Embrace the Suck (Bad, #1)

Chapter Eighteen

Pinag-isipan ko kung aalis na ba ako at magte-text na lang ako sa kanya kung nasaan ako o lalapitan ko sila. Bago pa ako makagawa ng desisyon ay nagawi na sa akin ang mga mata ni Saint. Napaayos ako ng tayo dahil doon. Pati ang mukha ko ay inayos. I should act normal.

"Hi," I cheerfully stated as I neared them. Pati ang babae ay nginitian ko.

"You ready to go?" Saint asked.

"Yup." Dudugtugan ko sana ng 'you?' but that sounded maldita in my head. Ngumiti na lang ulit ako pagkatapos.

"We have to go," he said to the girl.

"Alright. See you around, Saint." She seductively smiled at him but when her eyes found mine, her smile faded a little.

Naalis lang ang mga mata ko sa babae nang maramdaman kong hawakan ni Saint ang aking kamay. Hinila niya ako kaya wala akong nagawa kundi ang sumunod sa paglakad niya.

"We're gonna pick up Shadow first?" he asked.

I nodded. "Yeah."

Saint glanced at me. A slight crease appeared on his forehead. Tumango na rin siya at hindi na ulit nagsalita hanggang sa makarating kami sa kanyang sasakyan.

"Can I hang out in your place tonight?" he asked.

I was quiet the whole ride. Normally, I'd be asking him questions or telling him a story, but I'm trying to avoid talking too much.

His question made me look at him. I instantly felt excited at the thought that he'll be staying over tonight. Then I remembered that I shouldn't be too eager or I'd look clingy. I have to be cool about this.

"Sure. Kung gusto mo." Nakangiting tumango ako.

His jaw ticked. I noticed how his eyes hardened at my answer. He looked away from me and fixed his eyes on the road. It gave me a better view of his clamped jaw.

Saint didn't speak again after that. Nagpanggap naman akong abala sa phone ko. I suddenly remembered that we're not friends on Facebook yet or on Instagram, if he has one. Sa itsura kasi ni Saint ay parang hindi mahilig gumamit ng social media accounts. He's too mature for it.

I tried to stalk him on Facebook but I can only see limited posts, kagaya nang pagpalit niya ng profile picture at ilang tagged photos. Umabot ng thousand likes ang profile picture niya. It's a photo of him on the beach wearing loose sleeveless shirt and board shorts. May suot siyang shades.

Hindi siya sa camera nakatingin, I can't tell if it's staged or a legit candid photo. Hindi niya kailangan magtopless para masabing hot siya. Gusto ko gawing homescreen. Kagat ko ang labi para pigilan ang ngiti habang sine-save ang photo.

A sigh made me look away from my phone and look at Saint. His hands were off the wheel. Madilim ang mukha niya habang nakatingin sa akin.

"We're here," he coldly exclaimed.

I peered outside and realized that we're in front of the daycare. I unbuckled my seatbelt with one hand. Saint unlocked the car doors.

"Sorry! Kunin ko lang si Shadow," paalam ko bago tuluyang lumabas ng sasakyan.

Shadow was already waiting near the door of their play pen. He's staring at the door. Tumayo ito nang makita ako. He's already expecting my arrival. Alam na alam niya na ganitong oras ko siya sinusundo. God, this dog is cute.

After settling the bill, I carried Shadow to the exit. Bago pa ako makalapit ay bumukas na ang pinto. Saint opened it from the inside. Shadow barked when he realized that I was with Saint. Halos manguna pa ito sa akin sa pagpasok sa loob ng kotse.