TEASE

Needy Puppy

Drake's eyes are obviously mad and confused, looking at Maia na nakatingin din sa kaniya with a verge of crying.

"I'm sorry," sambit ni Maia. "Sa lahat ng binintang ko sa'yo," dagdag niya pa, now tears all over her eyes, falling.

"Your anxiety affects even me. Kung ipagpapatuloy mo 'yang pag-ooverthink mo, walang relasyon ang tatagal sa'yo," prangkang advice ni Drake.

"I'm so sorry," umiiyak nang sagot ni Maia.

Umiwas ng tingin si Drake, pinagpatuloy ang paghugas at pinatuyo niya ito agad, matapos.

I can't stand looking at her crying. Nasuntok din ako kagabi the moment I saw her tears. For a month, somehow I feel like she's special for me. The fact that her tears... was because of me, I can't stand that at all.

Binitawan ni Drake ang towel at ang pinggan, madaling lumapit siya kay Maia and hugs her.

I can't get mad, really. I don't mean anything I said.

"Don't - cry," bulong ni Drake.

My heart beats faster than I thought. Sa sobrang bilis nakakalimutan ko kung paano huminga. All I know for now, I want Maia to be mine. I don't know how that started but... I think it's more than just a like... I-i...

"I think... I- like you," Drake out of the blue said while hugging Maia.

Maia hugs back at Drake, cries even more. "Prove it..." mahinang sagot ni Maia.

Drake looks at the wall where the counting device is, his hand on her head, kisses her temples. "Who's Oliver?" then he asked.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Maia pagkarinig sa pangalan ng ex niya from Drake.

Paano niya alam ang tungkol kay Oliver? Wala akong natatandaang may binaggit sa kaniya about doon.

"You keep on calling me Oliver last night, how much you miss him and you love him," mahinang dagdag ni Drake still hugging Maia.

Maia started to breathe sharply. "D-drake..." she calls.

"It's okay. Expected ko namang may taong special para sa'yo noong unang buwan na nagkasama tayo," sabat ni Drake. "Whoever that is, you do sure love him so much," dagdag pa ni Drake.

"Ikaw ba? May taong special na naghihintay sa'yo?" tanong ni Maia.

"Malamang si Daddy. But other that, wala," nakangiting sagot ni Drake. "I never had a good relationship before. Wala rin akong experience. If I have someone's special for me, then maybe you are the first," pag-aamin ni Drake.

"Drake..." mahinang tawag ni Maia.

"Kaya habang nandito pa tayo sa isla, sa'kin ka," obsessed na sambit ni Drake. "If I have to stole you from Oliver, then I will, I still lots of months to make you love me," nakangising saad ni Drake kay Maia.

Maia opens her mouth in amazed.

Obsessed. Kailan niya pa na-realized na gusto niya ako? Sasabihin ko ba sa kaniya na wala na kami ni Oliver? Paano nga ba umibig sa isang katulad ko si Drake Enderson?

Drake cravingly looking at her open mouth,

I feel like I'm going to drool looking at her lips closer like this, remembering what happened last night, I believe I can't just control this urge to kiss her again.

Drake moves closer to kiss Maia.

Maia widen her eyes nang ma-realized niyang parang wala sa katinuan si Drake, his eyes are focusing on her lips.

Para siyang tigreng uhaw sa labi ko. His eyes are lost.

Maia realized, Oh that's right. That's because I kissed him last night. I should tease him a little.

Malapit na ang mga labi ni Drake kay Maia, but she turns her head sideways, so Drake kisses her cheek.

"Amoy sigarilyo," nakangiwing sambit ni Maia.

Nang napansin ni Drake na hindi labi ang nahalikan niya agad siyang nag-step back, at dalawa nilang napansin ang pagtuloy ng laway niya.

"Eh?" Nanlalaki ang mga mata ni Maia sambit niya kay Drake.

"I- ahm..." he swallowed hard, his eyes are widen too, realizing such embarrassing moment of his life.

