You Make Me Smile [COMPLETED]

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SIX - DEFINITELY SOMETHING ELSE

ISAVELL'S POV

Yep, definitely not just friends. Unfortunately, As much as I want to ignore it, I'm starting to like Rain, not as a friend, but as a person, as a man.

Okay... what now?

"Huy! Kanina ka pa tulala riyan." Rain laughed at me. "Sobra ka bang napagod sa pagtatrabaho? You know you can take a break. Maawa ka sa katawan at lalo na sa boses mo."

I frowned. "I'm still not that tired. I can still work."

"And then again, sa dinami-raming sinabi ko, 'yan lang ang sagot mo." He laughed. "Do you hate talking to me? Or do you find me noisy? Or irritating? Is that it?"

Now it's my turn to laugh. "Silly. Kung ayokong kausap ka edi sana I ignored you the moment you opened your mouth." I laughed again. "I was just thinking of something."

"Care to share?"

"Uh... no. Just drive, Rain." I laughed and once again looked at the trees outside the car.

Ever since the first time he brought me that breakfast, he never stopped. He also invites me to dinner since nalaman niya na madalas instant foods ang kinakain ko. But he made sure that he won't go inside my house, at laging sa restaurant or fast food chains, minsan sa karinderya, kami kakain nang sabay, not in his house. We're both aware that we're no longer teenagers, but being just the two of us, inside a house, kinda... makes me feel awkward, and the same goes with him.

Ngayong araw naman, sinundo niya ako sa bahay at sabay kaming pumunta ng bar. Now everybody who works there assumes that there's something going on between us, when in fact, we're just friends.

Yeah right, Isavell.

At dahil sinundo niya ako, he'll drive me home too. Kesa naman ipag-commute niya ako, aba I'll punch him in the face.

"Right! Nandito na tayo." He stopped the car. "Pili ka, I'll bring you breakfast tomorrow or we'll both eat in the cafe before you deliver?"

"I'll go somewhere tomorrow." Ugh! Now I can't look at him without adoring his face. His brown eyes always captivate me, and his smile... God! He's melting me with his smile!

"Saan naman? Samahan kita?"

"Nah, I'll be fine." I can hear him hum, I looked at him and saw him smiling at me. Here we go again, Vell.

"Well, if you say so. Pero papasok ka naman?" I nodded. "Well, should I pick you up again, just like today?" I shook my head which made him frown. "Are you okay?" I nodded. "Are you mute?" I glared at him and he laughed. "Kidding, ikaw naman kasi, ayaw mong magsalita." He smiled. "Anyways, fine. See you tomorrow evening then."

"Thanks, Rain."

"You're always welcome, Isavell. What are friends for?"

Yep, friends... See, Vell? You're just friends. I bid goodbye and left his car, watching him drive away. I sighed.

I remembered the message I received this morning. It was from my mom. After all these years, she contacted me. She said she wanted to have lunch with me tomorrow which made me feel uneasy? Excited? Mad? I actually don't know which is which. I sighed once again. I have no idea what will happen tomorrow, my mind is in chaos, and I don't want to overthink.

I went inside my house and did my evening routine before going to sleep. I think I need to prepare my mind for tomorrow.

I woke up at seven a.m. and got ready. Is it normal that I'm somehow nervous about what might happen? I mean that's my mom for Pete's sake—exactly, Vell, your mom. That one person who left you and your dad, the very reason why your dad was mad at you and treated you bad.

I took a deep breath and looked at the mirror in front of me.

"Whatever happens, I'll be okay. Stay strong, Vell. You've been doing it since she left, and nothing should change. Be strong." I nodded and left with my car.

It's already eleven a.m. and I surely don't know what I did for four hours, probably forcing myself to believe that everything will be okay.

I heavily breathed before getting outside my car and walking toward the restaurant that mom texted me.

"Good morning, table for one?" The receptionist asked me.

"Umm... I'm here for... umm..." Ano na nga ba apelyido ni Mama? "Samantha Rivas, she's expecting me." The receptionist checked her list before smiling at me again.

"I see... This way, Ms. Isavell." She guided me papunta sa table ni Mom.

And there she was like she doesn't age at all. She almost still looks the same, except for some features. I saw her look in my direction, her cold eyes on me, sending chills right to my bones.

"Thank you," I politely told the receptionist after assisting me. I looked at Mom, whose attention was still on me. I wanted to greet her good morning, at least as a sign of respect, but I don't know how to properly address her.

Should I call her Mom or Ma'am?

I settled on the second one.

"Good morning, Ma'am."

She was still staring at me. "Lemuel was right, you do look like me." I really don't know how to react. Was that a compliment? God, please help.

"Umm... Do you... Do you need something from me?" I can feel my voice trembling.

"Our similarities end with your physical features. You talk like him." Is she minding what I'm actually saying? "Anyways, yes. What else could've been my reason for meeting you today?" She placed her table napkin on her lap.

What else? Maybe because you've missed me? Maybe because you care for me? Maybe because I'm still your daughter?

"How have you been, Isavell?" I was taken aback by her question. She wasn't able to notice my freezing because she was starting to eat. But when I wasn't able to answer her right away, she looked at me. "I asked, didn't I?" I nodded. "Have you not heard of it?" I shook my head. "Then don't you want to answer my question?"

"I... I'm sorry. I spaced out." She wiped her lips with her table napkin. "I'm... I'm fine." Definitely a lie. Though having those jobs, meeting my co-workers, and even Rain, weren't so bad.

"That's good to hear. Since Lemuel passed away, that'll mean I have to take care of you—"

"You don't have to. I'm seriously fine. I'm doing just fine. I can handle my own."

"I honestly do not care, Isavell. You asked if I needed something from you and I answered yes. Therefore, your no is something I would not accept as of the moment." I confusedly looked at her, and she coldly looked me in the eyes before saying the words I never ever, in my entire life, expected her to say. "You'll live with me and my family, and that's final."

What the hell?