FORBIDDEN LOVE SERIES: CROSSING THE LINE

SEVEN

We finished eating and I stayed silent until we heard cars engine. I walked towards the railings and saw two familiar cars. They are Herrera's. I turned to look at Ares and he was still looking at me, all serious.

"Isn't that Eros and Paris' cars?" I couldn't help but ask him. I wasn't able to say any word earlier but I did now.

Tumango siya. Suwabeng tumayo at naglakad patungo sa tabi ko, dala niya parin sa kaniyang kanang kamay ang wine glass. Sumimsim muna siya doon bago niya kinuha ang kaniyang cellphone sa bulsa ng kaniyang pantalon at nagdial doon.

Nakita kong kinuha ni Eros ang kaniyang cellphone sa kaniyang at inilagay niya yon sa kaniyang tainga.

"Why are you all here?" His brow squinted.

Hindi ko masundan ang usapan nila dahil hindi ko marinig ang sinasabi ni Eros sa kabilang linya. I just look at them and I smiled on how they chased each other. Mukhang nagkakatuwan sina Paris at Priam. They were with other two men and three girls. Hindi ko masyadong kita ang mukha ng mga ito.

"Let's go" hinila ni Ares ang kamay ko palabas sa rooftop. We left the table like that. I really fought the urge of cleaning it all up.

Bumaba kami ni Ares sa sunod na floor lang ng rooftop. I walked beside him as we approached the last door in that hallway.

Hawak parin ni Ares ang kamay ko nang tuluyan kaming makapasok sa kwarto. The room is bigger than my room in their mansion. Malaki ang screen ng TV sa harapan at halos sakupin non ang pader. May malalaking speaker sa gilid at may stand ng mic sa pabilog na platform sa harapan. May naghahalong blue at violet na led sa bawat sulok ng kwarto.

Ang U-shaped na couch ay halos sakupin naman ang kalahating bahagi ng kwarto. Mayroong glass center table doon na puno ng mamahaling inumin. Napansin ko din ang isang lalaki doon na nag-aayos ng mga pagkain.

Ares pulled me in the couch and made me sit there.

"We also need a bottle of wine and almonds" utos niya sa lalaki na agad ding tumango at sinunod siya.

"The wine earlier is enough, Ares. Iinom pala kayo nila Eros, you should just go to the five"

"The boys maybe wants something new. Isa pa, Priam wants to play music. Hindi yon makakapunta dito kung hindi ako ang naunang pumunta. This will get to Grandpa so let's just enjoy it" umayos siya ng upo sa aking tabi.

Ilang minuto din naman ay dumating na nga sina Eros. Agad silang nakipag-apir kay Ares at ang mga babae naman ay nakipagbeso sa lalaki. I didn't even try to be casual to them. Alam naman ng magpipinsan na hindi talaga ako nakikipagsocialize kaya hinayaan nalang nila ako.

Eros and Priam went to me though. Eros kissed my forehead while Priam just also did a beso. Si Paris, masyadong masungit kaya bahagya nalang akong tinanguan. While the other two guys went in front to start something in the big flat screen.

Mayroon silang pinlay na western song doon. Masyadong maraming rap kaya napabuntong hininga nalang ako.

The woman beside Ares kept on trying to make a conversation with him but he just kept on answering him with a nod or a simple yes and no. Then, her eyes went to me when Ares leaned his back to the backrest.

"You're close with them,right? They didn't mention who you are" she smiled at me. She extended her hand and I was just looking at it. "I'm Leah"

I didn't smile at her but I did accept her hand for a shake. "I'm Avianna"

I thought that was the end of our conversation. Ares also leaned forward to reach some booze while he talked to the other guy Eros with. Kaso ay lumilat si Leah sa tabi ko, sa espasyo sa kaliwa ko.