In Screaming Color

Chapter 30

"I thought you might need it to fix that head of yours."

"I know you.. I think."

"Yeah? If you do, take this hot cup off my hand and maybe take a lucky guess?"

Therese smiled and did what she was told. The coffee smelled so good she took a quick sip on it. Not minding if she'll get her tongue burned. She took her time thinking of a name, something that might ring a bell.

"Okay, how about a hint? It rhymes with T-Rex."

He said casually as he settled beside her, sipping on his own cup of coffee. He allowed himself to stare at Therese as the latter continues to ponder who he is.

Stupid. But cute.

He finds himself smiling because he finds it funny how he thought and agreed that Therese does look stupid right now, since he would never think like that to someone he likes. But yes, he likes her anyway.

"I have nothing."

Therese raises her empty hand as if she was giving up. She took another sip at the coffee and sheepishly stared at Rex. His heart almost melted with the act. He never imagined Therese to look at him like this, may it be sober or drunk. He's not complaining at all though.

"It's Rex. I work for Bea, if that rings a bell at some point."

Therese lets out a laugh and nods. "T-Rex, that was one hell of a clue. Sorry I missed. Puno ng alak yung utak eh."

"Forgiven."

He smiles, showing off his teeth. It took them a little while before someone spoke again.

"Bea? Not Miss Bea?"

She teased and he chuckled.

"Too formal for our conversation, Therese."

"Uy grabe ka. Miss Therese not Therese. Hindi tayo close no."

Rex acted like he was looking around and checking their situation.

"Hindi naman kita boss, and sitting at the side of an empty street makes me believe we can just be normal acquaintances. Even just for a little time, hindi ko muna papansinin ang estado natin sa buhay."

Therese smiles and takes another sip. She finds Rex charming, he was confident and she likes that.

"So enlighten me why you ended up here, all dressed like that on a very cold night."

"Drinking session with friends. I needed some air so I left."

"Hm. Parang two blocks away naman yung bar na pinakamalapit dito. You needed that much of an air?"

"Loko. Pang asar ka ah? Suntukin kaya kita."

"Hey. Binigyan kita ng coffee, the least that you could do is be nice."

"Psh. Ikaw nga tong mapang-asar."

"Anyway, why did you get drunk?"

"For a guy, chismoso ka." Rex laughs but still waited so Therese took a deep breath before speaking. "It's Bea. You work for him, and mukhang chismoso ka naman. You probably know what happened."

"Really? That was months ago. Hindi pa din ka nakakapag-move - Aray!!"

"It doesn't mean you gave me coffee, you could be insensitive as hell."

"Okay okay. I'm sorry."

He winced as he held his arm that took Therese's painful blow. He expected Therese to leave right there and then, and that would ruin all his little chances but to his shock, she didn't.