Chapter Six: Twisted truth
“You’re late.” Chelle exclaimed, looking at me with narrowed eyes.
I snorted. “Rehearsal? What are we, three?” I asked, scrunching my nose.
Chelle is trying not to laugh but a smile is creeping up her face. “You don’t run out of complaints, do you?” She asked, a trace of amusement is visible in her tone.
I huffed and pouted. “Especially if you send a devil to pick me up.” I mumbled under my breath.
“We’re inside the church Armie!” Chelle shrieked, gaping at me.
I waved my hand dismissively. “Did you hear me cursing?” I crossed my arms against my chest and raised my eyebrow. “You’re lucky we’re in church.” I added, pointedly.
Chelle just shook her head at my antics and then after a few minutes, her eyebrows pulled together in confusion. “Wait. What are you talking about anyway?”
“Devon.” His name always leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.
Realization hits Chelle’s face. “Oh, Justin. What about him? He picked you up?”
“You ordered him to pick me up.” I reminded her, looking so confused at her reaction.
Chelle frowned even more. “No I didn’t. I just told him you’re in this fudge boutique and fudging fit your fudging gown for my fudging wedding. That was Sigrid’s speech by the way.” She replied, chuckling along the way. Finding Sigrid antics amusing.
I frowned, looking astounded. “Then why did he—–“
I was cut off when Chelle suddenly looked behind me and exclaimed, “Speaking of fudge. Your best friend is here.” Nguso nito sa entrance.
I sighed and just decided to dismiss the topic. I’m pretty sure na ginawa lang yon ni Devon para inisin ako.
After all, Devon will not be “Devon” if he acts otherwise.
After a few minutes, Sigrid joined us. She’s enthusiastically chatting with Chelle while my mind wondered somewhere else.
Hanggang sa hindi ko namalayan na paalis na pala si Chelle.
“Did you sleep well last night?” Sigrid asked as soon as Chelle was out of earshot.
Nagtataka na napalingon nalang ako dito.
“I forgot to ask you this morning. I am rather distracted.” She explained.
I chuckled, eyes dancing with amusement. “Because of a certain hot stud billionaire?”
“Armie!” Sigrid almost yelled, blushing furiously.
I rolled my eyes. “Did you ever get tired of blushing?”
But to my surprise, Sigrid leaned forward and peered at my face. “Did something happen on your way here?” She asked, ignoring my remarks.
I can’t help but chuckle. Only Sigrid can read me like this.
She knew me inside out. It’s practically impossible to hide anything from her.
“Nothing I can’t handle.” I answered with a broad smile, hoping she will buy it.
Sigrid sighed. “But are you ok?” She repeated.
I stared at her. “I’m fine Sigrid. You’re worrying too much.” I replied, giving her a warm smile.
She pouted. “That’s my job description.”
I grinned at her. “Don’t bother about my stagnant and boring life. Think about your own. It’s about time, you got yourself a boyfriend.” I teased her, nudging her stomach using my elbow.
Sigrid’s eyes widened. “He’s not my boyfriend.” She protested.
“Yet.” I added suggestively, a smirk playing on my lips.
Before she could protest, I waved my hand in the air. “Speaking of your future boyfriend.” I let out a sigh of relief, pointing my finger at the entrance.
Saved by the hot stud billionaire.
I looked around at nakita ko si Robbie, hindi kalayuan sa kinatatayuan namin.
“I need to talk to Robbie anyway. Let’s continue this later.” Sabi ko dito kasabay nang pagpitik ko sa noo nito bago pa to makapag-usisa o makapag-protesta.
Nakangisi naman akong sinalubong ni Robbie nang makita ako nito na papalapit dito.
“Ready for the rehearsal? Feels like old times huh?” Robbie asked, looking amused.
I groaned and touched my forehead dramatically. “Don’t remind me.”
Robbie chuckled and then playfully rumpled my hair.
I slapped his hand, laughing at his playfulness. “Stop messing my hair, you big bad wuss.”
“Big bad wuss?” Nababahagdan na tanong sakin ni Robbie.
