Sage was visibly bristled in response to my sarcastic kiss. Her frown deepened as she shot me a look of irritation. Her reaction to my taunt was satisfying, feeding my mischievous pleasure in getting under her skin.
"You are such a savior, Sage!"
Chloe's words rang out, her gratitude and relief evident in her voice and she threw her arms around Sage in a tight embrace.
Sage did not reciprocate the hug but she found my eyes again. Her gaze was fixed on my reaction, as if waiting for some sort of emotional response from me. I maintained my outwardly calm demeanor, keeping my arms crossed as I tried to pretend like her stare wasn't affecting me.
They walked together on the stage.
Sage took her place with the band. The audience gave her another round of applause. Chloe, who had been previously overwhelmed with stress, now beamed with excitement and admiration. While the band members discussed the details of the performance, Sage took her time carefully tuning the electric guitar.
Chloe leaned into the microphone, a mischievous gleam in her eyes as she addressed the audience.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I am proud to introduce you, my partner. None other than the talented and my sweet Sage Nichole Fernandez!"
The disgust on my face was obvious.
"Someone's jealous." Napansin ko si Garry na nakaupo na pala sa aking tabi. There was a subtle hint of amusement and taunt in his voice.
I rolled my eyes. "They're just business partners. Ba't kailangan i-exagerrate?" There was a mix of irritation and confusion in my voice.
"What if they really are partners?"
I couldn't help but frown. I crossed my legs and watched Chloe keeping the audience engaged and entertained while talking how good of a person Sage is.
"They're not." I replied.
"She may use the word 'my' which is by the way, a possessive term. But they were not in a romantic relationship." I explained. Tinaasan lang ako ng kilay ni Garry.
"Sage seems not say anything about it."
"Because she's tuning her guitar! Can't you see how focused she is right now? Natural lang na hindi niya bibigyan ng pansin si Chloe kasi busy siya sa gitara niya."
I can feel my frustration mounting. I gestured a passing waiter and quickly snatched a glass of wine from their tray. Without any pretense of savoring the taste, I took a swift, large gulp, the liquid quickly sliding down my throat.
"Pero paano kung may something nga?" patuloy pa rin sa pagtatanong si Garry. Mas naiinis tuloy ako.
Chloe, still standing beside Sage on stage, suddenly placed a hand on her shoulder and let it casually trail down Sage's arm. The touch continued, sliding down to Sage's waist, where Chloe's hand lingered for a moment.
"May something nga." That wasn't even a question. Garry was watching them too.
I couldn't help but feel irritated and even a bit irked.
"Wala nga."
Sage stood on stage with a poised and composed stance, her slender frame leaned slightly towards the electric guitar. Her fingers moved skillfully and swiftly across the strings, adjusting the tuning pegs with precision and expertise.
"Weh?"
I turned to Garry. The irritation was plain to see. He sensed the intensity of my emotion and he simply looked back at me with a knowing smirk.
