Taming Sun in the Heir's Heart

Chapter 9

"I said I want to court you, Francy." Mas seryoso pa ito ngayon.

Tatawa na ba ako? Asaan ang camera?

"Prank ba 'to?" I asked which made his eyes burn in angriness.

"I'm serious. I like you so much and I want to court you." Nang mapansin niyang nakatitig pa din ako sa kaniya sa 'di naniniwalang ekspresyon sa mukha ay tila nawalan ito ng lakas.

"I had to do shitty experiments just to understand what I'm feeling for you. I never beg and girls don't get stuck inside my head. Ikaw lang."

I did?

"A-ahmmm." I don't know what to say!

"I don't want you to feel like I'm being casual with you when in fact, I never do this with anyone." He said, "That's why I want to court you."

Kinabukasan ay para akong tanga nang mabasa ang morning message nito.

From Damon Delborja:

Goodmorning, beautiful! Eat your breakfast.

Tulog ka pa? I'm already at work. Busy na ako mamaya

Napalingon ako sa human size mirror at nakita ang gulo gulo kong buhok at mukhang tangang mukha. Bakit ako?

To Damon Delborja:

Good morning! Just woke up! Happy working!

From Damon Delborja:

Thank you! Enjoy your weekend!

It's saturday at kailangang makarating sa school dahil may pracrice. Dahan dahan ang pagbaba ko sa hagdan at nakita si mama sa sala.

I'm done taking a shower and I'm about to eat. Breakfast and dinner are the most important meal in this family.

"Kumain ka na." Sabi agad ni mama nang mapansin ako nito sa stairs.

Naupo ako sa hapag at kumain na mag isa, tanaw si mama sa sala.

Mama never stop me from my sidelines. Ang pagti-t****k ko, youtube vlogging, pag guest sa mga shows, at pagsali sa dance troupe as long as naha-handle ko ang aking pag aaral nang maayos.

It is my siblings who wants to stop me from entertaining a boyfriend. Although nakakausap ko naman ang mga kapatid ko tungkol sa mga manliligaw, sensitive topic pa rin sa kanila ang pagbo-boyfriend.

Nag aaral pa raw ako kaya dapat ang inaatupag ko lang ay ang pag aaral ko. Pwedeng mag entertain ng manliligaw pero hindi kailangang seryosohin. May oras para sa pagbo boyfriend at hindi iyon ngayon.

Ngayong may nanliligaw na naman sa akin, iniisip ko tuloy kung sasabihin ko ba kay mama.

May mga nagpapahayag ng pagkagusto at ng panliligaw sa akin pero hindi ko manlang inisip iyon na sabihin sa pamilya ko.

Nagulat ako nang naupo si mama sa kabisera na may dalang sliced bread. Pinakuha niya ng liver spread ang kasambahay at pinatimpla ng kape.

"Kumusta na iyong issue mo nung nakaraan?" Tanong ni Mama.

Napalunok ako sa kaba at napaisip kung sasabihin ko ba.

Tumingin ako sa paligid. Kapag may sibuyas ang scrumbled egg, hindi ko sasabihin kay mama.

Ayaw kasi ng ate kong pangalawa, si ate Marian, ang sibuyas sa scrumbled egg. Kaya naman maaaring meron o wala ito.

Hays. Para akong tanga. Pero nagulat ako nang makitang walang sibuyas ito.

"A-ayun, mama. Si Damon Delborja 'yon. Apo ng may ari nung DBorja Hotel?"

"Mayaman?" Nakataas ang isang kilay ni mama. Alam na kanino ako nagmana.

"Opo." I simply said.

"What about him?" Tinignan ko sa mata si mama at nakitang nakataas pa din ang kilay.

Oh, s**t!

"Ayun, nagsabi na manliligaw siya sa akin kagabi." Sabi ko sa maliit na boses ngunit sapat na upang marinig ni mama.

"Ha? Bakit ikaw?"

"Grabe 'yon, Ma! Parang sinabi mo naman na 'di deserve ng beauty ko 'yon!" Binitawan ko ang kubyertos at kunwaring nawalan ng gana.

"E parang ang kapal naman ng mukha mo! Kita mo ba picture no'n? Ang gwapo gwapong binata?"

"Maganda naman ako, ah! Matalino at talented pa! Sa'n ka pa? Dito ka na!" Sabi ko tila ini-endurso ang sarili. Tumawa si mama ng malakas pero masama pa din ang tingin sa akin.

