Chapter 4
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Chapter 4
The teenagers apologized!
I couldn't stop giggling thinking what happened.
"Seb, thank you!" I cheerily thanked him for his good heart. I was expecting he'd smile at me and tell me I'm welcome but instead, he answered me with a frown!
"Thank you, saan?" he shot his brow up comically.
"Sa pag-talk mo sa teenagers to say their patawad to me!" I said, smiling widely.
His face crumpled more, brushing his disheveled hair with his fingers.
"Huh? Why would I talk to them?"
"You checked the CCTV, right?" I gave him my puppy eyes and walked closer. He took a step back. I caught his eyes widening.
"B-Bakit ko tsi-check ang CCTV, aber? Special yarn?" he answered me with a strain, trying to be brutal voice but I just smiled and moved closer more.
He ended up sitting on the edge of the table, caught off guard. Grinning, I placed both of my arms, each on his side.
"H-Hoy!" he hissed, "para 'tong lalaki...ginagawa mong shokoy ka—" he stopped when our eyes met. His intense, sharp and liquid black eyes are void of emotion but I caught a glimpse of something else in it.
My smile even turned sweeter. I noticed how his eyes turn softer, nag-vanish ang bad spirit sa eyes niyang always naka-glare at me.
"You're super duper tang ina talaguh, Seb," I mumbled.
His shoulders slacked. He sported another poker face look as he disappointedly placed his finger on my forehead. He gently pushed my face away. I only blinked.
He stood from resting on the edge of the table and when he successfully did, his large frame towered me.
I lifted my head so I could look at him freely and closer. He sighed. When he took a quick switch of position, I was caught off guard.
Napa-sit ako sa edge ng table where he's sitting earlier and when he placed his arms in between my small frame, my heart went frantic.
"S-Seb?" I called.
His hair's still a bit wet from the pool earlier but this time, he's wearing a fresh white shirt and board shorts while I'm still with my wet cover up.
"Anong pinag-usapan n'yo ng mga bata ro'n?" he suddenly asked. Serious.
"H-Hmm?" I caught a glimpse of his pursing lips and bit mine a bit, losing my own focus.
Is little mermaid this excited and tensed when he first met Prince Eric? But...Sebastian is not a prince charming, Gab. He's your sidekick! The crab!
"Gabriela..." he called grimly and when I saw his jaw clench with his lips in a firm line, I came back from my daydreaming.
"Well..." I paused to think about it, feeling giddy because he's so close to me I could smell his scent. "They just apologized to me and I said okay, no worries. I'm alright and not hurt."
"Uh-huh?" his brow shot up, "then what's with the smile, huh? I saw those boys laughing and you're smiling, too. 'Di ba, tinuruan kitang umirap?"
"Yes!" I blinked my eyes to stare at him intently, "they laughed lang naman kasi they told me I'm maganda and I said naman na they're gwapo too kaya nag-laugh-laugh sila—"
"Ano?" he exclaimed. I bit my lip.
"S-Sorry, did I say something mali?" I asked gently, seeing him pissed.
"Akala ko ba ako lang..." he stopped finishing his sentence and lifted his face up to mutter a whisper I didn't hear. I watched his jaw move and I got curious kaya I lifted my hand to caress it.
"What the..." I was shocked so I abruptly moved my palm away from his jaw.
"Sorry..." I said in a small voice, "bawal ba ako mag-touch sa jaw mo—"
"Bakit..." he sighed and moved his head closer. My lips pursed. "Bakit sila nagtatawanan, 'di ba sinabi ko magsungit ka tapos irapan mo?"
"I rolled my eyes naman, eh," I explained.
"Oh?" he gave me a ridiculous look, "paanong irap ba 'yan? 'Yong pang-maldita ba o pabebe girl?! Sa halip na masungit parang iba ang nangyari!"
"Like this, oh." I said and rolled my eyes in the air, expecting he'd praise me for being a pretty good maldita but after rolling my eyes, what I saw was his horrible expression. Like he'd seen a ghost or something.
"Anak ng...sinasabi ko na nga ba, eh! Puti na lang ang natira! Ano 'yan? Real life exorcism?" he asked.
"Hey!" I exclaimed loudly, gasping. "You're so mean to me!" I pouted.
"Tsk. Tsk. Sinasabi ko na nga ba. Dapat 'di talaga ko nagtitiwala sa mga conyong pula ang buhok," he shook his head and moved away from me.
