Kapitulo 2

"Oh, hindi ka pala sumama kay Vico?" gulat na bungad ni Ate, saktong pagsarado ko sa double doors namin.

I inhaled sharply before turning my head to her. Nakaupo siya sa settee sa living room namin habang abala sa cellphone niya.

"And why would I, Ate?" my brows furrowed in confusion.

"Why not? She asks her brother to pick up you here in our house, KJ." she answered casually.

My brows furrowed more.

"What for?"

"Hindi ba, Fe called you today para mag sleepover ka sa bahay nila? Vico approached me earlier and asked me if he can drive you there onto their house today instead of our driver," she said before bringing her gaze into her phone's screen.

"And why would he do that!?" my voice raise unintentionally.

Oh, God!

"And why are you raising your voice at me, Kreahnaseah Jullianna, huh?" she places her phone above her lap and crossed her arms over her chest as she waited for my answer.

"Ate, I'm sorry. You know I get irritated easily when the topic comes to Vico, right?" I said softly so she can feel how sorry am.

She sighed. "The topic isn't just about Vico, Seah. It's about the said sleepover by his sister."

Oh, right! I curled my tongue inside my mouth and sighed. I went upstairs after that. I took a cold shower before lying on my bed. I closed my eyes emphatically, thinking about the conversation I and my sister just had earlier. She's right. Why am I always getting irritated when it comes to Vico? Maybe... probably because I don't like him.

I heard my phone beeped above the bedside table. I opened my eyes and stared at my phone for a minute. Sino naman kayang magte-text sa akin? Hindi naman siguro 'yan importante. Tinalikuran ko and phone ko. Ngunit bago pa man 'yon, nakarinig na naman ako ng beep. I groaned before deciding to check where was the text come from.

From Unknown:

Hi, Seah.

It's me Auliver.

I just got home. Sinundo pa kasi namin si Dad.

Si Auliver pala. I typed in my reply.

To Auliver:

Hi, Lily.

Ah, mabuti naman kung gano'n.

He didn't reply. I stand up from lying in my bed and went to my personal computer. I turned it on. I checked my phone and got no text from anyone so I took my seat. I opened YouTube and searched for Klaus's channel.

Shawn ē Klaus

600k subscribers

Ang bilis naman dumami ng mga subscribers niya! Sana all!

Pang sampung vlog niya na itong pinapanood ko ngayon nang biglang tumunog ang phone ko. I glance at my phone screen and saw my best friend's name flashed on it. I reached for it and answered it once I got the phone in my hand.

"Hoy bakit hindi ka sumama kay Kuya pauwi!?" bungad niya.

"Luh? Bukas pa naman 'yung usapan natin na mag i-sleepover ako sa inyo, a?" I pouted, not taking off my eyes on my computer's screen.

"Hala!? Wait! Kasama mo si Klaus ngayon?" she startled on the line.

"Huh-"

"Kaya ka pala hindi sumama sa kay Kuya, e! Kayo na ba? Kayo na ba ni Klaus, Seah!?" she cuts me off.

I closed my eyes and pulled my bottom lip between my teeth to stifle my laugh. Oh, goodness! This girl is!

"We'll talk about it tomorrow, once I got into your house." I chuckled.

"Seah!" she groaned in disagreement.

I closed my eyes and hugged my pillow. I should sleep now. It's already eleven in the evening.

Kinabukasan maaga akong nagising. I did my morning routine in my shower before going downstairs. I make my coffee before sitting at our dining table.

"Manang, si Ate po?" I asked one of our helpers.

"Hindi pa po bumababa, Miss."

I nodded and smiled at her. Mauna nalang siguro akong mag-agahan at baka mamaya pa 'yon gigising. Nag simula na akong kumain. Binilisan ko nga lang, kasi mag-iimpake pa pala ako ngayon. Buti nalang at naalala ko na mag-i-sleepover ako ngayon kina Fe.

Nasa itaas na ako ngayon. Tapos na akong kumain at umakyat na ako pagkatapos kong mahugasan ang mga kubyertos ko na ginamit. Papasok na sana ako sa kuwarto ko nang maisip kong i-check si Ate sa kuwarto niya.

I slowly opened her door and brings my gaze immediately into her bed. I scowled when I didn't saw my sister in her bed. Pumasok nalang ako sa loob ng kuwarto niya. Sinilip ko siya sa ilalim ng kama niya dahil baka nahulog siya. Pero wala siya doon.

My spirit almost left my body after hearing a sudden door creaks. Si Ate pala na kakatapos lang maligo. Nakabalot sa katawan niya ang kanyang itim na roba at ang kanyang buhok ay binalot ng itim din na tuwalya.

"May lakad ka?" I rose my brows at her as I waited for her answer.

"Uh... oo," she then avoided my gaze.

"Saan? Sama ako!" I startle.

"Dito ka lang." she went to her closet.

"Bakit? Date ba 'yang pupuntahan mo?" pangungulit ko.

She didn't answer. Instead, she pulled out her usual outfit from her closet. It was a white embroidered floral split hem cami dress. She plugged her hair blower into the socket and took her seat in her vanity chair. She removes the towel that's been wrapped in her hair.

