WILD ROSE (BOOK2)

Chapter Eight: A win-win situation for all of us

“Now that Armie is here. I better go.” Trey said as he stared at Sigrid. The look on his face. He wants everything but to go home.

I sighed dramatically as I looked back and forth between them. “You can stay, you know.” I said, finally breaking their staring contest.

They both whipped their head at my direction, looking startled.

Sigrid frowned. “But we need to——“

I waved my hand in the air dismissively to cut her off. “Trey can get us a pizza.” I looked at Trey. “I want mine with chilli sauce.”

Trey glanced at me and shook his head with a smile. And then his gaze settled at Sigrid, asking for her permission.

I rolled my eyes.

I coughed. “Wussy.” I mumbled and coughed again.

Sigrid threw me a dagger look while Trey stared at me with an amuse smile.

In response, I gave them my angelic and innocent smile. “Chicken barbecue?”

“But——“

“Come on Trey. You don’t need to go home. You can get us a pizza while Sigrid grilled me for information about my fantastic vacation. When you come back, you and Sigrid can continue where you left off.” I shrugged my shoulders. “In the end, I got my pizza, Sigrid got her release and you can get it. A win-win situation for all of us.”

Sigrid gasped loudly, clearly horrified. “Armie!”

 “What? You’re about to bang him earlier. I didn’t realize this is a top secret.” I retorted.

Trey stifled a chuckle.

Sigrid’s eyes grew wider and wider as she shrieked scandalously.

Hindi ko napigilan na hindi matawa sa reaksyon nito.

After a few minutes, Sigrid finally sighed in defeat. “Ok fine! You win! Peperoni.”

Trey ruffled Sigrid’s hair and threw me a thankful smile before he went outside in silence.

Automatic naman na nawala yung ngiti na nakapaskil sa mga labi ko, pagtalikod palang ni Trey.

And here’s the drama I’m dreading for.

I grabbed my last bar of chocolate and took my time to finish it.

I sneak a peek at Sigrid’s direction. She watched me intently, waiting patiently for me to finish.

So much for stalling time!

When I was done. She raised her eyebrow. “What are you doing here?”

“Am I not welcome here anymore?” I asked coyly.

She threw me a reprimanding look. It’s her way of telling me I’m not being cute. “Armie!”

I took a deep breath. “So many things happened. But to make a long story short. We talked and I ran away.” I finally confide after a long pause.

To my surprise, tumahimik lang si Sigrid. Halata na may iniisip tong iba.

After a few minutes, I called her name. It seems to snap her out of whatever daze she was in.

“So he knows about the accident?” She asked again. Too casual for my liking.

“Yes.” I replied, looking so confused on what’s going on inside her head.

I can read Sigrid like an open book but right now for some strange reason, nahihirapan akong silipin kung ano yung iniisip nito.

“All of it?”

I frowned even more and nodded my head in confirmation. “All of it.”

Sigrid nodded back. “And what’s his reaction?”

I looked straight ahead of us with a sombre smile on my lips. “He cried and begged for my forgiveness.”

Sigrid looked away and stared at the centre table, looking quite thoughtful.

Without looking at her, I whisper, “I did the right thing, right?” I asked in a small and uncertain voice.

“You mean, running away so you can lick your wounds in private?”

I bit my lower lip and groaned in frustration.

Wala naman akong mapapala kung mag de-deny ako. This she-can-read-me-like-an-open-book is a two way ticket kaya tinanguan ko nalang to.

Sigrid smiled warmly at me. “Both of us tend to deal with problems in different ways.” Pinisil nito yung balikat ko. “Sa ating dalawa, ako yung mahilig tumakbo. Believe me when I say that I perfectly understand your situation. But…” She looked at me straight in the eye. “You’ve been running away for years Armie. Hindi kaba napapagod?”

I swallowed painfully. I can feel the tears swelling up in my eyes.

“Me, Robbie, Rei and the rest of your friends. Lahat kami, hindi nakatulong sayo.” She sighed. “Maybe with Devon, things will get better. Maybe he can heal you.” She brushed my hair using her fingers. “Maybe, after all these years, he’s the one we’re waiting for. He’s the one who—-“

Trey’s voice boomed throughout the room. “Look who I found outside.”

Oh sh!t!

I took a deep breath, trying desperately to compose myself.

When I think I’m composed enough, I glanced over my shoulder.

 Napatayo ako sa pagkabigla sa nakita ko. “Devon!” I exclaimed with a shock look on my face.

“You’re here.” Sigrid said, sounding absolutely thrilled to see him but Devon didn’t seem to notice.

Devon is just standing there, looking really ill and just staring at my face, ignoring everyone around us as his sombre eyes searched mine. “Armie.”

My name on his lips sounded like a plea.

Then the room grew silent.

I tried to speak. I tried to say something pero ayaw mag function ng vocal cords ko.

Devon cleared his throat and broke the silence. “Can I talk to Armie alone?” He pleaded. Hindi nito inaalis yung pagkakatitig nito sa mukha ko.

Sigrid patted my stiff shoulder. “Sure.” She excused herself, dragging Trey with her.

I lifted my eyes reluctantly to meet his eyes and licked my lips nervously.

Why are you here?

 Why did you follow me?

Why are you doing this to me?

But all I can manage to ask is, “Why?”

“I left you before. I will not do that again. I will not do the same stupid mistake again.” He said hoarsely, taking a small step towards me.

I held my breath for what seemed like eternity when he took another step. “Even if you don’t want me here. Even if you detest my presence. I’m gonna stay.” He moved closer. So close I could feel his heart against mine. I tried to regulate my uneven breathing. “This time, I’m not going anywhere.”

Oh god!

Oh god!

Oh freaking god!

I clenched my hands into a fists as I fought the desire to touch him.His sombre and sullen gaze travelled over my face. “Let me stay Armie.” He pressed his forehead against mine as my breath sawed in and out of my lungs in an effort to stay calm. “Please mine. For my sanity, let me stay.”

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