Taming Sun in the Heir's Heart

Chapter 11

I was still too stunned with our heated conversation that night. Hindi ko kailanman naisip na aabot iyon sa ganoon o magiging ganoon ang kahihinatnan noon.

Accompany? Mommy's birthday? What?

Hindi naman ako mukhang chaperone at siguro naman ay hindi iyon as a friend lang. Alam ng buong pamilya niya ang panliligaw niya sa akin. Paano kung iniisip nilang ang kapal ng mukha ko para magpaligaw pa e Damon Delborja na 'yan? But hearing his mom's rants that day bago namin sunduin si Ryves ay nagpapahiwatig na sinusuportahan nila ang panliligaw nito sa akin.

"Damon! I'm not ready for meet the parents! Mahihimatay ako!" Naalala ko ang natataranta kong sabi rito.

"It's just my relatives and my family. You don't have to talk to them. Just stay with me and Ryves." he explained while I'm shaking my head.

"Ngayon pa nga lang kinakabahan na ako, e! Kailan ba 'yan?" I asked worriedly.

"You have nothing to be nervous about. It's on Sunday. I'll be out of the country starting on Monday for a meeting, I want to spend my Sunday with you." He smiled. Nang makita niya ang pagaalala sa akin ay tinawanan lang ito.

"Aren't you thrilled? Saka mangyayari rin naman ito anytime soon. Pinaaga ko lang ng onti."

"Sobra kaya!" I cried fakely while he's laughing.

Masama pa ang loob ko sa kaniya kahit na nagpapatuloy ang usapan namin. Tinatrabaho ko pa rin ang scale model ko kahit nakavideo-call kay Damon.

Nakadapa ito sa puti nitong unan, may suot na gray na muscle shirt at nakasandal ang cellphone sa headboard. Gwapong-gwapo ito habang nakatitig sa screen, siguro ay pinapanood ako. Itinapat ko rin ang camera ng cellphone ko sa nakikita ako at ang ginagawa kong scale model.

"I miss you now. I think I'll miss you more when I'm out of the country." Damon said out of nowhere.

"Ilang araw ka sa ibang bansa?" I asked shyly.

I don't want to sound like I don't want him to go.

"Till Saturday. Kung hindi pa rin matapos ay maaaring mag extend." He sighed heavily, "Can you wait for me?"

"Yes." Walang pag aalinlangan kong sagot.

"Hindi mo 'ko pipigilan?"

"No." Kunot noo kong sagot habang inaasikaso ang poste ng bahay ko.

"Hindi mo ko mami-miss?"

"Hind—Oo—" parang mali ang kalalabasan, "Mamimiss kita."

He chuckled.

"You tricked me! Kahit alin doon magiging mali ang sagot!"

He chuckled again, hindi na dinugtungan ang sinasabi ko.

I thought he's done with our conversation and he's now fine by just watching me.

"Let's not fight like this when I'm out of the country okay?" Basag niya sa katahimikan.

I stopped from what I'm doing and face my phone, giving him my full attention.

"Let's not fight like that again, ever. How about that?" I asked with a smile.

He nodded, "If there's a problem, you tell me. I'll do the same. Even the important things that've happened, let's tell each other."

"Okay. Saka let's be honest." dagdag ko, "Kahit anong sabihin ng ibang tao, sa salita ng isa't-isa lang tayo maniniwala. So don't you ever lie to me, Damon."

"Lying is not my thing, Francy. I will tell you everything. And I will not do things that will make you mad. Forever. I promise." His voice turned husky as time goes by. Parang sa paglalim ng gabi ay sumasabay din ang kaniyang boses.

O kaya'y gaya ko, may mainit na kamay ring humahaplos sa kaniyang puso kaya parang hirap siyang magsalita.

"Don't promise, Damon. Just do it." I smiled at him.

That was the most heartwarming conversation we ever had. At least, even after the 2 months courtship, I finally have the assurance I needed.

Napagdesisyonan naming sulitin ang mga natitirang araw bago siya umalis at bago ang birthday ng kaniyang Mommy.

"I'm really nervous, Damon. Paano kung madisappoint mommy mo sa akin?" I asked worriedly while eating my pork and kimchi wrapped in a leaf.

"How will that happen? She loves you." He chuckled, "And Ryves approved so..."

