The Antiquity of Us (La Fortuna Series #2)

Kabanata 13

Kabanata 13

Gusto

"I forgot to tell you, but you look pretty today," Atlas remarked when he neared me. He cocked his head and smirked when his eyes darted at my boobs. "And hot, too."

Pinandilatan ko siya ng mga mata dahil narinig 'yon ng matandang ginang na nasa gilid namin. The woman saw how he fixated his eyes on my chest. Uminit ang pisngi ko sa pinaghalong hiya at inis. I was wearing a brown halter midi-dress paired with my white Adidas sneakers. It wasn't that sexy but since it had a laced back style, a bit of my side boob showed.

Still, it wasn't much! Talagang si Atlas ang problema rito! Kanina pa ako lumalayo sa kaniya kasi kung ano-ano ang pinagsasabi niya sa 'kin! Wala rin akong maisip na dahilan kung bakit ang halay ng utak niya ngayong araw.

Earlier, when we saw a naked statue, he reminded me again of our first encounter. He volunteered himself as a reference kapag nag-proceed na kami sa body-proportions sa FigDraw. He said that he was more than willing to show himself naked to me again! Ang gago talaga!

I wonder if it's because of their hardcore training? Hindi na ba siya nakaka-ano? Or maybe, he's just a horndog on a daily basis at hindi lang halata? Goodness gracious! This is seriously stressing me out!

"Atlas, stop that!" saway ko dahil pinulupot niya ang kamay niya sa bewang ko.

He was side hugging me while resting his chin on my left shoulder blade. Nakatingin kami sa isang panibagong painting. It was by far the most romantic painting displayed in the museum. It was inspired by Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet and was painted in the Impressionism style, with the defined and small brush strokes and all.

"No," parang bata niyang tugon at saka sininghot pa ang leeg ko. "What's your perfume? You smell nice."

Nasapo ko ang noo ko. "I am so gonna tell your friends that you're one hell of a clingy guy. 'Tsaka ba't ka ba clingy, e hindi naman tayo?"

"Well, I'm courting you so it's only fair that I get courtship exclusives."

"What exclusives? Ano 'to, promo? Premium?" Tinulak ko siya at nakahalukipkip na tinaasan ng kilay. "And excuse me, you never asked to court me so how are you my suitor now? Isa pa, sigurado ka bang papayag ako diyan?"

He licked his lower lip and sighed. Umayos siya ng tayo at pinasadahan ng mga daliri niya ang buhok niya bago ako matamang tinignan.

"Then I'll ask you now. Pwede bang manligaw, Ionna Sebella Linarez?"

I stopped breathing for a split second. Imbes na masiyahan habang tinitignan ko ang sinsero niyang mukha ay isang mapait na damdamin ang bumalot sa sistema ko. Venom and spite nipped on my senses. Hindi para sa kaniya, kay Ionna, o kahit sa mundo... ngunit para sa sarili ko.

Being my dead twin sister and carrying her name was my choice. Oo, minsan nakakapagod. I might have also done it because of guilt but mostly, it was driven by my love and care for my family. That's why although it's thankless, unrewarding, and painful, I withstood, still.

Pero iba kapag kay Atlas na.

Only with him that I despised and secretly regretted being under my twin sister's name. Must be my ego talking, but nevertheless, him calling me Ionna sent me to a dip pit of insecurity and shame. Pinapaalala lang ako nito na, tangina, napaka-manloloko ko pala talaga.

"Fine. You can court me... but under one condition," I muttered and faked a small smile. "Can you not call me by my name from now on?"

"Why not?"

Peke akong tumawa. "Wala lang. Besides, I'm already getting used to your endearments kaya..."

"Hm, I like the sound of that, baby, princess, my love." He chuckled and pulled me by the waist against him. Pinatakan niya ng isang mababaw na halik ang noo ko. "Can you call me those endearments sometimes too, though?"