Fading Echoes

Treinta y dos

Irene

"Irene, want me to drop you off at the office?"Richie asked, karga niya si Luke ngayon dahil umiiyak kanina. Paano, inaasar kasi ng kuya Sam at Mike niya, I shook my head "Oh, no. I'm fine. I also have to meet Maxine and Chelsea before I head to the office" I answered. He nodded, and turned to Luke, "Let's play more?" he giggled and walked away. 

Nagulat naman ako nang biglang sumulpot si ate Imee sa likod ko. "Alam mo, bagay din pala kayo noh?" she butted in. "Ate?!" I reacted, at inabala ko ang sarili ko sa pag-aayos ng bag ko bago tuluyang lumabas ng bahay. "Whenever we see you and Richie playing with the kids, you look like a family. Ngayon, gets ko na bakit hindi kayo tinitigilan ni Natalia" tumatawang asar ni ate. I looked at her, "ate, we're just good friends. And I'm glad that I found a good and reliable friend in him" I smiled. 

"Sus, tigilan mo ako sa pa-showbiz na sagutan mo Irene ha. Baka magulat nalang kami kayo na ha. Naku, naku. Mahilig ka sa tisoy ha" dagdag pa niya. "Ate!!" I scolded her, as I stomped my feet. 

"Oh, ano na naman 'yan, Ime, inaasar mo na naman kapatid mo" Dad called out. Kagagaling lang niya sa taas, he's holding Andy's hand as they walk down from the stairs. "Dad, alis na po ako" I smiled and walked towards them, kissing him goodbye. "Bye, tita pretty!!" Andy smiled as I kissed his forehead. 

"Be a good boy to lolo" I replied to him. "May driver ka?" Daddy asked, obviously worried on my sprained ankle. "Yes, dad. I'm good. I can drive naman" I smiled. 

Halos two weeks din akong nag-work from home sa trabaho just to make sure na I can function properly once I'm back. 

Pagkarating ko sa cafe, agad akong sinalubong ni Maxine and Chelsea, "Irene! Girlypop!!" Max excalimed and hugged me tight, ang tagal din naming hindi nagkita. "How are you girls? I've missed you both!" I pouted. "Naku, we're good! Very good! Single ladies pa rin." Chelsea answered. 

"Huwag ka maniwala diyan, Irene, may manliligaw 'yan." Max jested as we take our seats. "Talaga? Who's this lucky guy?" I teasingly smiled. Chelsea raised her hand to call the waiter. 

"Naku, Irene, imbento 'yan si Max"

"Si Tristan!!!" Max finally spilled. My eyes widened, "him?!" in surprise. "Wow, I thought you guys have no contact already?" I chuckled. Max elbowed me, "I know right?! Lumalandi si ateng" she teased. 

"Ay, enough with me na muna. I want to hear about Irene!" Chelsea halted us and looked at me. 

"So, Irene, spill the tea!" Maxine leaned in, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "We saw those posts about you and Richard at the movies last week. Are you two dating now, or is this just some publicity stunt?"

Chelsea, ever the supportive friend, chimed in, "Honestly, it looked like you were having a blast! You know we're all dying to hear the details."

I felt the hot seat heat up beneath me. "It was just a friendly outing! Richard and I have known each other for ages, and we figured it would be fun to catch a movie together. The photos were... unexpected, to say the least."

Maxine raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk forming on her lips. "Unexpected? That's one way to put it. I mean, who wouldn't want to think you're dating a heartthrob like Richard? He's practically all over social media right now!"

Chelsea nodded enthusiastically, leaning closer. "You should embrace it! Imagine the stories you could tell. Plus, dating him would elevate your social media game. You could be the power couple everyone talks about!"

I laughed, shaking my head. "You both know I'm not into all that drama. I'm focused on both companies right now. Besides, Richard is just a friend... Ano ba kayo!"