Ngumisi si Maia kay Drake, "Oooh... Looks who's drooling from who?" pang-aasar ni Maia.

Drake quickly bites his lips as he wipes the drool on his chin. "What can I say, I'm kinda hungry," sagot pa niya.

Biglang kinabahan si Maia sa narinig niya, tumawa siya ng may halong nerbyos, "Hungry?" patuloy niyang sambit.

Tama bang 'yun ang isagot ko? Hindi ba't parang mali?

Drake quickly grabs her waist as he pins her on the wall, "You kissed me like a pro. Mind to explain?" mahinang sambit ni Drake.

Umiwas ng tingin si Maia, pumunta siya sa kusina para siya na ang magpatuloy magpatuyo ng hinugasang pinggan ni Drake, to hide her expression.

"Well, my lips are not innocent, ganoon din sa kamay, so... that explains why," nahihiyang sagot ni Maia.

"Mind if I ask if that Oliver taught you how?" sabay sandal ni Drake sa pader, crossing his arms, examining Maia's body.

"Yes?" alanganing sagot ni Maia.

Do I have to tell him about Oliver? Unti-unti niyang nahahalungkat ang buhay ko. Slowly din na malalaman niya ang tungkol kay Oliver.

"You said, your last relationship lasted for four years, was that Oliver?" tanong ulit ni Drake.

Napasimangot si Maia looking at Drake, "Tanong ka ng tanong?" inis niyang sambit kay Drake.

"Why not? I want to know you more," sagot agad ni Drake.

"Then I'm not telling you anything," sabat ni Maia saka niya pinagpatuloy na patuyuin ang pinggan, slowly para iwasan niyang makatingin sa mga mata ni Drake.

"Is he your fiancé?" patuloy na tanong ni Drake.

No. "Yes," pagsisinunaling ni Maia.

"Ouch. Taken," straight face na sagot ni Drake still his eyes glued into her. "But that doesn't mean, ikakasal ka sa kaniya, right?" nakangising dagdag ni Drake.

"Why not? I love him, he loves me," pagsisinunaling na banat ni Maia testing Drake's answers.

"Fiancé pa lang naman, Maia. You're not literally married, yet. And that means, I still have time with you," makulit na sagot ni Drake.

Napahinto si Maia, sighs in frustration. He's acting childish in an instant. His obsession changing him, does he really charmed?

"Drake?" tawag ni Maia.

"Yeah?" sagot agad ni Drake.

"Do you love me?" prangkang tanong ni Maia, sabay tingin sa lalaki.

Drake stops for a minute, realizing what Maia just asked him. Do I love her?

"I- I like you," he said.

"Love and like are different, Drake. Kung gusto mo lang ako, then you might change your mind later," sabat ni Maia.

"I know," sagot ni Drake. "That- I don't know, yet," he said. He gets off and sits on the couch. "I'll let you know kung mahal nga kita," he said shyly.

"Kahit na ikakasal na ako sa iba?" Maia asks, looking at Drake na nakaupo sa sofa.

"Bakit? Papayag ka bang maging kabit ako? Are you letting me as your third wheel?" seryosong balik na tanong ni Drake sa kaniya.

"Okay lang sa'yo na maging kabit ka?" surprised na sambit ni Maia.

"Kung 'yun ay makakasama, then why not?" nakangising sagot ni Drake.

"How desperate are you to have me?" she asks again.

"Very," simpleng sagot ni Drake.

Ako nga ba ito? Ano ba 'tong pinagsasabi ko?

"You did this to me, and I already accepted na talo ako," seryosong sambit ni Drake. "I'm afraid that one day, na 'pag na-realize kong mahal na kita, I can't just let you go. And the fact that I'm afraid, after this game, bumalik ka sa Oliver mo at kalimutan mo na ako," he said seriously looking at her. "So, I'm sorry, but in this island, you're mine," nakangising dagdag pa ni Drake.

