Sweet Nemesis

Chapter 14

#OLASweetNemesis

Chapter 14
Touchy

Hanggang sa makarating kami sa clubhouse, palaisipan pa rin sa akin kung bakit walang ibang naging kliyente si Keno bukod sa akin. It was hard to believe that I was the first one. Hindi ba bodyguard ang trabaho niya? Well, he's my bodyguard, so that should be his job. My cousin even hired him. Imposible namang ngayon lang siya nabigyan ng client because I could tell that he's really good at this.

"Finally!" Pumalakpak si Kuya Knoa nang makita kaming palapit ni Keno sa kanila. "Nagtalo pa ba kayo bago makarating dito?"

Everyone was almost done eating brunch when we arrived. Nakakain na kami ni Keno sa bahay kaya ayos lang kung hindi kami nakasabay. Kumpleto na silang lahat at kahit si Kuya Xavi ay naroon na rin. Well, he's never late anyway, so it's not a surprise. I'm just happy that he's starting to go outside and hang out with his friends despite his current situation.

"Uy! Hari!"

"Long time, no see!"

Tumayo sina JM at Chris para agad na lumapit sa akin. They gave me a quick hug as a form of greeting before their eyes laid on their friend.

"I can't believe it, dude. Totoo palang bodyguard ka ni Hari! Akala namin nagbibiro lang si Knoa. 'Di ka nagkukwento!" natatawang sabi ni JM.

"Kailan ba nagkwento 'yang si Keno?" pabirong sagot naman ni Chris.

While the two were busy teasing my bodyguard, I noticed Kerbie slowly approaching me from the side. I turned to him and smiled to acknowledge his presence.

I had to admit that he became more good-looking than he was back then. Well, kahit sina JM at Chris din naman. Mas lumaki rin ang katawan at nagbago nang bahagya ang pananamit. His current style looked better on him. It's very neat—perfect for a businessman like him.

"Hi, Kerbie!"Ako na ang unang bati dahil mukhang nahihiya pa siyang tuluyang lumapit. I didn't want us to feel awkward around each other lalo na't halos buong maghapon kaming magkakasama.

"Hari..." Kerbie hesitantly opened his arms, hinting for a greeting hug like I did with JM and Chris.

I smiled wider and allowed that to happen. Ako pa mismo ang lumapit sa kanya. It was a very quick hug that didn't even last for three seconds. He gently patted my back, and I could tell he became more comfortable after that until my cousin just had to ruin it with his annoying whistle.

"Hmm... Are you still in love with my cousin?" he asked with so much malice in his tone.

"Kuya!" I violently reacted.

"Shut up, Knoa. That was years ago," natatawang tanggi naman ni Kerbie.

"See?" I proudly crossed my arm and lifted my chin up.

"I was just asking." Sandali niyang itinaas ang dalawang kamay bilang pagsuko, ngunit may suot paring mapang-asar na ngiti. "You might have fallen in love with my cousin again after seeing her today."

"Knoa, stop that," suway na rin ni Kuya Xavi.

"I'm serious, Xav," he said, finding the absurd idea so interesting to him. "I know we became an obstacle last time and stopped you from pursuing Hari before, pero parang bagay naman pala kayo? I don't mind if you date each other now. What do you think, Keno?"

Napakunot ang noo ko nang mapunta kay Keno ang atensyon ni Kuya Knoa. What the hell is this annoying man trying to do?

"Why are you asking me?" malamig na tanong pabalik ni Keno.

"Well, you are Hari's bodyguard. Kasama ka sa mga magiging date nila, if ever. Are you up for being a third wheel?" Kuya Knoa asked him, like it was some kind of challenge.