CHAPTER SEVEN : THE DEA [P2]
1469 Words
Lexie's Point of View
He shrugged, casually tucking his hands into the back pockets of his jeans. "I'm just killing time. Sobrang boring sa island."
I tilted my head, eyeing him suspiciously. "You're not stalking me, are you?"
A smirk tugged at his lips—confident, almost teasing. "Nope. Why would I?"
I narrowed my eyes at him. "Ang weird lang kasi na nagkita tayo today—out of all places."
His smirk widened. "Ah, yes, of course. Considering you've been purposely avoiding me since the wedding."
Napakurap ako, feeling my cheeks heat up at his bluntness. He wasn't wrong. Pero syempre, di ko na aaminin 'yon. Instead, I straightened up and met his gaze. "I just don't think we need to be friends," I said with a small, apologetic smile. "No offense."
I expected him to get offended or annoyed, but instead, the corner of his mouth twitched in amusement. "Me too. I don't want to be friends with you either."
Napanganga ako. What? I swear, this guy was impossible to read. "Then why the hell have you been blowing up my phone these past few days? If you don't want to be friends, bakit ka makulit?"
His lips stretched into a slow grin. "Because I'm not offering you friendship, Lex. It's something else entirely. Have you forgotten?"
I blinked, caught off guard. "Huh? Akala ko joke mo lang 'yon."
He leaned in slightly, voice dropping into something more serious. "I'm dead serious, Lexie. Kung gusto mong makalimutan 'yang unrequited love mo for my cousin, you need a distraction. And I think I'm the perfect guy for the job."
I scoffed, crossing my arms. "First of all, it's Lexie, not Babe."
He just shrugged. "Told you, I don't like that name. Doesn't suit you."
Napairap ako. "Wow, rude. Sige, call me whatever you want. Pero sa offer mo? No, thanks. Sleeping with you once didn't help me forget Luke. I still felt the same about him when I woke up."
Something in his expression shifted—his jaw tightened, his smirk vanishing. "Sino ba naman ang makakalimot sa isang lalaki sa isang beses lang? If you really want to forget Luke, then you need to keep me in your bed for a while—"
Napalaki ang mata ko, and before he could finish, I slapped a hand over his mouth. "Lower your voice, please! Ano ba?! Ang daming tao! Nakakahiya!"
He chuckled against my palm before gently prying my hand away. "Then let's fix that problem," he said easily. In one swift motion, he took the designer paper bag from my grasp with one hand while his other hand latched onto mine. "Tara, let's have lunch. I know a great place."
"Excuse me?! Saan mo nakuha 'yung idea na gusto kitang makasabay kumain?" I protested, tugging at my hand, but he didn't let go. "Besides, I need to go home. Busy ako."
He ignored me, effortlessly leading me toward a restaurant. "Perfect. We're here."
Bago ko pa siya matulak palayo, he pulled out a chair for me and gestured for me to sit. Napatulala na lang ako sa bilis ng pangyayari. Before I could react, nakaupo na ako sa harap niya.
"I recommend the seafood or their, but feel free to choose whatever you like. My treat."
I forced a fake smile. "FYI, wala pa akong consent na kumain with you."
He leaned back, completely unfazed. "But we're already here, at one of the best tables. Sayang naman kung aalis ka pa. Besides, who can resist authentic Greek food?"
Napailing ako, rubbing my temple. "Uulitin ko lang—why are you doing this? We literally just met at the wedding. Bakit mo pinipilit na tulungan akong makalimutan si Luke? Normally, guys wouldn’t even care."
He finally took off his sunglasses, revealing striking ocean-blue eyes. He shrugged like it was the simplest thing in the world. "Because I want to."
Napakunot-noo ako. "That's it? Wala nang ibang dahilan? I mean... why sleep with someone like me when you could have any sophisticated woman you want?"
A smirk ghosted over his lips. "Let's just say I'm taking a break from those kinds of women for now."
I raised a skeptical brow. "Possible ba 'yon?"
"Of course."
