Let's Talk About Us [Completed]

48. Bothered

#LTAUArthur Garrett on the gif.

Chapter 48

I knew this day would come— na magkaharap ulit kaming dalawa— pero hindi ko inakalang sa hindi inaasahang pagkakataon pa ito mangyayari. Ang malala pa, kasama ko pa si Arthur. I couldn't help but to curse repeatedly in my mind. Sh1t! Bakit ngayon pa?

He stood full in height, with noble shoulders, and a chest like a coffer-dam. The casual smile faded from his face, replaced with a bewildered expression when his eyes met mine. Ilang segundo lang iyon pero para sa akin ay parang bumagal ang takbo ng oras.

"S...carlett?"

He feigned shock and surprise upon seeing me. I managed to get my emotions under control by showing I wasn't affected by his presence at all. Sh1t. Napakapit ako ng mahigpit sa inuupuan ko. My heart was painfully beating against my chest. Ang sakit. Parang kinurot ng pino ang puso ko nang makita siya ulit ngayon. Wala pa ring pinagbago. Siya pa rin yung lalaking kinabaliwan ko noon.

"Do you know each other?"

Nabato ako sa tanong ni Arthur. Confusion stirred across his face.

I forced a smile as I stood up kahit na pakiramdam ko ay nanlalambot na ang mga tuhod ko. "U..uh, yeah. He's my batchmate sa AU. Kababayan ko siya." Sumulyap ako sa kanya pero nagbawi rin agad ng tingin. Hindi ko siya kayang tignan.

Sumulyap si Arthur kay Garrett. "Taga-Astrid ka nga pala, 'no?" sabi nito. Garrett feigned a weak smile, his eyes full of disappointment.

"O..Oo, batchmate ko siya sa AU." I almost caught up my own breath when he eyed me thoughtfully. "Long time no see, Scarlett. Dito pa tayo nagkita..."

Ngumiti lang ako sa kanya kahit na parang pinipiga ang puso ko. I'm glad he acted along with me. Matalino siya, mabilis niya akong mabasa at iyon ang isa sa mga nagustuhan ko sa kanya noon.

"She works for me as a secretary..." Arthur said with a proud smile. "And she's my girlfriend."

Garrett turned to me and smiled bitterly. "Wow..." was all he muttered. "Anyway, I came here to give you this. Ito yung mga kailangan mong documents."

"Alright. Thanks," Arthur replied.

Garrett nodded his head before he lounged out of the door.

Pabagsak akong bumalik sa pagkakaupo. I took few deep breaths to calm my sh1ts. Bakit ang liit ng mundo para sa amin? I can't get away from this anymore. Wala na akong kawala.

"Magkakilala pala kayo ng pinsan ko."

I stared at Arthur who was busy rummaging the documents which Garrett gave him. I was too shocked to speak. Dammit, magpinsan pa sila? Kaya pala... They're both Evangelista. Can the situation get even worse?

"Ni-recommend siya sa akin ni Mommy bilang kapalit nung finance manager na nag-maternity leave. He seems to be doing a great job so far. Usap-usapan na baka makatanggap siya ng promotion anytime soon since he's too overqualified for his current position."

Hindi na ako nagtataka. He's really smart. Noon pa man, hilig na niya ang mag-aral. Good influence nga siya sa akin dahil siya ang umuudyok sa akin oon na magreview tuwing tinatamad ako o kapag yayayain akong mag-bar ni Sitti.

"Ah, ganun ba?" Wala akong masabi.

A deep sigh escaped from my lips. Kaya nga laking gulat ko noong malaman na ginag0 niya ako noong kasal namin. He ditched me for another woman, pero bakit ganun? Why is he acting like I broke up with him and hurt his feelings when the truth is I did not? Siya ang nanakit sa akin. Dammit, kilala ko siya. Kitang-kita ko sa mga mata niya na nasasaktan siya.