Natawang ngumisi si Maia,

Crazy, bobo, and childish... Drake, you're totally in love with me. Napaka-ikli ng one month pero masyadong madali mahumaling ang feelings mo. I like you, Drake. Nagseselos ako minsan, that's because ayaw kong masayang ang mga efforts natin para lang makaalis sa islang 'to.

"Is there any... chance that you- like me too?" tulalang tanong ni Drake while looking at the floor, nahihiya.

"I don't know," sagot agad ni Maia. "Let me think about it," dagdag pa niya. Then she walks in the bedroom.

Drake breathe out deeply.

I've been rejected.

He rests his head on the sofa, looking at the ceiling.

Napakatanga ko. Why do I acted like a crazy stalker na umamin ng feelings sa babaeng gusto niya? I even sounded so weird and stupid. I guess, this is what love can do. Akala ko dahil sa pagseselos niya kay Karina, mutual na kami. Umasa ako na kahit papaano may nararamdaman siyang kaunti para sa'kin.

Drake places his arm on his head, covering his eyes.

Kaya nga umabot ako ng Thirty two years old dahil sa takot ko sa ganitong bagay. 'Yung tipong may gusto ka sa tao but that person doesn't like you back? And now... I feel so stupid. Might as well act like it hanggang sa magkagusto siya sa'kin.

Drake grins to himself.

Maia sits on the bed, looking at the open closet.

Isn't a good idea that someone like Drake, nagkakagusto sa'kin? Malamang masaya na si Oliver sa babae niya ngayon, malamang wala na siyang feelings para sa'kin. Should I give Drake a chance? But there's deep inside of me saying there's a hidden scheme kay Drake. Dahil sa panloloko sa'kin ni Oliver, nahihirapan na akong magtiwala ulit. Siguro mas maganda para sa'ming dalawa to give ourselves a chance. No commitment, no regrets, I guess. Single siya, single ako, wala namang problema kung magkatuluyan man kami.

Nagulat si Maia nangmay kumatok sa pinto at bumukas iyon, si Drake na ibinungad ang ulo sa maliit na pungaw sa pinto.

"Can I sleep with you later?" tanong nito.

"Sabi mo sa salas ka matutulog?" biglang sagot ni Maia.

"Nagbago isip ko," nakangiting sagot ni Drake. Sabay tingin sa naka-open na closet. "Maliligo ka?" muling tanong nito.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Maia,

Ba't naman niya natanong 'yan?!

"No!" agad na sabat ni Maia.

"Sabay tayong maligo?" makulit na tanong ni Drake while smiling insultingly kay Maia.

Agad na sinunggab ni Maia ang unan at hinagis iyon sa pinto, "I said, no!" inis na bulalas ni Maia, narinig niya pang tumawa si Drake.

So this means, okay na kaming dalawa?

Inis na pumili si Maia ng damit, then she walks in the bathroom para maligo.

Seeing the footage earlier... Wala man lang akong naalala sa halikan namin kagabi? Was it good? How he responded to me? Was his lips that sweet?

Napakagat si Maia sa labi, trying to remember Drake's craving reaction kanina.

Sa pagdu-drool niya kanina, I can say na nagustuhan niya ang nangyari kagabi. He even looks so addicted to it. Ano bang ginawa ko kagabi? Dahil ba doon nagkagusto si Drake sakin ng ganoong kalala? Para tuloy akong nate-tempt na halikan siya ulit to figure out what happened last night.

Drake looks at the food na natira from lunch,

Hindi ba siya kumain? But this food is enough for us for dinner. Painitin ko na lang siguro.

He tried to open the stove pero napansin niyang ubos na ang gas.

Ah, sh*t. Kahoy na ang kailangan nito. Tsk. Maganda naman ang panahon kaya hindi basa ang kahoy, it's dried enough para makapaggatong ng maayos. Maybe I should build a kitchen sa backyard, na medyo malayo sa cabin para iwas sa usok. Magpapaturo muna ako ng carpentry. Magpapatulong ako bukas kina Jeff at Franklyn, o pwede rin kay tatang. I swear, 'pag nakauwi ako sa'min, dadalhan ko ng regalo si tatang, saka si manang.