Suminghap ako at agad na naamoy ang raspberry na body wash niya. I protruded my lips while staring at her reflection in her mirror. Morena ako at maputi si naman si Ate. Unlike mine, her hair is wavy. Mas payat din siya, kumpara sa akin. Her red pouty lips were inherited from our mom while my pinkish lips were from our dad.

"Klaus will take a visit here later." she suddenly said.

My mouth immediately formed into 'o'.

Kinulit ko siya ng kinulit tungkol doon hanggang sa nakaalis na siya ng bahay. Agad akong naligo at nagsuot ng usual outfit ko. Black crop top shirt and black high waisted jeggings lang ang suot ko. Inilugay ko nalang ang buhok ko dahil tinatamad akong mag blower.

Nakaupo lang ako sa settee namin sa sala habang hinihintay ang pag dating ni Klaus. Palipat-lipat lang ng channel at madalas na sumusulyap sa orasan na nakasabit sa wall ng livingroom.

Ala-una na ng hapon pero ni anino ni Klaus, wala akong makita. Pinatay ko nalang ang TV at umakyat sa kuwarto ko. Pasalampak akong humiga sa kama pagkatapos maisara ang pintuan. A couple of minutes passed and I decided to check my phone.

Maraming text ang natanggap ko. Galing kay Ate ang ilan at kay Fe naman ang iba. Una kong binuksan ang text ni Fe.

From Mycrosia Nevaeh Jozsue:

Hi, good morning!

See you later!

Take care!

Hoy may chika 'ko!

Nakangiti akong umiling iling habang binabasa ang mga 'yon. Nag tipa ako ng reply.

To Mycroftsia Nevaeh Jozsue:

See you!

From Yllenea Grace Vuiltraen:

Seah, I just got here in the coffee shop.

Se, wish me luck! ;((

To Yllenea Grace Vuilltraen:

Slr. Good luck! I love you.

Nagising ako sa katok ng kasambahay. Nakatulog pala ako. Bumangon agad ako at binuksan ang pintuan.

"Miss may nag doorbell na po," she informed me. "Ah, kasi po diba sabi niyo pag may nag doorbell sasabihin ko sa'yo para ikaw 'yung mag bukas?" she said skeptically to me after noticing my scowling.

My eyes broadened.

"Oo nga po pala. Sige po. Salamat." I smiled at her apologetically.

I then went downstairs. I almost flew the distance between the end of the staircase and our gate. My heart was beating so loud and wildly as I draw closer to our gate. Oh, goodness!

I curled my tongue inside my mouth as I imagined Shawn Nicklaus Dl'Grialbe standing at our gate. I took a deep breath before opening our gate.

"Hi, Klaus!" I happily greeted him.

"Hi, Klaus!" he mimicked then smirked.

My smile and energy fade away after seeing who's behind the door gate. My shoulder fell. I even have to look away not to hide my embarrassment but to avoid his teasing eyes.

"Why are you here? Ate's not around." I spoke after the quiet eat us.

"Are you expecting... Klaus to be around in your house today?" he asked back.

I shrugged and turns my back at him. Nakabukas pa din ang gate kaya makakapasok din siya.

"Jullianna," I heard him calls my name as the gate creaks when he closed it.

Hindi ko siya nilingon. Sa halip ay pumasok na ako ulit sa loob ng bahay. I heard footsteps from my back which I think was him. I was about to take steps into the staircase when I suddenly felt a warm hand pulling my elbow. Natigilan ako at unti-unti siyanf nilingon.

"Will you please talk to me even just for once?" he said in a baritone voice and pulled his bottom lip to his tongue, looking away.

"Talk about what?" I scowled, then my eyes drifted into his hand on my elbow.

"O-oh, I'm sorry." he then lets go of my elbow. "Pack your things now. We'll be going-"

"No. I'll stay here." I cut him off.

"Because?" he took a closer step while eyes are narrowed.

I rolled my eyes to him and runs through the staircase, making my way into my room.

I heard my phone beep. It was a text message from Ate. I was about to open it when the door of my room suddenly opens. It revealed Viscount crossing his arm over his chest and leaning against the doorjamb to support his weight. He roams his eyes around my room while protruding his lips.

"Don't you know how to knock before invading someone's room, Vico!?" I glared at him when his mischievous eyes met mine.

He shrugs then smirks at me, pushing his hair backward.

"And why would I answer that, when you didn't answer my question earlier, Jullianna, huh?" he tilted his head while waiting for my answer.

"Whatever! Just go away!" I yelled.

"Gusto mo talaga yata akong lumabas na sa pamamahay niyo, 'no?"

"Yes, please." I smiled sweetly.

He rolled his eyes to me and moves his face sideward. My mouth half-open when I saw his jaw tenses.

Nagalit ko ba siya? Damn!

"Make a smoothie for me then," sabi niya bago ako tinalikuran at sinarado ang pintuan ko.

