Chasing Chances (Chase Series #2)

Chapter 13

Just when Selene thought that ditching Dale was already a success, that's when she begrudgingly found herself in close proximity to Arianne.

Bakit kasi sa dinami-rami ng coffee shop sa buong Pilipinas, dito pa napadpad ang babaeng 'yon?

Mabuti na lang talaga, tapos na ang business niya sa lugar na 'to. Nauna na rin ang ka-meeting niya kaya't wala na siyang dahilan pa para manatili pa dito.

It's been years since things happened and unfolded between them, pero hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin talaga siya komportable na nakikita ang babaeng mas pinili ng ex-husband niya na naging dahilan para masira ang pamilya niya. Hanggang ngayon, umiigting pa rin ang galit at poot niya kay Arianne sa tuwing nagku-krus ang landas nila.

After seeing Arianne enter the coffee shop, she instantly gazed away from her. And with hopefulness that she didn't notice her, she gracefully arranged the things she was bringing back into her bag. After that, she finally stood up from her seat and began moving.

Medyo naging maingat pa nga ang paghakbang niya dahil ayaw niyang mag-ingay ang red buttoms na suot niya na siguradong magiging dahilan pa para mapansin siya ng ibang tao.

But all her efforts to leave the place in peace went in vain when she heard Arianne call her name.

Arianne's loud voice definitely made her halt. Nakatalikod naman siya sa kaniya kaya hindi niya napigilang pumukit nang mariin habang unti-unting kinukuyom ang kaniyang mga kamao.

"I didn't expect to see you here," Arianne said.

She began hearing how her heels clicked on the marble floor as she took every step. Palakas nang palakas ang bawat click na naririnig niya. Ibig sabihin naglalakad ito papunta sa kaniya.

She silently exhaled as she opened her eyes again. She had no choice by this time but to face her. So she turned to her direction with a faint fake smile on her lips and storms in her eyes. "Ako rin," she said.

Pinakitaan rin siya ni Arianne ng pekeng ngiti. Ang kaibahan lang ay mas malawak ang pagngiti nito kumpara sa kaniya. "Tingnan mo nga naman, right?" she stated as she stood in front of her. "Anyway, how's Margaux? I haven't see her..." sambit nito.

"She's fine," tipid na sagot niya.

Humalukipkip si Arianne. "That's good! I'm glad she's back." Mas lalo pa niyang nginitian si Selene. "Nag-e-enjoy ka naman ba sa pambi-brainwash sa kaniya?" biglang tanong pa niya. Sa tono ng boses niya'y mukhang nagsisimula na niyang subukan ang pasensya ni Selene.

Selene's facial expression instantly turned serious. Hindi rin niya napigilan ang sarili na tingnan mula ulo hanggang paa ang kausap.

Halos magkasingtangkad lang talaga silang dalawa dahil pareho silang nakasuot ng high heels. Doon lang niya napansin na parang tugma rin kulay ng suot nilang damit ngayon. She's wearing an off white a-line dress while Arianne was wearing a pure black coordinates. Parang anghel at demonyo pala ang peg nila. Isang masama at isang mabuti. And because of that thought, a smirk peeped through her lips.

"Brainwash?" She took a deep breath. "Parang wala namang nangyayaring gano'n."

"Oh, good to hear."

"Yeah," she affirmed, still smirking. "Alam mo, hindi ko na nga kailangang i-brainwash ang anak ko, eh. Matalino kasi siya kaya naiintindihan na niya kung anong ginawa at ginagawa n'yo ni Dale."

Tila biglang natinag si Arianne sa mga salitang 'yon. Hindi siya nakakibo.

Seeing her like that made her smile triumphantly. "You know, I would want you to meet her again sana. But I guess, huwag na lang. What for, 'di ba?" she said, still smiling.