Eyes Don't Lie

Prologue

Meeting someone's gaze is like meeting someone's naked soul. To see someone's emotion, you need to look at their eyes, because eyes will never lie.

If it's true, then why am I looking at someone's emotionless eyes? It feels like I am staring in a lion's eyes that is ready to eat his prey. His stare is so cold that it sent shivers down to my spine.

"What are you doing here?" he asked, coldly. I bit my lips and stop myself from suppressing a sob. Why, Vernon? Why do I feel like I'm looking at someone's eyes? This isn't you.

"I-I'm here because I want to say sorry for what h-happened years ago." Napayuko ako at napahawak sa aking singsing sa kamay. You can do it, right? Just say sorry and invite him to your engagement party and your wedding. "A-And..." I can't even continue what I want to say.

"What?" Masungit nitong saad. Napahinga ako nang malalim at sinalubong ang kaniyang mga mata. Sinlamig ng titig niya ang kulay ng mga mata nito. If only he can be the father of my child, I want those eyes to my child. Those cold yet mesmerizing blue eyes. Saglit akong napatigil sa kaniyang mga mata. Napaawang ang mga labi ko nang makitaan ko ito ng saglit na emosyon. Agad akong kinabahan sa nakita kong iyon. Parang nananabik? O galit lang talaga siya?

"I want to invite you to my wedding." Sa wakas ay hindi nauutal kong saad. Mas lalo ata akong nakaramdam ng panlalamig sa titig niya pagkasabi ko noon.

I know that's an insult for him. After I left him hanging, I'm back and act as if nothing happened. I want to back out, but I am here now. I can't go away and act stupid. I'm a grown-up woman now. Hindi ko dapat ipakita sa kaniya na ako pa rin iyong batang nang-iwan sa kaniya noon, iyong batang natatatakot at kinakabahan sa tuwing lalapit siya sa akin.

"You see, for my peace of mind? I was kid that time, immature. Hindi ko naman alam na papatulan mo ako. You're so gullible, sorry to say that, but let's forget about that. Right?" Pilit ang ngiti kong saad. Hindi ito sumagot sa akin kaya nagsalita akong muli. "I hope you already move on? Please, don't say that you're still into me. I know you have one now." Humakbang ito palapit sa akin kaya agad akong kinabahan.

I felt my heart beats faster than usual because of his sudden move. Should I step back or act as if I didn't see it? He moved forward again, this time he knows I saw it, but I chose not to move. I want to wait... for what he will do. Will he hug me? Kiss me? Napapikit ako ng mga mata nang tuluyan na siyang makalapit sa akin. I felt his breath tingling on my nose.

Please, hug me, for the last time.

"Vienna," agad akong napadilat nang lampasan ako ni Vernon at magsalita ng ibang pangalan. Tinulos ako sa kinatatayuan ko, hindi ko malingon sila dahil alam kong kapag tumingin ako, ako ang masasaktan. Ako ang talo. Pero kung hindi ako lilingon, talo pa rin ako, hindi ba? Dahil hindi ko sila kayang tingnan na masaya.

I don't want Vernon to be happy with someone else. I want it to be me, but who am I to complain? I'm marrying someone and this feeling is wrong. I should focus on Naville, he is the one I should love. The right man for me.

Humarap ako sa kanila ng nakangiti kahit nahihirapan. Is it bad to assume? That he will kiss and hug me like before? Para saan iyong paglapit niya sa akin? He's so close to me that I assumed he will kiss or hug me.

"Astrid?" Gulat na tanong ni Vienna nang makita ako. Hindi ata niya ako napansin dahil mukhang busy siya sa Vernon niya. Sa halip na sumagot ay bumaba ang tingin ko sa braso ni Vernon na nakapulupot sa baywang ni Vienna. For five years, I thought the rumors were fake, but now I am witnessing their love for each other.

I tried my best to hide my insecurities and smiled at them, fake. "It's nice to see you here, Vienna. How are you?" I asked. Ang mga mata ko ay naglikot sa katawan ni Vernon. His muscles are more define now, clean shave, a bit long hair and piercing on his left ear. Even his scent didn't change. So, he's still using the perfume that I wanted for him? Or he really like that scent? And his eyes, those emotionless eyes are still the same.

Ang sabi nila minsanan mo lang makita ang reaksyon sa mga mata ng Alvarez. Maswerte ka kung mapansin mo. And I'm one of those lucky people, too bad, I didn't pay attention on it. Those calm eyes that can make you sleep just by looking at it. I regretted the years of not paying attention on his eyes. Now, it feels like he's looking at me like a stranger.

"I am fine and contented. How about you? I mean, what are you doing here?" Vienna is beautiful. I can't deny that. Most of the boys on her batch had a huge crush on her. She's sexy and have a bigger boob, but mine are bigger, though. She has this long wavy brown hair while I have a straight and shoulder length black hair. She has these doll eyes while I have chinita eyes. She's taller than me, but I'm pretty sure I am sexier than her.

"I just passed by to give these invitations to Vernon. It's an engagement party and wedding invitation. I don't have yours, but my secretary will send you the invitations." Inabot ko sa kanila ang invitation ng engagement party at kasal namin ni Naville. Hinarap ko kay Vernon ito upang abutin niya.

Nagkatitigan pa kami saglit. My mouth drops open when I saw him rolling his eyes on me. Wait! Did he just roll his eyes on me?! Gusto ko sana itong tarayan at tanungin kung bakit ako iniirapan kung hindi lamang nandito si Vienna. Sa halip ay tumikhim na lamang ako upang doon matuon ang pansin niya. Tinitigan niya ito at nagtaas ng kilay sa akin.

"Just put it down on my table and leave." I bit my lips because of what he said. That's normal, Astrid. You did something bad to him that's why he's being harsh to you.

But why am I hurting? Pinagtatabuyan niya na ako, ako na lang ang hindi nakakaramdam talaga. Napayuko ako at nilapag ang mga papel na hawak ko sa mesa niya at pilit nginitian sila, kahit sa totoo lang ay parang iiyak na ako sa sakit.

"Ross, that's rude." Suway ni Vienna dito at binigyan ako ng pilit na ngiti.

"That's okay. I actually don't have an appointment on him. Nagpumilit lang talaga ako upang ibigay ang imbitasyon. I'm sorry for disturbing, I need to go." I said then made my way to the door. Nadaanan ko pa si Vernon at saglit kaming nagkatitigan. Those blue eyes, I will never forget it. I will never forget the man I used to hate, I used to admire, and I used to love.

If only I can choose, I want to be with him... forever.