WILD ON THE INSIDE

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

glow of the overhead lights giving her hair a gentle shimmer. He took a seat beside her, folding his arms across the table with a knowing smirk.

“You have anything to say to me?” he asked in a calm, even tone, though his eyes hinted at a challenge.

Megan looked up and let out a small, playful laugh. “Okay, you win the bet,” she said, her lips curving into a smile, her voice carrying a hint of reluctance yet acceptance.

“You must be so happy,” he teased, his eyes narrowing with amusement.

“Maybe,” she replied with a small shrug, her tone still light. “Why with doubts?” he pressed, his brow lifting.

“I don’t have doubts, really,” she said honestly, her voice softening. “Your brother just seems weird at times, but that’s a topic for another time.”

“ Your relationship was really out of the blue, though. In one moment, you were robbed. Then you performed at the talent show, got asked to join the elite group, refused the proposal, then made a bet with Hardin, and now—girlfriend and boyfriend. What next? Marriage?” he teased, his eyes dancing with amusement.

Megan let out a soft chuckle, shaking her head. “Don’t take it too far,” she said lightly, her tone hinting at playful annoyance. Then, lowering her voice a notch, she asked with a raised brow, “By the way, if you and Hardin are just cousins, why do you refer to him as your brother?

Dylan’s expression shifted from amused to serious. “Hardin is not my cousin—he’s my stepbrother,” he said quietly, his voice turning almost distant. “He and I have never been on good terms, and we might never be. He just doesn’t want anyone to ever find out. Our dad got his mother pregnant and mine too in the same period. I was born before him, and by that time, dad wasn’t married. When it was time to choose a wife, everyone thought he would choose Hardin’s mom, but he picked my mom instead. That’s what made us enemies to this day. We can’t see eye to eye, no matter what happens. Hardin… he turned out to be a frustrated kid who likes no one except himself. I know I’m not an angel either, but if I’m a snake, then Hardin is an anaconda—or maybe a salamander.” He gave a dry, humorless laugh, his eyes downcast. “Anyway, that’s how parallel we are.”

“Interesting background, maybe,” Megan said, leaning back in her chair, her fingers drumming lightly against the table.

“You know it’s not,”he said, rolling his eyes. “Anyway, now that you know all about us, time to fulfill our bet. My name is Dylan Cruz, a random citizen in Cebu. And when we’re agreeing to friendships, we don’t shake hands—we hug,” he said, opening his arms with a playful grin.

“Megan, an American girl,” looked at him with an amused smile. “Dylan, you’re too embarrassed to hug me,” she teased, her eyes sparkling. Instead, he just shook her hand, which left him so disappointed in himself . She never thought he would back out like that.

He gave a small, sheepish smile. “But I thought….., never mind, beautiful queen of Hardin,” he said softly. “It’s not proper to hug someone’s girlfriend. I mean, if you were my girlfriend, I would never want anyone to touch you or even glance at you.”

“Such a gentleman, isn’t it obvious?” she said with a soft laugh, her tone gentle and almost affectionate.

He gave her a serious look, his tone lowering. “Another thing I meant to ask. The other time, you told me you would never physically hurt a girl. Why?”

“That’s not some big thing, really,” Dylan said with a shrug. “Personally, I respect women, especially my mom. My mom always tells me that a man who can’t respect a lady can never respect his mother. Why would I slap a girl? It’s hard to do that. I might be so mean and rude, but one thing I can proudly say is—I’m a proud son of my mom.”

“Your mother, then, is lucky to have a son like you,” Megan said sincerely, a soft smile on her lips. “Trust me, I’m glad to have you as a friend because I know you’ll always come to my rescue. One last question: why don’t you have any other friends around?”

“Because being alone has become part of me,” Dylan said quietly, his voice calm but filled with an undercurrent of pain. “I already destroyed my name. I’ve got nothing more to lose. It’s also hard for me to live with others. I always tell the truth—and you know the effects of the truth are often so bad.”

“I get you,” Megan said softly, her voice almost a whisper. Then, with a small, teasing smile, she added, “Forgive me—this might sound like an interview, but one other question: how many girls have you dated before?”

He let out a light laugh, leaning back. “I’m not so active when it comes to that area,” he admitted with an easy smile. “I have dated no girl, but most probably I will have dated before high school ends—because like the woman sang, true love starts with friendship,” he said, glancing at her with a playful sparkle in his eyes.

“Okay, last question, I promise,” Megan said, her tone teasing and playful. “How much do you really know about me? Be honest.”

He gave her a mischievous grin. “A little bit of details—closer to what you’re looking for. It’s CH. You’re so close to your answers, trust me.”

She looked puzzled, her brow furrowed. “How did…?”

She was interrupted by Dylan’s gentle tone. “No need to get so worked up. Our dad works—you understand, right?”

“Okay, no need to. No need or way to escape from you. Anyway, I hope that stays between us. Someone near us might get worried hearing us speak in tongues.”

She let out a small, musical laugh. “Time for me to ask. I want you to be totally honest, just like I’ve been with you. How many boys have you dated before?”

“It’s only hurting,” Megan admitted softly, lowering her eyes. “I really can’t stand men. They are no respecter of persons.”

Dylan nodded thoughtfully, his expression serious. “Okay, that answers my next question, but I’ll ask anyway. Do you think I’m a nice guy?”

“Judging from your behavior, minus your pride and loneliness,” Megan said, her voice turning tender, “I think you’re a nice guy whom I’ve never seen smile—until now. But I’m starting to learn new things about you, since we’re now friends.”

He gave her a small, surprised look, his lips curving up at the corners. “Another thing—are you always like that?” he asked, his tone soft but curious. “I mean, always fighting and breaking noses?”

She gave a small, wry smile, her eyes bright with a glimmer of honesty. “Huh? That’s who I am. I cannot run away from who I am. I guess I got it from my mother—she could not tolerate nonsense. It really runs in our family.”

Megan nodded slowly, her eyes reflecting a mixture of understanding and amusement.

“We’ve talked for so long… but one last question. I promise. Are you really in love with Hardin?” he asked softly, his voice gentle but searching.

The question seemed to hang in the air, the weight of it pressing down between them. Megan’s face shifted, her bright smile fading. She looked down at her hands, unable to find the words.

Before she could answer, Hardin suddenly appeared in the doorway, his tall frame blocking the light. Dylan quickly busied himself with a textbook, pretending not to notice.

“There you are, my girl,” Hardin said with a small, teasing smile. “Come on. I want to take you out to dinner today.”

“I would love that,” Megan said quickly, her voice brightening as she stood up.

Hardin took her hand and led her out, and in the blink of an eye, they were off to a five-star hotel