NOPI Chapter 33: He knows my secret.

Chapter 33

Sephine's POV

"What did you eat for lunch today?" tanong ni Charles kaya naman natawa na ako

"Kailangan mo ba talagang alamin pati kung anong kinakain ko?" tanong ko kaya naman tumango siya

He's even using his serious face.

"Of course, malay mo parehas tayo ng kinain diba? We could not only be meant for each other, we could also be soulmates" sagot niya saka niya ako tinataas taas at binabaan ng kilay niya

"I only drank three cups of ginger tea" mahina kong sagot dahilan kung bakit niya ako pinanliitan ng mga mata

Pagkatapos ng ilang minuto ay nagsalita na siya.

"You think that's good for you?" tanong niya kaya naman hindi ako sumagot

"Tsk. Seems like I won't only send you food in the morning, but also in lunch time" sagot niya kaya naman agad ko na siyang pinalo

"Ngayon lang naman ako nag-skip ng lunch. Sobrang kabado ako kaya naman hindi ako makakain ng maayos at maganda ang epekto ng ginger tea sa lalamunan ko. Naging maayos ang pagkanta ko dahil sa tatlong baso na 'yon" sagot ko saka ko iniwas ang tingin ko sakanya

"Should I send it you personally?" tanong niya kaya naman kumunot ang noo ko

"Don't do that," sagot ko

"I'm only worried about you. Bakit parang ako pa ang mali dito? Gusto ko lang namang alaagaan mo ang sarili mo," rinig kong bulong niya kaya naman napakagat ako ng labi ko

Sht. Nakonsensya ako. Like seriously. He's right. He was only thinking about my well being, there's no need to be so strong about everything.

Umurong na ako papalapit sakanya saka hinawakan ang kamay niya na ikinagulat niya.

"I'm sorry, Charles. Ayaw na kitang abalahin pa ng sobra kaya ko nasabi 'yon. I promise, I'll take good care of myself. Ngayon lang talaga 'to" sabi ko dahilan kung bakit niya ako tinignan ng matagal tagal

"Sa tingin mo ba abala ka sa akin?" tanong niya kaya naman napakagat ako ng labi ko dahil hindi ko alam ang isasagot ko

"Look, Sephine. If you want me to serve you or feed you, I can do that and if you want to have something, I have enough money to buy them for you. I'm willing to take care of you, to protect you. I know we've only met recently, but it felt like we've known each other ever since" sabi niya kaya naman hindi ako nagsalita at agad nang lumapit sakanya at ipinatong na ang ulo ko sa balikat niya feeling his warmth and smelling his manly scent and aromatic rose perfume

"Thanks, Charles. Anyways, why did a simple 'what did you eat for lunch today' question lead to you taking care of me and protecting me?" bulong ko dahilan kung bakit siya natawa

"I also don't know. At least masaya ka, that's all that matters to me"

I spent my time with Charles at the back stage. We were taking our time talking, joking and exchanging sweet nothings to each other.

Napakatagal pa dahil sa dami ng sections ng Business Department. A-E sections, specialized sections like Star Section, Dean's Section and sections for different majors.

"Is there a particular artist you would want to perform with you at the showcase?" rinig kong tanong niya kaya naman tumango ako pero hindi parin umalis sa balikat niya

"Mr. Mancini's a good friend of my dad and.. idol ko na siya simula nang mag-debut siya last 10 years ago. I hope he'd choose me but that would be impossible, right?" tanong ko kaya naman natawa siya

"With that performance earlier, you still think it'd be impossible?" - Charles

"Alam mo namang hindi ako confident eh. Akala ko nga magkakaroon ng negative reactions,"

"Haha. Believe the impossible, Seph. Hindi mo alam pero ikaw pala ang napili ni Mr. Mancini"

*

After the performances, pinalinya na kami by section kaya naman kahit ayaw ko man ay humiwalay na ako kay Charles at naglinya na sa section ko. Kasama ko na sina Ed at Ken ngayon.

