The Oleander Woman [Free Space Series #1]

CHAPTER 54: Vomiting

"You're hopeless," umiling si Sabrina.

I looked up at her to see her already looking down at me, smirking playfully. I pushed her hands away and stood up properly. Inayos ko ang sarili ko at nagsimulang malakad. 

Damn... Kaori! Hindi ako ready na makita ulit siya! Akala ko ba mauuna na siya? At ihahatid niya pa ang bestfriend niya?

I rolled my eyes.

Sana lang talaga ay walang nakakita saakin.

Imbis na magpunta sa kung nasaan si Damian, I chose to walk back to where our lounge was. Ngumisi kaagad ang nakabuntot sa'kin na si Sabrina. Parang sinasabing alam niya kung ano ang tumatakbo sa isip ko.

"Go get your girl."

I know, right? Catrina has been out of the picture for awhile. Mukhang binibigyan talaga kami ng pag-asang makapag-usap. Inalis yung sagabal.

"Tamg! You're still here!" Binati ako ni Lynpen after seeing me.

Napatingin saakin ang ilang mga nakaupo rin sa lounge. Isa na rito si Kaori! Yes! Si Kaori! She's sitting beside Vixen, who's already looking at me curiously. Lahat ata ng atensyon nila ay napunta sa'kin. 

I nod. "Ang tagal ng sundo ko."

"Really? Tara, dito ka muna, let's talk for awhile." Aniya kaya tumabi ako sa kaniya.

I can see Kaori in my peripheral vision sitting like a dude while holding a glass of whiskey. Her back is resting on the lounge as she plays with her drink boredly. 

Is she looking at me?

Not anymore.

She's now acting as if she didn't see or even recognize me a second ago. 

"So... Tamg, how old are you again?"

My brows furrowed because of that sudden random question. Nagkukwentuhan lang sila kanina, paanong bigla akong nasali?

"27, why?" Sagot ko rin naman Axel. Dahil dito, napunta nanaman saakin ang mga atensyon nila. Except for Kaori, because she's busy pouring alcohol into her glass. 

"Are you dating someone as of the moment?"

Where are all these random questions coming from? 

But, oh well, alam kong kahit na hindi tumitingin sa banda ko si Kaori, I know she's listening. She has ears for a reason. 

"Nope, I'm not dating anyone."

"Talaga? E mga naka date? Ilan silang mga naka date mo?" I shook my head as it symbolized none as an answer. He smirked. "I don't believe you." 

"I'm telling the truth."

"Impossible! How come wala? You're too pretty to be single. Look at your face, and damn.. the curve of your body-"

"Axel," sinuway siya ni Nicholas na katabi niya lang din. "I'm sorry, Tamg. He's already drunk."

"It's okay," I say, nodding my head. "The truth is, I'm single because I don't have time for those types of things at the moment." 

Nagkantyawan sila at pumalakpak pa. Nalilito tuloy ako kung naniniwala ba sila sa mga sinasabi ko o hindi?

"Excuse me, can we take a picture together?" Axel was about to open his mouth again nang bigla akong nilapitan nung katabing babae ni Nicholas. "I'm a big fan of your works, Miss Amhara! I idolize you a lot! Please, pati autograph if it's okay with you." 

"Sure!" I grinned and reached into my bag for my pen. I always bring this because I'm used to people in Paris asking for my autograph anytime they see me.