Sweet Nemesis

Chapter 23

#OLASweetNemesis

Chapter 23
Pain

Keno's wrong.

I'm the one who's bound to get crazy—not him.

I kept biting my lip while reading his messages and checking the pictures he sent. He wasn't playing when he told me he would send updates. I shouldn't have shrugged it off. Dapat pinaghandaan ko ang mga 'yon nang mabuti dahil hindi ko na alam ang mararamdaman.

From: Keno
I'm home. Just lying on my bed after washing up.

Pagkatapos ng text niya na 'yon, he immediately sent a picture of him. Nakahiga siya sa kama, pero medyo nakaangat ang likod at nakasandal sa headboard. His hair was still damp. Halatang kakagaling niya lang sa shower. Mukhang wala rin siyang suot na kahit anong pang itaas. I didn't see any piece of clothing on his broad shoulders.

From: Keno
I'm alone. Don't worry.

He sent four pictures. Iba-ibang side ng kwarto niya ang nandoon at pati na rin ang kabilang side ng kama.

His bedroom was big. Almost as big as mine. His room was also sparkly clean, and he seemed more like a minimalist. Halos walang gamit doon. Maybe that's why it looks huge in pictures.

From: Keno
Is this okay?

As if he was already getting used to giving me updates, he tested my patience with another selfie. He gave me a thumbs up with his poker face.

Damn it! I didn't sign up for this!

"We're almost there, Hari," Kuya Knoa announced, getting my attention. "You've been on your phone the whole time. Texting your bodyguard?"

I almost rolled my eyes when my annoying cousin started to speak. Talagang kailangan niyang pansinin ang mga bagay-bagay. Narinig ko ang mahinang pagtawa ni Faith. Siya ang pinaupo ko sa unahan dahil makikita ni Kuya Knoa ang pagkabaliw ko sa mga updates ni Keno. Iinisin niya lang ako.

"May chinecheck lang ako for my upcoming visit sa Thailand. I want to make sure everything's all set." Palusot ko saka inilagay sa silent ang cellphone at tinago sa mini bag.

"Really, huh?"

Faith chuckled again. "Don't expose her, Kuya Knoa."

"Not you teaming up with him, Faith. Sino ba ang best friend mo dito?" inis kong sabi sa kanya.

"Sorry, bff. Kailangan ko ngayon ang pinsan mo. He's the key to opening my firm." Talagang hindi niya tinanggi.

I almost forgot how these two often conspired to tease me way back. My best friend is one of the kindest people I've met, but whenever she's with my cousin, sumasama ang ugali niya. I had to prepare myself for their worst team-up now that Faith's back for good. Pero kahit na alam kong puwedeng mamatay ako sa inis dahil sa kanilang dalawa, I'd choose having them around every single day.

"We're happy to have you back, Faith." Kuya Xavi smiled at my best friend.

"Same here, Kuya Xavi. I'm also glad to be back. Thanks for hosting the dinner," sabi niya.

I slightly pouted as I thought of a funny memory. I remembered Faith having a crush on Kuya Xavi when we were still teenagers. Agad nga lang siyang na-turnoff sa kasungitan ni Kuya Xavi. Ang ironic nga lang dahil sa nonchalant niyang ex-fiance siya napunta pagkatapos.

I was starting to think na may mali sa mga taste niya sa lalaki. But who was I to judge? I have questionable taste in men too. My ex was an asshole, and now I'm in love with a walking red flag who likes giving mixed signals. Maybe that's the reason why we're best friends. Pareho kaming sa mga maling lalaki nagkakagusto.