Blooming Rose in the Dusky Night

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Three

Curious

I had a bad feeling about this. I had a bad feeling about Spencer Lagdameo's sudden act of gallantry. Umiikot ang paningin ko at marami akong nakikitang mga bituin na mas lalong nagpainis sa akin. Ang sarap magwala.

I stared at him sharply. If only looks could kill, he's probably been knocked off in that cold cement.

"Pardon?"

"Be my girlfriend."

Whether it was declarative or imperative, I didn't know. I just know one thing. I nearly brought my hand into his neck after he repeated the words without any hint of humor or conscience.

I closed my eyes and tried to put myself back together. Hindi ako magwawala. Hindi ako maiinis. Hindi ako sisigaw. Hindi ako magmamaldita. Kakausapin ko siya nang maayos. Ipaiintindi ko sa kanya ang lahat.

"Girlfriend? Me?" I bemusedly pointed myself. "Your girlfriend?"

"Yes."

I can't help but chuckle scornfully.

"Siraulo talaga ang lalaking ito. Kung pwede lang talagang lunurin ng halik kanina ko pa ginawa. Bwusit."

"Pwede naman talaga. Ikaw lang 'yong may ayaw."

Natigilan ako at gulat na napatingin sa kanya nang marinig ang sinabi niya. Did he hear me?

I eyed him suspiciously. "Will you stop this, Spencer? Mas lalo mong pinapasakit ang ulo ko. May biogesic ka ba riyan?"

"What?"

Dinala ko ang mga kamay sa noo at pumikit. "Damn. Hindi na talaga ako iinom muli dahil ngayon ko napatunayan na marami pala talagang mapagsamantala sa mundo."

Nagmulat ako at tinignan siya nang masama. "Sinadya mo iyon, ano? Sinadya mong ibangga ang sasakyan mo para magawa ito sa akin?"

"What if I did?"

I gritted my teeth. "I'll kill you!"

Alam kong sinabi ko na hindi ako magwawala pero hindi ko kaya. Magwawala ako dahil nakakainit siya ng ulo. Mas lalo akong mahihilo.

"Why are you doing this, huh? Ano bang nangyayari sa'yo? You sounded like a desperate asshole! Is that what you want? To have me as your girlfriend? Are you nuts? Do you think you can handle the pressure? The Board of Directors is against you! Haven't you deduced it yet? That's why Jacquelyn Elizondo and Albert Fajardo are so eager to involve your ass on me because our relationship would surely go to be a major scandal! They were using you to get what they want! How can you not think of that?"

"Is that why you are holding back yourself?"

That shut me out in an instant. I stood quiet for a moment, reflecting on the words. Am ... am I holding back myself?

"You're delusional. What are you saying? Lasing ka ba? Siguro lasing ka ano kaya kung ano ang pinagsasabi mo." Muli akong lumabi. "Makinig kang mabuti dahil lasing ka. Hindi pwede. I can't be your girlfriend. Pag-usapan natin ito nang maayos. Magkano ang gusto mo?"

His brows move erratically as if I just said something that offended him.

"I know you're rich, Kaia Isabelle. You don't need to insult me now and then."

I groaned loudly. "C'mon. I wasn't insulting you. This is normal. This happens every day. This is a must for survival. Minamasama mo lang dahil bitter ka sa akin."

"Ako pa bitter ngayon." rinig kong mahina niyang bulong sa hangin sabay bumuntong hininga nang malalim. "Nakainom man o hindi, hindi matinong kausap. Ano bang gagawin ko sa babaeng ito?"