Wretched Choices

Chapter 16

#WretchedChoicesWP

Chapter 16
Good bye

"Oh... I'm sorry about that. I didn't know."

Hope really dug a deep grave for herself today. Embarrassment was written all over her face. Taking that big blow from Archer must be too much for her.

I should be rejoicing right now, but I was being troubled by my treacherous emotions. I couldn't even smile because I could feel my heart starting to go intense with its rebellion. I don't think I could tame it anymore.

"My dad's outside now," Hope announced when she was done fixing her things. "Saan ulit ang punta ninyo? Sumabay na kaya kayo sa amin. Ihahatid na namin kayo. Daddy won't mind."

Lutang pa rin ako sa pag-iisip sa sarili kong nararamdaman. Ni hindi ko na nasundan ang iba pang pinag-usapan nina Hope at Archer. Bumukas lang ulit ang aking isipan sa reyalidad nang magpaalam na si Hope.

Archer didn't hesitate and think for another second. He flatly rejected Hope's offer by shaking his head.

"My car's already parked outside," he explained. "And besides, we'll be out of your way home. Ang sabi mo may flight pa kayo mamaya, 'di ba? Baka mahuli pa kayo."

Ngayon ay hindi ko na mapigilan ang matuwa dahil sa pagtataboy niya kay Hope. Though, she should be thankful that it was Archer chasing her away with those kind words. Kung ako 'yan, baka aalis na lang ay maluha pa siya.

"Okay, then..." Dinig na dinig ko ang pagkabigo sa kanyang boses. "Mauuna na ako kung ganoon."

"Take care."

Hope smiled lovingly at Archer before she turned to me. "Thank you for the hospitality, Keia. I appreciate it."

Hindi ko na magawang makipagplastikan pa sa kanya kaya tinanguan ko na lamang siya. Nang tuluyan siyang makaalis ay gumaang kahit papaano ang aking pakiramdam. Grabe ang pagpipigil na ginawa ko para lamang hindi sumabog kanina.

She tested my patience so well that I almost burst. If Archer didn't arrive, I'd probably go ballistic. If you haven't seen a human version of a volcano, then, that would be me. My words would flow like a lava which would surely burn her completely.

"Shall we go now?" Archer asked me after I finished changing my clothes.

From comfortably and patiently sitting on the couch, he stood up and subtly fixed the hem of his shirt. My eyes shamelessly checked him out real quick.

Kanina ay hindi ko masyadong napag-interesan na abalahin ang sarili sa pagtingin sa kanyang suot dahil sa nakakapang-init ng dugo na presensya ni Hope, pero ngayon ay mayroon na akong pagkakataon.

He was wearing a casual attire — black skin-fit jeans and white shirt tucked in front. Very simple, but I had to admit that he still looked incredibly good. 

Feeling slightly conscious about my own outfit, I mentally recalled what I chose to wear — maong high-waist shorts and pink sleeveless crop top paired with white sneakers.

Realizing my consciousness, I frowned. I shouldn't be like this! I should be nonchalant to whatever his opinion about my outfit may be. I shouldn't care whether our outfits didn't match. We didn't have to match to begin with! It's not like we're a couple or something.

"May problema ba?" nakakunot-noong tanong ni Archer sa akin.

Umirap na lamang ako sa kanya. Ikinagulat niya naman ang aking biglang pagtataray.

"What did I do now?" he innocently asked.

The clueless and confused look on his face made me more irritated. I hated how he wasn't even aware on how he could affect me. It only means that he wasn't seducing me on purpose, and I was a stupid girl who gladly took the bait he accidentally dropped when I pledged to avoid it completely.