Sincere Lies

Eight

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"Say that again, please."

Chris stared at me for quite long. He was showing me a smile—a hopeful one. He didn't say a thing. I wanted to hear those words again. . . along with my favorite song playing.

"May lumapit na ba sa'yo when I gave you that stupid dare?" he asked, face-palming in the most perfect way I had ever seen. Oh, my goodness, why does he do everything so perfectly? And. . . what the heck, what is happening?

Okay, Cerulean and Stephanie, calm down.

"You are turning red," he chuckled while staring at me. "Nagtanong lang ako nang dalawang beses. And you didn't even answer yet."

The next thing I could see was his wide smile. Quickly, I tried to look away as I did my best in making my cheeks cool down. Damn, damn, damn.

"Uhm. . ." I started. "S-sorry? Haha. Sorry, ano u-ulit 'yon?"

"Answer this question first, okay?" he smiled, crossing his arms. "May lumapit na ba sa'yo when you said in the Mic-Taking that you are open to relationships?"

"U-uhm. . ." I involuntarily giggled. "Wala. Why?" I asked "why," but I felt like I already knew where it was going. I just hope that. . . this does not end up being something bad or sad because I've surely had enough of this year.

"Good." I looked up to his face and examined his mask. . . then his eyes. His eyes were dark and piercing, but they were surely beautiful. Gorgeous.

At that moment, I felt such a bliss. Everything was so perfect, although things were not that sure yet. I felt important, beautiful, and valued. What a day of rollercoaster, I thought. Parang kanina lang, umiiyak pa ako.

I don't believe in "jinx," but I hope that my thoughts don't jinx this moment.

Damn, really. Damn. Damn. Ang lakas ng tibok ng puso ko, at naramdaman ko na ang pagpapawis ng mga palad ko. The wind felt cold, and I was already shaking. But everything felt warmer than the outside world.

Without me noticing, Chris already had my hands in his.

"P-pawis ang kamay ko, d-don't—"

"Can this oh-so-hot Chris Hartell court the gorgeous Cerulean Hathaway?"

I looked away as I felt the heat rushing up my cheeks and ears again. Damn. Someone help me.

"You can," I said, smirking. "But you may not."

Chris chuckled, looking at the sky as I noticed that the place gradually went darker. Coldly, the wind blew, trying to mess with his carelessly brushed hair. With his jaw clenched, he smiled. Why does he call me gorgeous when he is the gorgeous one here? I seriously feel. . . confused, happy, and nervous at the same fucking time.

"Damn, the wordplay," he chuckled. "I gotta have you, gorgeous. I gotta have you."

"Sorry," I giggled, looking away. "I was just kidding. You may."

"Yes!"

Chris let go of my hands and faced the darkened sky, his eyes on the horizons. His hands rubbed his nape as I faced the sky, too.

"Thank you," he said and took my hand on the railings of the balcony. "I will make sure I don't waste this chance, my lady. I will be your knight, and. . ." he stopped for a moment, making me look at him, "I promise, you can't resist my charms."