The LeFevre Mafia (1): Sold to the Mafia Boss [PUBLISHED UNDER POP FICTION]

54.2

CHAPTER 54.2

Marcus took me into a fine dining resto, san pa nga ba? Eh hindi naman yun kumakain sa fastfoods or whatever. Hindi na ako umangal o ano pa. It feels weird to be with Marcus – weird because I can't feel any grudge against him. Does this mean I am already over him? And weird because, it feels awkward. Hindi na rin ako sanay na hindi ako nabwibwisit sakanya pag kasama ko sya, at mas lalong hindi na ako sanay na hindi sya tinatarayan pag kasama ko sya. My guards are always up when he's around, but now, it feels different.

I didn't say much during our lunch. I was trying to avoid him kahit na magkaharap na kaming dalawa. Hindi ko rin alam kung bakit. Okay, marahil dahil na rin sa sinabi ni Greg sakin. I was eager to know kung ano nga ba ang hindi ko pa alam tungkol kay Marcus and Cecil. Bigla bigla kong gustong malaman kung ano ba talaga ang nangyari noon but I chose to keep things unresolved. Ayaw ko na muling buksan dahil ngayon, okay na ko. Ayoko ring alalahanin dahil nagugulo ako.

The lunch thing went on until the weekend, talagang sya ang kasabay ko na naglalunch. Nathaniel seemed to be curious about us pero pilit ko na lang sinasabi sakanya na business lang iyon. And now, I am having a hard time thinking on how to tell Nathaniel that I won't go to our firing lessons already.

"Ready?" He asked as I was preparing my bag.

"Ah, ugh, about that.." I started. Napakunot naman ang noo nya. I took a deep breath before continuing. "I.. I have to quit." There, I said it.

"What? Why? Didn't you like our service? Wasn't I good enough as a tutor? Or is it the place? Ayaw mo ba yung lugar?" Sunod sunod nyang tanong habang ako naman ay sunod sunod na umiling.

"No. No. No. Hindi iyon, Nathaniel. I love your place and you are good. It's just that.. mom doesn't like the idea." I lied to him again.

"I can try to convince her." Aniya.

"No, wag na. Her decision is firm. I'm so sorry."  Sincere kong paghingi ng tawad.

He sighed. "Wala na ba talaga akong magagawa para magbago ang isip mo?" Tanong nya na may malungkot na mukha. I sighed. "Not just my luck. Sayang, kala ko bonus point yun eh para mapalapit sayo." He said.

"Baliw! Close naman tayo ah?" I said.

"Can we go closer?" He asked with a serious face and tone.

"Ha?"

"Closer, Natalia." Paguulit nito.

"H-hindi ko alam.." I trailed off.

Tumango ito. "I understand, it's too soon but I will wait." Dagdag pa nito. Bagaman nabigla ako sa sinabi nya, tumango na lamang ako. Nauna na syang umalis habang ako, hinintay ko pang dumating si Marcus.

"Let's go?" He asked habang nakasilip sa pintuan ng opisina ko. Tumango ako sakanya sabay dampot ng bag ko at lakad palabas.

I remained quiet the whole trip. Ni hindi ko alam kung saang lupalop ang firing range ng mafia, bahala na kung saan nya ako dalhin. I just don't want to talk to him dahil kada maguusap kami, he'll just say things, sweet stuff that wil make me feel weird again at ayoko ng ganung pakiramdam.

"You know what, even if you're as cold as ice and even if you don't talk to me that much whenever we're together, it's okay. I know I deserve the cold treatment, baby. And I am already damn happy that you're allowing me in your life again." Out of nowhere nyang sabi.