Perfect Strangers (Bachelorette Series 6)

Chapter 18

Chapter Eighteen

"Bakit nga uli kayo andito? Wala kayong appointment." Tinaasan niya ng kilay ang triplets. Bigla-bigla na lang kasing sumulpot ang mga ito sa kanyang opisina.

"Well. May something interesting lang naman kaming gustong ipakita."

"It can't wait for the weekend."

"Kung saan magkikita tayo sa Belladona. So we went all the way here." The three said simultaneously.

"And that is?" Inalis niya ang tingin sa tatlo at binalik ang pansin sa pagpirma ng mga papeles sa kanyang lamesa.

"Well. A certain photo is going viral on social media. Again."

"This week lang."

"Pero kalat na kalat na and pinag-uusapan na ng mga tao."

Napakunot-noo siya. Parang may konting hint na siya kung ano ang tinutukoy ng mga ito. "And so?"

"It has something to do with you and Iver." One of the three shrugged. "Again."

"Here, take a look." Inalok nito ang cellphone sa kanya.

It's a photo taken nung isinama siya sa studio nila Iver. It's a group photo, with the whole band, Nita, the producers and her.

Napahilot siya sa kanyang sentido. She should've known this would happen. Noong humingi ang producer ng photo ay hindi siya makatanggi dahil pinakilala siya bilang lawyer ng banda. Hindi kasama ni Iver or something. And knowing those netizens, iba ang magiging dating ng picture sa kanila.

"This screams a lot more trouble. Right?" Tinignan niya ang magkakapatid.

The three nodded in sync.

"Well, another picture with him on social media would only confirm Congressman Belarmino's assumptions."

"That you two are somewhat, dating."

"We're not." Irap niya.

"But the whole social media world's assuming that you are." They shrugged.

"And ayon na nga, kilala natin ang matandang 'yon. Tuso siya."

"He would use everything or everyone just to get back to you. Remember, he wants you dead?"

"So there's a high possibility that he'll use Iver against you."

She sighed heavily. "I only made things worse didn't I?"

"I know you and Iver have a thing."

Sinamaan niya ng tingin ang nagsalita. "It's nothing, Autumn. He's just too persistent. A pest that won't stop pestering me."

"It's Fall. Yeah. Yeah. Deny it some more. We all both know that you have a thing going on."

"To crash your hopes up. Wala. So cut it." Walang emosyon niyang saad sa kaibigan.

"Now going back to the problem." Saad ng isa. "We will just tighten the security of Iver. Without his notice ofcourse."

Tumango siya. "And I would have to end this... whatever it is with him. Dahil mas lalo lang nagiging kumplikado ang lahat."

"Do you really want to?" Taas ang kilay na tanong ni Fall.

She look at her friend with a deadpan look. "I have to."

"But he makes you happy." The other reasoned out.

Binalingan niya ito. "I'd rather have peace than happiness."

The three groaned. "Ang bato talaga ng puso mo."

They were interrupted by a soft knock on the door. It's Crys. "Attorney!"