To Love Him Once More (USFIL Book 2) - REVAMPED

Chapter 4

LAXER

I ended up on top of Zanya, which wasn't something I expected. Why was she here? I thought she was already asleep. We just stared at each other, and I didn't know what she might be thinking. All I knew was that I didn't want to get off her. I wanted to take this time to just stare at her. To admire her more.

"Cray..."

"Hmm..." I knew that neither of us wanted to move away from one another. "What do you want, Zanya?" I drew my face closer to hers, our heartbeats mimicking one another.

"I want you to get off me."

"Sorry," agad akong umahon at umupo sa tabi niya. Hindi siya bumangon tulad ko, sa halip ay tumitig siya sa kisame habang mabilis ang pagtaas-baba ng kanyang dibdib. I didn't say anything. I just let the silence take over and waited until she found the words to tell me.

Wala.

Wala akong narinig mula sa kanya, roon ko natanto na nakatulog na pala siya. Binuhat ko siya at hiniga sa kama, hindi ko alam kung saan ang kwarto niya kaya naman hindi na ako nag-abala pang hanapin 'yon. Madaling-araw na at tingin ko'y tulog na rin ang mga kasambahay dito sa kanila.

I doubt she felt me carry her to the bed. She didn't even move afterward. I stared at her before I went to sleep. Sa sofa ako natulog hanggang sa tumama ang sinag ng araw sa aking mukha mula sa siwang na nagmula sa kurtina nitong kwarto. Nang lingunin ko ang kama ay wala na siya roon. Did I scare her? I just hope she didn't get any wrong idea about me.

Nang lumabas ako ay magiliw na sumalubong sa akin ang mag-asawang Wilson mula sa hapagkainan habang si Zanya naman ay nanatiling nakaupo.

"How was your sleep, Laxer?"

"I had a good sleep. It was more convenient than staying in a hotel." Tugon ko habang hati ang atensiyon ko kay Zanya na abala sa kanyang iPad at sa kanyang mga magulang. Nang magsimula na kaming kumain sa hapagkainan ay binaba niya naman ito sa kanyang tabi.

"Have you two discussed Zanya's painting proposal?"

"Not yet, Mom." Binalingan niya ng tingin si Amanda, samantalang hindi niya man lang ako magawang tapunan ng tingin. It was obvious that she was avoiding me.

Hinayaan ko na lang na ganoon ang pakikitungo niya sa akin habang nakikipag-usap ako sa mag-asawang Wilson. Sumasali lamang siya sa usapan tuwing tatanungin siya nga mga ito hanggang sa kaming dalawa na lang ang naiwan sa mansyon nila dahil may kailangang asikasuhin ang mga magulang niya.

"About last night..." She let me hold her arm. "Nothing happened."

"I know."

"Then why are you avoiding me?"

"I just didn't expect you to be here—like here in front of me, under the same roof."

"If you don't want me here, I can book a hotel instead." I gently stroked her elbow. She didn't flinch, so I thought it was fine with her. For some reason, it comforted me.

"No, it's okay. You can stay here for as long as you want."

"Hmm... how about we check out your paintings today?" I noticed her eyes sparkle. That was when I realized her love for her craft is unmatched. "I've seen some of them online, but I know they're even better in person. I'd like to appreciate them more."

"Sure! I'll just change into something nicer."

I waited for her for a couple of minutes.

"Give me your car keys." Hindi siya makapaniwalang tumitig sa akin. "I'll drive for you."