Sailing Against the Tides (CS #1)

Chapter 7

SATT•C#7

Livy
"Scam ka naman. Nobody said that wearing jacket is a must, Nikolo," humalukipkip ako.

"You'll catch a cold," he reasoned. "Suot mo na."

Walang pagbabago sa seryosong mukha niya. Kinuha ko lang 'yon mula sa kanya pero hindi ko sinuot. I don't want to wear one for now.

"Mamaya ko na isuot," I told him.

Nikolo looked as if he wants to protest but he just pursed his lips and looked away. Di naman na niya pinilit. But his eyes turned to be more guarded. Sumabay lang ako sa kanya sa paglalakad.

I can see a group of guys looking at our direction so I diverted my gaze. The way he walks is superior. Women are also stealing glances at him. His shirt fit in his body didn't hide the fact that he's working out.

"Where's Vince?" I asked.

"Right there," he simply answered as I followed what he's looking at.

Naroon si Vince sa isang table na nakikipag-usap sa ilang kasama nila. There were boys and girls. Natatandaan ko pa 'yung dalawa sa kanila na nakasama sa birthday celebration ni River. The ones who kept on glaring at me. Gusto ko na tuloy mag-backout!

We haven't neared their table yet when Vince's eyes found the two of us. Napaawang ang labi niya at saglit pa ay ngumisi sa direksyon ni Nikolo na walang pakialam sa pagilid.

"At pumunta nga!" Vince chuckled when we reached their table. "Sabi mo 'di ka darating, boss! Buti na lang pala sumama si miss babae sa mall."

I stopped myself from rolling my eyes with what he called me. Livy pangalan ko. Ang ganda-ganda ng name ko, tinatawag mo lang akong miss-babae-dun-sa-mall? Jusko ka!

"Isang Livy lang pala magpapapunta sa'yo dito," pabirong sabi ni Vince.

"Daldal mo," Nikolo told him.

"Hi, miss," I turned to the side when I saw a guy smiling at me. Friend ata nila Niko? "I'm France."

O, ba't nasa Pilipinas isang 'to? Diba dapat nasa France? Charot.

"Guys, si Livy nga pala. Siya kasama ni Niko," singit ni Vince. Hindi ko alam kung namalikmata ba ako but I noticed him throwing a warning look at France who just smirked.

They greeted me. Ang plastik pa ng mga ngiti sa akin nung dalawang harems ni Niko! If they don't like me, then likewise.

"Dito ka na maupo, Livy," France called me, patting the space beside him.

That made me look at Nikolo who was just silent beside me. There was no emotion on his face.

"Nikolo, dito ka na sa tabi ko," sabi naman nung isa. Denise daw pangalan.

Wala kasing bakanteng mga upuan na magkalapit. Which means Niko and I will seat separately. Hindi umimik si Nikolo kaya naman naupo na ako sa tabi ni France. Ang lawak ng ngiti niya. Parang 'yung clown.

Vince scratched his nape and smiled nervously at me. On the other hand, Nikolo grabbed a shot and drank one before sitting beside Denise. 'Yung ngiti naman ni girl, akala mo nakatanggap ng malaking ayuda! Halos mapunit labi niya.

"What are you staring at?" Kalamadong tanong ko kay France. Nakatitig kasi! I'm not comfortable with it.

I adjusted myself so we wouldn't make contact pero gumalaw siya at nilapit ang sarili sa akin. Pasimple pa niyang nilagay ang kamay sa likod ng upuan ko. That made me sit properly and move a little forward so I wouldn't lean on his hand.