Hardest to Lose (Villaraza Series #4)

10 | Experience

10 | Experience

"He's a rapist. Hindi mo ba alam?"

Naupo muna ako sa harap niya bago nagsalita, "I've heard of it."

"Alam mo pala. Ba't sumama ka pa?"

"I thought it was just a rumor. You know people. They will always talk ill against those they hate."

"And it's always to listen and be cautious even if rumors turn out untrue." He looked angry as he maintained that smirk. "Have you always been like this?"

"Oo na, talagang mali naman ako," I conceded. "Pero 'di naman ako tanga para magpaloko sa lalaking 'yon, ano? Kayang-kaya ko siyang patumbahin sa ilang segundo lang."

My reason, of course, didn't lighten his mood. Dahil naiintindihan ko naman kung anong ipinupunto niya, although it was still a bit weird, hinayaan ko na lang siya at hindi sinabayan ang inis niya.

"Kaya ba sinundan mo kami?" I inquired when I noticed his face wasn't as dark as before.

He sipped his drink and bit his lower lip hard before he nodded. "Hindi ko naman plano. But I was just around so when I saw you with the guy . . ."

Ako pa talaga uutuin nito.

I cleared my throat and grabbed from him his glass. "Thanks for worrying, then." And in one shot, I drank it all.

If that guy really put something in my drink, that was just messed up. I wouldn't drink it, of course, even if Markus didn't show up here. I had been a regular in bars and a fanatic of alcohol so I knew stuff to take care of myself.

Mali pa rin yata talaga minsan magbigay ng benefit of the doubt.

"Are you not drinking anymore?" tanong ko nang hindi na nga umimik pa si Markus. Nakatitig na lamang siya sa akin na tila maraming iniisip. "Come on. Let's set aside the fact that we're nemeses. Just for tonight. I feel like drinking till dead with someone."

Nabuhay ang kanyang ngisi. "I never look at you as a nemesis, you know." At inagaw niya mula sa akin ang baso.

I smirked at him, not buying what he said.

Lumipas ang ilang sandali na walang umiimik sa amin. The alcohol tasted better in every gulp so I didn't restrain myself. Matagal-tagal na rin noong huli kong inom. I missed this so much.

"Pumunta ka na sa bahay," he said, finally. "Lagi akong tinatanong ni Tita kung kailan ka raw ba libre."

"Should I really go?" I pondered loudly. "Baka isipin niya magkaibigan ulit tayo."

"I don't want to be friends with you, too. Don't worry."

Mula sa paglagok sa iniinom ay sinulyapan ko siya. His fingers were loosely spread above his mouth as his eyes squinted for his smirk.

This asshole . . .

"Sabihan na lang kita kung kailan ako p'wede." I paused. "Should I really-"

"Oo," agap niyang putol. "Asang-asa na rin erpats ko."

Wala na yata talaga akong choice.

"Have you never dated a man?"

Kunot-noo ko siyang binalingan. Nakahalukipkip siya habang nasa akin ang buong atensyon. I thought he was bluffing or what but there wasn't an air of mischief around him. Nothing, but plain curiosity.

"Ano naman sa'yo?" I responded, more defensive than I planned it to be.

His brows shot up. "So you never dated a guy?"