Below The Tide (Charity Series #1)

• Fifty Six •

Betina Tiara

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Hindi muna kami umalis ni Zen matapos ang charity party dahil kinuha namin ang oportunidad na 'yun para magkaro'n ng maliit at pribadong selebrasyon kasama ang buong CVA members. As Seven named it, 'The second wave of sweets.' We decided to have it in my office, as Claudius instructed because we're doing it exclusively with the members only.

And guess what? The sweet desserts were all paid by Light-- as he wants to treat us this time.

"Ahh..."

Napatingin ako kay Zen nang itutok niya sa bibig ko ang isang kutsara ng cake.

"Say, ahh..." he said.

"Babe, I can eat by myself," kukunin ko na sana iyon sa kamay niya pero bahagya niya itong nilayo at umiling sa 'kin.

"I want to feed you," he then smirked.

Narinig namin ang malakas at mahabang buntong hininga ni Seven sa tabi. Nakasandal ang ulo niya sa dalawang kamay na nasa likod at may kagat-kagat na stick sa bibig-- pinaglagyan ng stick ice cream sa tingin ko.

Pinanliitan ko siya ng mata. His face says he wants to tease us again.

"I'm so jealous. Kanina pa kayo sweet sa party ah? Hindi pa kayo nilalanggam? Gavin, check mo nga kung may namamahay nang langgam sa pantalon ni Zen."

See?

"What, why would I do that?"

"Check mo lang, e. Malay mo lumipat sa 'tin."

Humalukipkip si Gavin, "I'll be the sweetest boyfriend in the whole world if ever I get a girlfriend. No need for those ants."

"You two, shut up and don't mind us," saka ako muling tinignan ni Zen, "Now open your mouth, babe."

Napabuntong hininga ako at sinubo na ang pagkain. Wala na 'kong magagawa sa pagiging sweet ni Zen saan man kami mapunta. He was born that way so yeah.

"Still, what you did in front of everyone is not on the script, Zen." Hailey fixed her glasses, "That was... really unexpected."

"Yeah and sweet!" Seven added.

"Kung ako rin naman nasa gano'ng sitwasyon, gagawin ko rin 'yun sa girlfriend ko. We have to be proud, right?" Gavin cheerfully faced Zen as Zen answered him with a grin.

Ito talaga ang topic?

"But you think, Zen's name was now clear from all accusations? I mean, we haven't heard Alexandria's answer." Hailey asked.

Umayos ng upo si Seven at kumuha ng isa pang stick ice cream, "Sa tingin mo mayro'n pa siyang maisasagot do'n? The posts she made was enough proof that she's head-over-heels to Zen. Too bad Zen isn't a playboy."

"And that was all true," bigkas ni Zen, "I didn't do anything malicious to her. Mukhang namang kumbinsido ang mga reporters dahil sa mayro'n tayong saksi at mga ebidensya. Saka isa pa, anong maisasagot n'ya ro'n? Kasabwat n'ya ang manager n'ya and that's given."

Tumango ako, "Nakausap ko 'yung isa sa mga reporters kanina at ang sabi, magkakaroon yata ng private interview kay Alexandria."

"And there's more!" Seven exclaimed, "Mayro'n akong hindi nasabi at napakita sa inyo tungkol sa imbestigasyon namin. It's... a CCTV camera record from Zen's subdivision."

Come to think of it, since he's living in a fine subdivision... for sure they have a roaming camera all over the place. Doon makikita ang mga katotohanang sinabi ng matanda kanina.