Strings Attached (Good Kiss Series #2)

Chapter Thirty-Two

"I am not married with anyone else but you, Stefania." 

I bit my lower lip as I recalled hearing it for the first time.

I had been quiescent for a long period of time. I was speechless that I wasn't able to end the call, it just ended because my phone died. I stared at my phone, still trying to figure out if I was just hallucinating. I've been facing the truth now, coming from his mouth.

All these years, I believed he's married with someone else. I believed that he moved on, forgot about me and lived his own life. I believed that I will never get to be with him anymore. It was excruciatingly painful! I was so ready to accept that he's not the one for me.

Unti-unti kong tinanggap iyon at patuloy na tinatanggap.When he returned, I tried my very best to stop myself. 

"Ania!" Pumalakpak sa harap ko si Chen at sinimangutan ako.

Nag-angat ako ng tingin sa kanya. Nanliit ang mga mata niya at luminga sa paligid at umupo sa harapan ko. Tila alam na mayroong bumabagabag sa akin.

"What's wrong?

I can't really answer him. Actually, there is nothing wrong. I have just been slap by the truth. Here's the truth.

Groian Astallo is still single!

I felt happy. Honestly. At tila ako nabunutan ng tinik sa dibdib.

"What happened? Bakit hindi ka pa kumakain?" Aniya at nginuso ang pagkain na binigay sa akin kanina.

Tinignan ko ang pagkain ko at tumikhim.

"I'm going to eat now..."

He nodded and slowly stood up from his sit, greeting back the employees with full enthusiasm.

I don't know what should I do now. I feel like I'm incapacitated by this truth, I was overwhelmed with what I just found out.

I mean, when a certain thing had caused you pain and trouble it's a relief to know that it wasn't true.

Sense of relief washed through me as I shot my head back and bit my lower lip.

Groian is not married!

I don't know if I'm going to tell Tita Alla about it. Or Perch? O di kaya'y kay Meg o kay Chen?

Kinagabihan ay dumaan ako sa cafe. Nagcheck ako ng stocks at nakipagmeeting sa isang kliyente. Groian is nowhere to be found. Hindi niya rin ako kinontact matapos ang tawag na iyon.

Now, I'm starting to think that I'm just dreaming!

"Himala, wala si Sir Groian ah?" Ani Meg. Nagliligpit siya ng pinagkainan ko at nakangisi.

"LQ kayo, Miss?"

Ngumuso ako at umiling.

"I heard his wife is now settling in Manila for good. Titigil na ata sa career niya at mag o-open na lang daw ng business. Totoo ba, Miss?" She asked, referring to Arie.

Hindi sila kasal! I wanted to shout that but I still need to talk to Groian personally.

And about Arie, sa totoo lang ay wala talaga akong balita kay Arie, simula pa noon. She kept her low profile after the incident... After she accused me. She's not the talk of the town anymore. I didn't even know if she continued her career.  Isa rin iyon sa dahilan kung bakit nahihirapan akong paniwalaan noon na kasal sila. The only proof I got is Lucas' statement and Groian's wedding ring. Ngayo'y napagtagpi-tagpi ko na!

I am finally touching the truth... and I am going to take it all in.

"Hindi ko alam, Meg." Sagot ko at tumayo na.