Worth the Trouble

chapter 10

"What?!" pasigaw na tanong ko. Ipinag tagpo niya ang kanyang kilay at ngumuso. That is not effective, Clark.

"No no no no no! Baliw ka ba? Why in the first place would I meet your parents? I can't even handle just one Alejandre, tatlo pa kaya?"

He pouted his lower lip more. Gosh, he look so gay. "Please."

Umirap ako at marahas na bumuntong hininga bago siya sinuntok sa balikat.

"Aw!"

"Wala ka talagang respeto ha. Ganyan mo lang ako kadaling kausapin ngayon? Hindi ka man lang mahihiya? Hindi kita.." sinapak ko ulit siya. "binigyan ng permisong basta-bastang lokohin ako!"

Ipinang salo niya ang kanyang kamay sa mga sapak ko. I'm pissed with myself. I was supposed to be distant to people. I was supposed to be friendless and... cold.

"Please." he sounded so sincere.

I crossed my arms under my chest. The real me is slowly unfolding and I hate it. I was supposed to be Bianca Celestine Villongco. Cold and arctic.

"If it's a matter of life and death, tutulungan kita. Now, tell me your reasons."

He sighed. "Well, this is like a matter of life and death for me." I raised my brows, telling him to continue.

"My mom and dad knows about how I play around with girls. Gusto nilang magtino ako. Dad will set an arranged marriage. He said I'm on the right age and marrying his business partner's daughter is a good idea." he closed his eyes tightly and massage the bridge of his nose. "Bianca, I can't marry someone I don't love. I know I'm a jerk but... I know in myself na makakahanap ako ng taong mamahalin. It's just that... she's not here yet and marrying Sam would be so unfair. I'd rather die.."

Nanlulumo ang tinig niya. I somehow felt pity for him but still..

"So cliché, Clark. I think I know where this conversation is going." I shook my head. "Tell me you're not gonna ask me to be your pretend girlfriend."

He opened his eyes. He looked so sincere and tired. Inabot niya ang dalawang kamay ko at pinisil ito. May kiliti akong naramdaman pero pinanatili kong blangko ang ekspresyon ng aking mukha.

"Please. I need your help. Magkaibigan na tayo diba? at pumayag ka na naman diba?"

I pulled my hands away. "Pumayag ako kasi hindi ko pa alam. Clark, I know this story. We'll pretend then slowly one of us will fall in love. I read a lot about this sa mga librong nabasa ko na. And hell, would I risk the chance of you falling in love with me."

Kumunot ang noo niya at unti-unting napalitan ng ngisi ang kaninang nakanguso niyang labi.

"Huwag mong sabihing natatakot kang mahulog sa akin?" may bahid ng panunuya ang boses niya.

Marahas ko siyang pinandilatan ng mata. "I just said na baka ikaw ang ma in love sa akin, Clark! Pag nagkataon masasaktan ka lang!"

He shook his head and started laughing. "No, Bianca. Sinasabi mo lang iyan. But truth is, you're the one who's afraid to fall in love." He nodded as if he's very sure about it.

"No. It will be the other way around." I felt my face reddened. What the hell?

He chuckled again. "Then prove it to me. And besides, you're just going to meet my mom and dad and pretend. Just this night. There will be no kissing or making love involved. Just your presence, babe." his voice deep and husky this time.

"Don't trick me, you idiot!" I tried to mask the the shiver his voice is sending me.

"Bakit? Wala kang tiwala sa sarili mo? You're afraid you might fall for me. Devilishly handsome, oozing with sex appeal, really good in bed-"