Ace Of The Beauty (El Vicente Series #3) COMPLETED

Kabanata 15

"I'm going out, Dad." matabang na sabi ko nang maabutan ako ni Daddy na paalis.

"You're always out. Lalaki na naman ba ito, Gianna? Goodness! I'm tired of hearing gossips from my friends because of your dating rumors!"

I almost rolled my eyes. I've never dated anyone this past few weeks. It has always been Rashid. Lagpas isang buwan na at hindi pa din ako makapaniwala doon.

"I'm not dating anyone right now, Dad. And if I am, I'm old enough to handle it anyway."

"Bakit hindi mo gayahin si Catherine na pag-aaral ang inaatupag? Hindi ka pa nakakagraduate, hija, baka buntis ka na d'yan sa mga ginagawa mo!"

I gritted my teeth. "I'm not like you. I know my limits."

Nang mapansin ko ang pagkakatigil niya ay pilit akong ngumiti at tumalikod na para umalis.

That was the usual days at home. We never had the same bond anymore like what we had before. I don't think I can even bond with my father again. If he thinks it will be okay for me, then he is wrong.

I took a cab again since I'm still grounded 'til now. Hindi ko makakalimutan ang reaksyon ni Shae at Issa nang malamang halos ilang linggo na akong grounded.

Bumaba ako sa Redhill. I was wearing my black spaghetti strap fitted dress and a stilettos. I let my hair fall down. Sumasayaw ang kurba nito habang naglalakad ako sa parking lot. Ngumiti ako nang makakita ng iilang kakilala sa paligid, minsan kahit hindi ko kilala ay nginingitian ko dahil nakangiti din naman sila sa akin.

Their band was already performing. Kumaway ako nang mahanap kaagad ako ni Rashid. I pointed the bar stool away from him. His eyes surveyed my body and clenched his jaw. Ngumisi ako nang makita kung gaano siya kagwapo ngayon. That's not new.

"I saw Eloise somewhere."

"Heard he's not dating anyone for more than a month." I heard as I stopped on the bar stool.

I smoothly sat on the high chair and some eyes was already on me. Swabe akong sumandal at tiningala si Rashid. The bartender was obviously waiting for me to order but my cash is not enough for my favorite drink. I don't want to drink cheap drinks tonight so might as well.. don't drink.

"That's a big change. Dati hindi 'yan nauubusan ng babae."

Two girls beside me were gossiping loudly. Hindi ko tuloy maiwasan na makinig sa usapan nila.

"May girlfriend ba siya ngayon?"

The morena girl shrugged. "Iyong seryoso? Feeling ko si Eloise? She rarely visits his gig before. Dati sa Blur lang sila nagkikita."

"Isn't it just rumors?"

"I don't think so. Wala ding boyfriend si Eloise, matagal na."

Ngumuso ako at tinignan kung sino ang pinag-uusapan nila. A woman in the middle of the crowd caught my attention. Napapalibutan siya ng tao pero tumitingkad ang sopistikada niyang balat at kulay gintong suot. She was looking up to someone. The one who's looking at me.

Kinagat ni Rashid ang labi niya habang nakatingin sa akin ay may kaunting ngiti sa labi. When he looked down at his keyboard, she caught his eyes. Huminto ang mata ni Rashid sa babae at napawi ang ngiti.

He missed a key because of that. It was noticeable. Tinignan ni Dylan ang kaibigan at iritadong sinaway. Kumurap si Rashid at ngayon, may kunot ng noo na pinapatuloy ang ginagawa.

The rest of the song, he remained frowning. And never looked up to find me again.

I wasn't smiling the whole time. Pinilit kong ngumiti nang matapos ang kanta dahil sa wakas ay umangat ang tingin ni Rashid sa akin. He didn't smile. He gestured for me to wait outside so I nodded and smiled. Pero nang tumalikod ay nanatili ako doon.