Cheer Up, Captain

Chapter 13

Chapter 13

The difference on our reaction was very evident—I was pretty sure na pulang-pula na iyong buong face ko dahil sa sinabi niya habang si Finley ay seryoso lang na naka-tingin sa akin.

So, I did what I have to do—I laughed at his face. Because what did he expect me to do?! Melt into a puddle?! I mean, he's probably right na mayaman siya... but is he really the richest? Because I know a lot of people kaya! And he's basically my age. Richest my ass.

"Pfft," I said, making a face at him. "Leave me alone. I seriously need to rest. Gusto kong gumala bukas."

I tried to close the door because I needed a minute to process—because I just told him that I will marry a rich man and then he told me that he's rich?! I mean... what did he even mean?!

But hindi ko ma-close iyong door kasi bigla na naman niyang hinarang iyong kamay niya. Seriously, he's overestimating my patience, ha! Feel niya ba talaga hindi ko ibabagsak 'tong door at maipit na siya kung maiipit?

I groaned. "What do you want?"

Instead of answering, he just stared at me. He stared at me. He wasn't even moving! I wanted to check if he was even breathing at thsi point, but with the way he was looking at me, even I was afraid to move!

"I'm just—"

"Maia."

I gulped.

Why did he have to sound so serious?!

And why was I panicking over the fact na kaming dalawa lang iyong from SCA na nasa hotel? Because literally everyone's outside?! I mean, Finley won't harm me naman but still! Kaming dalawa lang dito!

I was looking at Finley. Suddenly, I felt faint again. Kailangan ko na ata talagang maupo. I felt my knees buckling, my throat drying up. I so badly wanted to say what kaya lang natatakot ako na sabihin niya talaga sa akin why he's acting up. I mean, was I ready for that?! Baka talagang pagsarhan ko siya ng door kapag ginulat niya ako sa kung anuman ang sasabihin niya!

So, I did what I have to do...

I yawned.

"I'm sleepy."

"It's 4PM."

"I'm still in Manila time—it's 4AM there."

Oh, I was smooth!

Finley looked at me, brow arched and all that. He was looking at me like he was deciding if today's the day he'd turn my entire world upside down. Ano ba kasi ang gusto niya? If pinagti-tripan niya lang ako, haven't I had enough on my plate?!

"So... good night," I said and then tried to close the door again, but once again, he wouldn't let me. I furrowed my brow at him.

"One question," he said.

"What?"

"Are you really dating whoever that is?" serious na tanong niya sa akin.

"Maybe. I don't know," sagot ko sa kanya. "I haven't even talked to him in person, so how would I know?"

"Kakausapin mo pagbalik sa Manila?"

"I guess."

His lips were pressed together. Ugh! Crush ba niya ako?! Why was he acting like this? Why were we doing this in the lobby of the hotel? This was so weird and awkward and it was making me feel things!

"Can I sleep na?" I asked kasi a full minute passed na and wala pa rin siyang sinasabi. Since hindi pa rin nagsasalita si Finley, I once again tried to close the door... but he once again stopped me from doing so.