Embraced By The Howling Winds (Antique Series #1)

Chapter 35

Chapter 35

"Dean, I already told you a couple of times not to make that a big deal." I reminded him because he really pulled strings with Papa just to have dinner with me.

Wala naman akong pakialam sa mga bash ng tao sa akin sa social media platforms. Malinis ang konsensiya ko at hindi ko naman siguro kasalanan na ginawan nila ako ng issue mula sa mga maliit na bagay.

"Still, I feel the need to apologize for dragging you." He lowly said and pulled a chair for me.

"Thank you," I mouthed and placed my purse on the table. "There's nothing to apologize. Hindi naman natin kontrolado ang fans mo, given naman na ang iba ay keyboard warriors and minsan ay below the belt ang atake."

He didn't say a thing because he knew I was right. I gave him an assuring smile. It's no point in blaming him, and I want to clear the score between us the fifth time.

For now, I have to enjoy this dinner even if I had already lost my appetite when Dean started this conversation. Ngayon ko lang pinagbigyan ang anyaya niya at ito narin ang magiging huli. Kung hindi lang nakatingin si Rojas kanina sa cellphone ko, hindi ko sasagutin ang tawag.

Pakiramdam ko kasi kapag hindi ko sinagot ang tawag ni Dean, iisipin niyang head over heels parin ako sa best friend niya. Kaya heto ngayon ang resulta ng impulsive decision ko.

"Dean, I think you shouldn't approach me like this anymore. You should fix your issues and stop hurting my sister when we both know you're serious with your current non-showbiz girlfriend." I calmly uttered because he seemed to attempt on say something yet hesitant to do so.

He let out a heavy sigh and drank from his glass. "I don't have a girlfriend."

I kept my silence. I don't know what he's trying to imply by saying that while directly looking into my eyes. As if I'm interested in his love life, like, duh, I couldn't even fix mine!

Tumahimik ang mesa namin, at nagpatuloy ako sa pagkain na binabalewala ang makahulugang tingin ni Dean sa akin. Natapos ang dinner namin at sabay kaming lumabas ng establishment.

"Thanks for the dinner, Dean. I hope you won't make this stunt again, I'm referring to how you pulled strings with Papa." I softly said and beamed at him.

I turned my back to walk in the opposite direction, but before I could do so, he held me by the wrist to stop me. "Sienna... can't we work this out? I mean this thing between us?"

"Sorry, hindi talaga. I already have someone that I like." Marahan kong inalis ang kamay niya. Tinignan ko siya ng ilang segundo bago naglakad palayo at tumungo sa kotse.

Pagdating ko ng condo ay dumiretso agad ako sa banyo para magbabad sa tub. Nang lumabas ay inihanda ko na ang sarili sa pagtulog, at inabot ang cellphone para tignan kung may mga importanteng updates pero hindi na ako nagulat nang makitang sabog iyon ng notifications.

Someone took pictures of me and Dean earlier and even outside the establishment. What's worst was that the article labeled that we're scaling our friendship to romantic relationships.

Biglang sumakit ang ulo ko at wala sa oras na napatawag kay Jessi para sabihing mag-release ng statement tungkol dito bukas.

Nanood ako ng podcast para dalawin ng antok, at nasa binggit na sana ako pagtulog nang tumawag si Rojas. Napilitan akong sagutin iyon.

"Rojas, aware ka naman siguro kung ano'ng oras?" Sarkastikong tanong ko at hindi napigilan ang inis nang hindi siya nagsalita sa kabilang linya. "Ginago mo ba ako? Ibaba ko na talaga-"

"Nach..."

Nahigit ko ang hininga at nawala ng parang bula ang antok. Napabangon ako at inilayo ng bahagya ang cellphone para magmura. The mere voice of Clajj brings chaos to my system. Goodness, bakit ang rupok ko pagdating sa kaniya?