The artists are finally choosing their partners for the duets.

"Now, artists, pick a student of your choice" pagkasabing pagkasabi palang non ni Mrs. Begley ay ang unang tumayo ay si Mr. Mancini

Mr. Mancini is actually 6 years older than my eldest brother, Joseph. He's a child actor, singer and dance who continued to rise to fame up until now.

Habang naglalakad siya ay suot suot niya pa rin ang poker face niya at talagang sinusuklay suklayan niya pa ang blond niyang buhok. He's very tall and very muscular at the same time. Unlike other idols and like my brother, he's the type of artist who doesn't have a stain in his reputation. Why? Because he's a Marcini. He's also the Heir to the Marcini Conglomerate.

He can sing, dance and act. He also composes his own songs. He's my idol and is also my inspiration in music.

Nga pala, Senior Marcini, his father, is my mother's cousin from a distant relative. As to whether we're connected or not by blood, I'm not sure.

"Oh my god! He's coming towards this direction!"

"He's coming to our section! Kyaaah! Is it me?"

"He's so handsome, I could die! His aura's even unrivaled"

"Who is he going to pick? Why in this section?"

Habang nagwa-wild sila sa labas, nasa loob ako nagpipigil ng excitement ko nang makita ko ring papunta nga si Mr. Mancini sa direksyon namin.

Hindi naman nagtagal ay napanganga na ako dahil inabot niya ang kamay niya sa akin saka ako nginitian

"You're the chosen one, Miss Cruz" agad niyang sabi kaya naman napanganga ang mga nakapalibot sa amin

Whatthefckinghell. Is this true?!

"Fck, he chose the nerd! Ugh, I knew it wasn't me!"

"He was watching her so intently at the performance, after all!"

"Hays, I lost the chance! I won't be chosen now!"

"Shut up, she was more than deserving for being chosen!"

"I know but still, it's such a shame! Waaaah!"

Itinaas ko na ang kamay ko pero nagdadalawang isip parin ako at talagang nanginginig pa ang kamay ko.

Nabigla ako dahil siya na mismo ang kumuha sa kamay ko saka niya nakipagkamayan sa akin.

"Your performance was amazing and I'm moved. Would you do the honors of performing a duet with me?" tanong niya kaya naman napa-cover ako ng bunganga ko para pigilang sumigaw at agad na hinanap si Charles

Nang makita ko ang ngiti niyang abot mata ay nagpigil na ako ng luha.

Fck, he's right. Ako nga ang pinili ni Mr. Marcini.

Nagtaka naman ako ng hilain ako ni Mr. Marcini saka bumulong sa akin.

"I'm looking forward for our performance, Miss Falcon" sabi niya't pinalapit ang assistant niya sa amin

"Take her contact details and make sure to prepare a list of schedule for our practice. Make sure to not disturb her during school days" utos ni Mr. Marcini dahilan kung bakit tumango ang assistant niya

"Of course, Sir"

"Very well. Sephine, it's nice meeting you," paalam niya kaya naman napailing ako kaagad

"S-sir, teka lang, 'yung sinabi mo--"

"I know everything. Joseph has spoken to me the moment I said I've chosen you" sagot niya kaya naman natahimik ako dahilan kung bakit siya bahagyang natawa

"Don't worry. Your secrets safe with me," aniya't bumalik na sa upuan niya kaya naman sinundang tingin ko lang siya

I pursed my lips.

Great.

He knows my secret.

"Miss Sephine? Can I have your contact information now please?" napatingin naman ako sa assistant ni Mr. Marcini kaya naman pinilit ko nang ngumiti

"Of course,"

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Author's Note: Hi guys! If you liked the revised version of the book, be sure to raise your voices and give me your feedback. And if you saw some mistakes here and there, please do tell me. Feedback is important for further improvement and growth. Please do vote and comment! Thanks for reading guys! Have a blessed day! XOXO~