Beneath the Stars (UNDER REVISION)

03

"Minumura mo ba ako?"

I was such a bitch for doing that.

Tawang-tawa pa rin ako, I almost had tears in my eyes! Ang sakit sa tiyan! Anais looked so confused while Leandro was looking at me sharply.

Paniguradong alam niya na kung sino ang may salarin.

"Akala ko po full name niyo 'yon sabi kasi sa akin ni Ate Star."

"Star," he said my nickname. I rolled my eyes at him.

"Thadeus Leandro Castuarez is my full name," aniya tsaka muling tumingin sa akin. "Don't believe everything that this woman says,"

"Magkaibigan din daw po kayo, so hindi po totoo?"

Anais... you're too innocent for this world.

Humalukipkip ako, sinenyasan ko naman ang kumag na sabihing magkaibigan lang kami ngunit ngumisi lang ito.

"She's my fiancée."

"I am certainly not his fiancée." sabi ko kaagad.

Nagkasalubong ang kilay ni Anais, hindi niya yata alam kung sino sa aming dalawa ang paniniwalaan niya.

"Friend zoned," I heard him utter.

My brow raised. "We're not even friends, we're strangers that are forced to be together." I bitterly said.

"Why don't you just agree to the engagement?"

"And what? It's like I'm just throwing away my freedom and dignity."

I heard Anais' nervous laugh. "Iwan ko muna kayong dalawa, ah?" aniya sabay alis, ramdam niya siguro ang tensyon na namumuo sa aming dalawa ng lalaking 'to.

Umupo naman si Leandro sa inupuan ni Anais kanina. He combed his hair backwards as he groaned in frustration.

"I missed some important gatherings, cancelled all my plans, and I left my city life just to be here, Estrella."

I scoffed. "You really think that you can make me feel guilty? It's still a 'no' Castuarez. It's not like I want you to be here either."

"We can both file a divorce after a year,"

"Still no."

"You are unbelievable, woman. I just want my inheritance."

"And I don't want to get married. You can go home now," I smiled at him. "You're such an eyesore, by the way."

"I have a handsome face, girls are basically throwing their selves at me." mayabang nitong sabi.

"Well, you're basically throwing yourself at me too."

"I am not,"

"Yes you are. You're even desperate to marry me." I teased.

"Because you're the only girl my parents wants, Estrella. You're making this so hard for me." he said, massaging his temples as he tried calming himself down.

"Wala kang mapapala dito, Leandro. You'll just waste your time trying to persuade me into marrying you which will never happen, even in a million years."

He smirked. "You'll let me enter your life sooner or later,"

I shook my head. "You're making the wrong choice."

"You were always the right choice for me." he said, meeting my eyes.

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

"Turista ka ba, Miss?"

My horse was just nearby, naisipan ko nalang munang maglakad sa bayan at tignan ang mga paninda nila.