Forcedly Yours

Chapter Eight

Naka-park sa garahe ang isang bagong forest green Jimny Jeep kinabukasan. Bahagyang napatalula ako sa sasakyan. I would never admit it, but I always wanted a mini Jeep. I guess this is what I get in return for sucking Leyton's thumb. Agad na nag init ang mukha ko.

"You like it?"

Lumingon ako para makita ang bahagyang nakangiting mukha ni Leyton. He genuinely looks pleased. Was it possible that he looks even more handsome today? He was wearing faded blue jeans with a white plain shirt while I was wearing a loose blue shirt tucked in my shorts and a pair of white sneakers.

Napatango nalang ako. He chuckled before dangling the key in my face.

"Let's test it," sabi niya bago pumunta sa pasenger seat ng sasakyan. "I want to see how well you drive."

"Sasamahan mo'ko?" di makapaniwalang tanong ko.

He raised his brow before opening the door and letting himself in. Agad na pumasok at umupo ako sa driver seat. The car smelled like fresh leather, I love it.

"Salamat sa sasakyan," nahihiyang sabi ko. I prayed he wouldn't bring up why he got me this.

He smiled knowingly, "Anything for my wife." He said, making me blush.

I drove while he commented on my driving skills making me grit my teeth in annoyance every time. Yes, I didn't have my own car but I've been driving our family car since I was eighteen. I know how to drive.

"I need to make sure you're capable of keeping yourself safe."

Natahimik ako matapos niyang sabihin 'yon nang na naiinis na sinagot ko siya matapos akong punahin sa paglipat ng lane.

His concern made me feel warm. I don't think I like it since I've sworn to hate the man for the rest of my life.

Sabay kaming pumasok sa bahay ng magulang ko pagkatapos kong e-park ang sasakyan.

There was no one at home. It's 10 am in the morning and my father goes to work at 8 am while my mother has a shifting schedule in the hospital. Pumunta rin si Karina sa campus para ayusin ang schedule niya. She's in her first year in college.

Sinundan ako ni Leyton hanggang sa kwarto ko.

He unceremoniously sat on my bed while I packed the things I considered important: some pictures, my school stuff, and some clothes.

Apparently, I didn't have to bring all my things because Silver filled more than half of my wardrobe closet with clothes and shoes. I can still remember the excitement on her face when she told me about it yesterday before Leyton drove her to their parent's house.

Sabay naming tiningnan ang laman ng walk in closet ko. I was surprised to learn that I loved everything she picked for me. "I guess, I got carried away. I kind of got the gist of how you style yourself. I also added some twist and you know, some fancy dresses," aniya. I thanked her before she went to the airport.

Leyton patiently waits and watches me as I finish packing.

"Hindi mo ba kailangang pumunta sa opisina ngayon?" tanong ko nang di ko na matiis ang pagmamasid niya.

Umiling siya. "I can come anytime I want, Kitten," then he asks, "Is this all?"

Tumango ako at pinanood siyang buhatin ang dalawang bag gamit ang isang kamay habang nasa maleta ang isa pang kamay.

I tried to help but he waved me off, "I got it."

Napagpasyahan ni Leyton na kumain muna kami ng tanghalian bago umuwi ng bahay.

Pumunta kami sa greenbelt kung saan may bagong bukas na restaurant ang kaibigan niya.

Iginiya ako ni Leyton papasok sa restaurant at pumasok kami sa isang mala-VIP room.

May isang couch na love seat at dalawang upuan kaharap nito. Leyton sat beside me on the loveseat. He leans his arm on the back of my seat, bringing his body close to mine while we look at the menu.

Naliliyo ako sa amoy at init ng katawan niya.

I mentally shake my head. Since when have I been so...perverted? I don't like this version of me. At all. Itinuon ko ang atensyon sa menu.

"Bakit walang prices?" Nalilitong tanong ko.

"It's common for clients in VIP rooms," sagot niya. "This room alone costs a lot so I guess food prices should no longer matter, don't you think?"

