Sebastian

.

"Behave, okay? And don't talk any bullshit to my brother. Huwag mong sabihin na magkakilala tayo noon pa!"

I rolled my tongue and chuckled as she turned her back to me. Sandali kong tinitigan ang likod niya, at napagtanto ko na matapang si Eva. I liked her a lot back then because of her personality.

I accompanied her into the residential suites, where the two security guards were taken aback by my presence.

"Attorney, hello. G-Governor?" They stood stiff, snappy at me, and I just smiled.

"Pumasok ka na nga rito!" She pulled me inside the lift and shut the door.

"Chismis na naman ito mamaya. Napapahamak ako sa 'yo, Sebastian!" Ngumiwi siya, at tinitigan ang numero sa itaas.

"Aren't you bothered that your boyfriend is a basketball player?"

She looked at me, and her mouth dropped.

I swallowed hard. "I mean, what's the difference, Eva? They'll talk behind your back because you're dating a young basketball player. So what makes us different?" I bite my lower lip. I'm jealous as hell, but I don't bloody care because I am with her.

She slightly chuckled. "For your information, Sebastian, kilala ako bilang legal lawyer ni Alex, okay? Walang chismis, dahil kilala naman nila ako sa ganyan na paraan. Hindi tulad mo!" She rolled her eyes and snobbishly looked away from me.

I clenched my teeth. I detest that Alex is her boyfriend, yet I refuse to back down. If Eva truly cares for him, she ought to stop me from pursuing this and following her. But she hasn't, which doesn't add up. Something feels off, and I believe I still hold a place in her heart. I intend to leverage that. I want to reinsert myself into her life.

"Ate... Gov?"

Eva's brother looked at me in shock. He looked back at Eva and me again.

"Hindi siya si Governor, okay? Si Sebastian Grayson lang ito. Pasok!"

Parang hangin na nilampasan ni Eva ang kapatid niya. Umayos ako at saka nagpakilala.

"Damn, you are really the Governor, right? Shit. I can't believe this," he held, shocked. "I'm Samuel Serino, Gov. A Civil Engineer, and at your service!"

"Nice meeting you, Sam. I heard a lot about you."

"Ano!? I never told you about my brother and mother." Tumaas ang kilay ni Eva nang maibalik niya ang tingin sa akin.

Yeah, she never told me, but I read her information. So, I knew now.

"Hayaan mo na si Ate ko. Attorney lang iyan sa pangalan, Gov, pero baliw ang ugali minsan."

"I know...but I like her, though."

I think Eva heard us because when she looked at us, her eyes were piercing hot at me.

"Ano? Hindi ka pa ba uuwi? Nahatid mo na ako'di ba. Puwede ka ng umuwi." She crossed her arms over her chest, and I I slightly chuckled.

"Ate naman. That's not how you treat your visitors. Come here, Gov. This way."

Samuel led me to the balcony that overlooks the city. I took a seat while he handed me some cold drinks.

"Thank you. Don't worry, I won't be long. Uuwi na rin ako."

"Not a problem, Gov."

I glance at the sliding door, thinking that Eva might check us. But she never did. I guess she's settled back into her room.

"Si Ate? May sariling routine iyan siya, Gov."

"Just call me Sebastian, Sam. I'm not in the office anymore. My name will do."

He smiled and looked seriously at me. "It feels awkward to call you by your name, Gov. I hope you don't mind."

I sighed. "Whatever comforts you. That's alright." In the end, he win. I can't really force people to call me by my name when they got used to calling me 'Governor.'

Napabuntonghininga si Samuel at natahimik kaming pareho. Iniinom lang ang malamig na softdrinks.

"By the way, Gov. If you don't mind me asking. What's your relationship with my sister? Is it work-related? Is that why you are here?" He seriously stares.

My jaw tightened as we locked eyes. Eva's brother exudes strength. Although he may share the same age as Vansel, the differences are clear. Samuel has grown more mature and is undeniably protective. I can sense that about him.

"I-I'm trying to win her over..." I clenched my jaw.

Kabado ako sa sinabi ko, at handa ako sa ano man ang sabihin ni Samuel ngayon.

