The Billionaire's Son

Chapter 24

Chapter 24

"Ayaw mo talagang sumama?" Aaric nudged me again by the elbow as he peered on the book that I am reading. A lollipop hung lazily on his mouth.

Umiling ulit ako. "Hindi naman ako nagpaalam kay Mama."

Sage glanced at me. He's wearing a pair of ripped jeans today and sported a rugged pair of black converse. Black is really his color. Kahit na simpleng black v-neck shirt lang ang kaniyang suot ay talagang kapansin-pansin siya kahit sa malayo. His hair is a bit longer. Hindi pa niya ito pinapuputulan kahit na panay ang paalala sa kaniya ng iilan sa aming mga propesor.

"We're going to drive you back here." aniya sa baritonong boses. I also noticed the black ear piercing situated on his left ear lobe. Sa tingin ko ay bago pa ito dahil bahagyang namumula ang kaniyang tainga. And I have never seen it before until now.

"Sige na Mallory, sama ka na sa amin. It's a 4-hour drive to Davao and being with Jasmine and Sage is so damn awkward!" reklamo ni Aaric. "For sure, kapag hindi ako magsasalita mamaya ay babalutin lang kami ng nakakabaliw na katahimikan."

Tipid kong nginitian si Aaric habang hinihila ang isa sa aking mga notebook mula sa loob ng bag. "And what would I do there? Hug Jasmine and bid her goodbye?" I kidded.

"I know you're not exactly a fan of her but we could at least rid of the awkwardness in the air." Depensa naman ni Aaric.

"Do not force her, Aaric." ani Sage. Titig na titig siya sa akin. "And besides, I really don't want Jasmine to be near you. Baka kung anu-ano na naman ang sabihin niya sa iyo."

Biglang pumasok sa aking isipan ang huling pag-uusap naming dalawa ni Jasmine sa talon. She cried angrily before she left. Ilang minuto pa ang nakakalipas at dumating na sina Aaric at Sage. Buti nalang at hindi nila napansin ang bahagyang pamamasa ng aking mga mata dahil sa pag-iyak. But Sage keeps on glancing at me. Alam kong gusto niyang magtanong kung mayroon bang problema pero pinipigilan niya lamang ang kaniyang sarili.

"Just... tell her to have a safe trip." Nasabi ko na lamang. They are her designated drivers to Davao for her flight this evening. Ang gusto lang ni Aaric ay sumama ako sa kanila para may makausap siya sa biyahe but I know it's going to be awkward for the four of us to be together inside a small vehicle for four long hours. Kaya naman huwag na lamang.

"And besides, I'm going to buy some gifts for my mother today..." wika ko sa kanila. "Kaya hindi talaga ako puwede."

Aaric groaned out loud and keeps on muttering "We're doomed, we're doomed..." to his cousin who just glared at him. Ilang beses pa akong pinilit ni Aaric bago niya napagtantong wala talaga akong balak na sumama sa kanila. Sage asked me if I'm going to be fine here, dahil may isang klase pa ako mamayang hapon at hindi pa niya ako maaaring ihatid sa bahay.

"It's okay, Sage. May gagawin din naman ako mamaya." wika ko saka kinawayan ko sila. "Mag-iingat kayong dalawa ni Aaric!"

Sage nodded at me before he hesitantly followed Aaric. Sinundan ko sila ng tingin bago ko ibinalik ang aking atensiyon sa librong binabasa. I stayed under the shade of mango tree before I proceeded to my next class.

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Habang namimili ako ng maaring iregalo kay Mama ay biglang pumasok sa isipan ko si Sage. It's December already. Malapit nang magpasko. If he's going to spend his Christmas here, might as well give him something right?

But really, what can you give a boy who almost have everything? Nahihiya naman akong bigyan siya ng kung anong gamit dahil alam kong mga branded lahat ng kaniyang damit at mamahalin. I can't even afford to buy a nice dress of my own.