A Kiss to Life

Chapter 25: Jerk

“Thank you for earlier,” I said as I put ointment at Noah’s cuts. He has two cuts in his lips and some scratches on his cheeks.

“I told you, you don’t have to thank me. It’s my duty to protect and fight for you,” he said.

I sighed. “Still, I want to thank you.” I breathed. “You could have just waited for me at the parking lot but you insisted on going upstairs. Napaaway ka pa tuloy.”

“I don’t regret going there and teaching that bastard a lesson. And if I were to be in a situation like that again, I would do what I did over and over again. I will not let anyone hurt you,” he said, holding my hand and kissing the back of it.

“I don’t want you to get in trouble just because of me.”

Noah smirked and pulled my chair coser to him. “I am willing to be in trouble if that means you will be safe and not hurt. You are my utmost priority.”.

“Hindi mo ako madadaan sa paganyan-ganyan mo, Noah. Nag-uusap pa tayo,” I told him. I’m done cleaning and putting ointment at his wounds and I want to talk now. Pero itong isang ito, umiiwas na naman.

I rolled my eyes. Dinadaan na naman ako ng isang ito sa paglalambing. This is one of the things I have noticed from Noah. Kapag ayaw niyang makipagtalo, idinadaan niya sa paglalambing ang usapan kay ang ending, nalilimutan ko na kung anong pinag-uusapan namin.

Pero hindi siya u-obra sakin ngayon. I want this issue clarified and settled.

“Nag-uusap naman tayo, ah?” he said.

“Pero hindi ka pa nangangako na hindi ka na makikipag-away ulit, lalo na kung hindi naman importante ang pag-aawayan.”

Noah scoffed. “Para mo na ring sinabinh hayaan ko na lang na away-awayin ka ng kung sino-sino lang.”

Getting frustrated, I rolled my eyes. “That’s not what I meant, okay? What I am trying to say is, do not let yourself get in trouble if it’s about–” I was cut off from my words when Noah’s lips crushed mine.

“Noah!” I pushed him away, annoyed that he’s taking this lightly.

But this guy just chuckled and cupped my face. “Baby, I cannot do what you are asking me. I cannot promise ignoring things like that. I will fight for you. I will protect you no matter what it takes or whatever circumstances it might be.”

“I don’t want you to get hurt again,” I said, my eyes getting moist.

Noah smiled and gave me a peck on my lips. “I am willing to risk everything for you, baby,” he said before kissing me again. “I love you so much,” he said between our kisses.

“I love you, too, so much,” I answered, feeling my defeat by kissing him back the same way he is kissing me.

I squalled when Noah suddenly yanked me from his study chair and put me on his lap, making me sit astride him.

“Better,” he said before kissing me again.

“I thought we are not going to do inappropriate things, hmm?” I asked when he pulled away to breathe.

“I said I might,” he answered, licking his lower lip.

“You also said you were just teasing me?” I asked again, catching my breath.

Noah grinned and started raining kisses to my face; from my cheeks, nose, eyes, down to my jaw, until it reached my neck. “I lied, I’m sorry,” he said, planting soft kisses on my neck.

“You know how to lie now, huh?” I said, tilting my head to give him more access to my neck. “Don’t leave a mark, please.” I added when he started sucking on my skin.

Noah groaned and his hand unbuttoned the first button of my polo blouse, exposing my collar bones and cleavage.

“Can I put one here?” he asked hoarsely, pointing to the skin just above my left boob.

Intoxicated with this unfamiliar feeling he’s giving me, I nodded. “Yeah.” I said. Hearing that, Noah immediately started sucking it.

“Noah…” I moaned his name, putting my hand behind his head and grasping on his hair, getting lost from the sensation he is giving me.

Noah’s left hand was placed on my nape, while his right hand was on my lower back, preventing me from falling from his lap.

“Gorgeous,” he said after, looking at the art he put on my skin and tracing it with his finger.

I watched him do that and I cannot deny how hot my boyfriend looked with that fascinated expression.

I now understand what he said the other day about knowing when’s the right time when it comes to doing that deed. And this is it. I can feel that this is the right time to do that.

“Noah…” I called him.

“Yes–” I crushed my lips to his, cutting him from speaking.

“Baby… Ugh~” He groaned when I started grinding on his lap. His hands held me on my waist, stopping me from moving.

“No,” he said. His brows were furrowed as if he's having a hard time.

“Huh?” I asked, confused as to why he’s stopping me.

“You cannot do that, baby,” he said.

“Why?” I asked again.

I wasn’t that innocent. I read books and watched movies, plus, Ycca. She had told me almost all of her rendezvous with men that this isn’t new to me anymore.

“We’re in your parents house, baby. Your father will kill me once he finds out what we're doing,” he said.

I creased my brows. “Why would he find out?”

Noah shook his head and licked his lower lip. “We cannot do this here, please, baby.”

“Then, where?” I asked.

“Baby…” he called, sighing.

“Should we check in next time?” I asked more.

“Amaris, Jesus Christ!” he blurted, scoping me out from his lap and putting me to his bed. He stood after. “I’m really going to be killed by your father,” he then said, frustrated.

“Noah,” I called him. “I want to do it now,” I told him and he almost fainted hearing that. His mouth was ajar when he sat on his study chair.

“We cannot do that here and now, baby,” he said.

