Lagot Ka Kay Coach

Chapter 65: [White Lies]

Belle's POV

I didn't miss that look on Jeric's face when Cheska and I both responded to his call. So he calls her Angel, that shouldn't bother me, right? I mean, it's been years since I last saw him and the only reason I'm here right now is because I'm doing my job. I have to check on the patients assigned to me. Jeric is my patient for today. That's it. That should be it but my heart is such a traitor. It shouldn't be feeling like this after all this time. I shouldn't be feeing this for Jeric of all people. Especially since I'm deadly sure that this girl in front of us is his girlfriend.

"Are you okay, Captain?" Cheska asks as she presses the back of her hand on Jeric's forehead. I should be the one asking him that. I should be checking on his vitals. Seeing him has turned my brain into mush.

He nods, still looking at her. Wow. Belle Toral, tama na ang pagiging martyr. Hindi bagay sa'yo, I mentally scold myself.

"Do you remember anything that happened last night? Sabi ni Tata hinimatay ka daw." Nag-aalalang sabi ni Cheska.

Jeric's brows furrow as he takes this in. "Hinimatay ako? What time is it?" He seems disoriented.

"It's 5pm," I respond quietly. It's 5pm and I still have other patients I have to check on but I can't tell my feet to move, my eyes to stop looking at him, my hands to do what they're supposed to do, and my heart from beating this traitorous rhythm that I have no right to feel.

He takes this in slowly and I see the slow transformation of his face and the sudden shift of the mood between him and Cheska. Very slowly, his eyes soften and his lips become less tense, his shoulders relax as he exhales and pulls her in for a hug.

"Kung nasa bingit na pala ako ng kamatayan kagabi, ikaw pa rin pala ang huling iniisip ko." He whispers to her.

I suddenly feel like an intruder.

I take a step back and inhale deeply before smiling at Clark who was watching me with wary eyes. "Sige, babalik na lang ako mamaya. I'll let you guys catch up. It seems Jeric had a rough night and still needs his rest."

Jeric's shoulders tense again at the sound of my voice, like he's realized that they're not the only people inside the room. Cheska is blushing beside him, still enveloped in Jeric's arms.

"Okay," Clark says as he watches me leave.

I quickly close the door behind me and lean on the wall outside their room. My hands are shaking as I touch my forehead with both hands. Ikaw talaga, Belle. Kung 'di ka pa sinampal, hindi ka pa aalis.

Jeric's POV

Tinititigan ako ng masama ni Tata. Patay. Mukhang mahaba-haba ang pag-uusapan namin mamaya tungkol sa nakita niya. I let go of Cheska and smile widely as I see the expression on her face. Mukha na siyang sasabog sa kilig. She clears her throat. Nakatitig pa rin siya sa dibdib ko, nahihiya siyang tignan ako.

"Boss?" I ask tentatively just to see if she's fine.

"Hmm?" Sagot niya na hindi pa rin makatingin sa'kin. I chuckle.

"Cheska," I call her again but she still doesn't look at me.

What did I do? 'Di ba maganda naman yung inamin ko sa kaniya? Okay naman na sinabi ko yun? "Please talk to me."

She slowly lifts her eyes and looks at me. Her cheeks turn even redder and I want to laugh again.

"Ayaw mo ba na sinabi ko na ikaw pa rin yung ini—" Tinakpan niya ng kamay niya ang bibig ko.