PARADISE OF THE DEVIL (GONCALVES 1)

Chapter 33

Jair's presence registered to me. I would admit that my heart skipped a beat the moment I smelt his familiar scent. I didn't expect, even a bit to be around him again after more than a year.

"Oh! I didn't get a chance to mention it. Jair came here with me," maligayang pahayag ni Lilia.

He might be here to escort Lilia to the event tomorrow. I didn't think I had to be informed that he was here. I didn't have plans to be associated with him again, anyway. The last time I checked, I didn't own Paris so he was free to be here.

"Anyway, I brought the dresses that you are going to wear for tomorrow's event," I said, shifting the topic to the package.

"Jair, make it two... for me and Eden," saad ni Lilia kay Jair na halatang hindi nakinig sa akin.

"What are you talking about?" gulat kong baling sa kay Lilia.

"Let's have spa tonight" she squealed in excitement.

"I can't," I instantly refused.

"It's almost dinner. Siguro akong wala ka ng babalikan na trabaho pagkatapos mong ideliver ang mga ito," aniya.

Hindi ko alam kung babalik ba ako sa venue o sa atelier. Time was not really strict, if you were finish with your work for the day then you could leave but today was different, masyadong marami ang kailangan na gagawin at baka may iuutos pa sa akin.

"Kailangan kong bumalik. Thank you for the invite though," sagot ko sa kanya.

"You should come back."

"I'll make sure to see you tomorrow, most probably after the event," sagot ko sa kanya.

I felt guilty about rejecting Lilia's invitation especially since it was not always that she'd be here and who'd know when would be the next time we see each other. Genuinely, I had to go back to work. That was the only reason.

"It's nice to see you today, Lilia," dagdag ko atsaka mainit na ngumiti sa kanya. "Be prettier than everyone else tomorrow so it'd be easy for me to find you."

When I turned to walk to the door, I didn't bother to glance at Jair. He was just air to me, lingering but unrecognized. I could see him in my peripheral vision, like a smudged figure, his body was facing me, surely watching me, but ignorance was bliss.

I didn't wanna be rude or appear to be still affected and holding a grudge towards him. I just wanted to be unbothered and go on. We were done and I didn't think I would want to be friends with him or be casual.

I couldn't say I totally moved on from him because I'd be lying. I couldn't even greet him hello. I didn't want to open a door again for him in my life. I was still rebuilding my house and I couldn't risk ruining it again with a single glance of recognition for him.

Bumalik ako ng atelier at saktong sakto ang pagdating in Seon Ah at ng ibang designers. I thought they had packed up already. Well, all the work at the event was not all our job to do, we only went there to supervise the dresses.

"Let's go have dinner!" Seon Ah invited me.

"Isn't it too early for dinner?" I asked.

"We've got a drinking party to attend. Lucio's girlfriend is throwing a party before she goes back to her hometown in Poland for a vacation. Isn't it a perfect timing? Everything's on the line for tomorrow's event. It's calling for a celebration," she exasperated.

"Party will exhaust us for tomorrow's event," I said.

"Would you rather miss Rosetta's party? She's leaving so we should be there," she insisted.