To Fall Inlove

Knew Nothing

 "I'll just get you a drink. Stay here." Daxton murmured in my ear.

I tilted my head to him and nodded. Nasa condo kami ni Seth para sa celebration ng kaarawan nito. Daxton's arm, which wrapped around my hips, loosened, squeezing me before letting me go.

I was watching Daxton at the bar when I saw Seth. Ngumiti ito at walang alinlangang lumakad palapit sa akin.

"Savanna," he called.

"Seth," I replied.

Napasinghap ako sa pagkabigla ng ipinulupot niya ang braso niya sa bewang ko saka niya ako hinapit palapit sa kanya para yakapin. Mula ng makilala ko siya never pa niya ginawa iyon sa akin. Nagbebeso kami pag nagkikita, yes, but not like this. There was some flirting before, but he had never done this, ever. After he was done with the hug, his arms loosened but didn't let me go. Dahil sa sobrang lapit namin, inilapat ko ang mga kamay ko sa dibdib niya just to put a space between us.

He looked at me as he murmured, "Beautiful as ever."

Biglang nag-init ang mukha ko sa sinabi niya. "H-happy birthday," utal kong saad.

Bumaba ang tingin niya sa mga labi ko, then his lips formed a grin. "I should have made my move before."

Nagsalubong ang aking mga kilay sa tinuran niya. "Huh?" I asked, confused.

His eyes glided back to mine. "Salguero is a very lucky guy."

It was then I felt the electric current snapping through the room before I heard Daxton speak in a low dangerous voice. "Castillejo, you want to let my girl go?"

Dahil sa narinig, doon ko lang napagtanto na nakayakap pa rin sakin ang isang braso ni Seth. Agad din naman niya akong binitawan at humakbang paatras.

Then both Seth and I looked across the room. Daxton was holding a glass of wine, eyes dark and looking downright angry as he stared at Seth.

"You know that Savanna's a friend," Seth reminded Daxton in a low, placating tone.

"I know, but now she's a friend you don't put your hands on," Daxton fired back.

Shit! He was trampling again. Sa itsura pa lang niya alam kong he's just controlling himself not to hurt his friend. Okay, time to tame a dragon...

"Reed—" I started, and Daxton's eyes flew to me. The moment I saw the look in them, for self-preservation sake, I closed my mouth shut. Mas mabuti ng magalit siya kay Seth kaysa sa akin. Nakakatakot kasi talaga siya pag galit. Parang any moment, magtatransform siya at bubuga ng apoy.

"Come here," utos nito. Kinagat ko ang labi ko at dahan dahang lumapit sa kanya.

Noong halos abot-kamay na niya ako, hinila niya ako papalapit sa kanya saka niya ako ikinulong sa kanyang braso. Hindi pa siya nakuntento sa pagkalapit namin, with his arm around me, he shifted me sideways. Nakadikit na ang dibdib ko sa tagiliran niya kaya wala akong choice kundi ipulupot ang braso ko sa bewang niya or else I would look awkward and uncomfortable.

Inangat ko ang ulo ko at tumingin kay Daxton, then I realized na mariin pa rin itong nakatitig kay Seth. Ibinaling ko ang mga mata kay Seth and mouthed, "Sorry."

Seth smiled at me like he thought what happened was funny. Wala kang makikita na kaba or inis sa guwapong mukha niya. His eyes moved to Daxton, his lips twitched, did the chin-lift and stepped away. Nilingon kong muli si Daxton na hinahabol pa rin ng tingin si Seth. Hinawakan ko ang panga niya at ipinihit sa gawi ko para kunin ang atensyon niya.

"Love, Seth is your best friend. Wala siyang gagawing masama na makakasira sa pagkakaibigan niyo," I reminded him gently.

He watched me. A moment passed before the glittering in his eyes warmed. Napabuntong-hininga siya saka siya yumuko para halikan ang noo ko. "I know," usal niya bago niya ibigay sa akin ang wine glass. "Will you be okay if I leave you here? I haven't greeted Seth yet."