LOVE IS WAR(M).

7

Laurice.

Dinala ako ni Sebastian sa isang restaurant habang naghihintay ako ng update mula sa pamilya ko. My eyes started exploring the interior of the 5-star restaurant that we're in, and at first glance, I could say that the vibe in here is so Bridgerton coded.

There were empire chandeliers placed in the middle of the high ceilings that serve as the main source of light inside the restaurant. Scones powered by electric light source can be seen on the brown varnished walls but the light that comes from the chandeliers remained predominant. And on top of every table that I can lay my eyes on, was three lit vanilla scented candles and fresh picked red roses as table decorations just like the two of us have.

"Mukhang mahal dito, I don't think magkakasya yung dala kong-"

Pinutol naman agad ni Sebastian ang sinasabi ko. "Don't worry, Laurice. It's on me."

"Edi mas malala, dalawa tayo e." Malakas na bulong ko naman sa kaniya. Pinagmasdan ko siyang ilapit ang kaniyang sarili sa'kin at napakunot ang noo ko nang pisilin niya ang ilong ko.

"Worth it naman pag kasama ka." He gently said sabay tap sa nose ko bago niya iyong tuluyang bitawan.

I pressed my lips together, trying not to smile in front of him. I hid behind the menu that I was holding at napabrowse ng wala sa oras sa mga pagkaing naroon. Him and his cheesy lines! I never knew Sebastian has this kind of personality. I always thought that he was cold and unsympathetic but seems like he has a warm side inside of him as well. Ano pa kaya ang mga hindi ko nalalaman tungkol sa kaniya?

Matapos naming pumili ng pagkain ay tinawag na ni Sebastian ang waiter para sabihin ang orders namin. 20-30 minutes pa raw darating ang pagkain namin so we had to wait for a while.

"You terrible liar," I tried to break the silence whilst the wait for our food. Napatingin naman si Sebastian sa'kin, ang mga maya niya'y mukhang nangangapa kung bakit tinawag ko siyang sinungaling gayong wala naman siyang ginagawa.

"Akala ko ba nagrereview? Nasa New York na pala." I raised an eyebrow at him. Napaawang naman ang bibig niya, he looked amused.

"Well, I really did. I brought my reviewer with me." Tugon niya naman.

"I was actually already here while we video called when you were in NAIA." Dagdag pa niya.

Tuluyan nang napaawang ang bibig ko, hindi makapaniwala sa narinig. "You deceived me, how could you?!" I sarcastically said. Kaya pala mukhang inaantok siya noong nag vc kami, kakarating lang niya ba rito noon? Dahil ba sa pagod 'yon?

"Mom just told me to go and not wait for her since she can't go, marami daw siyang gawain. She'll be the CEO of the company next month, kaya siguro ganon." Paliwanag niya naman. Napatango-tango naman ako, narinig ko nga iyon mula kay Daddy.

"Sayang lang, dadaong ang barko nila daddy rito next week. They won't see each other even for just a short period of time." Kwento niya pa habang nakafocus lang akong makinig sa kaniya.

Hindi ko mapigilang mamangha habang nakikita ang side na ito ni Sebastian, it feels foreign to me but knowing that he's sharing his life happenings with me makes me feel warm at the same time.

"Sayang naman. E kayo, magkikita ba kayo kahit sandali lang?" Tanong ko naman sa kaniya.

He pursed his lips, parang sandaling nag-isip ng malalim bago niya ako sagutin. "He's inviting me for a dinner next week," Mukhang may sasabihin pa siya kaya hinayaan ko lang ang sarili kong hintayin ang susunod niyang sasabihin.

"Can you go with me?" He continued, his eyes glimmered with hope.

Napaawang naman ang bibig ko. What? Bakit naman ako sasama? It's a special thing between a father and his son, why would I interfere? Minsan na nga lang silang magkita. Tsaka... baka malaman ni tita Rafaela kung anong meron kami kung ganon.