I frowned. For someone who has a monthly allowance of 4,000 pesos, of course, price tags matter. It matters a lot.

Bumukas ang maliit na silid bago ako makasagot at pumasok ang isang lalaking naka white long sleeve polo at slacks. Bahagyang nakilala ko siya. He was in our wedding.

"Ley, my man!" bibong bati nito kay Leyton.

Tumayo si Leyton para kamayan ito at bahagyang tinapik sa balikat. "Congratulations, Cal. This location is good," puri niya.

Tumawa ito ng bahagya, "Of course, it is!" He turns his attention to me. "You brought the missus," nanunuksong sabi nito kay Leyton.

I stood and he offered his hand, saying, "I don't think we've officially met. I'm Calum," pagpapakilala nito. "I hope you like the place so far?"

Halos kasing-tangkad lang ni Calum si Leyton. Maamo ang kanyang mukha, in a manly way, at bahagyang naka-angat ang dulo ng kanyang labi na tila palaging may naglalarong ngiti. His face looked kind and friendly, but there is an undeniable emptiness in his eyes.

Gah, naging psychologist na ako. This is what I get for spending time with people clinically diagnosed with depression and people with schizophrenia last year.

He briefly shook my hand and let it go.

"Too early to say. I'll have to try the food first," pinantayan ko ang pagiging friendly niya. "Nice to meet you, Calum. I'm Tina."

He smiled, flashing his dimples. "Ah, I like her," natatawang sabi niya kay Leyton.

I felt my cheeks burn.

"Shut the f**k up, Cal," Leyton said in warning making his friend laugh with joy.

Napatingin ako kay Leyton at napansin ang bahagyang pagdilim ng mukha niya.

"Ah, of course," tumigil sa pagtawa si Kai at binigyan ng makahulugang ngiti si Leyton.

"Just feed us, fucker," naiinis na sagot ni Leyton.

Calum made a show of bowing mockingly before turning around and shutting the door gently behind him.

Sabay kaming umupo ulit ni Leyton. Kumuha ako ng alcohol sa bag at nag-spray sa kamay bago 'yon inalok sa kanya.

His jaw was clenched, his eyes on the menu again even though we just ordered.

"May problema ba?" kunot-noong tanong ko nang hindi niya pansinin ang pag-alok ko ng alcohol.

He lets out a deep breath and shakes his head before folding the menu and putting it away.

"Are you sure? Parang bigla kang nawala sa mood?" pangungulit ko.

He finally looks at me with irritation in his eyes. "You blushed at him," nag-aakusang sabi niya.

Bahagyang napatanga ako. It was the goddamn dimples, I wanted to say but decided not to. I know it was not the right words to say right now. Isa pa, it was not because I was attracted to his friend. I don't find him appealing at all. But his dimples were adorable, like what you see in a toddler.

"L-Leyton, it's not what you think," I said trying to explain.

"My friends are all good-looking. The first time I introduce you to one of them and you f*****g blushed," he bites out.

I gaped at his words. He's making it sound as if I was a lovesick fanatic of good-looking guys. What on earth? I've seen a lot of hot guys on Netflix, mind him. I don't think that counts but still.

Galit na din ako. "Then you better make sure I don't see them or I'll go and crush on all of your good-looking friends," nangagalaiting sabi ko. Hindi pa ako nakuntento. "In fact, I'll start naming the babies I'll have with each one of them," nanunuyang dagdag ko.

We glared at each other for several minutes before he sighed, reached out for me, and buried his face on my neck.

"You make me f*****g crazy," bulong nito bago ako inamoy.

I probably smelled of sweat but I can't bring myself to care. Smell it, you idiot.

My anger was short-lived because he started peppering kisses on my skin. I feel myself melt against him.

Napapitlag at tinulak ko siya palayo nang may kunatok sa pinto bago ito buksan. Three staff served our food, carefully placing each dish on the table before going out.

Tumikhim ako. "Mukhang masarap naman," I gestured towards the food awkwardly in a pathetic attempt to ease the tension.

He chuckles briefly, kissing the side of my head. "Let's eat."