decoding the boys ✔️

47 | yes

I was nervous.

Yesterday, the boys finally had me agree to this meeting they had in mind. I wanted to let them meet him, syempre, but knowing how intimidating and unpredictable Kael could be, I hesitated.

The choice was ultimately taken away from me when Racel called and Pierre was quick to ask me, almost sure that he would hear it. Naroon si Alec, kaya kung walang siyang alam tungkol sa 'min ni Racel, now he was aware that I was dating.

I could feel his curious stare burning me from where he sat. I knew he was itching to say something but he held his tongue habang pinipilit ako ni Pierre.

"What did he say?" Racel finally asked, catching up.

I took a deep breath, tossing a glare at Pierre. "They want to see you."

"Right now?"

"Tomorrow morning. Before they fly back to London."

"Why not? Wala akong gagawin."

I opened my mouth to reply but no words came out.

"Kinahihiya mo ba siya?" gatong ni Kael from the other side of the room, sabay halakhak.

Bakit ba kasi narito sa loob ng kwarto ko 'tong tatlo? Why wouldn't they play downstairs? Play NBA or something.

Narinig ni Racel ang sinabi ni Kael at tumawa. He repeated the question, this time with an amused note in his voice. Wala na akong nagawa kundi pumayag sa gusto nila.

That was pretty much how I found myself in the scenario today. Nauna kami sa Alabang, sa Mati's Meat & Bread. Last night, I explained everything to Alec kaya kampante ako that no word would go out. Hindi naman siya mausisa, one good trait I liked about him.

"Text him. Ask him where he is," Pierre told me.

I did just that. A quick reply informed me na malapit na rin siya. Like ten minutes tops.

I was fidgeting. I was a bundle of nerves right now. This may well be meet-the-parents cousins version dahil sobra ang kaba na nararamdaman ko. Kael was pretty much cool about the whole thing, nagawa pa nga akong punahin.

"Calm down, cupcake. We won't eat the guy whole," sabi niya bago ngumisi at lumabas para manigarilyo.

Tumawa lang sina Alec at Pierre.

"Well. He's late. That's not the first impression you want to have," Alec commented, leaning back against the chair in a relaxed posture.

"He's not late. We're early," I corrected. "If only Pierre didn't force us to get out of the house early, he'd be here an hour before us."

Pierre shrugged, nonchalant. "I was bored. I wanted to roam around before we go to the airport."

When Alec called for a restroom break, iniwan ko muna si Pierre sa loob at doon na sa labas naghintay. I couldn't see Kael anywhere so I figured he may had taken a walk.

I bit my lip and anxiously waited outside by the door. Sinulyapan ko si Pierre na bored na nakikinig sa iPod niya. I almost jumped in surprise when arms wrapped around my waist and if it were not for the intoxicating scent of Midnight in Paris, baka nasapak ko na kung sino man 'tong may lakas ng loob na yakapin ako.

"Hey," Racel whispered into my ear. "I hope you're not mad anymore."

I smiled at the husky sound of his voice. "Ikaw, e. Wala lang ako, may iba ka nang kayakap."

"I'm really sorry. Gano'n lang si Claui pero walang meron sa 'min. Believe me. I don't wanna fuck this up and I promise it won't happen again. I'll be more careful next time," he said, the sincerity in his voice clear and plain.