The Jerk Coefficient

Chapter 55

Cagsawa Ruins

At first, we were just talking about whether we were going to the grand opening of the strip mall or not. Until I started asking him kung paano siya napadpad dito sa Albay at kung bakit sa dinami-rami ng resort ay dito pa. He didn't immediately give me a direct answer.

"I grabbed the earliest flight ticket to spend Christmas here."

"But why here, Leo? Stalker ka?" I joked. "Kidding."

"I... Blake," His stare suddenly intensified like I was the only person in the world. "I don't want to beat around the bush anymore."

"Bakit? Ano 'yun?"

"Sam texted me about seeing you in the airport early in the morning. Sabi ay uuwi ka raw ng Albay."

He waited for a response but I couldn't come up with a word. What is he saying? That he went all the way here for me?

"So I'm here."

He slightly leaned forward and looked at me straight in the eye with much passion in his.

"I want to win you back this time."

His voice is deep and authoritative like nothing can ever block his way. Para akong nalulunod sa mga mata niya. Sandaling nakaawang nang bahagya ang mapupulang labi niyang para bang nang-aakit at nag-aaya ng kasalanan.

"I'm done letting you get away."

I'm lost with words. I tried to open my mouth to speak but I'm just too hypnotized. Napakagat na lamang ako ng labi ko. Para akong tinutunaw ngayon ni Leo.

"You've always been mine to begin with, Blakely Rose."

Good Lord, he knows it, and I hate it. I hate that he knows that I'm weak for him. I hate that he knows that he has this power over me. I hate that he can easily make me feel these emotions. I hate that he can just look at me in the eye and know exactly what I feel.

"I'm not. I'm not yours. Ganiyan ka ba kabilib sa sarili mo?" matigas kong saad. I had to push him and stand up. Kung hindi ay tuluyan na akong hihimatayin.

"Let's see how long you can keep this game up." He smirked.

Parang hinatak ako pabalik sa dating Leo. 'Yung Leo noong college na nakakairita ang ugaling kampante at mayabang, but I fell for him madly anyway.

"For as long as I want, Leo." I raised my eyebrow and this time, he was tongue-tied.

I went home that night with a puzzled mind. He seriously went here for me? I was sitting by the kitchen island while the questions were raising in my mind.

"Felicisima!" I flinched and paid attention to her.

"Po, ma?"

"Kanina pa kitang tinatawag. Tungkol sana sa noche buena natin."

"Oh, right. Sige ma, patingin ng listahan." Inirapan ako ng suplada kong nanay. Ala dos na ako nakatulog dahil sa pag-edit ng advertisement video na hindi ko pa natatapos. Hindi pala ganun kadali ang gumawa ng mga ganito noh? Tapos nagtataka pa ang iba kapag hiningan sila ng commission.

"Felicisima! Felicisima!"

Umagang-umaga nama'y nagising ako ng mga katok sa pintuan ng kwarto ko. Kinusot-kusot ko ang mga mata ko, naupo sa kama, at inabot ang tsinelas ko sa ilalim ng kama. "Lumabas ka dito! Bumaba ka."

"Ano bang meron, ma?!"

"Ay, basta! Dalian mo!"

"Eh ano nga?!"

"Napakaraming tanong! May niluluto pa ako sa baba! Bumaba ka na diyan!"

"Bakit ayaw pang sabihin? Ano ba 'yan?" I murmured to myself in a low voice. Ang sarap pa nga ng tulog ko eh iniistorbo na ako. Ano ba naman 'to? Napatingin ako sa phone ko para i-check ang oras.