My Bestfriend's Brother: A Hate to Love Billionaire Romance

Chapter 4: Crazy

"Wait, sagutin ko lang," pagpapaalam ni Trixie habang lumalapit sa nagriring nilang telepono.

Tumango ako at pinagpatuloy ang pagkain. Kami na lang dalawa ang nandito. Don't ask me kung nasaan ang maniac dahil hindi ko alam. Hindi ko siya nakita simula nang lumabas ako ng kwarto ni Trixie.

"Hello?" Trixie asked on the other line. "Hmm? At bakit?"

Lumingon siya sa akin habang iniisip ko naman kung sino iyon.

"Bakit nga?" Tinakpan niya ang telepono at bumuka ang bibig. 'Si Lawrence.' Pero syempre soundless. She just mouthed it to inform me.

Umirap na lang ako. Bakit na naman? Hinayaan nga niya ako sa lalaking manyak na iyon tapos ngayon hahanapin niya ako?

I waved my hands as a sign na sabihin niyang wala ako but...

"She's here. Audrey, phone call."

I gasped, unbelieving. She gave a triumphant smile. Umirap ako sa kanya bago kinuha ang wireless telephone nila. Tinapat ko lang iyon sa tainga ko pero hindi kaagad ako nagsalita.

[Audrey?... Uhm, are you okay? What happened to you last night?]

"I don't remember."

[Are you home? I'll visit you--]

"No need, Lawrence. I'm at Trixie's place."

[Uh so her brother did not bring you home?]

"Obviously."

[Audrey may problema ba?]

Natigilan ako sa tanong niya. Hindi ko rin alam kung bakit ganito ako ngayon sa kanya ngayon. Siguro naiinis ako dahil hinayaan niya ako sa ibang lalaki?

"Nothing. Bye."

I ended the call. Siguro nga hindi pa rin siya nagbabago. Kaya paano ko ulit maipagkakatiwala ang sarili ko sa kanya?

"So, what's between you guys? Are you--"

"As you know, Trixie. We are friends." Hanggang doon na nga lang siguro kami. Nothing more, nothing less. We had enough time to prove how much we cherished each other. That time was long gone.

"Are you sure? Bakit ganyan ang mukha mo?"

Tinaasan ko siya ng isang kilay. Bakit ano bang itsura ko? Am I obviously giving my feelings away?

"Nakamove-on ka na ba talaga?"

"Oo," buo ang boses kong sinabi na sinabayan pa ng pagtango. I'm sure. I'm sincere about it. Matagal ko na ring pilit na pinapaniwala ang sarili ko. Up until now, I wished I get to adapt myself to it.

"Really?" She's still doubting it.

"Yes," I repeated with more conviction.

"Are you sure?"

"Fine! I still love him! I still love Lawrence!" I rolled my eyes, not only to her but also to myself. I'm not sure, okay? Maybe it's what they call the stage of in-denial after a break-up. But I'm not yet willing to take a risk again.

Right after I said that the front door opened and the great brother walked in, a good and bad source of interruption.

Nagsalubong agad ang kilay ko sa kanya. Nakakairita siya. Bakit hindi na lang niya ako hinayaan kay Lawrence? Mas magiging komportable pa ako kung si Lawrence ang kasama ko.

Saglit siyang napatingin sa akin bago tahimik na nilagay ang dalang paper bag sa lamesa.

Gusto ko kaagad kunin ang fries na iyon pero hindi ko ginawa. I don't think para sakin iyon. And kung para sa akin nga, I don't think pa rin. Ano iyon suhol? His way of apologizing sa lahat ng ginawa n'ya sa akin? Akala niya ganoon lang iyon kadali?

"Oh, Kuya bakit bumili ka rin ng fries? Wala naman akong sinabi, but anyway, Audrey, here. Favorite mo 'yan 'di ba?" She handed it to me.

Tinitigan ko muna iyon. Napabaling ako kay Trixon na nag-iwas pa ng tingin.

Ano naman kayang problema niya? Bakit bigla yata siyang naging maamo? Kasama ba ang arte na iyan sa suhol niya. And as if there's a need to be pretentious now. Kilala ko na siya, hindi pa niya ako kilala. Kilala na namin ang isa't isa ngayon.

"No, thanks. I have to go," pagpapaalam ko at tumayo na rin.

"Oh really? Tatanggihan mo itong fries?"

I know na magugulat siya kapag tinanggihan ko iyon. Pero dahil galing iyan sa manyak niyang kuya hindi ko talaga kukunin.

