The Other Side of Dominance (BxB) ✔

Chapter 46 [Betrayal]

The most important lesson I've learned over this past year is don't let anybody make you cruel. No matter how badly you want to give the world a taste of its own bitter medicine, it is never worth losing yourself.

So I'm not going to be cruel, I will choose kindness. But being a kind person doesn't mean I have to put up with everything, or fit the life of every person I meet. I can be a loving person and still honor my boundaries. No one else gets to decide how I feel. And I am allowed to change the price of what it costs to access me.

I roamed my eyes around on every corner, no matter how cozy the whole place is, still there is this uneasy feeling inside my stomach. I know I shouldn't be feeling this way but it turned out that I wasn't in control of my body at this moment.

"Did he reply? Anong oras na ah?" I heard Parker's voice talking to Savannah. But it's small, almost a whisper.

"He said they're on their way. Let's just wait." tugon naman ni Sav sa tanong ng isa.

I paused from rummaging every corner with my eyes and looked at the both of them. Sa mga nakalipas na taon, masasabi kong may pinagbago rin ang dalawang ito. Parker looks rougher now because of the dark ink on his left arm up to his neck, I have pretty much of an idea where he got the influence about tattoos but I'm just gonna shut my mouth. Savannah on the other hand, is a total blonde now and no one could stop her from wearing a more daring and revealing clothes.

Ako lang yata ang walang masyadong pinagbago sa aming tatlo. I'm still the old Harper, just minus the desperation and the recklessness. Sa dalawampu't-anim na taon kong gulang, masasabi kong kahit papaano ay nag-iba naman ang pananaw at prayoridad ko sa buhay. I have become more mature, not with the years but with the damage.

"Who's on their way?" sabay silang napalingon nang magtanong ako. Parehong may bahid ng gulat at takot sa mga mata nila, animo'y nabisto sa isang masamang gawain.

Nahuli ko pa ang lihim na pagsiko ni Savannah kay Parker upang pilitin itong magsalita. Kumunot ang noo ko at pinagtaasan silang dalawa ng kilay.

"Savannah's boyfriend..." sagot ni Parker pero nahimigan kong parang may kasunod pa ito.

"And?" I asked patiently. Parker gave Savannah a knowing look. Nagpalitan sila ng tingin hanggang sa huli ay tinitigan ako nang mariin ni Savannah.

"And he brought a friend." Sav added.

Nagtagal ang tingin ko sa kanya. I don't know why it sounded dreadful or like there's a hidden puzzle that I need to discover from those words.

"Okay..." mabagal kong tugon habang sinusubukang basahin ang emosyon sa mga mata nila. "What about it? Is there something wrong? Should I be worried about that?"

"W-We..." mas lalo akong naguluhan sa pagkakautal ni Parker, hindi niya pa magawang maituloy ang kanyang sasabihin. What about it? What's wrong with Savannah's boyfriend bringing a friend?

It's not like they are trying to set me up with someone just because I'm the only single among us and they think I'm lonely and miserab....

Oh my god.

Pinanglakihan ko sila ng mga mata at saka binalingan si Savannah. "You are trying to set me up on a date with your boyfriend's friend? Is that it?"

They both laughed nervously, pretending like they totally have no idea what I was talking about. Sisinghalan ko pa sana ang dalawa nang napansin ko ang lalaking biglang sumulpot sa aming harapan at saka humalik sa pisngi ni Savannah.

"Hey, babe. Sorry we're late." the man nonchalantly said with a heavy accent. Nang humarap ito sa akin ay nagkaroon ako ng pagkakataong pagmasdan ang mukha nito.