Love Operation: Don't Become The Villainess

CHAPTER 31: ...

"It's because I love you, Catherine!" iyak nito, "I fell in love with you."

Napalunok ako, "A-ano?"

She sniffed, looking at me confused, "What?"

"A-anong sabi mo?" hindi makapaniwalang tanong ko sa kaniya.

"Catherine..." mas lalo siyang umiyak, "I don't understand what you're saying."

Napakagat ako ng labi. Oo nga pala, wala ako sa Pilipinas. Hindi siya nagsasalita ng Tagalog.

"Like," I gulped, "Love me as a friend?"

She violently shook her head, "I love you romantically. In a way that if I could only spend the rest of my life with you, I would."

Nalaglag ang panga ko sa pagkabigla. Mas lalong bumilis ang tibok ng aking puso dahil sa kaba na halos hindi na ako makahinga.

She... loves me? Or is it the old Catherine? Maybe it is her. Kung ang dating Catherine nga, how could she love her when she was so mean to her? My face scrunched up in confusion. Is she a masochist?

"Why?" I asked. I can't think of any practical reason why she could have feelings for the old Catherine.

Medyo huminahon na siya pero dahil yata sa tanong ko ay muli nanaman siyang naluha habang pinagmamasdan ako, "Because you're so beautiful."

Kung maaari lang mahiwalay ang panga ko sa mukha ko ay baka kanina pa ito nasa sahig, "Yun lang?"

"W-what?"

"That's it?"

Mas lalo siyang suminghot, "I can stare at your beautiful face all day, Catherine."

Ilang sandali akong natulala. Her answer made me realize that 'love' was never practical. I scoffed. I should know that by first hand experience.

Mas humigpit ang hawak niya sa braso ko, "I understand where you're coming from, Cath. If I was in your place, I'd think the same way too. But I really do love you. Please don't avoid me."

She looked at me with an expression so genuine that I didn't know what to feel.

Sumeryoso ang mukha ko, "Josie, I have a boyfriend."

"I know."

I was taken aback, "You know?"

She nodded her head, wiping her tears using the back of her hand. While smiling, she said, "I found out from my Father. It's not like your relationship was being kept a secret because anyone, even an employee related to the QuantumMed and Xi Prime, even beyond, gossiped about it but I had a hunch that it was true. Gossips do spread quickly in the corporate world, you know. Although there are still no official public announcements, but still.."

Woah. I didn't know about that... why didn't I know about that? It's true me and Ivan weren't really trying to hide our relationship or keep it a secret but I didn't realize how it became such a buzz.

"Even if you're already in a relationship, and you know that I love you..." she hiccuped, forcing a smile that somehow tugged at my heart, "Please let me be with you. I don't need to be your friend, just being your aide is fine and enough for me. I promise I won't make you feel uncomfortable or become a hindrance. Just let me love you from a distance."

My eyes softened at her before looking away. How can I say no to that?

She did tell me that she only loves me, or rather, the old Catherine, because of her beauty. It shoudn't be that too deep. Her feelings will eventually quickly pass away.

It'll just be a matter of time.

Malalim akong napabuntunghininga bago hinawakan ang kamay niyang nakahawak sa braso ko. Naramdaman ko ang panlalamig ng kamay niya't nanigas ang katawan niya bigla.

I looked back at her, straight into her eyes, "Let's just skip our morning classes today. You can't attend looking like that."

Her makeup and hair's a mess, and her face is wet with tears and sweat. She's not really in the condition to go to class today, so do I. I doubt she's willing to attend classes looking like that as well.

I inserted my hands inside my pocket, rummaging for something.

"But you didn't attend your classes yesterday afternoon already. If you skip classes today, your grades will surely get affected--"

"Nah, don't worry," I took out my handkerchief then reached out for her hand. I placed it on her hands, "I'd still pass. Wipe your face. You look like a mess."

I let go of her and she stared at my white handkerchief with my initials embroidered upon it--all of Catherine's handkerchiefs are custom made.

"W-with this? Your handkerchief?" nagtatakang tanong nito, "But this is too precious and expensive--"

"Let's go to the washroom first so you can fix and retouch yourself," I told her as I walked past her, "Then let's go to the library to pass the time. I feel like sleeping there too."

She quickly turned around to follow me. When I glanced over at her who's walking behind me, she had wide eyes gleaming with happiness, her mouth formed into a huge smile she couldn't hide.

"O-okay!" she said as she began to wipe her face clean with my handkerchief, its white fabric being stained with her tears and smudged makeup.

I averted my gaze back straight ahead in front of me, "You should just walk beside me instead of behind me."

"I-I could never--"

The corner of my lips twitched to a frown, "You don't want to be friends with me?"

She remained silent for a while. Sinadya ko pang bagalan ang lakad ko dahil pinapakiramdaman ko siya. Maya-maya'y nasa tabi ko na siya at sabay na kaming naglalakad.

A small and gentle smile made its way to my lips.

We didn't really start out good but at least we're heading somewhere.

Ivan is going to be so proud of me once I tell him about this.