"I rolled my eyes naman, eh," I said. "Is it my fault I'm a pretty cute girl na they said I'm maganda instead?"
"Binobola ka lang no'n, naniwala ka naman! H'wag ka ngang mabilis magtiwala sa nakikilala mo!" his eyes sharpened, "atsaka anong gwapo-gwapo, ang babata pa no'ng mga 'yon baka 'di pa nga tuli!"
"What's tuli?" I asked, confused. "You ba, Seb? 'Di pa ba you tuli rin?"
He just looked at me with his exhausted face. Napa-think naman ako at ni-remember everything G and Nana taught me before about Tagalog words.
"Ohhh..." I gasped, "isn't it the dirt in your ear in Tagalog? Tulili?"
But in the end, all he gave me was a deep sigh. A dramatic face palm as he walked away with his slacked shoulder, screaming.
"Cap! Lucian Castanier! Kailangan ko ng first aid at salary increase! Bumaba na ang life span ko sa trabahong 'to!" he screamed loudly, almost crying.
But well, Seb is a good boy. He may be a masungit man at times, he's good at heart.
Even if he denied it, I know he checked the CCTVs to look for the teenagers. It was such a simple move but it's the sweetest for me.
I really haven't had enemies before or even friends aside from my cousin, G. I was home-schooled, ever since I was little. Our household was strict before and I thought that's it until I was chosen to become the new queen. It became the strictest, no one would wanna face me, everyone was so afraid of talking to me because they're afraid they'll be punished.
I want to be normal. To laugh genuinely, to cry, to have fun. To have...life.
I just want to experience enemies and be protected by my friends but destiny deprived me of having one. Except sa Nanas ko, my siblings na shy din mag-talk with me, my butler and my cousin, I haven't had the chance to talk to others.
Gab, the little mermaid is a good girl naman. I always smile. I loved giving gifts to everyone, hoping someone would step up and ask to be friends with me but no one...no one came.
I don't bite naman, eh. I'm not a dog kaya. Arf! Arf!
I sighed loudly. I rolled on my bed with my thick comforter and let my ginger hair spread on my pillow, staring intently at the elegant ceiling.
I didn't have the chance to see Seb and the crew often the next days because I had to attend online briefings in Italy.
Really? I thought it's a vacation? Why am I working?!
Sadly, a Queen—not a future one has responsibilities. I refused at first kasi I want to be happy and free but they made me choose. Attend my online conferences or I would be drag back to Italy and cut my vacation?
Of course, I chose the first one.
I don't wanna go back yet. The palace is large and beautiful, I admit but it isn't warm. It's massive and empty. It's too big for me. I don't have friends. It felt like cage to me.
I would wake up for a conference and sleep for a while tapos meeting again. G is worried na nga and every three hours she'd visit me to check and I don't wanna trouble her so I would say I'm doing good.
Sometimes, the crew would give me food and I was hoping I'd see Seb but I didn't. He wasn't here. Maybe he's just busy but it made me sad not having a glance.
A knock on my door stopped me from making bracelets again since I have an hour break until my next conference.
I stood, my long, green dress touched the ground as I walked. I anticipated it would be G or the boys to give me lunch but what I wasn't was expecting seeing him instead.
He's wearing his white uniform again, hugging his frame gracefully. His shoulders were so emphasized my eyes feasted on it.
"Seb..." I called, immediately smiling widely. My heart fluttering at every passing moment.
He didn't say anything. A tray of food is on his hand as he gazed on my face and the clothes I'm wearing.
"Saan ka, 'te? May party?" he asked and shot his brow up at me.
There you go. It wasn't him if he won't speak that way.
"Ah, I have a meeting lang," I said gently. "Are the foods for me? Thank you! Come in!" I moved aside to let him in.
I watched him as he entered the room and placed the tray on the table near my room's balcony. I followed him while he's looking around my place.
"Ngayon ka lang may conference? Bakit 'di ka na lumalabas?" he asked and looked at me from behind.
"Nope, a lot of days na," I said sadly. "I wanna go out but you see I have some work to do so I couldn't."
"Akala ko nag-evaporate ka na, sayang." A ghost smile etched his lips.
My lips protruded, "you didn't miss me ba?"
"Miss? Ikaw? Asa pa more, shokoy." His forehead creased and smirked, "akala ko ba bakasyon mo? Bakit ka nagtatrabaho?"
