Embers From Within (Casa Fuego Series #6)

Chapter 19

Ambition

I remember asking the heavens time and time again years ago to make our world shrink smaller so I could see him again. But it did so much more than that. Right about now, I feel like the heavens made the world just for us, and us alone.

"T-Tama ba ang iniisip ko? I-I'm your girlfriend now?" namamaos kong bulong.

Hawak niya pa rin ang aking baywang at ang isa ay marahang hinahaplos ang aking siko. Sobrang lapit pa rin ng kanyang mukha sa akin at dahil sa tangkad niya, halos leeg at kaunti ng kanyang labi ang tanging abot ng tingin ko.

Humigpit ang hawak niya sa aking baywang, dahilan kung bakit mas lalo akong napalapit sa kanya at ang isa kong kamay ay napahawak na rin sa kanyang dibdib. With my whole body touching his, the electrifying feeling from my nape down my spine won't go away. In fact, it even intensifies.

"I have never been traditional when it comes to relationships but I can court you, Therese. You don't have to be my girlfriend now. I don't you to feel like we're rushing this-"

"I'm your girlfriend now," I said with a little bit of conviction.

My cheeks heated and I blinked twice when I said that a little excited and convicted. He chuckled and nodded, making me look up to him again.

"Then, yes. I'm your boyfriend. We're together now," he whispered.

Umawang ang aking labi, hindi makapaniwalang nangyayari ang lahat ng ito. And even when I didn't see this coming tonight, I still don't feel like us entering a relationship together is rushed. I want him. And I guess it's safe to say that he wants me, too. So why prolong this when I am sure of where this is going to end, anyway?

"As much as I want us to stay this way, it's cold and we have an important dinner. I'm sure they are already looking for the celebrant."

"Yeah..." was all I could afford to say. "W-We should go."

Tumango siya at binitawan na ako. Nauna na akong maglakad pero nagulat ako nang pinagsiklop niya ang mga daliri naming dalawa. Napatingin ako sa paligid kahit wala na namang tao. Kinabahan ako nang maisip kung paano sasabihin ito sa pamilya ko.

My mother and Emy knows that I like Art since forever. At ngayon, pati si Russel ay alam na rin. Ganoon pa man, medyo naiilang pa rin akong sabihin sa kanila na... may boyfriend na ako. Especially to my grandparents and Tito Fred who still sees me as a little girl!

Napatingin ako sa magkasiklop naming mga daliri habang naglalakad na pabalik sa manor, sa ilalim ng mga ilaw mula sa poste at ang liwanag ng buwan. I am still in awe that this is all happening. Maging ako ay hindi pa makapaniwala, paano pa kaya ang pamilya ko?

"Hey..." I pulled his arm back when we were nearing the entrance.

"Hmm?" he turned to me.

Napalunok ako. I can't believe I can call this handsome man my boyfriend. He's the man of my dreams before, and now he's my reality.

"M-Maybe we should... lie low for tonight? Just for tonight! I-I mean..." napakamot ako sa aking ulo.

He was listening to me attentively. Kinagat ko ang labi ko at mariing pumikit. Nang imulat ko ang aking mga mata ay naabutan ko ang pagpigil niya ng namumuong ngiti sa kanyang labi.

"It's just that... I want to be... the one who tells my family about us. I-Is it okay if we lie low first just for tonight?"

Ilang sandali niya akong tinitigan gamit ang naninimbang na mga mata. Mariin akong napapikit dahil tiyak na hindi dapat ganito kapag nasa relasyon na. Baka isipin niya tinatago ko siya! I don't have much experiences about relationships, and so does my bestfriend, and I never really grew up with parents who are still together, but I've read tons of books that I kind of know this is an immediate red flag.