One Last Time (R18)

Kabanata XI: BEAUTIFUL LIAR

Beautiful Liar.
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"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE, Yturralde?!"

His thick voice echoed throughout the men's restroom when he saw me just entering. I even heard him quickly zipping up his pants. Iginala ko naman ang tingin sa loob. Lumawak ang ngisi ko nang makitang kaming dalawa lang ang tao sa loob.

"Yturralde," his dark voice called.

I returned my eyes to him. "Let's go home together."

His expression darkened. "Did you really come here just to say that?"

"Aww. I'm sorry. I was just...you know...excited," I said with a grin.

He clicked his tongue roughly and walked past me. I quickly turned around and followed him to the sink where he was already washing his hands.

"Wala naman akong ibang nakita eh. Saka 'di ba nga nahawakan—"

"Watch your dirty mouth, Yturralde!" he snapped darkly.

"It's true. Hindi ko naman talaga siya nakita."

"Just stop, will you?!" He shot me a sharp look that pierced through my bones. "Wala ka bang delikadesa? Hindi gagawin ng matinong babae ang pumasok sa banyo ng mga lalaki. Gusto mo ba talagang mabastos?"

Silenced by his reaction, I just shook my head.

Marahas siyang pumalatak ulit, a clear sign that he's fed up with me. He turned his back on me and stormed out of the men's restroom.

I immediately chased after him as he took long strides toward our table earlier.

Wala nang tao doon. After Ms. Aranquez handed us the paper bags, she excused herself and said she would head up to her office. Yes, Ms. Aranquez owns this restaurant, and her office is on the second floor.

Mrs. Valerio also left after the meeting. Nagpaalam na rin si Architect Quinoñes dahil may dinner date pa daw kasi sila ng boyfriend niya. Kami na lang ni Levi ang naiwan.

Levi quickly grabbed his things from the table and hurried toward the exit. I did the same. Pagdating ko sa table, nagmamadali kong kinuha ang mga gamit ko at mabilis na sumunod sa kanya palabas.

Nauna siyang nakalabas ng restaurant. I saw him heading toward the parking lot in front. He's taking big steps, clearly wanting to leave me behind, kaya lakad-takbo ang ginawa ko para lang maabutan siya.

I'm breathing heavily when we finally stop beside his Maserati.

"Y-You're too fast," I struggled to say while trying to catch my breath. Lumingon pa ako sa kanya habang nakahawak ako sa dibdib ko at nakita siyang nakatayo sa tapat ng driver's seat.

He furrowed his brows firmly at me. "Hindi ko sinabing sundan mo ako," he said in a grumpy tone before placing his things inside the car.

I leaned one hand against the hood of his car for support. I felt like I was about to collapse from panting so much.

I'm still in that state when I felt his hand lightly grip my arm. Still trying to steady my breathing, I looked up at him.

"Drink, or you'll lose your breath," he said seriously as he handed me a plastic water bottle.

"Thanks!" I grabbed it from him and drank straight from the bottle. Nang maubos ko ang laman nito, isang malalim na hininga ang pinakawalan ko.

"Here."

My brows knitted when he handed me a 500-peso bill. "What's that for?" tanong ko.

"Pamasahe mo. Tatawag ako ng taxi para makauwi ka na," seryosong sagot niya.