Before The Next Teardrops Fall

BTNTF Six

"YOU!" Nagulat pa si Aldrin na nandito si Brynn. Hindi niya akalain na magkakilala ang ina at dalaga.

The sweet smile on his face quickly faded and quickly changed to an arrogant demeanor, which irritated him knowing it would annoy her to no end. Nagkatinginan ang mga ginang at pare-parehong napangiti.

"Oh, it's you, too!" May diin, may pang-iinis. A smirk curved on his lips.

In his mind, kapag sinuswerte ka nga naman. May sasabihin pa sana si Aldrin na iba pero hindi na nasabi dahil nagsalita na si Maine.

"What are you doing here, Dennison?" Nagulat si Aldrin sa tawag ng ina sa kanya. He scrunched up his nose.

He loves his mother to the moon and back, but he doesn't like it when she calls him by that name, not in a place like this, at least. At home it was fine when it was just them.

"Nothing much, mom." He saw Brynn's eyes got bigger and he knows why. "I just stop by to see if Dad still with you to update him of the meeting this morning kasi hindi niya sinasagot ang tawag ko." Sagot nito sa ina at sinulyapan uli si Brynn na katabi ng ina.

"Sino ba ang ka-meeting mo today, Drin?" Tanong naman ni Joyce sa kanya na kay Brynn din nakatingin.

"It wasn't supposed to be my meeting, it was Dad's, the old geezer didn't show up. So I have to meet up with Mr. Scott's nephew and daughter." Sabay lingon uli kay Brynn na tahimik ng umiinom ng kape at kumakain ng muffin, napangiti siya. He made a mental note. She likes my Mom's special flavor, chocolate melt red velvet muffin.

"Titas, I have to go." Mabilis na tumayo si Brynn at nagtungo sa counter para magbayad. Hindi na sumagot ang mga ito. Kailangan niyang makaalis na doon dahil kung hindi ay baka sumabog na siya sa inis at pagpakahiya.

"Okay, hija. Visit me sometime again." Bilin ni Maine na hindi na nasagot ni Brynn.

"Anong nangyari?" Narinig pa niyang tanong ni Jing. Hindi na niya talaga nilingon ang mga ito.

Alam niyang kabastusan yun, but she really have to leave dahil ayaw niyang lalong maging bastos sa harap ng mga kaibigan niya, Yes, itinuring niyang mga kaibigan ang tatlong ginang na magulang pala ng hambog na Aldrin ang Tita Maine niya.

Hindi rin naman kasi niya napagdugtong na ang Richards na may-ari ng coffee shop ay konektado sa richards na car and construction magnate. Huh! Who would have thought? Definitely not her.

"Ako na ang magbabayad." Bahagya pa siyang mapatalon sa gulat nang biglang pagsasalita ni Aldrin sa likod niya. Pinanayuan siya ng balahibo. Pabulong lang yun pero para namang bombang sumabog sa pandinig niya, nataranta tuloy siya.

"H-hindi na. Ayokong magkautang sa mayabang na katulad mo!" Impit niyang singhal dito at mabilis na iniabot ang kanyang card kay Amber. Tumingin muna si Amber kay Aldrin. Nakita niyang tumango ang lalaki dito.

Mabilis na kumilos si Amber para asikasuhin ang payment niya at ibinalik na kaagad ang kanyang card. Patalikod na siya ng muli itong magsalita.

"I'll see you in a couple of weeks... Athena Brynn." Muling ginapangan ng kakaibang kilabot ang buong katawan ni Brynn ng sambiting nito ang pangalan niya.

She quivered at the sound of his voice and the tone he used to say her name. What the eff... Hinarap niya ito at tinarayan para pagtakpan ang kakaibang nararamdaman.

"How about never, Mr. Richards!" Pasinghal niyang sagot. He is really irritating her.

She doesn't want to be around this man ever again. She felt creeped out. She heard him chuckling. There is something about his chuckles that makes her warm inside and hate him, too at the same time. Gosh, it sounds so... manly. Ipinilig niya ang ulo at tinalikuran na niya ang lalaki.