Chapter 3
Chapter 3
"Ang cute mo," he commented after, tilting his head to catch my gaze before giving me a lopsided smile.
My eyes widened. His smile faded.
"D-Did you just—" he looked at Ate Cora.
"A-Ang cute mo, Ate Cora," he said and looked at the shocked woman.
"Huh?" she asked.
"Cute mo sabi, Ate Cora, baka naman padagdag ako ng isang tuhog ng kikiam." He said.
Ate Cora smacked his hand attempting to take another one. Napa-blink ako ng eyes ko when she hissed at him and shook her head.
"Alam mo ikaw, Sebastian, pasmado talaga 'yang bibig mo. Miski papuri 'di mo mabigay sa kapwa mo," she muttered.
"Uy? Grabe ka naman sa 'kin, Ate Cora. Parang 'di mo 'ko suki rito, ah? Atsaka anong pupuriin? Tignan mo nga, parehas sila ni terrorista, mga crazy conyo—"
"Ikaw na pasaway ka!" she smacked his head. My eyes widened more and covered my mouth. "Ayaw mo bang mag-asawa, ah? Paano ka makakahanap ng girlpren kung 'yang ugali mo itataboy silang lahat?"
"Luh, necessary ba 'yon, Ate? Dagdag pang gastos, naku." He frowned, "'yong pang-gatas ng anak ko pambibili ko na lang ng Quick-Quick dito sa tindahan mo para mabilis din ako." He then pretended like he's running by moving his arm and foot but when he looked at me, he laughed when he caught me glaring.
"Ay, my apologies, shokoy. It's not my intention to make fun of sea creatures—"
"Kapag ikaw nakahanap ng katapat mo, sinasabi ko sa 'yo, mag-sponsor ako ng pagkain sa kasal mo, Sebastian." Ate Cora said, stopping him.
"Weh?" he smirked, "sige, ah! Antayin ko 'yan!" but his smirk faded.
"Pero isipin mo 'yong gastos ng kasal? Tapos bahay? Tapos pagkain? Tapos magpapalit ka pa ng diaper ng bata na puro igit na brown tapos basa? Anak ng...joke lang, Ate Cora. Hihimlay na lang pala ako." Then he put both of his palm on his chest and closed his eyes.
I giggled. Ate Cora laughed. Seb opened his eyes to look at me.
"Makatawa 'to, gets mo ba 'yong sinabi ko?" he asked. I shook my head.
"No," I giggled. "What's igit?"
"Ah, pagkain. Sarap 'yon, chocolate." He smirked.
Ate Cora coughed loudly, I was confused for a while but she drank her BJ instead and shook his head.
"Sumasakit na ang batok ko sa inyong mga lalaki kayo, Baste," she said. "Nalilihis na rin ang usapan, why don't you tell our beautiful Gab here she's cute instead?"
Baste glanced my way. I put my palms on my cheek and blinked at him cutely.
"'Nyare sa mata mo? Mukhang chaka doll na pumipikit, anong cute diyan—" Ate Cora smacked his arm.
"Isa, Sebastian! Idadamay mo pa 'ko. Man up and tell the woman she is." She said. I nodded rapidly.
Come on, Seb! Tell me I'm cute!
Sebastian stared at me intently, his serious eyes made my heart flutter. I stood straight, gasping, anticipating his next words.
"Gab," he called in a baritone voice.
I almost hyperventilate.
Oh my gosh, what is this feeling? Is this normal? Someone call me a doctor!
"Hmm?" I hummed, my eyes almost shining.
"Cute yern?" he suddenly grinned.
My shoulders slacked. Ate Cora slapped her forehead and pouting, I looked at Ate Cora's products.
"Ate Cora, I want another kiki yum," I said sadly and pointed the thing. "This is super kulang po, eh."
"Sige, anak," she answered and glanced at Seb, "yari ka, Sebastian."
"Ano? Ano na naman ginawa ko?" he asked her quietly, "'di naman talaga siya cute—"
"Yari ka kay Lucian," Ate Cora answered back and I was making tusok-tusok to my spare quick-quicks, eavesdropping.
"Bakit ako, Ate? Mabait nga 'ko—"
"Yari ka, mag-sorry ka. Ikaw talaga, 'yang ugali mo..." she almost smacked him with the spatula before leaving.
I sipped on my BJ and knew Seb was looking at me intently. He took his stick and ate one while glancing my way, not saying anything.
