Chapter 78: Chapter 78

“Khrystal!” Nexus called me. He was looking evidently amazed and happy when he saw me coming in to the resort my former classmates chose to meet.

He quickly stood up from the table where they were gathered and patted Jared who was on his side—a reason for him to stand up as well. They went to me and gave me a hug. In the corner of my eyes, I saw some girls glared at me. I don't give a damn about that. In the few years I have studied with them, I got used to their accusing stares.

"Nexus told me you were going but I didn't actually believe it. Knowing you, you'd rather hang out in the room than deceitful act like you are friends with the people here," Jared laughed in a low tone. "By the way, you look hot," he added—a little bit loud this time—and chuckled.

I only grinned at him. I don't know how I was considered hot for my looks. I only wore a black fitted crop top shirt that I paired with a white tennis skirt and white shoes. Because I was in a hurry to escape from Agustine and didn't have a plan to leave, I didn't bring any things with me. That's why I only wore what I found in my cabinet. I was not spared by the grimace of some who were close to our place. Maybe they heard the praise my friend gave me.

"I thought you wouldn't be able to come. I've been calling you, but your phone is out of reach," Nexus spoke to me.

I simply bit my lower lip and flashed a raw smile. "I didn't notice that I was already out of battery. I forgot to charge it," I told him even though the truth is that I meant to turn it off after I read Agustine's last message.

"Come on," Jared invited me to join them in their table.

I nodded and followed their walk. My male ex-classmates flashed a welcoming smile at me. While almost all the women at the table looked sharp and disgusted. Something I've already expected.

"Welcome, Khrystal," an old classmate greeted me.

If I remember correctly, his name is Topher. He was on the varsity basketball team when we were in college. Handsome, with chinky eyes, and women is really after him. Almost all of the girls in our batch liked him.

I smiled sparingly. "Thank you," I said.

I could see that the others were pissed. Mocking. Annoyed.

"How are you? It’s been a while since I last saw you," Topher spoke to me again.

"I'm good. Currently working under my father's company," I shared.

"It's good that Mary France allowed it," Drea raised her eyebrows.

She was sitting next to Topher so she could clearly hear what we were talking about. She was one of those girls who always hated me in college. Even now, she still looked angry.

I didn't answer right away. If I remember, Mommy Fran didn't ask for my sibling’s opinion. When she told me to work for Daddy, I could feel her eagerness to let me into the company even though it was against her heart.

I just shrugged my shoulders and took my own glass from the table to pour wine.

"Did you take a day off?" Nexus who was next to me spoke to me.

"Y-Yes," I answered hesitantly and drank the wine I poured.

Heat immediately spread in my throat. Everyone drinks whiskey that's why it has an effect. After I drank the liquor, Topher handed me water which I politely declined.

"I heard you are working with Mr. Revelar," said Jared who was seating beside me.

I don't know how to answer his question without thinking about our situation. I came here to forget, to escape. But it seems that fate will really has an intention of reminding me of him.

"Yeah. Unfortunately," I answered simply.

His forehead creased. Same goes with Nexus. If we were in a normal situation, I might have laughed at the reaction of the two.

"He's a big fish." Jared shrugged. "You are lucky," he added.

"Yeah. Even I want to work with Mr. Revelar. He's a famous CEO. Almost all of the businesses he's entered into have been successful," Nexus said.

I just chose not to say a word and just drank my alcohol with them. We chatted from time to time about our college memories to some of the fun pranks we had. Even though I had good conversations with my friends and Topher who often joined in, Drea's sharp glances didn't escape me. Same goes with the other women near us.

How could it not? I'm mostly talking to men again. Something they always resent me for.

"Do you have a boyfriend, Khrystal?" Topher suddenly asked me out of nowhere.

I stopped drinking when I heard that. I chocked and coughed twice, so Nexus quickly handed me water while Jared gave me a tissue. I simply chirped in thanks and composed myself. Because I got a little wet from the spilled wine.

"I'm sorry. Did I surprise you?" Topher apologized.

I quickly shook my head and then smiled. "It's fine. I just didn't expect it." I let out a soft laugh despite the awkwardness in my chest.

I'm trying to get him out of my mind but who am I fooling? Ever since I came here for the reunion, he has always been on my mind. I always feel the difference when I'm with him than with other people.

"Ooh, he’s hot."

"Is he our batchmate?"

"Omg. He's the famous billionaire. I read an article about him from a well-known magazine!"

Suddenly the crowd murmured. Confused and shocked by everyone's reaction, we simultaneously turned to where they were looking. My lips parted quickly when I met the pair of eyes whom they were talking to.

I couldn't read the emotion in his eyes. All I can be sure of, is that he was extremely serious. I suddenly straightened up in my seat and sipped a drink, then looked away.

He's not here for me, is he?

Due to excessive nervousness, I drank the liquor from my glass without hesitation while my companions were still busy looking at Agustine.

"Khrystal, did you invite him here?" Nexus whispered.

I just shook my head for an answer.

"He's walking towards us," he added which made me more tense.

Damn it!

In the end, I couldn't do anything but take a deep breath and then turned my gaze to Agustine. He was almost two meters away from me so I quickly stood up to greet him. His hawklike eyes were like a predator waiting for its prey. I'm still thankful that my knees didn't go numb during this time.

"S-Sir," I said and bowed slightly when he stopped in front of me.

"Sir?" He let out a mocking laugh.

I secretly bit the bottom of my lip and looked away. I could clearly see the amazement and admiration of some women at our table for Agustine, especially Drea. She's eyeing him intently. Even though he didn't show much interest, just by looking at him, I knew that Agustine had got her attention.

"Mr. Revelar," called Nexus who stole Agustine's attention. "Do you have a reservation here?" he added after showing his respect with a slight bow.

Agustine licked his lower lip, then looked at me. "I don't have. I just came here to fetch someone. She might get drunk," he said (but in Tagalog language)

I could hear the awe in the breathing of some of the women when they heard Agustine's statement. His voice doesn't sound like slang, it actually sounded like a normal Filipino accent. But his speech was really strange to hear. It's amazing. It's entertaining.

"Who?" Drea grinned and smiled sweetly at him.

Agustine just gave her a very short glance, then turned his attention back to me.

"My girlfriend," he answered simply.