Tides of Betrayal (Casa del Pueblo Series #1)

Kabanata thirty-two

Kabanata thirty-two

Rest

Naiwan kami ni Zeke sa sun lounger. Tahimik kaming nakaupo, pinapanood ang mga alon na humahampas sa dalampasigan. Breaking the silence, I looked over at him. "Sabi ni dad ikaw raw ang naghatid sa kanila ni Mr. Leandro sa Antique?"

Tumango siya, "Yeah. No cars were available at the mansion that day." magaan ang kanyang tono, but his gaze lingered on me, curious yet gentle.

Namayani ng bahagya ang katahimikan sa amin. Huminga ako ng malalim, bracing myself. "Zeke... siguro oras na para tumigil ka na sa paghihintay sa akin," panimula ko, my voice barely a whisper. "There might be someone out there... someone who's ready and can give you everything you deserve."

His expression softened, but he didn't interrupt. Instead, he looked at me with that familiar, understanding gaze that somehow made it harder to keep talking.

"Honestly, Zeke, the most I can offer is friendship." pagpapatuloy ko, struggling to hold his gaze. I watched him take a slow sip of his drink before he nodded, gumuhit ang isang maliit at malungkot na ngiti sa kanyang labi.

"Elle..." panimula niya, mahinahon ang kanyang boses ngunit may bahid ng kalungkutan. "I've always known it might come to this." huminto siya, tila iniipon ang kanyang mga iniisip. "I care about you. Enough to wait, but also enough to step back if that's what you really want."

He looked down for a second, the silence between us feeling heavy. "You don't owe me anything," mahinang dagdag niya. "I'd still rather have you in my life as a friend than not at all."

The sincerity in his voice struck me, and I felt a pang in my chest.

Ilang minuto ang lumipas bago tumayo si Zeke at inilahad sa akin ang kanyang kamay. Nag-aalinlangan kong tiningnan 'yon, bago ko 'yon tinanggap.

"Let's just enjoy the night," aniya habang nakangiti. "Narinig kong may party mamayang gabi dito."

Tumango ako, at naglakad kami papunta sa hotel, habang magkahawak pa rin ang aming mga kamay. Nang makarating kami sa pintuan ng kwarto ko, pinalaya niya ang kamay ko, stepping back with a light chuckle. "See you later... sis," he teased, giving a small wave before disappearing down the hall.

Umupo ako sa harap ng vanity, feeling the weight of our conversation settle in. Bumuntong-hininga ako bago tumayo at nagpasyang maligo. I turned on the shower, and let the warm water wash over me, trying to clear my head. Pagkatapos kong maligo, I carefully did my makeup, taking my time as I slipped into a black backless dress that draped down to my ankles.

Nang akmang matatapos na ako ay siyang pagkarinig ko sa mahinang katok sa aking kwarto. Opening the door, I found Treasure standing there, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Wow, look at you, Miss Gorgeous!"

Natawa ako at bahagyang binuksan pa ang pintuan para makapasok siya. She walked straight to the bed and, with a mischievous grin, pulled out a red lingerie set, holding it up for me to see.

"Treasure!" sigaw ko, nahihiya. She winked, unbothered. "Of course! Trust me, this will come in handy," aniya.

Inirapan ko siya, at kinuha 'yon at natatawang itinago ko 'yon sa aking cabinet. "What, you won't wear it?" tanong niya, natatawa na din.

I grabbed her arm, "Come on, let's go before you get any more ideas!" singhal ko sa kanya.

Together, we made our way through the hotel lobby and down to the beach, where soft music and the hum of laughter filled the air. Under the night sky, illuminated by strings of fairy lights, a live band played near the shore. People were scattered around, some dancing, others sitting on blankets, enjoying the cool breeze and the calm of the ocean.