Sin City

10: Forbidden touch

"Hi, little one. How are you?"

Napangiti ako when my ipad showed my older brother as soon as I answered the video call. He's sitting in his swivel chair, halatang pagod ito sa trabaho, still in his work clothes, pero nakangiti pa rin ito. I could see the tall buildings of Chicago behind him through his glass wall.

"Hello, kuya," I smiled to kuya Aidan. "I've been busy with some of my homework lately but other than that, life's good," pag u-update ko rito. I placed my ipad on my study table and sat on my pink chair.

"That's good. Proud of you, kid," matamis itong ngumiti sa akin. Napalabi tuloy ako sa saya dahil sa narinig ko.

Kuya leaned on his office table and clasped his hands. A grin formed on his lips, it immediately piqued my curiosity. "Hey, listen," I crossed my legs and paid attention. "We closed a lot of good deals this quarter," I could hear the excitement in his voice.

Napapalakpak naman agad ako. "Congratulations! Proud of you, kid," I giggled when I copied him.

He chuckled and leaned back on his chair, umayos ito ng upo. "Aeone and I are planning to celebrate the success with some of my colleagues in..." he paused. "Vegas," malapad itong ngumiti.

Unti unting lumaki ang mga mata ko dahil sa saya. "Oh my gosh!" I covered my mouth when I couldn't help but scream. "Yes! Come here and I'll take you guys to some of the best places here!" naglululundag sa saya kong sabi.

I haven't seen them in a long time, lalo na si ate Aeone at excited akong makita siya. I love ate Aeone just as much as I love my ate Nadia. She was also there for me growing up, she would always save me from our chaotic household, at lagi pa niya akong nilalabas for girls day out. She is a perfect match for kuya Aidan, she balances him out, she's the reason why kuya Aidan is such a good businessman, and she is kuya's rock.

He laughed on the other line, natuwa sa naging reaksyon ko. "And I'd love to meet your friends, lalo na yung dalawang Chinoy," dagdag pa ni kuya. Referring to Rouqil and Yohan.

"Hey, Roux," I smiled at Rouqil nang maupo kami ni Ruth sa bar. Kahit pakiramdam ko ay awkward pa kami dahil sa nangyari noong isang gabi ay pinansin ko pa rin siya.

Mabuhay was very busy kaya tumango at ngumiti lang ito sa amin nang lagpasan niya kami para magpunta sa ibang customer.

"Hey, guys," pagbati ni Yohan sa amin, malapad ang ngiti nito. The bruise on the corner of his lips was slowly fading.

"Masakit pa din ba?" nag aalalang tanong ni Ruth kay Yohan, she slightly got up from her chair and leaned on the bar to touch Yohan's cheek. I immediately arched a brow, suspicious of what she just did. Bakit may pag hawak ng mukha?

"Hindi na masyado," he softly laughed.

Tumango tango naman si Ruth as she sat properly. I couldn't help but scoff because of the sexual tension. Nang tignan nila akong dalawa, nagtataka kung bakit ako natawa ay agad akong nagsalita.

"Uh can I get a berry mule, please?" I sweetly smiled at him.

"Yes, ma'am," nakangiting sagot agad nito sa akin. He shifted his attention back to Ruth. "Ikaw? Pineapple Jalapeno marg or Long Island?"

Malapad agad na napangiti si Ruth dahil sa tanong ni Yohan. Of course, he'd know, it's what she only orders! "Pineapple marg, please," mahinhin na sagot nito.

"Coming right up!" sagot agad ni Yohan. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko when I caught him winked at her before leaving.

Nakangangang napatingin ako kay Ruth with humor in my eyes. "Ano yon?" I suspiciously asked.