I can feel his deep, hesitant stares and it's making me melt but I didn't let it show.
I sighed dramatically.
"Pst..." he called. I stayed staring at my foods and drank my BJ. "Uy, conyong shokoy, galit ka?"
"Paanong babatiin ka kung tinatawag mong shokoy?" Ate Cora called loudly, "suyuin mo, Sebastian! Aba, kaya 'di ka talaga magkaka-girlpren sa ginagawa mo, eh!"
Seb sighed, I pouted more.
"Hey, Gab," he called me gently. I felt like hyperventilating with his gentle voice. "Hey, you mad at me?"
"No..." I said coldly.
"Ows?" he asked, "sige nga, tingin ka nga sa 'kin kung 'di ka galit?"
I looked at him slowly, he smiled.
"Hmp!" I hissed and looked back, started eating again.
"Uy," he called, "I was just kidding, pero medyo totoo naman 'yong joke ko."
"Hay naku, Sebastian," Ate Cora came back with newly cooked kiki yum and placed it on the bowl to give me, "ganyan ba sumuyo ng babae? Mali, dapat malambing. Mabait, naiintindihan mo? Oh, siya, maiwan ko muna kayo saglit at may tatawagan lang ako."
She left. I can sense the hesitant look Seb is giving me, he didn't even touch his food again and remained glancing my way from time to time.
I reached for my kiki yum and put it on the stick to dip it to taste the sauce.
"Gab," he called, "uy, sorry na."
I pouted more, I quickly raised my kiki yum and ate it but ended up gasping loudly when I realized it was hot.
"O-Ouch! It's super init!" I covered my mouth when it stung my lower lip.
"Tsk! Ayan na nga ang sinasabi!" he took the food from me, touching my forearm to move me closer. I was still covering my mouth but he gently pulled it away.
"Napaso ka?" he asked seriously and my face crumpled, nodding.
"O-Ouch here, oh," I pointed my lower lip.
"Kulit kasi, sabing mag-ingat at mainit. Bagong luto lang 'to, oh," he hissed and took a piece of tissue. He pulled my forearm more, making me move much closer to him.
My face almost bumped into his chest. I was still shock until he tilted my chin with his finger up until our eyes are meeting.
"Ang kulit-kulit, sabing hihipan dapat muna. Ayan tuloy!" he scolded, his thick brows met. he looked handsome whatever his reactions are but seeing him genuinely annoyed made my stomach churn.
Why do I think Sebastian is hot?
Oh my gosh, is this because it's mainit today?!
He wiped my lower lip with the tissue, his finger grazed on it to gently check it after.
"Open your lip, let me see," he said seriously.
Feeling lost, I parted my lips. He moved his head closer to me to check on my lip, his manly perfume fanning my nose.
Oh, gosh, Gab. Is this what little mermaid felt when she saw Prince Eric?
He blew my lips, my chest went haywire.
"Does it still hurt?" he asked seriously and I was scared about my heartbeat so I shook my head to calm my heart down.
"Tsk..." he shook his head disappointedly and touched my lip, "hindi ka pa marunong kumain, eh."
I couldn't say anything, I remained watching him closely while he's checking on me. Our eyes met, his liquid black eyes are dark for the meantime until he cleared his throat and gently pushed me away.
"W-Wala namang paso," he faked a cough, "mag-ingat ka kasi kumain, kitang mainit 'yan. H'wag ka muna kumain."
"What? But it's masarap, it's so delicious," I stared at my cup sadly, "I want this kiki yum..."
I stared at him sadly, he watched me then snapped and nodded.
"Oo na, oo na, give it to me." He took the cup from me and took one after dipping it. "Dahan-dahan lang ang pagkain. Hipan mo kagaya nito." He blew on it and moved it closer to my mouth. "Open your mouth."
I shook my head, "hmp! You'll end up eating it, anyway. You can't make loko to me na. I'm not gullible, you know?"
"OA naman nito," he smirked, "hindi ko na kakainin. Oh, ngumanga ka. Ahh!" He showed me how it is done like a kid.
I gave him a suspicious look, he sighed.
"Come on, Gab, open up." He said gently and I watched him, checking if he's fooling me or not but when I realized he's being serious, I followed him.
I opened my mouth and thankfully, he fed me with a piece of kiki yum.
