Barcelona Escapade

Chapter Eight: Swear

Chapter Eight
Swear

"Watch your step, Almira."

Jayden's voice from the other line awakened my unsteady being. I must admit I miss hearing his voice – lalo na't noong nasa Pinas ay minsan ko lang iyon marinig dahil hindi siya masalita.

However, hearing him expressing those words sent me widening my eyes in alarm. My hand crawled up my hair, combing it in both surprise and confusion.

He sounded... like he cares. I never heard him sound like that before. Kahit noong sinabi ko sa kaniyang ikakasal na ako, hindi ganoon ang tono ng pananalita niya. He even called Hailey on her second name.

I pursed my lips. I wonder what's up with them. Chloe, Zywon, Jayden and Hailey are relieving in the same house in Hong Kong. And if Chloe and Won are always together... that gives chance for Hailey and Jayden to get closer. I wonder how close they got. Dumating na sa puntong tatawagin siya ni Jayden sa ganoong pangalan.

Almira. Hailey Almira.

"Si Jayden ba 'yong tumawag sa'yong Almira?" mahina kong tanong kay Hailey.

"Ha? Ah, oo!" she replied casually.

Doon ko lang napansin na nakakuyom na ang kamay ko habang nakahawak sa bed sheet. I have a beautiful second name too but not once did he call me by that. Tapos kay Hailey, nagawa niya.

"Ah, sige! You should enjoy your trip, Hails!"

Maagap kong tiningnan ang phone at nakatulalang pinagmasdan ang paligid na ipinapakita niya. They're in an ocean park in Hong Kong.

From the background, I spotted Zywon and Chloe walking ahead while holding hands. Chloe also waved and said hi to me before she pulled her boyfriend away. Ibig sabihin, itong pigurang nasa tabi ni Hailey na kita ang anino dahil sa liwanag ng araw ay si Jayden nga.

Napailing ako. What am I thinking? It's not that it's wrong. They're on a trip. Normal lang na magkakasama sila. Ibinaba ko ang tawag para huwag nang abalahin pa ni Hailey ang pagkausap sakin. Nag-text na lang ako nakakausap ko siya sa susunod.

They have to keep their phones down and enjoy the sceneries instead. Besides, I lose the will to talk... lalo na't hindi mapigilan ng utak ko ang mag-isip ng hindi maganda.

I had a quick breakfast before proceeding towards the guest room. I wanted to resume painting the mural while I have time for it. Tinapos kong pintahan ang trunk at hinintay na matuyo bago ko simulan ang pag-ayos sa mga gilid nito.

Nana kept on checking on me but since she has things to do in the kitchen, iiwan niya rin ako kaagad. I didn't mind it.

Sa oras na 'yon ay gusto ko lang rin mapag-isa... but when Eros passed by the door and saw me working, it just made me want to vent it out to him.

"Hey," bati ko sa kaniya.

He pursed his lips and nodded at me. With his hands on his pockets, he went inside the room and leaned on the wall just beside the door. It's always his mannerism to keep his hands like that.

If I would be relying to Psychology, I would think he's doing that because he's concealing something. That's true though, he isn't secretive but his personality makes me think he want things to be kept hidden.. Or private in the very least. Kasi wala namang rason para sabihin.

Hinayaan ko siyang panoorin ang ginagawa ko. Later on, I wasn't able to contain the thoughts arising deep inside me.

"Do you remember Jayden?"

Pirmi niya akong tingnan. Recollection drew on his face.

"You mistakenly called the mansion's contact because of him," he recognized.