I ignored him and looked around, searching for Chelle’s so called ex-husband. “Where’s Greg?” Nagtataka na tanong ko dito nang hindi ko to makita sa paligid.
“He’s not coming. He’s not feeling well.” Robbie replied and waved his hand irritatingly.
“Not feeling well?” I asked, even though I already had a hunch why stupid Greg is not here.
“He’s with Justin last night, drinking until their balls turned red. How stupid.” He replied, frowning and saying Justin’s name in disdain.
Now I wonder why Robbie hated Justin so much.
Every men I knew worshipped Justin as if he was a god. Even Greg na kahit may takot sa pinsan nito, nakipag inuman pa rin dito.
I heaved a deep sigh and pushed the thoughts out of my head.
Thinking about Devon will not do any good.
I gulped hard and looked up at Robbie. “Who’s gonna be with Chelle?” I asked, ignoring Justin’s hatred part.
Robbie groaned. “Justin volunteered to replace his cousin for the meantime.”
I raised my eyebrow.
Now, what’s the catch?
Justin won’t do an honourable act without a hidden agenda.
I looked up and noticed that Robbie is staring at me expectantly.
I internally cringed. I kept my straight face. “That’s good then.” NOT!
“Cheating behind my back?” A voice out of nowhere.
“Sweetie.” Robbie exclaimed, smiling from ear to ear.
“Oh please! I’m too good looking for him.” I chimed in.
Robbie snaked his arms around Chelle’s waist. “And I’m too much in love with you to do that.” He whispered but I heard him perfectly.
I shook my head.
Who might have thought, Robbie can be this whipped.
“We’re in church. Keep your impure thoughts inside your heads.” I interrupted them with their cheesy expose.
Robbie laughed while Chelle giggled at my statement.
“What are you talking about, guys? What did I miss?” Chelle asked, looking between me and Robbie.
I swallowed hard, trying to look casual. “Greg’s substitute.” I replied, shrugging my shoulders nonchalantly.
“Oh Justin! He reminds me of Robbie sometimes.” Chelle exclaimed, giggling like a high school girl.
“Sweetie!” Robbie exclaimed morbidly.
I can’t help but burst into laughter.
Chelle’s statement was absurd and Robbie’s reaction was kind of stupid.
But I must admit that I’m with Robbie with this one. Because come on, Robbie is far different from that Devil.
“It’s true.” Chelle said, scowling at me nang makita nito yung reaksyon ko.
I rolled my eyes. “Yeah right.”
Chelle pouted and ignored my sarcastic remark. “Speaking of my Robbie bear’s look-alike. He’s here.” She exclaimed, beaming at the entrance.
Another reason to hate a freaking wedding.
Devon approached us with confident strides.
I huffed in annoyance. And here I thought, church is the safest place away from a devil.
My gaze drifted from the Devil at the entrance and to the grumpy man in front of me.
Robbie is groaning and frowning beside Chelle na akala mo bata na inagawan ng laruan.
So childish!
“Hello sunshine.” Devon said, kissing Chelle’s cheek while Robbie threw him a dagger look.
I peered at Devon’s face and noticed him staring fondly at Chelle.
I lifted a brow.
He’s not lying huh? They’re really close?
“Justin, you’ve already met my fiancé right?” Chelle asked with a warm smile on her lips, looking affectionately at Devon’s face.
Devon nodded his head at Robbie’s direction.
And I can’t help but gaped at Robbie when he just stared at Devon’s face nang hindi man lang nginingitian o tinatanguan to.
Is he really this childish?
Chelle chuckled, finding the situation amusing.
And if Devon is not involved I might laugh along with her.
This is kind of hilarious.
“And this is his best friend, Armie. But you already knew her.” Baling sakin ni Chelle.
I frowned by her introduction. Of course, he knew me. But why do I have this feeling, she’s implying something else?
“He told me you know each other so well. That you’re both in the same college or something?” Chelle teased me when she noticed I’m staring at her with confusion all over my face.
Know each other so well? I rolled my eyes in disbelief and stared at Devon incredulously.