I sighed heavily. Hindi pa rin ako convinced. Umiling ako parang nawawalan na ng gana sa pagkain.

"Next time na lang kaya? Nandoon rin ang buong angkan mo?" Mahina akong tumili, "Mararanasan ko na ba yung, '10 million, layuan mo ang anak ko' ng mga mayayaman?"

Now his baritone voice echoed around the vip room of a samgyupsal restaurant as he laugh whole heartedly.

I rolled my eyes at him. Hindi pa rin siya tapos tumawa.

"Oh, you!" He laughed again. He tried to hide his laugh by drinking water. But when his eyes darted at me, he laughed again.

Upakan ko na lang kaya ito? Nang matigil na siyang tumawa. Nakakainis na.

"You have nothing to worry about. If my relatives don't like you, I will marry you immediately so they cannot do anything about us anymore." he chuckled, "Dad and Cal will be thrilled and supportive for sure!"

"Pinagti-tripan mo ba ako?" pawis na ang ilong, "Hindi ako nagbibiro!"

"I know, I know." He chuckled as he kiss my head.

"Ano palang susuotin?" I asked, "I'll probably shop clothes by tomorrow. I have spare time naman."

"You can wear casual." He said as he made another wrap for me, "Or you can wear anything you want. Wedding gown is the best though."

"Are you even serious?" I asked angrily while I wipe his hand with a tissue. May kumalat na sauce ng kimchi.

"Just not something that could catch my guy cousins' attention." He looked at me, "Kung ayaw mo lang naman makakita ng UFC sa party."

Agad nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang may magflash na nagsusuntukan sa utak ko. I remember watching UFC at sobrang madugo. OMG.

"You can fight like that?" Manghang-mangha naman ako ngayon.

Sa laki ng pangangatawan niya at sa paraan ng pagtayo niya ay masasabi mo ngang hindi lamang sa pagbabasket ball at paggy-gym nang galing ang hubog ng katawan nito, maalam din ito sa martial arts.

Doon na umikot ang usapan hanggang sa matapos kaming kumain sa gabing iyon. Ngayong gabi naman ay may gusto akong pagtalunan naming dalawa.

"I'll pay for tonight's date." I said. I opened my bag and about to get my wallet when he put it down and closed my bag.

"I'll pay for all of our dates o sa kahit na ano pang gagastusin nating dalawa." He tsked.

"I can pay for us too. I have saved a lot of money now, you know." I raised my eyebrow to prove a point.

"Save that for our future kids. But I'm working harder now to provide for our dates and to save money for our future—"

"Ano— Anong future kids at our future ka diyan—"

"You don't want us to last long? You're hurting my feel—"

"Sobrang aga pa para paghandaan iyan." Kukurutin ko sana siya sa tigiliran ngunit nasalo niya ang dalawang kamay ko na kinulong na ng dalawa niyang kamay.

"We can last a lifetime, I can wait and save for five to six years— max of six years please, I'm on my thirties that time, I think." Para itong kinakausap ang sarili.

"Kalkulado mo na ang lahat kung ganoon?"

"Yes, ikaw na lang ang inaantay ko." That made me stop from moving, "Saka natin gagawin iyon at gagawa ng basketball team—"

"Oh my god! Knock on wood! Mahirap mag anak!"

"Ilan lang pala?"

"Dalawa? Tatlo? Para ganoong beses lang din natin gagawin 'yun—"

"What? We will do that a lot of times a day, Francy. Araw-araw, gabi-gabi. Maraming rounds—" tinakpan ko na ang bibig niya.

"You're too comfortable to me. Ang dugyot mo rin pala magsalita." I laughed.

Inihampas ko sa kaniya ang palad ko nang maramdaman ko ang dila nito roon.

Kumakain na kami nang may nakita akong pumasok ng restaurant na kinakainan namin. Agad rumehistro sa akin kung sino iyon kaya naman natigilan ako.

"Are you okay?" Damon asked when he noticed my tensed body. Damon looked around.

"No. I'm just..." I hesitated, "Yung dating nanligaw sa akin na ipinagpalit ako sa kaibigan ko lang din... ayun, nasa tapat natin."

He sat straight, he put his left arm behind my back resting on the back rest of the tiffany chair.

"Which guy?" He whispered near my ear. Nakiliti ako roon kaya napapikit ako.

