A Close Second

Sixty-fifth

"I'm taking you back from Keith."

I was shocked.

More than shocked as Greg held me in his arms pressed into him while I looked up at him. My eyes were as wide as saucers with what he had just said.

"Wha—what?" Was all my brain could choke out.

"I can't take it anymore." He says, looking down at me straight into my eyes. "I have to tell how I feel."

"But-but Greg." I stammered.

"You tried this with Aya, you haven't learned your lesson when Nico hit you square in the jaw, have you? Should I hit you once too?"

I looked back at Keith Andrew who had come from the kitchen.

"Can you let go of my girlfriend now? Stop frying her brain."

Greg chuckles hearing that, letting me go instantly. I took Andrew's scarf and drew it closer to myself, stepping back. Coco barks, bringing me back to sanity from my temporary duress.

"I was kidding, Madam." Sabi into.

I kicked his shin. "YOU ASSHOLE."

Coco starts barking like crazy at Greg, who laughs habang hinahawakan yung sinipa ko. At one point, I thought he was going to bite him if I hadn't just patted his head. Sinamaan ko lang Ito ng tingin saka sila tinalikuran ni Keith na tumatawa din. The nerve of these jerks to laugh at my expense.

"Galit ka na sakin, Coconut?" Tanong ni Greg, who bent down while Coco growls. "Whoa, diba kampi tayong dalawa?"

"Come on, Coco." I rolled my eyes and the dog obeys padding behind me. "Iwan natin yang mga masasamang ugali na yan."

I leave them both still laughing and I just hear the door get closed. I go back to the island counter, taking some peanut butter treats and feeding them to Coco who sat by his heels in front of me.

Nang hindi parin mawala yung inis ko, pinuntahan ko yung niluluto ni Andrew which he had turned off and put on the side.

"Oh shit." I heard Andrew say. "Babe, I can continue cooking, you know?"

I glared at them, finding them both looking at me as if I was holding a weapon while in reality, I had just picked up my wooden spoon. Mas lalo akong nainis.

"My mood has gone sour in the past 15 minutes, Andrew. Do not test me."

He looks at Greg, who looks at him too. He sighs before going near me.

"I'm sorry." He says sincerely. "Magsorry ka rin, Greg. Kasalanan mo to."

"Sorry, Madam." Greg says softly, looking down.

I gave them a look before stomping papunta sa island counter again to my previous seat. I finally get a good look at Greg who was standing in front of me now, looking like an off-duty model.

He was wearing a black turtleneck with Grey (plaid) pants and white sneakers along with a beige over coat that made him look a lot taller. I rolled my eyes, at him. He smiles—no smirks at me, raising an eyebrow.

"Liking what you see?"

I pointed the wooden spoon I was still holding at him. "I'm still pissed. Careful."

Hinila niya ang isang upuan malapit sakin saka naman umupo, with Keith Andrew turning on the stove and getting back to cooking.

"Without you being the asshat you are, can you tell me why you're here?" I asked Greg.

He smiles. "I'm sorry. Hindi ko naman alam na ganon ang magiging reaksyon mo. Si Aya kasi sinakyan ako."

"Akala ko talaga hahalikan ka niya." Keith says to Greg "I had to hand it to her, she really knows how to rile up Nico."