Fascinated by You (GM Series #1)

17

"You're turning seventeen in a few weeks," Maverick whispered in her ear. She was leaning on his chest as they sat at the back of his car, watching as the sun slowly set.

"Hmm..." she reacted, busy playing their hands that are intertwined.

It has already been three months since they became official, and so far, those were the happiest months of her life.

Maverick has been such a thoughtful, attentive and supportive boyfriend to her. He never failed to be on her side in whatever circumstances came, like when her dad was rushed to the hospital for having another heart attack due to stress from self-pity since his condition isn't improving from his first attack.

"I can't wait until you turn eighteen," Maverick said.

She looked up to see his face. "Why?" she asked.

Maverick smirked and kissed the side of her head. "So, I can finally marry you," he answered.

She glared at him, knowing that he's teasing her again.

"Kidding. I just wanted you to turn legal so you'll be allowed to travel out of town with me," he answered. "I wanted us to go to Baguio to have hot strawberry Taho or to Tagaytay to eat Beef Pares while looking at the overview of Mount Taal," he added.

"I want that too," she answered, smiling widely. "I love you," she added.

She felt how Maverick got stiffed from what she said. Until now, Maverick still get surprised and taken aback every time she told him how much she loves him. Ewan n'ya ba rito, hindi ata masasanay na sasabihan n'ya na mahal n'ya ito.

Tinawanan niya ito at inulit ang pagsabi rito ng I love you, pero hindi parin ito nakasagot agad kaya sumimangot na siya.

"Dalawa na 'yun, ha!" sungit niya.

Maverick shook his head and bite his lips. He even hugged her tighter and leaned on his neck. "Mahal na mahal rin kita," bulong nito sa kanya, putting a kiss on her neck. Yumakap naman siya rito, masaya sa kalagayan ng kanyang puso.

"What's your plan for your birthday?" Van asked her, they were in the canteen for their lunch.

Sadly, Maverick's schedule for this semester was conflict to hers. Her classes started at early as 7:30 in the morning while his started at 10am and having a lunch together was kind of hard for them because he has to attend some meeting during lunch time. Iyon lang kasi ang oras na free ang lahat ng kagrupo n'ya sa isang major subject na ginagawa nila ng project para sa finals.

But Maverick never failed to text or call her. He keeps her updated with everything he's doing and vice versa.

"Nothing concrete yet, but I was thinking of having a pool party, since March is almost the summer season," she answered.

"I'd like that! Swimming na lang, I'll ask Dad for recommendations," Van squealed.

"I'll ask Kuya Jordan first. Baka mamaya ay may plano na pala sila ni Dad," she answered.

"Cool! Pero sana pumayag ang Kuya mo," Van replied.

She shrugged though she's sure that her Dad will let her have the party that she wanted. And that's what she did as soon as she went home. Hindi siya hinatid pauwi ni Maverick sa araw na iyon dahil may klase pa ito hanggang alas-otso ng gabi ata ayaw naman nitong mag intay siya rito ng ilang oras.

"Dad," she approached her dad who's laying on his bed while watching some news on the TV.

"Hmm..." her dad reacted, patting the space beside it for her to sit there.

"About my birthday, Dad," she started.

"What about it?" her dad asked, turning the TV's volume down so they could talk properly.

"Uhm... Can I have a pool party for this year?"

"You want that?"

She nodded. "Opo sana, but if you have already planned it, it's fine with me," she said.

Her Dad shook his head. "No. I haven't thought about it actually, I'm waiting for you to tell me what you want. Akala ko nga ay hihiling ka ng para lang sa inyo ni Maverick," her dad said.

"Hindi mo naman ako papayagan if ever I asked, no. And we want to keep our promise that we won't go outside the town by ourselves until I turn eighteen. Ayaw ka naming i-disappoint," she said.

Her Dad's smile grew wider while brushing her hair. "I'm happy that you're growing as a fine woman," her dad said.

Gusto niya sanang matawa, remembering all the crazy things she had done for Caius before. Buti na lamang at ipinakita sa kan'ya ni Maverick kung paano ang mahalin ng hindi ipinipilit.

"It's all thanks to you, Dad. I wouldn't be the person I am now if it weren't to you and Kuya," she said smiling.

Her dad sighed, smile never fading. "Kaya hindi na ako magtatampo kung mawawala ako ng maaga. Sigurado na akong maging mabuting tao kayo ng Kuya mo kahit wala na ako," sabi nito.

Nakasimangot naman siya. "Don't say that. Ihahatid mo pa ako sa altar pag kinasal ako at mag-aalaga ka pa ng mga apo mo, no!" She scolded her dad.

Natawa naman ang kanyang ama. "Makakaya ko pa kayang mag-alaga ng apo? Sa lagay ko na ito?" tanong nito.

She smiled and leaned on her dad's shoulder. "You'll get better, Dad. You just have to be patient and follow all your doctor's and nurse's prescriptions," she said.

"Opo, ma'am," her Dad jokes.

She was happy that her Dad was slowly recovering, lalo na't sabi ng doctor nito na sa susunod na aatakihin muli ito ay maaaring ikamatay na nito iyon. She was scared, of course. Hindi pa siya handa na mawala ito, lalo't ito at ang Kuya Jordan lamang niya ang nakagisnan niya simula pagkabata.

"I'll have a pool party for my birthday. I'll send the invites by next week," she told Maverick via video call.

"Okay, sure. Saang resort naman, baby?" he asked.

She shrugged. "I haven't chosen yet, but Van will ask her Dad for recommendations," she answered.

"Tito Fred?" he asked, pertaining to Van's step-father and Caius' biological father.

"Hmm... Are you close with him?" she asked, she rolled down her bed to have a better view of Maverick. Busy kasi ito habang nag d-drawing ng kanyang plate sa drawing table nito.

"Kind of," he answered, eyes still fixated on its work.

"How long have you been friends with Caius ba?" she asked again. Nakuha naman n'ya ang atensyon nito at nilingon na siya.

"Why are you asking?' masungit na tanong nito.

Hmp! Selos na naman, she mentally said.

She shrugged. "Wala naman. I just remember what you told me last year, nung sa graduation ball n'yo?" she said. "You told me that Caius won't choose me because he will always choose your friendship. So, I'm thinking that you've been friends for a long time already," she added.

But Maverick stared lingers on her. Napairap na lang s'ya. "Nevermind," she said when he didn't speak still. Kinuha na lamang niya ang cellphone para sana mag games habang busy pa sa homework si Maverick. Ganun naman sila, naka-video call sa kanilang laptop kahit may ginagawa ang isa/

"Who are you text with?" tanong nito ng biglang tumunog ang message alert n'ya.

She didn't turn to look at him but answered. "I wasn't texting anyone, Maverick. It was just Van, telling me about the resort. Stop being jealous," she said, irritated by her boyfriend's sudden behavior.