Sebastian

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"Tell her I'm not available." I whirled my chair back to my desktop screen, and Melanie, my secretary, exited my office.

Dahlia is outside, wanting my presence. I have no time for her. We're done, and I'm no longer interested in whatever she wants to bluff this time.

I saw and read all the lies she stated in front of the media. It's doing my head in, and I don't give a damn shit about her. I don't know how she managed to find me in all my political events. Naroroon siya sa tuwing my mga ganap, at kusing isinisiksik ang katawan niya sa akin. 

I'm not a bad boy. I don't even want to kill a spider, let alone the ants. And Dahlia knows that. She knew my weakness. 

-

"Your ex-wife will be your end, Seb," si Garet.

Nandito kami sa Café Haus na dating tambayan namin noon. I'm thankful it's Saturday today because I get to hang out with them again. I've had so much trouble lately in my Government position. We haven't found Congressman Santiago, and the media is investigating his whereabouts.

"Just ignore her. Ano na naman ba ang gusto niya? She's probably in need of money," tugon ni Luciano.

"Bloody hell. Don't give in to her demands, Sebastian. You know better, bro!" he pointed his fork at me.

"I know..." I sighed. It felt like I was having indigestions already.

"By the way, I saw Eva this morning at the airport getting out of her car. It looks like she's picking someone up."

I furrowed my brows as I looked at Garet.

"Hindi mo alam?"

I jerked my head.

"Oh, I see. . . Well, I waited and checked, and she's with Alex. Remember the basketball player Alex Featherston? That was him. It was definitely him.

I gritted my teeth, and I felt my fang coming out.

What the fuck.

I messaged her this morning, asking if she was free to have breakfast with me. I was ready to abandon my typical routine with these two lunatics, but she refused.

"You are dating her, right? And Alex happens to be her boyfriend? What the fuck, bro." Luciano laughed. It was mischief.

"Are you and Eva playing hide and seek?" he continued.

"Damn it.." 

Napaigting ang panga ko. Ang sarap magwala, pero wala pa naman akong karapatan kay Eva. I can't hold her. She hasn't officially given her answer to me. Not yet.

I faced difficulties all day until the next day. I finally reached out to Eva to see if she could have lunch with me. She seemed fine, and I was glad to meet her today.

There is not much, and I have already booked a place for us. Magkikita na lang daw kami sa labas ng building ng restaurant, sa parking area.

Maaga nga ako. May sampung minuto pa. I re-checked my private booking and the food on the menu. I ordered the chef's specialty for lunch, paired with wine that suited it.

Lumabas agad ako ng sasakyan nang makita ang pag park ng sasakyan ni Eva sa katapat lang mismo ng sasakyan ko. May isang sasakyan din na agad huminto sa katabing parke niya, at may isang lalaki na lumabas mula rito. Pamilyar siya. . . Si Alex.

"Eva, can we talk, please?"

I halted, my jaw clenched as I observed them. Eva still hadn't noticed me.

"My God, Alex! What the hell is wrong with you? Just grow up!"

"How can I grow up, Eva? Tell me. I want you back. We are meant to be, Eva."

My forehead wrinkled as I listened to the two.

"Alam mo ba na ito ang ugali mo na ayaw na ayaw ko! Isang taon na tayong tapos, Alex! You have to move on. . .Find a good woman that deserves you and not me." Eva shook her head, visibly frustrated with him.

"That's the problem, Eva. They don't last on me. They don't understand me. They don't understand my needs. It's only you that understand me, Eva."

"Ewan ko sa 'yo! I did once understand you, Alex. . . It was never real. We were never real." She chuckled and took a deep breath.

"Look, Alex..."

"May iba ka na ba? Have you fallen in love with someone else? Tell me, Eva!"

"Oo!"

I swallowed hard listening to Eva, and my damn heart beat fast.

Damn it. I knew it. 

I see fireworks and hearts all over. I smiled and strode closer to where Eva is. She saw me, and was shock a little bit. 

"Seb. . ."

I smile at her, giving her the assurance and understanding. Alex then looked at me angrily.

"Ito ba? Ito ba ang pinalit mo?" He pointed at me, looking at me from head to toe.

"Eva, he's older than you. Way too old."

"Damn," I licked my lips and slightly chuckled.

Do I look like that old already?

"Ano? Hindi ah," Eva looked at me. "He is still young and more mature than you!" Eva countered angrily to Alex.

He seemed surprised and stared at me, shaking his head in disbelief.

"Bro, big bro... sasaktan ka lang n'yan. Gagamitin ka lang katulad ng ginawa niya sa akin noon at iiwan ka rin kapag nagsawa na siya sa 'yo. She will leave you broken hearted, bro. Trust me." Namaywang si Alex at saka tumawa.

"Eva was still in love with her ex five years ago, and I bet she's still into him."

"Damn him! Damn that bastard!" he exclaimed.

I swallowed hard as I looked at Eva. She looked away, avoiding my intense gaze. I know that she still loves me somehow. I know that. . .

I gritted my teeth and was about to answer back, but Eva held my hand tightly. We stared, and she shook her head.

I sighed.

"Okay, I'm done with you, Eva." Itinaas ni Alex ang mga kamay niya sa ere.

"Have fun with him until you get bored. And if you do, you can come back to me, Eva. I will wait for you."

"She will never come back to you, Alex. I'll make sure of that," I gritted my teeth, looking sharply at him. 

He's crossed, annoyed at this, fuming in hate and jealousy. 

"Huh, you wish. Damn it!" Alex kicked the side of his car and then stepped into it. He drove fast and was gone.

Naging tahimik ang lahat, at ibinalik ko ang tingin kay Eva. Hawak ko pa rin ang kamay niya at pasimple akong napangiti.

Alex might be her ex. Her outlet of forgetting me... I will not judge Eva for that because I know she was doing her best to get over me. Sana nga pala ay mas naging pursigido ako noon sa paghahanap ko sa kanya. HIndi kasi sumagi sa isip ko na nasa Maynila siya. 

"So, you haven't gotten over me, right? I know that," I said confidently, and she let go.

"Ewan ko sa 'yo." Umiwas agad siya at nauna nang pumasok sa loob. I chuckled and instantly followed her.

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c.m. louden

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