Chapter 40
"I came to see her."
Napakurap ako at napalingon kay Axev. Wala sa akin ang atensyon niya, na kay Gianna na halatang nagulat sa sinabi ni Axev. Her expression relaxed after a second before she glanced at me.
"Oh, I didn't know you two are close." Gianna smiled and stared at me for a second.
"No, we're-"
"Yeah, we are." Axev cut me off.
Humugot ako ng matalim na hininga bago nilingon si Axev. He looks serious and he's not bothered by my sharp gaze. He looked at me and his lips pursed. Alam kong may sasabihin pa sana siya pero dahil sa tingin ko ay itinikom na lamang niya ang kaniyang labi.
"Well..." Gianna trailed off and shrugged.
Sinubukan kong bawiin ang kamay pero mahigpit ang hawak niya ro'n. Gianna glanced at it again and she cleared her throat, that's why I looked at her. Hindi ko alam kung ngingitian ko ba siya o ano, wala akong maibigay na reaksyon. Binalik nito ang tingin kay Axev.
"Anyway, my father is aking for you before I left the office. Ang aga mo kasing umuwi," ngumuso ito kay Axev.
Axev nodded. "I'll give him a call."
May sasabihin pa sana si Gianna nang may babaeng lumapit sa kaniya. They greeted each other and when Gianna looked at us again, she smiled at Axev.
"I have to go now." Aniya. "I'll give you a call later."
I gritted my teeth when Gianna walked away with the woman. Mabilis kong nilingon si Axev at nasalo ang seryoso niyang tingin. Pigil na pigil ang paghinga ko at mabilis na kinalas ang kamay sa pagkakahawak niya. Binitawan niya ito.
Mabilis akong naglaakd palabas dahil baka makakuha lang kami ng atensyon kapag sumabog ako sa loob. He followed from behind and when we got outside and the cold wind immediately embraced me, I was able to relax a little.
"Are you crazy?!" Asik ko kaagad sa kaniya nang tumayo siya sa harap ko.
He didn't say anything and just shove his hands in the pocket of his shorts. He seemed so relax but his jaw was clenched and his lips were protruding a little while watching me. I hated it that I have to look up to him. Damn the height!
"Why would you tell her that?"
"I didn't tell her anything." He tilted his head and his brows shot up.
"You didn't tell her anything?" Ipinagdiinanan ko. I smiled fakely. "Are you sure, Axev? You just told her you came to see me! Kaya nga ako aalis na dapat para hindi na niya tayo makita, 'di ba?"
He licked his lips and heaved a deep breath. "There's nothing wrong with what I said."
"Yes, there is! This is a condominium. You came to see me. What would she think? I told you, I don't want anyone to know about us or our set-up." Mariin kong sinabi. "And you were even holding my hand and said that we're close!"
Umigting ang kaniyang panga at minasahe ang batok. He scratched the tip of his nose using the back of his pointing finger and stared at me more seriously this time. Napahugot ako ng malalim na hininga at itinikom ang labi.
"If you think that she'll suspect something, you're wrong. I know Gianna." He said like he's so convinced.
Tinitigan ko siya. Mas lalo akong hindi nakapagsalita sa sinabi niya. All I know is that there was a slight sting in my heart and I don't know where it came from. I bit the inside of my cheeks.
"Of course, you do." I smiled coldly and turned my back on him.
Pinigilan ko ang sariling huwag sigawan si Axev nang hinila niya ako pabalik sa kaniyang harap. I glared at him and tried to pull my hand but he didn't let me. He still look serious but his eyes are now softer than a while ago. His grasp on my hand is gentle and he looks like he's trying to be patient with me.
