The Truth In His Lies

Chapter 4

Nilagok ko ang hindi pamilyar na alak at gumuhit iyon sa aking lalamunan. Hindi ko alam kung ilang baso na ang nainom ko. The club is booming and the colorful lights are starting to blind me, making me dizzy.

May ilang lumalapit sa table namin at nangangamusta. Puro mga nasa engineering at architecture department ang nasa party na ito. May ilan naman akong nakikita na nasa same department as me pero hindi ko ganoon kakilala. It turns out Vivienne brought us as plus-ones here. Apparently, Gerard, the host of the party, invited her after helping him with something.

"Whoa," Vivienne said in astonishment. "You like it hard, huh?" she remarked as she watched me drink the alcohol in one gulp.

"Vivienne, stop giving her more alcohol." Pietro intercepted the glass from Vivienne.

"Don't be a killjoy, Pietro! We're just having fun!" Vivienne said, laughing. "Here, you drink this!" She held a glass out to Pietro, spilling a bit in the process.

I stared at her, feeling a bit uncomfortable. Kanina mukhang busangot siya at iritado.

"Samuel is here but I don't see your brother? Where is he?" Vivienne asked as she led me through the crowd. Nagtaka pa ako kung bakit niya tinatanong iyon. Nonetheless, I explained to her that Luciano went to Singapore because my father told him to. Hindi ko lang alam ang rason at hindi ko na rin inalam dahil malalaman ko naman iyon pag nakauwi sila.

"Oh..." She nodded. "I was wondering why he would allow you to go clubbing." She reasoned and smiled awkwardly, probably sensing my confusion as to why she was asking about my brother. When she looked away, I saw her expression dim, with a hint of irritation and disappointment.

At ngayon ay mukhang nag-eenjoy na siya at nagpapakalasing. Sa totoo lang ay medyo hindi rin ako makapaniwala na pinayagan ako ni Luciano. But when did he ever say no to me? Naipalam ko rin naman kina Mama, and they were cool with it.

A group approached us and said hello to Vivienne and Pietro. Dahil siguro sa kalasingan, Vivienne went with the group and told Pietro to look after me. Hindi na rin ako nagprotesta sa gusto niyang mangyari. Now, Pietro and I are alone.

Pietro watched me closely. I felt his gaze so I turned to him, our eyes locking. If I was sober I wouldn't be able to hold his gaze confidently. I drank another shot of the alcohol. He sighed and sat beside me.

"Stop it," he said, moving the alcohol away from me. "Try to sober up. Don't get yourself too drunk." He said softly.

I laughed. "Why are you so serious and tense?"

He licked his lips, his eyes drifting from mine to my chest. I blushed. I'm wearing a black long-sleeved sweetheart top dress that accentuated my figure. I felt a mix of boldness and vulnerability under his gaze, my heart beating faster with every second that passed. He adjusted the fabric of my dress at the shoulder part na hindi ko namalayan na medyo nalaglag na pala.

"I just don't want anything bad to happen to you, Lucia," he murmured, his voice gentle but firm. He leaned closer, his breath warm against my ear. "You know how these parties can get."

I shivered slightly, not just from his proximity but from the weight of his concern. Pietro has always been protective, and tonight was no different. But the alcohol in my system made me braver, more reckless.

"Pietro, I can take care of myself," I said, my words slightly slurred but determined. I reached for the glass again, but he caught my wrist gently.

"I know you can," he replied softly, his eyes boring into mine. "But slow down, okay?"

I blinked up at him, the alcohol making his words feel heavier. His face was close to mine, too close, and I could smell the faint scent of his cologne mixed with the alcohol we'd both been drinking.