Devon’s smile grew wider and wider as he peered at my face, looking smug and thoughtful. “Nice to see you again, wil—“
My eyes widened and my jaw dropped as I stared at him.
He crooked his head and smirked at me. “Nice to see you again, Armie.” Ulit nito sa balak nitong sabihin.
No shit Sherlock! I just saw you a few minutes ago. Damn this bastard!
I heaved a deep sigh, trying to control my anger and irritation. “Yeah.” I replied, my voice soaked in sarcasm.
Devon just stared at my face, his trademark smirk playing on his lips. He’s enjoying this immensely. I can tell.
And God help me but I really want to physically assault him right now.
Pairap ko nalang ulit na iniwas yung mga mata ko dito bago pa ako magkasala. Nasa simbahan pa man din kami.
“We’re all here.” Chelle clapped her hands eagerly. “Let’s start.” She proposed and waved frantically for her gay friend.
What a busybody.
I turned towards Robbie’s direction and stiffened when I noticed that he’s looking at me suspiciously.
I know, he can sense that there’s something going on between me and this devil beside me.
I gulped hard and feigned innocence. I stared back at him and shrugged my shoulders in response with his questioning stares.
But Robbie narrowed his eyes dangerously at me. Obviously not buying my “I’m an angel and can’t even hurt a fly” kind of look!
“Come on, Robbie bear.” Chelle said, grabbing Robbie’s arm in haste.
And luckily, Chelle dragged his nosy fiancé away from me.
For now, I’m safe.
I think men are more nosey than women. Patunay na yung ugali ni Robbie.
I’m darn sure na oras na makakita ng butas si Robbie mamaya, wala natong gagawin kung hindi ang mag usisa nang mag usisa.
I let out an exasperated sigh and tilted my head, only to find Devon staring at me.
I just threw him a look that clearly stated “Don’t fucking go near me or I’ll skin you alive!” bago ako tumalikod para sana pumunta sa pwesto ko.
But Devon grabbed my arm bago pa ako makahakbang. “Stop turning your back at me.” Madiin nitong sabi kasabay nang paghigpit nang pagkakahawak nito sa braso ko.
I glanced over my shoulder. “You should be proud. This is what you taught me.” I said, yanking my arm from his grip.
Justin threw me a sly look. “Running away?” He asked and shook his head in a taunting manner. “I taught you better than that.”
I chuckled in disbelief and bit my tongue, trying to hold my anger.
I took a deep breath and turned back at him.
I made sure that no trace of emotion is visible in my eyes. “Running away?” I repeated and scoffed. “Don’t misunderstand me, Devon. I just turn my back to someone who’s not important in my life and fortunately, you’re one of them.” I said icily, looking straight into his eyes.
Devon turned serious. All the sparkiness and humour on his face disappeared. His jaw clenched.
Despicable egotistical brute!
We stared at each other, neither of us was backing down.
But to my utter surprise, Devon leaned forward and examined me closely. “There’s no way you can forget me.” He replied confidently.
I ignored the goose bumps and tried to play it cool.
I leaned into his ear para hindi nito makita yung emosyon na naglalaro sa mga mata ko. “You’re not that special Devon. Hindi lang ikaw yung nag iisang lalaking minahal ko.”
Lalayo na sana ako dito ng bigla nalang nitong hinawakan yung magkabila kong balikat.
Naiinis akong tumingin sa mga mata nito habang seryoso lang tong nakatitig sa mga mata ko.
He cupped my face and my heart rate sped up. “Then I will make you remember all the things we shared hanggang sa wala nang tumakbo sa isipan mo kung hindi ako.” He said with finality bago ako nito iniwan.
I let out a breath I didn’t even know I was holding nang makalayo na ng tuluyan si Devon sa kinatatayuan ko.
I let out a bitter laugh.
Just a mere sight of him makes me remember everything.
I groaned and clenched my fist so tight.
Every single thing I wanted to stay hidden. Every single thing I wanted to forget. He made me remember all of it!
Thinking about the good memories we shared and the things I thought were real are my downfalls.
No matter how much I deny this.
Devon will always be my weakness.
And that’s the twisted truth!
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