Captivating Aphrodite (UNEDITED)

Chapter 9

REESE

HINIHINTAY namin ang sasakyan na maghahatid sa amin mula rito sa airport papuntang hotel. It's already 15 minutes mula noong nakalapag na kami. My dad is kinda irritated. He hates waiting, and the same goes for me. I am a very impatient person.

"Austin, mga ilang minuto pa ba? We're here for like 20 minutes?! Do you wanna get fired?!" Kausap ni daddy yung driver. Obviously, he's mad.

"Baka traffic lang po," sabat ni Barney. My dad formed a smile. Epal talaga ni Barney.

"Kahit na, beautiful ladies and handsome men should not rot in here to wait," and my dad grinned. Nagkatinginan si Spencer at Barney. Spencer kissed her temple.

I rolled my eyes. Hmp. PDA.

"Baby, bakit parang mainit ulo mo bigla? Gutom ka na ba?" Damien suddenly spoke. Nagulat ako. Oo nga pala, he's with me! Shocks! Anyare sayo Reese?

"N-no, uhm, napagod lang. Hehe," he smiled and kissed my cheek.

"Akala ko hindi ka na dadating," daddy said. Yes! Sa wakas andito na yung sundo!!!

*

We're having an abundant lunch! Seafoods and some steak! Masaya kaming kumakain lahat. Excited na talaga ako sa mga activities mamaya.

Nagkekwentuhan kami. Masaya talaga, parang nawala nga yung asar ko kay Barney. Oo na sige, Britanny na. Cease fire muna kami ngayon. NGAYON LANG.

"Bagay talaga kayo ni Adam," my dad released another compliment for the two. Britanny smiled.

"Alam mo, masaya ako kasi nagkagirlfriend pa si Adam," pagkekwento ni dad. Parang naging seryoso bigla ang mood naming lahat. "Before, he was smitten to a girl. At ayoko. The girl's not someone everyone can despise. Actually, angelic nga yun eh," dad slightly laughed. "She's pretty, smart, kind, fearless, she's wonderful. Pero ayoko sa kanya," then dad became serious again.

Tahimik kaming lahat. Totoo kaya? Merong ganito palang nangyari kay Spencer?

"Akala ko ba angelic sya dad? Bakit ayaw mo sa kanya?" I curiously asked. Napasulyap ako kay Adam. His eyes were deep. Parang may gustong sabihin.

"Some love stories are meant to be forbidden."

Biglang tumayo si Adam. As if dad's answer to my question's the cue para umalis sya. "Excuse me," and then he left.

Sinundan sya ni Britanny.

I wonder what's the thing behind dad's story.

Why is it forbidden?

Why Adam expressed deep sadness? It's like those stares, pierced through my soul.

I wanna know.

I need to know.

ADAM

Bumuntong hininga na naman ako.

Bakit ba kailangan nya pang ikwento yun?

I wanna fcking punch his face. Wala ba talaga syang nararamdamang awa para sa akin?

Masakit. Tangina. Sobrang sakit.

"Adam," lumingon ako sa likod ko. There's Britanny.

She sat beside me. We're currently at the pool area. Nakalubog ang mga paa namin sa pool.

"I fcking hate him, Brit." Pagbabasag ko sa katahimikan.

"I know. He's an asshole," then she chuckled.

"Alam nya namang sinusubukan kong kalimutan na si Reese," sabi ko. "Pero palagi nya pa ring pinapa alala. Tangina nya."

She held my hand.

"I know what we have," and she smiled. Nagpatuloy sya sa pagsasalita. "Alam kong walang tayo. We're just two people enjoying each other's company."

"You're special to me," pagpuputol ko sa kanya.

"Alam ko yun. Wala naman akong problema kung ano tayo." She smiled.

"I'm sorry for dragging you into my messy situation." At niyakap ko sya.

Malaki talaga yung pasasalamat ko sa kanya. Kung wala sya, ano na kayang nangyari sa'kin? Siguro naghahabol pa din ako kay Reese ngayon. Mahal ko pa rin si Reese ngayon. Pero dahil sa kanya may oras ako para sumaya.

"Hangga't kailangan mo ako, nandito lang ako. Kung mahuhulog ka sa akin, sasaluhin kita," I heard her whispered.

Then I felt my shoulders got wet.

Umiiyak sya.