Phantom Of Love (Friend Series #2) | ✓

Chapter 27

Iraia's POV

I woke up very early to prepare Dux's birthday cake. Nagpatulong ako sa mga maids namin para mag bake, although marunong naman ako kaso kailangan ko pa din ng tulong.

I poured all my efforts baking the most delicious cake Dux could ever taste. I put so much love while doing so, para matikman niya kung paano ako magmahal. Kagaya ng pagmamahal ko kay Dux, walang katumbas.

Landi.

Some maids were still half awake and yawning kaya pilit ngiti nalang ang binibigay ko sa kanila. Dad, Kuya Enzo and Yvaine are still asleep since maaga pa naman. When I tasted the cake cream my eyes twinkled in delight. It was tasty, so much better than the cakes I often bake. Malalasahan mo talaga ang pagmamahal na galing sa puso.

I was smiling widely imagining what would Dux's reaction be. Sana magustuhan niya ang cake ko, I put so much effort baking it. And besides it tasted heavenly, for sure magugustuhan niya talaga 'to.

We baked chocolate cake since yun ang paborito ni Dux. I have prepared the things I will use to decorate the cake. Piping bags, chocolate chips, sprinkles and more.

The cake is in a heart shaped and by the time it cooled off I started to decorate it.

I decided to use vanilla icing with chocolate swirls on the side and sprinkles. I was quite enjoying it while the maids were busy cleaning up the mess hanggang sa naumagahan na kami.

I smiled looking at the finished cake inside the box. It looks delicious and very elegant inside the red box with a white ribbon tied to it.

I quickly went upstairs to prepare myself. Hindi pweding cake lang ang presentable 'no, dapat yung nagluto din.

I applied a simple clean make up look and tied my hair with ribbons. Just like the white ribbon on the cake, para bagay. Naglagay din ko ng lipgloss and tint para magmukhang kissbale ang lips ko.

Kailangan maging prepared lang, baka isang kiss and thank you sa akin ni Dux, edi prepared ang lips ko. I giggled while imagining him kissing me as his thank you and appreciation that I made him a cake.

I glanced at my vanity mirror and saw my cheeks turning red. I pressed my lips to stop a smile.

I texted Amaris kung nasa classroom na ba si Dux since I am planning to surprise him inside the room kaso I received her message saying na wala daw si Dux at nasa training nila. I thanked her and drove off to school with our driver.

Hindi ko na inabala pa si kuya na ihatid ako since he stayed all night checking on some company papers. Dad and Yvaine was still asleep when I left, mga pagod ata.

I thanked our driver before entering the school carrying the cake I made with both of my arms. I was smiling widely feeling excited. I can feel my heart pounding at kulang nalang sumigaw ako sa sobrang pagkaexcite.

I glanced at the cake and giggled while looking at it. Magugustuhan 'to ni Dux. I made it with pure love and his favorite.

Dumiretso ako sa may soccer player's locker room, assuming that Dux was there.

As soon as I got near from the door I heard him talking with someone, maybe his teammates greeting him. Malakas akong napabuntong hininga para mawala ang kaba sa dibdib ko. I smiled again imagining what would be his reaction.

I tucked some strands of my hair behind my ear first. I took the cake out of the box gently and very quiet. Not making any sounds to ruin the surprise.

I arranged the candles and lighted them up. My smile grew wider as I walked towards the door to enter.

Only to looked at them in terror.

Dux was leaning on the locker while Cloe was infront of him. They didn't seem to notice my presence. Dux smiled widely while looking at the small cake Cloe gave him.

I looked at the cake. I can't help but compare it, mine is bigger and better made with pure love and efforts. I gripped tighter on the cake I was holding. All the excitement and joy I felt earlier vanished as I looked at them.

My mouth felt dry and a lump on my throat as I stared at them with teary eyes. Napalunok ako upang magsalita pero agad ding natigilan nang halikan ni Dux ang noo ni Cloe.

Naramdaman ko ulit ang sakit nang makita dati si Yvaine at Dad sa office na naghahalikan dati, pero ngayon si Dux at Cloe naman. Deja vu ba 'to?

A heavy pang on my chest aches more, realizing am I not deserving to be loved?

Painful, like daggers digging into it. I felt betrayed. I wanted to run away but my body seems to be glued on the ground. Unable to move. Tears started to pool around my eyes, pinipigilan ko silang pumatak.

I gasp in horror when Dux hugged Cloe while smiling. Sa sobrang gulat ko sa ginawa niya nabitawan ko ang cake na dala ko causing it to create a loud bang to the whole soccer player's locker room.

They looked at me in shock. Agad silang napahiwalay sa isa't isa at nanlaking matang tumingin si Dux sa akin. He looked at me first then glanced at the cake on the floor.

I just stood there.

Nag angat siya nang tingin at natigilan nang makita ang luha ko na patuloy umaagos sa mukha ko. I forced a smile at them.

"I-im s-sorry sa i-istorbo." mahinang bulong ko bago tumakbo paalis dun.

Napahagulgol ako habang tumatakbo nang maramdaman ang kamay sa balikat ko at marahas akong iniharap.

"Iraia!" he called.

Mas lalo akong naiyak nang makita si Dux. "Hey-" he was about to speak but I immediately cut him off.

"Pwede ba tumigil ka na... ang sakit sakit na Dux," nahihirapang sambit ko at mas lalong napahagulgol sa harap niya habang nakaturo sa puso ko.

My heart hurts, badly.

"You gave me your word Dux! Na hindi ko siya dapat pagselosan pero bakit mo 'to ginagawa?!" malakas na sigaw ko sa kanya.

"Si Dad... may ibang babae. My own mother hated my existence. I was betrayed by one of my best friend tas ngayon ikaw?! Tangina naman lahat nalang kayo magtutulungan para durugin ako?! Kasi oo! Durog na durog na ako!" malakas na sigaw ko at napahagulgol sa harapan niya.

"Please Dux. Tell me, sabihin mo mismo sa harapan ko na ayaw mo na sa akin. Na ayaw mo ako, na hindi mo'ko gusto para hindi ko na ipilit pa ang sarili ko sayo." I pleaded him.

Lumamlam ang mga mata niya habang nakatingin sa akin.

I flinched when he hugged me tightly. "I like you Iraia, please don't give up on me..." he begged as his voice cracked. I can feel his tears on my shoulders. Mas lalo akong naiyak sa sitwasyon namin.

Nung napagod ako, saka siya umamin. Langhiyang pag-ibig 'yan.

Gamit ang natitirang lakas ko, marahas akong bumitaw sa yakap niya na siyang ikinagulat niya.

Malakas ko siyang sinampal dahilan para mapabaling ang ulo niya sa kabila. It created a loud sound. Mas lalo akong napaiyak sa ginawa ko.

"You're just confused Dux, natatakot na baka hindi na kita habulin pa. Think your thoughts clearly and don't fool yourself kasi ako ang nasasaktan." Mariing sabi ko bago tinalikuran at iniwan siya dun.