Take My Innocence Away (Innocence Series #2)

Chapter 10

10

"Did you tell your friends that you'll be having dinner with me?" Gideon asked as he maneuvered his car.

He actually picked me up at school. Ako naman, kanina pa ipinagpaalam ang gagawing pag-alis. I just told my friends that I would be going out for dinner— and that's it. I didn't mention who I'd be with.

Pero hindi na rin naman kasi sila nagtanong kaya hindi ko na rin binanggit sa kanila si Gideon.

"They know I can't join them for tonight's dinner." I answered him matter-of-factly.

"So they didn't know you're with me," he slightly tilted his head to catch my gaze. "Am I correct?"

Dahan-dahan akong tumango kaya narinig ko ang bahagya niyang pagtawa.

"Well, I can't blame you for that. They had a bad impression of me."

Napanguso ako ron. "Alam kasi nila na playboy ka..."

Actually, alam ng lahat na playboy siya.

"If they don't approve, you should follow them," he suddenly blurted out, leaving me stunned. "They know what's best for you, Ishma."

"If they can see you from my perspective, they would surely understand, Gideon."

I saw his lips parted in astonishment. Parang may gusto pa siyang sabihin pero hindi na niya itinuloy. Sa huli, parehas na lang kaming nanahimik hanggang sa makarating na sa hindi familiar na restaurant. I just knew it was around BGC, and judging by its exterior, sigurado akong ginto na naman ang putahe nila rito.

"Wait for me. I'll escort you out." aniya bago ko pa man mabuksan ang pintuan ng sasakyan.

Kinagat ko ang ibabang parte ng labi ko habang pinapanood siyang umikot. Sa simpleng galaw niya lang na iyon, napapangiti na ako.

I just love it whenever he's being a gentleman. But is it bad if I would demand him not to be like this to other women?

Of course it is, Ishma.

It is bad.

So please shut your territorial thoughts. You don't own him.

"How's your studies?" he asked as we entered the restaurant.

We were immediately welcomed and greeted by the servers. Kita ko pa ang iilan sa kanila na bumaba ang titig sa kamay ni Gideon na prenteng nakahawak sa likuran ko.

I bit my lower lip as unnecessary thoughts suddenly flashed through my mind.

Para kasing... kami.

At sa bawat pagkakataon na naiisip ko ang ideyang iyon, hindi ko talaga mapigilan ang pagsilay ng ngiti sa mga labi ko.

"You want to try their shrimps and crabs?" si Gideon matapos akong panghila ng upuan.

Medyo namula ako dahil hindi ko inaasahan na naalala niya pa pala 'yong paborito kong pagkain. Alam kong nung isang araw lang 'yon pero pagdating kay Gideon, bini-big deal ko talaga ang lahat.

"U-Uhm... okay lang." I answered him with a timid smile.

Sinabi niya na sa waiter iyong order namin. Marami pa siyang dinagdag pero dahil bigla akong inatake ng kaba, hindi ko na nasundan iyong mga ibang putaheng binanggit niya.

Hindi ko alam. Hindi naman ito ang unang pagkakataon na magdidinner kaming dalawa pero... bakit nga ba ako namumula at kinakabahan?

"Ishma," his voice snapped me out of my thoughts.