Napaupo si Drake sa tapat ng dining table, nakasaluk-baba, looking at the closed door ng bedroom.

I feel kinda excited. I want to tease her more. More likely, I want to see her more. Matagal pa ba siya maligo? Hindi pa ako nakakaligo. Maybe I should totally quit smoking. Kaya lang naman ako naningarilyo kanina kasi galit ako.

Drake stands up and he slowly opens the bedroom door to see if Maia's done taking her bath. Pero wala siyang nakitang Maia sa bedroom.

Inaantok ako, siguro sa pagod ko sa pagputol ng kahoy kanina. I honestly want to sleep. Dito na muna ako sa salas matutulog.

Drake walks sa salas at humiga sa sofa. He closed his eyes.

Wala akong tulog kagabi dahil sa ginawa sa'kin ni Maia. Ngayon ako dinalaw ng antok. I really want to sleep tight, kaso baka... anong oras na ako magising.

Natapos ding naligo si Maia, she quickly put on her clothes at nag-ayos, she wants to look quite pretty for Drake pero paglabas niya ng bedroom, she saw Drake's head sa sofa, nakahiga.

Tulog siya?

Sumilip siya sa lalaki, and he soundly asleep.

Supladong bata kapag gising, anghel kung tulog. Sana lagi na lang siyang tulog.

Napatingin si Maia sa labi ni Drake, it's quite open.

Mukhang pagod. Saan kaya nagsibak ng kahoy at putol 'yung axe na dala niya? Grabe naman gumamit ng gamit ang isang 'to, nakakasira.

Maia looks at Drake's lips, focused.

How many girls have you kissed? Ako? Lahat natutunan ko kay Oliver. I admit, Oliver's a good kisser. Dahil hindi ko mabigay ang gusto niya, hanggang kiss ang kaya kong ibigay, pati na rin ang mga kamay ko.

Napatingin si Maia sa kaniyang mga palad.

These hands are sinners. Hanggang touching na lang yata ang magagawa ko. Kapag naging kami ba ni Drake, magagawa niya bang magtiis? He's a type of guy na anytime pwedeng mag-explode. But he can stop himself too based sa nakita kong footage. Do I have to test kung gaano niya mapipigilan ang sarili niya if I try to seduce him. Kapag ginawa ko 'yun baka pagsisihan ko. I honestly want him too, I even fantasizing his body next to me. Malala na yata utak ko. I trust him-

Maia bites her lip, agad na umalis ng salas to stop looking at Drake.

Ghad, Maia... What the hell are you thinking?

***

"Drake..."

"Hmm?"

"Drake!"

Drake slowly open his eyes, "Akala ko nanaginip na naman ako," Drake groans, mahinang sambit niya while looking at Maia na siyang gumising sa lalaki.

"Nagtimpla ako ng coffee tapos kumain ka na, wala ka nang maitutulog mamaya niyan," Maia said tapos tumayo na ito para pumunta sa dining table.

Bumangon naman si Drake, looks back at Maia na kumakain na sa hapag-kainan. Lumakad naman si Drake papunta doon and sits down at inunang humigop ng kape. As he blinks a frw times para i-recover ang visions niya ng maayos.

"Bukas, kailangan na nating magkahoy, magpapaturo ako bukas, gusto mo sumama?" Drake said, looking at his coffee then sips it again.

"Sure," sagot agad ni Maia, "Kumain ka na," anyaya niya sa lalaki.

"Talaga bang... nag-review ka pa ng footage para malaman mo kung ano nangyari kagabi?" tanong ni Drake looiing at Maia, raising his eyebrows.

"Bakit?" balik na tanong ni Maia.

"Siyempre, para sa'kin nakakahiya 'yun, noh," seryosong sabat ni Drake then sips another.

"Alam ko naman 'yun! Pero gusto kong makampante kaya ginawa ko 'yun!" offend ni Maia.

