One Summer Night

Chapter Twenty One

Tumaas ang sulok ng labi ni Genevie nang makita niya ako. It's almost a year since we last saw each other. She was the former editors-in-chief of METRO and when she resigned, I got her position. We worked for almost two years and I know her very well.

"What a coincidence to meet you here, Camila." Makahulugan niyang sabi bago siya lumapit sa akin at hinagkan ako sa pisngi.

"I—I didn't know you're here." I stammered and gulped the lump formed in my throat. I don't know why I suddenly feel uncomfortable because of her. Para bang mayroong hindi magandang mangyayari dahil sa kanya.

"And I'm not expecting you to be here either." Mabilis niyang sagot sa akin.

"Genevie, you don't have the right to say that to her." Seryosong sabi ni Francisco sa kanya. Napaawang naman ang mga labi niya sa gulat at marahil ay hindi niya inaasahan na sasabihin iyon ni Francisco.

Genevie is the real definition of class and bitch. I knew everything about her. She loves attention and money so much. She's undeniably smart and will do anything to satisfy her needs. I just don't have any idea why they both decided to cancel their wedding. Ang alam ko lang, lumipad papuntang ibang bansa si Genevie nang walang paalam at hindi na lang nagparamdam.

"I was just saying my opinion, love." She told him and smile right away. Napaiwas ako ng tingin dahil sa pangalang itinawag niya kay Francisco.

"Akala ko ba andito ka lang para kamustahin si Theodore?" Seryosong sabi sa kanya ni Franciso. Lumapit naman si Genevie sa kanya at inangkla ang mga kamay nito sa leeg ni Francisco. She was smiling from ear to ear while looking at him seductively.

"I'm also here to check you, love. I miss you a lot, ako ba hindi mo namiss? Ikaw nga agad ang pinuntahan ko nang makauwi ako ng Pinas." Malambing niyang sabi. Wala namang naging reaksyon si Francisco sa sinabi ni Genevie sa kanya.

"Daddy, I want to name my new pet!" Napabaling ang atensyon naming tatlo kay Theodore. Bumitiw naman si Genevie kay Francisco at naunang lumapit kay Theodore.

"Do you want me to help you name your new pet?" Nakangiting sabi niya kay Theodore.

"Mmmmm, I think Mommy Cami will help me to name my pet!" Ani Theodore. He ran fast through her and went to my direction with his new pet. Nakita ko namang napalabi si Genevie sa ginawa ni Francisco.

"What do you want to call him, baby?" Nakangiti kong tanong kay Theodore. Pinantayan ko ang taas niya para mas maayos ko siyang makausap.

"I want to call him Iron Man!" He said enthusiastically. Natawa naman ako sa sinabi niya.

"You want? Okay, let's name him Hero. Because Iron Man is a hero." Nakangiti kong sabi sa kanya.

"Have you heard that? Your name is Hero!" Tuwang-tuwa na sabi ni Theodore. Lumapit naman sa amin si Francisco at bumaling ng tingin sa akin.

"Thank you, Camila." Nakangiti niyang sabi.

"Matagal ko nang gustong ibigay 'yan sa kanya, medyo natagalan pa nga. Mabuti na lang at nagustuhan ng bata." Sabi ko sabay tingin kay Theodore na nilalaro si Hero.

"Let's have dinner outside." Sagot niya sa akin.

"Would you mind if I join? Besides, I was your fiancée before and she was my friend. Wala naman sigurong masama 'di ba kung sasama ako? Mukha kasing marami na akong hindi alam sa inyo, so I think I have to catch up." Ngumiti si Genevie sa amin.

Walang emosyon namang tumingin si Francisco sa akin bago muling bumaling ng tingin sa kanya.

"Fine." Malamig ang tono na sagot ni Francisco sa kanya.