"Pero nagsabi nga talaga siya na manliligaw siya sa akin, mama. Hindi lang ako sigurado tungkol doon dahil baka nagbibiro lang." Sabi ko naman.

"Nagbibiro lang 'yon, panigurado." My mom while drinking her coffee.

Bastos talaga. Ang sama ng ugali. Hindi manlang ako binigyan kahit false hope lang. Ipinamukha talaga sa akin ng aking ina na ilusyonada ako.

"Hindi ka manlang nagsinungaling, ma." May halong pagtatampo ang boses ko na tinawanan lang naman ni mama.

But at least I had the courage to tell her. Hindi na rin masamang itago sa mga kapatid dahil alam na rin naman ni mama.

I went to school with my lemon water jug.

Ba't nga ba ako sumali ng dance troupe gayong sakit lamang ng katawan ang hatid nito sa akin?

Naabutan ko ang mga teammates na nagkakanya kaniyang stretching. Nahiga muna ako sa sofa habang nagwa-warm up at stretching sila. Tapos na ako at ayaw ko na.

From Damon Delborja:

Are you training? What time is your out? I want to fetch you.

Pwede ba magreply ng tagalog? English naman kasi ng english, hindi naman ako sanay.

To Damon Delborja:

2pm out ko. May work ka pa di ba? I can go home alone naman

From Damon Delborja:

I have no work every sat. I just finished signing some papers. Pupunta ako diyan, please?

Wtf? Lemme get this straight first.

Napatulala ako at inisip agad kung may maayos ba akong damit sa locker na naitago. Ghaaaad!

Starting my productive day with teaching my teammates the choreography I made. Madali lang naman. Kailangan lang na maangas at pagmukhaing magaan ang katawan.

"Kapag nafamiliarize niyo na katawan niyo sa steps, make sure to make your facial expression maangas. Ayun kasi point do'n." I shouted so my teammates at the back could hear it.

Tumutulo na ang pawis sa mukha ko pababa sa aking dibdib. Kinuha ko ang tela ng damit sa malapit sa collar ko at ipinamunas iyon sa aking baba.

Ugh. Ang dugyot ko na tapos magkikita kami ni Damon after? Yuck. I probably should take a bath after this.

We did the routine. Nagkakatuwaan pa sa kung paano yayabangan ang kilos nila.

"Dati ka naman na mayabang!" sigaw ni Travis kay Andrei.

"Ulol! Mas mayabang yung nagjowa sa kalaban!" Tinawanan namin ang sinabi ni Andrei habang kamot ulo lang si Travis.

"Bawal mag snitch dito ng songs at theme natin, ah! Baka makarating sa kalaban." Saad ng aming leader na si Steve.

"Sayang pinagpaguran natin 'pag gano'n." Ani Via, "Sayang din ang straight win."

"True." Nakisali ako habang umiinom. At ang isang salita lamang na 'yon ang ambag ko.

Nagkatuwaan na hanggang sa mag lunch at magpractice ulit.

"Tatlong pasada ulit tayo ngayon bago umuwi para sa next friday and saturday, 'yung dulo na lang tatapusin natin then polish na." Paliwanag ni Steve.

Dumating din ang coach kanina upang panoorin kami at magsambit ng mga konting paalala. Ngayon ay pinapanood din kami nito kung sino ang magkakamali at kung sino ang kailangan pang iwork out ang galaw.

"Jas, hindi mo pa masyado gamay ang one time comin', ha. Practice on your own." Paalala ni Coach. Marami pa siyang nabanggit na pangalang hanggang matapos kami.

"Last year na nila Francy, Via, Andrei, and Travis next year, so try to find someone whom you can pass your place." Ana ni Coach, "Kailangan ng papalit sa pwesto ninyo para kahit wala na kayo ay hindi maging bungi ang grupong ito."

We all nodded at that at napaisip na rin kung sino ba ang maaari kong itrain o kahit manlang kung sino ang nalalapit sa galaw ko upang madaling maturuan.

"We know that the wins started when these magic four joined the dance troupe. But I'm hoping, that that won't end after they graduated."

"Yes coach!"

"Amen, Coach!"

"In Jesus name we pray, Amen! Kaya natin 'to! AWOO!"

"AWOO!" We replied back.

From Damon Delborja:

Are you done? I'm outside the gate?