"Sabagay, what's the difference din naman. I'm sure they already seen what happened. Malamang free views din sila sa ibang couples na nagsisiping every night," saad ni Drake then put down his mug on the table. "But if you're going to ask me, kahit saang parte ng bahay, I would love to do it," nakangising sambit ni Drake, looking insultingly kay Maia.

"Do what?" hindi na-gets na tanong ni Maia.

"Netflix and chill?" parang obvious na sagot ni Drake.

"Ew!" agad na sabat ni Maia.

"Why not? As long as you both enjoying it, nothing else's matters," pilosopong sagot ni Drake.

"Kadiri ka! Kakapanood mo siguro ng p*rn 'yan!" nakangiwing sabat ni Maia, "Kadiri 'to nasa harap ng pagkain, eh," dagdag pa niya.

"Oo na," simpleng sagot ni Drake sabay kain ng pagkaing nakahain na sa pinggan niya.

Tahimik nilang natapos ang hapunan.

"Ako na ang maghuhugas," offer ni Maia.

"Great, maliligo ako," Drake smiles answered. Dumiretso na siya sa bedroom then to the bathroom para maligo.

Karamihan talaga sa mga virgins puro kadiri ang naririnig ko 'pag usapang adultery. Pero mas karamihan sa kanila ang wild pagdating naman doon. Deep inside, they really want to try para malaman nila kung ano sa pakiramdam. Sabagay, curiosity kills you. I wonder kung gaako ka-wild si Maia when it comes to that?

Drake frowns as he notices something in his south,

My little bud's getting excited again. Kung alam lang ni Maia kung gaano ako nagtiis kagabi. Muntik ko nang makalimutan lahat, and do what I want to do last night. Her kisses was so hot to the point na naa-adik ako hanggang ngayon. Kailangan ko yata siyang utakan.

Drake smiles widely while taking shower.

Mia sits on the couch, reading a book para magpaantok. The bedroom door opens then closed, lumakad si Drake papuntang salas at umupo katabi ni Maia.

"Maia..." Drake calls.

Maia tried her best to not look at Drake, focusing on her book, "What?"

"I keep thinking kung paano nga ba ako makakatikim ng kiss mo as my reward?" he said.

Maia frowns at him, doon niya na realized na nakasando ang loko, "Iyan pa rin ang topic natin?" inis niyang tanong kay Drake.

"Ayaw maalis sa utak ko, eh," pilosopong sagot ni Drake.

"Hampasin kita ng martilyo nang makalimutan mo-" inis na sabat ni Maia.

"Ayoko," sabat ni Drake. "How about I'll do the chores everyday, kapalit niyan, is... you kiss me before we go sleep?" nakangising suggest ni Drake.

Nakangiwing napatitig si Maia kay Drake ng masama, "Baliw ka na," prangka niyang sambit.

"Eh, kaninong kasalanan ba 'yun?" balik na banat sa kaniya ni Drake.

Maia stuns at him, she sighs frustratedly, "But-" putol na sagot sana ni Maia but Drake interrupted.

"You even blamed me, twice," sabay sign kay Maia ng two fingers. "Babaero at rapist, remember?" saad pa nito.

"bina-blackmail mo ba ako?" gigil na sabi ni Maia.

"No, I'm just telling the truth," sagot ni Drake. "You even said, I deserve your apology. Hindi pa kita napapatawad," nakangising dagdag niya sa babae.

Maia sighs, "Asa ka," nakataas ang kilay niyang sabi kay Drake.

"Papayag ka sa suggestions ko o hindi?" tanong ni Drake.

"Paano kapag sinabi kong hindi?" balik na tanong ni Maia, while putting the book on the coffee table.

"Then... siguro makikipag-palit tayo ng partner kina Travis at Jamaica," sagot agad ni Drake.

Nadiring napanganga si Maia sa sinagot si Drake, "Parang wala naman yata akong choice?!" bulalas ni Maia.

"You have," mabilis na sabat ni Drake.

