She Loves Me ✔

Prologue

I was smiling at the people who attended my welcome home and birthday party. They were all happy to see me, but deep down I disliked how talkative they were.

If it weren't for my parents' humble request of me, I wouldn't be here and making plastic interactions with this group of business-minded people.

I am a famous artist. I had my own art exhibit back in the US, and my parents could not do anything about it because I am the only one between me and my brother who does not want to manage our business.

Art is where my heart is, and it is my only way to escape reality. Whenever I look at my paintings, I somehow feel alive and happy, even though I am not good at expressing emotions.

My smile faltered and I became stiff in my spot when, out of nowhere, the crowd parted in two and the person I never thought I could see here appeared in the middle.

I felt a pang in my heart when I saw who she was with.

Ano bang akala mo JC? Na pipiliin ka nya kesa sa kuya mo dahil lang sa umamin ka na gusto mo sya?

I remained unfazed in my position and waited for them to get in front of me. My eyes were directed towards my brother who engulfed me in a hug.

"Happy birthday, little sister."

"Stop calling me little. I'm almost as tall as you now."

My brother is a six-foot hunk. While I stand at 5'11, making me appear giant when I'm around girls my age.

"It has been a while. I miss you."

"Thanks, bro."- I replied coldly, causing him to chuckle.

I feel bad for him having no idea about my desire for his long-time girlfriend. But that was a long time ago. I'm done with my so-called hopeless romantic phase; what I'm feeling right now is disgust and hate towards the woman I thought was different from others.

I quickly turned my back on them just before I could look at the woman beside him.

Call me rude for not talking or acknowledging her presence, but I don't care. As much as possible, I don't want any interaction with her because I don't want to be reminded of how foolish I was back then for taking a risk without even thinking about myself.

Laking pasasalamat ko ng matapos ang party ko. Nag alisan na ang mga bisita at hindi ko alam kung ilang beses akong nagpagpag ng damit at naghugas ng kamay.

I really hate being touched. Ugh! Nakakainis.

Naiwan sa garden ang parents ko dahil may ilan pa silang kausap at kasama nila duon si Kuya.

Pumasok ako sa mansion habang minamasahe ang balikat at leeg ko, pero napahinto ako ng makita ang babaeng kanina ko pa iniiwasan sa party.

Napatayo sya ng makita ako at inayos ang coat ng kuya ko na nakapatong sa balikat nya. Aaminin ko na mas lalo syang gumanda sa paningin ko.

Kung dyosa na sya nuon mas lalo pa ngayon, pero hindi na ako bata para mauto pa ng pisikal nyang itsura.

Bumaba ang tingin ko sa paper bag na hawak nya bago muling tinignan ang mukha nya.

She looked hesitant but she still moved and walked towards where I was standing. I stepped back when she was about three steps away from me.

Ayaw ko syang lumapit sakin.

"Claire.."- she called.

Kung dati kinikilig ako kapag tinatawag nya ako, ngayon naiinis ako. Kahit gaano pa kalambing at ganda ang boses nya hindi ko na makuha pang mahanap sa puso ko yung pamilyar na damdamin na dapat kong maramdaman.