Lawrence, The Hotelier (Published Under POP FICTION)

THIRTY THREE

Trust And Honesty

Bumuntong-hininga hininga ako.

"Is there anything else that we need to talk about?" kalmadong tanong ko kahit ang lakas na ng tibok ng puso ko. Nakatayo pa rin ako dito malapit sa pinto.

He walked towards the side table where there are some hard liquors placed. He got a shot glass at nagsalin ng brandy doon sa maliit na baso.

I frowned. Tinignan ko ang pambisig kong relo. Alas diyes pa lamang ng umaga.

"Don't you think it's too early to get drunk?" I can't help but to speak up my mind.

"I know. I just need to calm myself because every nerve and every fiber of my being wants to hit and break something. I need a shot. Just one shot. Or two perhaps." niisang lagok niya lamang ang kanyang sinalin and poured again for another round.

Hindi ko talaga siya maintindihan. Ang hirap niyang basahin kahit kailan. He's one complex man!

I saw him sigh deeply before he turned his heels to face me.

"Emerald....." he whispered. And he called my name like he's caressing it. I can hardly breathe. How I miss his voice calling my name. Get a grip Emerald! Nakalimutan mo na ba ang lahat ng ginawa niya sayo?

I peeked at him at nakita ko ang bigo niyang mukha.

"What?" tanong ko pabalik pero parang bulong lamang.

"You changed a lot. You've grown beautifully." he speaks.

I dismissed his compliment. I don't need it.

"GM, if we are here just to give each other's compliment, then I guess, I need to leave. Surely you don't need mine. There are more important matters to deal with than this." taas-noo kong bigkas kahit nangangatog na ang aking mga tuhod. Receiving a praise from him is a big deal to me before, but not anymore now.

Tumikhim lamang ito. "It's been three years and you have gotten yourself a boyfriend. That's good. Very good. That means you are now completely over me." tinagilid niya ang kanyang ulo para lingunin ako.

"Well, I thought it would be hard. But I thought wrong. It was easy for me to completely get over you. And you know what, that break up, I realize that it was a blessing for me. Because of that, I found Edward. He's everything that I need. We are perfect for each other." I smiled sweetly at him.

He smirked. "Oh really? Does he know who am I to you in your life?"

"Ofcourse. We are very HONEST to each other. He knows my past just like I know his. In that way, our relationship works. You know, TRUST and HONESTY are really the keys to have a long, perfect relationship. And we leave the past behind because future is way more important, am I right?" I emphasized the words trust and honesty because those two never occured in his dictionary.

He placed the glass on the table forcefully na akala ko ay mababasag na ito. Nagtagis ang bagang nito.

He walked towards me slowly as if he has all the time in the world. And the emotions on his handsome face sent shivers down my spine. He looked pissed and very angry.

"Is that so? Did you tell him that you aren't virgin anymore? That I was the first man in your life?" He's gritting his teeth with anger.

Isang pulgada na lamang ang layo niya sa akin at napasandal ako sa pinto.

"Oo naman. He discovered it anyway." I said nonchalantly at his face. Napaigik ako sa paghampas ng isang kamay niya sa pinto, malapit sa mukha ko. Ang lakas at halos mabingi ako. Sinuntok niya ulit ito ng isang beses pa. Nanginginig ang katawan ko sa takot sa kanya.