Head Over Heels For Ezzio (Villaverde Series #1)

Chapter 37

R18. Read at your own risk. Just skip the part if it's not your thing.

Paris

"Paris!" I heard Sam exclaim when she barged into the restroom. "There you are."

Her voice was laced with relief. Umurong ang mga luha ko. I turned around to face her.

"Nag-alala ako sa'yo. Ang tagal mo kasing bumalik."

She smiled apologetically. Sigurado ay iniisip niya na ang OA niya dahil doon. But little did she know, she was right to worry about me. Because after the little chit-chat I had with Charlotte, I was far from okay. However, I didn't want to worry Samantha. So I gathered up my strength to give her the fakest smile I had ever done in my entire life.

"I'm sorry. I just wanted some time alone. Masyadong marami ang tao roon sa sa labas," pagsisinungaling ko. "But I'm all good now!"

I was afraid Sam might notice my fake enthusiasm but thankfully, she didn't. Ngumisi lang siya nang malapad at lumapit sa'kin para hilahin ako palabas.

"Let's go! Sabi nila may mga dancers daw na magpe-perform mamaya. I have a feeling they'd be great!"

Ganoon nga ang ginawa namin ni Sam. We went back to our spot. Pagkarating namin doon ay nakita kong nakabalik na rin pala sina Ezzio at Ray. Most of the people who were standing awhile ago were back on their seats now, too.

The next couple of minutes went by in a blur. Wala ako sa sarili buong magdamag. Dinner started, shortly. A few presentations happened in order to entertain us. After eating, Sam and I went back to the restroom to retouch our makeup.  Pagbalik namin ay may isang matandang lalaki na na pumunta sa harap para maglahad ng speech. A lot of the audience laughed at his sense of humor  but I couldn't seem to focus on the words he was saying. Tila ako lang yata ang hindi tumawa dahil halos wala akong naintindihan sa mga sinabi niya. He was halfway through his speech when Ezzio noticed I hadn't done a single reaction.

"Is this boring you?" Ezzio asked, draping his arm over the backrest of my seat. I turned my head to him. The look on his face was gentle. In most cases, I would've thought it was heartwarming. But in this case, I didn't.

Just one look at him and all the doubts came rushing in, unstoppable. Questions started to pour.

Is he really showing genuine concern?

Does the very glint in his eyes right now truly resembles what he feels for me?

Or is this all just part of his plan?

A slight pain tugged on my chest. The thought of all of this being a mere pretend was too overwhelming.

No. Hindi ko kaya 'to.

Sa halip na bigyan siya ng sagot ay mas pinili kong tumayo, dahan-dahang nararamdaman ang paninikip ng dibdib. Grabbing my purse, I left our table and made my way out of the event hall. I walked further, hearing my stilletos clink against the marbled floor.

"Paris!" A voice called out in the distance behind me. I didn't dare to look, though I could already tell who it was.

My pace accelerated for I knew very well that he could easily catch up on me. Lumiko ako sa bandang kanan. At this point, I was already half-running. But the heels I was wearing made it so difficult. I could already feel my feet hurting.

"Paris."

I gasped upon feeling the firm grip on my arm, making me stop on my tracks. Tanging ang pagpikit na lang ng mariin ang nagawa ko.