"Wow..." I mumbled, "it's super sarap! Like it's warm but I'm not napaso!"
The side of his lip lifted, "ganyan kasi tamang pagkain niyan, pangit kapag sobrang init. Pangit kapag malamig."
I nodded, smiling. He was just watching me as I munch on my food, even raising his brow when I'm done.
He took another one, blew until it's warm and moved it gently near my lips, feeding me.
"Hmm..." I hummed happily, sipping on my BJ.
The sun is high and bright today but the wind is called. It's an indication it was fresh in here and I can't help but admire the ship, the place and the country.
It was the same back in Italy but it made me so malungkot because I realized I knew a little only on the outside world. I didn't know amazing places like this existed.
I looked around, seeing the orchestra preparing for another piece. Tourists, in different colors and nationalities were enjoying the view and taking pictures wherever they wished to be.
"Seb, this place is super big," I mumbled and looked around. I haven't even seen the half of this place. "Is Lucian the only one who owned this?"
"Itong barko?" he asked, I nodded.
He fed me with another one and moistened his lower lip, leaning on the wall by his shoulder.
"Well, he owned it alone. His father named this under him but of course, he has investors and partners to maintain this one. Hindi lang naman itong Symphony ang pag-aari niya, may Oasis, may Guinevere...marami."
"Then, it's more of a corporation, 'no?" I asked.
He nodded, he took a tissue and cleaned the side of my mouth before continuing.
"Yup, his cousins invested and partnered with him, too. Pati kami nina Ian, Romeo, Owen..."
"Oh..." my mouth formed an O. "So, you mean you're a part owner?!"
He eyed me seriously, "sabi ko na, eh, pera lang habol mo sa 'kin, 'no?" he accused.
I glared at him, folding my arms on my chest.
"Excuse me, ah? But I'm not boasting or anything but I am rich, too—"
"Oh, edi sana all." He cut me off and smirked, "sus, baka mamaya ligaw na prinsesang shokoy ka rin, ah? Tapos biglang may maghahanap sa 'yo dito tapos may pabuya."
I stopped but then bit my lower lip.
"W-What if I am?" I asked him seriously.
His smirk faded, his orbs landed on me darkly and I began feeling a bit nervous when his face crumpled and laughed.
"Asa," tumawa siya, "kung prinsesa ka edi sana nagkalat mga guards mo rito, 'yong pinsan mong conyo may butler na, may Nana pa, may guards pa. Magkasama ba kayong dalawa dati pa?"
"Well..." I bit my lip, I should keep my identity a secret.
My mother and father would be mad at me if I would expose. Baka 'di na me maka-go sa places like this.
"We're close ever since we were kids," I said, "we're basically like sisters but cousins."
"So, you're a royalty?" he shot his brow up and panicking, I shook my head.
"N-No, of course not," I answered, "I-If I was, where are my guards, then? As if they'd leave me alone like this, right?"
"Sa bagay..." he nodded and offered me the fish bolbol this time, "pero bakit ka nagtatanong? Buti nga at nakakaintindi ka ng Tagalog?"
"Oh, my Nana—I mean, Cathalina or G as you call her taught me well! When she came back, uhm, when I saw her again, she taught me things for years. Her Nana and her are talking in Tagalog too so sometimes, I make sali to them kaya I can understand naman pero not all kasi may words na 'di ko pa ma-understand, eh."
"Tss...sabi na, eh," he shook his head, "kapag mga ganyang tabas talaga ng dila tapos nabubulol pa si terrorista ang may salarin."
"So, Seb, I was curious. What if I'm princess pala?" I watched his reaction. "What would you do?"
"Ako?" he clicked his tongue, "baka hihimlay na lang ako ng tuluyan." He shut his eyes jokingly.
"Crazy..." I giggled, "pero what nga? You don't like royalties ba?"
"Hindi naman sa ayaw," he shrugged, "pero never kong na-imagine na maka-experience ako ng gano'n. Well, silly may it seemed but I always make fun of G but I care for her. She's like a sister to me."
Oh...Seb is so mabait.
"Pero kasi alam mo 'yon, paano ko ba e-explain?" he sighed, "when I worked here for Cap, I thought it would be simple but when she came, our world turned upside down. Of course, we liked G, we want her around. Nalungkot nga kami no'ng umalis 'yan. Nakakatampo kaya hindi na nag-ruta si Cap sa Italy kasi brokenhearted. Masakit pero stay strong lang kami kay Cap kasi 'di makamove-on si loko kaso ang rupok ng putek. Pagbalik niyang pinsan mong terrorista nagpabebe lang kay Cap okay na sila."
