SLOWLY SERIES #5: SLOW TOUCH (COMPLETED)

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chanel is feeling a bit better as each day passes by. Sa pagtagal ng panahon, parang unti-unting nang bumalik ang dating sila ni Ryle. Hindi niya na rin nakita pa si Liway, which is something she considered a blessing.

"Doll, let's go out later," tanong ni Ryle saka umupo sa tabi niya. He slid his hand between her thighs and massaged it.

"Saan naman tayo pupunta?"

"May naiwan pa akong trabaho sa studio."

"May bago kayong kanta?"

Umiling si Ryle. "Ako lang. I'm actually planning my solo album."

Chanel's face brightened. "Really? Tungkol saan naman ang album?"

Nagkibit-balikat lang ang binata. "Random songs I wrote."

"Can I be in it?"

"Hmm?" Ryle was quick to raise his brow, but quickly changed expression. "Y-Yeah. Sure, doll, you can be in it."

Chanel squealed in joy, but deep inside Ryle's mind, he was hoping to have Liway in it as well. Hindi niya alam kung bakit, pero pakiramdam niya ay may nabago sa relasyon nila ni Liway magbuhat noong bumisita ito.

Liway never called nor texted him unless he makes the first move. Nakikita niya ang ilang cryptic posts ng dalaga sa Instagram niya. He's dead worried about her, pero kung tinatanong niya naman ang problema, palaging tinatanggi iyon ni Liway.

"Babe, are you okay?" tanong ni Chanel sa kaniya at sinapo ang pisngi niya.

Ryle took a few seconds to process Chanel's question. He nonchalantly nodded and looked away. Naramdaman niya ang paglayo ni Chanel sa kaniya. Paglingon niya sa dalaga, she was glaring at him with her arms crossed.

"What's wrong, doll?" he asked.

"Bakit hindi mo ako kinakausap nang maayos?"

"Chanel—"

"You're mind is somewhere else. Sino ang iniisip mo, Ryle?"

"It's not like that, doll."

"Is it Liway?"

Mabilis na umiling si Ryle. He closed the distance between them and held her hand between both of his. He then, kissed it.

"I'm just hungry that's why I'm dazed. Kaya nga kita inaayang lumabas, eh."

Chanel sighed. "Okay, sabi mo eh."

"I'll go take a shower."

Tumango si Chanel at hinayaang umalis si Ryle. Ryle was quick to leave her in his living room. He decided to take a cold shower to waken his senses.

Nang magpapalit na sana siya, nakita niya ang isa sa mga magkapares na damit na binili niya para kay Liway. Hindi pa pala nakuha ng dalaga ang mga gamit na binili kami.

He took one and put it on. Ang isa naman ay inilagay niya sa kama para sana itago, pero pumasok kaagad si Chanel. Her eyes darted to the green shirt on the bed.

"You bought us matching clothes?" masayang tanong ng dalaga.

Hindi kaagad nakasagot ni Ryle ang tanong pero mabilis na hinubad ni Chanel ang tank top niya at pinalit ang green na T-shirt. Chanel dragged him in front of his full length mirror and took her phone out.

"Smile, babe," she whispered.

Ryle was hesitant at first, but being scared that Chanel might throw a tantrum, he smiled. Chanel took a few photos then showed it to him. She looked so excited and happy.

"We look so cute together, Ryle!" sabi pa niya.

"I agree."

Magkahawak ang mga kamay, they left. They decided to go to the newly opened restaurant just near the mall. Ngumingiti na lang si Ryle kapag may sinasabi ang dalaga. He was quiet the whole time while Chanel kept talking about how good they looked together.