Mnasthai (The Order #1)

Chapter Fifteen

The sound of my phone alerting me with a text message made me slow down from walking down the stairs. I completely halted when I saw my cousin's name on the screen.

Today 4:40PM

Gavin:
You available tomorrow?

My eyebrows raised. A triumphant smile crept on my lips. Alam ko na agad kung bakit ito nagattanong.

Kinsley:
Hey! :) I am. Why?

I pressed the button to lock the screen and resumed going down. It only took him less than a minute to respond.

Gavin:
Still interested in reading Coma?

I laughed. I should be disgusted because this is basically incest but I can't help but be amused. Ganito pala pumorma sa babae ang pinsan ko?

I quickly typed in something that I think flirty Kinsley would say. This is based on her sent messages to Jakob.

Kinsley:
YESSSSS. WHEN?

Gavin:
Tomorrow. 3PM?

Kinsley:
Okay! I'll drive. Send me the address tomorrow?

Gavin:
Sure. See you! :)

Kinsley:
Can't wait :D

I hid my phone and saw that the living room was empty. Normally, Kirsten and Nial will be lounging on the couch and their mother will join them since it's a Saturday. Maybe they're eating snacks at the dining area?

Papalapit palang ako ay narinig ko na agad ang mga boses nila. I was right. The whole family was there. Even Noah who's normally out during the weekends was here. They were eating cake.

"Oh? You're all dressed up. Going somewhere?" Mariah asked as soon as she saw me.

"Just gonna talk over coffee with a friend," I answered as I walked towards them. I kissed Mariah on the cheek.

"Kuya Jakob!" Nial suddenly exclaimed. For some reason, hearing his name made me stiff as a board. Huling kita ko sa kanya ay noong birthday ko pa. That's... three days ago.

"Hi, Kuya," Kirsten chimed and threw me a meaningful look.

"Hey," I heard Jakob say. Medyo nakatalikod ako sa entry way ng dining area kaya hindi ko siya nakikita.

I stood up properly. My face was straight and reaction free when he went near us. I was forced to look at him. Nagmano siya kay Mariah at magalang na bumati. "Goodafternoon po, Tita."

"Join us and eat, Jakob," Kinsley's mother sweetly said.

Jakob's eyes preyed on me. It did something to my chest. His presence made me a little nervous for an unknown reason. I quickly looked away. Naglakad ako palapit sa kinauupuan ni Noah.

"Can I use the car?" I asked.

He raised a brow at me as he filled his mouth with cake. Ngumuya muna siya bago nagsalita, "Sinong kasama mo?"

Now, I feel uncomfortable answering this. Hindi ko alam kung dahil sa tanong o dahil may ibang nakikinig sa paligid...

I cleared my throat. "Si Silver."

Noah's eyes squinted at me. "Nanliligaw na ba sa'yo 'yon?"

"What?" My eyes widened. "No!"

"Why do you sound so defensive? Okay lang naman kung nanliligaw sa'yo 'yon." He evilly chuckled and transferred his eyes to someone else. Someone who's standing beside me. "Diba Jakob?"