#NewClassicPFL

Chapter 5
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After making a scene at the restaurant, Sic drove me back home. He stepped on the brakes in front of the huge modern stainless steel gate. It was around eleven when we reached my house.

Kahit na tumagal ng halos dalawang oras ang biyahe namin pauwi dahil sa trapiko, the ride still felt short because Sic kept me entertained the whole time. Hindi siya nawalan ng pang-iinis sa akin. Every time I'd try to keep my mouth shut, he'd do everything just to make me feel more irritated and argue back.

It was the most stressful ride home I had ever experienced. Thinking that I had to put up with him for a year, I needed to learn how to be more patient. I had to brace myself for it wouldn't be an easy journey. I knew it was going to be a challenge for me.

Hindi ko itatangging maikli lang ang pasensya ko pagdating sa mga tao o bagay na sumusubok doon. I was never the type of person to be lenient if I was being provoked―and that applies to everyone. Kapag alam kong nasagad na ang aking pasensya, I would pull myself out from the conversation and stay silent after speaking out my final piece.

While I was unbuckling my seatbelt, I caught him looking out to our house. Napataas ako ng kilay ngunit hindi ko na iyon pinuna. "Thanks for the dinner and for driving me home," sabi ko na lang.

Bubuksan ko na sana ang pintuan nang hawakan ni Sic ang aking braso. Nilingon ko siyang muli. His brows furrowed in thought until he stared directly in my eyes.

A little confused, I tilted my head on one side. "What?"

"Shouldn't I go inside?" he asked.

"For what?"

"It's almost midnight," he replied like it was enough for me to understand his intentions.

"And?" I probed.

He sighed heavily as if I was being too complicated. "I don't want your parents to worry. I should go inside and talk to them," he explained. "I didn't have the chance to ask for their permission earlier. It's the least I could do to show my respect."

My lips slightly parted. I wasn't expecting that he would bother thinking about that. No wonder he asked me that early evening if he should go inside first before we left.

Because of his playful nature, I never thought that he could be courteous and slightly old school. It reminded me of that Sic I met back in Paris―the man who was willing to help me without second thoughts.

Once again, my heart began to waver. However, I tried to steer myself away from thinking about those unwanted thoughts.

"You don't have to worry about that," I firmly told him. "My father's not home. He's on a business trip."

"What about your mother, then?"

Parang may panandaliang bumara sa aking lalamunan. Bahagya akong nag-iwas ng tingin sa kanya. "Matagal na siyang wala..." mahina kong sabi. "She died giving birth to me."

It grew colder inside his car when silence reigned over us. My breath caught and my throat felt tight and dry because of the pain resurfacing on my chest. I felt like I was suffocating until Sic's hand travelled from my arm down to my hand.

He gently squeezed my hand; I looked up to him. His warmth gradually spread, reaching my heart and throughout my entire body. His gaze deepened, but his eyes were shining with sincerity, throwing back the moonlight streaming through the windshield.

"I'm sorry." His voice was a bit hoarse. "I didn't mean to open up an old wound―"

"It's okay," I cut him off as I didn't want to dwell on sadness. "It's been years since I learned about her death. And besides, hindi mo naman alam ang tungkol doon. It's totally fine. Hindi mo kailangang humingi ng sorry."

He was still staring at me, but I knew his mind's eyes were elsewhere. Halatang malalim ang kanyang iniisip ngunit wala na akong balak na alamin pa kung ano 'yon.

"I'll go now. Thanks for the night." I smiled timidly before going out of his car.

I didn't look back and immediately passed the gate. The security guard greeted me good evening. I just nodded and smiled without stopping myself from walking until I reached my bedroom.

I turned on the lights and air condition and went inside my walk-in closet. Ibinalik ko ang bag sa shelf pagkatapos kong ilabas ang mga gamit sa loob no'n. Kumuha na rin ako ng pantulog bago pumasok sa bathroom. I took a quick hot shower and got ready for bed.

Pagkahigang-pagkahiga ko pa lang ay agad akong nakatulog. I wasn't surprised that I did since I was physically, emotionally and mentally tired. Masaya akong hindi nagtagal ang aking jet lag. I was able to adjust to the Manila time zone in just two days. Kaya nga lang ay hindi pa bumabalik sa dati ang body clock ko.

I slept longer than usual and woke up at almost lunchtime. Kinuha ko ang aking cellphone pagkagising na pagkagising. I got up from my bed went to get some water from the mini fridge inside my room. Habang nagsasalin ng tubig sa baso ay tiningnan ko ang aking cellphone.

Aside from seeing that it was already half past eleven in the morning, when I checked the web, it was just like what I expected―the media reported about our dinner date. There were stolen pictures of me and Sic walking hand-in-hand.

