Kabanata LVII: I DO

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I do.
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W-WALA,” ani Renz na bumaling sa gilid.

“Sigurado ka?” he pried.

“Yes.”

With his cousin's intriguing reply, it seemed like he wanted to pry further, but before he could, a deep baritone voice spoke from beside us, commanding our attention. My lips parted slightly as I recognized the man with the undercut from earlier—Mr. Kaiden Trevor Montalvo I.

“King,” tawag ni Levi dito.

Sumulyap naman si Mr. Montalvo kay Renz at tumango—a kind of silent greeting often done by people who know each other. Mr. Montalvo then shifted his gaze to me, making me notice the moonlight reflecting in his piercing silver eyes.

“Hi,” Mr. Montalvo greeted in his low, baritone voice.

“Hello,” I greeted back timidly. Mr. Montalvo's eyes are more intimidating on closer look.

Tipid na ngumiti sa'kin si Mr. Montalvo, bago nito binalingan si Levi.

“Nagmamadali ba kayo?” Mr. Montalvo's deep baritone voice inquired seriously.

“Not really. Why?” tanong niyang nagpabuntong-hininga sa huli.

“Can I talk to you for a moment?” Mr. Montalvo asked.

“Tungkol saan?” kunot-noong tanong niya. “Is it about Ms. Sua—”

“Nah, it's not about her,” mabilis na putol sa kanya ni Mr. Montalvo.

Meanwhile, I stealthily peeked at Levi's face and saw his relaxed expression. “Then it's about that woman?” he asked.

Mr. Montalvo sighed. “Yes.”

Finally, Levi released my hand as he and Mr. Montalvo excused themselves to talk privately, leaving me and Renz alone.

Tahimik na nakasunod ang mga tingin namin ni Renz sa dalawa habang naglalakad ang mga ito palayo sa amin. I wouldn't have taken my gaze off them if Renz hadn't cleared his throat, pulling my attention.

“Shay admitted what she did,” he said in a quiet voice.

Nilingon ko siya.

Renz' small and apologetic smile greeted me. “I'm sorry that my little sister troubled you that day…but thank you for helping her.”

“You're welcome,” I replied blandly, still guarded.

Silence stretched between us until he casually called my name.

“Keira.”

Tamad ko lang siyang tiningnan.

Accepting my lazy look, he sighed defeatedly. “I'm sorry. Sorry sa mga nasabi at nagawa ko sa'yo noon. Sorry din sa mga nagawa sa'yo ng kapatid ko noon.”

Hindi ako umimik at nanatiling nakatingin lang sa kanya. What happened? Bakit parang sunod-sunod silang nagso-sorry sa'kin? Una si Shay, ngayon naman siya. Was Levi behind this? Was he using his cousins to win me back?

“Noong gabing 'yon, pagkatapos mong umalis sa resort… nagkasagutan kami ni Levi. He thought I offended you again, that's why you left so abruptly. He even asked Tita Rose if you said anything before leaving, pero sinabi ni Tita na mas mabuting kayo na lang ang mag-usap. Binalak ka pa niyang sundan kung hindi lang siya pinigilan ni Tita Rose. Nakainom siya at madilim na ang daan…”

Renz sounded like he wasn't finished, so I remained silent.

“Pagkatapos ng gabing 'yon, doon ko na-realize… Lev had feelings for you. Hindi niya lang alam noon. He genuinely cared for you even before. It's just that you're so different from Annika, and that difference somehow unsettled him.”

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