Playing with Fire (Acosta Sisters Series #3)

Kabanata 15

Kabanata 15

"Why are we here?"

He chuckled softly, guiding me forward with a light touch on the small of my back.

I had no idea why he brought me here. Ngayon ko lang din naisipang itanong kung kailan nakarating na kami dahil abala ako sa pagkukwento kanina tungkol sa shoot at pati na rin kung bakit ako naparito. Hindi ko na naintindihan kung pasaan kaming dalawa o saan niya ako dadalhin dahil siya rin naman ang nagmaneho ng sasakyan ko. Hinayaan ko na lang siyang mag-decide tutal siya naman ang madalas narito.

I was expecting we'll have dinner in a fine dining restaurant since he brought me at the top of the floor. Ngayon lang din naman kasi ako nakarating dito at malay ko ba kung meron bang sosyal na restaurant dito. Kaya laking gulat ko nang tumigil kami sa isang pinto na agad niya ring binuksan at tumambad ang malawak at malaking penthouse.

Inabala ko agad ang sarili sa mga mamahaling naka-display na nasa living area pagkapasok. Ang iba rito ay napapalagay kong galing auctions. Nasisiguro ko ring mahal ang mga ito. Tiyak na hindi bababa ng isang daang libo ang isa.

I also love the minimalists design—plain and simple but looks classy and elegant. I wonder who design and chose this all. Ang ganda ng placement ng interiors, the combinations of color and all.

"This is yours?" Mangha kong tanong na agad tinanguhan niya. "Why are we here? I mean, bakit mo ko dinala rito?"

A cocky grin spreading across his face. It was the same one he always wore when he was trying to act cool, to impress me.

"I just want to be alone with you, away from everything. 'Yong tayo lang munang dalawa."

I crunched my nose. "Ang corny mo," Pabiro kong turan. Humalakhak naman siya.

Kleo's always been this way. It's intoxicating the way he always makes me feel like I'm the only person in the room. Medyo bothered lang ako sometimes lalo na sa treatment niya sa ibang babae.

I mean, I don't mind him being nice to others. I like respectful man. I just don't want him to overstep his boundaries. He should know when to draw the line. Nami-misunderstood kasi talaga ng iba.

Katulad na lamang noong mga nagdaang araw. I'm very pissed because of those women who go out of their way to catch his attention whenever we're on a date. It's very clear that some of them are doing it on purpose—whether by laughing too loud when he's around, finding excuses to talk to him, or making comments that are obviously meant to flirt. It's frustrating, really. Kaya minsan hindi ko na rin talaga kayang kontrolin ang sarili na hindi magalit. And I made it clear I'm upset. May tatlong beses na nga yata akong nag-walk out sa sobrang iritasyon.

I just don't get it why there are people like that? And of all people, bakit kapwa babae pa?

I just really hope he knows by now. Nasabi ko na rin naman 'to sa kanya during our last date, hindi lang ako sigurado kung naintindihan niya dahil hindi ko rin naman talaga sinabi ng direkta. I want him to pick up on things without me always having to spell it out. He should realize that things won't always be like before, especially now that he's pursuing me.

I'm not being selfish; I'm just protecting us because I don't want to ruin our reputations or give people something to gossip about.

"Hmm... how many women have you brought here?"

He raised an eyebrow at me. Lumayo naman ako dahil sa naninimbang niyang mga tingin, para bang pinag-aaralan ako.

"Am I really that much of a womanizer in your eyes?"

I shrugged. "I'm just curious."

I'm not naive enough to think I'm the only woman he's ever brought here. He's no saint, and I'm realistic about that, lalo na at lalaki naman siya. But that doesn't mean I'm okay with it. Kilala ko lang talaga siya. And it's hard to believe there weren't others who've stood in this same spot, sharing this view with him. Marami ring taon ang nakalipas bago pa man ako nakatapak dito. And at some point, gets ko naman. Huwag lang din talaga siyang magkakamali na gaguhin ako.