Dirty Games With The Billionaire

Chapter 15

I was serious when I told Leonariz na balak ko nang sagutin si Lander. I didn't say that just to make him stop pestering me it's also because I was afraid my good relationship with his brother might be ruined. I know what I feel for Lander is real, and my conscience is already eating me for being so close with Leonariz.

But there's a heavy feeling inside me that I can't understand, hindi rin maawala sa isipan ko ang nangyaring pag-uusap namin nang makiusap ako dito na tigilan na ako. I can't forget the expression on his face. Even his silence and when he only cursed before leaving me. Ano ang i-ibig sabihin non?

"Nakakainis. Isang linggo na rin akong ganito. Hindi lilipas ang isang araw na hindi ko iisipin kung ano ang ibig sabihin ng hindi niya pagsagot na 'yon."

But shouldn't you be thankful, Ara? It's been a week and he hasn't sent you any red roses or shown up. At si Lander na palagi ang kasama mo at masaya ka sa kaniya. Ito ang gusto mo na mangyari, hindi ba? So bakit mo pa iniisip ang Leonariz na 'yon?

Stop thinking about that evil man. Iyang nararamdaman mo ay konsensiya lang, kaba at takot dahil baka biglang magsumbong ang Leonariz na 'yon kay Lander sa mga ginawa ninyo at sa pagtugon mo sa mga halik nito. Don't give too much meaning about what you feel.

Ipinilig ko ang ulo ko at tinapik-tapik ang magkabilang pisngi ko. Huminga rin ako ng malalim at ipinikit ang mga mata ko. Right, I am just guilty about what we did. I am just scared for my relationship with Lander.

"Everything will be alright now that the evil man is gone, Arazella."

Narito ako ngayon sa library at nagbabasa ng libro. Dapat ay uuwi na ako dahil wala naman na akong klase, pero nagpasya ako na manatili na muna dito. Wala naman rin akong hinihintay at hindi naman kami sabay na uuwi ni Lander because he's at a convention assembly. One-day event lang naman 'yon. Pero bukas na rin kami magkikita.

Time flies so fast. Dalawang buwan na lang graduation na.

Next week ay finals exam na namin. I have already finished creating my reviewers, wala na rin akong masyadong iintindihin dahil lahat ng requirements sa mga subjects ko ay naipasa ko na. Some of my classmate are hustling to finish their works. Narito rin sila ngayon at tanaw ko mula sa lamesa ko.

I looked back at them again. I glanced over at the other table, where a group of women were reading together and having fun. Suddenly, I compared myself. I'm graduating college without a circle of friends. Although I don't feel alone becauseI'm everyone's friend—I just don't have a specific group. Wala rin naman akong nakaaway na schoolmates ko. Lahat ay maayos ang pakikitungo 'yon nga lang madalas kapag ganito ay mag-isa ako.

But just because I'm alone doesn't mean I'm sad or lonely. Sometimes, it's actually more comforting. The quiet and peace can be more fulfilling than the noise of being part of a group.

Pero siguro isa sa dahilan ay natanim sa isip ko non na ang iba ay gusto lang akong kaibiganin dahil sa Kuya Ariston. I was in high school when women only wanted to be friends with me to get information about my brother or to get closer to him. Kuya Ariston was a head-turner at our school—girls would wait just to see him arrive and even took photos with him as if he were a celebrity. There was even a time when a student blackmailed me for his cellphone number.

Ang lala non, akala nila ay hindi ako lalaban kapag tinakot nila ako, doon sila nagkakamali. One of the best memories rin 'yon ng high school life ko. Na nakipagsabunutan ako sa likod ng canteen sa mga babaeng patay na patay kay kuya just because I refused to give them what they want from my brother. Like jersey, shoes, number, childhood photos. Mga desperada rin talaga.

"Ara? Hinihintay mo si Sir Lander?"

Napatingin ako kay Faye. Nakangiti siya sa akin, marami siyang hawak na libro. Nang makita ko naman 'yon ay tumayo ako at agad na tinulungan siya. Ang kakapal at lapad pa ng mga libro na buhat niya!