White Lies and Smiles

21

Clyde asked me about what happened in the parking area earlier. I told him everything. I sipped on my champagne glass and looked around the restaurant of a five-star hotel that we're in.

My eyes went bigger when I saw Ethan. He was eating with two men and three girls. Tumayo ako at lumipat ng puwesto. Tumabi ako kay Clyde. Sa puwesto ko ay natitiyak kong makikita ni Ethan kung ano man ang ginagawa ko o baka hindi...

Isinandal ko ang ulo ko sa balikat ni Clyde. Nilingon ko ulit ang lamesa nila Ethan. Sumulyap siya sa amin at marahang tumango sa kausap. Umayos ako ng upo. Tinuon ko ang buong atensyon ko kay Clyde. I unconsciously looked at Clyde's lips when he sipped on his champagne glass.

"Clyde, kiss me on my lips..."

Nasamid si Clyde sa iniinom niya. I handed him a tissue. Nagpunas siya ng labi habang nakatingin sa akin.

"What the hell?" His brow arched.

"Please... I'm not drunk. Just please.. I want to taste your lips." Nakita ko ang pag-awang ng mga labi niya. "Clyde, ayaw mo bang ma-try?"

Lumandas ang kamay ni Clyde patungo sa batok ko. Hinila niya ako palapit sa kaniya. Napapikit ako nang maramdaman ko ang malalambot niyang mga labi sa akin. Naghintay ako na gumalaw siya pero wala!

"What was that?" I asked him, almost whispering. There was only an inch distance between our faces.

"A kiss?" What?! Was that a kiss?! Oh, right. It's his first kiss. "Teach me then."

My lips parted in shock. He parted his lips a bit, waiting for my attack. I licked my lower lip before pressing my lips against his lips. I encircled my arms around his neck when he sucked on my lower lip. I felt his tongue exploring my mouth.

I accidentally put my hand on his hard on, earning a groan from him. I was lost... He rested his arm on the backrest behind me. His free hand rested on my thigh, gently caressing and squeezing it. Clyde knows how to kiss! Damn, I'm losing my mind!

"I told you to teach me. Why aren't you kissing me back, huh?" My heart doubled in beat as he played with the thin strap of my dress.

"I-I'm... so... lost. I m-mean, how? How d-did you... Where did you l-learn that?"

He gave me space. He smirked while looking at me intently. Pumungay ang kaniyang mga mata nang bumaba ang tingin niya sa mga labi ko.

"I watched some videos.. for you. I really thought it didn't help. Well, I don't know if I'm a natural or I learned from those videos."

"What the hell..." Natawa siya nang makita ang reaksyon ko. Sigurado akong pulang-pula ako ngayon! Hindi ko inaasahan 'yon.

I unconsciously looked at Ethan. He wasn't looking at our side. I guess he really did move on or he really didn't care at all. Years ago, my friends saw him with a girl inside a coffee shop.

Wala naman kaming nasagap na information about sa love life ni Ethan. Maybe, Diana and him separated ways already or he was cheating on Diana. At first, I cried. Because who wouldn't? Parang binaliwala niya lahat. But then, some news came to our attention. It was one of Ethan's friends, who turns out to be a famous personality.

Tinago ko ang mukha ko sa dibdib ni Clyde nang ipakita ang possessed doll sa movie. I felt Clyde's chest vibrated as he released a low chuckle. He wrapped his arm around me, as if he was protecting me.

"Bakit kasi horror?"

"It was your decision..." Clyde whispered. And I suddenly remembered how we chose this.

Clyde was trying to help me forget about Ethan. Dinadala niya ako sa mga lugar kung saan ako dinala ni Ethan. Ginagawa niya lahat ng ginawa ni Ethan. But as we spent more time together, doing the things that Ethan and I did before and going to places, I've realized how much I loved Ethan. The more that I try to forget about him, the more that I remember him.

I slid my hand under Clyde's shirt. My hand was cold but his... body was freaking burning. I caressed his chest down to his abs.. I looked up at Clyde and saw him watching me. He attacked my lips with a soft kiss.

"Qams?" Napalingon ako sa tumawag sa akin. Nasa harapan namin ang seat nila. "Ikaw nga.."

"David," mahinang tawag ko. Ngumiti siya sa akin. Bumaling ako sa katabi niyang babae. Nakatingin din siya sa amin. Nagtaka ako dahil naka-face mask siya.

"Ah, si Zelena," mahinang pagpapakilala ni David sa kasama niya. "Zelena, si Qamari, kaibigan ko."

"Hi." Pasimpleng kumaway si Zelena sa akin. "Can you drive me to C-box? Hersh just texted me to go there."

David looked at Zelena. From where I was seated, I saw something in David's eyes. He nodded at Zelena and smiled. He fixed her mask and placed his hand on the back of Zelena's head to pull the woman closer.

May mga dumaan sa gilid na mukhang galing sa restroom. Ngayon alam ko na kung bakit 'yon ginawa ni David. Napangiti ako nang maalala ang kuwento niya noon na may crush siyang magd-doctor. Si Zelena 'yon.. Sigurado ako. The way he looks at her.. That's not how you look at someone who's just a friend.

"Is that Zelena? The model?" Clyde asked, almost whispering. I nodded at him. "I'm a fan..."

My brows shut up in amusement. A fanboy, huh? I texted David if Clyde could take a selfie with Zelena. I saw him whispering to Zelena. I received his reply after a minute. I looked at Clyde in a lazy manner.

"Take a selfie with her later, I asked for her permission." I pouted to ask for a kiss. He chuckled before giving in. It was just a short soft kiss but I felt my knees weakened.

"Thank you," he said in a low voice. "You're really the best for me, I'm sure."

I felt his lips brushing against my lower lip. I gave him a peck. I put my lips near his jaw. I felt him slowly caressing my thigh.

"How sure are you, Deus?" I whispered. I heard some of the people leaving as the movie ended. We stayed like that though.

"I wouldn't be kissing you like that if I wasn't sure, Xaia. Now let's follow your friend and Zelena before I do something with you here." He hugged my waist with one arm and pulled me up as he stood up. He raised a brow and the side of his lips rose.

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