Eyes On Me, Baby (COMPLETED)

Chapter 52

Chapter 52

Austin wanted to have dinner with me the next day. He said na pupunta siya sa bahay ng 6PM para sa reservation namin. I did ask him if there's a dress code, and he said that we wouldn't go somewhere formal. I settled with white culottes, rust boxed shirt na naka-tuck in, and white flat strappy heels. I wore the Cartier love bracelet.

Pagbaba ko ay wala pa sila Mama. I told them via message na aalis kami ni Austin. They just asked kung kami na ba ulit. I told them we're dating again. They said I should be home before midnight.

Five minutes to 6PM ay dumating na si Austin. He was wearing a khaki chinos, white Hermes polo shirt, and dark blue boat shoes. He said hello kina Ate Gina at Kuya Robert tapos ay lumabas na kami. He smelled like Tom Ford again.

"You're wearing it," Austin said nang mapa-tingin siya sa kamay ko. It was his Christmas gift. Kagabi ko lang binuksan iyon pagkatapos kong hanapin sa may storage room. Hindi ko binuksan dati.

Napa-hawak ako sa bracelet ko. "Yes. Thank you for this," sabi ko kahit late na. "This is too expensive."

"Looks good on you," he said.

"Thank you," I replied. "But if you'll give me a gift again, please nothing too expensive."

"Okay," sabi niya. "Do you have a budget in mind?"

"Hmm... basta hindi aabot ng lagpas ten thousand," I said. "Kapag nagkaroon na ako ng magandang trabaho, pwede nating taasan iyong price ceiling."

"Noted. But I like that we're planning for the future."

Nang nagda-drive na siya at saka niya sinabi sa akin na sa Tagaytay kami pupunta. He made a reservation sa Antonio's and told me he sent the menu sa email ko. I was looked at the menu and quickly decided.

"That was quick," he said.

"I'm learning how to be quicker with my decisions."

"I hope you're not sacrificing what you really want just so you could decide quicker."

Umiling ako. "No," sabi ko. "I just feel like I know myself better now kaya mas mabilis na akong magdesisyon."

Ate Gina asked me kung bakit ang bilis kong pumayag na makipagdate ulit kay Austin—and she also mentioned that in no way should I construe what she said as her being boto kay Ryder. She was very clear that she did not like him, but was only tolerating him dahil sa akin. I simply told her that I know that I like Austin. And he told me we'll do it better this time. It was an easy decision.

"Happy to hear that," sabi niya habang saglit na tumingin sa akin at ngumiti bago ibinalik iyong atensyon sa kalsada.

We arrived with only five minutes to spare dahil sa traffic. We were escorted to our table. I placed my order first tapos ay si Austin namin.

"Why?" I asked because he was smiling while looking at me.

"I miss having dinners with you."

"Wala ka bang kasamang magdinner dati?"

"Sometimes with my family or with friends," he said. "But I like dinners with you the most."

"Why?"

He shrugged. "Because you're my favorite person," he said and then he averted gaze.

I stared at him. I like spending time with him. I like talking to him. I like staring at him. I like having him around. I like holding his hand—it's been so long since I held his hand. I like kissing him—will he kiss me tonight?