"Bawal na talagang umatras?" kinakabahang tanong ko kay Ash habang nakatingin sa rest house ng Lolo Alejandro niya rito sa The Carmelence Lodge sa Tagaytay.
"Kung kailan nandito na tayo 'tsaka ka pa naging skeptical." Ginulo niya ang buhok ko habang nakangisi. "Wala namang gagawin sa 'yo si Lolo. Kung papipiliin ka man niya kung ako o 'yong ten billion pesos, ako pa rin ang piliin mo."
"Why would I accept an order from you? Sa hirap ng buhay ngayon, I would definitely choose that ten billion pesos over you 'no? Hello? Kaya nga ako nag-ABM no'n kasi mukha akong pera," I managed to crack a joke to lessen the nervousness I was feeling.
Pumalatak siya at saglit na sumulyap sa gilid. "Basta! Ako pa rin ang piliin mo."
Sumimangot ako. "Bakit ba kasi?!" singhal ko.
"Ako ang piliin mo kasi wala namang ten billion pesos 'yong Lolo ko. You have no choice, darling." He winked at me.
"Whatever, Ash. 'Di ka nakakatulong." I rolled my eyes at him and raked a hand over my hair. Pinasadahan ko rin ng palad ang laylayan ng itim na dress. "You sure I look fine?" I looked up at Ash and caught him staring intently at me.
He crossed his arms and leaned against his car—mind you, it was different to the last one he brought the first time I watched his gig. If he owns that and this car he was leaning against into, then, he must've really came from a wealthy and comfortable family.
Ash lips twitched and raked his eyes over my body. "You're always stunning, Primrose."
Oozing with charm and confidence, Ash looked like a man who just came straight out of the book. Basking under the morning sunlight, his skin glowed and his eyes were a-gleam with delight as he kept on staring; lovingly, at me.
I was slowly believing in the saying that “simplicity is beauty” upon seeing him clad in his usual outfit—black shirt; beneath its collar was his necklace, simple jeans but in beige, and a white skechers. A white bomber jacket was lazily hanging on his left arm, low-key showing his wrist with a black baller.
I still couldn't grasp the thought that this gorgeous man, who smells good as well, is in love with me. Never in my life I felt like I was susceptible in every good things until he came. The energy he radiates into me is just too powerful that no words could ever explain its effect on me.
Ash stood up properly and reached for my left wrist. "Tara na, baka maaburido na 'yon si Lolo kakahintay sa mga apo niya."
He began to pull me but I adamantly stayed in my position. "Ano'ng mga 'apo' ka riyan?! Ikaw lang ang apo niya, Ash."
"Doon na rin naman pupunta 'yon! Kapag nagka-anak tayo, magkaka-apo pa siya sa tuhod sa akin," he said nonchalanty as if that didn't flutter my heart.
Ilang minuto pa ulit kaming nagtalo bago tuluyang pumasok sa rest house ng Lolo niya. We were welcomed with the barks of three black labradors as soon as we stepped inside. Buti nakakulong sila. I would've gone crazy if they weren't.
"Don't worry, they're friendly." Tinawanan niya ako nang maramdaman ang pagiging kabado ko nang iangkla ko ang braso sa kaniya.
I really hate dogs.
I wandered my eyes around the living room and saw the three puppies' mom laying on the carpet while licking her left paw. Sandali itong tumingin ng tamad sa amin. Kung hindi lang siya aso, iisipin kong inirapan niya ako nang iiwas ang tingin sa akin.
Tanginang aso 'to, attitude. Kurutin ko isang anak niya riyan e.
"Bakit takot ka sa kanila?" tanong sa akin ni Ash, may halong pang-aasar ang boses.
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When The Flower Withers (Fleur Series #1)
Romance"Love is like a game. You have to learn how to play carefully so you won't lose and the game won't be over for you." After Evienne got cheated on twice, she never believed in love again. From then on, she became the woman she never thought she would...