There are four men and two women on that table at isa doon ay yung lalaking nanligaw noong senior highschool na proud pa sa kaniyang ginawa.

"On that table. 1 o'clock, maroon polo shirt." I whispered back at him.

He nodded slightly. I felt him lift his head up to look at the front table and heard a smirk and a low chuckle from him.

"Ayan na 'yung nagbigay sa'yo ng trauma, Francy? Hindi manlang worth it." Ang nakakaloko nitong ngisi ang nagpakilabot sa akin.

"I was young back then. Akala ko ganoon lang dapat ako tratuhin." I explained as I bite my lower lip.

Why does Damon look so hot starring darkly at his food? He look so dangerously hot.

Hindi ko sinasadya ang paglingon sa kaharap na table nang may maramdamang nakatingin ito sa akin. Ang singkit nitong mata ay bahagyang nanlaki nang magtama ang tingin namin sa isa't isa.

Hindi ko na nai-alis ang paningin ko roon nang nagbalik sa aking mga alaala kung paano ko siya ipina-comfort sa kaibigan kong babae noong nag away kami. Akala ko comfort lang e. Kaso huli na nang mapansin kong hindi na ako nito masyadong pinapansin dahil girlfriend niya na ang kaibigan ko.

I felt a soft lips on my temple. Napalingon ako roon at nakita ang malamyos na titig ni Damon sa akin.

"I'm here now. I will not hurt you."

7 words 2 sentences, that made my eyes blurry as I shed tears infront of Damon.

"Don't do that to me, okay?" I whispered almost no voice to speak.

He nodded with a smile to assure me, "I will never, Baby. Hush now."

Ipinikit ko ang aking mga mata para patigilin ang pagpatak ng aking luha. Sumandal ang ulo ko sa matipunong dibdib ni Damon at ang bahagyang yakap nito sa akin, saka ko lang naramdaman na ligtas ako sa kaniya.

Nakakalungkot at ayaw ko man ipakita ang ganitong side ko kay Damon pero eto na. Ang isang parte ng buhay ko kung bakit ako ganito kahirap magtiwala pa sa mga lalaki. Na kahit napalilibutan ako ng mga kaibigang lalaki at mga kapatid na lalaki ay hindi ko pa rin maiwasang magduda. Magduda sa ipinapakitang determinasyon at pagkagusto ng isang lalaki at wawasakin lang iyon basta basta.

Sunday after nang sunduin ako ni Damon sa tapat ng bahay namin. It's a family day for my family but they let me go just for today. Hindi ko na pinapasok pa si Damon sa bahay at agaran ang paglabas nang sabihin niyang nasa labas na siya.

His face automatically lit up as he scanned my whole body. His smile grew wider as he looked at me straight in the eye.

"So gorgeous." His popular boyish smile and baritone voice made my nervousness melt.

He handed me a bouquet of flowers. "For you."

"Thank you." I said as I look at the other bouquet on his hand.

"For your mom. Is she there?" He asked. I even saw him swallowed hard.

I smirked. Kinakabahan din pala e.

May mga kapit-bahay kaming chismosong nakatingin at nakangiti ngunit hindi nangialam.

"Ma! Labas ka." I shouted inside our house's gate.

Saka iniluwa noon ang mama kong mukhang Doña sa dress nito. Everyday outfit niya dahil mukha daw siyang yayamanin.

"Good afternoon po, Tita." Pormal na bati ni Damon kay Mama.

"Oh!" Gulat pa ito sa kagwapuhan ni Damon ngunit seryoso ang mukha, "Good afternoon din, hijo. I'm Francy's mama Mary Jeniefer. Tita Jen na lang."

"Damon Delborja po. I'm courting Francy, Tita." He said directly, "I'm sorry for telling you this just now."

"Ayos lang naman basta wala naman kayong ginagawang masama." Saad ni mama sa seryosong mukha. Agad ko itong siniko.

Nagkatinginan kami ni Damon kaya naman napangiti ito nang may mapansin na pagkapareha namin ni Mama.

"Nirerespeto ko po si Francy, Tita Jen. I'm supporting her with her studies. And I'm willing to wait," he extended his hand with a bouquet, "This is for you, Tita Jen."

"Oh, thank you." My mom loves flowers so much just like me. Sigurado ay nahulog na rin ito kay Damon ngayon.

Mama gave me the look, telling me she's approved.

