MY PRETEND BOYFRIEND

Chapter 39

Sophia Laurel was deep in thought, her imagination running wild, until David Horan's voice broke through the silence. Kahit gaano pa kaingay at kalasing ang mga kaibigan nila, the two of them were in their own little bubble, teasing each other endlessly.

"Well, bakit mo ko tinititigan?" Sophia asked, raising an eyebrow at David.

"Eh kasi I can’t see clearly. Kailangan kong mag-focus. If I can see you clearly, I won’t need to stare for too long," David answered with a playful grin.

Sophia rolled her eyes, feeling the urge to smack him. Napaka-childish talaga nito.

"Eh bakit ako lang ang tinititigan mo? Your friends are right in front of you. Tingnan mo rin sila," she countered.

But David leaned closer, his face just inches from hers. She could feel his warm breath brushing against her neck, sending shivers down her spine.

"Pwede ba kitang halikan?" he asked casually, his voice low.

"Ewan ko sa’yo!" Sophia snapped, her cheeks flushing.

"I really want to kiss you," David teased again.

"Shut up," she muttered, avoiding his gaze.

"Bakit ang cute mo?" he added with a smirk.

"I’m pretty, not cute," Sophia corrected him, crossing her arms. As a university cheerleader, she had confidence to spare, but David's words always seemed to throw her off.

"Are you starting to like me now?" David asked, his tone teasing but his eyes serious.

Sophia didn’t answer, refusing to meet his gaze. It’s only been a week—how can I even think about answering that?

"If you’re my lover, I promise I’ll lick you from your shadow to your toe," he added with a mischievous grin.

Sophia froze. "What?! Ang bastos mo!" she exclaimed, her voice rising.

David chuckled. "Your friend Yvonne taught me these lines to tease you. Mukha namang effective."

Putangina talaga. She glared at him, torn between wanting to laugh and strangle him. This guy was impossible—serious one second, playful the next.

Out of nowhere, Roble stood up, raising his glass dramatically. "Guys, before we get drunk hanggang mamatay, let’s do an activity. This is the culture of Roble the pogi style!" he announced proudly.

Sophia stared at him, unimpressed. Parang tanga lang talaga.

"This is something we do at every party!" Roble continued.

David leaned close to Sophia and whispered, "It’s their usual activity. Makikita mo na lang."

Sophia groaned inwardly. Why does this sound like trouble?

Roble cleared his throat. "Welcome, everyone! I’m John Roble, not the other guy. Tonight, I’ll talk about my new friends—Sophia, Katherine, and Yvonne. Welcome to the Association of Pogi and Mabango Men of All Time!"

Sophia rubbed her temples. What kind of nonsense is this?

Roble turned to her and grinned. "Sophia, to be honest, noong una kitang nakita, hindi kita nagustuhan. You looked so arrogant, parang feeling mo ang ganda-ganda mo."

Her jaw dropped. "Excuse me?"

"But now that I know you," Roble continued, his grin widening, "I realize na hindi ka lang maganda—you’re cute, too!"

Everyone cheered and clinked their glasses, laughing at Sophia’s reaction. Roble returned to his seat, throwing her an annoying flying kiss.

Boss Dim took his turn next. "Yvonne, ikaw ang admin ng ‘Must-Try Food that Doesn’t Taste Good but It’s Cheap’ page. It’s terrible... but I like it."

Another round of laughter and cheers erupted. Sophia couldn’t help but crack a smile despite herself.

Then it was David’s turn. Standing up with his usual calm demeanor, he looked straight at Sophia.

"Sophia..."

"Awww! Wheeew!" their friends teased, hyping up the moment.

David ignored them, his gaze never leaving hers. "I’m so happy."

The room erupted into laughter and groans.

"s**t, David! That’s so corny!" Roble yelled, clutching his stomach from laughing too hard.

David just shrugged, returning to his seat with a small smirk. Sophia, on the other hand, could barely keep her composure.

Then Big stood up, clearly ready to stir more chaos. "Sophia, my friend David is the most possessive guy I know. He’s stingy with his shoes, his guitar, and everything that belongs to him. Kaya siyempre, stingy din siya sa’yo."

The teasing was relentless, and Sophia’s cheeks burned as everyone’s eyes turned to her. David, however, just sat there with his usual poker face, as if none of it mattered.

"Dude, she already knows," Big added, grinning.

"Knows what?" Sophia asked, flustered.

"Na possessive siya," Big said with a wink.

David leaned over, his hand brushing against Sophia’s hair. "Act like a child, ewan," Sophia muttered, reaching out to pinch his cheek in retaliation.

The party continued late into the night, the atmosphere loud but strangely comforting. And though Sophia found the chaos overwhelming, she couldn’t deny the warmth she felt with David by her side.