Chess Pieces Aftermath: Gray Sanford

Chapter 49

I was surprised. This was the second time that Gray switched since we came here in Japan. Hindi ko inaasahan na mangyayari ulit ang ganito kaya masyado akong nagulat ngayon.

I think the first time happened 'cause Gray wanted me to meet Gadriel. It was obvious that he somehow liked Gadriel based on how he told me stories about him. Kampante s'yang walang mangyayari sa akin kapag nakilala ko si Gadriel.

But now... I don't think that was also the case this time. Looking at him, who was obviously not Gray, felt like he was nothing but trouble. Especially the way he smiled at me in a flirty way.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit nangyari ulit 'to. Maybe because Gray was being... too cautious? Or too comfortable? It was only either of the two.

I was also being really careful not to give him any trigger 'cause I know it will be difficult if he switched so suddenly. Ang gusto ko sana ay ma-enjoy namin nang husto ang bakasyon namin.

But I guess... I was failing.

Or am I? Am I really failing?

I don't know... There was also this part of me that wanted to meet all of Gray's alters. It was probably just wishful thinking. Alam ko rin namang hindi pa handa si Gray na tuluyang mag-open up sa akin ng lahat tungkol sa kanya. He was taking one step at a time, testing the waters with his every step.

Kaya kahit gaano ko pa kagusto iyon, hindi ko pipilitin si Gray. I will always be ready to wait for him.

But for now... hindi ko alam kung anong nakapag-trigger sa switch n'ya ngayon.

"Anong nangyari? Bakit biglang—" I couldn't stop my worries. "Did I trigger something in Gray?"

He actually laughed despite my worries. Alam kong nakikita n'ya ang pag-aalala sa mukha ko ngayon. Hindi ko rin naman sinubukang itago iyon. But he still laughed at me.

I saw his forefinger tapping on the armrest as he stared at me. He looked like he was studying me.

He chuckled.

"No, babe. Sometimes, we, headmates, just switch for no reason at all."

Napakunot ang noo ko.

"Headmates?" I asked.

"That's what we call ourselves. Headmates. Not alters. 'Cause we share the same..." he trailed off. He tapped his temple twice. Naalala ko si Gray sa kilos na 'yon. "But yeah... You're right. There was a trigger. That maid cafe. I wanna try it."

Napakurap lang ako sa kanya at napatitig pagkatapos. I was confused and slightly amused at the same time.

Those flirty servers... triggered him?

Mas lalo lang lumala ang pag-aalala ko. Paano ko maiiwasan ang ganoon sa susunod? Does that mean that any woman who would flirt with Gray might triggered him to come out? To switch out? So mga babae ang trigger ng isang 'to?

I mean... This one looked like a flirt. A playboy.

Wait...

Natigilan ako nang biglang may maalala. I looked at him who was just staring at me with that flirty smile still plastered on his lips.

"I think I've already met you," dahan-dahan kong sabi dahil hindi rin ako sigurado. Tama nga kaya? Isa s'ya sa sinabi ni Gray na mga alter n'yang nakita ko na? "At the grocery store. May kausap kang babae. I was sure you saw me too."

Nangyari iyon noong mga unang araw ko pa lang sa Negros. I saw him at the grocery store talking with a woman. I even heard their conversations and it was kinda flirty. Naramdaman n'yang may nakatitig sa kanya pero bago pa magtama ang paningin namin ay umiwas na ako ng tingin at nagpatuloy sa pamimili.