In His Kiss

Chapter 20

Chapter 20

Hiro Stanislaski's Point of View

"I heard you got yourself a girlfriend." I shot my cousin Nikos a glance before turning to my drink. I drank the rum in one go and reached for the chips beside my glass. Inilibot ko ang paningin ko sa living room at pinagmasdan ang mga pinsan ko na akala mo ay sa kanila ang lugar. They really find their perfect spot as they sit comfortably in their seat. They have their own world, and I didn't mind. Not until Nikos talked to me regarding my made-up girlfriend.

Tumingin naman ako kay Cainn na ngayon ay nagkibit balikat na parang sinasabi niya na labas siya sa usapan namin dalawa ni Nikos. I sighed. Mas nauna pa talagang sabihin ni Cainn ang tungkol kay Laure kesa sa akin.

"Is it serious?" Tanong naman ni Elizabeth ngayon at mukhang naiintriga na rin siya sa usapan.

"Really? Hiro has a girlfriend?" Tori reacted with her high-pitched voice to the point that I had to cover my ears so I wouldn't get deaf. Their eyes are on me now. Napasandal na lang ako sa sofa at napahawak sa sentido ko. This isn't what I imagined telling them about Laure. Not inside my penthouse, wearing indoor clothes, while drinking rum. I blame Cainn for this. He and his big mouth. Sa lahat ng pwede niyang pagsabihan ay kay Nikos pa talaga. Nikos won't shut up; he wants to know everything.

Wait a minute, I think this is a perfect time to tell them that I'm in a relationship. Hindi ko na kailangan patagalin. All I have to do is show them I'm serious about this.

"I'm dating this wonderful girl." I smiled when I was reminded by Laure. In my mind, she was shyly smiling at me.

"No way! Sa lahat ng naging babae mo, wala kang pinakilala sa amin." Tori refused to believed to what I said.

"This time, it's real," I said, and all of my cousin's eyes were still on me. Fuck. They just put me in the spotlight. Great!

"Parang kelan ka lang nagstay dito, Hiro. And now you're in a serious relationship? Something is fishy." Napakunot ako ng noo dahil sa sinabi ni Nikos. God! Mukhang wala akong takas sa isang ito. Perks of being an attorney. I felt like we're in a court and he's interrogating me. But of course, I'm ready for this. Somehow I was expecting this kind of reaction from them. Kaya naman nagplano na ako agad ng sasabihin ko sa kanila. So my plan was to hit on their weaknesses. Kahit hindi ko sila nakakasama sa lahat ng oras ay kilalang kilala ko ang mga pinsan ko. I'm not a Stanislaski for nothing.

"It was a love at first sight." I showed them the perfect smile that I could muster. If there's one thing I hate, then that's lying. Ngunit wala akong magagawa kundi magsinungaling sa kanila. I have to do this, or else they will take away my freedom. No one knows, but staying here is crucifyingly painful for me.

"No!" Everyone groaned at my answer. Cainn acted like he was disgusted. I only gave him a middle finger and started drinking again.

"Hindi ko alam kung maniniwala ako sa'yo, Hiro. I can't tell by the look in your face if you're lying or not." Sabi ni Elizabeth habang nakaupo sa carpet ay yakap-yakap ang throw pillow. My cousins can be persistent sometimes.

"Love at first sight? Is that even a thing?" Clevon asked when he entered the living room. May hawak na itong beer sa magkabilang kamay niya na mukhang kinuha pa niya sa ref ko. Itinapon niya ang beer sa pwesto ni Nikos at agad naman niya itong isinalo.

Sabay umiwas ng tingin si Nikos at Elizabeth, habang si Tori naman ay tumawa. Bullseye. I just hit the sensitive part of them. What I know is that they fell in love with their partner the first time they met. I don't have any plans to poke at their weaknesses, but I need Nikos on my side. I felt guilty lying to them, yet I maintained my sweet smile—not trying to look flushed.