Honne; Tatemae

Chapter 3

Payne

"She's Tris' legal girlfriend."

"Nah. They aren't dating each other. Tris clarified that. Saka di mo ba alam that Tris is dating Elle Parker-Calvry?"

"Elle Parker-Calvry? Silly. Though that woman is undeniably drop-dead gorgeous, Tris won't date that icy bitch. You don't know how Ms. Montello gets ahold of Tris. C'mon, Tris could ditch any of her hot date if Ms. Montello says so. Remember the banquet incident in Bunbury?"

From where I am standing, I started fidgeting from my one foot to the other. I steal one more glance back to the couple that the other models are interested into talking about.

Are they really dating each other?

If yung paraan ng pagiging kumportable ng mga ito sa isa't isa ang pagbabasehan, without a doubt, I'd be convinced to admit Yes.

The two seems too comfortable being that close. Hugging each other. Sneaking kisses on the cheeks nor wrapping each other's arms around one another's waist. It's the way Kay's eyes are litting up while staring up at Tris Callaghan. At the way she laughs and playfully glares at Tris. It speaks a thousand of voiceless affection.

Get a grip, Payne. You're straight, right? Why are you getting affected? It's not as if ngayon ka lang nakakakita ng dalawang babae na tila ba hindi apektado sa sasabihin ng mga tao sa paligid nila.

But who am I kidding?

Sa amin kasi ang tanging normal na relasyon ng mga kabaklaan ay yung klase na may isang cross-dresser. A typical hard butch. And someone a little too soft for anyone's liking.

Someone where you can easily point out who has the dominating and overpowering aura. Someone who wouldn't make you wonder who courted who nor who initiated the move first.

There's no such thing as two women who both dresses alike, both too soft in their own accord.

But heck! Looking at Tris Callaghan and Kaylee Montello? They're both refined women. Oozing with finesse. Demure. Well-mannered.

Urgh. Me and my stereotyping attitude and thinking suck. I know.

Gawd! They both look hot together. Painfully a perfect pair!

Yung tipo pa na pag nakita mo o nalaman mo na totoo man yung bali-balita na may relasyon talaga sila, imbes na mandiri ka, baka kiligin ka pa. And weird as it may sound, though I know I am straight, I can't help but to think that they are surreal. Too much luck if you were able to hook any of them.

They are the epitome of perfection. Yung ideal type na alam mong mas malabo pa sa isang porsyente ng tyansa ng pagkapanalo sa lotto na mapasayo. 

And it's not easy to crack the defenses I've laid around myself. I don't easily get thrilled with some idea that could hurt me. Because when I know that it could possibly cut me, I'd stop and will walk away before it does.

So why does the thought that Kaylee Montello dating that perfect woman lands direct shots on my ribs?

I took a deep sigh.

Kaylee Montello is a thousand way out of my league. Not because I've had few casual talks with her, there'll be magic that could make her look at me as her worthy equal. Those casual talks aren't even enough to be acquainted to her.

And she just exactly pointed that one out when she declined the dinner I'm offering.

Well, it's a good thing that she declined it right? At least hindi ako matataranta mag-isip kung saan ko dapat na restaurant sya dalhin.