In His Kiss

Chapter 22

Chapter 22

Laure Ri Daza's Point of View

One hour later, I met all of his cousins. At hindi nga nagbibiro si Tori nang sabihin niya sa akin na halos lahat ng kanyang mga pinsan ay kalalakihan. Tori told me that they are dominated by men, so she's really glad that there's another female in the family. They kept telling me that it was the first time that Hiro brought a girl so they're all sure I'll also be the last girl that he will bringing home.

Ngumiti lang ako sa kanila ng sabihin nila ito sa akin, kahit hindi ko maintindihan ang gusto nila iparating. Maybe because it's their inside joke that's why I didn't get it. It's only weird that they're assuming I'll be Hiro's last.

I looked around and observed all of Hiro's cousins. I noticed how close they were to each other—with their nonstop bickering and teasing.

Right from there, I knew what type of woman I'd be showing them—an outgoing, all-smiling girl, a.k.a. The Cool Girl.

Of course, I just can't be myself in this kind of situation— the timid, socially awkward, self-deprecating type. Lalo na at napagkasunduan namin ni Hiro na kailangan namin galingan para makumbinsi namin ang kanyang pamilya na papakasalanan niya ako. I have to act and give them my best performance or else I'll ruin this for Hiro. I'm here to be liked. To be accepted.

As someone who's considered an accidental baby, I really have to push myself to be liked. I have to mold myself to their liking so they will accept me. I grew up always trying my best to be liked by my parents.

"Hindi pa rin talaga ako makapaniwala na magpapakilala si Hiro sa amin. Don't get me wrong, Laure. It's just that I knew Hiro is a womanizer, a playboy. He changed girls like he's only changing his clothes." Sabi ni Tori habang inilagay ang tray ng cupcake sa lamesa. Nandito kami sa pool area ng bahay nila Hiro. Nang matapos ang usapan namin sa living room ay dito naman kami lumipat. Kasama ko sila Tori at Elizabeth na maglabas ng mga pagkain. Habang ang mga kalalakihan naman ay nagsisimula ng magtayo ng tent. They've decided to have a picnic here as if we're really outside.

"I knew about Hiro having a lot of girls before me. Trust me I told him he's such a Casanova." Sabi ko naman kay Tori at sinundan ito ng tawa.

"You do!? Yet you still accept him?" I gave Tori a light shrug.

"Why not? It's all in his past. What matters is we're together now." Kinagat ko ang aking dila para hindi na makapagsabi ng kung ano pa. Bigla naman akong napatingin kay Hiro sa hindi kalayuan. He was busy setting up the tent with Cainn. He looked handsome when he's focused like that. Binalik ko ang tingin ko kay Tori na ngayon ay may malaking ngiti sa kanyang labi. I flushed. She just caught me staring at Hiro!

"Guess you're two are really whipped with each other. To the point that he will settle down." Tumango lang ako sa sinabi ni Tori.

"Ano naman ang nagustuhan mo kay Hiro?" Elizabeth suddenly asked. Kararating lang nito na may dalang tray ng pagkain. The three of us then sat on the sunlounger. This moment is inevitable. Kahit nang papunta pa lang kami dito ay inaasahan ko ng tatanungin nila ako kung ano ang nagustuhan ko kay Hiro. Mabuti na lang talaga at kahit papaano ay nakapaghanda ako. I already memorized the answer inside my head. The game is on.

"It's his smiles. It was quite comforting whenever he smiled sweetly at me. Like he's silently telling me that everything is going well." Sabi ko sa kanilang dalawa habang hindi maiwasan mapatingin kay Hiro. I was startled when I noticed that he was also looking at me, and when our eyes met, I became fidgety with my seat.

"No!" Sabay na sabi ni Tori at Elizabeth na akin naman ikinagulat.

"You can't just—" Elizabeth stood up from her seat and put her hand on her head. I frown.