Hear the mind's need

Chapter 24 (His)

"Tss, i'm just wasting my time here. Just tell our parents I left."

I arch my brows at my brother. He just shrugged and place the wine glass at the table and stood up. Napailing na lang ako, and then my parents will question me why I let him leave early.

"So, Chase...  you're still single right?"

I boredly face the woman beside me, I almost forgot that mom got me a date for this party that I didn't even agreed to.

"I'm not ready to mingle though," I spat.

Ngumiwi naman siya. I think her name's Joanna, if I heard it right earlier. Akmang may sasabihin pa siya but I quickly excused myself. Tumayo ako para hanapin ang mga magulang ko.

It took me less than a minute to spot them at the side, near our staircase. Namukhaan ko ang mga kausap nila, it was Mr. And Mrs. Liarez. This party is catered by them.

Agad nila akong naramdaman. My mom quickly flew her eyes somewhere. probably wondering why am I alone.

"Good evening, Mr. and Ms. Liarez," bati ko nang makalapit.

"Good evening too, Chase. It's been a while," Mr. Liarez smiled.

"Oh, I would like you to meet our daughter but she's not here..." sabi naman ng asawa nito. "She went outside, I think."

"You should see if she's outside," Dad said. I nodded to avoid my mom's about to question about Joanna. "Where's Chain?"

"He left early, you know him." I answered. I excused myself to the four of them and went outside.

I breathed and roam my eyes. Umangat ang kilay ko nang makita ang nag-iisang babae sa labas. She's wearing a pink dress, standing in front of the fountain.

I peek at her face, it's not hard to get a glimpse of her face because of the night lights around. Well, she's pretty.

Hindi niya ako naramdaman nang makalapit, if I didn't speak—she won't realize there's already someone beside her.

"Is your daughter wearing a pink dress?" tanong ko pagkabalik. "She's indeed outside, Ms. Liarez."

"Thank you for checking, Chase. Sinupladahan ka ba?" Tumawa ito nang bahagya.

I hesistantly shake my head. "She was nice."

"Oh," Mr. Liarez was a bit surprised. "That's new..."

I smiled a little, not knowing what to respond. So, she's not normally nice... I guess.

"It would mean to us if you can befriend our daughter,"

I confusedly look towards Mr. Liarez. Nakatingin ito sa hawak na wine. Tila nag-iisip. What? Befriend their daughter? That's not weird, but for them to ask is somehow odd.

"It would be nice, if you can keep her company. She's nice to you that means she's okay with you... she doesn't have friends... Nag-aalala lang kami na lagi siyang mag-isa."

I wasn't able to answer Ms. Liarez. But their daughter's personality is slowly forming in my head. I'm about to apologize that I wouldn't be able to do that just because when my parents suddenly excused me. They were talking to other businessmen already, and they would introduce me.

"Anak, why don't you—"

I groaned internally. I know it would be wrong to come home. Mom is setting me up for a new date.

"I told you mom, I'm not interested." I don't know how many times I've said this already.

I stride quickly to Dad's office in the house, naabutan ko itong may binabasa nang matigilan siya at dumako sa akin ang tingin.