Mister Villain

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

There was a shift in her mood.

RJ felt it right after he reminded her of how he knew about her feelings for Sam.

The fire from her eyes all but disappeared and was replaced by a hint of melancholy.

He mentally shook his head. Paano nagagawa nitong si Maine Mendoza na makalimutan ang lungkot niya over having the man she loved marry her bestfriend?

How could other things distract her?

Siya nga, hanggang ngayon, walang ibang magawang isipin kundi ang lungkot niya over his loss of Louise.

"Andito na tayo" he told her as he parked in front of the garden restaurant where the party was being held.

Maine was still in a stupor when he said this, as she looked around as though waking up from a daze, realized he was right, and nodded at him.

There was really no fire in there.

She removed her seatbelt more mechanical than a robot could do it and RJ didn't know what came over him but he reached for her shoulder to stop her before she could open the door.

He leaned into her and she snapped.

"ANONG GINAGAWA MO?!?!?!?!"

"Oh she shows up" he hissed under his breath as he relaxed back into his seat.

"HAHALIKAN MO BA AKO?!?!?!"

"Gusto mo ba?"

The fire was back. "CAN YOU STOP BEING A JERK FOR JUST FIVE SECONDS?!?!"

This was better.

Hindi ito dapat pumasok sa restaurant na mukhang naliligaw. "I am who I am" he answered her and brushed off her livid reaction "Oh tara na."

"Wait! Wait!" He heard her call after him as he stepped out.

Binuksan nito ang pinto sa kabila and she looked at him squarely as soon as her head popped out. "Sabi ko sandali e!" she told him.

"Gusto mo bang ma-late?"

"RJ FAULKERSON!"

He rolled his eyes. "Ano yun?"

"You baited me!"

"What did you say?"

"Ginalit mo talaga ako no?"

"Hindi ko alam kung ano ang sinasabi mo, Ms. Mendoza. Also, we are already 15 minutes late. Diba dapat nagmamadali na tayo?"

Tinalikuran niya ito but walked at a pace to make sure she could immediately follow him.

He locked his car as soon as he heard her move.

Maine pulled at his arm and when he turned, she had the decency to blush.

Naramdaman ni RJ bumilis ang tibok nang puso niya.

He had never triggered a blush like that from her. It looked becoming on her.

She let go of his arm. "Uhmmmm.... Ahhhh... Hindi ko alam bakit mo ginawa yun pero thank you. Medyo mas ready na ako ngayon."

RJ shrugged it off. "Masyado ka nag-iisip Ms. Mendoza. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang sinasabi mo. Ang naiisip ko lang ngayon, kailangan na natin magmadali dahil medyo late na tayo."

She looked as awkward as he felt but at least it wasn't about the party anymore.

Tumango ito sa sarili, gathering courage, and RJ saw before she even did it that she had arrived at a resolution.