Change of Fate

Chapter 8

Gabrielle Valentin Santiago. The people would call him Galen.

The personification of an innocent devil.

His stare alone would lure you into doing things at his bidding. Some may say he's nice because he's friendly and approachable, but that's a scam for me. There's something about him that screams danger for me.

Before, someone said that I was like the girl version of Galen but I don't want to believe that. I am unique, gaya-gaya lang siguro si Galen.

He's a news anchor for one of the most famous news channels in the country. He presents and delivers the news to the public. He speaks slowly but with clarity. Samahan pa na may sense of humor at charm habang nagsasalita kaya nakakahalina 'pag kausap mo. No doubt, he's famous for his job.

He's 6'3 in height, with thick eyebrows, long eyelashes, and almond-shaped eyes. He's moreno. That's why many are always so fascinated by him. Isama pa ang dimples sa kanang pisngi kapag ngumingiti. Luluhuran talaga ang mga taong katulad niya. Isama pa ang malalim na boses na masarap pakinggan kapag magka-usap kayo.

But, that's different for me. As I said, he screams danger. Ewan ko ba kung bakit gusto ko 'tong iwasan. Maybe because isang beses kong na-witness na parang nag-aaway sila ng kuya ko. Nagsisigawan sila na parang mga taga magkabilang bundok. Hindi ko na inintindi ang pinag-awayan nila noon, baka dahil sa babae.

Naging classmate namin ni Misha noon si Galen sa isang klase noong college. Ang klase ni Ma'am Amelia sa amin noon. We were not that close before because he's a graduating student at that time, while we're still in sophomore. Nasama lang sa isang klase noon.

He laughed. "I know what you're thinking. I'm not hitting on you, unless gusto mo?" He had a teasing smile on his face na ang sarap burahin. Ang sarap niyang sapakin.

"Tigilan mo ako, feeling close ka talaga kahit kailan." I left him at the dessert station but I felt him following me as I went to my table.

Misha lifted her gaze up as she noticed me approaching the table but her gaze fell on the person behind me. Her eyes widened and her lips parted. Hinayaan ko na lang siya magulat at umupo sa upuan ko. I can feel some of our blockmates also looking at the intruder behind me. Natahimik sila.

Galen placed his left hand at the back of my chair and leaned on me as he put his plate of sweets beside my plate. I looked at him in confusion. Tatabi ka?

Galen smiled at me. "This plate is yours. Kukuha na lang ako ng para sa akin." He slowly moved away from me. Umalis na siya at tiningnan ko ang plato na binigay niya sa akin. Cookies, mallows, gummies and polvoron. Some of my favorite sweets.

Hinanap ko siya kung nasa dessert station na ba siya pero wala siya doon. Hinanap siya ng mga mata ko hanggang nakita. Nandoon siya sa designated table niya, kasama mga kaibigan niya, pero nasa sa akin ang tingin niya. He smiled.

Ngingiti ngiti mo diyan?

"Okay. What was that, dugo?" I heard misua asked me na sinegundahan ng mga kasama namin sa lamesa.

"Si Galen 'yon, diba? Close pala kayo, Crim?"

"Aba, may pagsunod ah."

"Akala ko ba may jowa 'yon?"

"Naghahanap siguro ng bagong biktima."

Sunod sunod nilang sinabi na hindi ko na pinakinggan at kumain na lang ako ng sweets na nasa plato ko at nung binigay ni Galen.

I can feel Misha's stare on me as I eat. Dahil siguro hindi ko na sinagot ang mga tanong nila. I looked at her and raised my eyebrows. She also raised her brows at me.