The Forgotten's Envy (Masquerade Girls, #1)

Chapter 10

I stayed inside the the cafe after I arrived. Inagahan ko na dahil ayokong hintayin ako ng dalawang 'yon. Nag-order ako ng Iced Americano at nagbrowse na lang sa phone ko. I was expecting them to arrive together but I guess I was wrong.

Nakita ko si Iñigo sa entrance at napatingin siya sa direksyon ko pero bago pa siya makalapit sa akin ay tumayo na ako.

"One table apart," sabi ko at napahinto naman siya.

He agreed and I think we both know that this was for the best. Baka lalo pang magwala ang Queenie na 'yon 'pag nakita niya kaming magkasama sa isang table bago siya dumating. Nilabas ko na lang ulit ang phone ko at nagbrowse ng social media sites habang naghihintay sa reyna.

After about fifteen minutes ay dumating na rin siya at pumasok siya sa shop. Napataas naman ang kilay ko dahil may nakita akong kakaiba. God, this girl is really annoying. Akala niya ba hindi ko mapapansin ang mga alipores niyang nakaaligid sa labas at loob ng cafe?

Pareho silang lumapit sa akin ni Iñigo at mukhang iniiwasan pa rin nila ang isa't isa. Umupo sila sa harapan ko at binagsak ko naman ang coffee sa table ko, dahilan para magulat sila.

"Ano na? Tutunganga na lang ba tayo rito?" tanong ko at nagtinginan naman sila.

"Queenie," panimula ni Iñigo. "I don't know why you keep on acting like this but seriously, Chloe and I are just . . ." Napatingin naman siya sa akin at tinaaasan ko siya ng kilay. " . . . friends."

"Correction. Acquaintance."

"But why do you have to hide this from me?" tanong ni Queenie kay Iñigo at nakita kong namumula na ang mata niya. "You should've said it sooner."

"Was that really needed?" Iñigo retorted. "We don't even talk anymore since that incident happened."

"But still—"

"Do you remember what I told you last time?" tanong ko habang nakatingin kay Queenie at pareho silang napatigil. "I think my words didn't get through your head. Now you have really become an annoying girlfriend, the type that guys hate the most."

"Chloe . . ." Tinignan ko nang masama si Iñigo dahil isa rin siya sa may kasalanan kung bakit lumaki ang gulong 'to.

"Shut up, Iñigo. I'm still talking," sabi ko at muling hinarap si Queenie. "And you, don't act like a damsel in distress because you aren't. Sulking won't solve anything. Why don't the both of you talk to each other instead of using me as your mediator?"

"Fine," Queenie said as she glared at me and I smirked at that sight. Finally showing her true colors, huh? "I don't really care if you were his ex-girlfriend. What pisses me off is that this guy nonchalantly talked with you after I asked him about the both of you."

This time, ako naman ang nagulat dahil biglang may tumulong luha sa mga mata niya. I don't know if she's still acting but her eyes seem to be sincere.

"Then why are you targeting me?" tanong ko naman at ngumiti siya bigla.

"You know the nature of most girls. Jealousy isn't something to be taken lightly."

"Is that so?" sabay lapit ko sa mukha niya. "I'm also someone who shouldn't be taken lightly."

Iñigo managed to catch our attention by coughing purposely. Maybe he sensed the rising tension between us and it'll be hard to stop us in case a fight starts.

"I'm out of here," sabi ko at saka ako tumayo pero tumigil ako at lumingon sa kanila. "Solve your own problems. Drag me again with you and you'll see what I'm capable of." Naglakad ako papunta sa pinto at napatigil ulit ako dahil may nakalimutan akong idagdag. "Oh, yeah," sabay lingon ko at napatingin naman sila. "Kung magbebreak kayo, if ever, hinding-hindi ko naman papatulan si Iñigo. I'll find myself a better man, so don't worry," I said with a smirk as I exited the cafe.