"What's pabebe?" I asked.
He eyed me, looking constipated.
"Pabebe, kagaya mo," he answered.
"Like me?" I blinked. "How so?" my lips protruded. "Is being pabebe a bad thing?"
"Wala, ewan," he sighed in exhaustion. "Anyway, ayon nga, hindi naman sa ayaw ko ng royalties but you see, those in power are way more rooted and evil, Gab. I've seen it first-hand, how they almost killed Cap and G for power. I wouldn't like to encounter people like that anymore. Sinwerte lang kami kay G at mabait ang pamilya niya."
Oh...I didn't know why my chest is hurting.
"But example, joke only, ah? What if you encountered another royalty? Then, like same siya kay G? I have heard stories how you all saved her from those evil people, would you risk again?" I asked curiously.
"Baka kapag may pabuya bebenta ko na lang agad—" I smacked him, he chuckled and glanced my way. "Bakit ka namamalo? Laki kaya ng pera do'n, papatayo na akong sariling shipping lines para 'di na ako alilain ng lapastangang Captain Castanier na 'yan at ng kanyang asawang conyo."
"You're so mean." I pouted, "let me clear it to you, 'kay? What if he or she a dear friend to you, tapos need niya ma-save, would you?"
"Pag-isipan ko muna s'yempre," he answered. It gave me hope.
Hope for what, Gab? Na if someone took you or something, they'd save you? Asa pa you.
"I almost died way back when we were cornered by G's enemies. I was hurt, you know? Akala ko nga namatay na 'ko kasi nakita ko na ata si Lord. Ready na ako sumama sa liwanag kaso biglang nabitin, biglang pagmulat ko ng mata nakakita ako ng umiiyak na chaka doll sa tabi ko." He faked a shiver, "gagi, ang creepy."
It made me laugh, "why are you calling us chaka dolls?" I asked curiously, "it's a bad doll, right? Or I'm wrong lang?"
"Wala naman, trip ko lang. Kamukha niya kasi 'yong si Annabelle na manika tapos ikaw. Ikaw 'yong bidang manika sa Patayin sa Sindak si Barbara." He answered me back but only groaned when someone smacked him from behind.
"Ate Cora!" he whined.
"Iniwan kita rito para makipagbati tapos mas inaway mo lang!" she scolded.
"Uy, okay na kaya kami." Seb answered, "'di ba, Gab? Bati na tayo."
I looked at him and shrugged. His mouth fell.
"Uy!"
"Hmp!" I shook my head and looked at my finished foods, "Ate Cora, is it okay lang po if mag-pay ako later? I'm gonna ask G about the currency here first—"
"Tss, kakain walang pambayad!" Seb sighed and took his wallet, taking a few dollars from it. "Nakaka-stressed talaga ang mundong ibabaw, Ate Cora, alam mo 'yon. Wala kong girlfriend na pinagkakagastusan pero gumagastos para sa conyong lamon nang lamon walang pambayad."
I pouted only.
OMG, Gab. You're nakakahiya pala to eat too much!
"Uh..." I bit my lip and stared at the BJ. I'm thirsty pa. "I'll send the bayad na lang to you—"
"Gusto mo pang buko?" he asked. I looked at him shyly and wanted to say yes but I have no money.
"Y—No," I shook my head, "I'm okay na."
"Ate, isang buko nga." He said and my eyes brightened when he gave it to me.
"Hala, no need na...I'm shy na..." I gasped sadly.
"Sus, may hiya ka pa pala sa lagay na 'yan?" he smirked, "Pabebe talaga. Oh, kunin mo na, baka mabilaukan ka pa diyan."
Smiling and happy, I took the juice from him. I sipped on it happily while he's waiting for the change. We bid our goodbye to Ate Cora, strolled around the area.
I followed Baste. He was walking in front of me while I'm sipping on my BJ. Super refreshing talaga ang juice! Then the whole view tapos si Seb na view...I giggled inside my mind.
Oh my gosh, Gab? You're a bad mermaid!
Seb stopped from walking. I bumped on his back.
"Bakit 'di ka sumasabay?" he asked, looking back at me.
I didn't know what to say so I just looked at his eyes. He moved his body and faced me.