"I see. . . Hindi naman mahirap hulaan ang intensyon mo, Gov. Okay lang. . ." He averted his gaze, appearing unconvinced. He paused for a moment, took another sip of his drink, then looked back at me.

"Peace of advice lang sana, Gov. Huwag mo sanang lokohin kung sakalang magiging kayo."

I blinked ang eyes and cleared my throat. He never wavered and just looked at me seriously.

"Baliw si Ate kung mag mahal. Lahat ibibigay niya at wala na siyang ititira sa sarili." He looked away as he paused. "That's what I'm scared of. I don't want her to get hurt again..." He looked at me again.

"It will be her end, Gov, if she will get hurt," his jaw tightened. "I already witnessed her downfall when she caught her live-in partner making out with someone."

What the fuck.

My mouth fell a little bit.

"She did not tell you?" Samuel's eyes widened a little bit.

"Patay. Papatayin na talaga ako nito. Akala ko kasi sinabi na niya sa 'yo."

I shook my head and dipped a little bit. "I want to know, Sam. Can you tell me more about it?"

I know it's private. Hindi siguro makuhang e-kwento ni Eva ito sa akin dahil ayaw na niyang maalala ito. It's just the same with what I had experience with my ex-wife. Eva and I have something in common.

"Oh well, like I've said, my sister had a live-in partner seven years ago. They're bound to get married. But then, bang! Wosshh. Gone." His finger ticked.

"And the funny part? When she caught him, she couldn't handle the pain, so she just ran away from that bastard. She couldn't face him. That's her weakness... But that did not end there, Gov."

"When she tried to fight to get her money back and half of the house money, he won't give it. That bastard, really. If only I knew it ahead of time, I could have killed him. Kaso malihim si Ate. Lumipat siyang Cebu at nagtagal ng dalawang taon dito."

"Mama and I thought that she's still living with him, but yeah, shits happen..."

I bit my inside cheeks feeling guilty in the end. Naalala ko lang ang nangyari limang taon na, at parang nagbalik lang ito ngayon.

"That's why she pursued her law at that time. She wants to punish the bastard."

"Did she get her money back?"

"Yes, of course. I don't know how, but I heard she got plenty. She's doing well at the moment, Gov. May pinapatayo siyang bahay sa Algeria, compound style ito at naghahati kami. Pero mas malaki nga lang ang sa kanya. I'm the engineer of it," he seems proud of it.

I smiled, feeling proud that Eva had come a long way. I'm so proud of her.

"Now that you know, Gov, promise me that you will never tell this to my sister. She will never tell you about her past. That's not going to happen. She will keep it with her. That's how she is." He shrugs his shoulders.

I sighed, feeling guilty for adding more to the pain of her past.

"Don't hurt her, Gov. I trust you for that."

Nagtitigan kami at inaasahan ko na ito. I won't just give my word to him because words are useless without actions. I will never promise to, but I will do my best to protect her under me.

Pina uwi rin ako ako ni Eva pagkatapos. Bumalik ako sa penthouse at inayos ang iilang gamit roon. Gusto kong lumipat si Eva sa penthouse na ito, dahil hindi ko naman ito ginagamit. Ayaw ko siyang ilagay sa residential staff ng kapitolyo. Magiging sagabal lang ito sa kanya, dahil sa akin.

I don't want to trouble her anymore. I don't want to give her any issues. I'm scared of her running away again. I don't want that to happen.

***

Eva

.

"Huwag kang feeling close sa kanya, okay? Kapal naman talaga ng mukha mo ano!? At talagang mina-market mo ang sarili mo! Bakit?" I sharply looked at Samuel and the lunatic just laughed.

"Chillax, Ate. Masisisi ko ba si Gov, kung ako ang gusto niyang kunin sa bagong proyekto? I mean, this work is not related to the capitol, Ate. Sa kompanya niya ito, sa THE GRAYSONS. I know I can't get a contract in the capitol. Lahat sila dumaan sa bidding. Unfair iyon, at ayaw ko na pag-chismisan ka pa."

Aalma pa sana ako, pero natahimik na. Sarap talaga sabunatan ang mukong na ito eh. Kung hindi ko lang kapatid, ay tiyak sa na-e-mudmod ko na ang mukha niya sa sahig.

