The Calm in the Chaos (Trazo Real Series #3)

Chapter 25

Chapter 25

Tahimik lang ako sa kotse at tuwing napapabuntong hininga ay napapalingon sa akin si Oliver.

Are you free today? Can we talk?

I received a message from Cain and replied immediately.

Saan?

Ayaw kong umuwi sa bahay muna. Wala akong gagawin doon at sigurado akong mag-iisip lang ako nang mag-iisip.

Magkasama lang silang kumain 'di ba? Hindi naman yata ibig sabihin 'non ay girlfriend na siya ni Rafael. Although, there's a possibility that she is, Xythos would've told me kung totoo nga. At kung hindi man nga totoo, may kaunting ginhawa man sa dibdib ko sa tuwing hinihiling ko na sana nga ay wala silang relasyon, hindi ko pa rin maitatanggi na hindi pa rin sapat 'yon.

Isabella has all the advantages. Mukhang sa Trazo Real siya nagtratrabaho kaya ibig sabihin ay magkasama sila lagi ni Rafael dahil pareho pa silang engineer. They have been doing meetings from time to time and even if they are work-related meetings, the mere fact that she gets to spend time with him even during work is already a disadvantage to me.

Lalo kong naramdaman na lumiliit ang tsansa ko. Mas lalo kong naramdaman na hindi pa talaga pwede at hindi ko na dapat ipilit. But what would make me stop? I can't just shut down my feelings for him because if I could, I would have done it before already. Hindi na aabot sa ganito kung pwede ko lang din naman palang tapusin agad itong nararamdaman ko para sa kanya.

Anywhere but your house. It's important.

Kumunot ang noo ko. Importante?

I know a restaurant. I'll send you the address.

I sent the message to him. Kinabahan ako bigla dahil kahit sa text message ay ramdam kong seryoso si Cain. He gets serious, too, sometimes. But this one's different. Bakit hindi pwede sa bahay namin? That's actually the most private place where we can talk considering that what he's about to tell me is important.

Nagkita kami ni Cain and I've never seen him this serious. Madalas naman ay nakangiti siya o kaya kung hindi talaga maganda ang araw niya, sasabihin naman niya sa akin at magyayaya lang 'yon kumain kami sa labas.

"I'll go straight to the point, Adi", he said and I just nodded. "Did you know about your supposed engagement with Rafael?"

"What?", napalakas ang boses ko kaya may ilang luminon sa banda namin ni Cain. "What engagement?", I asked and lowered my voice.

"Your grandfather has been talking to some powerful families, mostly those who are into politics and families of lawyers. Kahit sa akin ay nireto ka ng Lolo mo!"

"What? Hindi ko maintindihan. Hindi 'yan magagawa ni Papa!"

"Well, he did. He just talked to my father last night. Nalaman ni Dad na tumanggi si Rafael sa iyo kaya sinubukan kang ireto ng Lolo mo kay Naxus pero tumanggi rin. Hindi mo talaga alam?", he looked frustrated but so am I.

"I don't know what you're talking about, Cain. Hindi ko alam ang tungkol diyan at bakit naman 'yon gagawin ni Papa? My parents didn't even tell me about this!"

"Ang Lolo mo lang ang nakikipag-usap. At hindi pa ba halata? Your grandfather is trying to make connections with powerful families. Mga abogado ang mga magulang ni Rafael and his father is a candidate to be the next chief justice. My Dad is a senator, Adi. Hindi pa ba halata? Nagpapalakas ng kapangyarihan ang Lolo mo at ang ginagamit niyang bitag ay ikaw. He's using you!"

My phone rang and it's Rafael. I stared at it for seconds but Cain grabbed the phone from my hand and rejected the call.

"Nakita ko kayo noong after party mo sa club. Hindi ko alam kung nag-usap ba kayo pero nakita kong hinatid ka niya sa kotse niyo. He already knew that time about the engagement and he rejected it bago pa ang debut mo. Sa ilang beses kayong magkasama, hindi niya sinabi sa'yo?"