Playing with Fire (Acosta Sisters Series #3)

Kabanata 12

Kabanata 12

The dinner went on, and Kleo introduced me with a proud smile before we took our seats. I could even feel the heat rising to my face, and if I wasn't trying to maintain my composure, I would've pinched his arm hard for dragging me into this.

I mean, really, I had no idea I'd be here tonight. I didn't even have time to prepare. Mabuti na lang maayos ang suot ko at may make up pa rin ako kahit papaano. Nakakahiya kasing dinala niya lang akong basta rito, first time na makikilala ang mga magulang niya tapos hindi ko man lang napaghandaan.

Still, his family greeted me with the kindest smiles and warm welcomes, which made me feel a bit less out of place. Nakilala ko rin ang daddy nila na ilang beses ko pa lamang ding nakikita gaya ni Tita Ria.

As we began to eat, Tita Ria started sharing stories. At first glance, she might have seemed strict, but once she started talking, she was very kind and funny. Parang si Kaia, may pagkamaldita ang itsura pero mabait naman. Natural ding madaldal, namana niya panigurado kay Tita. Gano'n din 'tong katabi ko. Tito Simon was much quieter but has a gentle features that could easily tell he's a good person. And I realized Kleo might be a mixture of his parents, even his facial features. Ngayon ko lang napagtanto habang tahimik na nag-oobserba at nakikinig.

Then they started talking about their family gatherings, also about business ventures. Pati na rin love story nila Tita, like how they met, and how Tito pursued her. Hindi ko na rin napigilang matawa nang ishare ni Tita ang mga nakakatawa nilang experiences. Nahihiya na lang si Tito at sinasaway ang asawa, wala rin namang magawa.

They are so cute. It was obvious—they were still very much in love. And seeing them like this made me feel inspired. It was a rare thing these days, and I am hoping to have that one day too.

Then there's Kaia who seemed curious about me and Kleo kaya agad ding napunta sa'min ang atensyon.

I wondered why I was even in this position. I was just here for dinner. Sabit at saling pusa lamang. Yet suddenly, I found myself in the spotlight, caught in the middle of their teasing glances like they are waiting for us to share something about us.

At ano namang sasabihin ko?

Should I tell them we're like cat and dog? Na tuwing magkikita ay palaging nag-aaway at nagsisigawan?

God! I don't think they will like it.

Binalingan ko si Kleo. Tumingin din siya sa'kin. Binigyan ko siya ng makahulugang tingin, nangunot naman ang noo niya.

"Do you want something?"

How dense!

Eventually, they started asking me all sorts of questions. I answered them politely. And every now and then, Kleo would help me answer before I had a chance. It was like he already knew what I was going to say, or maybe he just didn't want me to feel pressured.

Then, of course, hindi mawawala ang mga pang-aasar sa'min. Kaya hindi man lang nawala ang ngiting mapanuya ni Kaia.

I could already imagine her later, gossiping about me to my siblings. She's the type of person who couldn't help herself from shutting up. She also had a way of making everything sound far more dramatic than it actually was, and I knew there was no stopping her once she got going. Palibhasa ang tagal na rin niya kaming pinag-iisipan ni Kleo. Pilit ko lang talagang itinatanggi dahil totoo namang walang namamagitan sa'min. Dumagdag pa si Falcon na akala ko dati ay tahimik lang. Mukhang naimpluwensyahan na rin pala. Mapang-asar na rin!

"Oh! I remember Kleo had your photos from your shoots and he was always browsing brochures and magazines with your pictures on them. At first, I thought you were some celebrity crush of his," she smiled sweetly. "But Kaia told me all about you. I just never had the chance to meet you in person until now. And I must say, you're even more stunning. I can't blame my son for being head over heels for you."