Mamaya may lason pa 'yan. Or gayuma para -- Arrgghh! Erase that thing na nga!

Bumalik ako sa kwarto ni Trixie. Kinuha ko lang ang bag ko roon.

"Trixie, I have to go."

"Sure. Take care and don't play a bitchy game without me."

Ngumiwi ako. That bitchy game again. I don't think kaya ko pang maglaro noon dahil si Trixon ang lagi kong naiisip kapag naaalala ko iyon.

Kaya lalo lang akong naiirita sa kanya.

***

"Anytime, Audrey, you can manage our company if you like. Of course, you're our only heiress," Dad seriously informed me with the fact I have known for a long time.

But as I used to do. Goes to the left ear and comes out to the right. I never thought or imagined managing our company. I don't want to be a workaholic like them. I want to enjoy being this -free and fewer worries.

"But we will be glad if you're going to have a partner to help you manage our company."

I know. Mom is referring to Lawrence. Actually, they are planning for our wedding and to merge our company, which I really hated because more power means a big responsibility. And I hated responsibilities.

So there, their plans didn't happen, of course, because I broke up with Lawrence. It was a decision that shook everyone. More than me. 

I can still remember how happy I am hearing our parents planning for our wedding instead of us. I felt what girls often say, that they feel like in heaven because of too much happiness.

If only Lawrence didn't do that to me. If only he became loyal up to me now. If only things like that didn't happen. If only our love wasn't challenged that way. 

"Audrey, don't you really want to fix your relationship with Lawrence? He is a nice guy. We really wanted him for you."

"Dad, we're still friends. And I don't think I have a thing to fix with him."

I also want to. But as I keep on saying, I don't want to take a risk anymore!

Lawrence is really a nice guy, he is a perfect guy rather. Until that night happened. And I don't think he's still the perfect guy.

"Excuse me, Dad, Mom."

I ran out of their office. I can't take it anymore. I just visited here because they said they had important things to tell.

If only I knew that the important things were about Lawrence, I wouldn't really be going here.

They like Lawrence for me but how about me? I like him too rather I love him. But I can't take anymore what has happened.

"What's wrong with you, Miss?" The girl whom I bumped into right in front of our building, shouted.

I was about to say sorry but I stopped myself. I don't think she deserves my sorry.

I wiped the drop of tears I didn't know had fallen down while I was running out of the building.

Damn it! I'm still affected!

"A-Audrey."

So, she knows me?

"What?" I upped my chin. Trying to have some courage to control me.

Her lips moved, wanting to say a thing but she can't.

"Our paths crossed again. How are you?" I asked seriously.

"I-I'm fine."

"Good. How's Lawrence? Is he good?"

"Of course, he's good," she said trying to act normal. And there's nothing normal here.

My body shook a bit because of what she said. My anger is trying to resurface again. I'm losing my control again.

"Oh, my bad. I never experienced his kiss, yet," I said sarcastically but my words are hitting me damn seriously. "Anyways, he deserves a b***h like you," I said and turned my back but she grabbed my arm.

"What did--"

I take my arm back from her. "What? Don't you know you're a b***h?"

She knitted her eyebrows and then raised one to me. "Oh yeah. You're right... I'm a b***h and he deserves me. Not the one acting like a holy saint like you! You can't even give him the things he wanted that's why--"

I slapped her once and then twice. That's for what she said and for the night she ruined me and Lawrence.

I don't have enough courage that night, that I just ran away crying like some kind of pathetic and stupid girl. But now, I want to ruin her face.

I hate the emotions I am feeling right now. Why after a year I'm still affected? What happened for almost a year when I tried to move on? It's all coming back again to me like that just happened last night.

I saw her arms in the air about to slap me but someone grabbed her arm and pushed her away.

Trixon Smith's PoV

Pinagmamasdan ko lang ang building na nasa harapan ko gamit ang matatalim kong mga mata. Iyang building na iyan, hinding hindi ko kakalimutan.

Paalis na ako nang mapansin ang bestfriend ni Trixie na tumatakbo palabas ng building, si Audrey.

What is she doing inside that building?

I watched her running as if something was wrong and she bumped with a girl because of being too preoccupied. They both paused for a while and talked. Until she slapped that girl.

Lumabas ako sa kotse at lumapit sa kanila bago pa man siya masampal pabalik ng babaeng kausap niya.

"Trixon?" Her eyes were wide, letting me openly see the shock on her face.

"Who are you?" The girl shouted to me but I just glared at her.

She looks familiar and to be true, beautiful.