"Well, sadly, I have to." I sighed and touched my dress. "It's better than to go back home."
His forehead creased more. He looked at me and placed his palms on his jeans, watching my reaction.
"Uuwi ka?" he asked coldly.
"No...no." I shook my head, "not now pa, I'm still on vacation. What I meant was, I have to attend online meetings so I could stay here. If I won't, I have to go home. Buti nga lang kasi Lucian is so good, he taught me how to use laptop, you know?"
"Huh? 'Di ka marunong mag-laptop?" his forehead creased, "saang planeta ka ba galing?"
"Uh, Earth?" I answered with a smile. He sighed and shook his head.
"Bakit pa nga ba 'ko nagtataka?" he mumbled to himself, "kapag talaga mga pula 'yong buhok atsaka conyo ganito. Baste, hindi ka ba nasasanay na gago ka? Sinusubok ka araw-araw ni Lord Jesus Christ para tumapang ang loob mo."
He tapped his chest dramatically.
"Why are you talking to yourself again?" I asked, "crazy ba you?"
He shot with a deadly glare. I just showed him a peace sign.
"In our place, this is bawal." I pointed the laptop, "and that little small thing din you're using sometimes?"
"Ano?" his forehead creased.
"That black small thing you used to call someone!" I explained, "hmm, I think it has an apple with a bite."
"Ah! Anak ng..." he took something from his pocket and lifted it up. "iPhone?"
"Wow..." I gasped loudly, "you call it iPhone?!" I took the thing from his hand and scanned it, my eyes twinkling when I touched it. "Oh my gosh! The screen lit when I touched it!" I jumped up and down.
"Seryoso ba?!" he shot me a look, I grinned and nodded. "Teka nga, h'wag ka ngang tumalon-talon diyan at baka maapakan mo ang gown mo—"
"I managed to get a hold of a phone before!" I explained and grinned, still jumping. "But I never once touched something like this—I clicked on the screen—oh my gosh, Seb! It vibrated!"
"Touch screen tawag d'yan, tangek." He said and placed his palm on his waist to watch me giggling. "Sa planetang nemik ba kayo nanggaling dati at walang phone? Ano bang mayro'n sa Italya at lahat kayo—"
I gasped in shock when my feet got caught on the long dress I'm wearing. I lost my balance and thought I'd slip with my face flat on the ground but I managed to catch Seb's uniform.
I pulled him for support, hoping it would help me not to fall but instead, we fell together.
His back met my bed and I fell on top of him.
We stared at each other, baffled and stunned.
A loud thump on my chest made me hyperventilate. He stared at me intently, quite shock too but the way his eyes' shade turned darker made me think he's feeling the same way as me.
I gulped harshly. My full frame—my chest's pressed against his large, hardened and toned one. I suddenly realized something while staring at him and thinking about our position.
Oh my gosh! Nobody has gotten this close to me ever! Nobody is allowed to have a feel of my...
I'm in haste, I dropped his phone on the bed and panicking as I stood from his chest.
"D-Did you just felt my melons?!" Gasping, I touched my boobs, looking at him wide-eyed.
His eyes are intense at first but his brow shot up upon hearing it, as if relieved of something. Slowly, the side of his lip twitched and he sat on my bed, staring.
"Ah, h'wag kang mag-alala. Wala naman akong naramdaman." He answered in a monotone.
My jaw dropped.
"What?" I hissed, now feeling insulted. "What do you mean? Nag-touch ang chests natin! I felt your...your hard dibdib! Of course, I'm sure you felt my melons! You liar!"
"Melons?" he stifled a laugh, "you call that—he glanced at my chest so I hugged it tighter—melons?"
"Y-yeah!" I exclaimed. "Are you insulting my melons?!"
"Oh? 'Di bagay!" he laughed mockingly.
"Why, then?!" I exclaimed. I crossed my arms on my chest, tilted my chin up to look at him seriously. "For your information, I got a fine size of melon for a woman my age—"
"Melon pala 'yan? Akala ko dalandan," he answered me back and laughed loudly when he saw my reaction.
"You..." I blurted out loudly. "How dare you make fun of my..."
I didn't know what dalandan is but I think it's an insult!
"Are you saying my melons are small?!" I exclaimed loudly, glaring at him. "It's not dalandan, okay?!"
