Kissing Fire (KD#1)

Fire 31

Burn

"Don't meddle with my personal affairs."

He eyed me dreamily and bobbed his head in agreement. "What else, Euphie baby?"

Lumingon ako kay Heathcliffe na malawak ang ngiti sa labi at pinapanood akong magsalita. Nakahiga parin kami sa kutson na kaniyang nilabas kahit umaga na. Nakatukod ang isa niyang kamay sa kaniyang ulo habang ang isa'y nakagapos sa aking baywang kaya hindi ako makaalis sa hinihigaan.

Mahimbing akong nakatulog kagabi at hindi ko alam kung dahil sa pagod o sa kaniyang sintunadong pagkanta. Nalaman ko na nakatulog din pala siya, siguro'y pagod din sa kalilinis sa coffee shop.

"Don't call me that nickname... especially in public."

Ngumuso siya at bahagyang inihilig ang ulo. "Why not?"

"It's embarrassing. You want to be called baby when you're already an adult?"

"If it's you, I don't mind."

Umirap na lamang ako sa kaniyang kalandian. I felt my cheeks heat up with his words and I tried my very best to hide it.

"Anything else?"

I gave him a deadpan look, my gray eyes hard-rimmed and serious. My glare was enough to remove the amused grin in his face.

"Don't fall in love with me." I said with grave importance.

Heathcliffe suddenly squinted and his thick brows hauled down. After a few seconds, he exhaled forcefully and slightly grinned before retorting.

"I'll just have a crush on you then."

I was stunned with his answer. I shook my head with his persistence. "Just make sure to go any deeper than that." masungit na paalala ko.

Our eyes locked, both unblinking and staring into each other. His earnest brown gaze was looking at mine so deeply, trying to reach my soul and look for something inside me.

When I heard the sound of a motorcycle's engine heading our way, I was snapped out of the trance. Mabilis akong naupo. I immediately grabbed the blanket and wrapped myself with it, trying to hide myself. Binalot ko ang sarili mula ulo hanggang sa legs at tumalikod mula sa paparating na sasakyan.

Hindi ko naman alam kung sino itong paparating malay mo isa palang Lombardi o tauhan ng mga Lombardi at makita pa ako rito kasama si Heathcliffe.

He chuckled before standing up and walking towards the motor that has now halted. "Chill, it's just our breakfast."

Nagpakawala ako ng isang malalim na hininga. Nagbayad ata si Heathcliffe sa delivery man at pumasok muna sa loob ng cabin. Umalis na ang delivery man at lumabas na rin si Heathcliffe na may dala-dalang tray.

"You're so cute. Diyan ka nalang." Heathcliffe joked as he scanned my look with his eyes.

I rolled my eyes and removed the blanket from my head. Hinayaan ko nalang malaglag ito sa aking katawan tutal ay medyo malamig pa naman.

Nag-indian sit si Heathcliffe sa harapan ko at naglagay ng tray doon. He placed the pancakes and hashbrowns on the tray.

"I'll pay you for this." sambit ko at pinanood siyang maghiwa ng kaniyang pancake.

He shook his head. "Huwag na."

"This is the dinner that I owe you." pagpoprotesta ko.

"This is a different meal."

"Huh? What's the difference?"

"Breakfast sa umaga kinakain. Dinner sa gabi." pilosopong sagot niya.