Dancing with the Devil

Chapter 32

It didn't let me sleep. Binagabag ako ng nalaman ko. How come... he's not married? Was Natalie lying to me about the marriage or whatever fiancé thing? Actually, I don't want to think about it.

All along, Akio's not lying like I thought he was... he'd been telling me, but I was so blinded to even hear his words. I never learn—I still don't know how to listen.

Shame creeps in from my heart to my whole body.

Hindi ko alam kung paano siya haharapin ngayong alam ko na ang katotohanan. Nahihiya ako sa ginawa ko—lalong-lalo na sa sarili.

Nang magising, ay mabilis akong naghanda para pumunta sa shop. Mas mabuti, kaysa tumunganga ako sa condo at sa mga maling bagay na nagawa ko. Dahil 'di ko na maayos pa 'yon.

Eight a.m. pa lang, binuksan ko na ang shop. Even though we usually open at 10 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, we were two hours early today—just because I couldn't sleep.

I don't expect customers this early. Sinimulan kong maglinis, para 'di na kailangan ng morning shift staff maglinis pagdating nila. And when I was done—finally satisfied with the outcome—I took a step back to admire the clean, quiet space.

Pakiramdam ko, kumintab ang buong paligid dahil sa paglilinis na ginawa.

I headed to the counter and started making the drink I have almost every day—simple and easy to prepare. Slipping on my barista apron to shield my white top from any accidental spills, I moved with familiar ease.

"Good morning, welcome to Cascara Café, where the coffee served was never bitter..." I greeted instinctively the moment I heard the soft chime of the door.

I waited for a customer, but instead, a manly, crisp scent—like woods laced with fresh fruits—suddenly attacked my senses. I took a breath the moment I felt his presence behind me. I didn't bother throwing him a glance and simply continued what I was doing, pretending I wasn't affected.

Isinandal niya ang sarili sa counter, paharap sa akin. I met his intense gaze when I couldn't take it—it was too obvious. Sinasadya na kunin ang buong atensyon ko. I got conscious of the way he looked at me. He tilted his head slightly, as if trying to read the thoughts running in my mind, his arms crossing over his chest.

I threw him an exasperated look. He looked like he was on his way to work, judging by his getup. But what got me curious was why he was staying in Makati when their main branch was all the way in Manila.

Kung tutuusin, ay mas malaki ang office nila sa Makati, but it wasn't the main office, so why stay there? Gusto ko man maki-chismis sa kapatid, ay hindi ko magawa.
Ang dating Viare Architectural and Engineering firm ay isa na ngayong construction firm. Malaki na rin ang pinagbago nito sa nakalipas na mga taon.

"Galit ka na naman?" he teased, raising a brow. "I gave you time and space, pero parang gusto mo pa ata ng isang taon."

He flashed that coy smile of his, sheepishly rubbing the back of his neck. "What? Still insisting that whole I'm married thing?"

Hininto ko ang ginagawa at binantaan siya ng tingin.

"You want proof? Here's proof that I'm not fucking married."

He raised his hand in front of me, showing no trace of a ring, and when he caught my attention, he bit his lip to hold back a smile. He waved his hand mockingly, as if teasing me about the gossip I'd quickly believed.

"Are you seriously teasing me? Stop—"

My words flew in the air when his phone rang, cutting me off completely. He grinned, mischievously, slowly putting his forefinger against his lips, shushing me.