Dirty Games With The Billionaire

Chapter 21

I didn't get enough sleep last night after my conversation with Lander. He stayed at my house and talked about his feelings for Arazella Fhatima until he could no longer speak because he was so drunk. I knew he was serious, but I didn't know it was this intense and... deep. He told me everything, simula umpisa. That he liked her so much from the very first time he saw her at the university.

Mas may dahilan na hayaan mo na sila.

"Maraming salamat at pumayag ka na makipag-inuman pa rin sa akin Leo."

Humigpit ang hawak ko kay Lander, at kahit masakit ang katawan ko sa pakikipagsapakan kay Nnyx, nagawa ko pa ring alalayan siya papunta sa guest room dahil sa sobrang kalasingan.

"Marami na akong utang. Ayokong nagkakautang sa kahit na sino," sagot ko sa kaniya, na ikinatawa niya.

I also felt bad when he said that we rarely talk. I know how sentimental Lander is, and his words earlier made me feel guilty because he always thinks about me while I'm completely focused on work. He said it jokingly, but there was pain in every word.

"I'm your brother..." natatawa niyang sambit. He even tapped my hand supporting him. "So, walang utang-utang. Joke lang yung sinabi ko kanina. I just missed you."

Napailing ako, tipid na napangiti, at mas inalalayan pa siya. Thank goodness that my parents left me a brother like him. At least, kahit pareho silang hindi nagtagal sa buhay namin na dalawa, may nakakasama pa rin ako. Kahit papaano ramdam ko pa rin na may isang taong magmamalasakit sa akin.

Ah. Buhay pa pala ang ina namin, pero parang sumalangit na rin naman ito dahil halos walong taon nang hindi nagpapakita sa amin.

I don't know if she's still alive.

But I guess that's because she has her own family now.

"I'm so happy... sobrang saya ko, Leo..."

I know, brother. I know. Napabaling ako sa kaniya, pero hindi rin nagtagal nang mapaharap ako dahil muntik na kaming tumumba pareho.

"Fck. Next time don't drink this much, Lander. Alam mong mahina ang tolerance mo sa alak," sabi ko nang galit, na tinawanan niya lang ulit. A few seconds passed by, when he speak again.

"I want you to be good to her, Leo..."

My eyebrow furrowed. A small smirk tugged at the corner of my lips nang mapagtanto na si Arazella ang tinutukoy niya. Nakangiti pa rin siya ng malawak, pero nakapikit naman ang mga mata.

"You're hurting my feelings, Lander. Mukha bang hindi ako magiging mabuti sa future sister-in-law ko?"

Future sister-in-law, your ass, Leonariz.

I shook my head at myself and let go of Lander after getting him into the guest room and helping him to the bed. Nakangiti pa rin ito habang patihaya na nakahiga. Lasing na lasing. Halata ang saya sa mukha. When I stood up properly, a groan escaped me as my foot made a wrong move, causing it to ache.

"I'll go now. Maaga pa ang pasok ko bukas," I said. Tumalikod na ako at pagkabukas ko ng pinto, bago ako makalabas ay narinig ko na nagsalita siya ulit.

"Leo, pamilya na tayo ngayon. Iyon ang sabi ni Mr. Montes. Sana sa susunod sumama ka na sa dinner kasama sila. Masaya... masaya kumain sa hapagkainan na marami, magkukwentuhan kasama ang mga mahal mo sa buhay. Gusto ko naroon ka rin. Ayoko na nag-iisa ka."

My grip tightened on the door handle when I heard what he said.

Family? I can't even look at Arazella Fhatima with him and feel like they're my family.