“The food is ready!”
Denver sighed before he removed his hands on my cheeks. He glanced at his friend who prepare everything we need before he holds my hand and pulled me to the dining room. We saw Daniel already sitting in front of a Nordic wood four-seater dining table as the food was already set on top of it. Denver pulled a chair for me. I started putting a fried chicken on Denver’s plate and a cup of rice before I prepared mine. I was used to serving others first before myself. Maybe an old habit.
I heard someone fake a cough and I turned my head at him. In front of me is Daniel who stopped eating while he both glance at me and then at Denver who's beside me. “You sure know how to take care of someone, huh?” He smiled sheepishly at Denver. “I’m quite impressed.”
“T-thank you,” I mumbled, can't meet his eyes.
“You can’t stare at me?” he asked again. I shook my head as he glance at me for a second. He chuckled. “You have a very unique girlfriend, dude.”
“I know,” Denver uttered beside me. My cheeks blushed as I looked at him. He doesn’t seem to mind what he just said, but it really had an impact on me. I just smiled at Daniel who was still looking at me as if he was observing every expression I have.
“Denver called me earlier to meet you at the mall earlier,” Daniel opened up after a long silence. I glance at him and then to Denver who choked on his own food. I immediately gave him a glass of water while he’s glaring at his friend who only smirk at him.
“Why?” I ask, tone lower than my usual voice.
“He’s worried, obviously.”
I nodded. I glanced back at Denver, but he didn’t give me a look.
“So… you’re from…”
“Cebu.”
“Hmm, both of you have the same hometown.” He smiled. “I’m curious how you two met. This guy…” He pointed at Denver. “Doesn’t tell me everything. He’s always hanging out with Dela Fuente. You two just met each other last year. If it wasn’t for me…” He said that as if he has a grudge against his friend. I smiled as I thought he was jealous for a moment.
“He’s still devastated,” Denver simply answers him.
“Yeah, still…” He chew on his food first before he locked his gaze on mine. I got a bit uneasy at how he looked at me with curious eyes. “So, where did you meet?”
“I was at his birthday celebration held at their house.”
“Oh, too bad I did not see you there.” He pursed his lips before he eyed me as if he remembered something. “U-huh. You’re related to Carmienne Golieza, right? The model?”
I smiled. “She’s my sister.”
“That’s why you look familiar to me. You also asked me about Dwayne earlier, right?” He keeps on talking. I felt my cheeks flush with the mention of my idol. I felt Denver’s eyes on me but I was too shy to even gazed at them back. I just nod at Daniel who’s very persistent to know more about me.
“I ask my friend about it and he said, Dwayne's condo is on the 20th floor. Room 2005.” He smiled. “And my friend is the owner of this tower. He was hesitant at first because Dwayne's a celebrity and he values privacy—”
“Tsk.” Denver scoffed beside me.
“O-owner?” I clear my throat. “You’re friends with the owner?” I agape, complete amaze at how friendly he is.
He chuckles. “He’s a colleague.”
We continued eating while chitchatting. Most of the talking was from Daniel and he talks about business and such. He looks like a young businessman too with the terms he uses. Denver was obviously silent that he just answers him with a shrug or a nod. I didn’t bother him and just eat in peace.
“Elijah needs the files, dude,” Daniel muttered in a serious tone. “He's been impatient.”
I stood up when my phone beeped. I excused myself and went to the living room only to see Kian’s message.
Kian:
Thank God, you answered.
Can I call now?
Me:
Okay.
I sent. A few seconds after, Kian’s number showed up revealing his face that he took using my phone. It was a selfie of him wearing his uniform. He was smiling, showing his white set of teeth.
“Hello?” I uttered.
“Sha…” He sighed in relief after I answered his call. “I got worried. Where are you?”
“I’m in Davao City right now, in Madrigal’s Tower to be exact.”
“Too far.” He heaves a sigh.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t tell you. It was a sudden decision. I was about to tell you last time but you’re quite busy.”
“Okay… I understand Sha… Well, you okay there? I asked your sister about you and she’s worried.”
