Del Franco Brothers: Adien (Book 2)

CHAPTER NINE

Play it cool

I’ve been hiding in this room long enough. Why is it so damn hard to step out of here?

Play it cool, Embry. Play it cool.

With a sigh of resignation, naglakad ako papunta sa closet and choose a comfy but presentable dress. You know what’s even more surprising aside sa painting na nakita ko?

This closet na punong puno ng damit na pambabae. The first time I looked at it, all I felt was bitterness. Dahil obviously binili yon for a specific purpose, para suotin ng BABAE. I don’t need to be a genius to figure that out. Marami siguro tong female guest.

I even throw a tantrum to Mang Henry dahil ayokong suotin yung mga damit nato. Why would I wear clothes that are clearly for someone else? I still have my pride you know.

But Mang Henry surprisingly told me na para sakin DAW lahat yung mga damit. I didn’t believe him of course. Sino naman maniniwala don? Hindi naman inaasahan tong pagka trap ko dito. Even though Adien’s face looks unreal, he can’t control the storm.

Pero lahat ng nasa cabinet petite sizes at lahat may tag price. But I still insist to wear my own clothes by saying to Mang Henry na ayokong suotin yung mga damit na laan para sa female guest ni Adien. And you know what unbelievable and shocking fact that Mang Henry told me? Na wala daw pumupunta dito sa bahay kung hindi yung kapatid ni Adien at asawa nito.

I still don’t want to believe it but I won’t deny the fact na there is a small part of me na masaya sa sinabi nito kahit may posibilidad na nagsisinungaling lang to sakin.

I sighed. This stay over makes my emotions more unstable. It feels like a roller coaster ride for me.

As soon as I finished prepping, I walked to my door to open it but paused when I touched the knob.

Stay calm, Embry. Stay calm. I chanted and finally opened the door. I went straight into the kitchen. But surprise of all surprises, yung likod ni Adien ang nabungaran ko.

Kung sino pa ang gusto mong iwasan, sya tong parang mushroom na nagpa pop up kung san mo gustong pumunta.

Fate is clearly toying with me.

I stay still for a few minutes, torn between going back to my room or abalahin to sa ginagawa nito. But before I made a choice, I heard his voice. “You still like beef with oyster sauce right?” he asked without looking back. 

Saka ko napansin yung nakasalang sa may kalan.

I gulped. “Yes?” I frowned when I suddenly realized something. “How did you know it was me and not Mang Henry or Aling Minerva?”

Adien shrugged his shoulders. This time iniwan nito yung ginagawa nito sa sink na nagka cut pala ng vegetables para sa putahe na niluluto nito. Pumunta to sa counter at naglagay ng red wine sa wine glass na ngayon ko lang din napansin na nakalagay sa may gilid. 

Why does his casual manner annoys the hell out of me?

He put the glass in front of me at pagkatapos naglagay to para sa sarili nito. “They already went home. Didn’t they tell you na hindi naman sila dito nag i stay? I built a small house for them not far away from here.” sabi nito.

Nanlalaki yung mga matang napatunganga ako dito. “Whaaatt…” nauutal na sagot ko. “But they are here last night.”

“They just stay longer to make your first night here comfortable. Don’t worry they will be back tomorrow morning.” Simpleng sagot nito habang umiinom ng wine.

And because I’m hypervating too much hindi ko napansin yung pag ngisi nito.

I can literally hear my heart beating. Hindi naman sila Mang Henry ang wino~worry ko, ang tumatakbo sa utak ko eh yung idea na kaming dalawa lang ngayong gabi dito sa bahay!

“Drink your wine. This won’t take long.” Pukaw nito na para bang hindi nito napansin yung pagka tuliro ko.

I took a sit malapit sa counter at dahil sa kaba na nararamdaman ko, I drink my wine as if it is my life line.

And because a glass is not enough to make me feel comfortable, nagsalin ulit ako without bothering to ask him. Adien is not stingy anyway.

I’m already in my third glass ng magsalita ulit si Adien. “I will be finished soon.” He suddenly turned around. “Slow down with the wine. I don’t want you to get drunk before you can even eat.”

I raised my eyebrow. I thought he is not paying attention dahil hindi naman ako nito nililingon. 

Adien let out a low laugh. “I always pay attention when you are concern.” sagot nito na para bang nababasa nito yung utak ko.

Automatic na namula ako. At yung kaba ko kanina na unti unti ng nawala, bumalik ulit sa dati.

Damn this guy!

Ininom ko lang yung hawak hawak ko at magsasalin pa ulit sana when Adien suddenly take my glass mula sa kamay ko. “I said slow down, pixie.” he said with a familiar endearment and tone I used to know.

Pixie

God! Why is he doing this to me?

I open and closed my lips a couple of times but I know that my voice will tremble once I speak kaya in the end nanatili nalang akong hindi nagsasalita at hinayaan to na ilayo sakin ung wine.

I looked away from him and blinked several times.

Silence consumes us once again. At salamat sa niluluto ni Adien at least nagkaroon ng ingay sa paligid.

Damn it! So much for going out of my room and playing it cool.

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