What Lies Between Us (13 Shadow Series: Marcellus Giovanni Kim)

4

"Sorry, dad. I was late. I had to finish everything before the week ends." I kissed him on the cheeks before sitting down.

"It's okay. I know you have lots of work." he chuckled.

"Been a long time since we bond." I smiles genuinely. "I miss you, dad. Sobra." tumitig siya sa akin at tumawa ng mahina tsaka yumuko.

"Alam mo naman ang mommy mo. Gusto nun ay kasama natin siya palagi." sagot niya. "Kaya hindi ako maka timing, busy ka din palagi e." bumaba ang boses niya sa huling sinabi niya.

I smiled sadly at him. "I'm sorry, dad. But you can call me anytime. I can resched my work." I assured him.

"I'll take note of that." he giggled.

We ordered foods that we want. Wala si mommy kaya pwede ako kumain ng marami. This is my favorite when were together, walang pumipigil sakin kumain.

"I actually want to talk to you because I know you're going through a lot right now." biglang sabi ni daddy. "I know you've been keeping it, but I am your father. I know what you feel, lalo na pagdating sa mommy mo. At sa pagpilit niya kay Andre sayo." he added.

"I-I'm fine, dad. Mom can never force me." I smiled at him.

"I'm glad, then. Wag mo kami gayahi. ng mommy mo." I dropped my utensils. Napatitig ako sa kaniya. My parents were arranged. Dahil parehos silang galing chinese family.

It was convenient for them at that time. I wasn't actually made out of love. Bata pa lang ako ay alam kong hindi totoo ang namamagitan sa kanila. For years, I've witnessed dad cherishing my mother. Mom was nonchalant about it.

All she wanted was a luxurious life. As long as there is fame, money, and power. Masaya na siya. We didn't matter at her.

"Promise me, you're going to spend the rest of your life with your chosen man." he smiled widely at me, kahit naiiyak ako ay pinilit kong ngumiti at tumango sa kaniya.

"I will, dad. I'll find someone like you pa e!" I laugh to broke off the atmosphere, parang ang bigat, ang lungkot. Ewan, hindi ko gusto. Natawa siya at tumango, we raised our glass and cheers at each other.

Ako:

Gym?

I sent that while I'm being drove back to my condo. Pinahatid na ako ni daddy, ipapadrive niya na lang raw ang sasakyan ko. Dahil masyadong gabi na at may tama na ako sa wine na ininom namin.

Migo:

It's 11 p. m. Bakit gising ka pa?

Ako:

Otw home, just finished dinner with dad. Ano sasamahan mo ba akong mag gym?

Migo:

Yes, send me your gym location. Ingat.

Hindi na ako nag reply, nag pa thank you na lang ako sa driver namin at umakyat na sa unit ko. I cleaned myself very fast dahil sobrang napagod ako.

The next day was hard for mr to get up, pero kailangan dahil may gym ako with Migo. Nakakahiya naman kapag hindi ako sumulpot o late ako.

I wore an black keggings and an Adidas sports bra. Sumuot na lang din ako ng jacket para may pang cover up ako. I sent him the gym location before going down.

Malapit lang sa akin ang gym kaya nag jogging na lang ako papunta roon para nakapag warm-up na ako. When I entered, there was no one in there but my coach back then.

"Hello, Shiloah!" bati ni Coach Enzo sa akin. He's 3 years older than me pero baby face pa din! I waved while walking towards him. Nag fist bump kami, pero napansin ko siyang tumingin sa likod ko.

"Boyfriend mo." aniya.

"Huh?" napalingon ako sa likod ko. It was Migo, in his black sando. Naka shorts ito, showing his masculine legs. Naka black cap din ito pero kitang kita ko ang mata niya na nakatingin sa akin.

"Enjoy, madam." tumawa si Enzo at tinapik ang braso ko bago umalis.

"Ikaw talaga." masayang sagot ko kay Enzo. "Hi." bati ko kay Migo. "Nag jogging ako papunta dito, so naka warm up na ako. Ikaw? Mag thread mill ka muna?" tanong ko.

He nodded. "May locker ka ba dito? Ilagay mo nga itong bag ko." he handed me his backpack. "It's not heavy, I'm sorry for asking you to put it. Baka kasi seperate ang locker room dito." paliwanag niya.

Natawa ako bago kunin ang backpack niya. "Oo sige na, ilalagay ko na. Feel free, kakabukas lang ng gym kaya walang tao. Mamaya ka na lang mag sulat." I smiled at him and he nodded, he headed towards the area where he'll exercise. Ako naman ay tumungo sa locker room para ilagay ang back pack niya.

Nang lumabas na ako ay nagsisimula na ito sa thread mill niya, so I decided to join in.

"Did you ate a lot yesterday that you have to ask me to go to the gym with you?" tanong nito habanng tumatakbo.

"Napasarap lang. Tsaka wala akong shoot for a week e." I giggled.

"That's good. You can rest then." he whispered.

Matapos naming mag warm up ay sabay ang exercise namin. He told me he's going to do legs kaya naman sinabayan ko siya. He's hard core though, kaya moderate lang ang akin.

I was doing squats when he stop midway at looks at me. "Mali ba ang form ko?" I ask.

He shook his head and smiled at me. Tumango ako at nagpatuloy sa routine ko. It was a sweaty exercise. Maya-maya ay nadagdagan ang tao sa gym kaya naman tumigil na kami. Mabuti na lang at ny extra akong damit sa locker room kaya I can take a shower. I handed him his backpack. Mag r-register pa kasi siya dahil nagandahan daw siya rito.

I wore an simple white shirt and paired it with a grey pants. My dirty clothes will be left there dahil may plano pa kaming mag brunch dalawa.

This is good tho, it can be used. Pag may nakakita sa amin, for public. For our benefits.

Sinakay niya ako sa sasakyan niya at pumunta kami sa isang brunch place. When he ordered for us, the cashier was looking at him very dearing. Admiring him, I couldn't hide my smile. Wala e, gwapo talaga.

He ordered the healthy option, habang ako naman ay acai bowl lang dahil ayaw ko pa kumain ng medyo mabigat.

Bago pa man maihatid ang order nain ay dumagsak ang tao sa loob. Huli na ng mahuli kong mga camera pala iyon at social media outlets. Napaawang ang labi ko.

I want us to be seen but not like this.

"Migo, Shobe, kailan po kayo nag date?!"

"Totoo po bang kayo talaga?"

"Ms. Shobe, ano po sabi ng ina niyo tungkok sa relasyon niyo?"

We were bombarded with question, may iilang body guards and nagpupumigil sa kanila. Migo stood up and reach for my hand, he hid me on his embrace as we left the restaurant.

Shock on what happened, we left the place. Still in shock on what happened.