His Runaway Bride

Chapter 20: The Valentine's Gift

Jillian Klairo

Ilang mga araw pa ang lumipas ay hindi ko na dama ang sakit sa pagitan ng aking mga hita, sakto lamang iyon dahil kailangan ko ng bumalik sa diner. I thought he was going to object but he didn't..he supported what I want to do. We didn't argue about it

but we're arguing about other thing tonight.

"Creed, what the hell are these?" Turo ko sa loob ng walk in closet.

I just got home from the diner, si Ellie at Janna ang nag-uwi sa akin dahil pinakiusapan ko na wag na niya akong hintayin sa diner. He didn't have to do that, besides, it is much quieter here in the house when studying...and I want him to have that environment when he studies.

Hindi kami nag-away about sa pagbalik ko sa diner dahil mag kondisyon siya na bawasan ko ang clock in ko, which is reasonable because I don't need that much money now since natanggal ang otsenta y singko porsyento ng renta ko.

Alas otso na ng gabi at kakauwi ko pa lang. Naabutan ko siya sa kwarto ko--more like kwarto namin. He has his clothes in the closet too and we sleep here more often. I am still wearing my waitress uniform. Magpapalit na sana ako ng damit ang kaso pagpasok ko sa closet ay iba ang naabutan ko. I used to own a few pairs of normal clothing, now, puno ng designer blouses, skirts, at pants ang taas na bahagi ng cabinet. Wala na ang mga price tags pero sigurado ako na mahal ang mga ito.

The brands were Calvin Klein, Yves Saint Laurent, Armani and other French, Italian Brands that I couldn't even pronounce.

At, oh hindi lang iyon. My drawers were full of sets of new and branded brassieres and underwear. I also have new house clothes, and freaking shoes.

"Creed!" Tawag ko sa kanya. Nakaupo lang sa beanbag ang loko. Nagkibit balikat siya na animo'y wala siyang ginawang masama.

"Napunit ko 'yung uniform mo at underwear mo, so, I replaced it like I should do.." Sagot niya at tumayo mula sa upuan. He's wearing plain cargo shorts and a white hoodie. May dungis ng pintura ang kanyang pangitaas. What was he doing when I wasn't home? I wondered for a moment before I scoffed.

"That was two articles of clothings. Dalawa! Due, dos!" I emphasized. "And these," I gestured to the whole closet. "Is a department store of branded clothes..notice any difference?" Sarkastiko kong tanong.

"So? I want to spoil my woman, I don't see anything wrong with that.." Kalmante niyang sagot sa akin at hinawakan ako sa bewang bago ako hinalikan sa mga labi. "Hmm...you smell like burgers..how about we shower, huh?" Nakangisi niyang tanong.

Jillian, labanan ang tukso. I pushed his chest away. Lumayo siya ng kaunti ngunit hawak pa rin niya ang mga bewang ko.

"Creed, you're missing the point...look," I cupped his cheek. Hinawakan naman niya ang kamay ko na iyon at hinalikan ang aking palad sandali. "Hindi mo ako kailangan bilhan ng kahit ano...I am not after you because of your money or anything..."

He smiled softly.

"I know, dolcezza....alam ko naman ang habol mo sa akin ay ang napakagwapo kong mukha."

"Now, that's a rumor." Irap ko.

Ngumisi naman siya.

"I'm joking...I know that you want me because you love me...but please, let me spoil you...because you deserve it...let me love you in ways I know....alright?" Pakiusap niya.

Tumitig lang ako sa kanya, contemplating.

"Besides, it's not my parents money, it's mine. My cousin, Simon, just built his own tech company and I invested in it months ago...it was my way of saying 'I believe in you.' And I kid you not, the man is going to be the next Bill Gates because it's really doing well....like eight figures well."