Chapter 35

Twenty-Six: Age Gap
I was nervous at Jizan's stares so I immediately ran towards the garden of this mansion. I felt him following me, so I immediately sat down in the gazebo chair.
He sat next to me and I could feel his gaze on me even though I was not next to him.
"Don't mind what I just said, that's just nonsense." I promise.
"Hmm?" He hummed.
"Really?"
"Yes!" I said angrily.
"Looks like not, you said it earlier like you were very very sure of it." He said, still looking at me. I saw he leaned his arm on the gazebo chair and rested his head there.
"No, don't think about it. That's just an escapade so I can avoid Avie's teasing." I said. Damn it, I want to leave here but I know he will stop me.
I heard him laughed and sighed. "Tsk, tsk, tsk, Evie ... you're really bad at lying. You should try even harder." He said more.
"Well, okay fine! I'm lying, so what? Does he really have a girlfriend?" I said angrily.
"Look at me." He commanded. But instead of turning to him, I turned my head in his direction.
"Evie ..." He called but I didn't shake him and I still didn't follow his wishes.
"Hey, are you really mad just because I have a girlfriend?" He asked.
"Is there?" I asked her.
He laughed a little and touched both my cheeks and turned my face to his.
"I don't have a girlfriend." He said while staring straight into my eyes, I couldn't help but stare at his face. He looks so dashing, even though he's only wearing a simple white tshirt.
Omg. Is it really fine to him that I just give him cufflinks? But that cufflinks are personalized and his name is engraved on it! Yeah, that's already fine, no need to be conscious about it.
"I don't have a girlfriend okay? And if I ever have, I'll say it to you first." What the fuck? Why would he even say it to me? It doesn't even matter to me! Even if he marries Catalina or what! It doesn't matter!
"Why would you say it to me?" I said angrily.
"There's no need ..." I added.
"Oh, right. It's not necessary because you'll be the first to know."
"What?" I asked in confusion.
"Nevermind. You'll know someday." He said and pinched my cheeks. I immediately slapped his hand holding my cheek.
"I'll know what? About you and Catalina getting back together? Because you didn't give her a chance." I said with full of sarcasm.
"Chance? We didn't even discuss about the past, how will I give her a chance?" He asked me.
"What? Eh, that's what he said right? Earlier?" I asked him.
"Oh yeah? I thought she is referring to the chance that I'm giving her to be the entrepreneur of my new project." He said.
"I wasn't really focusing, in earlier's conservation." He said more.
Immediately my eyes narrowed and I stared at him sharply.
"Why? You're hypnotized by Catalina's beauty?" I said again. He laughed again at what I said and I immediately looked away.
Damn ... I sound like a jealous nagging girlfriend. Annoying.
"Eyes here, princess ..." He said again and turned me to him again. I was like a gentle dog that immediately turned back to him.
"I wasn't paying attention because I am thinking hard on how will I make a move on you." What?
"What the fuck do you mean?" I immediately bit my lip because of the word I said. Tangina! I'm not allowed to swear when this lazy guy is here!
"Don't curse." He said emphatically. I nodded again at what he said and I saw him smirked.
"I mean, I wasn't really paying attention because I'm thinking on how to make a move on you." He repeated what he had said earlier.
"What does that mean?" I asked.
"Nothing, princess. Nevermind what I just said." He says.
"By the way ... who's getting married?" I asked. I'm really curious who is getting married.
"Why do you ask? You curious?" He playfully asked me. I immediately fell in love with him.
Duh? Obviously?
"Duh?"
"It's Dad. He's getting married." I immediately covered my hand with my mouth because of what he said.
Omg? I thought Tito Manzo will never have a wife! That"s what Dad told me that Tito wasn"t interested in serious relationships! So I didn"t inexpect that she would get married! I bet Dad will be so shocked if he finds out.
"Shocking right? Dad doesn't like commitments so I was surprised too." He says.
"Woah, I never thought Tito Manzo would be married someday. I thought he was forever single and just adopted. Have you met her?" I asked. Jizan immediately shook his head.
"Not yet. But I heard she's 28." I was stunned by what Jizan said. Wtf.
Well, Tito Manzo isn't old, he's just 38. But, 28? Woah? Ten years gap? Amazing.
"The child yet!" I said again.
"So that's my problem too." My eyes narrowed at what Jizan said.
"Yeah why? Catalina isn't a child, is she?" I asked.
"Yeah she isn't, but you are."
What me?

Second Favor
Today is the day when Riguel and I will go for a walk with Avie and Ryl. And, unfortunately, Jizan and Catalina came along. I didn't expect them to be with us because, I thought what Catalina said was just a joke that they would come. I don't know if that's true.
