Seduce Me Now, Marry Me Later (PREVIEW ONLY)

Part 6

NANLALAKI ang mga mata ni Iago na tumingin kay Sari. "You gotta be kidding."

"I'm serious. Ang hina ng A/C sa hotel. And I don't like their bed. Isa pa, sasama ako sa orphanage bukas, ayoko namang sinusundo n'yo pa ako sa hotel," aniya.

Hindi na ito nagsalita hanggang sa marating nila ang hotel. Nang mag-offer ito ng tulong sa pagbubuhat ng mga bagahe niya ay hindi siya tumanggi. Alam niyang gusto ng mga lalaki na nakakatulong sa mga kabaro niya. It was making them feel more manly, some men has superhero complex.

Napakunot ang noo ni Iago nang makita ang mga bagahe niya. She had one big rolling luggage, a makeup train case, a garment bag for her party dress, a hanging toiletry bag, an extra-large tote bag for her snacks and drinks, and her laptop bag.

"Is this everything?" tanong ni Iago, parang itinatago ang pagka-amuse.

"Yes."

Binitbit ni Sari ang makeup train case at garment bag matapos niyang isuksok sa handle ng maleta ang laptop bag niyang may trolley sleeve.

"Sigurado ka? Hindi mo dinala ang ref n'yo?"

Tumawa siya. Marunong din naman palang magbiro ang loko, corny nga lang.

"Ilang weeks ka mananatili dito?" tanong pa ni Iago.

Weeks talaga?

"I was really planning to leave after your grandpa's birthday."

"Pang-isang buwan ang mga dala-dala mo."

"I always come prepared, Santiago. Hindi lang natin masabi kung mai-stranded tayo sa isang lugar, 'no? Besides, your grandpa wanted me to stay longer so good thing I have extra stuff with me."

Napatigil si Iago sa paglalakad sa hallway ng hotel. "You know you don't have to do what the old man said."

Tumigil din siya at hinarap ito. "I want to do it. He's a very pleasant man and I want to make him happy."

"You don't know what you're getting into." May pagbabanta ang boses nito bago ito nagpatuloy sa paglalakad. Mas mabibilis ang mga hakbang.

"Alam ko ang ginagawa ko," sabi niya dito.

Tahimik lang ito hanggang sa marating nila ang kotse. "They want you to marry me," saka sabi nito pagkalagay ng mga dala-dala niya sa trunk ng Dodge.

"What's wrong with that?"

Napamaang ito sa kanya. "Gusto mo akong pakasalan?"

"You heard me, what is wrong in marrying you?"

Napailing si Iago, exasperated na nagbuga ng hangin. "Hindi mo pa ako nakikilala nang lubusan, Sahara."

"I've heard enough about you and I think I'm a good judge of character."

"Do you even like me?"

"Yes. I wouldn't let you kiss me if I don't like you."

He grimaced at her. "Ah. The kiss," usal nitong may tonong parang ngayon lang nito iyon naalala.

Sari flashed a little smile. If this man was thinking he could intimidate her by pretending he didn't like the kiss then he would be gravely mistaken. Oo nga't nakayayanig ang malakas na dating nito, pero sa palagay niya ay wala siyang hindi maha-handle mula rito. She was not born rich and influential for nothing.

"You know men like to kiss a lot of women," balewala pang sabi ni Iago. "They say men are polygamous in nature, I am sure you have heard of that."

Humalukipkip siya. "Yes, I know that. But not all women kiss the same, I'm sure you know that, too. At 'yang polygamous nature ng lalaki na sinasabi mo ay nag-umpisa pa sa mga sinaunang tao, noong panahong kailangang magparami ng populasyon. Maybe some men nowadays still have that urge, but I strongly believe in evolution and human development. I know for sure that a man can actually stay faithful to one partner. For God's sake, there are even animals that have only one mate for life. Evolved at developed ka naman sa tingin ko."