Twisted Affection (Completed)

FIFTY- THREE

ZAIDEN CAIRO CONTRERAS

Laurenestine...

She was the girl who had always caught my eye since her freshman year in college, someone I hadn't even realized I was falling in love with. For the past seven years, I've admired her from a distance, watching her blossom into a woman who not only captured my heart but also made me realize that love is a choice. I choose not to fall for her deeply, even though I make myself look foolish everytime I think that I'm not the one who will be with her in the end. She's not for me and I'm not hers.

I looked at both of them- my twin and her and all I could say was that I'm relieved because they were obviously in love with each other.

I am just the beginning, but I'm not her last. I'm just a bridge between them so they can meet, or so I thought.

Habang nakatayo ako sa malayo at paminsang tinatanaw si Laurenestine habang kausap ang mga magulang namin, biglang bumalik sa akin ang mga alaala ng mga panahon na ako ang laging tinitingnan niya. Naalala ko kung paano ako nahulog sa babae na hindi ko inaasahang magugustuhan rin sa huli.

The way her eyes sparkled in happiness, I see this again now but I am no longer the reason.

"Sir Contreras, Why don't you talk to her?" I sighed and massaged my temples. Binalik ko ang pansin sa ginagawa kong lesson plan. I have to finish it before my last subject later.

"Or do you perhaps like what she's doing?" I glared at Finnegan-he's my co-teacher in the University but he's teaching PE and the manager of the basketball team.

He raised his hand when he noticed my irritated face. "Woah! Chill, kaya ka single sa edad na 28 eh," tatawa-tawa niyang komento.

I can't help but to glance at the girl who is now peeking outside of the door. Kaya nga ayokong tingnan si Finnegan dahil malapit lang sa pinto ang table niya at nandoon rin ang babaeng bigla na lamang sumulpot at lagi akong sinusundan kahit saan.

When she saw me looking at her, her chubby cheeks turned pink and then she immediately ran away. She's cute but I don't know why she's following me. Halos araw-araw ay nandoon lang siya malapit sa library at nawawala rin naman siya kapag nakita na niya akong pumasok sa opisina ko.

I find it weird but I let her because I'm used to her presence. Kapag minsan napapansin kong wala siya, hinahanap na siya ng mata ko. I don't know when I started noticing these abnormalities in my heart, but it's not bad. It's still forbidden because I can't pursue a girl like her. She's too young for me.

"Cairo, your twin will be back again this week and I decided to arrange his marriage this month." Lolo said.

I'm at the Gavilan residence in his Mansion. He called for me because we have a discussion regarding the University since he assigned me to do a monthly report.

Arranged marriage, again? Out of all my siblings, it's always Zairon who has a new fiancée or girlfriend because Grandpa wants him to settle down already, but I know Grandpa; he doesn't want Zairon to handle the Solstice without a life partner. However, Zairon doesn't want to get married. He will reject it again.

Umuuwi lang siya noon sa Pilipinas once a year pero nagtaka ako nang umuuwi na siya rito once a month na parang ginawa niya lang isang sakayan ang England at Pilipinas. I don't know what got into him but since he visited the University two years ago, he suddenly likes this.