PARADISE OF THE DEVIL (GONCALVES 1)

Chapter 10

In some way, I was thankful for Jair. For coming here with me, for the company, and for entertaining my family. I'd be honest, I liked this side of him... where he could be with anyone and lit up the mood.

I clearly remembered that time when he invited me and my best friends to his villa to spend the weekend. I didn't expect he'd treat my friends as 'friends' to call them. Now, we're all busy packing some clothes for an overnight stay there.

I received a message from him saying, 'You'll get the measurement for the dress today as well.'

I was wearing my purple miniskirt and a white-red lip-tongue-out printed crop top. I brought my satchel filled with my shorts, tops, and undies. I didn't forget to bring my meter since Jair reminded me about the measurements for the dress.

I braided my hair today and put on some light makeup. I sprayed my cologne and then wore the black sandals that he bought for me. Since it was a hot sunny day today and we were going to the villa, I made sure to bring my rectangular sunglasses.

"You look pretty," Joerex commented on my look.

I grinned at him and slightly wiggled my hips to let my skirt fly a little.

"You look hot," I told him afterward. He was wearing this white polo with 3 buttons undone paired with his khaki shorts. He seemed readier than me. Rach on the other hand was wearing short shorts and a blue tube.

Jair was already waiting near the convenience store, so we had to hurry up. I made sure I locked the door before I followed them outside. My lips almost formed an 'o' when I saw Rach already wearing her sombrero.

All three of us were so excited as we marched to the convenience store. Mas lalo lang naexcite sina Rach nang matanaw na namin ang sasakyan ni Jair. It horned once, a sign that he noticed us.

"Hi!" he greeted us after he rolled the window down.

Ngumiti ako at umikot para pumasok ng passenger seat. Ramdam ko ang lagkit ng tingin ni Jair sa akin habang pumupwesto ako kaya nailang ako at napaiwas ng tingin. He didn't have to look at me that way. My dress wasnot even that revealing... I guess.

"Let's go!" excited na sigaw ni Rach kaya naramdaman ko ang pagtanggal ng mga mata sa akin ni Jair.

I always tend to avoid Jair's eyes the entire ride. The drive was pretty far but it was never awkward, especially with Rach and Joerex in the car. They must like Jair that much for talking and asking too many questions about him.

"Do you like our Eden here?"

Nanlaki ang mga mata kong binalingan si Rach dahil sa naging tanong. Nainis lang ako lalo nang marinig ang pagtawa ni Jair at sinabing 'oo'. Tinutukso nila ako kaya ay pinanatili ko ang mukha sa kabilang direksyon para hindi nila makita ang ekspresyon ko. Kahit ako ay hindi ko alam kung ano ang mukha ko ngayon.

"Is that enough reason why I kept going here and invited you to come over to my villa," Jair added. I didn't have to look at him to know he was grinning, enjoying watching me receive all the teasing from my friends.

"I can say that Eden likes you, too," ani Joerex kaya muntik ko ng mabato sa kanya ang hawak kong phone.

"Is that so?" When he said that, our eyes met.

"Oo," ani Joerex tsaka sila naghalakhakan ni Rach sa likod.

Their waves of laughter were faint from the back, and yet I could hear the resonance of the beats of my heart stirring my entire system. The tension was as sharp as a needle, and I wavered for a moment.

"I-It's not true," I managed to say before looking away. I hoped it was as persuasive as I intended it to be. Because I said was true... I didn't like him. He was just messing with my head.