Wala akong naging ibang choice, kundi ang bumaba at para gumawa ng smoothie para sa kanya. Labag man sa kalooban ko, ginawa ko pa din. Kung ito lang ang makakapagpauwi sa kanya then I'll do it.

Nakaupo siya sa settee namin habang nanonood ng TV. Hindi ko nalang siya pinansin at dumiretso nalang sa kusina namin. Binilisan ko ang paggawa. Pagkatapos, nilagyan ko ng straw bago inilapag sa center table sa sala namin.

"Umuwi ka na," I said after placing the smoothie.

"I'll stay." he pulled his bottom lip to his tongue and looks at me intimidatingly.

I looked away and turns my back to him. Aakyat na sana ako sa kuwarto ko nang bigla siyang magsalita.

"Jullianna," he calls my name.

"Hmm?" I didn't face him but I stopped taking steps forward to the staircase.

"Bibisita ba dito si... Klaus?"

I nodded. "Ate said earlier before she went to her date that Klaus will be here."

"Paano kung hindi?"

"Pupunta 'yon. He promised na babawi siya." I looked down the bitterness in my voice.

He's right. Paano nga pala kung hindi?

I sighed after closing the door of my room. I checked the time. It's already two o'clock. Umupo nalang ako sa swivel chair at i-n-on ang desktop. Manonood nalang ako ng vlogs niya. I opened YouTube and searched for his YT channel.

Pang limang vlog niya na 'tong pinapanood ko nang naisip kong i-chat siya.

Ayos lang naman siguro 'yun diba? Kasi dito din naman siya sa bahay namin pupunta. Wala naman sigurong masama kung tatanungin ko siya kung nasaan siya ngayon?

I groaned after realizing how shameful was that move. It seems like I was desperate to him just to be here in our house. I closed my eyes emphatically and puts my palm in the side of my cheeks. I shook my head and opened my eyes. I opened my messenger account and searched for his name.

I pulled my bottom lip in between my teeth. The good thing was we're already friends on Facebook before he became a content creator. Will he opened my chat head and replies to my chat if I'll chat with him?

I have never been this nervous ever since!

Shawn Nicklaus Dl'Grialbe:

Hi, Klaus!

I was starring at his name on my computer's screen, waiting for him to see it. Suddenly, someone spoke from my back.

"He can't go. Pack your things-"

I gritted my teeth.

"Why can't you just leave me alone, Vico?" my voice is calm but my declamation was emphatical.

"I won't leave pag hindi ka kasama," he said in a baritone voice.

"Are you insane!?" I scoffed. Napalingon ako sa kanya. "Bakit naman ako sasama sa'yo?" I stood up.

"You aren't gonna disappoint my sister just because of that man, are you?" his jaw tenses after glancing at my computer.

My face flushed. Oh, right! Pupunta nga pala ako sa bahay nila ngayon! Bakit ko nga ba hindi 'yon naisip?

I walked into my closet and grabbed some clothes there that I may use during my sleepover in their house. I pulled out my uniform and some pairs of pajama. Sunday ngayon at Monday na bukas kaya kailangan ko talaga ang uniform dahil may pasok na bukas. Next are my underwears. My face heated when I was about to get underwear. I turned my head to him slowly when I reached for my underwear and brassiere, trying to check if he was looking. Good thing he's not looking!

Nanginginig ang mga kamay ko nang kumuha ng iilang piraso ng mga 'yon. Ilalagay ko na sana sa loob ng maliit na maleta na dadalhin ko nang malaglag ang iilan. Ngunit bago ko paman mahagilap ang mga 'yon ay nakita ko na ang tsenilas niya na panloob. Nakatayo na siya sa harap ko.

"Wow, cute lacey undies." he suddenly spoke.

My face flushed.

"Asshole!" I gritted my teeth and picks up my underwear. "Sa labas ka nga!"

"What's wrong? I admired your un-"

"Just shut up!" I cut him off.

He burst out of laughter. He shook his head and took his seat in my swivel chair.

"I didn't say take your seat, Vico. I said get out!"

He didn't listen.

"Kita mo? Hintay-hintay ka pa sa kanya. Ayan tuloy hindi ka nakapag impake."

"Kailan ka pa naging Tatay ko?" I asked him sarcastically.

Nauna na akong bumaba sa kanya pagkatapos kong mailagay ang mga damit ko. I heard his footsteps following from my back but I didn't look back. Hanggang sa makarating ako sa livingroom.

Oh, goodness! I forgot my toiletry bag!

"Huwag ka ng bumalik doon. I already turned off your computer," he said when he noticed me going upstairs.

I didn't listen to him.

"He didn't reply. If that's why you're going upstairs."

Tumakbo na ako pataas at agad na kinuha ang toiletry bag ko sa loob ng kuwarto ko. Bumaba din ako pagkatapos at inilagay 'yon sa loob ng bag ko.

Tumayo siya galing sa pagkaupo sa settee. Hinila niya ang maliit kong maleta at nauna nang maglakad sa akin.

Hmm, may gentlemen side naman pala siya.

"After you," he opens the shotgun seat for me once we got into where his car was parked.