Selfless [Heartthrob Billionaires Series #4]

Chapter Three

SILENCE MEANS YES

JULIE

We found a coffee shop just nearby the streets of bars in the district. The area was very accessible and maraming commercial establishment kaya madaling maghanap ng kahit anong shop. The coffee shop we found was just a few blocks away from the bar kaya hindi na namin kinailangang gumamit ng sasakyan. We just walked papunta roon.

Walking was a better choice for me. It helped relieved my system of the drunkenness. Medyo nawala ang spirit ng alcohol sa akin dahil sa sandaling paglalakad namin. The cold gust of wind slightly helped too although it was a little too cold for me.

“Here…” Nabigla na lamang ako nang pagbaling ko kay Jared ay umaamba na siyang ilalagay sa aking magkabilang ang coat na kanina’y suot niya.

Nahihiyang napangiti na lamang ako. I didn’t think he would notice I was cold. He didn’t really have to offer his coat but he did. What a gentleman… “Thanks.”

Hinawakan ko ang magkabilang lapel ng coat upang itakip iyon sa aking sarili at hindi na lamigin. It was already midnight kaya malamig na. And I was wearing a short one shoulder dress so you can just imagine why I was cold. I rarely dress like how I dressed tonight but since I wanted to fit in sa lugar na pupuntahan, I decided to dress a bit more daringly tonight. My usual dresses won’t look too good in a bar. I’d stand out for sure. Baka pagtawanan pa ako roon. Let’s just say I lean more on the conservative side.

Magkaharap kaming naupo ni Jared sa pandalawahang table sa tabi ng bintana ng shop. We already ordered our drinks. I ordered a hot americano habang siya naman ay isang espresso double shot. He even kidded about my choice of drink.

“You like your coffee pure and bitter, huh?” He asked with a hint of amusement.

“Something like that… I just like it strong.” I answered with a smile.

Tumaas ang isang kilay niya na tila natutuwa na naman sa akin or sa kung anumang sinabi ko. “I didn’t expect that. I thought you lean on the sweeter and creamier side.”

“Pano mo naman nasabi? Is it because of the face?”

“Yeah. You look like the good girl type…”

Isang malalim na buntong hininga ang napakawalan ko. “Yeah? Well, you’re not the only one who said that. Everybody practically says that I am the good girl. The good daughter. The good girlfriend. Ms. Goody two shoes…”

I was chuckling and making a joke out of it but deep inside I was getting annoyed by it. I don’t like it. I don’t want to be seen as the good girl. I’m tired of pretending to be the good girl.

“You seem to dislike being good though.” He said. He was staring at me now. Well, kanina pa naman siyang nakatitig sa akin. It’s honestly a surprise to me nga na hindi pa ako natutunaw. But kidding aside, his stare right now is more intent and it looked like he was reading into my expressions. It was like he was trying to see through me.

Tipid akong ngumiti. “It’s not that I dislike being ‘good’.” I said, air quoting the word. “It’s just that it’s exhausting being seen as a constantly good person… It puts too much pressure actually…”

“I know…” He nodded in agreement. “People expect you to be good always. And they expect you to stay silent even when they try to take that goodness for granted…”

“Like you have no rights to not be good at all! Like you can’t even get mad for something you have the rights to be mad about!” I exclaimed.

And then I realized what I just did.

I ranted about my problems, and to someone who was close to a stranger.

Is this the effect of alcohol? Or did I get too comfortable seeing that he was somehow agreeing to my sentiments? Whatever it was between the two, it’s still embarrassing. How could I even rant gayong unang beses pa lamang namin itong nag-uusap? He’d probably see me as problematic and full of angst. Oh god… Way to make an impression, Juliette!

Napapikit na lang ako dahil sa pagkahiya. “Sorry ‘bout that…” I said while smiling apologetically.

“It’s okay. It was nice actually.” Bahagya akong nabigla sa kanyang naituran. What was nice? My sudden rant? “It’s nice to see that you’re not that awkward around me anymore… and it was nice to hear someone share the same sentiment.”

Hindi agad ako nakapagsalita dahil sa pagkabigla. Medyo tinamaan muli ako ng hiya dahil sa sinabi niya. So he actually noticed my awkwardness?

“I’ve got a bit of a problem with my good guy personality actually.” He chuckled. Hindi ako nagsalita para hayaan lamang siyang magpatuloy. I got curious about his story. But it seems he wasn’t ready to share it yet. Well, I understand naman. We’re practically strangers. Things like these shouldn’t be discussed at the ‘first’ meeting. “So, I’m thinking, probably time for me to change image.”

“If you’re going to do that for other people, don’t.” I couldn’t help but say. Halata namang nabigla siya sa sinabi ko dahil nakita kong natigilan siya nang muli akong tingnan. “Change for yourself only… If you think it would be better for you, then do it. But if it’s for another person, don’t. You’re you… and if they can’t handle that then they don’t deserve you. Being good is… good. Don’t ever change that for anyone.”

