After The Lies

Chapter 8

Nakatayo ako sa harap ng restaurant na nag imbita sa akin. I feel like something is wrong here. Hindi naman ako subrang sikat para imbitahan nang isang sikat na restaurant. Sinipat ko ang pangalan ng restaurant. Dito kami nag date ni Klaus. It's so strange. Kilala ba ako nangmay-ari nito?

I stepped inside after I gathered my thoughts. Agad akong sinalubong ng tatlong waitress. Ngumiti ako pabalik sakanila ng ngumiti sila sa akin. Dinala nila ako sa office at habang hinihintay ang may-ari pinaupo nila ako at nag serve pa sila ng pagkain. It's so strange hindi naman ako kilala para ganito ang pagtrato ng mga waiters sa akin. Na akala mo isa akong sikat na chef.

"Good morning, Sir." Tumayo ako at akmang babatiin na sana ang bagong dumating pero napanganga ako.

Klaus...What the hell is he doing here? Wait, is he the owner?! Naalala ko ang gabi na dito kami kumain. That's why the waiters kept on looking at me. Interesado sila sa babaeng ka date ng amo nila! Sumama ang timpla ko ng lumapit na si Klaus. He took a quick look at me before sitting down. Umupo narin ako.

Tumahimik ang silid at ang patak lang ng sandal ko ang naririnig. Hindi ko mapigilang galaw-galawin ang paa ko sa sahig dahil sa inis. Saiko must have done this. Even though I didn't send in a resume or portfolio, this restaurant asked me to come in. That's why I found it so strange. Hindi ko matignan si Klaus sa inis. It's been 8 days since we last talk at natandaan ko pa ang tinext ko sakanya bago siya blinock.

"Leave us alone." Narinig ko siyang nag-utos. Sumunod naman ang mga employees niya. Napairap ako. Patay sakin si Saiko mamaya. Mawawalan iyon ng taglay maka anak.

"Manila–"

"Sino ang may pakana nito? Si Saiko ba?"

"No. I asked him to help me out."

Tumaas ang kilay ko sa sagot niya. "Do you mean that you asked me to work for you not because of my qualifications but because you want me here?"

"Of course not! I invited you because I know you've spent enough time abroad and I want to get to know you better when you get back."

"Are you sure? Malay ko ba kung nagsisinugaling ka." Mataray kung sabi. Kaya niya ngang itago ang nararamdaman niya. He can easily lie just like me.

 Bumuntong hininga siya.

"When I heard you were going to come back, I called Saiko and asked him for help." Ngumuso ako at inisantabi ang kilig na unti-unting nararamdaman. Galit ako okay? After our date he did not text me or call me! Para bang ang pangit kung ka date at naging ganoon.

"You want to be closer to me, but you ghosted me?" Bulong lang yun pero narinig niya!

"I...it's because I wanted to protect you." Malaking 'huh'? "I think I'll move too quickly when I see you again after our date."

"Bakit?" Mahina kung tanong.

"I really want to be so near you. I might not be able to stop touching you like I own you. It's no good, Manila. What I'm scared the most is seeing you disgusted by the way I will love you. That'll f*ck me up. And that night I can't help but think about lewd thoughts just by looking at your bareback. And it's our first date, that just so f*cking bad of me." Malalim na sabi niya. I can't help but stare at his eyes. Oh, no. I'm supposed to not look at him so he will be thinking I'm really mad at him!