"Tell me the truth, Ate. You like him, right?" Pilyo siyang ngumiti habang nakanguya.

"Ano? Of course not!" Umalsa ang kilay ko at saka ininom ang kape. Tumayo na rin ako para makaalis na.

"I'm going!"

"And now you're avoiding the topic, Ate. Hindi maganda 'yan. Masyadong obvious, Ate. Magpakipot ka naman ng konti."

Natawa si Adda. Nagpipigil at kinurot ang tagiliran ng kapatid ko. Ngumiwi ako.

Pakipot? Huh, wala na iyan sa bokabularyo ko noon. Dapat sana nagpakipot ako noon ay Sebastian ano? Pero hindi eh! Dahil ako naman talaga ang unang humabol sa kanya. Pero ngayon? Hahabol na siya.

"Just accept his offer, Ate. Don't make it so obvious."

"Oh, shut up!" Turo nang hintuturong daliri ko. Umalis na din ako.

Instead of going straight to the Imperial Law building, I maneuvered my car to the closest coffee shop.

Ngumiti ako nang maalala ang eskinita na ito. Ang eskinita na kung saan ay nagt-trabaho ako noon sa coffee shop. Parang nag throw back sa akin ang lahat nang humakbang ako para sana puntahan ang coffee shop na pinag-t-trabahuan ko noon.

It's different now. The management must be new. The colors and designs are new now, and the people who greeted me are new.

Simula noong umalis ako sa campus ay umalis din ako nang walang paalam sa mga kaibigan ko rito. Wala na sila ngayon dito. Iba na ang mukha ng mga tao.

"One macchiato, please."

I sat closer to where I can see the people walking. Dumating ang order ko at tinitigan ko muna ito. . . Si Sebastian ang naalala ko.

I chuckled in silence and shook my head.

"I was terrible at that time. My macchiato was. . ." I paused, tasting the macchiato.

"How does it taste like?

Uminit ang tainga ko nang marinig ang pamilyar na boses niya. I tilted to look at him and he sweetly smiled.

"One macchiato, please." Order niya sa staff na nakatayo sa gilid. At saka na upo agad siya.

He's concelling by wearing a black cap. Naka itim na t-shirt siya, itim na pants, at runner shoes. Halatang galing sa maaganf running session. Hindi mo siya makikilala dahil iba ang hitsura ni Sebastian kapag ganito ang ayos niya.

He looks so cool, handsome as ever, and it seems like he's getting younger—like ten years younger.

Dang it. Ang gwapo talaga.

"Are you following me, Mr. Grayson?" I scoffed, tasting my macchiato, and never took my eyes off him.

"Not really, Eva. It's fate, darling..."

Napaubo ako at tumalsik ang kape. Mabilis si Sebastian at namalayan ko nalang na pinunasan na niya ang labi ko gamit ang daliri niya.

His thumb runs through my mouth. And stupid as it is, my mouth parted.

Dang it. I'm weak when it comes to him.

Dumating ang order niya at umayos ako. Tinikman niya ito.

"I miss your macchiato, Eva..." May halong kapilyohan sa ngiti niya.

Napailing ako. "Do you want me to make you a macchiato?" I countered.

He sweetly smiled. "I would love to, Eva."

Shocks. The way he looked at talk at me reminds me of who he was really. . . The Mr. Grayson!

Napabuntonghininga ako. Mukhang mahihirapan yata ako nito. Kaya tumayo na ako.

"Late na ako, Seb." Sabay talikod ko. Kabado man ay ramdam ko ang pagsunod niya. Sabay kaming lumabas. Napangiti ako, at haharap sana ako sa kanya. Pero nautal ako nang mabilis niyang hinawakan ang kamay ko, at saka hinila niya ako sa direksyon niya.

"Let's run away, Eva. I want to take you somewhere today."

"Ano!?" Namiloga ng mga mata ko. Pero wala na akong nagawa, at tumakbo na kasama siya.

It's good that I'm on my pants today, white t-shirt, and running shoes. Hindi ako nagdadamit pormal tuwing duty ko sa imperial. Mukha nga akong teenager sa hitsura ko.

.

c.m. louden

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