Napasinghap ako sa gulat nang maalala ito. I almost forgot!

To Damon Delborja:

I'll be taking a shower first. Wait for me please

From Damon Delborja:

No rush, take your time :))

I smiled with his smile emoticon. What's wrong with that emoticon? Kinikilig ako?

Pogi typings amp. Hindi bagay sa edad niya.

I went out of the school and spotted his gold BMW, parked outside. It is a good thing na hindi niya na pinagpilitan ang paglabas ng kotse niya.

"Ingat kayo, children!"

"Gara niyan, momshie!" Anang isang mas batang member.

"Nakikisakay lang rin ako." Tawanan kami.

"Where are we going?" I asked him once I entered his car.

But to my surprise, instead na sagutin niya ang aking tanong ay inabutan niya ako ng bouquet ng bulaklak.

"Wow. T-thank you." My cheeks blushed as I hold it.

"You're welcome." He said, "Do you like it?"

"Yeah. Sobra." I hid my self behind the flower. Itinapat ko ang bulaklak sa mukha ko upang matakpan ang namumulang mukha.

He sighed, "I can't see your face."

"D-drive ka na."

I bit my lower lip as I stutter. Nakakainis. Bakit ang pabebe ko.

I heard his low chuckle. Binalot ng maiksing tawa na iyon ang buong kotse niya.

I tried to peak from behind of the flower and I saw him smirking at me and enjoying the view. When our eyes met, his eyes grew wider and face lit up with another idea of teasing me.

"You look pretty when you blush, Francy. Remove the flower on your face." He stated with a hint of smile plastered on his face.

"Magdrive ka na kasi..." He laughed at that.

Ang tawa nitong parang kanta ng mga anghel na pababa sa langit upang maghatid ng magandang balita galing sa itaas... God, why is he so perfect. He can make a girl fall inlove with just his smirk and laugh.

"Okay. I won't tease you anymore about your blushing face." He laughed again. This time longer.

That made me frown and made me hit his shoulder.

"Ang salbahe, Damon!" Nakakunot ang noo ko siyang tinignan. I didn't noticed that I put down the flowers on my lap.

He had the chance to look at my face even more. But instead of teasing me, his face grew warm and soft.

Ang matapang at snobish na mukha nito ay lumamlam sa pagtitig sa mukha ko. Bumuntong hininga pa ito na parang may pinakatitigan sa mukha ko.

He put away the strand of hair on my face.

"You look tired. You want to sleep first?" He asked calmy and softly.

Parang may mainit na kamay ang bumalot sa aking puso. Hindi ako sanay na malambot ang tingin niya sa akin. Hindi iyong nang aasar.

"Sabi kasi ng mga Kuya ko, huwag daw tutulugan ang driver 'pag sa passenger's seat ka nakaupo." I explained.

"No, it's okay. You can sleep." Bahagya itong lumapit sa akin upang i-recline ang inuupuan ko.

Ngayon ay bahagya na ako nakahiga. Natigilan siya ng mga dalawang dipa lamang ang layo namin sa isa't isa.

"Thank you." I smiled. I feel like crying. This is so overwhelming.

He carressed may face and smiled at me. Inilibot niya ang tingin sa aking mukha hanggang sa matigil iyon sa aking mata.

I thought he will kiss me. But when pinched my cheek lightly and smiled at me softly, that's when I thought that he is not that kind of guy.

"Sleep. You need energy to eat later. Ihahatid kita sa bahay niyo, I promise." He tapped my cheek lightly and sat properly.

Inistart niya na ang kotse. Bago paandarin ay umisang tingin muna ito sa akin bago pinaandar.

"I never thought I could get a woman who will sit on my passenger's seat." he said out of nowhere, "This feels nostalgic."

"Why? Never sumagi sa isip mo na magkakagusto ka sa isang babae?" I asked with my eyes close.

"I thought of that before but... I never thought it will happen this early. Saka sa four years younger." He said honestly.

"Ah. Sorry ha. Four years late ang pag gawa sa akin ng mga magulang ko." I said. Agaran naman ang pagtawa niya doon.

"It's okay. Hindi ko rin naman alam kung mapapansin kita kung magka-edad tayo." Iniliko niya ang kotse sa mga matatayog na gusali.

"Weh? You don't know the magic of love, do you?" I asked. He smirked at that.

"Why? Do you?" Ang kamay nito sa isang stirring wheel at ang isa ay nakapatong sa may bandang window at pinaglalaruan ang mapulang labi niya.