It was our last day in Cavite, because our flight to Manila was at 10pm. I'm also a bit excited because of Jizan's birthday celebration and Tito Manzo's engagement.
We're going to the mall and we're planning to watch Frozen 2. That's the latest showing.
We are already here at the cinema we are buying tickets while Jizan and Catalina are buying snacks.
"Are you ready to leave them?" Riguel whispered to me, I immediately smiled and nodded at him.
"I'm going to act." I whispered softly, Riguel gave me a thumbs up.
I grabbed my stomach and immediately approached Avie. He looked at me with mixed surprise in his eyes.
"I'm going to the bathroom first okay? My stomach hurts, maybe I ate something wrong earlier." I said.
"What? Should I go with you? Is it okay?" He asked a confused question.
"No, no, it's okay. Riguel is going to be with me, so just watch first ... we'll be next" I said.
"Okay then, as you wish." I smiled softly at Avie and looked at Riguel. I immediately winked at him and he immediately smiled.
We walked away from them and we both laughed as we walked away. I'm sure Jizan and Catalina won't be a nuisance because they have their own business.
"What now?" I asked him.
He looked at me and thought too. So what is it?
"I don't know what we should do, we should atleast spend 30 minutes of the time. To be more credible." I said.
"How about arcade?" He suggested.
Arcade? "Sure!"
We spent the rest of the minutes inside the arcade, and I can"t describe the fun I feel with Riguel. He is so good in basketball! I know he's good but I didn't think he was 'that good'.
"Woah! Thankyou Riguel!" I said smiling as I hugged the brown teddy bear he got on the claw machine.
"You know I just got into the arcade." I smiled and said to him, he immediately looked at me as if he couldn't believe it.
"Oh really? Your family is rich but you can't go to the arcade?" He asked while giving me the ice cream that we just ordered.
My ice cream parlor is next to the arcade so we decided to just buy it.
"Uh yeah, my parents are rich. But we don't really go out all the time, because Mom and Dad are always busy. So, we only have family bonding once." I said.
I looked at Riguel and I saw him straight looking at me. His eyes are literally shining and glowing, I can't help but tremble at his stares at me.
"Uhm? Riguel?" I called her.
He blinked and smiled at me. "Oh, what else do you want to go? Or do you want to try?" He asked.
"Uh, I really don't think I can try everything I want. Afterall, Mom is really strict when it comes to the outside world. And she only lets us go out once ... sometimes with the guards or maybe—"
"Chill, Eveanna. I am just asking you what do you want to try more that you haven't tried before. Just answer me ..." He smiled at me, showing his dimples. I looked at her diamond earring and rested deeply.
"I want to try snorkeling, scuba diving, skydiving, hiking, camping, riding a zipline, sleeping in a yacht, experience a long drive, partying, drinking alcohol, and maybe even playing under the rain ..." I said and chuckled a bit.
"Hmm..that's a lot..you should make a bucket list out of it." He sughested.
"Yeah, maybe soon. If I'll graduate." I smiled and told him.
"But you really want to try those?" He asked me.
"Yeah, but I know that won't happen, every thing that I'm going to do has a limit. I can't do everything just because I want to." I said.
"It's your own choice Evie, you should decide for yourself and try the things you wanted to do. It's your life to begin with." It was as if a rock had hit me in the head because of what Riguel had said.
It's my life to begin with ...
"Yeah, it is. Did you like the gifts that I gave?" I change the subject. I saw that Riguel immediately got what I wanted to avoid.
"Yeah, I'll use all of that during my game. But you also need to watch." Smiling Riguel said to me.
"Of course, I will watch." I laughed saying.
"I'll be expecting that." He smiled promise.
"Should I try sports too? I'm interested in volleyball." I said while looking at my ice cream. I'm already half of it, and I want more.
"No." I'm shocked because of his immediate response.
"Why? Isn't it nice? To exercise my body as well." I said again.
"Still no." My face became stoic because of what he said.
"Eh? Why is that."
"Just." He says.
I immediately looked at him and stared at him wickedly. I saw that he looked at me seriously, why is he so serious about me entering sports?
"Why then?" I have a bit more compelling question.
"I don't want to say it." I just fell in love with Riguel. Bwisit! Annoying!
I really don't like people who start with reasons but won't say why! Just annoying!
I just got up and went out of the ice cream parlor, I felt Riguel following me but I ignored him. Let him take care of his life annoying.
Eventually I felt that Riguel was by my side and walking with me.
I could have walked even faster when he grabbed my shoulder and turned me to face him.
He is looking at me seriously, while still holding his hand on my shoulder.
"Fine, I'll say it ..." He said softly, I immediately smiled because of what he said.
"Really?" I asked, and he nodded.
"Then what is it?"
