Life Series #1: Onto Better Things

Chapter 4

As we made our way out of the club, Mark's arm didn't leave my shoulders. I was too shocked about what happened na hindi ko alam ang gagawin. I let him guide me through the crowd.

Along the way, people would greet him and he would high-five or reply to them with a banter. He looks friendly at marami rin ang nakakakilala sa kanya.

There were girls who would approach him and he would say hi politely but umaalis din siya agad. Kaya tuloy andami na ang babaeng tumitingin sa akin ng masama. They probably thought were together dahil na rin sa jacket na suot ko at kamay ni Mark na naka-akbay pa rin sa akin.

"Dude, 'san ka galing? Kanina ka pa namin hinahanap ni Jackson," a guy approached him. As I looked closer, I recognized him as one of the guys who was with Mark earlier sa resto.

He was looking at me too and his gaze transferred sa pagka-akbay ni Mark sa akin. He then smiled knowingly as if alam niya ang nangyari.

"Uy, ano 'yan ha? Ha?" He wiggled his eyebrows at us.

I immediately woke up from my tranced state and shrugged his arm off me.

"I should look for my friends. Baka nag-aalala na sila," I said to no one in particular.

But Mark held my hand preventing me from walking away, "Stay."

Aso ako?

"JB, pre, I just have to settle something. Balik ako agad," and without waiting for a reply, he took my hand and pulled me out of the club.

He didn't stop until we reached the parking lot. He let go of my hand. Medyo hinihingal ako kasi ang bilis niya maglakad.

"Don't go near Brian. He's bad news," he told me as he looked at me through the dim lights of the parking lot.

"Obviously, I know that now," I even rolled my eyes. I know he just helped me pero I'm still pissed at him. It feels like nagsimula sa encounter namin ang pagkasira ng gabi ko.

He smirked, "You sure have a funny way of saying thank you."

He was now leaning at a red Audi R8 with his arms crossed. It was probably his car. Yaman ah.

"Thank you for helping out with the whole Brian situation but that's it. You're still the jerk who hit me with a door and spilled wine on my dress," I can't help it. Galit pa rin ako sa kanya.

"Nag-sorry naman ako ah. Not enough?" He countered.

I didn't answer. There's no point talking to him. Mas lalo lang iinit ulo ko.

"Ano ba yan, girlfriend, suplada mo naman," he said again while grinning.

"Don't call me that! I am not your girlfriend," this guy definitely has a talent in provoking me. Hindi na ako nakapag-pigil "I don't wanna be associated with someone like you."

"Someone like me?" He pointed at himself in confusion.

"Yes, you. You're rude. You were at fault earlier sa resto pero parang ako pa ang may atraso sayo. Tama ba 'yon? Also, you made someone believe I'm your girlfriend kahit hindi naman talaga tayo magkakilala. And you dragged me here without even asking if I wanted to go out. Do you even know the word consent?" I said all that in one breath. The alcohol was getting to my head and I can't think straight. All I know is that inis na inis ako sa kanya.

I was expecting him to get mad. Ang rude kaya ng mga sinabi ko. But he just smirked and his eyes were twinkling with amusement.

"Okay, first of all, I said sorry about dun sa resto. Twice, mind you. I even gave you my freaking jacket. Second, I just saved you from a jackass. And yes, I said you're my girlfriend para tigilan ka na niya. And third, I know the meaning of consent. A verb meaning to give assent or approval. That's verbatim, girlfriend."