Chasing in the Wild (University Series #3)

29

"Why did you go to work today? You should have just stayed at home." 

I sighed heavily when Austin went inside my office again right after I came back from the emergency meeting. I was reading the revised report from the Operations head. Good thing it looked better now. Bawas sa stress. 

"I am fine now," I said after giving him a glance just to acknowledge his presence. 

"Where are you staying right now? Malapit lang ba? I just want to see if you're doing okay." He sat on my couch. 

"I said I am fine. Ang kulit mo naman, eh..." I massaged my head, getting annoyed now. 

"Okay, calm down." He laughed. Wala namang nakakatawa. "You want to have dinner together? My friend opened his restaurant today. It's an Italian restaurant." 

"Yeah, I'm actually craving for pasta." I nodded. "Let me finish my work." 

It was around six o'clock when I decided to leave work and eat dinner with Austin. Medyo malayo 'yong restaurant so we had to take his car. Ihahatid niya na lang ako pabalik sa parking para makuha ko ang kotse ko pagkatapos ng dinner. 

"Austin! Wow, you really came!" His friend greeted us when we entered the restaurant. "Who's this lovely lady, huh?" 

"Oh, this is Elyse," Austin introduced me, putting his hand on my shoulder. 

"Finally! Nagpakilala ka na ng girlfriend, Austin! Hello, Elyse! I'm Jon." He took my hand. 

My brows furrowed. "What? I'm not-"

"Upo na kami," Austin cut me off. 

What the hell! Now his friend would think that Austin and I were really a couple! Sumimangot ako at umupo sa tapat niya, getting more annoyed now. What if mag-spread 'yong rumor na kami?! I didn't want that to happen. With Austin pa?! No way. 

"Why are you so mad? It wasn't a big deal." He shrugged. 

"It is a big deal." I rolled my eyes. "Because we're not together! It's a lie!" 

"It's not a lie if it will happen in the future," he teased, laughing.

"What the fuck are you saying? Stop it." I scowled. "I'm serious. Don't do that again." 

He handed me the menu, ignoring what I said. 

"You know what I think? You should have married me years ago..." He smirked. "We should have been together. Hindi pa komplikado. I can also take care of you and love you like how he did." 

"You know what I think?" I gave him a sweet smile. "You should go out with other women. You seem lonely."