"I ... I just don't want you to wear cyclings during practices, and games, and wear sleeveless jerseys in volleyball. And, I don't want other men drooling over you ..." Napakurap-kurap ako sa sinabi by Riguel to me.
W-what?
"So, this is my second favor from you ..."
"A-what?"
"Stop being so attractive, and beautiful. Maybe I have a lot of competitors for that."

: Table Talk
Tonight is Jizan's birthday. It's a formal celebration so everyone should be in formal attire as well, I am wearing a plain maroon gown. I don"t like too many designer gowns because they are heavy and itchy. So this is just plain I chose.
I sat quietly at our family table while waiting for the other guests to arrive. Soren and his friends are in the same table with us.
"I can't believe, Tito Manzo is getting married." Soren said while looking at Mom and Dad.
"Me too, son. I thought he would never date." Dad said.
"Hey, Evie ... I heard you spent the rest of your time yesterday with Riguel." I looked at Avie as she suddenly spoke, and I could clearly see the sarcasm on her face.
I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, then what?" I asked.
"Nothing, I just didn't expect Riguel to be your icho-choose over Jizan." He said simply while still smiling at me.
"What? I'll never choose anyone, and why should I choose?" I promise.
"My god sis, it's obvious that both of you have a crush. You just don't want to admit it." She said, while curling the tip of her hair using her fimgers.
"Your tendency to overthink Avie. Better yet, don't think of them as two." I said and averted my eyes from Avie.
"Yeah? Whatever you say, but I really suggest that you should choose well." Choose well? What the hell is wrong with her tongue and why is she conyo?
The celebration had already begun and I was just quietly watching those giving a speech for Jizan. Corny, it's like he's making his debut because of speeches.
I rested deeply and immediately my eye caught Jizan who was also looking at me. The two of us looked at each other but he also immediately avoided.
I looked at the box I was holding, I wanted to give him my gift personally. Because I forgot to put a gift card on, he might have thought I didn"t give him the gift because I didn"t have my name.
"Mom, Dad, I'll just give my gift to Jizan." I said goodbye to Mom and Dad and stood up.
I walked towards Jizan's direction, I saw him looking at me and immediately returned his gaze to the stage. The taray of this one! It's just my birthday when you look at me with sore eyes.
He was alone at their table so I immediately sat down next to him.
"Hi Jizan! I forgot to put my name in the gift. So I'll just give it to you personally. I didn't want you to assume that I didn't give you a gift." I said and handed him the small flat box.
He looked there and sighed.
"I already memorized the detail of the box, you can give that to the gift collector." My forehead furrowed because of the behavior of this one. What's the problem with that?
"As for your taray, it's porket's birthday already?" I laughed at her question.
Jizan did not laugh at what I said and remained staring at the stage.
I sighed. "Alright then, I'll just give it to the collector." I said and immediately stood up.
After I gave the collector my gift for Jizan I was about to return to our table but I collided with something while walking.
I grabbed my head and immediately looked at the person I had hit. My eyes widened when I saw Catalina adjusting her gown.
She is wearing the same gown like me. Plain, and even the type of gown is the same! What the actual fuck.
She looked at me from head to toe and smiled. "We have the same taste huh? Simple and cute."
"Yeah ..." I said briefly.
"It suits you by the way, and you look beautiful." I smiled sparingly at Catalina.
"Thanks, you too. You look beautiful too." She smiled at my statement and turned to sesame as if someone was looking.
"Have you seen Jizan?" He asked me.
I looked at Jizan's seat earlier but he was no longer there. Where did that one go?
"No, I haven't seen him. But he's just there earlier listening to speeches." I explained. She nodded at me and looked at her phone.
I was about to leave when he spoke again.
"Can I sit with your table then? I will also leave when I see Jizan." I was intrigued by what Catalina said, why is she being so friendly to me? We are not close in the first place!
"Why would I let you?" I asked.
"Uh? Is it forbidden? I'll just sit down—"
"You're at the guest table, don't sit at the family table. Are we family? Aren't we?" I kept asking, I thought he would be angry with me too but he just smiled.
"Really? Guest table? I'm considered as Jizan's family friend e. And he said I am allowed to sit anywhere so? I am allowed to sit at your family table."
I can't believe what Catalina said, what about the thickness of her face? Family table right? Just for our family? And why the fuck would he let Catalina sit everywhere? He looks like joiners.
"Ah, I see. You want to be apples. Okay then, but please be aware that my sister Avie doesn't like apples." I said and smiled at her.

: The Thing That Will Take The Pain Away
Annoying. Really annoying. I thought Avie was on my side, but why did Catalina seem to be closer to them ?! We are supposed to hate her! Not that, they laughed at the same time and talked about their interests. This woman is annoying! Tsk!
