Lies and Deception ✔ (Haciendero #4)

Ikapitong Kabanata

Kabanata 7

Trauma ang dala

Pinagmasdan ko ang mga taong sumasayaw sa gitna ng bulwagan. Some of the farmers were already intoxicated and dancing in the middle. May ilan namang inokupa ang karaoke hindi pa ganoon kalalim ang gabi.

The party was just starting.

Napalingon ako nang makarinig ako ng pagtikhim. Isang lalaking matangkad at may nakapaskil na ngisi sa labi ang bumungad sa akin. Pinasadahan ko siya ng mapanuring tingin mula ulo hanggang paa.

His eyes lit with mischief. Mukha siyang tarantadong walang matinong gagawin sa buhay. By that kind of smirk, I knew he is going to be trouble.

I crossed my arms against my chest and faced him with the same intensity. It wasn't in my vocabulary to back out in a man's stupid staring contest. Akala yata niya masisindak ako, or worse, my cheeks would turn red for him. It wouldn't be the case.

Duh. I've dated celebrities and supermodels my whole life. I was surrounded by them at work... a handsome face isn't new to me.

"Hi, my girl..." He winked and extended his hand. "I'm Lorenzo Chase, but babe is fine."

I kept hearing his name from time to time mentioned by his niece and nephews.

So, it was him. I met the man in the flesh.

"Is that your best shot? That's it?"

Kumamot naman ito sa ulo. "Yabang mo, ah. Sige nga, bumanat ka."

Umiling ako, my lip curl up into a smirk. "Weak," I commented tauntingly.

He rolled his eyes at me.

"Who are you? It's my first time seeing you here. Kaninong nobya ka?" eksaherada niyang tanong.

Tumaas ang kilay ko. Gwapo naman sana ang lalaki, masyado lang tsismoso. Akala ko noong una reporter ang ganap nito sa buhay, tsismis lang pala ang inaatupag. I almost panicked thinking he was someone from the media sent to ruin my privacy.

His eyes looked expressive, at the same time, expensive to look at with lips plastered with a flirtatious smile.

"What are you doing here?" Sumulpot si Rye sa tabi ko. "Nang-aabala ka na naman ng tao, Lorenzo."

Ngumisi ang binata, he even wriggled his eyebrows. "So, you're the boyfriend," he concluded.

"Tadhana is looking for you," saad ng katabi ko.

His brow furrowed. "What is it this time? Zafa and Hana accessed the shopping app in my phone and bought random things kanina. Those two... pasalamat na lang talaga, mahal na mahal ko ang mga pamangkin ko. I couldn't even cancel the orders. Umabot ba naman ng trenta mil."

Hindi ko ipinahalata ang pagtawa ko. Saksi ako sa pinaggagawa ng dalawang bata kanina. I just didn't think they were able to order anything in the app. Kilala ko na agad kung sino ang salarin.

I must say, Hana is a menace but she reminds me so much of myself. That kid is going places, I'm just not sure what kind of place.

Umalis sa harapan namin si Lorenzo, hinarap ko naman ang bagong dating.

"Why are you here alone? Hindi mo ba nakita si Jutay? Ibinilin kita sa kanya. Pasensya na natagalan ako sa pagle-lechon, inasikaso ko rin si Chantelle." paliwanag niya kahit hindi ko naman tinatanong.

"Did I ask?" I raised a brow.

Nakuha ng atensyon ng pangalang Chantelle. She intrigued me, who is the woman? But I didn't utter a single word to ask him about her.