Operation: Boyfriend, Gone Wrong!

Kabanata 15

The smile on my face was wiped off as soon as I saw Ava's arms linked on Elijah's as they entered the room. 

The charisma of the two people who just came in was so strong that people can't help but look at them. They were the CEO of Grimaldi's Group of Companies and a veteran Runway Supermodel after all. Of course, they would grab attention.

People started whispering about them and I can't help but hear them.

"What? So they're still together, after all?"

"I know, right? Well, it doesn't matter even if they broke up. They suit each other very well!"

"That's right! They complement each other. They should continue the marriage!"

I bit my lower lip and averted my gaze. Lumayo muna ako kay Erika dahil alam kong sakanya unang lalapit si Elijah. And I wasn't wrong. Everyone returned to their seats while Elijah took Erika for a last dance. 

Bumalik ako sa center table kung saan nandoon din sina Tito Harry, Tita Elaine, at Dmitri. There were two reserved seats for Elijah... and his date.

Sabay kaming nakarating ni Ava sa table so as a gentleman, I pulled a seat for her. She sat beside Tita Elaine who sat beside Tito Harry. Katabi rin ni Dmitri si Tito Harry at ako naman sa kabilang gilid niya. There was an empty seat between Ava and I. It was Elijah's seat.

"Thank you," Ava told me with a smile.  

"Ava, dear! How are you?" Masayang bati ni Tita Elaine.

"I'm doing good, Ma'am. I can't believe Erika's already 23! Time flies so fast!"

"Yes, she'd be happy to have a chat with you later. For now, let her enjoy her cousin's company," Tita Elaine laughed. 

Tahimik akong kumain ng appetizer sa pwesto ko. Suddenly, I heard Dmitri click his tongue habang nakatingin kina Elijah at Erika.

"He's a cousin, you know? You ought to be jealous of me, not Elijah," I said, picking up some nacho chips.

"I'm not jealous," he rolled his eyes at me. "It's just annoying."

I gave Dmitri a questioning look but he just shook his head at me. "Do not bother yourself with me, Theodore."

I just rolled my eyes at Dmitri before turning back to eating. Ako na nga'ng concered, ako pa ang masama. Bahala siya riyan.

Hindi katagalan ay natapos nang isayaw ni Elijah si Erika. He was supposed to escort Erika to her seat in front but instead, hinatak siya ni Erika papunta sa table namin.

"Kuya, this is Theodore Lee, the one I was telling you about!" She excitedly said, pointing at me. Dmitri's frown deepened from what he heard, but I wasn't calm enough to think about it. I stood up to face Erika and Elijah with a nervous smile.