CHAPTER FOUR

“Oh really? I was curious since you both looked perfect so I came here and asked,” Gin laughed. His words made me want to throw a punch on his face. What an excuse.

“I see. Is she your wife too?” June pointed at me, hiding in the cloth. I buried my face harder on Gin’s chest, trying to hide my wet eyes. I wiped it using the cloth that I hung around my head.

“Probably.” Gin’s voice almost sounded like he’s angry but maybe I just didn’t hear it correctly. His grip on my shoulder tightened even more but not to the point where it hurts.

After wiping the tears of the sudden shock, I looked at them again. The girl was just sitting quietly. Her long brown hair was covering her face and she’s crouching so it’s hard to see most of her features but I saw some bruises on her wrist.

“Oh.” June laughed at Gin’s remarks. He then tapped the shoulder of his wife, “Say hello,” Said June.

Like a doll, she turned her head to look at us and I was shocked to see a huge scar on her face. It looks likes it was burned. My heart dropped. What happened to her? By the looks of it, she’s in very bad condition. I can see her twitching every time she tries to make an expression or move something on her face.

“H-hello.” She awkwardly bowed.

“What happened to her face?” Gin asked after greeting back the girl. I really can’t see his face properly and he’s still holding my shoulder and gripping me to lean on him. This is weird but I can’t say anything! June will find out about me if I’d speak now.

I still need June to squeeze in some information about Navia.

“Just an accident.” He answered us with an innocent look.

I tugged the end of Gin’s polo shirt and tiptoed to reach his ears.

“Let’s go,” I whispered. He looked at me and then at June then back at me again.

“Why?” He whispered back.

I furrowed my eyebrows on him even though he can’t see it since the only thing visible on my face are my eyes, “I’ll kill you.” I gritted my teeth while whispering again to him.

He smirked at me before looking back at the couple sitting in front of us, “We’ll go first. My wife still needs to attend something,” Uttered Gin.

“Oh really? It was nice talking to you, I hope we’ll get to see each other again soon.”

I groaned in annoyance. Soon my ass. I wish I’ll never see you again. If only you’re useless then I would throw you away immediately after going back in time.

When Gin and I finally got outside and walked away from the restaurant, we sat on one of the benches behind the big tree where we can also see a lake. And again, we have this awkward silence between us.

“Why’d you let him do that to you?” ?” Gin broke the silence with that question.

“What?”

“June.”

I shrugged as an answer. What would be the best explanation from the ‘lovesick’ puppy like me? But the most important thing of all, June has a wife? Since when? How? Argh. Thinking about it makes my head hurt and maybe, my heart too.

“Don’t you love him?” I can feel his intent stare burning in my bare skin.

“I…. Don’t know.” I honestly stated and hugged my knees. It’s a good thing that I’m wearing a jogger and a t-shirt I’ve never worn before since being in a relationship with June made me want to impress him all the time so I dress myself up like a pretty Barbie doll.

“Well then, just break up,” Said Gin in a cold tone. I looked at him this time and our eyes met, his right brow raised while having an expression of disappointment. I giggled.

“You’re not supposed to care you know, Mr Gentleman.” I teased.

“There’s no rule in the contract about that.”

“What?”

“I can care if I want to.”

I can feel my face heating up. I know he doesn’t mean anything about that but still, it was an unexpected answer from him. I don’t know what to say next so I just looked away and stared at the peaceful lake in front of us.

This place will be swarmed with people at weekends so I’m glad today is Tuesday. It’s relaxing when it’s peaceful like this. My past life almost feels like a fever dream. Sometimes the thought that maybe that was just some nightmare always crossed my mind but witnessing things happen again pulls my thoughts back to reality.

“Does it hurt?” He asked again in a very serious tone.

“Kind of.” I honestly answered. It’s true. But the feeling of getting betrayed was far greater than the love I am feeling. I remembered the sick expression he have when he pushed me off the rooftop and how he shows no remorse after. That scene was engraved in my head and my heart.

“Will you be taking revenge then?”

“You ask a lot of questions.” I rolled my eyes and tucked some hair behind my ear. I heard him chuckle.

“You want to learn from me to take revenge right?” He muttered in a low tone.

“I- No.” I stuttered. How the hell did he come up with that thought? I mean I know he’s smart but I didn’t think he was this ‘smart’ to connect the dots.

“Your face says otherwise.”

“Stop talking.”

“I was right, am I?”

I flipped my hair, “Nonsense.”

“You don’t need to deny it.”

Psh. I stood up and turned to look at him who is still sitting, “Stop getting curious and know your boundaries.” I pointed at him while glaring before walking away as fast as I could.

When I got in my service car not too far from where I was, I remembered June. I still don’t know what to do. The thought that he has a wife and kept it a secret all this time irked me. But according to him, he was single all this time. How the hell did he get a wife? Is he so good at hiding things that he completely went through the hole of the needle? It hurts to even think about it.

“Going home, ma’am?” The driver gently spoke. I smiled at him and nodded.

“Manong, what would you do if someone you like has a lover?” (‘Manong’ is a term used in the Philippines that most people call to stranger older men) I blurted out of the blue while the engine starts. He looks at me using the rearview mirror and smiles.

“I’d probably stop if I knew I wasn’t the first.” He answered.

I sighed. Ah, whatever! Enough of June, I still need to deal with the upcoming drama later. I looked at my wristwatch and smiled. It’s a perfect time to go home and watch Navia’s little performance.