Nang mag stop light ay nilingon niya ako, hawak pa rin ang mapupulang labi sa kaliwang kamay.

"No. I don't." I answered because it feels like he is waiting for my answer. He nodded.

"Are we going to a fine dining restaurant?" I asked. I look at my clothes. Pasok naman 'to sa dress code e. Masyado nga lang nagsusumigaw ng college student at hindi fine woman.

"Yes. Why?"

"I looked like a college student with my extra clothes in my locker." I pouted, "Hindi mo naman kasi sinabi na magde-date tayo e."

"Oh! Sorry. I want to surprise you." He scanned my clothes, "You looked pretty gorgeous with your clothes, what's wrong?"

"Mukha nga akong college student." I pouted.

"And you are a college student." He stated. I opened my mouth when I'm about to speak the truth but I shut my mouth close again.

Baka asarin ako nito at matuwa na naman sa akin. Pinaglaruan ko ang tulips sa lap ko.

"What's the problem with that? Hmmm?" Eyes on me.

"I don't look woman like." Sa mahinang boses, nakatungo at nakatitig sa pinaglalaruang bulaklak na sagot ko.

Rinig ko ang gulat sa pagsinghap niya at sa bahagyang saya sa boses na iyon.

"Don't laugh, I swear. Magagalit ako." I warned him. Panigurado ay namumula na ang mukha ko sa hiya.

He cleared his throat as he start the engine again after a signal of go.

"Sabagay, mukha nga akong may bitbit na bunsong kapatid rito—Oww!!" He laughed whole heartedly after I punched his arm.

"Ang salbahe talaga! Tuwang tuwa kang iniinis ako!" Kunot noo at nakanguso kong sabi. Malamang ay namumula ang buong mukha ko.

"Because you keep on looking at your clothes when in fact, you look gorgeous and dashing as you rock any clothes you wear."

His words made me stop and made me stare at him longer and deeper. Lumingon ito sa akin, at nang makitang nakatitig ako sa kaniya ay ngumisi lamang siya.

"Ilang babae na ang sinabihan mo—"

"Oh, God! I never compliment other girls, Francy. Don't even mention other girls here."

"Really? Even whenever you flirt?" I raised my eyebrow. Nilingon niya ako, "Eyes on the road!"

"I don't flirt, baby... Girls flock around me." He stated boastfully with eyes hint of kayabangan.

"Ang yabang." I rolled my eyes. He laughed.

But it didn't stop me to think about his endearment. Which, of course, made me blush.

Enjoy the day and night with me, pretty lady. - D. I. Delborja

I read the note. I hid it inside my bag.

Nakarating kami sa isang magandang restaurant. Sa pagkakakita ko ay isa itong shabu shabu restaurant.

"Are you fine dining here?" He asked. I looked up at him with a smile on my face, I nodded.

I was wearing a wine red halter dress up to my knee. The fit of the top is hugging my boobs down to my waist, emphasizing my curves.

"Okay, then. Let's eat a lot."

Naupo na kami at nandoon na agad ang pagkain. I figured out he made a reservation ahead of time.

"Have you had your lunch ba? This is like an early dinner." He said. 5:30 pm palang naman kasi.

"I had a quick lunch kanina. I can't eat much dahil sasayaw pa ulit." I answered while picking up the chopsticks.

"Eat a lot now then." He smiled, "Since you love ramen, I thought I could introduce you to different soup pasta like this. Have you tried this one?"

"I've had shabu shabu na, but not here. I guess, this will be different?" I asked while sipping on the soup.

"Hmmmm." I hummed and I smiled at him, "Taste good."

"Uhuh?" He smiled still starring at me with an amused grin on his face.

"What? Anong iniisip mo sa 'taste good'?" Kunot noo kong tanong.

"Nothing. Ikaw ang madumi ang isip, e." He shrugged, still smiling.

He get me noodles and some balls, meats and vegetables.

"Do you eat vegetables?"

"Sa soup, yes. I can manage."

"What about soute-d vegetables?" He raised his eyebrows.

He ordered other chinese foods but not that much. More like a side dishes.

"It depends what vegetables they put?" I raised an eyebrow as well, "Why? You'll make me eat vegetables?"

"I'm planning to." I frowned, "Pumayat ka, Francy. That's not good."

