Playing with Fire (Acosta Sisters Series #3)

Kabanata 5

Kabanata 5

The rumors about Kleo and me took a long time to die down. I still kept denying everything, while he stayed silent and never confirmed nor denied about us.

But on exactly October 26th, everything changed. Naglaho na lang bigla ang balita tungkol samin ni Kleo. Natabunan at napalitan ng iba. Hindi ko alam kung matutuwa ako because that was also the day I found out that Ate and Marcus became officially together. And they were the reason how all the speculation about me being Kleo's secret girlfriend put an end.

Honestly, I still didn't know how to react to Ate and Marcus's sudden boyfriend-girlfriend thing. Gulat pa rin ako at hindi makapaniwala. It's so sudden. Hindi ko inaasahan. Nag-aalala rin ako na baka nadadala lang si ate sa emosyon niya because it's new to her. Pero may tiwala naman ako sa kanya, pati na rin kay Marcus. After all, he's still a well-respected man despite of his cold aura. Mukhang napapasaya naman niya si ate. Kaya kahit hindi ko gusto na naging sila agad, hindi ko rin mapigilan na maging masaya para sa kanila. Especially when I saw how she's genuinely free and truly happy with her choice.

Medyo worried lang din talaga ako kaya I still keep Kleo update me about them. Kung okay ba sila or may mga misunderstanding para kahit papaano ay makatulong kami ni Lia kay ate kung paano maghandle ng mga situations in a relationship.

"May lakad ka?"

I turned my gaze to Lia who's also going downstairs. At napairap agad nang bigyan niya ako ng kakaibang tingin.

"Sunduin ka ba niya?"

"What are you talking about? I'm going to work." I reasoned because it was the truth. But she didn't buy it. She just crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow with both amusement and suspicion visible in her face.

"Don't even try to deny it, Kallista Renae Acosta. My two eyes saw everything. He dropped you off here the other night, and it was already late."

My body flinched a little, surprised of what she blurted. I didn't know Lia saw all of that! Hindi na nga ako nagpababa sa tapat ng mansion para hindi sila mag-isip ng kung ano pero nakita pa rin pala ako! Did she also saw me looked like an idiot walking towards the mansion? Mabuti na lang talaga tinted ang sasakyan ni Kleo, hindi makikita kung anong nangyayari sa loob.

Bakit ba parating nangyayari 'to sa'kin?

I still clearly remember that time. How could I forget that when the time I woke up, the first thing I saw was him, smiling sweetly and staring intently at me.

I thought I was dreaming at first. But when his hands reached my face and I felt it, my eyes widen and I instinctively pushed him away to create some distance between us, also embarassed for my appearance. Like what if I slept with my mouth open? Or did I snore? Was it loud? Did I also drool? Or murmur during sleep? It was so embarrassing! Kulang na lang magpalamon ako sa lupa lalo na nang humalakhak siya.

"Sorry if I wake you up."

I didn't bother to answer him. I sat up on his bed and checked the time on my wrist watch. Laking gulat ko nga lang nang mapagtantong gabi na't hindi man lang niya agad ako sinabihan. I was sure my parents were already looking for me. I never came back this late without permission. I hadn't even sent a text or made a call to Mama. Sigurado akong nag-aalala na sila sa'kin.

"Kallista..." he called me but I ignored him as I look for my bag.

I saw it on the small couch and I took my phone inside. When I tapped the screen, it didn't light up. Pinindot ko na rin ang button pero hindi pa rin mabuhay.

I shut my eyes tightly and smile in full sarcasm to myself. Bakit ngayon pa 'to na-lowbat?

Kleo's concerned voice broke the silence as he stood behind me. I took a deep breath before turning to face him. "This is your fault," I spat, my brows furrowing in frustration. Napaatras naman siya, nakataas na ang dalawang kamay, na para bang sumusuko. "You should have woken me up when you realize I'd fallen asleep!"