The White in her Black

Chapter 5

"I told you, I'm not going home. Sit there and do whatever you want. I'm not seeing all of you!" Pagalit na sabi ni Cath sa telepono niya bago putulin ang tawag.

She frustratedly sighed as she collected her hair to tie them in a ponytail.

"I'm sorry for that," mahina niyang sabi bago muling bumuntonghininga. She bit her lower lip before giving me a look. "It was my mom." She smiled slightly.

She's not in good terms with her mom?

Tumango lang ako sa kanya. Hindi ko naman kasi alam ang sasabihin ko. I'm concerned but I don't want to sound so nosy. Masyado ko nang pinapasok ang personal space niya. I don't want her to get the wrong idea.

"I'll reserve a table for us. Doon lang 'yon sa breakfast place along taft. We'll get there in twenty or more minutes." Sambit niya bago tumawag sa kung sino. After that call, she maneuvered my car.

Siya ang nagmamaneho at habang tinitignan ko siya, kahit pa hindi ako nakakarinig ng mura mula sa kanya, kitang kita ko ang galit sa mga tingin na ipinupukol niya sa daan.

I can sense that she's going through a hard time with her family.

Nang makarating kami sa kakainan namin, may babaeng naghihintay sa labas ng restaurant. She actually looks familiar but I'm not sure where I saw her before.

"Catherine," the girl said before walking towards us.

Wait, Catherine? What a sexy name.

"Hey," Cath greeted her too. "Good morning." She gave the girl a kiss on her cheek.

"Girlfriend?" Tanong ng babae nang balingan niya ako ng tingin.

"Nah," Catherine immediately answered. "You know exactly what my type is." She laughed a little.

I wanted to feel insulted but I got thrilled hearing her say that. Not her type, huh?

"Good morning," I greeted the girl.

"Ashley," she extended her arm for a handshake.

"Madison." Nakangiti kong tinanggap ang kamay niya.

"Let us go inside..." Catherine interrupted us.

Sa palagay ko, hindi ko na siya ulit tatawagin sa pinakilala niyang pangalan sakin. Catherine sounds so much better.

We ate our breakfast quietly. I wanted to ask about her issues in life but it feels like she has too much family issues. Pakiramdam ko'y tungkol sa pamilya lang niya ang mapag uusapan namin at ayaw kong pilitin siyang mag kwento kung hindi pa siya handa.

Nagpaalam pa ulit kami kay Ashley nang matapos at inabutan pa kami ng isang kahon na puno ng pang himagas.

"How long will you stay in my unit?" I asked politely while looking at the road. Kaaandar pa lang namin, nagtanong na agad ako.

"Pwede naman akong mag check in sa ibang unit. Naiilang ka ba?" I saw how she licked her lips and bite the lower one while looking so serious. "I'm sorry for staying longer than what you expect..." she said in her normal voice.

"You can stay in my unit. Paano lang kapag uuwi ako sa mansyon? Iiwan kita?" I asked curiously.

"I can manage myself." Sandali niya akong tinignan bago muling ibalik ang tingin sa daan. "Do you mind going somewhere? I'll just buy clothes for myself..." parang naninimbang ang mga tingin niya sakin nang itanong niya 'yon.