Chapter 22
Day 72: Grey’s Residence, Villa Mendez
Today is the last day of my stay at his house. Ilang beses na niya akong tinanong kung anong oras niya ako ihahatid pauwi sa amin, pero hindi ko magawang sagutin siya. Patuloy akong umiiwas sa tuwing bubuksan niya ang usapan tungkol doon.
I am still hesitant.
I am stuck between two borders wherein my nemesis, who turned into my admirer, and my suspicious father are included. But I honestly like staying under Marwin’s watch. In his territory, I somehow felt at home. Kasi nandoon si Mr. and Mrs. Grey, who treat me nicely like their own daughter.
“How about I take you home after lunch?” Marwin asked when he saw me reading books while sitting on his couch. Ang hirap niyang intindihin. Yesterday, he confessed and even told me that he didn’t want to back out, but now it seems like he’s dying to get rid of me. He is unbelievable!
“Later,” tipid kong sagot.
“When exactly is that later?” pangungulit niya.
“Later,” I restated.
“Whoa, did my Dominguez already like living at my house?” Mapang-asar nitong tanong saka ginulo ang nananahimik kong buhok. I lifted my face to look at me.
“Yeah.” He looked surprised after hearing my frank response. “But let me get one thing straight: this is not your house. Sa parents mo ito, so simply put, I like staying at your parent’s house.” I clarified.
He chuckled. “My Dominguez is getting pissed off.”
I glared at him. “I’m not yours, so quit saying my Dominguez!” Giit ko saka marahang sinipa ang binti niya.
“Oh, sadistic,” he teasingly said. Iniangat ko ang hawak kong libro para sana ibato iyon sa kanya, pero mabilis siyang umalis sa harapan ko at diretsong nag-dive sa malawak niyang kama. “So what should I call you?” I threw a glance at him. He was smiling like an idiot while staring at the ceiling.
“Love? Baby? Honey bunch? Sweety pie? Babe—Aha misis ko!” He even snapped a finger before rising from his bed. Nag-Indian sit siya paharap sa gawi ko. Nakangiwi ko siyang tiningnan.
“What the hell are you saying?” I gave him a disgusted look.
“Call signs para sweet tayo!”
Kailangan ko na ata siyang dalhin sa mental facility. The rough version of Grey vanished into thin air. I am so frustrated. Don’t get me wrong; I like his warm and cute smiles. I like his silliness and the goofy side of him, but minsan ay sumusobra. Wala ba sa bukabolaryo niya ang salitang balance?
Isinara ko ang hawak kong libro at saka iyon ipinatong sa rattan table na katabi lang ng kinauupuan ko. I crossed my arms and legs to seem like an arrogant person. Tinaasan ko pa siya ng kilay. “We’re not in a romantic relationship, para tawagin natin ang isa’t-isa gamit ang mga call signs na tinutukoy mo.”
He tilted his head a bit and gave me an innocent look. I bit my lower lip to prevent myself from smiling. “Why can’t we?”
“You didn’t even court me—I never said that I would like you to do such a thing, but yeah." You didn’t do anything to prove your sincerity towards me.” Naningkit ang mga mata niya habang nakikinig sa mga sinasabi ko.
Ilang sandali pa ay napabuga siya ng hangin. Tinatamad siyang bumalik sa pagkakahiga saka humablot ng isang unan. Niyakap niya iyon bago siya nagpagulong-gulong sa higaan na para bang isang bata. Was he really the Marwin who became my nemesis before? The word strange is not enough to describe him.
