Sorry for being gone for almost 3 weeks. Been busy with writing our script for a short film. Plus, we moved out of Quezon City and moved to Calamba, Laguna. The signal is really bad in here.

Will update everyday once again 💛

This is a narrative and this is very important because this is the transition. Enjoy! 🤗

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NMWTS 021

"You're early," salubong ni Alexandre sa bisita nang maabutan itong kumportableng nakaupo sa sofa sa salas.

Nag-angat naman ng tingin si Lucas at tumayo. Ngumiti ito ng bahagya.

"Surprise?" Ani Lucas at tumawa.

Alexandre smiled a little. He couldn't understand what's happening but he suddenly became dizzy and was like hallucinating.

"I'm sorry, give me a minute. Hindi agad ako nakapaghanda kasi kinulit pa ako ni Ariella," paghingi nito ng tawad sa bisita.

"No problem. I'll be right here waiting for you," and Alex couldn't help but smile at that.

"If you don't mind, we'll drop by at theirs to pick her up?" tanong ni Lucas nang parehas nang makasakay sa white convertible nito.

Alexandre was admiring the car. It was really well handled and branded. Ang tatak ay pamilyar sa kaniya at halatang exported pa mula sa ibang bansa. Kaya naiilang siya sumakay roon. Para pang babae ang may-ari sa bango at linis ng kalooban nito.

"Paano na 'yan, wala siyang invitation?"

"She received one. Wala nga lang siya balak pumunta, until she heard that we're going. You know her, hindi 'yun magpapahuli," sabi niya at parehas silang tumawa.

Because they both know he was right.

Nagsimula na siyang magmaneho. Tahimik lang rin silang dalawa. Alexandre was feeling the awkwardness between them. Sa katunayan ay hindi ito ang unang beses na maramdaman ito para sa lalaki.

The first messenger conversation was the start of it all.

"I can't believe you guys. You're forming a trio without me. Without me— without Ariella Ferrera, you wouldn't have your third member which is Alex," bungad ni Ariella sa dalawa nang sunduin ito sa kanilang tahanan.

Tahimik lang na nangingisi sa kaniya si Lucas habang si Alex naman ay naka-angat lang ang kilay para sa kaibigan. Alex has been telling her that there is no trio but she is convinced that there is.

"Bakit pala hindi niyo kasama si Riley? She's part of the trio," bitterness was dripping from her tone.

Alex sighed. "How many times do I have to tell you that there is no trio?"

Bumungisngis si Ariella. "If there's no trio, then, what is this? Love triangle?" Then she laughed like a crazy woman. "Is there a third wheel happening, maybe?"

Alex just ‘tsked’ and didn't gave his friend a response. Natahimik nalang rin si Lucas. The whole drive was quiet not until Lucas broke the building tension.

"So why did you decide attending the party?" Tanong ni Lucas kay Ariella.

"I don't really want to attend the party. I can't stand people I just heard of right now. When I heard from Alex that you invited him, it's my chance to come with you," kwento ni Ariella.

Lucas just sighed and they arrived the hotel where the venue was at, quietly.

Naunang lumabas si Lucas ng sasakyan at sumunod si Alex, na pumunta sa harap ng pinto sa side ni Ariella at pinagbuksan ito.

Ariella smiled and gave Alex a pinch at his cheeks.

"What a gentleman! Cutie, Alex," hagikgik nito at binigyan lamang siya ni Alex ng walang buhay na tingin.

"Now, Lucas. Lead us the way!" Utos ni Ariella kay Lucas na itinaas ang kamay at prinisenta ang daan papasok.

It was a five-star hotel. The hotelier is a famous actor too. So Alex and his friends are very much familiar with the place. Plus, it's the best of the city.

Lucas handed his car keys to a valet and gave him a nod. Pagkatapos ay sabay silang pumasok sa mall at dumiretso sa venue doon.

The party was full of rich people and everyone is reeking with gold and jewelries. Alex felt out of place. Although they were part of the first class of people, they don't socialize like elite people. His mom is rich but he never once see her wearing such designer gowns and dresses.

Alex already felt that he's out of place. Pero kampante naman siya dahil alam niyang hindi siya iiwan ni Lucas at Ariella na mag-isa.

"Look at the attention every girl is giving Alex," bulong ni Ariella kay Lucas ngunit sapat para marinig din ni Alexandre.

"Some of them even have partners at their side," natatawang sabi ni Lucas na tinawanan rin ni Ariella.

"No matter what happens, stick with us, Alex. Baka hilahin ka papunta sa CR at—" pinutol agad ni Alexandre ang sasabihin ni Ariella.

"As if."

"Oh, I'm sure they will! You're so attractive. Kung hindi lang ako baliw na baliw kay Tyron, baka niligawan na kita!" hirit pa ni Ariella na kinailing nalang ni Lucas at Alexandre.

It was later that evening when Alexandre already felt bored. Naka-upo nalang siya sa table nila habang nakatanaw sa lugar. Lucas and Ariella is out to socialize. Kasama naman talaga siya kanina kaso nagpa-iwan na kalaunan dahil nakaramdam na ng pananakit sa kasu-kasuan.

Pero hindi katagalan ay may mangilan-ngilang lumapit sa kaniya. Women with expensive bags and shimmering jewelries approached him. Well, isa-isa. Pagka-alis ng isa, may panibagong lalapit. They all introduced themselves to him.

He would always reply, too. He's not interested but he is politely answering the questions that are being thrown to him. Maiksi lang rin ang mga reply niya.

