The Girl Who Hides Magic

Chapter 14 | I Got Distracted

Chapter 14 | I Got Distracted

Pauline Cynthia Zunino’s Point of View

“Come on in! Sorry hindi ka pinapasok kaagad ni Warner, my cousin can be rude sometimes.” Adeleigh smiled and gestured us towards the door.

Ha? Cousin? They’re cousins? Oh. 

Now I’m embarrassed.

“He’s always rude.” Bulong ko at tinignan saglit si Warner na mariin ang titig sa’kin.

Adeleigh shrieked in laughter. “Oh God that’s so true.” Nag-init ang pisngi ko, nahihiya dahil hindi ko naman inakala na maririnig niya ang bulong ko.

She hurried me into the living room. Kung maganda ang labas ng mansion ni Warner ay mas maganda sa loob. It’s not like those mansions that scream wealth; his’ just screams simplicity and manliness. 

Amoy clove and cinnamon din ang bahay niya, parang ang pabango niya.

“Are you two hungry? Kulang pa ng pizza, Axel went out to buy some but I think he got stuck somewhere.” Naglalakad si Adeleigh palayo sa living room habang sinasabi iyon.

“I’m always rude…” He started, giving me a look, when we were all alone.

I laughed. “Do you want to complain about it? I’ll listen,” I joked.

Napa-iling siya pero kitang-kita ko ang pag-ngiti niya ng saglit. I felt my stomach turned up, as if there is something inside I can’t name. What the hell is happening to me?

“Aeson, man, you’re already here!” Napalingon ako sa pinto na pinasukan ko at nakita doon ang isang lalaki.

He looks so familiar, I don’t know why. Parang ganito din ang naramdaman ko noon nang una kong nakita si Lucius, kahit kanina kay Adeleigh. Maybe it’s my guts telling me that something is wrong with them? Baka Bleanrithian din sila?

But that’s impossible… 

“I told you to help Addie out—“

“Bago ka magalit, ipakilala mo muna ako sa kasama mo. You’re really a weird and rude dude, man!” The guy named Axel waved his hand at me and winked.

Nag-init ang pisngi ko, hindi alam kung magwe-wave ba ako sakanya o ngingiti na lang. 

“She’s my assistant; she’ll be staying here with me for the week.” 

“Man, you fucking serious? You never—“

“Shut up, Axel.”

Sinabihan ni Warner si Axel na tulungan si Adeleigh sa kusina kaya lang ayaw niya sumunod at pinilit na kailangan niya ako i-entertain dahil bisita ako. Hindi pa siya aalis kung hindi pa sobrang nainis si Warner at sinabing paaalisin na siya sa bahay kung hindi susunod.

Sanay na sanay na siguro si Warner mang-threat dahil kaagad pumunta si Axel sa kusina.

“If he comes near you while I’m gone, you can kick him away.” Tinanggal niya ang suot niyang relo at nilapag ‘yon sa center table bago tumabi sa’kin.

“What do you mean when you’re gone? Hindi mo ba ‘ko isasama?” I mean, hindi ba ‘yon ang purpose kung bakit niya ko sinama dito? Para mag-trabaho?

He slowly loosened his tie. Para akong aatakihin sa puso habang pinagmamasdan siyang ginagawa ‘yon.

Shit shit shit come to your senses Pauline!

“You can come with me on meetings but I won’t let you near a site again,” mariin niyang sabi.

Oh, right. The accident. How could I ever forget that? Halos hindi ako makatulog kagabi kaka-sabi ni Raine ng mga precautions at kung ano-ano pa.