Playing with Fire (Acosta Sisters Series #3)

Kabanata 11

Kabanata 11

How dare him spreads all sorts of nonsense about us to other people na wala namang katotohanan. It's like he doesn't care about the consequences as long as he gets what he wants. Like this was just a game to him, and I'm just a pawn he can move around however he pleases.

I let out a frustrated sigh while eyes still on the road, hindi pa nagagawang balingan at kumprontahin ang lalaking prenteng nakaupo sa passenger seat.

I really hope that gossip doesn't spread any further. I want a quiet life. Alam din ng lahat na si Harriet Velasco ang girlfriend niya. Even Papa knew it because we talked about it over dinner yesterday. Tunog nanghinayang pa nga siya. Parang may gustong iparating.

At ang mabalita ang pangalan ko na sangkot sa kanila, I don't think it will be pleasing. Lalo na sa mga magulang ko. Naturingan pa man din akong mag-aabogado pero mababalitaang kabit!

No. I wouldn't let that happen. I'm terrified of what Papa would do if he finds out something like that. He'd be furious, and things would only get worse for me. He might even send me to the States, just like he did with my sister, because he won't tolerate any damage to our family's reputation. I know how far he's willing to go to force me to quit. He's influential enough to make it happen since he believes modeling and media will distract me from my studies and tarnish my reputation.

I just promised him I'd never bring him shame and that I'd maintain my public image while balancing both. And I intend to keep that promise. Gusto ko ring patunayan na tama ang naging desisyon at paninindigan ko, at nagkakamali sila sa mga akala nila sa'kin.

That's why I'm so stressed. And Kleo doesn't even understand because he's too selfish!

Pasimple ko siyang binalingan sa matalim na tingin. Hawak niya ang cellphone at abalang nagtitipa.

Napansin yatang nakatingin ako kaya lumipat ang tingin sa'kin. Pagkatapos ay ngumisi.

"I know I'm handsome," he joked, a smirk still playing on his lips. "But focus on the road first. I'm not going anywhere. You can stare at me all you want once you're not driving." he added with a teasing grin.

Umirap ako bago marahas na ibinalik sa daan ang paningin. Hindi piniling tumugon. Kahit na ang totoo ay nagngingitngit na ako sa inis dahil sa kakapalan ng mukha niya.

Can't he see how intensely I'm glaring at him? He's so dense! Hindi ko alam kung saan siya kumukuha ng lakas ng loob na manatili rito gayo'ng halos bugahan ko siya ng apoy at bigyan ng matatalim na tingin. Pinipilit ko na lang talagang kontrolin ang sarili kahit pakiramdam ko sasabog na ako sa matinding iritasyon. I still wanted to maintain my composure, to act demure and poised like I usually do. It's maddening how easily he gets to me.

I'm never like this with other guys. I'm always collected and in control. But with him, my patience really wears thin so quickly, as in inuubos niya talaga. He's the only one who makes me lose myself like this, and it's driving me crazy.

It may sounded overreacting but I had reasons to hate him. At anomang pagpapanggap ang gawin niya, hindi na mawawaglit sa isip ko ang mga kagaguhan niya. He broke many people's heart. He should earn trust in serious ways. Hindi 'yong tipo na parang naglalaro lamang siya.

"When is your break, by the way?"

I didn't bother to answer. Nagpatay malisya na lamang, kunwari walang nadinig.

He didn't mind I did not respond. He's still on his cellphone, busy doing something with it—probably about work judging by the concentration on his face, while his back was casually leaning on the seat nonchalantly.