THE AWESOME HEIRESS Road to Ambition

Chapter 16

Pansamantalang naiwan sina Dominic at Harry sa mesa. Magkasamang pumunta ng comfort room ang dalawang dalaga matapos ang naging mahabang pag-aagawan kung sino ang magbabayad ng bill. Ang kinabagsakan ay naghati sa babayaran ang dalawang binata, parehong ayaw pumayag na hindi maglalabas ng pera.

Ilang saglit na nagpakiramdaman ang dalawa nang masolo ang mesa. Si Dominic ay pinipilit maging natural samantalang si Harry ay pinipilit huwag magpaapekto sa kanina pang lihim na namamahay na init ng dugo sa katabi.

"I guess Natalie and Cassie both love Italian foods," kalmadong komento ni Dominic matapos ang ilang sandaling katahimikan.

"Cassandra loves Korean cuisine more," diretsong sabi ni Harry.

Kumunot ang noo ni Dominic. Napahawak sa baba at napaisip. "Really? Should I treat her next time in a delicious Korean Restaurant? Makapaghanap nga, " kunway sambit sa sarili.

Nagsalubong ang mga kilay ni Harry. Tiim bagang tiningnan niya ang katabi nang may katapanganng mga mata. "Mukhang napapadalas ang pagkikita niyo ni Cassie. Pinopormahan mo ba ang kaibigan ko?" walang patumpik-tumpik na tanong niya.

Bahagyang natawa ang kausap. "Mukhang may pagkapossessive kang kaibigan. "

Ngumisi si Harry. "I'm a protective friend because I couldn't see any clear intention kung bakit nilalapitan mo siya. Is it because you learned that she admires your skills and now you're trying to take advantage of her innocence? Be honest, your bullying is a way of flirting with her, right?"

Tumigas ang mukha ni Dominic. "Don't ever mix military behavior with bullying. I don't waste precious time bullying people," sabay titig niya sa mukha ng kausap. "...because if I don't like a person it's either he gets a taste of my fists or my bullets," ngumingising pasaring niya.

Matapang na tinanggap ni Harry ang pasaring. "I don't easily get intimidated," matigas na buwelta niya.

Bahagyang kumalma si Dominic, bumuntong-hininga at napapangising lumingon sa ibang direksiyon. "Funny how you react when a guy approach your best friend." Muli siyang tumingin sa kausap. "Diretsong tanong lang pare, kung sakali bang magkagusto ako kay Cassandra, may malaking problema ba sayo?"

Hindi agad nakaimik si Harry. Napalunok at tila biglang umurong ang dila.

"But of course malayong mangyari yun," tatawa-tawang bawi ni Dominic na hindi na hinintay ang sagot ng kasama. "Cassandra is just a friend."

"Dating kaibigan," mabilis na pagtama ni Harry. "Napakatagal na panahon mong nawala sa buhay niya to a point that she had forgotten you already."

"Yeah maaring may punto ka. I used to share the same thought too but what to do? Matagal kaming hindi nagkita but the connections is still there and it's even getting stronger. I think we're still fated to share a lot of memories together," kalmado ngunit ngingisi-ngising salita ni Dominic.

Pikong uminom ng tubig si Harry at malakas na binagsak ang baso sa mesa saka nilingon ang kausap. "You're just her teacher. Isn't it unlikely for a teacher to have a happy-go-lucky relationship with one of his female students."

"I know the boundaries well. However, I don't think I need to explain myself to you..." bahagyang inikot ni Dominic ang upuan upang makaharap nang mabuti ang kausap. Sumandal siya sa silya at kalmadong ipinatong ang mga siko. "Alam mo ba pare kung ano ang magiging malaking pagkakapareho namin ni Cassandra? We will be the type of people who will only be ruled by duties, responsibilities and principles. In the world that we'll live in, personal affections, feelings and emotions will be last on the list. So, don't fill your heart with useless fears... To give you a piece of brotherly advice," lumapit pa siya nang kaunti sa kausap. " Get rid of that feeling before it's too late. Being in love with people like us will never be magical, it's a nightmare that will endlessly hunt you and deprived you of peace of mind....Run while you still can," pabulong at may pananakot na payo niya.