If This Lasts (If This #2) Published Under Bliss Books)

Zion

She's in her favorite spot again. Sa tuwing nakikita ko talaga siya ay palagi akong napapangiti. Maingat na naglakad ako papalapit sa likuran niya.

I leaned my body down and placed my hands on her shoulder. I whispered, "Boo."

Napangisi ako nang bahagyang tumalon ang katawan ni Savion sa pagkabigla sa ginawa ko. Bumitaw ako sa kanya at tumayo nang maayos nang lumingon siya sa akin. Her shocked expression was so fucking precious. I couldn't help but grin.

Nang makita na ako lang pala ay bigla siyang ngumiwi. Sinamaan niya ako ng tingin. Nakuha niya pa akong irapan bago ibinalik ang tingin sa pinapanuod niyang couple mula sa 'di kalayuan.

The grin on my face never disappeared. Kahit na nagsusungit siya ay hindi ko magawang mainis. I actually liked it when she's being feisty and a snob. It beguiles me.

"It's nice to see you too, baby." I chuckled.

She groaned, her eyes fixated anywhere but me. "Go back to where you came from, Zion."

Napakagat ako sa labi ko. Hindi niya ako sinuway sa pagtawag sa kanya 'non. Fuck. Sa tuwing pinapalampas niya talaga ang pagtawag ko sa kanya ng baby ay halos sumabog ang dibdib ko sa hindi maipaliwanag na dahilan.

Hindi niya pa rin ako tinitingnan. I fucking hate it when she's like this. Baby, look at me. I want your eyes only on me. I willed her in my mind, but she didn't do it of course.

Mabuti na lang at alam ko kung paano makuha ang atensyon niya. It's simple. Constantly annoy her and be an asshole. I'm very good at it.

I feigned a heavy sigh and sat beside her. "I can't. I'm already right where I belong."

I watched as the horror painted on her face. It only took her two seconds before facing me. I couldn't help but grin. Para mas lalo pa siyang maasar ay kininditan ko pa siya.

Hinintay ko na tarayan ako. Hinintay ko ang sasabihin niya sa akin. I panted for her words like a dog waiting for a bone. But nothing. She just shook her head and looked away.

Naglaho ang malaking ngiti sa labi ko. Tinitigan ko ang mukha niya at pilit iyong binasa. There's something bothering her. And I know what it is.

Alam ko na tungkol ito sa manloloko at gago niyang... Kumuyom ang panga ko nang maalala ang unang beses na nakita ko siyang umiyak kahapon.

I can still remember how my heart felt like it was being ripped apart when I saw the tears that were falling down her cheeks. I fucking hated that sight. One look at her teary eyes and I knew I hated seeing her cry.

Mas malala pa iyon sa naramdaman ko nang makita ko siyang malungkot. Iyong unang beses niya akong tinawag sa pangalan ko.

Seeing her in a vulnerable state weakens me. It's like my life is getting sucked out of me whenever I see her cry. The need to protect her and shield her from everything was self-preservation. In a matter of weeks, she became my lifeline. I was fucked.

Huminga ako nang malalim. "Is this still about that Axhole Velarde?"

Savion looked at me and glared. "Don't call him that."

I wanted to grit my teeth in annoyance but I settled with just pursing my lips. Nakuha niya pa talagang ipagtanggol ang gagong iyon. What does she see in him?

She watched a new couple from a far. My jaw clenched when I saw sadness glinting in her eyes. Napapikit ako at huminga nang malalim para kalmahin ang sarili. This isn't about me. This is about Savion and keeping her happy.

Inabot ko ang kamay niya. Napatingin siya sa akin dahil doon. Tumayo ako mula sa kinauupuan. Nakakunot ang noo niya habang tinitingnan ako.

"What are you doing?" bumaba ang mga mata niya sa magkahawak naming kamay bago ibinalik ang tingin sa akin.