Beautiful Heartbreak (Beautiful Series 1) • COMPLETED ✔️

(31) • cheers to forever

(Jelai)
•••

Kiefer and I toast drinks once more. Parang ang tagal na rin nung huli kaming kumain na magkasama. But we are going to make up for those lost times, and that begins now.

I cleared my throat before speaking.

"Kief, I owe you big for this grand birthday party for Hero. You don't know how happy he is. Hindi nga yata yun nakatulog sa sobrang pagkasabik," natutuwa kong turan.

Kiefer let out a small grin. He then held my hand and squeezed it tightly.

"I hope you know that money is not a problem when it comes to you and your family. They are my family, too. I figured that's just how I could make him happy, so babe, please refrain from being too appreciative," his grin turned into a smile.

Napangiti na rin ako. I've been with Kiefer for almost four years now. I've also seen his utmost generosity at times with his employees. He was never showy with other peple. Kaya naiintindihan ko kung bakit tila naiilang siya kapag may nagpapasalamat sa kaniya. He was not used to showing his emotions.

I tried changing the topic to avoid making him feel uncomfortable.

"How was Berna's working ethics? Gusto ko kasing bigyan ng heads up si Clariz about her para magkaroon kaagad sila ng rapport," kaswal kong sabi.

Mataman akong tinitigan ni Kiefer at inuusisa ang ekpresyon ng mukha ko. I arched my eyebrows momentarily and formed a smile on my lips.

"Why are you staring at me? Iniisip mo siguro na nagseselos ako kay Berna kaya ako nagtatanong about her, right?" I paused and saw him nod a little.

"Sa totoo lang, naiinggit ako sa kanya pero hindi ako nagseselos. Kasi naman araw-araw kasama ka niya. But then I asked you to give her a chance so I won't be hard on her. Sagutin mo na yung tanong ko, babe" I persisted.

"Purely business speaking, Bernadette is eager and focus. She is trying her best to be the best at her job. Sa palagay ko, ayaw niyang mapahiya sayo. I can't blame her. Even I, myself, seek for your  approval. I meant, on a personal matter," sabi niya bago tuluyang nilagok ang natitirang wine sa martini glass niya.

Napayuko naman ako ng bahagya. Nagsisimula nang uminit ang mga pisngi ko. Bago pa ako tuluyang nakapagsalita ay bumungad na ang mukha ni Hero sa likuran ng waiter na nag-aassist sa amin.

He looks ecstatic and worried at the same time. Ilang beses niyang naipadyak ang mga paa niya sa lupa at ipinapaypay ang mga kamay sa mukha na tila naiinitan.

I scowled at him. The last time that I saw him fidgeting like a lost child was when I took him home from school because he was heartbroken from Lois. Tinawag ko siya upang lumapit sa amin, na siya naman niyang ginawa.

"Hero, bakit? Did something bad come up at parang hindi ka mapakali?" Nagsisimula na akong mag-alala.

"Ate, s-si Sir Owen Flores nagpunta sa birthday ko," napahinto siya at napalunok.

Napansin ko na nag-iba naman ang timpla ni Kiefer at tila umasim ang mukha ng marinig ang pangalan ng teacher ni Hero.

I seeked for my brother's hand, pacifying him.

"Mabuti naman at pinuntahan ka ng adviser mo. Shouldn't you be happy na nandito siya para sayo?" My eyes narrowed at him when his expression doesn't change. I sighed.

"Why I do feel like this isn't about Sir Owen anymore? Is Lois also here?" Diretso kong tanong sa kaniya. Tumango na lang si Hero.

Nagkatinginan kami ni Kiefer. I told her about Hero's young love and I think it also worried him a little.

Tumayo siya at iginiya si Hero pabalik sa bakuran namin. Naabutan namin na nakaupo si Sir Owen at nakikipag-usap kasama ng ilang mga kaklase ni Hero. Katabi nito si Lois at ang kaibigan nitong si Dayanara na ngayon ay masiglang nakikipagpalitan ng kuwento sa kanila.