Illicit Love

Kabanata 23

"What's with that expression, Zariah? For heaven's sake, at least try to crack a smile, even if you have to fake it. You're being way too serious and stern! Just a reminder... We aren't at the office right now. So, drop the 'boss' act, will you?" Wanda said with a playful laugh.

I simply rolled my eyes at her. We were at a popular outdoor restaurant here in Washington, and there she was—sitting beside Helena with a smug smirk on her face while she clung to her. I felt the urge to cringe, but I managed to keep my face neutral. I knew it was a bad idea to tag along on their date. There's no escaping the awkwardness of being a third wheel. It's not that I'm jealous—I honestly find the whole thing a complete waste of time.

"Tigilan mo ako, Wanda," malamig na sabi ko.

I looked down and focused on my food. I really missed this—eating out. I've been so buried in work since I moved here that I haven't treated myself even once. Tita Aviola used to invite me out all the time with her niece, Annastasia, but I was always too busy juggling my studies and my job to go.

It's a small world—I met Annastasia through work a year after joining Mr. Williams' firm. She was Mr. Adams' secretary, and I had no idea she was actually Tito Tobias's niece. When I learned she was an orphan and heard her story, I was floored. Losing your whole family in such a short time is a nightmare. I don't think I'd have the strength to go on if that happened to me. I have so much respect for her. We lost touch after she moved into her own apartment, and though she still stops by Tito's place to visit, our schedules never seem to align.

"Zariah! 'Yan na naman siya sa sariling mundo niya. Gaano ba kalawak ang mundong 'yan at parang palagi kang nawawala? You know what, you should find yourself a partner itself! Haynaku, para naman mabawas-bawasan kahit papaano 'yang kasupladahan mo. 'Di ba, babe?"

"Right... Maybe she she had that's why she's lost in her thought. We don't know," hirit na pang asar ni Helena.

"Totoo ba? Hoy, Zariah, ha? Bakit hindi ka nagsasabi! Sino? Si Mr. Adams ba? Kaya pala napapansin ko kanina 'yang pangisi-ngisi niya sayo!"

For the ninth time, I rolled my eyes at their antics. I am far too busy to be bothered with such trivialities. There are countless matters more deserving of my attention than this. Besides, I couldn't care less. Mr. Adams was always like this—predictable. It isn't even me he's after, but my cousin, Annastasia. That smug grin of his is nothing more than a desperate attempt to impress. He has been pestering me for ages to play matchmaker, but I refuse to overstep my bounds. If his feelings for her are genuine, why doesn't he court her properly? What a pathetic excuse for a man. He has neither ego nor principles.

"Your imagination is getting ahead of you again," I said, my tone casual but pointed. "Do yourself a favor and get your eyes checked."

Parehas silang tumawa. "See... Concern best friend lang naman kami, Zariah. Can't you see? Napag-iiwanan ka ng panahon. Ang dami-daming nakapilang manliligaw mo diyan, oh? Bakit hindi mo subukan? Hindi ka ba napapagod magsungit? Tatanda ka talagang dalaga!"

I sighed, hoping to put an end to the conversation—here we go again. She sounds exactly like my mother and Tita Aviola. I honestly don't understand why they are so desperate for me to be in a relationship. I simply don't have time for things like that. Besides, I'm far too young to be settling down. To me, the whole idea feels irrational. These are matters of the heart that shouldn't be rushed.

"Babe, just let her be. Take it easy... There's no need to pressure her. Perhaps she's simply not ready for that stage of her life yet," Helena said, her voice filled with the quiet patience of a truly understanding friend.

That's the side of Helena I truly admire. She has this effortless way of understanding everything. She's always the one who steps in between Wanda and me, especially when our arguments start to heat up. She's always there to pull us back. I've noticed that about her since the very beginning.