Malaman ako noong mga panahon na lagi kaming nagkikita bago kami nag away. Sagana sa kain, inom at mga gala kaya ganoon. Ngunit nang malapit na magumpisa ang practice ay nag umpisa na rin akong mag work out para gumaan ang katawan ko. But it seems like he doesn't want me thin.

"I'm not thin now. I'm fit and healthy." I said. Itinaas baba ko pa ang kilay ko to prove a point.

"Sabi ng kaibigan mo, nagkasakit ka raw. Iyon ba ang healthy?" He sounded critical with his worried voice, "I hope I'm not the reason."

"Feeling mo naman! Na overwork lang!"

He stood and placed his food near me. Hindi ko pa magets ang ginagawa niya hanggang sa naupo ito sa tabi ko.

"Bakit?"

"Ang layo mo. Hindi kita maalagaan." He simply said. Naglapat ito ng tissue sa noo ko, pinupunasan ang namuong pawis dahil sa init ng kumukulong sabaw.

Kinuha niya ang scrunchie sa left wrist ko. Sinakop ng malapad niyang mga kamay ang kahabaan at kakapalan ng buhok ko, sinikop iyon at itinali gamit ang scrunchie. That made me feel refreshed.

I saw the people, specially the chef and manager sa hindi kalayuang dako ng inuupuan namin, ang mga waiter and waitresses, at ang mga mayayamang tao na nakatingin at pinagmamasdan ang galaw namin na may ngiti sa labi.

He doesn't seem like he is minding them so I mind my own business as well and stopped looking around.

I waited until he is done and then I started eating again. He's the one putting ingredients inside the pot. I don't know how it works so I let him.

Tuwing kumukuha siya ng meat balls, meats or vegies doon ay dinederetso niya sa plate ko. I looked at his plates and it's full of noodles lang.

I used the other tong and get the cooked meat balls. I put it on my plate. I blowed wind to it to cool it down.

Itinapat ko kay Damon ang chopsticks na may meat ball. He raised a brow when he noticed my movement. He smirked at me.

"Are you finally being sweet now?" He asked with a smirk.

"Dali. Habang mabait pa ako." sagot ko habang tinatago ang kilig at panginginig ng katawan ko.

Kinain niya 'yon. He nodded at me and smiled.

That became our routine. Pinagsisilbihan niya ako. Sinusubuan ko naman siya. He seems to be enjoying our routine so I'm fine with it too.

Nakakataba rin ng puso ang walang humpay niyang pag aalaga sa akin. Ang simpleng pagtali ng buhok ko. Pagpunas sa mukha ko. Ang pagsalin ng tubig sa baso ko...

It's like he is watching my every move that he is aware what is lacking.

I never know a Damon could be this caring.

"You're always taking care of me."

"Syempre, nanliligaw ako." He said as he tucked some strands of my hair behind my ear.

"Not something a suitor should do." I stated.

"We're getting to know each other. And I want us to be comfortabe to each other." He smiled and pinched my cheek.

Another Saturday and we're going to a picnic. He told me beforehand what we're about to do today, reason why I'm a bit prepared.

I wore white sweetheart cropped fitted top and a cream high waisted shorts.

Sinundo niya ako na hindi sinasabi ang suot niya ngunit nang makita ko ay napangiti ako.

"We're like we're wearing couple outfit." I stated while looking at our clothes.

He's wearing a cream long tee na hanggang below his pelvis lang, partnered with faded jeans. Like a basic badboy from BGC.

It fits and suits him well. His vained arms up to the back of his palm made him look more handsome and sexy. His brush up hair made him look more clean and dashing.

"Hot mo." Kumawala sa bibig ko.

"What?" He's about to start the car's engine when those words scaped my mouth.

Maagap kong tinakpan ang bibig ko at nanlalaki ang matang napatingin sa nakatangin ring Damon sa akin.

"What did you say?"

"Wala akong sinabi."

Inirapan niya ako, "You just said I'm hot and you're denying it now."

I bit my lower lip. "Oo nga. Ayun nga sabi ko."

Nagkatitigan kami saglit hanggang sa umiwas siya ng tingin at lumingon sa window side niya. A glimpsed of his downward smile made my heart raise!

Lalo pa nang mapansin ang pamumula ng tainga nito.

"You are blushing!" I laughed loudly. I even clapped my hands from too much happines when he changed his facial expression in a mad one but failed to suppress a smile.

