Hardest to Lose (Villaraza Series #4)

09 | You

09 | You

"Iñara, lean a bit to him. You look so stiff standing like that."

I awkwardly smiled and mouthed 'sorry'. Kirby rolled his eyes and gave more details to how I looked unnatural today. I heard Markus chuckle behind me and I had to remind myself murder is an offense.

Why was he here?

"Come on, Iñara. Be professional," he mumbled as I felt him hovering over me, mouth almost reaching my ear. "Do I make you feel this uneasy?"

I stealthily struck his foot with my shoe as I maintained my smile before the camera. "No, you make me mad."

He hissed and I was sure he was hurt. Nakonsensya ako pero nang narinig ko ang pigil niyang pagtawa ay agad ding bumalik ang inis ko sa kanya.

I thought this would be a peaceful day.

"So, how was your date?" mahina niyang tanong nang humarap kami sa isa't isa.

Tumaas ang kilay ko at hinawakan ang buhol ng kanyang necktie. "It's not a date."

His lips moved for the unspoken doubt. "So you did go out with him."

Sarkastiko akong ngumiti sa kanya saka walang pasabing hinila siya. The way his doe eyes widened when he realized our proximity was so satisfying.

Napakayabang. Ang dali rin patiklupin.

"You're making me suspicious," panunuya ko at pinaningkitan siya ng mga mata. "You know I don't do boys, right?"

He was taken aback that he pulled away like lightning. Ang ngiti ko ay unti-unting nabura.

I was just joking. What was with his reaction?

"Thank you, guys! The shots were great!" tuwang-tuwang komento ni Kirby habang pinagmamasdan ang camera. "Most of the shots are spicy, ha."

Napakurap-kurap ako nang iwan ako roon ni Markus, seryoso at tila naiinis. Gusto ko pa sana siyang usisain pero lumapit na sa akin si Kirby at pinuri ang mga shot namin. I couldn't understand what he was saying as I just nodded while wary of Markus who was busy with his cell phone.

He was making me nervous.

"Buy something to eat. You, guys, did great today. I hope we can still work with you, Markus," ngiting-ngiti sabi ni Kirby na inaabot sa akin ang dalawang libo. "You're cut for modelling. Are you sure you're new to this?"

Markus awkwardly massaged his neck and sheepishly smiled that I almost vomitted. "Maraming nag-aaya pero ngayon lang talaga 'ko pumayag, Si-Ma'am."

Kirby laughed. "Kung magbago ang isip mo at gusto mo nang magmodelo, sabihan mo 'ko at marami akong kakilala na p'wede kang tulungan."

Nagtagal pa nang kaunti ang usapan nila bago lumapit sa amin si Chance at saka naalala ni Kirby na may lakad din sila.

Nang napag-iwan kaming dalawa, tahimik kong niyuko ang paligsahan ng mga paa ko sa mauuna sa destinasyon. I felt Markus behind me, oblivious and minding his own business as if he wasn't weird earlier.

It couldn't be, right?

"Saan ka pupunta?"

Inis na nilingon ko siya mula sa aking balikat. His face blank while grabbing my backpack, not wanting me to take another step away from him.

"Gusto ko ng kape," aniya at walang sabi-sabing hinila ako.

"Markus!" sigaw ko. "Ano ba!"

Piece of shit!