This Could End

Chapter Twenty

Hades:
Good morning, baby. I miss you already.

Hades:
Still busy at work?

Hades:
Don't forget to eat your lunch.

Hades:
Persephone?

I felt some of my exhaustion go away as I read Hadeon's texts. The thought of going to him to cuddle for the rest of the night after this horrible day seemed heavenly.

His last text was sent a bit after lunch. It was already nearing ten in the evening. Hindi ko na pinag-isipan ng masama 'yon dahil hindi ko rin naman siya nasagot dahil sa abala buong araw at magulo rin ang utak ko dahil sa mga nangyari.

I cleaned up and changed my clothes before heading to Takumi's unit. Like the usual, I could hear the television from the doorway.

Umasa ako na makita agad si Hades na nag-aabang sa pagdating ko pero sila Takumi at Orion lang ang nakita ko sa living room.

"Hey, guys," I greeted.

Napalingon sila pareho sa akin. Ngumiti ang bungisngis na si Takumi habang si Orion ay nakangisi na para bang may naisip na namang kalokohan.

"Hey," Takumi greeted back. "Late na, ah. Akala namin hindi ka na pupunta."

"I had dinner outside," I explained. "Where's Hades?"

"Nasa kwarto. You should go to him," Takumi answered.

"I will." I nodded and smiled. "Thanks."

"Goodluck." Orion chuckled.

My forehead creased. Hindi naman niya sinundan ang sinabi at bumalik sa panunuod ng television. Hindi ko na lang pinatulan ang sinabi niya at pumunta na sa kwarto na tinutuluyan ni Hadeon.

Hades was sitting on the bed with a pillow on his lap. Nakasandal siya sa headboard at tutok sa kanyang cellphone.

"Lover," I called as I closed the door behind me.

He looked at my direction but he didn't say anything or make a move to greet me. He didn't smile either.

Nakangiting lumapit ako sa kama at umupo sa kanyang tabi. I leaned down and pressed a kiss on his lips. He didn't return my kiss like he normally would.

Nawala ang ngiti ko. Tiningnan ko siya pero nakaiwas ang tingin niya sa akin.

"What's wrong?" I reached for his cheek and made him turn to look at me. His jaw tensed at my touch but he didn't make a move to remove it. My eyebrows furrowed. "Are you mad at me?"

"You were at an event with your fake fiancé?" he coldly asked.

The mention of Gio dampened my mood. Gusto ko na lang makalimutan ang nangyari buong araw pero gusto niyang pag-usapan. I wasn't surprised that he knew about it. He proudly stalks my social media account kaya paniguradong doon niya nakita.

Inalis ko ang hawak sa pisngi niya at umayos ng upo. "I don't wanna talk about it, Hadeon."

"You didn't even reply to my texts."

I was busy the whole morning, stressed about the rumor, had an event that I didn't have access to my phone, but I could have sent him a text during the dinner. That one was on me.

"I'm sorry," I apologized. That softened his expression a bit, but he still looked unreachable.

"You know how it's going to be with me, Hades. It's always going to be like this. We'll always have to hide. You will always see me with Gio in public."

"I know that," he said in a frustrated tone. "Fuck. I know. But that doesn't mean I won't get jealous."

Napangiti na ako. Parang bata. "I don't even like Gio."