Wall of Thorns

Chapter 3

"Come with me then."

Tinitigan ko siya. Seryoso ang kanyang mukhang nakatingin rin sa'kin. His eyes were expressive.

"What if I won't?". He smiled at my question. Iniisip kong baka may balak siya, so far, ako yata ang may balak kasi nanghahamon.

"It's your loss"

Exactly! It's my loss, kaya pagbibigyan ko ang sarili ko ngayon. Sabi ni Tasha worth it ang first kapag gwapo.

"Should I trust you?"

"Nope"

His answer created a smile on my lips. That's the assurance I want.

"Okay"

I prepared my things and stood up. Motor ang gamit niya, and from the looks of it, mahihirapan akong sumakay dahil mataas iyon. He removed his cap and put it on top of my head.

"I don't have extra helmet so wear that". Pagkatapos ay tinanggal niya rin ang kanyang jacket at pinasuot sa'kin. His biceps were flexed while removing the jacket. Napalunok ako. He guided me up making sure I'm in a comfortable position. Siya naman ang sumunod.

I muttered a simple 'thanks'. I was wondering why he's  good to me when we're strangers to each other. It's not like my friends were rude but they don't treat my like a princess because they act like parents. Kidding, I did not grow up with parents.

This whole thing, I wasn't expecting to receive this from a stranger. Akala ko mararanasan lang ang ganitong bagay kapag nanliligaw. Or maybe, naninibago lang ako sa mga ganitong bagay dahil hindi naman ako outgoing na tao. I've had numerous suitors but they weren't a gentleman. Masasabi mong nanligaw lang kase uso, most of them were too liberated for the likes of me who wants to take it slowly.

I enjoyed our ride, madalang lang ako nakakaranas na sumakay sa motor. Hinihele ako ng amoy niya at inaantok ako bigla. Dumating kami sa isang villa, hindi ko alam anong tawag dahil buong byahe ay nakasandal ako sa kanyang likod. Ang maliit ko na bag lang ang nakapagitan sa'min.

Ang bahay na nadadaanan namin ay malaki at malawak. Tumigil ang motor sa tapat ng malaking gate at bumukas agad iyon. He greeted the guard who opened the gate. Pinark nya ang motor katabi sa isang sasakyan. Iginiya niya pa rin ang pagbaba ko sa kanyang motor.

"Teka! Anjan ba ang family mo? Baka anong isipin nila kase nag uwi ka ng babae". Truth be told, I am scared with rich people. They used their influence and wealth to judge and belittle people just because they don't seem to be in their level. Hindi naman ako mayaman pero ang judgemental ko.

"Nope, I live alone."

Nakahinga na ako ng maluwag pero ang isip ko ay binabagyo. Shit! Ano bang gagawin ko dito, overnight? Ipapahiya ko lang yata ang sarili ko dito.

Naglakad kami papasok, maganda at malinis ang bahay. Everything was simple and cozy pero halatang mamahalin ang lahat ng bagay na naka display. Sinusundan ko lang ang lakad niya, dumaan kami sa isang hagdan papunta sa malaking kwarto. The room smelled like him so it must be his.

"Stay there". Pinaupo niya ako sa sofa at umalis. I familiarized his room, nothing special, parang sa hotel lang. Wala man lang picture frames. Hinubad ko ang cap at isinandal ang aking ulo sa sofa at ilang minuto pa ay bumalik siya namay dalang damit. He also provided me a cute furry slippers. I looked at him with drunk eyes. So handsome.

"Thank you, but, what am I really doing here? I actually thought we're gonna do something". Gosh, I sounded disappointed. This is not so me. I don't care , I have alcohol to blame.

" I brought you here so you could rest. Go change your clothes and sleep."

Eh?

" I don't know why you're doing this, but fine. Can I have a drink at least?  I can't sleep well knowing a handsome man brought me to his home only to sleep."