Below The Tide (Charity Series #1)

• Fifteen •

Betina Tiara

~

Dinala ko si Gavin sa 'the sweet tooths' bitbit ang mga pinamili namin. Aaminin kong medyo malayo itong shop na pinuntahan namin dahil habang tinitignan ko siya sa google map, nakita kong malapit na ito sa eskwelahan ko noong college. Isa rin sa rason kung bakit dito ko siya dinala ay dahil isang beses palang ako nakakarating dito-- kasama ang ate at kuya ko na ngayo'y parehas nang wala.

Ang nakakatuwa ngayon, habang naglalakad kami palapit ni Gavin ay nagrereklamo siya sa bigat ng pinadala ko but at the same time, nagtatawanan kami na parang ewan.

Dahil medyo maliit lang naman ang espasyo ng shop, kaunti lang ang taong naroon. Mabuti na lang at may table pa kami.

"This is my first time being here," aniya habang nililibot ang paningin.

"Really? Then we're quits."

Tumigil ang mata nito sa 'kin, "Quits...?"

"You took me in a classy restaurant last time--- which I've never been visited but because you insisted and told about the doctors who usually eats in there... yeah, I had a delicious lunch."

Namilog ang mata n'ya, "So this is your treat?!" umiling siya, "I cannot allow that. Let me take the half!"

"No, what the hell? Just be bright and everything will be fine." nakangiting bulalas ko.

His expression soften, "...you sure? It's a bit embarrassing on my part."

"That's embarrassing? How about what you said earlier?"

"Huh? There's more embarrassing than that?"

Sumandal ako at kinuha ang menu sa lamesa, nginisian ko siya, "Kiss my boo boo...?"

He was taken aback.

Don't get me wrong, I know what boo boo means. It's just that I like to tease him. He's really cute, promise!

"But that--- I mean, I was whining back at the office because---" naging malikot ang kan'yang mata, "It's... it's a mistake, right? I made a mistake... that is why."

I reached and pinched his cheek, he whimpered.

"I know. What if I take that seriously? Do you want me to do it literally?" I said with a smirk.

Nanlaki ang mata n'ya, umiwas ng tingin at hinaplos na lamang ang namumulang pisngi, palibhasa'y mistiso.

"Betina..."

Tinawanan ko na lang ito at tumingin na sa menu, "What do you want? Na-miss ko ang mga pagkain dito."

"Do they have an ice cream cake?" tanong n'ya.

"Yes but in limited flavors... strawberry and raspberry."

He pouted, "I'm craving for nutella ice cream cake."

"Then I'll order nutella ice cream instead."

"...fine," he answered, sighing, "But wait--- I haven't ask you yet, why do you have these plenty of things? Did you buy it?"

Sakto no'n ay may lumapit na sa aming waiter kaya naman sinabi ko na muna ang order namin. One nutella ice cream and since this shop reminds me of my siblings... I ordered churro cheesecakes and two iced almond milk latte for both Gavin and I.

Oh, then I remembered Zen...

"You must be really rich," biglang bulalas ni Gavin nang makaalis na ang waiter.

My forehead creased, "I'll make it clear. These items were given to me by Claudius. Uhh, sabi n'ya para kumportable ako sa apartment at sa office since mga gamit ng pinsan mo ang ginagamit ko."