Tough & Classy

Chapter 1

Chapter 1: "And anyone who saw how she looked at him knew that she was hooked."

"Please? Pretty, please?" I hugged Clyde's arm and leaned my head on his shoulder. "Please say yes? Please?"

He sighed and closed his eyes. I woke up early just so I could talk to him right away. Alam ko kasi na kapag sa text or tawag ko idinaan ang sasabihin ko ay tatanggi siya agad. Kanina ko pa siya nilalambing kaya si tita ay natatawa na lang sa amin.

"Hijo, bakit hindi mo pa pagbigyan ang pinsan mo?"

"Ma," angal niya.

I smiled brightly at tita. "Thank you, tita!"

"Sige na. Pagbigyan mo na, anak. A cellphone number won't hurt." She winked at me and left us. 

"So?" baling ko kay Clyde.

He breathed out then turned to me with a serious expression. "Chester is not the kind of guy you mess up with. In other words, go have a crush on someone else."

Mabilis ko siyang hinabol ng tumungo siya sa garage ng bahay nila. "Kuya! It's not just a simple crush, okay? I like him a lot! He's my future husband, I know it in my heart!"

He stopped abruptly and looked at me like I've said something ridiculous. "You're delusional!"

I pouted. "Kuya naman."

"You only call me 'kuya' when you want something."

"Then I'll call you 'kuya' every day if you give me his number."

He smirked. "It's okay. I like hearing my name more."

Mabilis kong pinigilan ang pagsakay niya sa kanyang sasakyan. "Please pretty? I won't tell him naman na ikaw yung nagbigay ng number niya."

He breathed out harshly and looked heavenward. "Look, I'm doing this for you," he said gently. "Take my advice; go back to the states and about forget him while it's just a stupid crush."

I stomped my foot out of frustration. "Why! And no, it's not just a stupid crush!"

"Claire, he's different. He's not your usual guy, totally not the kind you play with. He won't give you the time of day."

"Ku-"

"He'll break your heart without blinking an eye."

I didn't listen to Clyde; I stayed in the Philippines and enrolled in West C Imperial University. My mom was against it, but I stood my ground and promised her that I wouldn't do anything stupid. Dad and my grandfather, Camilo supported my decision and helped me in convincing my mother. 

"So, where are we going?" Andy asked. We're in the same class.

"Let's drop by at the engineering building and say 'hi' to my future husband."

Bumagsak ang panga niya. "Hindi ka pa nadadala sa pag-i-ignore ni Chester sa'yo?"

I smirked. "No pain, no gain."

Napailing-iling na lang siya at sinamahan ako. Pagdating namin sa Engineering bldg ay kali-kaliwa ang mga bumabati sa akin. I just smiled at them. Eksaktong pagdating namin sa room nila ay palabas na rin sila. 

My smile widened as I spotted him. Alam ko na ilag ang mga ibang estudyante sa kanya kaya kaagad silang tumabi ng dumaan siya. Ain't he look so cool wearing a black shirt, jeans, and white sneakers. Napansin ko rin ang isang hikaw niya sa tainga.