"New Classic's Sic Jaranilla celebrated first monthsary with his girlfriend, Lavinia Ordoveza"

Earlier this week, the superstar and model, Sic Jaranilla, was spotted with his reported girlfriend, Lavinia Ordoveza, back in L'Arc Paris. Despite being a hot topic, both sides did not confirm nor react to the dating news.

However, just last night, the newest and trending couple openly went on a romantic dinner date at a restaurant in Rockwell. One of the customers, who is also a fan of the world class band New Classic, happened to be dining at the same restaurant. She took pictures of the couple entering and leaving the establishment.

In addition, a waitress, who served Lavinia and Sic throughout their dinner, shared on her Facebook post that New Classic's drummer even prepared a sweet and romantic event to celebrate their first monthsary.

Congratulations to the happy and visual couple!

After reading the article, I checked the reaction of the public. Everyone was in some kind of frenzy while talking about us. Sic's fans concluded that it was an indirect confirmation of our relationship―something that they were patiently waiting for. The mature ones congratulated us. Nagkaroon na rin ng mga fan page para sa aming dalawa. May mga ibang nagpost pa ng edited pictures namin na magkasama.

Everything was going according to Sic's plan. Since everyone was convinced that we were really dating, it would be a great help to cover up our lies. All we needed to do was to officially confirm our relationship through the upcoming press con.

While I was enjoying scrolling on social media, my eyes squinted in suspicion when I received three messages from Sic with only short intervals.

From: Sic
Good afternoon, love.

From: Sic
*Lav

From: Sic
Sorry. Typo.

Napailing ako at napabuntonghininga dahil tama nga ang aking hinala. I already expected that to happen. Wala talagang makakapigil sa kanya sa pambu-buwisit.

To: Sic
Good afternoon, Francis.

Napangiti ako nang makaisip ng pang-inis sa kanya. Hindi puwedeng ako lang ang maiinis.

To: Sic
Oops, I'm sorry! Fransic nga pala. My bad.

Para akong baliw na natawa sa nireply. Siguro akong maiinis din siya dahil hindi niya iyon nagustuhan noong dinner. But all of a sudden, I cut my laughter short as I realized that I was slowly being influenced by him. I was starting to act like him who's a tease.

My realizations were interrupted when my phone rang. I raised my brows. There was an incoming call from Sic. I was sure by then that I succeeded pressing his buttons. I couldn't suppress the smirk on my lips.

With a victorious grin, I answered his call. "Yes?"

"I told you, it's Fransic not Francis," he corrected me right away.

"And I said I'm sorry for forgetting," I playfully argued and sat on the couch in my bedroom's small living room.

"You think I'll believe that?"

"You're the one who called me that cringy endearment first."

"I'm innocent," he shamelessly lied. "It was just a typo."

"And you think I'll believe that either?" I asked him. "Ang layo ng 'o' sa 'a' at sumobra ka pa sa letra."

"Ever heard of auto-correct?" sinubukan niya pa ring lumusot.

"Whatever." I rolled my eyes. "It's useless arguing with you about these petty things."

He chuckled huskily when I raised the white flag. He was clearly enjoying our exchange of banters. Kahit naiinis ay napangiti na rin ako. Even when he was incredibly annoying, he has a good sense of humor. Kahit iritado ako sa kanya ay hindi ko mapigilang gumaang ang loob sa kanya.

"Matatapos na ang break ko," sabi niya at iniba na ang aming topic. "We can meet at four later. Tapos na ang shoot ko before three."

Napakunot ang aking noo. "Ha? Bakit tayo magkikita mamaya?"

"You will sign the contract, right?" he reminded me. "I already asked Mr. Joel to revise the contract. Inilagay niya na ang mga gusto mo. You and your manager can come to First Class later."

Noon ko lamang naalala na may kontrata nga pala.

"I'll see if Ritchelle is―"

"Ma'am Lavi." Our housekeeper called me from behind the door after knocking. I abruptly stopped talking to hear what she had to say. "Nasa baba po si Sir Neil."

Nanlaki ang aking mga mata. Napatayo agad ako. "Tell him I'll be down in three minutes!" sigaw ko upang madinig ng aming katulong bago itinapat muli sa tainga ang cellphone. "Sic, I don't think I can come later. Bukas na lang kung wala kang work. I have to go. Bye."

Walang pag-aalinlangan kong tinapos ang tawag namin. Tumakbo ako papunta sa bathroom upang maghilamos at magtoothbrush. Sinuklay ko rin ang aking buhok bago tuluyang bumaba.

