Finding My Safe Space

Chapter 5

"Did something happen?" hesitating, I asked.

Mom immediately shook her head while dad just smiled and looked away.

"Nothing, dear." Mom answered. I nodded and my eyes landed to dad's hand. "What happened?"

"Ah, this? I accidentally broke the vase last night. Nothing serious, don't worry anak." he then smiled at me. Napatango nalang ako.

But still, they're a bit strange. O baka naman ako lang?

Argh, I guess I am just overthinking, okay naman yata ang lahat. I should stop this.

The breakfast was okay, they're just kind of quiet, but anyway, people aren't always talkative so I think it's just normal.

I went to school after that, I was just silently walking along the lover's lane when my phone beeped. When I saw who it was ay agad akong napangiti.

JJ just messaged me on ig, asking if I am free after school. I know it's just about the foundation, however, I can't help but react as if he asked me on a date.

I replied that I am free and went to the class happily.

Just like what we agreed, JJ and I met at a nice looking cafe near our school. Siya rin ang nagsuggest ng place, I think ito siguro 'yong always na meeting place nila. Doesn't seem that expensive and classy, but okay na. Parang majority ng pumupunta dito, 'yong goal nila is to study o 'di kaya ay meetings dahil may exclusive rooms na available, just like the one that JJ reserved for us.

I almost spit the water I am drinking when I saw him. Carrying an envelope with a messenger bag, hair kind of messy and with his cute looking spectacles, he still looks so good. It's like he's fresh pa rin kahit super hectic ng sched niya due to his piling responsibilities.

"Hello, sorry medyo natagalan. May kumausap pa kasi sa akin sa labas. Pasensya na talaga." he apologized, looking so weary.

"No, it's okay." I immediately answered.

We ordered, it didn't take that long bago maiserve, and it doesn't taste bad for a cheap price. Not bad, really. While carefully munching the food, I looked at JJ and saw that he's busy with his laptop now. He stated earlier that today he's going to introduce to me the influencers who'd also be part of the anniversary celebration. I wonder who they are but I guess kung sino man sila, they must be connected with music.

"I'll also brief you about the theme of the program and the overview of the activities, is that okay with you?" JJ asked.

I sipped on my drink first before answering. "Yeah. Of course, it's fine with me."

"Thank you." He smiled.

Silence came after that and I stared at his face for like five seconds, I just stopped when his eyes widened because of recognition.

"Oh." He suddenly stood while looking at my back.

"Joseph." It's a woman's voice kaya agad din akong lumingon and when I saw her face, I immediately thought that she's familiar. I just forgot where and when I saw her.

"Florence." JJ mentioned and my eyes widened.

Florence? Oh, right! She's that Florence, I see, that why she's familiar because I saw her in photo recently. And magkakilala sila ni JJ? How come?

"I missed you couz, you seemed so busy these days. Hindi na tayo nakakabond." Florence said and hugged JJ.

What? Did I hear it right? They're cousins? What a small world?

"Oh. Sorry. Bawi ako next time, maybe next month," he chuckled while hugging Florence. "Oh, right. Meet Ranielle, I think you know her already. She's going to be part of the program, too." JJ introduced me. I don't feel like smiling and acting too friendly kaya tumango lang ako.

"Hi, you're not that familiar to me but it's really nice to meet you, I'm Florence Pineda nga pala, kilala mo na rin siguro." She extended her hand. Although I don't want to accept her hand, I still don't want to act that way in front of JJ kaya tinanggap ko pa rin 'yon. Ugh, I can't believe I am acting like a hypocrite right now.

"Oh, I'm with someone nga pala. Alam kong matutuwa ka couz, and guess what? Naconvince ko siyang maging part ng event! You should really thank me." Right after she said that the curtains opened and when I saw who entered, my eyes immediately widened.

Just...what the hell?

His eyes also widened, however, it didn't last long. A mocking smile immediately left his lips after that. Just why, why the fuck is this jerk here in front of me?

Ah, sabagay. Iniisue nga pala sila, or maybe he's the boyfriend nga talaga? Pero why? Bakit hanggang dito?

I looked at the two of them while my mind is still processing the situation. They seemed close based on the way they look at each other, baka talagang in a relationship? Gosh, it's not funny but I suddenly want to laugh. If JJ's not here with us ay baka kanina ko pa ginawa 'yon.

"Oh, Mr. Crispin Yeshua  Dela Cruz! We already met no'ng concert, I doubt though na naaalala mo pa ako. I am John Joseph Dominguez, the president of the central student organization and ng foundation." JJ extended his hand and the jerk immediately accept it and shook it firmly, o baka naman it's just my imagination?

"It's nice meeting you," the jerk said while smiling like crazy. Lumipat sa akin ang tingin niya right after that.

"By the way, this is—." JJ tried to introduce me but the jerk cut him off and immediately smirked and held out his hand.

"Miss Ranielle Yasmin Dela Cruz. It's nice to meet you here." He smiled again after that and I almost rolled my eyes. He's really good in acting like a freaking good boy.

I chose to ignore him nalang instead of saying inappropriate words. But I really feel pissed.

"You know her? Magkakilala kayo?" the girl, Florence, asked, like she's surprised of something.

"Ye—." I cut him off already dahil baka kung ano pa ang masabi niya.

"He's an old kakilala, that's it." I said bago tumalikod at umupo na. I caught the jerk letting out a mocking laugh before sitting at the chair beside JJ.

"Cool, magkakilala pala kayo." Florence girl said again like she find it amusing. Seriously? I am starting to hate this girl. So nosy, tss. I thought artista siya at hindi tsismosa.

"Oh, baka lumamig na coffee mo. Wanna order again?" JJ asked, smiling. I find his gesture sweet kaya ngumiti ako pabalik.

"Hindi na, it's okay. I'm full na rin naman." I answered, trying so hard not to sound conyo dahil bigla kong naalala na I am kind of conyo nga pala, and that's one of the things na pinagtatawanan ng jerk sa akin dati.

"Are you sure?" JJ asked again and I just nodded while still smiling.

"Yeah, sure." I think something's on my face kaya I reached for tissue kaso bago ko pa nagawa 'yon, JJ already did it for me.

"Sorry," he even said tgar when he realized that I got startled.

"It's okay, thank you." I sincerely and calmly said, even though deep inside I already want to shout because of kilig.

My mind just went back to reality when Florence cleared her throat and smiled at the two of us, and when I looked at the man beside JJ ay parang bigla akong nakaramdam ng chills.

What's with him ba? Why is he glaring at me?