But I don't care. I'm not in my mood, again?

Huminto kami sa tapat ng kotse ko. Binuksan ko ang pintuan sa front seat.

Tiningnan ako ni Audrey. Iyong tingin na walang ekspresyon pero alam kong sobrang lungkot ng mga mata niya. Sobrang lungkot na pati ang galit niya sa akin nawala?

Tumakbo ako papunta sa driver seat nang pumasok na siya sa loob. Nakakapagtaka na sobrang tahimik niya. Sa tagal ko siyang sinusundan, hindi naman siya ganyan.

Sino kaya ang babaeng iyon? Bakit mukha din siyang pamilyar sa 'kin?

Nilingon ko si Audrey na tahimik lang na nakasilip sa bintana habang kagat ang kanyang labi.

Maybe trying to control her emotions?

Alam ko kung saan siya nakatira kaya hindi ko na siya tinanong. Mas mabuti siguro kung magpapahinga muna siya sa kanila.

Pero teka nga. Bakit ko ba 'to ginagawa? At bukod kay Trixie, s'ya lang naman ang babaeng nakasakay dito sa kotse ko.

Ayoko naman kaseng masalaula ito ng ibang babae ko. Ayos lang kung ang kwarto ko pero hindi ito dahil mahirap itong linisin.

Pero bakit ko pa nga ba 'to ginagawa? Ano naman kung bestfriend siya ng kapatid ko? She may be too interesting for me but I am Trixon Smith and it's not me doing this kind of stupid thing. Giving a ride for a girl just like I'm her driver?

Something is really wrong with me. At bakit ganito ang nararamdaman ko ngayong kasama ko siya?

Something too difficult to explain. I feel like, I feel like. f**k it! I'm going to be crazy!

"I said stop the car!" sigaw niya kaya napabigla ang pagpreno ko. What's wrong with her?

Lumulutang na pala ang utak ko.

Bigla siyang bumaba sa isang, ewan ko kung ano 'to. Basta para siyang park at maraming puno pero wala namang masyadong tao.

Malayo pa rito ang bahay nila kaya saan naman kaya iyon pupunta? Don't tell me she has a date here?

"Where are you going?" Sinundan ko siya nang tumakbo siya sa loob ng lugar na iyon. It looks quiet here. I can't see what she's probably planning to do here.

Huminto siya pero hindi humarap sa akin. "Just leave me here now."

"Are you okay?" The question was out of my lips without me being able to contemplate if it's appr.

Tumango lamang sya. Napatingin ako sa maliit na lawa sa harapan namin. Nasa loob ito ng mapunong lugar na parang gubat pero hindi naman. Nakatalikod s'ya sa'kin at nakatitig doon.

Tsk. Bakit ba mas iniintindi ko pa ang pagdescribe ng paligid kaysa sa babaeng ito.

At bakit ko nga rin ba iintindihin ang babaeng ito? Wala naman akong kinalaman sa kung anuman ang pinagdaraanan n'ya ngayon.

"Just go!" sigaw nya.

"I don't know what--"

I was about to go near her but she stepped forward while waving her arms just for me to go and leave her.

There's a part of me that wants to go because I don't really care. And a part saying I should stay and should care? What's wrong? Why would I care about the drama of this girl?

"Just leave me here okay?!"

"But--" Bakit pa nga ba ko nakikialam?

"P-Please...," her voice broke.

Parang may iba akong naramdaman ng bigla siyang umupo sa harapan ng lawa. At tinakpan ng mga kamay ang kanyang mukha.

Bakit parang may iba akong nararamdaman ngayon na umiiyak siya pero wala akong magawa? I feel useless. Sa kama lang ba talaga ako magaling?

"A-Audrey?"

"Please, please, please! Leave me here," she said between her sobs. Pakiramdam ko ay kinuyom ng isang bakal na kamay ang puso ko. I'm exaggerating, I know, but why does it feel like it? It feels odd and unfamiliar. I don't even know what's causing her to be this dramatic and it's affecting me this much? Already?

I left her. I choose to stay in my car rather than seeing her wasted. It's probably just normal mood swings of women. Especially an expensive one like her.

Naguguluhan na ako! Bakit ba may ganito akong nararamdaman? I wanted to comfort her but I don't know how I should do that. I've known many girls but I never experienced comforting them, even Trixie. I'm just good at bed and I'm so proud of it. But now? I feel stupid. I feel useless.

Napasapo na lang ako sa ulo ko dahil sa mga iniisip ko. Sobrang gulo.

It all started that night I... I kissed her.