Jared didn’t speak for a while. He just stared at me. Kung hindi pa dumating ang mga in- order naming drinks ay hindi mapuputol ang titig niya sa akin. Tahimik na lamang akong nakapagpasalamat sa naging interruption. Goodness!  My heart was beating abnormally inside my chest habang tinitingnan niya ako kanina. His eyes held so much emotions na pakiramdam ko ay nadadala ako noon. Ni hindi ko magawang salubungin ng matagal ang tingin niya sa akin.

Dahil sa pagdating nang aming mga inumin, saglit na naghari ang katahimikan sa pagitan namin. Nararamdaman ko ang paminsan- minsang tingin sa akin ni Jared pero dahil sa pagbalik ng aking awkwardness ay hindi ko magawang tingnan siya pabalik. I pretended to be busy admiring the street outside kahit na wala namang ia- admire doon. It was just a dark and deserted road.

I heard him clear his throat before he spoke again. “So… are you working or studying or just managing a business?”

Finally! A topic. “I’m actually a bum right now.” I tried to make it sound like a joke para naman ma- lighten up ang mood.

He chuckled at my answer. “A graduate then… What course?”

“Law.” I answered while shrugging my shoulder.

His mouth formed an ‘o’. He looked amazed to find out about my degree. “Impressive. Practicing?”

“I still need a license for that.”

“Fresh graduate?” He asked and I nodded. “Are you going to take the bar exam this year?”

With everything that’s going on, I don’t think I can even do that. I sighed and shrugged. “I don’t really know yet… I’m thinking about it but I don’t think I’ll be able to do well.”

“Don’t stress yourself. Take it when you feel like you’re really ready.” He smiled.

I couldn’t help but smile back. I didn’t say anything and just took a sip from my coffee. I didn’t understand why I was suddenly feeling this weird fuzziness. I didn’t really dislike it but it felt really weird… How could I be so comfortable with someone I just met? I didn’t know it was even possible…

Maybe it’s because he saved me twice now. Well like I said, he really didn’t save me the first time. But I could count it as one. He managed to not run over me kahit na bigla na lang akong tumawid that time… Or maybe it’s the softness of his eyes… When he looks at me, he gives me this warm feeling that I couldn’t help but notice… Or maybe it was because of his smile. I think he won me over with boyish, genuine smile. Or maybe it was because he seemed to understand me… He understood my sentiments because we were somehow the same…

I was beginning to dwell so much on the thought so I tried to pull myself out of it. There’s no good in going there, Juliette. Don’t even…

“How about you? What do you do for a living?”

“I… run my own company.” Tila nagdalawang isip pa siyang sabihin iyon.

Napangiti na lamang ako. I got a feeling that he didn’t want to boast about it kaya napaisip siya. “Businessman, huh? In what field?”

“Banking.” Tipid naman niyang sagot bago uminom sa kanyang espresso. Napataas ang kilay ko dahil roon. He was obviously trying to evade the topic. I wonder why… “And insurance, real estate… and a few more.”

I feel like few for him isn’t really few for me. Napangisi na lamang ako. “Impressive.” I said, copying what he said earlier. Napangisi na lamang siya roon. “You must be really good with what you do. Come to think of it… you actually seem familiar…”

Nag-iwas lamang siya ng tingin sa akin. My eyes narrowed as I stared at him. Now I get to stare without getting awkward. The table has turned! “Can you tell me your full name?”

“By full name you mean my actual real name?” He asked. He’s stalling. I just raised a brow at him. He sighed and eventually told me his full name. “Jaime Redentor Arguelles.”

At the mere mention of his full name, agad kong na-realize kung sino ang kaharap ko. “You’re THE Jared Arguelles?” He didn’t say anything and just shrugged. Halos matawa na lamang ako sa aking natuklasan. That’s why he looked familiar! I saw him on a magazine last year. He was a member of the esteemed Heartthrob Billionaires of Elite! “Wow! I can’t believe I am actually having coffee in the middle of the night with one of the heartthrob billionaires.”

He made a face because of what I said. “It’s just me.” He simply said.

Of course it’s not ‘just him’. He’s an actual billionaire and from what I know he’s still very young. Just in his late twenties. Being a billionaire at such age is very impressive!

“If I had my copy of the magazine, I would have asked for an autograph.” I teased while chuckling. He groaned as if it was a headache that we were discussing about it.

Nagpatuloy pa iyon ng ilang sandali just because I couldn’t let go of the topic. I was really amused and amazed by my discovery. It wouldn’t even sink in on me that I was out with a heartthrob billionaire. I was never the type to gush about things like that but I realized it was pretty exciting when it happened in real life.

Anyways, the topic really lifted up my mood kaya naman nawala na muli ang awkwardness ko. I even become a little bit chattier than usual. I didn’t have the time to worry about it dahil naging maganda naman ang conversation namin ni Jared. It actually continued until we realized the time.

Masyadong napasarap ang pag- uusap namin kaya hindi na napansin na past one AM na pala. I knew I had to get home soon kaya napilitan nang magpaalam.

After magbayad ng bill namin, lumabas na kami ng shop ni Jared. Tumigil kami sa labas. “Do you have your car with you?” He asked.

