Searching the Stars (Montereal Series #1)

[27]

'I came back for you'

Paulit-ulit kong naririnig sa utak ko ang sinabi niya sa akin. He came back for me? Matapos niya akong iwan? Matapos siyang umalis ng walang paalam? Matapos niya akong wasakin? Tapos babalik siya ngayon at sasabihin sa mukha ko na bumalik siya para sa akin?

"For me?"  I scoffed.

I laughed. I can't believe the words that this guy is saying. He came back for me? Nagpapatawa ba siya? Iiwanan niya ako tapos pagbalik niya sasabihin niya sa akin na 'I came back for you' ? Ang kapal lang. He acts like nothing happened. He knew he was the one I needed the most yet here he is... telling me all this words.

Like he didn't leave me.

He remained in his cold posture. Hindi man lang gumalaw ang mukha niya habang nakatitig sa akin. Yumuko siya saglit bago binalik ang tingin sa akin.

"Sorry, I thought you were joking. Seryoso ka pala doon?" sabi ko. "Well, Engineer. Past is past. We are here for work, right?"

I gave him a small smile. It's a miracle that I manage to remain calm and composed while facing him like this. Ilang beses ko na rin na-imagine na kung paano ko siya haharapin pag nagkita kami... and it all consisted of crying, shouting and anger. I'm still proud of myself for holding all the anger I have for him.

"I'll go back inside, nagpahangin lang ako saglit dito. Congratulations again, Engineer."

I was about to walk past him but then he grabbed my arm. I raised a brow at him. Simpleng hawak niya lang sa akin ay parang nagwawala na agad ang loob ko. Damn... he still has that same effect on me?

I managed to hide that and smiled at him. Kung inaakala niyang madali pa rin ako basahin gaya ng dati, doon siya nagkakamali. I've changed a lot because of the damage he has given me. "Engineer Montereal, I'd appreciate it if you can let go of my arm."

There was a smirk on his face. "Why? Does my touch affect you so much, Architect Elizalde?"

I stared at his eyes. I am trying so hard to keep it all together. Yet, here he is treating everything like a joke. The audacity. The audacity of him acting like he didn't leave me and grabbing me like this.

"You have quite a humor, Engineer. Now, will you please let go of me. Please." I said, giving him the look.

He continued smirking before letting go of me. Tingnan niya ba nakakatawa 'tong ginagawa niya? 

Walang paalam na akong bumalik sa venue. If aalis ako ngayon, baka sabihin niya lang na affected pa rin ako sa kanya. I mean... that's true! But there's no way that I'll show him that!

He should never know the effect he has on me.

"Tria, what the—bigla ka nalang nawala. I tried calling you, but you weren't answering." sabi ni Rie nung nahanap ko siya.

I tightened my grip on my purse. Ngayon ko na nararamdaman yung galit ko sa kanya. I wanted to lash out on him, I wanted to scream at him. Gusto kong tanungin siya kung bakit? Bakit niya ako iniwan? Was there something that I did? Napagod na ba siya sa akin?

"We talked, Rie. Me and Trent. We talked. I swear, I'm gonna fucking kill Drake when I see him. Sinasadya niya ba 'to?" mahina kong sabi sa kanya. "Of course, blood is thicker than water! He must've planned this. Ang tanga ko, ugh!"

Me and Rie were alone in the table. The guests are already mingling with each other. From the corner of my eye, I saw how Trent entered the venue again. He was greeted by another board member. There was a smile on his face while he was talking to them. Ugh.