"'Di pa rin ba tayo bati?" he asked me, "pagkatapos kitang ilibre 'di pa rin—"
"You didn't say I'm cute pa, eh," I said, remembering what happened earlier. I was just teasing, it's not like I'm galit pa.
Seb is so cute.
"Tss...tara na." He held my forearm, "sige na, aamin na ako. No'ng tumakbo ka kanina at nagpauto ang cute mo."
My cheeks heated up and watched his liquid black eyes looking at me intensely.
"Mukha kang manika," he sighed defeatedly, my heart thumped faster.
"Really—"
"Manikang pagod." He smiled evilly.
My shoulders fell, before I could say anything, his laughter roared and turned his back on me. I was stunned when he ran and I was so quick to follow him because I ate Quick-Quick!
"Sebastian!" I screamed at the top of my lungs. I almost ran out of breath running behind him but he was too energetic.
"Bilis! Anong silbi ng Quick-Quick mong kinain kung weak-weak ka!" he exclaimed loudly. I stomped my feet annoyingly.
"You're super annoying! I'll suntok you in the face!" I screamed and just when we reached the pool where G and the boys at, Seb stopped in front of the pool.
"I'm super Gab! Hiyaahhh!" I exclaimed when I reached him, kicking his butt and jumped up and down when he fell on the pool.
I was laughing so hard I think I'm gonna die. I clapped my hands happily with the people around still stunned after witnessing the crime happened. I was having all the time in my laugh when I saw how Seb floated in the water.
"What..."
"Oh my G..." G gasped and covered her mouth.
That's when I panicked. I lowered the plastic cup, unbuttoned my cover up almost immediately and jumped on the pool to save him.
I swam towards his floating body, gasping. When I reached him, I pulled him closer to me. His body went back into standing. When I cupped his cheek and saw his closed eyes, my heart hammered.
"S-Seb, OMG. I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean—"
"Issa prank..." he caught my waist and opened his eyes.
I screamed in shock. Sa super shock ko, na-slap ko pa ang face niya kaya nag-drown pa siya ulit kung hindi lang nag-jump sina Luci sa pool to pull him up.
"Tang ina nito, gago! Abot mo 'yan!" Lucian laughed upon pulling him up. Seb gasped for air, dried his face with his palm and glared at me.
"Ooppss...sorry." I gave him a small smile.
Seb is drenched all over. His uniform for work is wet with his leather shoes so I felt a bit guilty watching him seated on the side of the pull and glaring at me from the distance.
"Don't mind that basher, okay?" G giggled beside me while we're on the pool, "ganyan lang siya talaga. Minsan sa super annoyed mo like mo na lang dukutin ang eyes niya, right?"
"Hmm, a little?" I shrugged, "but he's wet na, G, hindi ba siya mad?"
"Hindi 'yan," she giggled, "he's just that way but he's fine, see..." she said so I glanced to where they are and saw Lucian talking to him.
"Wala na, Cap! Basa na 'ko, excused na ako sa trabaho, ah?" Seb said, "ako pa nag-alaga diyan sa sea creature na nakawala kaya pahinga ko ngayon."
"Don't you have spare uniforms—"
"Wala, wala. Wala kong uniform na extra, wala." He shook his head, "kaya pahinga ko ngayon, kawawa nga 'ko, oh. Basang-basa tapos pagtatrabahuhin mo 'ko? Wala ka bang puso, Cap?" he asked dramatically.
The boys laughed at his remark. Luci just sighed.
I can hear G giggling beside me and winked, "see? It's okay with him."
G went to the side of the pool to get out of the water. Lucian was waiting for her to go up and immediately covered her wet body with a robe and held her hand.
She walked with him to the other side to sit with Seb and I was just watching them.
They're really close. I'm glad talaga I get to have a time spent for vacations like this.
"Tagal n'yo, Gab, ah? Saan kayo galing? You like?" Owen came closer, handling me a cup of juice but I immediately shook my head, smiling.
"Thanks but I'm okay, Owen," I smiled at him. "Nag-BJ na kami ni Seb."
He coughed, as if choking.
"Owen?!" I called and held his hand, "are you okay?!"
"Y-Yeah..." he tapped his chest, "w-what do you mean you two—"
"We went to a store earlier and you know, drank BJ. We also ate Quick-Quick, kiki yum..." but instead of understanding he choked more as if he's in the edge of fainting.