Matalim na tumitig si Maia kay Drake,

How dare is this guy na ipitin ako in such choices. Mukha ngang natamaan na ng sobra ang lalaking 'to sa'kin. O baka naman, masiyado niya akong pinapanstasya?!

"If I kiss you right now, would you forgive me?" pagte-test na tanong ni Maia, whil she leans a bit forward.

"Sure," excited na sagot ni Drake.

"Why you're so desperate to kiss me that much?" curious na tanong ni Maia.

"I don't know, it's - just so good," honest na sagot ni Drake.

"How many girls you've kissed?" tanong muli ni Maia.

"I can't count. But I swear, I never had that kisses the way you've kissed me last night," parang batang sumagot si Drake agad.

"About sa suggestions mo, wala akkng choice kundi ang pumayag. Tutal may points din naman ang making out, tayo rin ang makikinabang," said Maia.

"Glad you said that," sabat ni Drake.

"Just making out," strict na saad ni Maia.

"I swear," sabay sign si Drake ng promise kay Maia.

"Okay," Maia answered, swallowed hard as she leans closer to Drake. "Close your eyes," utos niya.

Drake follows her, he closes his eyes.

Finally. I really want to kiss her again. The last time, she was drunk... Now I want to kiss the awake and normal Maia.

Maia moves closer as she sits on Drake's lap and put her arms around his neck. "No touching," she strictly said.

"Yes, Ma'am," mahinang sagot ni Drake as he rest his head sa sofa to look up at Maia.

Maia slowly moves her face closer as she reaches Drake's lips.

That electric feeling on my belly! His lips are so warm.

Maia notices his lips moves, kisses her frenchly. Napadiin ng pagyakap si Maia sa lalaki, responding kisses with Drake.

I can't think anything anymore.

Hindi napansin ni Maia ang mga kamay ni Drake on her waist puling her closer into him. He moves his hands on her legs caressing them tight.

So warm... I want more. I can feel myself getting tingly inside. Does this mean that I want more than this? Am I prepared?

They're both panting as soon as their lips departed, Drake quickly kisses Maia's neck, playing his tongue on it and suck her skin. Maia moans.

Her hands roam down on his chest, caressing them, then into his arm. She sits on Drake's lap, both leg spreading on his waist.

I can literally feel his manhood, Maia said into herself.

"You're hard," hinihingal na sambit ni Maia.

"Shut up," sagot ni Drake.

"Would you like me to touch it?" tanong ni Maia.

Drake stops, panting. Looking at her unbelievably. "Gusto mo ba?" he asked.

"I mean... My hands are not actually innocent?" sagot ni Maia.

"You sure?" paninigurado ni Drake.

"Very sure," sagot agad ni Maia. "In this way ko lang napapaligaya si Oliver, that's why," mahinang pag-oopen ni Maia.

Drake stops look at her sadly, "Please... Wala munang Oliver," nasasaktang sambit ni Drake. "I'm - not letting you to touch it," dagdag pa niya, nakasimangot na itong tumingin sa babae.

"May magagawa ka ba kapag nagawa ko na?" Maia teases him. Touching his hard manhood on his shorts, rubbing it with her fingertips. "Would you still try to hold back?" pang-aasar pa niya.

"I can!" bulalas ni Drake as he lay fown his head on Maia's chest, his face in wincing reaction feeling pleasured, breathe sharply. "Not here..." he whispered as he groans.

"Akala ko ba, kaya mong gawin ang Netflix and Chill, anywhere in the house?" pagpapa-alala ni Maia.

"Maia..." he calls.

"You like it?" she asks.

Drake didn't answer her but he hugs her tight. He finally moans.

Her hands are so warm, I can feel it to come. I should hold this back kung hindi kakalat 'to sa underwear ko!

Napangiti si Maia,

His reaction is so lovely, I love it. His moan sounds so sexy na parang gusto ko siyang pagbigyan. I personally love his reaction right now, na obvious na nag-eenjoy siya sa ginagawa ko.