I fidgeted with my fingers on the table. "Still, this doesn't feel right. The last thing I want is for a guy to sleep with me out of pity. My pride won't accept that."
His blue eyes darkened, gaze pinning me in place. "Who said anything about pity, Babe? That's the last thing I feel for you."
I swallowed, suddenly feeling warm under his stare. "Akala ko ba you don't do relationships?"
"I don't."
I leaned in slightly, lowering my voice so no one else would hear. "So what exactly are you offering me? An illicit affair?"
Something flared in his gaze—hot, intense, and a little dangerous. "Yes. Kung seryoso kang kalimutan ang pinsan ko, then take my offer. I promise, you won’t regret it. And I’ll make sure you forget Luke."
Napakagat ako sa ibabang labi, nag-aalangan. Alam kong mali ito—at sinasabi na ng matinong bahagi ng isip ko na dapat ko siyang tanggihan agad. Pero sa ikinagulat ko, may isang maliit na bahagi ng sarili kong kinokonsidera ang alok niya, kahit na malinaw namang masama itong ideya.
I swallowed, then met his gaze. "And what exactly do you get out of this… ?" tanong ko, tinutukso ang sarili kong marinig ang sagot niya.
He leaned against the table, resting his chin on his hand while looking at me—like I was the only woman that mattered in his eyes. "You."
It felt like my heart suddenly went wild inside my chest. Of course, he only wanted my body—nothing more. I reminded myself.
I let out a laugh, but even I could hear how forced it sounded. "Well, yeah, of course. Silly me."
He picked up his glass of water and took a sip, as if hiding the smirk on his lips. "So, what do you say? Are you going to accept my offer?"
Umiling ako nang may bahid ng pagsisisi. "I'm not sure about this. Kakakuha ko lang ng job sa New York, and in a few weeks, lilipat na ako sa America habang ikaw, nasa Monte Carlo pa rin. Do you really think a long-distance fling would work? Wouldn’t it be better if I just started dating an American guy instead?"
Biglang dumilim ang ekspresyon niya. "Try it."
He raised an eyebrow at my reaction. "Why? Do you think they won’t even give me a second glance?"
"On the contrary, I think they’ll fight like dogs for your attention." May bahid ng inis sa tono niya, halatang hindi niya gusto ang ideya.
I smirked, teasing him. "You don’t seem to like the idea?"
"No. I don’t. And I will not let that happen."
Napangiti ako nang bahagya sa nakasimangot niyang mukha, pero bigla akong may naalala. "May I ask you a question?"
Mabilis siyang tumango, kasabay ng isang mapang-asar na ngiti. "Sure. Anything for you, Lexie." Bumalik ang pang-aakit sa tingin niya.
I shot him a sharp look before my lips curled in irritation. "Do you have any plans on returning the underwear you stole from me?"
It felt unsettling to think that something so personal was in his hands. I had never heard of a man stealing the underwear of a woman he had slept with.
A lazy smirk curved on his lips. "Finders keepers, Miss Vargani. I found it, then I shall keep it. Think of it as a souvenir from you."
I shook my head, trying to look serious, but I couldn’t stop the smile tugging at my lips. "You know what? I will think about this affair you’re offering me… if you return my underwear. How’s that?"
His blue eyes gleamed with mischief. "Are you sure?"
I knew I was treading dangerous waters, but I couldn’t deny that I was enjoying his presence. Who knows? Maybe he really could help me forget Luke. After all, I wasn’t used to being around someone like him—a certified playboy. But from the very beginning, his intentions were clear. He made no promises of love—only a simple, no-strings-attached affair.
And I had already proven to myself that I could sleep with a man I didn't love.
Tingnan natin kung saan ako dadalhin ng kabaliwang ito.
"Yeah," sagot ko,As if accepting the challenge.. "I will even give you the address of my apartment in New York so you can visit me whenever you want."
"Deal!" mabilis niyang sagot, halatang nasasabik.
Napatawa ako sa sigla niya. "Very well, Mr. Veltran . We have a deal."
Hindi ko alam na ito pala ang magiging simula ng isang rollercoaster ride sa buhay ko.
- Writer
