Mister Villain

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

"Ang gusto ko lang naman e malinaw. Galit ba tayo kay RJ Faulkerson o hindi?"

Yun ang opening line ni Patring nang tawagan nito si Maine the day after the Philippine Entepreneur's Gala and she was at a lost sa sasabihin.

Her bestfriend was the first one na kinausap niya at nakaalam sa inis na nararamdaman niya para sa Faulkerson heir.

It would seem awkward indeed to still be angry when Patring talked to him nung naiwan ni Maine ang telepono niya sa unit nito and when they were each other's date on a big event.

There was no explanation that would make it acceptable na galit pa rin siya. Magmumukha siyang baliw.

"Hindi tayo galit sa kanya" she answered.

And it was somehow true. Siya na lang naman ang galit kay RJ Faulkerson.

Galit na galit.

"SO!!!!!!!!!!!!"

"It's nothing big Patring. I am getting to know the person pa."

"Getting to know pa lang ang dinadala ka niya sa biggest event for businessmen kagabi? I am looking at your picture now, page six, Society Life."

She should have expected it, Maine told herself.

"Yes. Getting to know pa lang!"

"Defensive ha! Hindi naman kita ija-judge dahil lang sa galit ka sa kanya nung una e. Ganun din naman ako at si Sam dati diba? Hindi ko siya kinakausap."

"It's just... complicated pa kasi ngayon. I really don't know what to talk about."

That was again true. Complicated talaga ang mga nangyayari sa buhay niya ngayon and she didn't know how to even begin explaining it.

"Well, we will be seeing you and him on Saturday naman diba? Makikita ko kayo nang live!"

Something like a punch hit Maine's stomach at the reminder of Saturday dinner.

"Oo. Definitely."

"Wag mo na siyang itago sa amin dahil nakita na din siya ni Pauleen and she's shared the encounter with the whole gang."

"WHAT?!?!?!"

Tumawa si Patring. "Sobrang nabigla kase siya kung gano kagwapo yung sumagot nang phone mo. Lalo nung na-realize na niya kung sino. Kaya ayun, kinwento na sa lahat."

It was futile to even ask why her bestfriend was not able to stop the other woman.

"Please don't embarrass me on Saturday."

"Ano ka ba! We waited so long to embarrass you in front of a potential boyfriend! Gumanti ka na lang kay RJ Faulkerson kapag mga barkada na niya ang nakasama mo."

Buti na lang e sa telepono lang sila magka-usap nang kaibigan dahil hindi nito makikita ang helpless na pag-iling niya sa pader.

She didn't know if she would be able to survive Saturday.

"Hindi na lang pala kami pupunta."

"NICOMAINE DEI CAPILI MENDOZA!!!! WAG MO AKO PAANDARAN NANG GANYAN! YOU ARE MY MAID OF HONOR AND YOU WILL NOT BE ABSENT ON THE MOST IMPORTANT DATES OF MY LIFE!"

"UNFAIR!!!!!" she shouted back "STOP USING THE BESTFRIEND CARD!"

Patring laughed. "I am a bride-to-be I get to use any card I want to use!"

"Que Horror!"

"Oh stop being OA! Basta excited na ako makita ka on Saturday. I know you're busy at dahil ang bilis bilis nung wedding preparations namin e hindi ka makatulong but I would really love to see you and catch up. Feeling ko nga sa sobrang pagka-miss ko sa'yo, baka hindi ko pa mapansin yang gwapong boylet mo e."