Drake grabs her head to kiss her again, he slowly reaches Maia's hand on his and he moves her hand away. Agad na pumiglas si Maia sa ginawa ni Drake, nagtataka.

"Why not?" disappointed na tanong ni Maia.

Drake panting, "N- not here," nabubulol na sagot niya.

I honestly want her to do it, but- I feel like there's something wrong about me or is it I'm still bothering about kay Maia na taken siya?

"I insist," mahinang sabi ni Maia, touching his shoulder, caressing them.

"I said, not here," supladong sagot ni Drake. "Akala ko ba no touching?" pagre-remind ni Drake sa kaniya.

"Hoy! Baka nakakalimutan mong you broke the rule first," nakataas na kilay na offend ni Maia.

"Fine," mabilis na sagot ni Drake. He looks at Maia's eyes, their eyes met to each other.

For the first time I felt like I'm in a big trouble looking at those eyes. For the first time I felt I'm having a heart attack. Do I love her already?

"Do you... love me?" mahinang tanong ni Maia looking at his eyes.

"I don't know," mabilis na sagot ni Drake.

"Is this your first time?" tanon muli ni Maia.

"What first time?" curious na tanong ni Drake.

"First time mong ma-inlove," nakangising sagot ni Maia.

"Can you tell?" walang ideyang tanong ni Drake, wrapped his arm around her waist hugging her.

"I can tell," mabilis na sagot ni Maia. "I realized before that I look like this when I was fall in love with someone," pag-oopen ni Maia. "You're eyes are so deep," dagdag pa niya.

"Yeah?" simpleng sambit ni Drake.

"You look like a needy puppy," nakangising biro ni Maia.

"Needy- puppy?" sarcastic na tanong ni Drake.

Natawa si Maia, "Hindi nga ba? You even drooled to kiss me," pang-aasar ni Maia.

Drake huffs a smile at umiwas ng tingin, "That- it was accidental," nahihiyang sagot ni Drake kay Maia.

"You know, I really love the way your ears are getting red when you're shy," pag-aamin ni Maia. "Natural ba 'yan?" curious niya pang tanong.

"Mestiso kasi ako," pabirong sagot ni Drake.

"Ambisyoso," nanliliit mga mata ni Maia na sagot niya kay Drake.

"You think what happened to us is a good thing?" Drake asks.

"What do you mean?" curious na tanong ni Maia.

"I mean, 'yung nga tampuhan na 'di dapat mangyari?" Drake look at Maia.

"Eh?" Maia stunned at him, curious.

Where do I even start tungkol sa ganitong usapan? Sinusubukan niya bang pag-usapan namin ang ganitong bagay? If so, then... maybe he want to clear things out.

"First off, hindi naman talaga ako babaero. Magkaroon man ako ng babae, isang beses sa isang taon," pag-oopen ni Drake sa kaniya. "Wala akong panahong lumandi since I'm a busy person. Why you think umabot ako ng ganitong edad and yet I'm not settled?" dagdag pa niya.

"Akala ko lang pihikan ka," pag-aaming sagot ni Maia.

Drake huffs a smile, "That's what my brothers used to think. But my father thinks the other way," Drake said.

"Don't tell me he thinks you're gay," paghuhula ni Maia.

Drake laughs, "He did," natatawa niyang sagot.

"No way," natatawa ring sagot ni Maia.

"That's the reason why I'm here in this place... with you," sabay sabi ni Drake looking deeply at Maia's eyes again.

Maia deeply breathes,

Is he trying to make me slip my mouth and words to tell him everything about me?

"Let me ask you, nagkaroon nga ba kayo ng affair ni Karina?" tanong ni Maia.

Drake look at Maia for a few seconds.

I guess, she already knew. Matagal na niyang alam, malamang.

"She asked help, she told me that there's something wrong in their bathroom. I asked her kung nasaan 'yung partner niya, she answered me that he's in the Central," Drake said explaining everything what happened. "So I... go. She ambushed me in the bathroom and I swear nothing happened," dagdag pang sabi ni Drake.

