Daunting Blue (BBS #1)

Kabanata 12

12 : Boat

Hindi ko alam kung paano ko pa naatim na kumain kasabay ang binata. But I did. I even had myself a second serving, how's that.

"H-How did you know me?" tanong ko sa binata, my eyes centered on my plate.

His hand holding the fork paused. I tensed my lips, bracing myself for his climactic answer.

"I first saw you in a party... with your family."

My brows twitched. Wow. That was... unexpected. His answer was normal. Akala ko may sasabihin na naman s'yang magpapayanig sa pagkatao ko.

"...then in a restaurant. You're with your friends." marahan nyang dagdag.

Kumunot ang noo ko. Restaurant? Saan? Kailan?

His lips moved slightly stretching for a smile.

"... and you're Beaumont's twin." nakangiti n'yang sabi.

I shot him a quizzical look. "What do you mean by that?"

He pursed his lips, his blue eyes twinkling.

"We're friends. Your brother and I. Hindi ba sinabi sa'yo ng kapatid mo?" A slight smirk plastered on his face.

I gaped at him. Gobsmacked.

"K-Kaibigan ka ni Austin?!" Bakit hindi ko ito alam?!

Bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko nang makita ang paglawak ng ngiti n'ya. My mouth dropped open. Oh gosh.

Magkaibigan pala sila ng lalaking 'to bakit wala man lang sinasabi sa'kin si Austin?!

Wait. My face blanked for a second when I realized something. Mas lumalim ang gatla sa noo ko. Kaya ba grabe ang pagbabawal sa'kin ni Austin na lumapit sa lalaking 'to? Dahil matagal n'ya nang alam na may gusto ito sa'kin?!

I cupped my forehead in shock. Austin, patay ka sa'kin pagbalik ko.

Nang makabawi, tumikhim ako saka muling tumingin sa binata. He was silently gawking at me.

"In short, nakilala mo ako dahil sa kapatid ko?" tanong ko.

He nodded.

"For how long?"

He raised a brow.

"Does it matter? Kapag nalaman mo bang matagal na kitang gusto, papayag ka ng maging nobya ko?" walang gatol nitong turan saka ako tinaasan ng kilay, naghahamon.

I grounded my teeth in irritation. But my heart soared as my stomach fluttered.

"Nevermind. Huwag mo na palang sabihin. Hindi na ako interesado." masungit kong sabi saka umirap.

He chuckled again.

Tinutok ko ulit ang paningin sa pagkain ko, mindlessly poking the food in my plate.

So, ibig sabihin tama na naman ang deduction ni Range? Kilala n'ya na nga ako bago ko pa bilhin iyong mansyon. Pero paano n'ya nga ba nalaman na binili ko ang mansyon? Si Austin ba ang nagsabi sakan'ya?

Kumunot ang noo ko. But knowing Austin's attitude... hindi s'ya basta-bastang nagkukwento ng tungkol sa mga bagay na wala namang personal na koneksyon sakan'ya.

Lumipad ang paningin ko sa kaharap. So, how does he know?

"Tinanong na kita nito sa party, pero uulitin ko dahil hindi mo iyon nasagot. How did you know that I bought the mansion?" seryoso at nagdududa kong tanong.

His eyes were on his food, kaya hindi ko makita ng maayos ang reaksyon n'ya. And when he looked up, he was... calm.

Kumibot ang gilid ng labi ko. I felt somewhat... disappointed. Was I expecting some reaction from him?