DATE THY ENEMY | ES:1

4

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Chapter 4
''Liar''

I seriously don't know why it seems like I'm suddenly being surrounded by the men in this family. Javier, Rhys, and Jakob. Tila ba tadhana na ang gumagawa ng paraan upang unti-unti kong makilala ang mga De Leon. And I don't know why I don't feel comfortable thinking about all of these things.

Bumalik muna ako mesa kung nasaan si Lolo pagkatapos kong ubusin ang aking inumin doon. Jakob didn't disturb me anymore when I didn't give my name to him. He sure looks like a persistent person, but he didn't force me to answer him. And that makes him interesting in my eyes.

''Are you okay, Vernaise?''

My eyes went to Lolo. Napaisip ako. What if Lolo finds out I already met three of the De Leons, what will he say? What will he do? He's so fond of them that I think he won't let this chance pass.

I smiled. ''I'm okay, Lolo.''

I was left alone in the table when Lolo socialized with a few guest. I ate alone. Magabal ang naging galaw sa bawat minutong lumipas. At noong halos tapos nang kumain ay hindi sinasadyang mahagip ng aking mga mata ang lalaking kanina ko pa hinahanap. Ibinaba ko ang aking kubyertos at marahang pinunasan ang aking labi habang tinatanaw ito.

I didn't know he's just somewhere at my 4 o'clock. A man is beside him, talking at him while laughing. The man, who I think is Javier de Leon, is only silently listening at him. Hindi ko alam kung nakikinig ba siya sa kausap o hindi. Mukhang mas seryoso pa siya sa pagtitig niya sa babasaging basong hawak niya. The red liquid inside it danced in circle as his hand play with it in rotation.

Ngumiti ako. Kinuha ko ang sariling baso at uminom din. Even from a far, I can see how his body grew more mature than the last time. Hapit sa kanyang katawan ang kulay abong suot niya. It fits him well in a nice and manly way. I almost didn't recognize him.

At dahil mukhang hindi niya naman ako kita mula sa anggulo niya ay malaya ko pa itong mapagmasdan. Just looking at him interact with the people he's with, entertained me. No one got his full attention. Halatang tipid ang kanyang mga sagot dahil ilang beses lamang bumuka ang kanyang bibig. At mamahalin ang kanyang ngiti, hindi nagpapakita kahit nagtatawanan na ang mga kasama.

Just like our last encounter it looks like his words are reserved for important occasions only. Unlike Rhys and Jakob. Rhys seems soft and carefree. Jakob's dangerous and playful. And Javier... my impression of of him is still the same when we first met. Mukha pa rin siya iyong tipo na nangbabalibag sa kama. Wild, harsh, and hard.

Hindi ko mapigilang tumawa sa mga pinagiisip. I bit my lip so hard to stop myself from laughing. Lalo na't may mga napapatingin sa'kin na ibang napauhin. I leaned towards the table. I sighed feeling happy. Muli ko itong pinagmasdan habang nakapangalumbaba. This party is not boring after all.

I'll just sit here and wait for him to find to me. Patience, Vernaise, patience.

Aantayin kong siya mismo uli ang lumapit sa'kin. I don't want to go to him just because I spot him first. Lets see if fate will favor me this time. I want to see until when I'll have my luck to meet him without me doing anything yet.

Napawi ang ngiti sa labi ko nang makita ang isang babaeng papalapit sa kanilang grupo. She went to Javier's side. One touch at his shoulder and without hesitation he gave her his full attention. Napaayos ako ng upo. Agad na lumipat ng upuan ang lalaking katabi ni Javier para mabigyan ang babae ng upuan. I saw how the woman went closer to Javier to whisper something in his ear. Ngumiti silang dalawa na tila naging masaya.