CHAPTER 8: PRICELESS TREASURES

“I like Nico. He’s cool.” Scilla can’t still contain herself. Even if they are now heading home because it’s getting late, she’s all hyped with how Nico joked around and it seemed to leave an impact on her. “He’s not.” Garrett cut her off. She can see him frown as she looks beside her. They are now riding a bus full of people. Garrett is holding the handlebar above their head as they sit side by side with Scilla. “Why? You know what, you’re too judgemental.” Scilla hasn’t noticed the raising of her voice and it made the other passengers look at them. She made a gesture of putting her hands on her mouth. “Why? Do you know him that much that you’re defending him like that? Sisi, I know him. He’s my co-worker in our company. I don’t like him.” Garrett sternly said that made Scilla silent for a while. “He seemed nice.” Scilla finally said while looking at Garrett’s reaction. It’s like she’s also anticipating what he’ll say next. The jeepney stopped as it unloaded some passengers. “Yes. He’s nice and way too excellent when it comes to pretending to be one.” He agreed to her but his voice was mixed with sarcasm. “Okay.” Scilla sighed as she started to be quiet now. “Don’t go with him without me. Let me know if he will invite you somewhere. You know, we’re friends but I don’t trust him that much.” Scilla responded by grabbing his left arm as she rested her head on it. She tilted her head and met Garrett’s gaze. She smiled when she caught Garrett meeting hers as well. “Please look after Celeste.” Garrett added. “She’s not a kid anymore.” Scilla reasoned out. Garrett was able to massage his forehead. Scilla tried looking around and she can see a lot of envious eyes because of their “public display of affection”. She loves to think that most people inside that vehicle are thinking that they are in a relationship. After how many minutes of Scilla convincing him, Garrett was able to ride a jeepney for the first time. He’s always used to riding cars and not public transport that’s why he’s still feeling awkward about how people look at them. However, he cared about Scilla because he can see that she’s looking very tired after what they did. He didn’t mind though, because deep inside, he’s happier that he was able to talk with Nico unexpectedly. How fate led him to the man that he adored and fantasized all throughout the day. He can’t help but smile as he imagines Nico’s features that are always giving him inspiration. For him, thinking the man alone can make his day complete. He admits that he wanted Nico to stay away from his sister because he knows Nico for being a lawless playboy to almost every woman in their office. He didn’t want his sister to be one of Nico’s victims. Nevertheless, all he knows...as much as he badly wanted to prevent his sister from staying away from him, it is Garrett who’s falling for him even more. How could he not? He can’t still forget how Nico gave him a tingling sensation on his spine as he touched his hand. Why did he do it? Is Nico a mind reader for knowing what is running on his mind? The way he looked at him made him crazy. It’s like he’s looking directly on his soul he wanted that exact moment to last. “By the way, how did Celeste meet Nico? I forgot to ask him about it a while ago.” Scilla suddenly asked. “Didn’t Celeste mention it to you when you’re having your midnight girl talk?” Garrett was able to return the question to her. Scilla giggled as she saw Garrett’s reaction. “I didn’t remember her telling me about it. All she’s confessing to me is on how Nico makes their moments special when they’re together…” She started. Garrett inched too close to Scilla and she was able to smell his breath. They drank some beer but for Scilla, the smell of Garrett’s breath is intoxicating. She gently swallowed as she looked at his lips that’s almost three inches away from her face. “Special moments? And what does that exactly mean?” Garrett did not like Scilla’s way of expressing that exact “special moment” with Nico. Scilla almost closed her eyes as Garrett inched his face closer to her as if making her spill everything that Celeste told her. She bit her lip as she can see that Garrett's face is getting nearer to her. “Uuhhm...Garrett, looks like we’re also starting to have our special moments together.” Scilla blushed as she avoided her face from Garrett’s. “Sorry…” Garrett chuckled, realizing what he’s doing. He looked around and the people that were observing them. He can see them smiling to what they are seeing right now. His best friend is almost covering her face because of embarrassment. “Ahh yeah, about their special moments together...I guess it’s really sweet and funny, the way I knew Nico tonight, too. Celeste was able to describe everything and I was able to see the exact man that she meant.” Scilla tried to break the silence that’s starting between them by telling Garrett what he wanted to know. “I am not yet convinced,” Garrett replied, giving her a serious look. It’s like anticipating the worst out of those “special moments” coming from Scilla. He can’t trust Nico. He knows it. Garrett was able to weigh certain scenarios that are happening. He’s wondering...if Nico can be very aggressive to him, how much more to others who are dying just to get his attention? His sex appeal is oozing and many girls can instantly be very attracted to him. Garrett is sure that if Nico can’t get them through eye contact, he’ll make a way for a girl to fall in love with him because of how he is treating her. He’s a real gentleman. He can appear nice in a way that nobody will ever notice that he is faking everything. Faking those promises that are supposed to be real. Faking every sweet gesture that most girls love. Faking every fucking moment that is supposed to make every girl believe in ever after. He’s getting anxiety attacks just by merely overthinking about these things that will happen. Maybe he can possibly allow himself to be dominated by Garrett’s charm but not his sister. Not his beloved sister. After all, who would want her sister to get into any trouble?