WILD ROSE (BOOK2)

Chapter Ten: It was like raping the ingredients.

“Last stop?” I asked, looking at him through my eyelashes.

Justin Devon raised his eyebrow, amusement was all over his face. “Last? You already said that like three hours ago.”

I pouted this time, offering him the best puppy dog eyes I could muster. “I’m a woman. I have the right to change my mind.” I said childishly which earned a laugh from him.

“I’m just kidding, mine. We can go wherever you want.” He touched the tip of my nose. “Don’t mind my hotness.” wala sa hulog na dagdag nito.

A smug smile spread across my lips. “You mean, don’t mind your boredom?”

He chuckled. “Hey, don’t disturb my fantasy.”

“Dork!” I rolled my eyes, smiling back at him.

“Come on. The sooner we go inside, the sooner we finish.” He grabbed my waist as he led me inside the shop, I’m eyeing.

Buti busy si Justin sa pagtingin sa loob ng shop kaya hindi nito nakita yung pamumula ng buong mukha ko sa ginawa nitong paghatak sa bewang ko.

After another two hours of shopping, I’m finally satisfied.

My hands are tied in here. If there’s to blame. Blame all those designer shoes!

They’re like freaking puppies. I just can’t leave them alone!

“Are you sure you’re already finished? You still didn’t buy the whole mall.” Justin teased me while he carried all the shopping bags at the back seat.

“It’s not that much!” I replied defiantly.

 “Twenty shopping bags are not that much?” Tanong nito habang sinasara yung pintuan sa back seat.

I huffed. “Five of those are yours.”

He crooked his head at one side and gave me a lopsided smile. “Just five.”

“Five is five and fifteen shopping bags are not that much!”

Natatawa na inakay lang ako nito papunta sa passenger seat. He opened the door for me. “I’m just kidding, mine. I don’t really mind even if it’s fifty.” He said with a warm smile as he ruffled my hair affectionately.

“You will be broke by then.” Tudyo ko dito dahil sa pag i-insist nito na bayaran lahat ng pinamili ko.

“This won’t even leave a dent in my bank account.”

Natatawa na tinulak ko to bago ako naupo sa loob. “Show off!”

Natatawa din na pinisil lang nito yung magkabila kong pisngi at bago pa ako makaangal, sinara na nito yung pintuan sa side ko.

Umikot to papunta sa driver’s seat. Kinindatan muna ako nito bago to nagsimula na mag drive. “Where to?”

“I’m done for today. I want to go home na.” Sagot ko dito habang hinihilot ko yung legs ko.

“Can we stay at my pad for a couple of hours?”

I looked up. “Why?”

He glanced at the stereo. “It’s already four o’clock. We can have an early dinner at my place. I’ll cook something for you.” Kaswal na sabi nito habang tinuturo nito yung grocery bags sa back seat.

I raised my eyebrow and eyed him suspiciously. “You already planned this out, huh?”

He nodded his head and flashed me a boyish grin.

I shook my head, a genuine smile spread across my lips.

We spent the rest of the ride teasing each other.

*****

“Nothing has changed.” I mumbled nostalgically, heaving myself forward to continue walking as I looked around his pad.

Nakita ko yung pagdilim nang mukha ni Justin kaya napahinto at nag aalala akong napatitig dito. “Justin. What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, mine. I just remembered something really stupid.” He answered, incoherently and then changed the subject. “You want something to drink?”

I terribly wanted to pry but the glint of sadness and regret in his eyes, made me tongue-tied.

I took a deep breath and cleared my throat. “Pineapple?”

Justin Devon just shook his head with a smile on his lips. “I’m thinking about wine or martini but—-“

I cut him off. “I don’t really like the smell of wine or martini or any alcoholic beverages.”

He just stared at me with a puzzled look on his face.

“Justin.” I called him. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ganon nalang to makatitig sakin.

“Oh I’m sorry. Come with me.” He stepped into the kitchen habang tahimik lang akong sumunod dito.

Binaba muna nito lahat yung grocery bags sa may counter bago nito ginawa yung pineapple drinks ko with a lot of ice cubes. Saka ako nito binalingan, may ngiti na ding nakapaskil sa mga labi nito. “Here.”

“Thanks.” Uminom agad ako. “What’s your plan for dinner?” Tanong ko dito habang nginunguso ko yung grocery bags.