"I will invite you to our dinner some other time. We still have to deal with her brother and brother in laws. Strict ang mga 'yon sakaniya." Mama explained.

"It's fine, Tita."

"Sige na, ma. Babye na!" Pinutol ko na ang usapan at itinulak na si Damon papuntang kotse niya.

He is now riding his black jeep wrangler. He guided me up to his car dahil medyo may kataasan.

"Careful." May sinabi pa siya kay mama bago ito pumasok, "Alam ko na kung kanino ka nagmana."

"Alam ko na rin kung saan ka kinakabahan."

We looked at each other as we laugh at our realizations. Let's see if I can still laugh later.

Bumagal ang takbo sa pagpasok sa isang malaking itim na gate. Tanaw sa loob ang malaking water fountain at ang mga nakahilerang sports car sa harap ng isang malaking mansion.

"Wow." I exclaimed. Damon chuckled as he pull over.

He helped me got out of his car and let me fix my royal blue fitted back less dress knee length. Sweet top ito at see through ang bandang tiyan.

I'm not a typical petite or slim type of body. I have an hourglass body define by my not so tall but not so short height. My boobs are just fine but my butt is define and round.

Damon is wearing his usual formal outfit with a royal blue necktie. He asked me what's my dress color last night so he can find a necktie with the same color.

"Matchy-matchy tuloy tayo." I chuckled as I fix my dress.

"Of course, I want them to see who's my gorgeous date for tonight." His clean cut brushed up hair and his strong feature made him hotter and snobbish.

I'm about to step near the door when he held my hand. I raised my eyebrows at him when he started removing a chain on his neck.

Nakita ko kung paano niya tanggalin ang gold chain na may pendant na... ring.

"What's that?" I asked, pointing at the necklace.

"Necklace." He answered, "Let me put it on you."

"Why? Para saan? What does the ring means?" Sunod-sunod na tanong ko. Medyo kinabahan sa maaaring sagot.

I let him lift my hair and put it on my left shoulder as he put the necklace on my neck. May suot na akong manipis na heartshape necklace.

"Before the ring does not mean anything," he started, "but now, this is a promise ring. Wear the necklace as a sign of my promise. Alright?"

"Okay." I nodded, "Sobrang ganda."

It is a simple gold band ring with a 5cm ruby gem and little diamonds around it. It looks too simple that it shouts elegance.

Papasok ay ang malawak na entrance hall na may malaking chandelier sa gitna at sa baba nito ay ang grand staircase. Sa kaliwang bahagi ay ang living area, ang kanan ay may pinto papuntang garden at ang likod ng grand staircase ay sa tingin ko ang dining and kitchen.

"Busog ba ang mata ng future architect?" Puna ng sumalubong sa amin na si Calder. His dimple greeted me.

"Too grand for an architecture student." I stated.

He chuckled, "Welcome. Kanina ka pa inaantay ni Ryves at ni Mommy."

Damon squeezed my hand. I looked up at him and saw him smilling at me.

May mga dumaraang serbidora at ibang mga bisita ang mga nakatingin sa amin at hindi ko maiwasang mailang.

I feel nervous and conscious but I still stand tall and in poise. Hindi ipinapakita ang kanina pang kaba sa dibdib. Only Damon could feel it, I guess.

Nang makarating kami sa garden ay ang paglingon at bulungan ng mga tao. I exhaled.

Handa na 'ko sa 10 million money offer. Pwede naman higher, depende sa kanila...

"Dame, is this..." A beautiful middle age woman in a nice expensive gown walk straight to us.

"Yes, My. This is Francy."

"Oh my! You are a beauty!" His mommy exclaimed as she kissed me on my cheeck, "Call me mommy too! Or tita! Sige, Tita na lang. I'll sound too excited if Mommy agad, ano?"

Damon and Calder laughed as I laughed while their mom is excitedly scanned me. Her eyes stopped at my necklace. She looked at Dame and winked at him.

Ano yon?

"Do you have spanish blood? Or indian? You're beautiful and sexy, hija! And the poise." Inagaw niya ang kamay ko kay Damon.

Teka. Parang na ambush ata ako ah. Ang bilis ng pang yayari.

"My mom's dad have spanish blood po pero malayo na. Features na lang ang nakuha namin."