"Arte nito!" he smirked, "pasalamat ka nga dalandan iyong sa 'yo, 'yong sa iba nga paminta na lang—" I got a hold of the pillow nearby and threw it on his face.
"Anak ka ng!" it was my turn to laugh when he fell back on the bed and sat straight again, glaring at me. "Bakit ka nanghahampas ng unan? Ganda ka?!"
"Oo naman, yes na yes!" I flipped my hair, "I'm pretty! How dare you say my melons are just dalandan when you looked like ugat yourself!"
His mouth parted. I grinned more.
Gotchu, Seb! Akala you, ah? I'm not magpapatalo! I'm a strong girl kaya!
I stuck my tongue out and made a face, "bleh!" I exclaimed loudly.
His eyes darkened. Just when he's about to hiss at me, a knock on my door stopped us. I immediately ran to open it, smiling widely when I saw Owen outside.
"Hey, Owen!" I called. "Happy tanghali!"
"Uy, Gab," he smiled handsomely and pinched my cheek, "buhay na buhay, ah? Ang cute mo."
"Thank you! Tang ina rin you." I said, seeing his shock face for a while but ended up laughing and nodding.
"Oo, tama-tama, tang ina nga ako." He nodded then glanced at my room, "oh, nandito ka pala, Baste! Kanina ka pa hinahanap ni G, magpapahilot daw ng paa niya!"
I glanced at where Seb is, he's glaring at us from the distance, still seated on my bed.
"Tss, bakit ako na naman ang manghihilot niya?" he hissed like a brat, "saan si Cap ba? Ako na naman ang alila ng conyong terrorista!"
"Si Ian kaya naghilot ng paa niya kahapon, ikaw daw ang Tuesday schedule." Owen said.
"Sabihin mo, ayaw ko!" he hissed and fell on his back, laying down my bed again. "Kapag tinanong ka sabihin mo wala na 'ko. Nag-evaporate, tumalon sa barko, nalunod, ginawang hapunan ng pating kamo."
"Okay," Owen shrugged and looked at me, I smiled again at him. "Kumain ka na, Gab-Gab?"
"No pa, pero nag-give naman si Seb ng food na i-eat ko." I answered, "I'd like to go out nga, eh, but I have work to do pa."
I reached for his hair when I noticed it was a bit disheveled, he just let me, even smiling.
"Mamaya? May gagawin ka? Sama ka sa amin kumain ng dinner, ilang araw ka na nakakulong dito sa kwarto mo, sayang 'yong attraction—"
"Tara na, Owen!" we both jumped when we heard that harsh voice.
Owen and I shifted our gazes and realized Seb was standing in front of us with his frowning face and his thick brows are almost meeting each other.
"Oh?" Owen chuckled amusingly, "akala ko ba ayaw mo—"
"Tatanggalin ako ng terrorista bilang Ninong! 'Di ako makakapayag!" he said grumpily.
"Oh, sige, una ka na. Kwentuhan ko muna si Gab—"
"Oras ng trabaho magki-kwentuhan?" he asked bluntly, "may minus sa sweldo kapag ganyan, isusumbong kita kay Cap—"
"Oo na, oo na!" Owen smirked and waved at me pero bago pa ako maka-wave back, he was pushed outside by Seb then closed the door behind him.
My lips parted. I'm not done yet talking to him!
"Hey!" I called angrily, "why did you push Owen?!"
"Kasi may trabaho pa pero nakikipagdaldalan sa 'yo," he hissed, "sige na, akala ko ba may conference ka? Doon ka na," he pointed to where my foods are but I remained glaring at him, crossing my arms.
"Don't you have work too? Why don't you go too—"
"Sabi ko, kumain ka na." He pointed the table where my foods were again.
"Alis muna you!" I said, still remembering his insults to my melons.
Dalandan?! I really didn't get what was it but I think it was not a good thing! The audacity!
"No," he folded his arms arrogantly, "I won't leave until you eat your food—"
"I won't eat while the grumpy man insulting my melons as dalandan is here when he's an ugat himself naman!" I exclaimed.
"Ugat...anong ugat? Mukha ba 'kong ugat, ah?" he moved towards me arrogantly.
He's tall but I didn't let it intimidate me. He towered me but I raised my face too to fight him.
"Yes! Ugat you!" I hissed back, facing him.