After acknowledging every women that came near him. He didn't waste anytime, baka nanaman kasi ay may lumapit, tumayo agad siya at hinanap ang restroom doon.

He asked a waiter for direction until he reached his destination.

Nakatingin si Alexandre sa reflection niya habang naghuhugas ang kamay. He would occasionally wrinkle his forehead and would smile at himself.

Naabutan naman siya ni Lucas na ganoon ang ginagawa. This made Alexandre cringe and jump a little at surprise.

Lucas looked at him weirdly and went for the toilet and took his time.

"Ariella's looking for you," panimula ni Lucas sa usapan.

Alexandre can't focus. Bigla siyang nanlamig at hindi mapakali. Parang gusto niya lumabas at iwan ang lavatory sa harap. But that will be too rude of him.

"Sorry, I got bored and well I need to use the restroom..." He awkwardly said while still staring at himself. Trying to avoid looking at Lucas' direction.

Sa gilid ng mata ni Alex ay nakita niya ang pagtango ni Lucas at muling namayani ang katahimikan. Hindi alam ni Alex kung dapat na ba siyang umalis doon pero ang kalooban niya ay mas piniling manatili. Unconsciously, he was waiting for Lucas to finish so they can go back together.

Maya-maya ay lumapit narin si Lucas sa lababo at naghugas ng kamay. He pumped some soap from the dispenser too.

Alex felt his stomach hollowing.

But despite the mixed feelings he was having he managed to smile at his friend.

"Let's go?" he asked.

"Fuck." Nagulat si Alex nang marinig ang pagmumura ni Lucas, napa-awang ang labi nito at nagku-kwestyon ang mata.

Huminga ng malalim si Lucas at hinarap ang kaibigan.

"You could hate me for this but please don't," sabi nito at bago pa maka-reply si Alex ay hinila siya ni Lucas.

Alexandre blanked out after feeling Lucas' lips above his. It was soothing and tender. Until it became a bit aggressive and Alex saw himself responding to the kiss.

"You two are unusually quiet," komento ni Ariella nang makapwesto sa back seat.

After what happened at the restroom, non of them had the power to speak up.

"It's not like that you two are really talkative but I feel something... Hmm," ani Ariella.

"Nasa CR lang ako, Ariella," sabi ni Lucas dito.

"Talaga? Ikaw naman Alex? Wala bang humila sa 'yo sa CR?" natatawang sabi niya.

Pinamulahan ng pisngi si Alex at napangisi nalang si Lucas. Pero walang sumagot sa kanila.

Tumikhim si Lucas at iniwas ang tingin.

"You're just imagining stuff, Ariella. You drank three glasses of whiskey," ani Lucas. Ngunit hindi niya magawang tapunan ng tingin ang kaibigan.

"Grabe! But I'm still sober kaya. Besides, I remember I only had two and a half because you pulled me out of the party, you idiot! I was enjoying!"

Hindi na nagsalita pa si Lucas at muling natahimik nang makatulog si Ariella sa backseat.

Tahimik lang talaga si Alexandre at nakatanaw sa labas ng sasakyan. Hindi niya alam ang dapat ramdaman, nangangapa siya pero hindi niya maitanggi na nagustuhan nga niya ang nangyari pero naguguluhan siya.

Panay sulyap lamang sa kaniya ni Lucas.

"I—" salita sana ni Lucas ngunit pinutol agad 'yun ni Alexandre.

"Let's talk after dropping Ariella off," sabi nito. Lucas can only agree.

"Bye! Thank you Lucas and BFF Alex. Had fun! Kahit na both of you mysteriously disappeared kanina!" Paalam ni Ariella habang nakaway sa dalawang kaibigan.

They had to help her get out of the car and inside the house. Mukhang nalasing nga siya sa tatlong baso ng whiskey.

"Thanks for accompanying her home, Lucas and... Alex, right?" Ngiti at paghinging salamat ng ina ni Ariella na si Ariana Ferrera.

Tumango si Alexandre at inilahad ang kamay sa ginang.

"Alexandre Adler, nice to meet you, Mrs. Ferrera!" bati nito sa ina ni Ariella.

"The pleasure is mine, you handsome boy. Please do call me tita," nakangiting tanggap nito sa kamay ni Alex.

"We'll go ahead, tita. See you again soon," si Lucas na ang nagpaalam.

"Please bring Alex again next time. Take care!"

"About... What happened at the restroom..."

Nandoon na sila sa tapat ng gate ng bahay nila Alex. This is the time to talk about what happened.

Huminga ng malalim si Alex at binigyan ng malamlam na tingin si Lucas.

"Why did you do that? What did you do..." Hanggang ngayon ay gulong-gulo si Alex sa nararamdaman.

"Look, I'm not sorry for what I did. But if that offended you, I'm sorry—"

"I'm asking you, why did you do that?" Muling putol nito sa sinasabi ni Lucas.

Lucas sighed. "I wanted to. I want to prove something. I already got it and you know what..."

"What?"

"I just confirmed my deepest feelings for you," sabi ni Lucas habang diretso ang tingin sa mga mata ni Alex.

"Lucas..."

"Sorry again, and sorry but not sorry," sabi nito at muling hinawakan sa baba si Alex para sa isa nanamang halik.

This time, Alex gave in so easily and enjoyed it while it lasted.

—

Have to end it here because I'm not really good at making scenes like this HAHAHAHA

Thoughts so far for the story? Please comment! Also, guide in writing will be appreciated 💛

Not edited.