“I’m perfectly fine here,” I said, and a smile instantly crept on my lips. Even though Kian won’t see it, it feels like he already knows my expression just by the tone of my voice. “I will call her.”
“That’s unexpected.” He chuckles, completely relieved. “He’s a Velasquez, Sha.” He reminds me.
“What do you mean by that?” I chuckle lowly even though I’m not sure where this conversation is going.
“Some say he’s not into commitment. He might just play with your heart. You know, a heartbreaker.” His voice turned deadly serious. I was about to answer him when Daniel showed up in front of me. He takes Denver’s laptop on the center table before walking into the dining room.
“Sha?” It was Kian’s voice and I immediately got back from my reverie.
“He’s my boyfriend already, Kian,” I whispered. He got silent from the other line but then he just cleared his throat and chuckled after.
“Good to know that, but I’m still surprised,” he muttered, completely lost for words. “I’ve heard that they are developing something for business. I ask my dad about it, and he confirmed that to me. Your uncle went ballistic when he heard your father’s name.”
“What does it do with my father?” I asked, worriedly.
“The Velasquez are helping your family get back the ownership of your company.”
My eyes widened and I felt my legs weaken with that. I sat on the sofa with trembling hands. That’s too fast. Denver and I are not yet married but the Velasquez are already on hand with our errands. It’s our business and yet, they are making a move with it.
I should be happy that my plans are already working, right? But I don’t understand myself to why I’m nervous right now. Is it because I’m afraid that Denver might find out my intention to why I agreed to this marriage?
I heaved a sigh to calm myself down and close my eyes. I felt like my head hurts. I’m still on call with my friend. I don’t want him to worry about me.
“Just don’t forget what I remind you earlier.”
“Thank you, Kian.”
“I’ll try to visit you after this semester, hm? I’m quite busy at the moment. I promise to buy your favorite sketchpad too.”
I chuckled lowly. “Okay, I will wait for you. Just call me if you’re free and I will tour you around here. You might find the love of your life here.”
I laughed and he did the same. “I will miss that.” His voice turned serious after. “Take care of yourself, Sha.”
We talk for another ten minutes before he dropped the call. I saw Denver entering the living room with his brows furrowed and eyes directly staring at me. I was in awe at how handsome he is while just wearing a plain white cotton pants and a blue V-neck shirt that hugs his waist and his muscles. It even shows how his body is well-defined with just a simple shirt wear.
He sat beside me on a three-seater sofa. Compare to his condo before, this one is spacious. Still, with the mix of neutral black and white themed, it shows how manly the design is. The equipment and materials used to blend with the theme used in designing this condo. Minimalistic and simple. It has two rooms, one is his and the other one is the guestroom. A glass window in which in front of it is the city view. It’s a better scenery especially the city lights at night.
“I’m sorry about Daniel,” he said, holding his nape. “He’s always asking questions. And he’s curious about you.”
“It’s okay. It’s quite good that he asks that. I discovered something new about you,” I added. I’m quite startled that he talked to me after three long days of being on his laptop.
He nodded, still eyeing me with scrutiny on it, like a hawk seeing its prey. I stared back at him as if I am memorizing every feature of his face. He has an almond eyes shape which I find an attractive feature of him. He has a deep autumn skin tone which makes his complexion says a lot about himself—audacious, daring, adventurous. His heart-shaped lips protruded a little before he licks them lavishly.
“Is it true that your family is already lending a hand to our company?” I ask carefully and keep an eye on his expression. His brows furrowed in a thin line as he met my brown orbs.
“How did you know that?” he asked, with a stern voice.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” I softly ask.
“Why would I tell you?” He asked back that I was startled by the tone he used. As if he was annoyed by something and he doesn’t want me to find it out.
I looked away and stood up. I turned my back away from him and walked toward my room. I felt my throat dry with the sudden outburst of him. It was a simple question, but enough for me to feel quaint and strange emotions. Just with that, my chest feels heavy and suffocating, and it’s because of the guy I like.