Skipper

17|She's Back

SKIPPER

A soft smile on Tricia's face greeted me the moment I opened the door. 

"You look beautiful as always, signorina." 

I chuckled when Tricia rolled her eyes on me. She already told me that my smooth talking won't work. 

Alam ko naman na hindi ko na kailangang sabihin kay Tricia na maganda s'ya. She gets that a lot. Palagian ko lang sinasabi sa kanya dahil natutuwa ako na iniirapan n'ya ako. Naiinis daw s'ya kapag sinasabihan ko s'ya ng mga bagay na alam naman daw n'ya na gasgas na gasgas na sa ibang mga babae. 

She's more beautiful when she's being maldita. 

I opened the door wider for her to enter my unit. She strutted her way inside and went straight to the kitchen after putting her hand bag on top of my coffee table.

I closed the door behind then followed her. She's already putting her apron and started checking on my supplies. 

"What's our menu for today?" I asked after I settled myself on top of the counter. 

I wanna help her but Tricia hates it when someone intervenes her cooking. Spending more than a year with her made me familiar with everything that concerns her. Even the small details. 

Tricia turned to me then gave me her proud smirk. She looks more like her father every time she does that. The Amantes have that confident air around them. 

"I want to try the kare-kare recipe Nanay Cleo sent me last week. I've been practicing that on my head, I think today is the execution."

I chuckled. I raised a brow on her. "Amaze me, signorina. That's my favorite."

"Prepare to be amazed!" Tricia giggled then spread her arms in an arrogant way. 

I like this Tricia better. She's less stiff, more giggly, and more lively than her usual self. 

And I am flattered that I pulled that Tricia out of her protective shell. 

I watched Tricia as she ruled my kitchen. 

"Say," I started. Tricia turned her head on my direction. I stood up then went behind her. I wrapped my arms around her then I placed my chin on her shoulder. "Wanna check the place I bought for the rest house we're planning?" I dropped a gentle kiss on her shoulder then gave her my puppy eyes. 

My shoulder fell when she bit her lower lip. 

"You're busy," I concluded. I failed to hide the disappointment on my tone. 

Tricia turned then had her arms around my neck. "I have a meeting with Trey and Tito Sid in the morning. We can go on the afternoon," she gently said. "Gagabihin nga lang tayo. May lakad ka ba bukas?" 

I shook my head. A satisfied smile formed my lips. "I can drop anything for you," I winked then I took a quick peck on her lips. 

Tricia giggled then went back to cooking. I stayed close to her and wrapped around her. I know I am being a clingy boyfriend, but do I need to care? 

Nalagpasan ko na nga si Terrence Luer Amante. Ngayon pa ba ako mahihiya? 

"Baby, next week samahan mo ko?" malambing na tanong ko sa kanya.

"Sa ecopark?" 

I nodded. I gently sniffed on her neck. Malakas ang kiliti ni Tricia sa leeg kaya walang poise na humalak s'ya. 

After Tricia recovered her composure, she hit me on the chest. 

"Asshole!"

I laughed out loud. I love this hellish side of her. 

Tricia finished her dish after glaring at me. 

Sometimes I am wondering how is she like when she's jealous. But I won't satisfy my curiosity at the price of hurting her. 

Habang tinatapos ni Tricia ang pagluluto ay hinanda ko na ang mesa. Magana naming pinagsaluhan ang niluto n'ya. 

"It's good!" I exclaimed. "I wanna say it's the best, but I am loyal to my Nanay. I'm sorry, baby, but I am always my Nanay's boy," I dramatically said. 

Tricia smirked at me. "No problem. I'll have my Dad taste it. I'm sure, mine would be the best for him." 

I shook my head while chuckling. A certified Daddy's girl.

"Baby, this might bore you," I warned Tricia as I opened the door for her. 

"It's fine. I have you with me, so..." 

I smirked. After our lunch, dumaan kami sa AGC para dalhan si Tito Tee ng pagkain. At hindi nagkamali si Tricia, Tito said that it's the best kare-kare he ever had. He even suggested in putting up a restaurant for Tricia. 

Dahil wala daw s'yang masyadong gagawin sa AGC, Tricia decided to come with me. 

It's an audition for the new face of G&S so I have to be here. Tito Nexiel requested me to personally pick my models for the latest collection of our clothing line. 

"Tricia, hija," Tita Tatiana greeted the moment we entered the room. 

"Tita, you're beautiful as always," Tricia smiled then came closer for a cheek to cheek kiss. 

I let them have their little chitchat.

"I'll just look for Tito Nexiel," paalam ko kay Tricia. 

Tita Tatiana gave us curious glances.

My relationship with Tricia was not yet publicized. Tito Tee wants us to keep it private between us. Wala naman kaso sa akin 'yon. Ang mahalaga lang naman ay nagkakaintindihan kami ni Tricia at may pahintulot kami ng pamilya n'ya. 

"You brought Tricia with you?" Artamiel looked disappointed. 

"Yes. Problem with that?" I raised a brow on him. 

We had a quick meeting at Tito Nexiel's office at ngayon ay pabalik na kami sa studio. In ten minutes, the audition will start. I hope we got a perfect model today. I won't be available tomorrow because I already had an agreement with Tricia. 

Between Tito Nexiel and my girl, hahayaan ko na umusok ang ilong ni Tito Nex. Tricia will always come first. 

Bahagyang kumunot ang noo ko dahil sa pag-aalala na nasa mga mata ni Artamiel. 

"I heard that your first love was one of the models," he carefully said. 

Nabitin ang paghakbang ko at naramdam ko ang malakas ng hataw sa dibdib ko. It was as if the world stopped for a while. In the end I laughed at it. 

"She is. I have Tricia with me," I chuckled. 

But I feel like I want to throw up. 

So, Dax is back.

Ano naman ang ginagawa n'ya dito? 

At ano ang pakielam ko? 

__________________

09 December 2018