Stonehearts 8: Peridot

Fifteen

Aiden accepted the handshake with a reluctant smile. I saw the side-glance he gave me and I can't do anything but give him an apologetic shrug.

"Dothy didn't mention you'll be joining us. Hindi ka namin na isama sa pag-order ng pagkain." Of course, Aiden the sweet guy that he is. Hindi siya magagalit sa pag gate crash nitong ugok na 'to kahit na may karapatan siyang magalit. It's not him. He doesn't have any mean bone in his body.

This meeting was supposed to be private. Kung ano man ang pinag-usapan namin at pag-uusapan namin dapat wala nang ibang taong makialam.

But Keiran Ignacio can't fucking understand that. Hell, he can't understand shit that intermeddles with things he wants. Kapag gusto niya, dapat nakukuha niya!

The shock I'm harboring because of his sudden appearance morphed into full-blown hostile aggravation.

"What the hell are you doing here?" I gritted through my teeth. Restraining myself from smashing the wine glass to his pretty face.

Instead of answering Aiden, he peered at me. He swung one of his arms at the back of my chair and shrugged. "You're here."

As if those two words would suffice his reasons of jostling his way again in moments he's not wanted. My rage boiled and reached another Celsius.

'Yong inis ko sa kanya simula nitong umaga dumagdag sa pagka-irita ko sa kanya ngayon.

"May sinabi ba akong dapat magparito ka? Wala 'di ba? Bakit ba hindi ka marunong makinig?"

Hinintay kong mapikon siya dahil pinangangalandakan ko ang pagtataboy ko sa kanya. Pero, hindi. Hindi nagagalit ang isang Kiel Loyzaga kapag pinagtutulakan siya. Instead, he finds this reaction damn amusing.

This infuriating man freaking beamed at me! Smiled at me, flashing his pearly whites!

I kept my mouth shut because I'm near exploding. Malapit ko na siyang sigawan at ayoko namang mag-eskandalo rito sa loob ng restaurant.

Satisfied that he was able to shut me up, he again directed his attention to Aiden. This time, his smile is no longer in place. He looked serious. Deadly grim, I almost didn't recognized him.

"Aiden. I'm here to talk to you, man to man." He spoke, voice low and unflinching. His posture tall and shouts importance.

Kung kanina hindi ako makapag-salita dahil baka sumabog ako, ngayon hindi ako makapag-salita dahil hindi ko kilala itong Kiel na nakikita't naririnig ko.

"Is this the part where you'll tell me to stay away?" Aiden answered, completely unaffected of the brooding waves Kiel is emitting.

Kiel gave a terse nod. "Yes, that's precisely correct. I expect you won't contact my girl after this."

"And if I refuse?"

"You don't want to know what I'm capable of once I'm threatened. It's best you steer away from her, from us, and we all get to live peacefully."

Aiden was quiet for a moment. He appears to be digesting every word Kiel threw at him. One thing I'm sure is, he's not in any means alarmed or imperiled with Kiel's words.

"Your welfare is none of my concern." He answered. His tone was hard but not ballistic. "But, whenever Dothy is involved, and if my presence would inflict her any pain or harm, I'll gladly pilot myself the other way."

He looked at me, his eyes communicating words we rather leave unsaid. It's taunting me with thoughts. As if he's telling me that he will try to understand my reasons of turning to Kiel, na ginagawa ko ang lahat nang ito para makuha ko ang matagal ko nang gusto at ayaw niyang mahirapan ako sa pagkamit doon kaya maluwag niyang tinatanggap ang lahat.