Bygone Memories of Yesterday (Affliction Series #2) ✔

Chapter 4

“Thank you so much for coming,” panimula ko habang umuupo sa upuang gawa sa bato rito sa garden.

Neus remained standing in front of me habang nakapamulsa.

“You were pissed at me earlier. What changed?”

“Nag-sorry ka naman, eh.” I shrugged. “I don’t take things as a big deal. ‘Di ko hobby ang pagtuunan ng pansin ang negative energies ng buhay.”

He smirked and shook his head before sitting down. Pinagslikop niya ang mga kamay sa ibabaw ng mesang gawa sa bato.

It’s nerve-wracking, feeling all of his attention on me. Pero sinisikap kong huwag magpaapekto sa tiim ng titig niya. I need to make a feature. And I have a few hours left to produce one.

“So ... anong gagawin natin?” His eyes are beaming with emotion I can’t name. But whatever that emotion is, I like the Neus in front of me rather than his usual snobbish self.

“Just tell me something about yourself and then I’ll ask some questions.” I pointed my pen at him. “But if you feel it’s too personal and you don’t want to share it, ayos lang. This feature, after all, will be posted sa social media pages ng school,” I reminded him.

“Okay.” He nodded and licked his lips.
Pansamantalang tumuon ang mga mata ko sa labi niya. I cleared my throat and straighten my back while I drag my eyes away from his face.

Why does he have to be this handsome up close? It’s distracting.

I have encountered good-looking men before but Neus is on another level.

His looks can be compared to a deity.

I could stare at his face all day but that would mean spacing out and embarrassing myself so no, thank you.

“My family name is known through the Alfeo Shipping Lines which was formerly owned by my grandfather, later on, passed to my dad. My mom graduated in fashion designing and I have an older sister who is currently in her fourth year in college.”

“I heard na kilala raw ang family niyo sa pagma-manage ng iba’t ibang klase ng negosyo?” Naalala ko ang kwento sa ‘kin ni Mica noong first day.

Neus nodded. “Aside from the shipping lines, Dad also started a delivery express service business not so long ago. While my mom owns a boutique and is now preparing to launch her new salon business before the year ends. Ang kapatid ko naman, kahit na nag-aaral pa siya ay may sarili ng milk tea shop business.”

I couldn’t help my eyes from glowing at the mention of the boutique. I stopped writing in my journal and looked up.

“Anong nasa boutique ng Mommy mo? I mean, anong binebenta niya?” I asked with pure curiosity.

“Usually formal wear. Dresses, gowns, suits — you like fashion?”

Mabilis pa sa alas-kwatro akong tumango.

“I plan to have my own boutique when I graduate. Gusto ko, puro gowns lang ang ide-design ko. Wedding gowns, to be exact.”

“Bakit naman wedding gowns?” kunot-noo niyang tanong.

“I have a thing for wedding gowns — teka nga. Bakit parang ako na ang ini-interview mo? Come on, tell me more about you.”

“Ano pa bang sasabihin ko?”

“Do you have a hobby?” I asked.

“Sketching,” sagot niya. “Natuto akong mag-sketch noong Grade 8. I liked it so it became my hobby.”

“Pareho pala tayo! But I learned how to sketch no’ng Grade 6,” I shared.

“’Yun lang ang hobby ko.”