Played (Montellano series #1)

Chapter 31

Chapter 31

I really hate to admit it and acknowledge it but my heart skipped a beat when our eyes met. Parang huminto ang lahat sa paligid at kaming dalawa lang ang nandito. I hate it. I didn't like the feeling.

Plus I hate the way he looks at me. It's as if I'm also the only person here. His eyes are fixated on mine like he didn't want to lose sight of me.

I hate it so much.

I breathed in and clenched my jaw. Inalis ko ang tingin sa kanya para pasadahan ng tingin ang paligid. Nakita ako ni Esther at agad na nilapitan.

"Michelle Ann! Long time no see and you look pretty as usual!" bati niya sabay beso sa akin. "Who are you wearing?"

I looked at my dress. Jake said it's a formal event so I wore a beige one-shoulder dress that flows until my toes. The style of my dress showed my tattoo enveloping my arm. I accessorized it with thin gold chain necklace, drop earrings, a thin band ring, and bangles. I wore a pair of nude sandals and arranged my hair to a half low ponytail to complete my look.

"It's YSL. You look gorgeous, too. Is this Dior?" sabi ko sabay pasada ng tingin sa kanyang damit.

"Yup! I bought this especially for this event. I'm so happy for Jake and Gwen!"

"They deserve to be happy." ngumiti ako.

"Well, what about you? It's been so long since we saw each other. Kayo na ba ni Paulo?"

I snorted. "Oh come on, pati ba naman ikaw? Napapagod na ako sa kakatanggi."

"E 'di sagutin mo na siya para 'di na kami tanong nang tanong. Just make it real, girl!" humalakhak siya. "Anyway, I gotta go. Pupunta lang akong bathroom."

Pupunta na sana ako sa table namin nang may bumati ulit sa akin. May mga sumunod pang bumati kaya natagalan ako. I must say even though it is a party for Jake and Gwen, it seemed like a reunion or get together for everyone. I saw some big families in the guests reunited tonight.

But I hate seeing Rake's face here.

Huminga ako nang malalim at naglakad na papunta sa table namin pagkatapos kong makipag-usap sa mga bisita. Nagtiim bagang ako. How come that I need to walk past their table before I reached ours? Sino bang nag-assign sa mga tables na 'to?

"Hey, Mich!" I heard someone called me.

I turned and it was Steven! Damn it! Hindi pa ako nakakalagpas sa katabing table nila, nakita na niya ako. Ugh, shit!

Kinagat ko ang labi ko. Gusto kong magpatuloy sa paglalakad at magkunwaring hindi siya narinig pero lumingon na ako at nagkatinginan na kami. Papalapit na nga siya sa akin kaya paano pa ako makakaiwas.

Naglakad din ako palapit at tipid na ngumiti. I should at least greet them, I guess. Nakakahiya naman kung hindi ko sila papansinin kaya lumapit na ako sa table nila, kahit na nanunuot sa balat ko ang titig ni Rake sa akin. I've been sensing his stares at me since earlier.

"Hey, long time no see! Wala na akong balita sa'yo. I thought you went abroad for college." humalakhak si Steven at hinalikan ako sa pisngi para makipagbeso. "It's been so long!"

"Yeah, it's been so long. Nice to see you again, Mich." tumayo na rin si Joseph para batiin ako.

Ganoon din si Owen. They then turned to Rake who's been staring at me. They waited for a few minutes but Rake only watched me from his seat. Tumikhim si Joseph at natawa bago ako lingunin.

I profusely blinked my eyes to hide the awkwardness I'm feeling. Sobrang bilis ng tibok ng puso ko sa tensyon at kaba. Am I overacting if I say I might faint? Ganoong feeling ang nararamdaman ko ngayon. I feel like I'm hyperventilating.