I Think He Knows (Finished)

86

I Think He Knows

#86

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"Ginawa mo pa akong chaperone," Wanda, Sierra's sixteen-year-old cousin said the moment they arrived at Oli's family place. Oli's family bought a vacation house in the Philippines so that they have a place to stay when they'd visit the country. Ngayon, ang pamilya nito ang umalok ng pre-christmas lunch sa kanila.

"Mom and Dad is out of town, bukas pa sila darating, wala akong kasama," Sierra reasoned out, "Please don't forget the gifts and the cake."

"Fine."

Bumaba na silang dalawa sa kotse. Their driver just dropped them off and would fetch them again after lunch.

"He has a girlfriend, you know," Wanda told her and Sierra rolled her eyes.

"We're just best friends," She replied. Papalapit na sila sa entrance ng bahay at napansin ang isang lalakeng nakatayo at nakangiti sa kanya. He was bringing sunflowers again.

Napailing naman si Sierra sa nakita niya at napangiti rin. She immediately ran towards her best friend and hugged him.

"Oli, I missed you!" She said as they freed themselves. Oli chuckled.

"Me too, flowers?" Oli handed her the flowers. Sierra giggled and accepted it. She also introduced her cousin, Wanda to him - who also gave Oli a small smile.

Pumasok na silang dalawa sa loob ng bahay pagkatapos. Nakasunod naman sa kanya ang pinsan niya.

"Hey."

Napatigil naman sila nang may lumapit sa kanila na babae. To Sierra, the girl looked familiar to her.

"M-Millie?" She said, recognizing Oli's girlfriend. Of course, she had stalked her Facebook and Instagram once.

"Right! Oh my god, I'm so glad that I've finally met you," Millie then kissed her cheek as a sign of greeting, "Oli has always been talking about you ever since. Even if we weren't dating yet, he always talks a lot about you."

"Mill..." Oli shyly called out his girlfriend. Natawa naman si Sierra sa reaskyon nito. She smiled at Millie. She was actually nice.

"I've heard the same a lot about you too, I'm really happy that finally, my best friend has a girlfriend," Sierra playfully teased Oli and the guy's face just turned red like a tomato.

All of them stopped with their chitchats when Oli's parents called them to join the lunch.

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Sierra was just sipping the red wine that was served earlier during the lunch. Nasa garden area lang siya ng bahay ng mga Velasco at umiinom ng mag-isa. Her cousin, Wanda, was already mingling with Oli's sister, Sky - the two of them now seemed to be friends. The others were just inside.

"Shie."

She stopped and looked back, seeing Oli walking towards her. Napangiti naman siya nang lumapit ito.

"I hope you enjoyed the lunch," Oli started and she giggled.

"Of course, ipinagmayabang pa naman ni Tita Eury na ikaw 'yung gumawa 'nung salad," She replied and Oli shook his head in amusement.

"You know, I don't know how to cook, I was just the one who cut the vegetables," Oli jokingly said and both of them felt silent.

"May mga regalo pala akong dala, I gave it to Skylar, nandoon din 'yung sayo and Millie's. I actually labelled them so you'll know," Sierra told him. Si Wanda ang pinakiusapan niya kanina na ibigay dito.

"I know, that's why I'm also giving you this," Oli handed her a small box. Tinanggap naman ito ni Sierra. Sierra curiously opened the box and saw a crescent-shaped necklace.

"I remembered when the first time you visited New York, you liked that necklace but you couldn't buy it since papaalis na tayo for the airport..."

"You still remember?" Sierra looked at him and he nodded.

"I always remember the small details, Shie," Oli replied and she smiled, staring back at the necklace.

"Thank you," She said to him sincerely.

"You're welcome. We'll never know, I'll never get this closer to you in the future," He said and Sierra laughed, raising an eyebrow at him.

"Why?"

"You'll become a famous actress. You'll be busy," Oli reasoned out. Umiling si Sierra dito at hinawakan ang kamay nito.

"You're always going to be my best friend, you'll know all my schedules," She said and both of them laughed.

Pagkatapos nilang tumawa ay bigla naman silang napatigil na dalawa at nagkatitigan. Sierra could almost hear the beating of her heart while Oli was giving her an intense stare.

She gulped, gathering all the courage she had during that time.

"Oli, there's something I have to tell you," She started. Oli didn't say anything and was just listening to her.

"I..."

"Oli!"

Both of them stopped and saw Millie walking towards them.

"Hey," Millie gave Oli a peck on his lips and wrapped her arm around his waist, "I've been looking for you for half an hour already," Millie then noticed her, "Hi, Sierra! You should join us inside."

Sierra shook her head and gave a tight smile, "It's okay, uhm, I'm also going in a few minutes. I have something to do later."

Oli got surprised at what she said and looked at her confusingly. "Are you sure you're going home already?"

"Yup," She nodded, "I enjoyed the lunch. I really do. Thank you. You should go inside, Oli, go with Millie. I'll just finish my wine."

Millie thanked her and grabbed Oli in entering their house again.

She sighed.