"Oh! That answered the very strong aura you have. Alam mo, I've been finding a woman that will match my son." chika ni Tita habang dinadala ako sa front table, "Ayaw ko sa soft feature, parang mukhang laging inaapi."

I laughed at that. Looking at Tita's face, she looks strict and mataray. Mukhang titignan ka talaga mula ulo hanggang paa kung hindi ka niya gusto at the first glance.

"Ate Francy!" A girl voice from my side shouted, "You're so sexy ate!"

"Hi, princess!" I hugged Ryves, "How are you?"

"Bored, Ate. At least you're here na." She smiled at me as she showed me her beautiful blue dress, "Matchy matchy tayo!"

"You look beautiful, Ryves!" I pinched her cheeks. She giggled.

I know a lot are watching us here infront but it seems like their family doesn't give a s**t so yeah, I don't too.

"Hija, this is your Tito Walter," pakilala ni Tita Elise sa kaniyang asawa.

"You must be Francy." His baritone laugh made my heart race, sounded like an old Damon.

Speaking of, nilingon ko at nakita ko ito sa medyo malayong gilid ko, nakangiti at nakataas ang isang kilay. I rolled my eyes at him, he chuckled and walk near me.

"Girlfriend ko na lang ata kulang dito." Calder tsked.

"Magseryoso ka muna sa babae, Kuya." Ryves said out of nowhere. Nagkagulatan kami kaya nagtawanan.

"Maupo na nga muna tayo, we are catching a lot of attention now that we have a new member of the family." Tito Walter said as he pointed at my necklace, "Welcome to the family."

"Po?" I touched the necklace, "Damon just gave me this today, Tito."

"Ano? Ambush, Kuya? Pinipikot mo?" Calder asked in a loud voice kaya nakatanggap siya ng pabirong suntok galing kay Damon.

Instead of explaining himself, he clung his right arm on my exposed waist and hugged me from the back.

"I'm still courting her. Wag niyo sirain ang diskarte ko." He said kaya kumunot ang noo ko.

Umiling lamang si Tito walter at Calder habang si Tita naman ay tumatawang inalis ang pagkakahawak sa kamay ko habang si Ryves ay inilalayo ako sa Kuya Dame niya.

"Tita, Happy birthday po." A voice of a woman suddenly entered the circle. Vanessa entered the picture.

Agap akong hinatak ni Damon at inilalayang maupo sa isang upuan katabi niya.

"Oh! Thank you, Van. Feel at home! The party's about to start." Magalang na bati ni Tita at naupo na rin sa harap ko.

"Hi, Ryves!" bati ni Vanessa kay Ryves na nasa akin ang paningin.

"Ate Francy, do you watch disney princess' stories?" Ryves asked ignoring Vanessa.

Boom, ignored!

I bit my inner lip before I answered Ryves, "Yes, princess. I've watched all fairytales. I want to be a princess before too."

"Really? Well, you'll become a queen if you marry Kuya Damon." Ryves said as she eyed Vanessa on her side.

"Malaki ata binayad mo kay Ryves." Sabi ko kay Damon. He only sneered at me.

"Ahmmm. Damon, picture daw tayo doon with Kathleen. Tara!" She called Damon.

A thin with big boobs and average butt Vanessa wearing a hot pink mermaid tail dress which made her look innocently promising.

Hindi ko na inasahan ang magiging sagot ni Damon sa akin kaya tinuon ko na lang ang pansin ko kay Calder na tumatawang kiniliti si Ryves.

"Wala siyang Disney themed party sa birthday niya kapag hindi niya inilakad si Kuya sa'yo." Sabat ni Calder. His playful smile and dimples showed.

"I'll be with my date. Lumapit na lang siya dito, Van." Sagot ni Damon dito as Damon pushed himself towards me.

I saw how Vanessa cleared her throat and laughed fakely before turning around to walk away.

"You're invited to my birthday, Ate Fran, ha?" Ryves with pleading eyes, "That'll be five months from now. Sana by that, meron na rin si Kuya Cal para marami na akong ate."

"Kailangan pa muna magseryoso ng Kuya mo bago siya magdala ng babae dito, baby." Tito walter said but have a warning voice on Calder.

"Reto mo nga ako sa mga kaibigan mo!" Pakiusap sa akin ni Calder.

"Mamili ka na. Single lahat 'yon." I chuckled, "Lahat mabait."

"Gusto ko matangkad. Model like." Calder smirked.

