The Antiquity of Us (La Fortuna Series #2)

Kabanata 5

Kabanata 5

Last Time

Did I just make plans with Atlas Ysaguirre? Pinuno ng kung ano-anong kaisipan ang utak ko gabi ng Sabadong 'yon. Atlas and I didn't have the greatest first encounter, nor second, nor third, and if only I could turn back the time, I wouldn't have let the circumstances lead to a fourth one.

I didn't hate him per se, but his presence always had the ability to disrupt my equilibrium, at halata ring ganoon ako sa kaniya. We become the ugly versions of ourselves when we're together. Pero... mukha naman siyang mapagkakatiwalaan at isa pa, hindi naman malisyosong bagay ang dahilan ng pagkikita namin bukas. It's only because of art!

"I'm sorry I was late. I had to take care of something at our company," ani Atlas nang nasa biyahe na kami.

He was only late for five minutes though. Hindi ko alam na napakametikuluso niya pala pagdating sa oras. It was probably a force of habit from the military camp.

"It's okay, maaga pa rin naman. Besides, we have the rest of the day to spend time with."

The corners of his lips rose in astonishment. "So you're acknowledging the fact that you're going to spend time with me?"

"What?" I did a facepalm in my head. The way he's coming up with all his conclusions was beyond me! "Well, there's obviously you in this day already, and even though I want to make you disappear from my sight, alam kong hindi puwede 'yon. So yes, I'm going to spend the day with you, but more with your Mom, her art pieces, and antique collection."

He shrugged. "As long as I'm actually a part of your itinerary for today, then that's enough for me."

Napakurap-kurap ako habang matagal na sinusuri ang misteryoso niyang mukha. Kahit anong akto niya na maging marahan, nananaig pa rin ang dominante niyang ere sa huli.

Although he was out of his military uniform and was in his casual blue polo shirt, denim pants, and white sneakers, he still struck me as someone who had complete control over himself. Ngumingiti siya at mukha namang mabait ngunit sa isipa'y ikinukumpara ko pa rin siya sa malulupit at brutal na mga bagay. His whole demeanor looked like a hard, unforgiving thing.

"I meant to buy you a bouquet of roses but I figured that you'd take the wrong idea and get mad at me so I discarded the thought," he husked and gave me a quick glance.

Tahimik akong napalunok nang magtama ang mga mata namin. Ewan ko ba pero naliligalig ako sa tuwing magkalapit kaming dalawa. And for some goddamn reason earlier, I couldn't buckle my seat belt because my hands were shaking. Kinailangan niya tuloy akong tulungan at dahil mas nagkalapit kami, nag-alburuto na naman ang sistema ko. I could still remember his sexy smell when he leaned toward me.

I felt like every minute I spent with him brought me closer and closer to my demise. Si Atlas talaga ata ang katapusan ko, not because he was making me feel fluttery things but because he was stealing my energy somehow. He was too overbearing for me.

"Okay lang," kalmadong sambit ko, taliwas sa naghuhuramentado kong puso. "At mabuting 'di mo ako binigyan ng rosas. I'm not really a fan."

Curiosity glinted in his eyes. "Then what would you like instead? Para makapaghanda ako next time."

"Next time?" I gasped. "Anong next time ka diyan?"

"Bakit, sa tingin mo ba'y ito na ang huli nating pagkikita? You're visiting LAFOMA often and I will be visiting LFU often now, too. Ako rin ang kukuha ng painting na ipapagawa ni Mama kaya magkikita at magkikita tayo sa ayaw at sa gusto mo."

"Sa ayaw ko lang. Wala nang sa gusto ko."

"Really?" His lips lifted for a cocky smirk. "Hindi mo gustong makita ulit ang pagmumukha kong 'to?"