Mon Amour (My Love)

CHAPTER 16

KING

Silence. No one wanted to speak afterwards. I don't know. There's nothing to be ashamed about, and none of the things that Jane told Kyle wasn't true so it shouldn't be a big deal. But for some reasons, Jane felt guilty and I thought of playing along - to my advantage.

"Uy, King. Are you mad?"

"Mad?" I asked, but with a frown. "Why should I be mad?"

"Oh gosh, I feel bad. I guess I talked way too much." she said. "Naexcite kasi ako masyado na nalaman 'kong sa kanya mo ibinigay yung Mon Amour."

"I'm not mad." I said, but making sure I sounded the opposite. "Did you hear me saying anything? Oh, by the way, are you sure you're done with your tales? We still have miles to go."

"King naman."

"What is your problem?" I jeered. "Actually, that boy knows how special that perfume is. I told him already. I just hope he remembers."

I looked at the rear view mirror and saw him looking dumbstruck.

"I'm sorry." said Jane.

"You don't have anything to be sorry for." I said. I stopped the car. "You drive, Jane. I don't think I can still do it. My hands feel tired." I didn't wait for her response. I opened the car door and got out. She had no choice but to do the same.

So Jane took the wheel and I sat in the front seat and turned the temp down on the AC. I also turned the radio on and sang/hummed along with the songs. It's better than hearing Jane's stories.

After a couple of minutes, I turned and saw Kyle crossing his arms and rubbing his shoulders. He's cold. I forgot that he's wearing so little and it's now too cold inside the car. I took my jacket off and gave it to him.

"Wear that." I said, looking at his beautiful face.

He looked at the jacket in my hand and then at me.

"Wag na."

"You're freezing. Wear that. I don't feel cold anyway." I laughed. "I have no plans to adjust the temperature for you so just do as I say."

He frowned at snatched the jacket from my hand.

"You'll smell my perfume there." I said as he put on the jacket. "Do you like it? Since you guys brought it up, let me just say that I also designed the scent of my own perfume. It's called 'Le Mien' which means -"

"Mine or my own," Jane said.

"There you go," I said. "Thanks, Jane."

"I feel terrible. I'm really sorry, King. I've been so loquacious."

"Loquacius?" Kyle asked.

"It means she talked a great deal." I answered. "She likes using that word, learned from our language teacher back in the day. She's never forgotten it ever since. You see, my friend here is a logophile. She loves learning words - always reading the dictionary, always joined spelling contests, always wrote poetries and songs. You have no idea how many boys wanted to hit on her back then, but changed their minds when they found out she was way too smart for them. Not to mention she could really do them dirty when they break up by writing songs about them." I laughed.

"Oh come on, King. You don't have to bring that up, do you?"

"Well, how does it feel that I'm the one doing the talking now?"

"I know. I know. That's why I said I'm sorry."

"Right," I said. "I guess I'll have to take a nap instead. Wake me up when we get there."