How To Tame A Demon

Chapter 52

Warning: explicit language and mature scene.

. . .

52 : Gift

"Avery!"

"Huh?" Napakurap ako at marahang lumingon kay Travis.

"You're spacing out again. Ano ba kasing iniisip mo?" His voice cut through the fog of my thoughts, pulling me back to the present. I scratched my head awkwardly, eyes dropping to the floor.

"W-wala... hehe. Pagod lang siguro," I mumbled, sighing deeply.

Travis just sighed in return, not pressing further.

Tahimik kaming naglakad pauwi, the quiet night wrapping around us. By the time we arrived, the house was still, everyone already asleep. It was nearly nine in the evening. I headed straight to the kitchen, setting the mangoes on the table before gulping down a glass of water.

As I drank, I felt Travis' presence close by, sensing his every move. From the corner of my eye, I saw him drop his bag onto the sofa, then approach me quietly.

Alarmed, I quickly finished my drink, placing the glass on the sink before trying to leave the kitchen. But before I could escape, Travis' arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me close. Nanlaki ang mata ko nang magdikit ang aming mga katawan.

"A-ano ba, Travis... aakyat na ako--"

"Wait." His soft command stopped me mid-sentence as he reached for the fridge in front of us.

With his arm still firmly around my waist, I had no choice but to stay put, watching as he opened the fridge and pulled out a carton of milk. Hindi ko alam kung bakit, but there was something oddly mesmerizing about the way he moved.

I watched, entranced, as he slowly drank from the carton, his head tilted back. The sight of his throat bobbing with each swallow made my own dry.

A-anong ginagawa niya?

Nagulat ako nang may tumulong butil ng gatas sa gilid ng kanyang labi. Wala sa sariling napatitig ako roon nang mariin.

"Hmm..." he let out a low hum, and I couldn't help but gasp softly.

I was so caught up in watching him that I almost missed the sly smile that crept onto his lips. It took a moment for my brain to catch up, but when it did, realization dawned.

Inaasar niya ako... And I fell for it.

Anak ng pugita.

"Travis!" I snapped, kicking him in the shin. Startled, he accidentally spilled some of the milk, choking as he tried to recover. He stumbled to the sink, coughing as he turned on the faucet.

Sinundan ko siya at mahinang pinalo ang kanyang braso. "Ang lakas talaga ng trip mo 'no? Akala ko may sasabihin kang importante, tapos iyon lang pala ang pakay mo. Baliw ka na talaga!" I scolded, trying to keep my voice steady. He didn't reply immediately, just let out a low chuckle.

"I guess so," he replied, grinning as he wiped his mouth with the sleeve of his shirt. I rolled my eyes and turned to leave.

"Linisin mo itong kalat mo, matutulog na ako. Good night."

I didn't wait for his response, quickly heading up the stairs. My face burned with embarrassment.

Nakakahiya. Nahuli ako nitong... naaakit sa kanya.

Just as I reached my room, I was about to open the door when Travis suddenly grabbed my hand, spinning me around to face him.

I was about to snap at him when I realized how close our faces were, our breaths mingling in the small space between us.