My Billionaire Bodyguard

Chapter 9

Is it the little things that Elijah does for me that make me like him more each day? I don't even think about the possibility that he might not feel the same way. What's important to me right now isn't what will happen in the future.

It's seeing him up close like this, treating me with care and just... being with him every day.

"Do you like more?"

Ngumiti ako sa kaniya nang pagkatapos niya tanungin 'yon sa akin ay hindi naman niya hinintay ang sagot ko. He put two spoonful of rice in my plate. Kumuha rin siya ng dalawang kutsara ng ulam. Ngayon ang paubos nang laman ng pinggan ko ay puno na naman.

"I don't like to gain weight, Eli."

I have a dietitian. I'm not obsessed with my weight, it's more that I don't like hearing negative comments from my grandfather. He may always say that I only care about my appearance, but he also told me that looking good and presentable is a must. Kailangan maging maganda ako, iyong hindi mapapahiya ang aming pamilya lalo na siya--it's always like that.

I felt like I was a beautiful painting that he would soon display for his billionaire colleagues to admire. It's as if my worth is tied to how I look because the more mesmerizing and beautiful I am, the more money I would bring to him.

Even with all the wealth... takot pa rin ang lolo na mawalan ng pera. Ang pera ang Diyos para sa kaniya.

And I can't escape the pressure to meet his expectations.

"I want you to eat more because you are losing weight, princess. You are eating less than before. Hindi ka na rin nagpapadala ng midnight snacks and every morning, you barely touch your food. Pag dito sa university ay kaunti lang rin ang kinakain mo. You just drink water."

Pakiramdam ko ay pinagagalitan ako ni Elijah dahil sa tono ng boses niya. He has a stern look in his face while his arems are now formed into cross. Ngayon ko lang napansin na tapos na siyang kumain at kahit isang butil ng kanin o piraso ng ulam ay wala na sa pinggan niya.

He eats neatly.

"You notice a lot of things about me, Eli," nakangiti ko na sabi saka ako sumubo.

Hmm. Mukhang hindi ako makaliligtas sa panenermon niya? At ngayon sisiguruhin niya na ang lahat ng inilagay niya na pagkain sa pinggan ko ay dapat ubusin ko.

"Yes. Do you want me to tell you how many times a day you brush your hair with your fingertips?"

"W-What?"

Hindi ko inaasahan ang mga sinabi niya na 'yon kaya nasamid talaga ako.

"Sht," Elijah cursed and stood up.

He immediately took the glass of water that was just near me. Kinuha ko naman 'yon agad at uminom.

Despite the embarrassment I feel, unti-unting namumuo naman ang ngiti sa mga labi ko. Hindi ako makapaniwala sa narinig ko.

As I said, one of the reasons why I like him is that he notices every little thing I do.

"Are you okay, princess?" salubong ang kilay na tanong niya. Nasa mukha niya ang pag-alala habang nakatingin sa akin.

Nakangiti na ako nang tumango at nag-okay sign pa ako para lang makaupo na siyang muli. After he sat down, Elijah was shaking his head.

"That surprised you. And your reaction surprised me too."

Mas ikinatawa ko 'yon. I covered my mouth. Hindi ko na rin napigilan ang sarili ko na mapailing sa kaniya habang nakangiti ng malawak at tumatawa pa rin.

And when I saw Elijah look away, his lips curled up, my heart skipped a beat. He hadn't even managed to form a smile yet I was just stunned like this!

Pero ang magandang mood niya na 'yon ay nawala rin nang mag-isang linya na naman ang mga kilay niya.