When Everything Falls (De Chaves #1)

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER TWO

Gefseis Greek Grill stood perfectly at the side of the city proper. The people lurking around its premises are the ones who are done eating or about to eat. Shadows of the building stretched as the sun kissed the horizon— a symbol of coming dusk. Lights started to light up— a perfect cast of silver glow to prevent the darkness to take the vicinity into total blindness.

Humihip ang malamig na hangin kasabay sa paglalakad namin ni Garrett patungo sa bulwagan ng kainan. Halos mapatalon ako ng maramdaman ko ang kamay ni Garrett na humawak sa aking likod. Napabaling ako sa kaniya, ang mga matang nagtatanong kung bakit niya iyon ginawa at nakatuon lang sa kanya.

However, Garrett did not answer, nor did he look at me as though all the gestures are fine. Maybe he acts like this towards his other female friends? Don't fuss about this matter, Cornelia. I mentally hissed to myself.

Pagkapasok palang namin ay may bumati ng waitress. Garrett ushered me to the table for two person at the corner where it can overview the panorama of the sea. Ang dilim ay mistulang hindi handlang sa mga nagsusurf. Kahit maggagabi na ay marami pa rin ang tao at mga turista na naeenganyo sa dagat.

Garrett gently pulled the chair for me. To show some politeness and appreciation, I beamed at him and slightly bowed. I slumped on the chair and the sudden surge of ease consoled my body. Pinanuod ko si Garrett na maglakad patungo sa kanyang upoan sa aking harap. Pagkatapos nun ay kinuha na ng waitress ang aming order.

"How's your day?" He asked, smiling.

"Okay lang naman."

"You're busy with your upcoming peer teach?"

Nagulat ako doon sa tanong niya. Hindi ko alam kung saan niya iyon nalaman.

"Uhmm, yeah." I slightly nodded.

"Can I help you with it?"

Shaking my head, I showed an shy smile, "No, thanks."

He shook his head as though he knew that I'll answer that way.

"How may I help then?" He asked, nakataas ang kilay at may multo ng ngiti sa kanyang labi.

I shrugged, "Hmm, stay still and let me do my business?"

He chucked and shook his head, "Damn,"

Ngumisi na lamang ako sa kanya. Neither of us dared to slice the peace of silence that hang between us. Nakatitig lang siya sa akin at ako naman ay abala sa pagb-browse sa aking cellphone. This is definitely an awkward moment and I don't know how to break it.

Nang dumating ang aming order ay kumain na kami. Walang nagsalita sa amin hanggang sa matapos kami. I seldom glanced at him and I always caught him intently looking at me. Nagkunwari nalang akong hindi siya napapansin at inabala ang sarili sa tanawing nasa labas.

Darkness entirely consumed the sky. However, with the help of the majestic moon placed amid with the tapestry of stars adorned above, a silver glow was poured into the entire vicinity. As time moves, the silver glow inched to the glass wall beside me, penetrating a faint silver light to the table.

It was 7:30p.m. when I decided to go home. Hinatid ako ni Garrett. Habang nasa biyahe ay pinilit ko nalang na makipag-usap tungkol sa kurso niya. Nang makarating na ako sa bahay ay agad akong dumiretso sa kusina. I was startled at the view of a stranger, drinking a glass of water near the table. Pagkatapos nitong uminum ay napatingin siya sa akin gamit ang mga matang mistulang nanghuhubad.

I receded frantically, "Sino ka?!"

He smiled, showing his disgusting smile.

"Ikaw siguro si Cornelia," anito at lumapit pa, "Ako si Alejandro."