Forever Trapped

Chapter 14

I wouldn't lie. When Phoenix invited me for dinner, I was expecting this. A quiet dinner in a five-star restaurant, sipping over some red wine under the crystal chandelier.

"What made you say yes?" I have been wanting to ask him.

To be honest, I didn't know why he said no before. Bakit nga ba hindi? We can have our own share of fun. Gusto niya ako. He didn't have any intention to hide it but to call it love was a bit too much.

Ni hindi pa nga kami nag-usap ng maayos.

"You," he wiped the side of his lips. He looks too good to be true. Hindi naman mahirap ang pamilya namin but he's on a different level. I know the Figueroa's, every businessperson knows them.

There are days that I feel like I look really great and beautiful. I can be kind, I feel sexy. I'm a confident lady but I still feel like Phoenix Figueroa is out of my league.

I'm not insecure... just curious about how genuine he is. Alam ko namang maaring pinaglalaruan niya lang ako but I need to know what kind of a player he is. Two can play this game too.

"C'mon Phoenix. Huwag na tayong maglokohan dito. You can be as honest as you want and I promise, I won't be offended."

"What makes you think I have something on my mind about you that might offend you?" He said it so seriously. The words just naturally rolled out of his tongue. He's good.

Napa-iling na lang ako. Before, I was a sum of bored, lonely, and horny. I guess I'm still all these, nadagdagan lang ng curious.

"By the way, Kolas has been asking about you. Hindi ka na raw bumibisita."

I almost dropped my spoon and fork in surprise. "Bumalik ka sa orphanage?"

"Yes, once a month at least."

That made me feel guilty. Before, I was busy with my studies. When I graduated, I was busy finding work. Tapos ngayon, I just lost track of time. I still donate but rarely go.

"I'll try to visit." I just answered. I really should. "I will visit."

"We can go there together."

Ayan na naman siya. He's even chewing on his steak calmly. Na para bang hindi niya ako inimbita ulit na makasama siya. It's not a date obviously but... seriously, how can he be so cool with this?

"Stop analyzing my every move."

"What are you talking about?" Instead of looking away, I returned his gaze. I'm really not the type to back out during staring games and I think I have proven that more than once, not just with Phoenix. Baka sa tingin niya ay espesyal siya masyado.

"You stare at me with your forehead slightly crumpled, you're not even being subtle."

"Do you mind? Being stared at?" I became conscious of that forehead thing he was saying so I still looked at him with a more relaxed facial expression this time. Hindi naman ako nakatitig lang sa kaniya during the whole duration. What a disrespect for my food. The chicken tastes good pa naman.

"Yes, but if it's you, I guess it's okay. Pero like what I said, don't analyze my every move."

"I can't help it. You're acting cheesy and weird- creepy, if I may add but I don't think I know you enough to call you that." We're talking about this very lightly. Kung titingnan kami sa malayo siguro ay mukha lang kaming nagkakamustahan. I guess I could add that to the list of things that I like about him- not that there's anything on the list. Pero hindi kasi siya over reacting. He's just calm, or kind of. Tulad nga ng sabi ko, I don't know him much.