"Physical is just a bonus, Calder." Istriktong singit ni Damon na busy sa pagpisil ng tagiliran ko.

Ang bilbil ko!

"I know. May specific type lang ako." Nguso nito. I imagined Queency, Crissa or JC for Calder.

Nawala ang takot at kaba sa dibdib ko dahil sa mainit na pagtanggap sa akin ng pamilya ni Damon. Hindi rin ako iniwan ni Damon kahit dalhin ako sa kung saan saan ni Tita pagkatapos ng programme at kumain.

Hanggang sa makarating kami sa relatives ni Damon. Doon ko nakita kung paano respetuhin ang pamilyang ito ng mga kapatid ni Tito walter. Lahat sila ay mababait at laging nakangiti ngunit... parang alam nila kung pang-ilan sila sa magkakapatid at alam nila kung hanggang saan lang sila.

Tito Walter as the panganay with three children, Damon, Calder, and Ryves. Tita Wesley Delborja-Ferrer have two children, Kathleen and Liam. Tito Warlon Delborja have three children, Duke, King, and Elizabeth. And, Tito Winry Delborja have three children, Ethan, Freya, and Kalix.

Kita na ang pagkakasunod-sunod sa magpipinsan ay si Damon, Calder, Duke, Ethan, King, Kathleen, Elizabeth, Freya, Ryves, and Kalix.

They are born with numbers kaya ganito sila sa isa't-isa. Hindi masyadong halata sa mga magpipinsang ito pero... I can sense something bad from that Kathleen.

"You're still a student, hija?" The oldest Delborja, Wilson Delborja, na naka-wheelchair na.

"Yes. Currently taking Architecture po." I answered confidently.

"First ever Architect ng family kung matuloy 'yang nasa leeg mo." The old man laughed.

The necklace again. I think, this is not just a promise ring. Heirloom ba ito?

"You didn't know? Damon. You gave Francy an heirloom without telling her?" The old man said which made me shock, "You really have no idea?"

"I just want her to wear it as a necklace. I don't want her pressured but I want to give her assurance." Damon squeezed my hand, "I'll marry her when she's ready."

Nakapalibot ang buong pamilya rito at ang mga lalaking magpipinsan lamang nakangiti at nagbibiruan sa nangyayari.

"Damon, blackmailer." Duke chuckled sexily. He have a badboy and fboy look.

"Pikotin agad e. Ayaw na pakawalan." King whispered pero rinig naman.

"Celebrity. Malamang maraming kaagaw. Bakod agad!" Tawa ni Ethan na nakipaghigh five kay Duke at Calder.

"You have a long way to go if you're still a student. Damon is the heir of the whole company, kung mahuli kang magbuntis ay may ibang magmamana ng kumpanya pagkatapos ni Damon, hija." A mischievous smile from the old man.

Agap ang paglingon ko kay Damon. The question is for me but I'm not on the right stand to answer a family matter.

"It doesn't matter." Damon answered.

"It does matter, though. The reason why you should marry a calibre woman who's off age." Singit ng Kathleen. I looked at her blankly, she looked away.

They have lots of question but Ryves pulled me out of the circle. Parang nabunutan pa ng tinik si Tita Elise at Tito Walter nang hatakin ako ng bunso.

"Ate, Is it fine if I make Ariel themed party?" She asked while walking I don't know where.

Nakarating kami sa isang gazebo sa backyard. Tanaw pa rin ang party ngunit natatakpan na ng mga kurtina. A white-paint wood gazebo decorated with white curtains. The interior shouts boho style.

I smirked. I leaned down as I pinched her cheeck and kiss it. She did that to save me. Ang talino ng batang ito!

"What about belle, baby? You look like belle e. Little Emma Watson." I said.

"Sabi nga po nila." She giggled. She love Emma Watson din pala, "I'll be ten years old at that time. Pwede na akong magwear ng sexy outfit."

"Not yet, Princess. 10 years old is still young for a sexy outfit." Napatalon kami sa gulat nang marinig ang boses ni Damon.

"You shocked me!" Ryves shouted. Binuhat siya ni Damon at hinalikan sa pisngi.

"Thank you for pulling out your Ate right there."

I smiled as well, "Thank you, princess."

"You're a bit tensed e," She wriggled to stand straight, "Anyway! I gotta go!"