“Chicken with pesto sauce.” He replied and then he jerked his thumb in the direction of the living room. “Stay at the living room and watched some show. Pwede mo ding simulang basahin yung binili mong libro kanina.”

“Are you sure, you don’t need me here? I’m good at cutting things.”

Lumapit to sakin at masuyo nitong hinalikan yung noo ko. “I’m sure, mine. Just relax. I’ll call you when the dinner is ready.”

Kagat labi naman na sinunod ko yung gusto nito. Tahimik akong naglakad papunta sa may sala kahit wala naman ako sa mood na manood o magbasa.

Pagkatapos ng kalahating oras na pagtambay sa sala. Tumayo na ako at naglakad ulit pabalik sa kusina para tignan kung ano na yung ginagawa ni Justin.

Dahan dahan akong pumunta sa likuran nito at sakto naman na naglalagay to ng curry powder sa pesto sauce. I scratched my nose in disgust. “Why are you adding that?”

He glanced at me. “I like the taste of it. Why?”

“You already had a pesto sauce.  It was like raping the ingredients.” I said in shudder.

Nginisihan lang ako nito. “That sounds more delicious.”

“Justin!”

He studied my face for a moment. “You liked the taste of curry before.”

Napaingos ako. “Yeah right, like eons ago.”

Justin Devon just shook his head. “Stay in the living room and let me handle this.” He said with an amuse smile before he pushed me gently.

Ngumuso nalang ako dito pero imbis na sundin yung utos nito, sa counter ako naupo at tahimik lang na pinanood yung swabe nitong pagluluto.

There’s nothing sexier than a man who knows his way around the kitchen.

Dini-drain na ni Justin yung noodles nang mag vibrate yung iPhone nito sa tabi ko. He gave me a quick glance over his shoulder. “Mine, can you read that for me?”

I took his phone and looked at his back warily. “Are you sure?” I quietly asked, gripping the iPhone tightly in my hand.

Isn’t this too private?

“Of course. The passcode is your birthday.”

Mas lalo akong nagulat sa sinabi nito.  Pero imbis na magtanong, I decided to ignore the fact na yung birthday ko yung ginawa nitong passcode kahit sabihin pa na ang bilis ng tibok ng puso ko.

Buti nalang nakatalikod si Justin kaya hindi nito nakita yung pamumula ng buong mukha at tenga ko.

“What’s the message, mine?”

I looked down and took a deep breath.

I slide it open and typed his passcode. Napakunot noo ako nang mabasa ko yung message para dito. “What’s the final answer? And it’s from Rachel.”

“Are you free this weekend?” Tanong nito, imbis na sagutin yung message sa kanya ni Rachel.

I frowned. “Yes?”

Nilagay muna nito yung bowl ng noodles sa may counter. “Tell her that we’re coming.” Sabi nito habang binubuksan yung oven para kuhanin yung chicken with brie cheese and bacon na nakasalang don.

I looked at Justin’s back with panic. “We? Wait. What? Who’s this Rachel anyway?”

“My cousin.” Kaswal pa rin na sagot nito habang binubuhos yung pesto sauce. “She’s going to throw a big party this coming Saturday. She just wanted to know if we’re both coming.”

Naglakad to papunta sa dining room habang hawak hawak yung chicken with pesto sauce. “Can you please take the bowl of pasta with you, mine?”

Naguguluhan pa rin na kinuha ko yung bowl ng pasta at sumunod dito. “What did you say?”

“If you can take the bowl of pasta with you?” He replied without looking at my direction.

“Not that!” Medyo mataas na yung boses kong sagot dito.

 Nilingon ako nito at kinuha sa kamay ko yung bowl. “That Rachel is my cousin and that we’re both going at her party?” Patanong na sagot nito.

I frowned even more. “Bakit may “we”? Why do I need to come?”

 “I told them that I’m gonna come only if my girlfriend is free.” He shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly. “And you’re free.” He added, taking the cooking gloves off his hands.

Buti nalang kinuha na nito yung hawak ko kung hindi baka naibagsak ko yon sa sobrang pagkagulat.

I stared at his face as if he was an alien who had momentarily fooled me by taking Justin’s form. “Girlfriend?” I asked incredulously.“Yes. Girlfriend.” He replied as he nodded his head seriously. “You.”

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