decoding the boys ✔️

26 - bad liar || edited, uncut ver

I couldn't get his words out of my mind.

What he said, that was a confirmation na, 'di ba? That whatever this was, this thing between us, wasn't unrequited. Gusto niya rin ako katulad ng pagkagusto ko sa kanya. But both of us were willing to stay in the friendship zone.

For different reasons.

Damn. I was so confused. I was at this point where I couldn't do much. Because moving forward or backward would result to the same thing-pain.

"Why aren't you eating your food, Javee?" puna ni Dad, breaking my stupor. As if on cue, the conversation stopped, and five pair of eyes turned to me in curiosity.

Kuya Jacob darted to me. There was a wicked teasing grin on his face.

"Diet?" sabi niya, reaching over the table and helping himself with another serving of rice.

I ignored what he said and turned to my father. "Sorry po. Kumain na po kasi ako kanina."

I filled my glass with orange juice, suddenly feeling conscious sa atensyon nila. I took a slight sip.

Mom furrowed her brows at me. "Eat plenty, Javee. Galing kang rehearsal kanina so you need to eat. You don't need to diet," she scolded.

Kuya Jacob laughed. I scoffed at him in plain disdain.

"I'm not on a diet, Ma," I assured lang at nagsimula nang kumain ulit to shut them off.

After that, the conversation resumed. Dad mostly asked us about our studies and doon nakabawi kaagad ako kay Kuya Jacob. Because he was too damn busy with his ball life, napapabayaan niya na ang subjects niya. Wla pa namang bagsak, but Dad was apprehensive all the same.

"You should learn how to balance your time, Jacob. Sa oras na may ibagsak ka, hihinto ka sa basketball," Dad told him in an authoritative voice.

Kuya pursed his lips into a thin line, suppressing a frown.

Dad then asked Kuya Andrei about his grades naman before shifting to Kuya Chris and Kuya Travis. From there, nalipat na sa business ang usapan namin.

I didn't really know much about our business or how it works, to be honest. Masyado kasing marami at nakakalito. Ang alam ko lang, bukod sa may separate na automotive business si Dad, he's also the chairman of the DV Group, which was a conglomerate housing different subsidiaries.

Hindi ako sure about the specifics but from what I know, sa DV Imports nagtatrabaho si Kuya Travis. He was being groomed and trained as the successor there. Si Kuya Chris naman, sa subsidiary na joint venture ng DV Group at Zobel & Co.

" . . . how's the progress?" Dad continued to ask, his gaze fixed on Kuya Travis.

Kuya Travis sipped from his drink first bago siya sumagot in a polite tone, "Going really well. Binisita ko kahapon yung farm. I think we can start soon."

Tumango si Dad with an approving smile. "You'll be very busy soon then. The competition in the market is tough, 'nak. Kailangan mong bantayan maigi ang bawat proseso. You know we can't afford to lose this one."

"Of course, Dad. I intend to supervise myself."

"Ikaw mismo ang magtitimpla?" Kuya Andrei piped in, sneaking a glance in Kuya Travis' direction. "I saw you the other day. You were testing out different wines."

Tumingin kaming lahat kay Kuya. I was suddenly very interested in the topic. Napukaw ng sinabi ni Kuya Andrei ang atensyon ko. Farm? Wine testing? Hoshet! I didn't know much about business, but this screamed only one thing to me . . .