After The Fall (THE PRESTIGE 4)

06

Cookies

"Lorenzo loves chess."

Malapit nang maubos ang ice cream ko nang magsalita si Henry. Ubos na ang kaniya at ngayon ay umiinom na ng bottled water. Mayroon din ako. Binili niya iyon kanina.

He glanced at me. "You want to get him on your team, right?"

Lumayo ang tingin ko at kinain ang ice cream.

"What are you suggesting?"

"Bribe him."

Agad akong napalingon sa kaniya. Henry just shrugged.

"Food. He likes food. Anything pastries."

Oh.

Maybe that explains why he ordered so much food last time. He likes pastries such as breads and cakes. Akala ko ay hobby niya lang talaga na bwisitin ako ng araw na iyon.

"I know you're one of the best but still, I won't let you win." Henry said to me which I don't expect at all!

"Are you challenging me?"

There's a ghost of smile in his lips. He raised his brow. "Were you challenged?"

I poke my cheeks using my tongue. I can see the amusement in his eyes.

"Close enough."

Henry flashed a small smile. My eyes lingered on that. He looks good whenever he show that perfect set of white teeth.

"See you on the sportfest then, Nazarrea."

I don't know if I'll take Henry's advice but I think, that was the only way to get Lorenzo on the team. Kahit anong pagkausap kasi doon ay hindi talaga siya pumapayag! Konti na lang ay iisipin kong sinasadya niyang tanggihan ako para araw-arawin ko siyang puntahan e.

"Thank you for the ride and. . .sa ice cream." I told Henry when we arrived on their house.

"Don't mention it. Go inside. It's cold. I'll wait for Kuya Tonton to park the car."

I pursed my lips and nod a little.

Sinalubong ako ni Nana sa kanilang sala. Nandoon siya nag-aaral. Nakadapa sa carpet habang ang laptop ay nakapatong din sa sahig. She's on her pajamas right now.

"Ang tagal niyo ni Kuya!" Saad niya at niyakap ako. "Yehey, ice cream!"

"Rocky road."

Her eyes widened more. "Oh, gosh! Really? Ang sweet talaga ni Kuya!"

Tumungo na kami sa sala. "Ang mga magulang mo?"

"Wala pa sila e. Mukhang OT."

Nilingon ko ang pinto nang nagpakita roon si Henry. Muling nagkatagpo ang mga mata namin pero ako rin ang umiwas.

"Nana, you like this ba? Hati tayo!" Yaya ni Nana na ngayon ay binubuksan na ang ice cream sa ibabaw ng coffee table.

"She likes cheese flavored ice cream, Nana." Henry said out of the blue.

My eyes went back to him. He look at me casually as if he didn't say anything wrong or weird.

"Oh? E nasaan ang ice cream niya?"

Henry didn't talk. He just head up upstairs. Nakasunod ang mga mata ko sa kaniya. Naramdaman kong nasa tabi ko na rin si Nana, bitbit ang isang ice cream box at nakatanaw din sa kanilang engrandeng hagdan.

"Weird."

Tumungo na ako sa carper at nilapag ang bag ko. Usually ay sa study room kami nag-aaral ni Nana pero nagtext siya kanina na dito na lang kami para mas komportable at hindi mahirap mag-akyat baba kung may gusto kaming kainin sa kitchen.