I shook my head. “I didn’t bring my car. I figured I’d be too drunk to drive.” I said and then smiled sheepishly.

“Let me drive you home. San ka ba?” He offered and agad na akong umiling.

“No need. I’ll just book a ride.”

“No, it’s fine. It’s late. It’s dangerous. Just let me, Julie…” Pareho kaming natigilan dahil sa itinawag niya sa akin. Agad siyang napakamot sa kanyang batok nang ma- realize ang naitawag sa akin. “Sorry, it kind of slipped.”

I shook my head and smiled at him. “Julie's fine. I don't mind…”

He bit his lip as if he was stopping himself from smiling. “I sure hope I am not creeping you out with actions.”

I laughed. “Why would you think that? Should I be creeped out?”

His eyes slightly widened before he immediately shook his head. “No, no. Of course not.” He said before he broke into a sheepish smile. “I just hope you’re not thinking I’m being aggressive at our ‘first’ meeting.”

“Don’t worry, you’re not…” I assured him with a small smile.

“Well then will you let me drive you home now?” He tried again.

I could only chuckle again. “It’s fine really… You don’t have to worry. I can manage…”

“Why manage on your own if you have me?” He said before giving me a teasing smile.

Pinigilan ko ang sarili kong mapangiti kahit na tila imposible iyon. In the end, I just found myself laughing. “You really don’t have to… I’ll just call our driver if you’re so worried.”

“Are your parents strict or something? Bakit parang bawal ka ihatid?”

I was taken aback by his sudden question. “H- hindi naman… I just… really don’t want to impose on you…”

“You’re not… I’m offering.”

I smiled. “I know… Pero no need na talaga… My driver will come here din agad if I call him.”

He sighed. “Okay then… Call him now. We’ll wait here.”

“H- huh? Hindi na… Let’s go back na sa bar para makauwi ka na…”

His forehead knotted at me. “Dito mo na papuntahin. It’s safer here. We’ll wait here then I’ll go back after you go.”

“No… You can go. I’ll wait na lang mag-isa. I’ll be fine here. You said it’s safe here… You don’t need to worry.”

“I can’t do that. It’s late. We’re not sure kung gaano nga ka-safe rito.” Pagpupumilit pa niya. “And I need to make sure you’ll really get home safely…”

Nakagat ko ang aking labi dahil sa nahihirapan na sa sitwasyon. I didn’t know what else to do para makumbinsi na siyang umalis. And then a thought popped into my head. It’s quite embarrassing but it was my only option. I hope it works.

“How about I text you na lang once I get home?” I suggested.

A smile played on his lips almost immediately. He seemed to be amused again. “You wanna be textmates with me?” He asked while c*****g an eyebrow. I almost closed my eyes in embarrassment. Great! Now he thinks I’m just being low key aggressive. He must have noticed the embarrassment on my face dahil tinawanan lamang niya iyon at nagsalita nang muli. “I’m kidding. Although, I like that idea. Let’s exchange numbers.”

Nakagat ko na lamang ang aking ibabang labi sa pagpipigil ng ngiti. “O- okay…”

“Here. Save your number, please.” He said while handing me his sleek black iPhone 11. Walang imik na kinuha ko iyon at sinunod ang kanyang sinabi. Ibinalik ko rin agad sa kanya ang phone niya. He fumbled on his phone for a while before I heard the familiar sound of my message alert tone. “I called your number just to make sure.”

He smiled sheepishly after saying that. Akala ba niya I will save a fake number on his phone? “Technically, I was the one who asked to exchange numbers. Why would I give you a fake number?” I said while chuckling.

He just grinned. “I don’t know… Maybe you’re really just trying to get rid of me?”

My eyes widened at what he said. Was it that obvious? Well, I wasn’t really trying to make him leave because I didn’t like his company. It’s just some kind of safety precaution.

“W- why would I do that? I- I enjoyed our chat… I said yes to coffee with you. If I was trying to get rid of you, I would have done that right away…”  I don’t know but I got worried about his thoughts all of a sudden. Pakiramdam ko kailangan kong magpaliwanag sa kanya.

“Relax, Julie… I was just kidding…” He said. I couldn’t relax. I’m a bit guilty that’s why. Pakiramdam ata niya ay itinataboy ko siya kaya I felt the need to explain. “Okay… Ganito na lang… If you really enjoyed our talk… and you’re not trying to get rid of me, you’ll say yes to dinner with me.”

My eyes widened right away. Now that’s what you call aggressive. I can’t say I dislike it though.

It was so hard to answer him. I could just say yes to him dahil kung simpleng sagot lang iyon na magpapatunay sa sinabi niya, madali lang naman sabihin… But this is an actual dinner with a man… with him. Should I say yes? Will it be okay?

“Silence means yes.” He grinned.

Nabalik ako sa huwisyo dahil sa kanyang sinabi. It’s just dinner. No need to think too much about it I guess. It’s just going to be a dinner with a… friend. Yes, that’s it.

“Yeah… Sure.” I answered with a smile.

What could possibly go wrong? It’s just a harmless dinner with a harmless friend.