"Owen?!"
"I-I'm okay..." he covered his mouth and tapped his chest, "I'm fine, Gab. Nagulat lang ako sa term mo, medyo nage-gets ko na 'yong nararamdaman ni Baste at Cap—"
"Owen!" we stopped from talking when Seb's loud voice called him. We glanced his way and saw his forehead creasing.
"Oh?" Owen asked, "binibigyan ko lang ng juice si Gab kaso sabi niya nag-BJ na raw kayo."
Seb froze. I heard G and Luci chuckled while Romeo and Owen's eyes are big like an owl's.
"Oh, she meant Buko Juice, guys," G said out loud. "BJ for Buko Juice."
"Ohh..." Romeo whistled, "himalang 'di tinatama ni Mr. Basher—"
"I did correct it," he frowned and looked at Owen again. "May tumatawag sa 'yo sa opisina kanina, Owen."
"Oh? Sino?" he asked.
"Ewan, basta." Seb answered briefly and coldly, "puntahan mo na lang sa office."
Owen glanced my way. Our eyes met and I offered him a smile.
"Later na lang, Gab," he winked at me playfully.
"Later, Owen! Come back ka kaagad!" I exclaimed and waved my hand.
Luci with Romeo and Ian cooked for our lunch today. I played with the pool for a bit and pa-float-float only because shy pa ako mag-swim at baka makita ang hidden talent ni little mermaid.
When I felt a bit colder, I decided to rest for a while and continue swimming.
I held the metal stairs to go up of the pool. My bikini hugged my body gracefully and just as about when I am brushing my wet ginger hair when I felt someone staring. My eyes roamed around to look for it, realizing it was Sebastian watching me from the distance while seated on the side of the pool.
I smiled at him but I realized G was watching us too while seating beside Seb.
"G—"
"Basher, beautiful and very sexy ba ang cousin ko?" she suddenly asked him.
"Huh?" Seb frowned and looked my way. "'Di naman masyado," but he blushed again.
"Weh? Why are you blushing, then?" she smacked his arm, "yieeeut!" and to my shock, she pushed him jokingly but he slipped on the pool and gasped loudly.
"Terrorista ka talagang conyo ka!" he exclaimed angrily but my cousin just showed him a peace sign.
I wore my white cover up again to cover my body. Seb got up from the pool and rested on a nearby table, he's leaning on it, still drenched with water and I can't help but worry.
I didn't care much about myself. It's my fault he fell and got wet, I kicked him to the pool. What if he caught a cold or something?
I took the white and thick towel I saw and walked closer to him. He didn't saw me at first but he stopped unbuttoning his uniform entirely. He raised his head. We both stopped when we met each other's eyes.
"Oh? Napadaan ka?" he asked me nonchalantly, his eyes landed on my body but he immediately looked away, clenching his jaw. He seriously continued unbuttoning his uniform instead.
"Uhm, I brought lang a towel for you. I'm afraid you'll get a cold or something, eh," I mumbled and walked closer to him.
I thought he'll get mad or push me away but he didn't, luckily. I raised my hand, putting the towel on the top of his head.
"Can I dry your hair, Seb?" I asked. He lifted his gaze and looked at me.
"Bakit?"
"Nothing," I smiled at him, "I just want to dry your hair, is it masama?"
"Tss..." he frowned and removed his uniform entirely and let me do my job. I dried his hair first and smiled upon seeing him looking like a small baby boy with the strands of his hair falling down his forehead.
So, cute! He looked like an adorable boy where in fact, he's the opposite! I dried his nape too and his arms but stopped when I took a glance of his body.
It was ripped. His body isn't that large like the guards in the palace but he's lean and healthy. I saw that muscle on his stomach, I moved my finger and poked it curiously.
"What the..." I took a step back immediately, shocked at his reaction.
"Sorry..." I bit my lower lip and stared at him shyly, "I-I was just curious, you don't have tummy, eh. Uh, the muscles on your stomach..."
"Abs 'yan, gagi." He frowned at me.
"Sorry, did I hurt you when I poked it? Am I not allowed to?" I asked gently. He stared at me intently instead and sighed.
"Hindi, hindi..." he shook his head, "wala, nagulat lang ako sa 'yo, 'di ka kasi nagsasabi, basta na lang tusok."