"Stop it. Tss. I'm driving." Tumatakas ang ngiti sa labi nito kahit anong pigil.

"Yeah, right, Damon. You look so hot today." I laughed when he smiled now, hindi na itinago. May hint pa ng pagyayabang ito.

"Syempre, madaming kalaban kaya dapat laging gwapo." He said and I smirked to that.

Maraming nanliligaw sa akin kasabay niya pero siya lang ang binibigyan ko ng oras na ganito, maraming nagpapadala ng bulaklak pero sakaniya lang ang dinidisplay ko, at maraming nagpahayag ng damdamin pero siya lang ang pinayagan ko.

"Mga paladesisyon ang mga 'yon. I told them I'm a study first person pero they insisted on courting me. Makukulit." I rolled my eyes.

He smirked and teased me the whole ride for letting him court me. Only him. We only stopped from the teasing when his phone rang. He connected it to a loud speaker.

"Son, where are you?" A middle age woman asked. She sounds sophisticated, classy, and... strict.

Probably, his mom.

"I'm on a date, I told you, Mommy." He said casually which made me and his mom gasp.

"Oh, yeah. With that tiktoker girl, right?" Alangan pa itong magsalita. Nang hindi sumagot si Damon, "She seems pretty strong minded, Dame. A trait of a woman you need."

I raised an eyebrow. I bit my lower lip and hide my nervousness. I looked outside the window.

Kilala niya ako!

"I know, Mom."

"Tell her, she should meet me some other time. I'm sure we'll click." She laughed with poise, "Anyways, ipapasundo ko sana sa'yo si Ryves, e. She's done with her school activies kaso nasa meeting pa kami ni Dad mo."

"What about Calder, Mom?"

"Cal's not answering his phone. Hay nako!" Singhal ng Ina nila. I raised my eyebrow.

Hala. Nawala poise ng nanay nila dahil kay Cal. Kala ko pa naman ayun ang mabait sakanila. Iba talaga pag middle child.

"Is it okay?" Damon asked kaya napalingon ako sa kaniya. I nodded and smiled.

"Sige, Mom. We'll fetch, princess." Iniliko niya sa U-turn ang kotse.

"Okay. You can drop her naman sa house para hindi na kayo maistorbo. I'm really sorry, anak."

"It's okay, Mom. I'll drop the call na. I'll talk to Francy." Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. Um-oo na ako!

"Yes, please. And say I apologize for this. I don't want to ruin your date and your diskarte." She said.

Nagkatinginan kami ni Damon. He's smirking while my eyes are wide as heck.

"Yes, Mom. Baka magtampo pa 'to at mabasted ako e. Hindi na ako makakapag girlfriend." He laughed shortly.

"Oh, no, Dame! Wala naman sigurong mambabasted sa'yo! Oh, good Lord! Work harder, Damon Inigo! Kulang pa ang panliligaw mo kung ganoon nga!" singhal ng ina, "Ayusin mo, Dame. Nakakahiya ka!"

Hala? Napagalitan pa siya?

"Mom. 'Wag mo naman akong ipahiya. Naririnig ni Francy ang sinasabi mo, baka maturn off pa sa aki—" hindi natuloy ang sasabihin niya at napatawa na lang nang kurotin ko ang braso niya.

"Really? Oh my goodness! I'll end this now! Bye, nak! And... Francy, dear!" And the call ended.

"Jusko, Damon! Anong pinagsasabi mo!"

Nakarating kami sa school ng bunsong kapatid ni Damon at pinapasok na sa back seat.

A pretty little girl. She's pretty snob and serious but when she saw me looking at her from the front seat, her eyes sparkled with joy.

"Ate Francy?" She asked curiously.

"Hi! What's your name?" I asked her.

Huling pumasok si Damon. Kaya naman napatingin siya sa amin.

"Carys Vesta, Ate. But call me Ryves or princess. My brothers usually call me princess e." She smiled, "You're so pretty in person, ate. I love your eyes."

She said as she scan my whole face with a curious eyes.

"My kuya Dame surely knows how to pick a woman to marry." She said dreamy.

I laughed at that. I never felt this overwhelmed whenever someone compliment my looks. Some seems fake complimenting me so I don't really know if I should be happy about it or not.

"A woman to marry?" I raise a brow on Damon.

"What do you think is this? Date to play?" He snorted.

Inirapan ko siya at nilingon si Ryves sa likod habang umaandar ang kotse.