And just that, she left me and Damon inside the gazebo. Naglakad si Damon at naupo sa isang egg chair. He tapped the small space beside him as he look at me so I obliged and seat with him.

"Did you enjoyed the food?" He asked. I nodded. "Tired?"

"My feet, yes." I pouted.

"Three inches pa kasi." He teased, I pouted more.

Binuhat niya ang magkabilang paa ko at ipinatong iyon sa hita niya. He removed my heels and massaged it.

"Baka makita ka nila, sabihin nila inaalila ko tagapag-mana nila." I snorted, he grinned.

"Oo. Para makuha mo na 'yung 10 million mo." He chuckled. "Too bad, Mommy loves you."

"Sayang. Pangtanan na sana natin 'yon." I said jokingly. He gasped first before he chukled.

"Tomorrow morning ang flight ko. Will you be okay without me?" He asked worriedly.

"Of course." I assured him.

"We'll video call everytime we're not busy." He sighed.

"Six days lang 'yon, Damon."

"But still..."

"Okay. We'll video call everytime we're not busy." I smiled at him.

"We'll update each other everytime." He stated again.

"We'll update each other everytime." I assured him, also noting myself his words.

"No entertaining and flirting with other men while I'm away."

"No entertaining and flirting with other women while you're away." I imitated. He leaned his forehead on my cheeck.

"f**k. I never thought leaving will be this heavy." He heavily sighed again.

"Pag balik mo, we'll date more and more. So don't worry too much." I giggled at the thought.

"You'll wait for me, okay? No overthinking things? Tell me everything if you're unsure with the answer." He said, still worried.

"Oo na nga." Malumanay kong saad. Ang malamyos na titig ni Damon sa akin at ang malakas na simoy ng hangin ang nagbibigay ng banayad at dalisay na pakiramdam sa akin.

"You are too confident with this. It's making me more worried." He hugged me tighter.

"Hindi ko rin alam. I just know you'll comeback to me safe and... untouched." I Iaughed, he only groaned in between my neck.

Naging tahimik ang nagdaang araw. Walang palya ang pag message namin sa isa't isa ni Damon at pag video call everynight.

Nasa school ako at nasa kalagitnaan ng laboratory class sa isang major subject nang magring ang phone ko at si Damon ang nasa screen. Walang prof kaya sinagot ko ito.

"Your Tita Wesley asked me to make you sign the papers, Dame." A voice of a woman on the other end.

Hindi ko pa nakilala ito ngunit hula ko si Vanessa ito. Anong ginagawa niya diyan?

"I can sign the papers when I'm back home. Hindi mo na kailangang pumunta dito." I heard Damon said. Now I get it. He wants me to hear their conversation.

"My father is a stock holder of this company—"

"And your father or stock holders are not needed here. Kaya hindi ka rin kailangan dito." He said with finality.

"Dame! Why are you being like this? You're not like this before! Nagbago ka na!" Halos maiyak na ito.

"Not until you lied to me and tried to ruin Francy—"

"At naniniwala ka sa kaniya? I am your friend since we were a child. I was there all along, Damon! Helping you, accompanying you."

"I don't need it. I don't need you." Damon said seriously, "If you have nothing to say important, get out now."

"That Francy will only ruin you and this whole empire, Damon! Huwag kang magpakatiwala sa isang college student na hindi mo alam kung saan nanggaling—"

"OUT!" Napatalon ako sa gulat nang maranig ang malakas at malaking boses ni Damon na parang kulog at kidlat sa pagsabog.

May onti pa akong kaluskos, pagsinghot at yabag ng heels bago nagsara ang pinto.

What was that?

"I'm so sorry about that, Francy. I was..." Hindi niya matapos ang mga salita.

Kahit ako ay nagngitngit sa galit sa mga salitang binitiwan ng babae na iyon. Hindi pa rin pala natatapos ang kademonyohan nito. Mananatiling baliw kay Damon. Ibinababa ang p********e niya.

"It's okay. Chill now, please. You shocked me." I said.

"I'm sorry," I heard a sound of glass. Uminom ata ng tubig.

"And thank you for... this. I don't know. But it made me trust you even more." I hesistatedly whispered. Not making my seatmates hear our conversation.

"I want you to trust me. And this is the only way I think, this will work." He sighed.

"Yes. I know." I smiled, "Go home now, please."

"I miss you so much." Damon said.