Steal thy heart (PUBLISHED BY BOOKWARE)

Chapter 27

Caleb

"Ayoko nga!!"

I impatiently followed Ava to the kitchen. I really don't wanna beg but if it's the only thing that I can do so she'd come with me in Natalie's condo, then so be it! Desperado na 'ko ngayon. Sinipat ko ang relo ko, it's already past lunchtime, sinabi ko pa naman sa girlfriend ko na maaga ako pupunta. Damn it!

"Sige na naman, Ava! Hindi naman mahirap 'yung ipapagawa ko. Pupunta ka lang dun, ipapakilala lang kita sa kanya."

"Bakit mo pa 'ko kailangan ipakilala sa kanya? It's not like I'm interested on meeting her." she flipped her hair and turned my back on me. Kumuha sya tubig mula sa ref.

"Don't be such a bitch." I grumbled behind her.

Humarap siya sakin, the water sloshed everywhere. "Bah, bah, ikaw 'tong humihingi ng pabor sakin, ikaw pa may ganang tumawag sakin na bitch?"

"You are a bitch, Ava, kailan mo matatanggap 'yon?" naupo ako sa isang stool sa kitchen island. "Gusto ni Natalie makilala si lolo, alam mo namang imposible pa 'yon sa ngayon. But I can't disappoint her—"

"And you figured that if I stand in for lolo, mawawala na sa isip niya na gusto niyang makilala ang pamilya mo? Right, you're a fucking genius, Caleb." nakairap na sagot niya at pansamantalang ibinaba ang baso sa countertop.

I sighed. "Pansamantala lang naman, Ava," I propped my elbows in front of her. "I'm planning on talking to lolo, hindi pa lang sa ngayon, mainit ang ulo niya gawa ng bagong tinatayong hotel sa Davao."

"Seryoso ka ba talaga sa babaeng 'yan?"

I look frustratedly at her. Does she really have to ask? "Yes! Hell yes!"

Nasapo ko ang noo ko. I don't know exactly when I started falling for Natalie. Basta nadiskubre ko na lang 'yon nung araw na sumulpot siya sa bahay matapos ng byahe namin mula sa zambales. That was when I realized I couldn't live without that woman. As sappy as it seems, I'm so fucking inlove with her!

Hindi ko naman alam na sobra pa lang nakakastress ang umibig, lalo na kung naiplano na ng lolo mo ang buong buhay mo. He wanted me to marry an heiress. And my Natalie, admit it or not, is very far from that.

"Alam mo naman sigurong hindi papayag si lolo hindi ba? I was actually surprised na hindi pa siya pumapagitna sa ngayon? I wonder what's up?" I shifted my eyes at her and she was busy picking on her manicured nails.

"I told you, he's busy." sagot ko na lang kahit pa ang totoo ay nagaalala din ako sa reaksyon ng abuelo namin. "Can you please do this for me, Ava?"

"Bakit ba bigla na lang pumasok 'to sa isip mo?" she sat on a stool in front of me.

Ikinuwento ko sa kanya ang naging date namin sa luneta. Kung paanong imbitahan si Natalie ng kapatid ni Axel sa tahanan ng mga ito. I saw how close they are and I feel jealous. I want Natalie to be close to my relatives, too, but that is far from happening right now. Specially because all my relatives are elitists, I'm not sure how they would treat her. I'm only counting on Ava right now, but this woman's a gigantic pain in the ass.

"What's in it for me?" biglang sabi niya.

Good, now she's bargaining. "What do you want?"

'Ni hindi man lang sya kumurap. "All expense paid trip to hongkong—"

"Done!" iyon lang pala. Kung gusto niya ipatapon ko pa siya doon at hindi na makabalik pa ng Pinas. Tutal, bwisit naman siya sa buhay ko.

"Hindi pa 'ko tapos, Caleb. All expense paid, including shopping spree." she said smirking.