One Step Ahead

14

"Dominick!"

He immediately shut his eyes closed in frustration. Bakit naman kasi ang lapit lang ng condo niya rito? "Sabi ko na nga ba, are you here to apologize? You left me alone in the hotel room," she pouted.

"I am sorry, an emergency came in and I have to rush back to home," he excused.

"But your dad told me that you are free," she said.

He scoffed, "How would he know, he'd never been into Law School, Tanya,"

"Alright! Apology accepted. Are you taking me on a date? You know, reconcile?" She asked.

"We're good. I never really left you there. I asked my driver to send you home," he said. "And please, stop bothering dad about us. I want things to be handled privately and without him getting involved,"

"But you only response when he is--"

"You never send me a message, you just text dad directly wothout consulting me first," he cut her off.

Napataas ang kilay ng dalaga sa inasta nito. "Are you mad? I must be the mad one,"

"I am sorry,"

She smiled, "It is okay, I am at fault too. I am also sorry for getting your dad involved. Make sure kasi na you read my messages para hindi ako maparanoid,"

"Okay," he agreed.

"Where are you heading?" She asked.

Dominick pointed the game shop in front of them. "I am just going to read some books there,"

"Oh, I thought you'll come with me," she shrugged.

"Why? You said you'll ve with your girl friends. It must be awkward having me there,"

"At least I can boast our relationship?" She grinned.

Dominick just scoffed and muttered words. "What relationship? We have none,"

"Yet," she giggled as she bit her lower lip.

She is certain that they are on the next level already. They are above friends, they sleep with each other, she knows that after years they will end up together.

Dominick might act cold and nonchalant to her but she is sure that he will soften once they raise a kid of their own in the future.

But for Dominick who has no plans for marriage or even a wholesome relationship, Tanya is just a girl with desires.

He can't get his eyes off the gaming shop where a lady is cleaning outside. As she finished, she played a bit of arcade games before turning off the machine.

While Tanya is just talking about her life, he is observing the staff across the road.

Finally, her driver came to pick her up, leaving him alone.

He is suffocated, but now he can finally breathe in and walk towards the shop for peace.

"Eos,"

Nakangiti niyang sambit habang sinasalubong ang dalagang papalabas ng shop. Her duty has finally ended and she's now heading home.

"Sarado na kami," sambit nito.

Although she tries to act like she is not concerned, the bruises and bandgages all over his body and cuts around his face bothered her.

"Anong nangyari sa'yo?" She asked.

He shrugged his shoulders and chuckled. "Just like what I've told you last time, these aren't because I chose to protect you. It happens all the time,"