Introduce
He wants to court me. Umalingawngaw pa iyon sa tainga ko kaya natawa ako.
"What?" I chuckled.
"Why? Scared of commitments?" Caden smirked.
I rolled my eyes, but the smirk remained on my lips. Ayaw ko talaga sa relationship. Ngunit dahil may kailangan ako sa kanya, parang mapapasubo pa yata ako.
"Why court if I can be your fling?" I suggested shamelessly. "You know, less hassle. We can just see each other every day to feed each other's needs."
He shut his eyes and barked a laugh. Naihiga niya na ang ulo sa headboard ng sofa, habang nakaupo pa rin ako sa kandungan niya, ang dalawa niyang kamay ay nakahawak sa baywang ko.
"Fling..." banggit niya at natatawa pa ring dumilat. "Ah, so the rumors are true, huh?"
Umangat ang aking kilay. "What rumors?"
"You belong in that circle. A notorious playboys and playgirls," he smiled.
Oh, what the hell? He's probably talkin' 'bout Daciana? Mailap naman si Riven sa babae. Mailap din ako sa lalake. But because the line of my work has something to do with socializing with boys, minsan napipilitan ako.
Kung playboys lang, talagang kakandidato agad si Roche, Crius, and Anzai roon. Baka mag-agawan pa sa trono ang tatlong 'yon.
"This is not about what circle I'm in. I just don't like commitments."
Tumango si Cade, binabasa ang pang-ibabang labi at malalim ang iniisip.
"Then you can say yes to me once you're ready. That's it."
Namilog ang mga mata ko. "What?"
He shot his brows up. "Yup. That's why I'm willing to court you."
This man is persistent.
"You like commitments that much?" tawa ko.
"It's the label. My father will kill me if I give mixed signals, you know. And you deserve that kind of persuasion." aniya.
Umirap ako ngunit namamangha na sa tuwing napag-uusapan namin ang ganitong bagay, nasasali ang parents niya. He's family-oriented.
"Uso naman 'yan these days. No label," sabi ko.
"For the less interested people who only want fun. Yes. Uso sa kanila. But for me, I'm not down for it. Why settle if I can court my girl and treat her right?"
Oh, what the fuck. Tama nga ang pang-amoy ni Glen sa isang 'to. Itatali ako nito. Medyo hesitant ako habang iniisip iyon. Nakatitig si Caden sa akin, nanunuya ang ngiti sa labi, at naghihintay sa aking sagot.
"Let me court you and tell me what you want. I'll give it to you."
There. The magic word I sighed surreptitiously.
"Alright," I said.
Caden nodded, his lips stretching more for a smile. Umahon siya, kaya bigla akong napahawak sa balikat niya. Our faces leveled. I can see the spark in his eyes. Nakadungaw niya sa aking mukha habang sumisilay pa rin ang ngiti sa labi.
"Give me your schedule for a week. You have work, right?"
Tumango ako.
"And an online class. Homeschool," I said.
His brows shot up. Summer is almost over, kaya alam ko, magsisimula na rin sa kanila.
"You want help with your activities?"