Neil was sitting in the dining area, drinking his juice, while waiting for me. On top of the table, I found a box of my favorite cupcakes which he usually buys for me every time he visits.

"Neil!" I called him brightly.

I completely forgot about our last conversation which didn't turn out great. Seeing him made everything fine. Naglaho agad ang aking pagtatampo sa kanya.

After putting his glass down, he turned to me and smiled. "Good afternoon," he casually greeted. "You woke up late?"

Tumango-tango ako at saka naupo sa kanyang harapan. Dahil matagal-tagal na mula noong huli ko siyang nakita, hindi ko napigilan ang sarili sa pagtitig sa kanya.

With his fair skin, pointed nose, chiseled jaw and that innocent look in his eyes, he's still as handsome as ever. In my opinion, he's the most handsome man out there. He's got that look I like in a man. If he would pursue a modelling career, I'm sure that he'll be one of the most in demand male models in the industry.

However, I knew that it would never happen. Just like my father, he's very indifferent when it comes to showbiz and entertainment. He doesn't like gaining too much attention. That's why even when he's the heir of one of the top performing companies in the country, he still remains lowkey.

"I brought you your favorite," he said and carefully put the box in front of me. "But you should eat your lunch first. You can eat it for your dessert."

"Okay. Thank you," nakangiti kong sabi sa kanya at masiglang kumuha na ng pagkain.

Muli siyang napangiti habang pinapanood ako. Pinagsalin niya rin ako ng juice sa aking baso habang abala pa ako sa pagsandok ng kanin at ulam. That simple gesture made my heart flutter. It was enough for me to fall for him all over again.

"About what happened the other day..." He began speaking once I started eating. I raised my gaze to meet his eyes. "I'm sorry for cancelling our dinner plans last minute... and for saying words that hurt you. I apologize for not being mindful enough."

Agad umangat ang dalawang sulok ng aking labi. "I know you don't mean it. Hindi naman ako galit," sabi ko. "Iyon ba ang dahilan kung bakit ka pumunta ngayon? You think I'm mad at you?"

Shaking his head, he smiled. "I know you will never get mad at me," he said with so much confidence. "But it's not a free pass for me to be a jerk. I know I was wrong. I became insensitive that I hurt your feelings."

My smile widened. The fuzzy feelings inside me tickled my heart.

This is the Neil I fell in love with. He's not just a man with a pretty face. He has a good heart, too. He's not someone who would groom his pride. He knows how to admit when he's wrong.

"I came because I want to apologize and make up for the dinner plans we both missed," he told me. "I already booked a table at your favorite restaurant for dinner. We'll leave at six if you have nothing to do today."

There were plenty of times when Neil spoiled me, but each time he made me feel special, it felt like it was always the first time. I could never get enough of getting some kind of special treatment from him.

"And your father asked me to check on you," he added.

Like a twig that had been stepped on, I quickly snapped out from those happy thoughts. The bright smile I was wearing dimmed when he mentioned my father. I quickly pressed my lips into a tight line. Nag-iwas din ako ng tingin at ibinagsak na lamang ang mga mata sa aking plato.

"He told me that you are reportedly dating a member of some kind of band. He asked me if it's true or not."

Napaawang ang aking mga labi nang ibinalik ko ang mga mata sa kanya. He seemed serious but he still looked gentle. It wasn't the reaction I was expecting from him.

"I don't know the truth because I haven't heard anything from you about him," he said. "But then, out of curiosity, I searched your name this morning and found out that you went on a date with him last night."

Sinking into silence as I held his stare, I dug my fingers into my pajamas. I even bit my lower lip to stop myself from saying anything. If I'd clear things out to him, he would surely report that to my father. But I promised Sic. I gave him my word that I wouldn't tell anyone about our arrangement, so I had to keep it.

Inabot ni Neil ang aking kamay. Bumaba roon ang aking tingin bago ulit siya tiningnan. He had a sweet and comforting smile on his face, but it was slowly breaking my heart into tiny, little pieces.

Why is he smiling?

I didn't want to see him happy after learning about my relationship with another man. I didn't want that.

"I hope you'll still talk to Uncle Virgil about this. He's really worried about you," he suggested. "But to be honest, I don't have any problem with you dating. As long as you're happy and that man treats you the way you deserve, I'll be happy for you," he expressed his support, which was the last thing I needed at that moment.

The warmth was replaced with coldness, making me feel numb. However, that numbness was immediately overpowered by pain. His words wrapped me like vines with thorns.

"I still have to meet him, though." Neil chuckled and let go of my hand to take a drink of his juice. "I need to check if he truly deserves you or not. You only deserve the best, Lavi. You should know that."