I just turned to Avie and Catalina talking about things.
"Why are you irritated today?" I looked at Soren when he suddenly spoke.
"Just don't mind me." I said briefly and sighed. Really annoying.
The dinner and the speeches are over. The engagement announcement is already done too, everyone is just having fun now, and almost everyone is dancing to the music. But I didn't keep up and just sat quietly here at our family table.
My parents are already on the table where the parents are also. Maybe for business.
Suddenly my cellphone rang and Riguel's name came up to me.
From: Riguel
Are you bored?
I immediately replied to him.
To: Riguel
Yes.
From: Riguel
Oh? Come with me, let's go somewhere.
I immediately smiled at what Riguel said, this is what I like about Riguel. He always takes away my boredom with things.
"Powder Room only." I said to Avie and she gave me a thumbs-up and continued talking to Catalina. Tss.
My eyes immediately searched for Riguel and I saw him standing at the exit. Waving his hands. He's so cute! Lol!
I immediately approached him and smiled.
"Finally! You're here! I've been bored before." I said smiling.
He cockily smiled at me and licked his tongue, he immediately pulled me closer to him and squeezed my cheek.
"As usual ~~ you're bored during formal events. I'm always here to kill your boredom." He smiled promise.
"Really? You're always here?" I have a teasing question with him.
"Yes. I am here, always." I just laughed and immediately pulled him out.
He drifted over to me and let me pull him.
"Why are you so bored? Catalina is supposed to be with you at your table, isn't she? That's talkative." He said as we walked together.
"Duh? Do you like him too? I don't like him, I don't know at first I just think of him I don't want to be with him anymore." I said while removing the hair clips that were in my hair.
He immediately took my hand and he himself removed the clips from my hair.
"Really? Lina is a nice girl though. Maybe you have other reasons why you are disgusted with her." She said, as she gently combed my hair with her finger.
When he cleared that all together we walked into the garden of the venue we went to. We sat on the bench and I immediately smiled, it's better when Riguel and I are alone together than when that Catalina is with me.
"Nice girl? Oh yeah? Maybe. But just! I don't like her." Riguel laughed softly because of what I said.
"Eh why? Is it because he's Jizan's ex?" I immediately looked at Riguel as if disgusted.
"Ew? Why would I be irritated just because of that?" I asked him.
"Well, I don't know. Maybe because you like him." His promise was simple.
Like? I like Jizan? What the fuck, never! I will never like him.
"You know, your tendency to tease! I won't like Jizan okay? On your wildest dreams!" I laughed saying.
I looked at Riguel and saw that his face was gentle, he looks calm but even the calm of his expression he could not hide the true feeling of his eyes.
He's ... he's hurt? But why? Why is he hurting, he is calm yet his eyes are hurting..but why?
"You are just saying that Evie ... but maybe soon, you'll distinguish the feeling you are feeling. And you'll realize that you really like Jizan ..."
I can't help but be annoyed with what Riguel said, he's even better than me huh? E I know better how I feel.
"Just shut up, alright? I know what I'm saying, and I know how I feel." I said in disgust.
I heard Riguel chuckled beside me and immediately pinched the bridge of my nose. I immediately averted my face from him.
"Is that mad at you?" He asked with a smile as he held my head.
"I'm not angry!" I said.
"Weh? You're mad ..." There was a mixture of sarcasm in his voice as he said those words.
"No way!" I said harder to Riguel.
"Weh?" He had a long promise.
I immediately turned to Riguel and was surprised to see how close our faces were. He is smiling from ear to ear, and the pain in his eyes is gone and that will replace it with pleasure.
He raised his eyebrows at me and smiled again. Really smile.
I immediately closed my eyes when he gently patted my forehead.
"Aray! Bwisit!" I said and immediately touched my forehead, I turned in the other direction and caressed my forehead.
"But that's cute isn't it?"
"Tangina mo Riguel! The pain in my forehead! You're really annoying anytime!" I shouted at Riguel who was still holding my forehead.
"Eh? It's not that strong! It's OA!" He says laughing.
"May I see." He said and introduced me to him.
He removed my hand and stared at my forehead. The smile disappeared from his lips as he looked at my forehead.
"Your skin is so sensitive! Your forehead is so red." He said and caressed my forehead using his thumb.
"Does it really hurt?" He asked me and looked down.
I can't speak, he is so close to me and he seems to be breathing on my forehead. Fuck. What is this, why am I nervous.
"Y-yeah..kinda." I will say briefly.
"I know something that can take the pain away." I immediately raised an eyebrow at him.
"What?"
"A kiss."
I didn't have any chance to speak, when I felt his soft lips planted a small kiss on my forehead.
What the fuck.