ako ng mga bulungan sa mga tao sa bandang entrance ng studio. I continue what I was doing but am a little bit distracted now. Hanggang sa magbabago na ng furnitures na nasa background ko kaya break muna.

Tito immediately jogged into me.

"Nandito 'yung boyfriend mo,"

"Huh?"

And yeah, I saw him sitting at the couch beside the entrance, especially for the visitors wearing his stripes button down shirt and creamy shorts. I looked at the time. It's damn two o'clock pero naalala kong sinabi niya sa akin kagabi na alas tres pa daw ang flight niya. 

I ran into him.

"Hey,"

He opened his arms and I hit his arm.

Ang landi!

Pero ayaw niyang tumigil kaya yinakap ko na siha kahit nakatingin sa amin ang mga taong nasa loob. Napatingin ako kay Tito na naglalakad papunta sa amin at masama ang tingin kaya napanguso ako.

"Mag-uumpisa na daw,"

I nodded.

"Can I watch?" Niko whispered.

Iniisip ko pa lang na manonood siya sa akin, pinagpapawisan na agad 'yung kamay ko pero wala akong nagawa kaya pumayag na ako, baka rin kasi mabored siya. I still managed to do my poses even though his presence make me nervous and I know it affects the outcome so I am deeply breathing to calm my system while I am posing. 

This is freaking hard.