"Makapagsalita 'tong shokoy na 'to—"
"Ikaw nga crabs!" I exclaimed back until we're glaring at each other.
"Okay lang, at least hindi shokoy na mukhang luya—"
"What?! Kanina I'm dalandan tapos now I'm luya na?" I exclaimed, "baka gusto mong punch na lang, oh? Punch?!"
"Oo, luya ka tapos 'yong pinsan mong terrorista naman sibuyas. Tamang-tama, magluluto ako mamaya, kompleto na ang sahog pang-sinigang."
"Basher!" I hissed with my sharp blue eyes. His lip twitched arrogantly.
He lowered his face and lifted my chin, too. Not backing down.
"Ano?" he towered me again.
"Anow?" I boasted back and glared at him, moving closer to fight, too.
"Ano 'yon, hindi anow! Bulol." he spat and moved his face closer to me, I got a whiff of his fresh breath but I didn't let it destroy my composure!
I'm a brave girl!
"Edi anow!" I hissed.
"Ano! Sabihin mo nga. A-no."
"A-no." I answered back and grinned when I said it right, "woah! Did you hear it?! I'm so galing! I'm so bright!" I almost lost my balance with excitement. He held my waist.
"Careful, Gabriela." He hissed quietly and firmed my waist with his warm palm.
"Ano..." I mumbled the word again. My eyes brightened as I looked at him but my voice faded after realizing he's been watching me closely with his intense black eyes.
My smile got wiped out when he moistened his lower lip, still watching me closely.
"What?" I asked, "why ka looking at me—" he then pinched my nose, caging it in between his fingers so my words became weird.
"H-Hey, Sheb! Isthap—" I kept on speaking in annoyance but his grin only widened.
"Huh? Oh? Tapos? Tapos? Sorry, 'di kita maintindihan. Ngongo ka na rin pala kasi." I tried lifting my hand, just so I could push him away but he was too quick to catch my hands and put it in between his arms.
I moved my body, annoyed. He just kept on laughing at my reaction until I stayed still and watched him dangerously. I glared at him.
"Oh? Bakit ka nakatingin ng ganyan? Galit yarn?"
"Hmp!" I hissed and nodded but nakaipit pa rin ang nose ko sa fingers niya! I couldn't say it clearly! I sounded so weird!
He stared at me intently, tilting his head. My heart thundered. We're so close I've noticed a few stubbles growing near his chin and jaw and when our eyes met again, it locked.
How would I explain the sound my heart is making? I wish I could have someone to ask—a fairy God mother to inquire about what I felt right now but...
The ghost smile on his lips faded, his grip on my waist tightened as he slowly let go of my nose and leaned in closer.
I felt like floating, just as he tilted his head closer, my eyes shut close. I protruded my lips, waiting for a kiss.
One...two...three...
But what I heard next was a small laugh. I opened my eyes, frowning when I saw him suppressing his laugh by biting his lower lip.
"Gusto mo kiss?" he couldn't help but chuckle, "sorry pero 'di ako si Prince Charming, Miss Little Mermaid."
"I-I don't expect a kiss!" I hissed, my cheeks heating up. "Asa pa you! And yes, you're not Prince Charming because you're a male version of Ursula, the basher root witch!"
His lips parted with my outburst. I rolled my eyes and turned my back, was about to go away when I felt a grip on my hand.
It pulled me back, shifting my body to face his way and cupped my cheek, lowering his face to crash his lips on my mine.
My eyes are open and wide as he kissed me with his eyes closed. It's soft, like a feather touching. His lips tasted like caffeine and mint mixing.
Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my God, Gabriela!
Does he like me?!
He moved away after barely kissing me. My eyes are still wide and my pounding chest wouldn't let me say anything until he opened his eyes and looked at me with indifference.
"Seb..." I called but he took a step away from me.
"I'm sorry," he tilted his head and gulped, brushing his hair and looked at me coldly.
"H-Hmm? Sorry for?" I asked in a small voice, hope lit inside my heart.
"I didn't mean to do that," his jaw clenched. "I'm sorry again. The kiss never happened, okay? It's...I'm...I'm sorry."
He turned his back from me, quickly. Got out of my door and closed it behind him without any other words than his apologies.
I didn't know what this feeling was but my heart sank. My hand slowly crawled on my chest where my heart is, smiling sadly.
"I-It's okay, Gab," I whispered to myself and felt a tear fell on my cheek.
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