"Nothing happened? Even making out with her?" paglilinaw ni Maia.

"Just making out," mabilis at honest na sagot ni Drake sa kaniya. "I swear, that's it."

"How about Jamaica?" Maia asks.

Napangunot ng noo si Drake, looking confusedly at Maia, "What about her?" tanong niya.

"I saw her hugging you, what was that all about?" prangkang tanong ni Maia.

Natawa si Drake, caressing Maia's leg as he looks up at her, "Oh, come on, now. She begged me na makipagpalit ng partner kay Travis," pag-aamin na sagot ni Drake kay Maia.

"Really?" 'di makapaniwalang sagot ni Maia.

"Yeah, I guess you already know what's their problem, so that's why," Drake said smiling at her.

"Yeah..." mahinang sagot ni Maia.

Drake grabs her head and kiss her, pecking. "I've been with you in a month," he said after he pecked her. "Para kang may trauma sa ganitong bagay," prangka niyang sabi.

Umiwas ng tingin si Maia, "Halata ba?" she asks shyly.

"Super," mabilis namang sagot ni Drake. "You hate Karina which is the third wheel. You even blamed me as a womanizer na ikinaiyak mo pa," Drake said logically. "Is it possible na biktima ka ng ganitong klaseng tao before?" tanong ni Drake.

Maia widen her eyes a little.

Why I feel that Drake is some sort of a detective that can investigate and solve the problem, anytime? Or ganoon lang talaga kalakas ang observation niya? His conclusions are even accurate. O baka naman ganoon lang talaga ako ka-obvious?

"Am I right? Is it Oliver?" straight forward na tanong ni Drake, looking at Maia observing her reaction.

Matagal na hindi nakasagot si Maia, she can't even look at Drake. Umalis siya sa mga lap ni Drake and sits on the couch beside him.

"Okay lang naman kung hindi ka pa handang sabihin sa'kin lahat. Probably for now, nasa move on state ka pa rin," Drake said while looking at the wall.

Maia look down at the floor,

Nakakakilabot na ang mga observation at mga hula niya.

"Eh, bakit nga ba hindi mo ako pinapansin noong araw na 'yun?" curious na tanong ni Maia.

"That day before we argued?" he asked.

"Yeah," mabilis na tugon ni Maia.

"It's because, akala ko magiging awkward ka sa'kin after kitang yakapin that night na kumidlat?" he honestly answered.

Napangiwi na lang si Maia sa mga narinig at nalaman niya ngayon, "I guess it's all my fault, then," mahinang sambit ni Maia, nahihiya.

Umakbay si Drake kay Maia, rest his head on the sofa, "It's okay, at least I know nagseselos ka," nakangising saad ni Drake sa kaniya.

"Huh?! Natutuwa ka pa niyan?!" confused na tanong ni Maia.

Natawa si Drake sa kaniya, "Syempre. Thinking that you're getting jealous, that only means that you love me," nakangisi pa ring sagot ni Drake.

"Ambisyoso!" nagba-blush na sambit ni Maia, sabay hampas sa balikat nito, natawa naman si Drake sa reaction niya.

"Inaantok na ako," ani ni Drake then he yawns.

"Matulog ka na," sagot ni Maia.

"Tabi tayo? Dapat yakap kita, ah?" nakangising sambit ni Drake kay Maia na biglang ngumiwi sa sinabi niya.

"Tumigil ka nga! Ayokong may katabi ako ngayong may ano ako!" nakasimangot na sagot ni Maia.

"May ano?" pilosopong tanong ni Drake.

"Alam mo na 'yun!" inis na sabat ni Maia.

"Ang alin nga?" natatawang tanong ulit ni Drake.

Hinampas ni Maia si Drake gamit ang kamay niya sa brasong nakaakbay sa kaniya, "Matulog ka na nga!" inis niyang utos kay Drake.

"Oo na!" natatawang sagot ni Drake, looking at Maia insultingly then he walks into their room.