"Then, if I ask you if you'd allow me, can I?" I tilted my head and looked at him, "you have a nice body, eh. You know one time, I've seen our guards practicing and they're topless—"
"Tss, mas maganda naman katawan ko ro'n," his lips formed a thin line, "mas gwapo rin ako ro'n, matatanda na 'yan, 'no?"
"A little?" I thought of it, "but there are few men just like my age, you know. They're mga tang ina too—"
"Sinong mas tang ina, ako o sila?" he asked me brutally, his tone so annoyed it made me wonder if he's mad or what.
"Uhm," I bit my lower lip and observed his face.
Seb has this aura of a dark prince, not a charming one since he isn't cute. He's a brusque in a way I think it's sexy.
"Ay, wow, pinag-isipan pa?" he shot his brow up, "sige, simula ngayon 'di na kita pagbibigyan ng BJ—"
"Of course, you!" I blurted, stopping him entirely. "E-Everyone is handsome in a way, you know? But for me...you're the most tang ina of them all..."
We stared at each other. He was still sporting the annoyed, straight face for a while until I smiled at him. Immediately, it vanished and was replaced by a slight flush on his cheek.
"Are you namumula, Seb?" I asked teasingly.
"'D-Di, ah! Feeling nitong chaka doll na 'to!" he looked away and threw the towel at me. "'Di ka pa tapos, ah? Basa pa 'yong buhok ko, oh. Kapag ako nilagnat tapos namatay kita mo, mumultuhin kita."
Smiling, I walked closer to him. I reached for his hair again to dry it with the towel.
"Dream you pala ang maging ghost?" I asked, "I dreamt to be a little mermaid, you know? And I'm eyeing you to be my sidekick, Sebastian, the crab."
"Gaga talaga 'to," he mumbled, "shokoy ka, 'te, hindi sirena. Gagawin mo pa kong alimango, kapag ikaw kinagat ko..."
"Oh, you're a vampire pala?" I giggled and moved my hair to show him my neck, "come on, Mr. Vampire, you can bite me here."
He didn't answer me back. I stood straight when I realized he doesn't have any reaction to it and when I looked at him, he was staring at me like he's a lost puppy.
"Seb?" I called. I snapped my fingers in front of him that he came back and quickly changed his reaction.
"Oh? Tuyo na ba ang buhok ko?" he asked, "'di pa tapos trabaho mo, ah—"
"Gab? Someone's looking for you!" Romeo called.
"Huh? Me?" I asked.
I have no other friends here, ah? Who else would look for me?
"Sino, Romeo?" Baste asked.
"Ewan, mga teenager," ani Romeo, "baka crush si Gab, magpapa-picture."
I looked at Baste and smiled, "later ko na lang i-dry ang hair mo, ah? I'll talk to them first." But before I even took a step, he pulled me back.
"Ohh...Baste, ano 'yan, ha?!" Lucian exclaimed and laughed but Seb doesn't seem to care.
He looked at me in the eye, "lalabas ka ng ganyan ang suot?" he looked at my body so I lowered my gaze. I'm wearing my wet bikini and the opened cover up.
"Why?" I asked, "ugly ba? It's okay lang naman, I'll just say hi and hello then leave."
"Gabriela!" He called, gripped my arm back again and sighed.
"W-Why?" I asked again.
Oh my gosh, did he just call me by my name?! As in my first full name?!
"Ang kulit-kulit mo, Gabriela," his face crumpled, buttoning my white oversized cover up to hide my wet bikini.
He placed the towel I'm using for him on my shoulder and made me touch the ends to cover my exposed bra.
"Malamig sa labas, baka lamigin ka." He said timidly. I smiled sweetly. "Atsaka, h'wag mong ngingitian mga bata do'n sa labas. Dapat sungitan mo, umirap ka, okay?"
I giggled, amazed and fluttered.
"O-Okay..." I nodded, my cheeks heating up.
"Turuan kita umirap, dapat ganito. 'Yong pang-maldita, ah? H'wag 'yong pabebe girl." He rolled his eye but before he could finish it, I heard a whistle and when we looked at the other side, G with the boys were watching us suspiciously, everyone with a silly smile.
"Woah...love is in the hangin!" the very pregnant G exclaimed and then the boys lifted a large electric fan on our faces.
"And that, kids is how Baste, the conyo basher, met your mother—" Lucian said but his voice faded when Seb stood, aiming a punch on his face.
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