"Do you want to join us? Magpicnic kami!" I said happily.

"Picnic?" She smiled widely, but after she looked at his brother's way, she smiled sheepishly, "Hindi na po pala."

Nilingon ko si Damon. Nakita ko itong nagbibigay ng warning look kay Ryves sa gitna ng stop light. Baliw talaga.

"No. You come join us, Princess." I smiled at her. Her hoping eyes speaks excitement pero nawawala rin pag tumitingin sa gawi ni Damon.

"Damon." I said. Damon frowned.

"Date nga e. May date bang may chaperone?" Bulong bulong nito. Hindi ko pinansin.

We went to an open space and there is a hidden place where bermuda grass are flattened nicely and cleanly, ready for picnic.

May mga food na dala si Damon sa basket. He said he cooked it himself. Tinulungan ko siyang maglatag ng picnic mat while Ryves is standing near us.

We talked a lot and played together. Naghabulan pa kami sa paligid kasama si Ryves. Naupo si Ryves at nagsimula kumain habang si Damon ay hindi pa rin natitigil sa paghabol sa akin.

Nang mahabol ako nito ay humawak eto sa baywang ko kaya napatalon ako sa kiliti. Tila naintindihan ang nangyari kaya lalo akong kiniliti doon.

"Damon stop!" I laughed facing him. I tried to push him away by holding his both arms but it seem impossible.

"You said I'm old that's why I can't run anymore, huh?" He laughed with me. We are all smile and looks like it's just the two of us here.

Tawa ako ng tawa nang nakawala ako sa hawak niya ngunit nahaltak niya ulit ako pabalik. Inikot ang kanang braso sa bandang likod ko at inilapit ako sa kaniyang katawan. He swayed me with his one arm and I felt like I flew in circles.

Inikot-ikot niya ako habang tumatawa.

Nang mapagod kami ay naupo na.

"Tignan mo. You're old. Ang bilis mapagod." I teased.

"One more, then?" He said mischievously. I quickly shooked my head which made him laugh.

"Kuya, do you have water?" Agaran ang paglingon ni Damon kay Ryves.

"Yes, Princess. I'll get it inside the car." He kissed the top of Ryves' head.

Sana all.

Ay charot!

"Did you enjoyed this, Ryves?" I asked her. I combed her hair as the wind blew her curly fluffy hair.

"Yes, Ate." She simply said.

Napansin ko ang paglingon niya sa gawing dinaanan ni Damon kanina kaya inabala ko na lang ang pagtingin sa paligid.

Trees and shrubs are making the whole area so calm and refreshing. Lost flowers feels like they are planted to make the greens more colorful and lively. The strong wind from a far making the sunny day seems windy as the large trees are covering us from the sun.

Itinukod ko ang dalawang kamay sa magkabilang gilid sa bandang likod at saka tumingala ako.

Wow. So pretty.

May ibang tao kanina ang nandito rin ngunit nagsi-alis maya maya rin.

"Ate, I never seen Kuya Dame this happy." She said out lf nowhere, "He's always strict and serious. Loveable and caring but very strict."

"Maybe because he's the panganay?" I answered her and she nodded with a smile.

She seems mature for her age, 9 years old. Hindi siya kailangang ituring na parang bata.

"Yes, ate. That's why I'm very happy seeing him so carefree with you." She smiled, "Even for a while, he can forget about his reponsibilities for being the panganay to us his siblings and to our cousins. And for being the heir na rin."

He must've had a load of responsibilities behind his back, huh? Reason why he have that kind of aura. Ganoon siguro siya pinalaki bilang tagapagmana.

"I want you to stay with Kuya Damon forever, Ate Francy. Don't let other girls take Kuya away from you, magagalit talaga ako." Nakanguso na ito ngayon.

Kahit nakatingin ako sa cute na cute na nakanguso na batang ito ay naramdaman ko ang paglapit ni Damon sa likod ni Ryves.

"Binayaran ka ba ng kuya mo para ilakad mo siya sa akin?" I teased. Her eyes widen.

Oh! So cute!

"No, Ate! I just love you for my Kuya Damon! Kaya ate, please! Please. Please. Please! Stay and love kuya! Don't let that Vanessa or other girls near him!"

That made me laugh. And I nodded at her before she hugged me.

Nagkaroon pa kami ng mga sumunod at sumunod pang date hanggang sa hindi na namin namalayan ay two months na siyang nanliligaw.