Camouflage (Querio Series #3)

Kabanata 11

Kabanata 11
Price

Tumupad si Victoria sa usapan nila ni Gregory. May isang salita siya kaya naman ng oras na nalaman niyang pumasa si Gregory, inihanda na niya ang sarili niya.

This is the first time she's going to the school fair— and it's with Gregory freaking Querio. Matagal niyang tinitigan ang sarili sa salamin. If her brother Jack was here, paniguradong puro kantyaw ang aabutin niya.

"Hija, nasa baba na si Greg." Katok ni manang sa pintuan.

Lumunok si Victoria at agad na napatingin sa kanyang painting. Kinuha niya ang itim na tela at tinakluban ito. She grabbed her purse and maintained her straight face.

Nakita niya sa baba ang nakaupong si Gregory sa sofa habang binubuklat ang isang photo album. Para bang seryosong seryoso ito. Victoria cursed when she realized it was hers. Baby pictures niya ang kinukuhanan ni Gregory ng larawan ngayon.

"What the fuck, Querio?" She immediately closed the album and placed it back where it was before.

Parang kriminal na tinaas ni Gregory ang dalawa niyang kamay habang tumatawa. Binato siya ni Victoria ng throw pillow.

"You look cute, though." He laughed.

Pinandilatan ito ni Victoria. Kinalma ni Gregory ang sarili niya.

"If you want me to come, let's go. Kapag ako nabadtrip sa'yo, pupunta ka sa fair mag-isa mo." She roared.

Nagkibit balikat si Gregory at sinundan ito. Pinagbuksan naman siya ng binata ng pintuan. Mas lalong sumama ang mukha niya.

"Hindi ako lumpo." She reminded him.

"I know. But it feels good to do this to someone." He answered back.

Sumakay na siya sa sasakyan ng binata. Ang pakikipagsagutan kay Gregory Querio ay parang pakikipag-usap sa isang pader. Mapapagod ka lamang.

Nagdrive si Gregory patungo sa school. Tahimik ang buong byahe at tila ba nakakabingi iyon. Victoria cleared her mouth and looked at him. Sumulyap din naman sa kanya ang binata.

"What, de la Vega?" He asked.

"Nasabi mo na ba sa mga Querio?" She asked.

Ngumuso si Gregory at nagkibit balikat. He passed the exam, but he's still looking for some time. Hindi madali ang gagawin niya. All his life, sigurado na ang mga Querio na pagsusundalo ang kukunin niya gaya ni Kristoff at Athos.

"We'll have family dinner this Sunday. Saka ko sasabihin."

Tumango si Victoria.

"Okay. Do it on your own pace," she reminded.

"You're heaven sent to me, you know that?" He smiled.

Victoria felt someting on her cheeks. She cannot stop but to bit her lower lip from the sudden words of the man beside her.

"Stop ruining the moment, Querio." She tried to supress what she's feeling.

Nakarating sila sa school. All of the booths were operating. Madaming tao ang nasa school grounds since open house ang school fair. She even saw some students from other schools.