“But I want to do it now,” I insisted. He cannot lead me on and drop in the end!

“Amaris,” he called, reaching for my hand and holding it tight. And the way he took a very deep breath, I knew he’s firm with what he said.

Rolling my eyes, I pulled my hand and stood from his bed. “Pakibalik na lang ng first aid kit sa restroom. Aakyat na ako sa kwarto ko,” I said and started walking out of his room, but he was fast to catch me.

“Baby,” he started but I raised my hand, stopping him from saying anything.

Glaring, I said, “You cannot lead me on then tell me to stop in the end, Noah. You’re such a jerk for doing that.”

His mouth hung open hearing me said that but I am too annoyed to take it back. So, instead, I pushed him aside and left his room without turning back.

I was so mad. I mean, who wouldn't?

He led me on. Make feel all those emotions, then what? He stopped and told me we cannot do it?

Like, what the hell?

“Ugh! Bahala ka dyan!” I said, tossing my phone inside my bedside table’s drawer. Noah has been calling me since I left his room and I ignored all of them.

I slept right after doing my night routine, not bothering to answer his calls.

I woke up the next day with a hundred plus missed calls and text messages from him. Meron din sa messenger at i********:.

[I’m sorry, baby. Please don’t be mad.]

[Baby, please answer my calls.]

[Baby, can we talk?]

[Baby…]

[Are you sleeping already? I’m sorry, baby.]

[Good morning, my love! Are you still sleeping?]

[Can we talk later, baby?]

[Please don’t be mad already.]

Few of his text messages. I ignore those again and just do my morning routines. I went downstairs at around 9:30 am. It’s Saturday today and surely, I will be alone in the dining room again.

“Kakain ka, ‘nak?” Nanay asked and nodded.

“Cereal na lang po.”

“Ay, sige. Sandali at kukunin ko.”

“Ako na po, nay.” I stopped her. Pumayag naman siya at hinayaan akong asikasuhin ang sarili kong almusal. I ate in silence after.

I am not in the mood for anything right now, but I don’t want to stay at home. I want to avoid Noah for a while, but it is not because I am still mad or annoyed at him. It’s me. I want to avoid him after realizing how poorly I reacted last night.

He’s right. We cannot do anything inappropriate here, this is still my parents house. Also, I promised dad that Noah and I will not be a PDA, and what I was asking Noah last night is more than being a PDA.

Gosh. That was so embarrassing.

“Are you busy?” I called Kenzie.

“Not really. We’re just finalizing the wedding details,” she answered.

“Is there anything I could help with?” I asked.

“Hmm. Actually, we’re planning to prepare our DIY wedding souvenirs.”

“I will help,” I volunteered.

“Aren’t you busy?”

“Study break, Kenz.”

“Alright. What time are you coming over?”

“I’ll be there in an hour,” I said. “Is there anything you want me to bring? Pizza?”

“Pizza will do. Orrin’s cooking for lunch, kaya dito ka na mag lunch,” she said.

“Okay. I got to go to prepare now,” I said, ending the call. I went back to my room after washing the utensils I used for breakfast.

It only took me fifteen minutes to prepare before getting out of my room again. Nakasalubong ko pa si Mason pababa ng hagdan.

“Aalis ka?” he asked, brows creased.

I nodded. “I’m going to Kenzie’s.”

“Kuya Noah’s asking for you. Hindi mo pa ba siya nakakausap?”

I shook my head.

“He’s in the garage. Cleaning your car,” he added.

“Okay,” I answered and started climbing down the stairs.

“Did you two fight?” he asked, stopping me from leaving. Mason shrugged seeing me just arched my brow. “I see. No wonder why he looks like that today,” he added before turning his back. He headed straight to his room.

Nagkibit balikat na lang din ako at nagpatuloy sa pagbaba. Dumiretso na agad ako sa garahe at tulad nga ng sinabi ni Mason, Noah’s here, cleaning my car.

I sighed. “Are you not done cleaning that yet?” I asked, brows creased.

Surprised by my sudden appearance, Noah turned to me and asked, “May lakad ba tayo ngayon?”

“We don’t, but I have. So? Matatapos mo na ba ‘yan agad?” I said.

“Kakasimula ko palang, pero kung makakapaghintay ka, tatapusin ko na agad. Para masamahan na rin tuloy kita,” he answered.

I rolled my eyes and said, “Nevermind. I will just use another car.” I turned my back, ready to go back inside our house to get another car’s key, but Noah’s fast that he caught my hand the moment I turned my back.

“Galit ka pa rin ba?” he asked.

I rolled my eyes again and pulled my arm from him, crossing it to my chest as I looked at him. Now I understand what Mason meant about Noah’s appearance today.

This guy looked restless with those black circles under his eyes.

“Baby…” he called again seconds later and I still didn't speak. His eyes are full of concerns and worries.

“I don’t want to speak with you yet, Noah,” I told him and he gasped.

“I’m sorry,” he said immediately. “Huwag ka nang magalit, please? Hindi ko na uulitin.”

I stared at him and shook my head. I don't have any other words to say to him. I don’t know what I should say that I just chose to turn my back and leave. I returned my car keys to the place where we put the keys for all of our cars and took another one.

“Ihahatid na kita,” Noah said immediately when I went out again.

“No need. I can drive,” I said, walking to dad’s Mercedes-Benz.

“Hindi naman ako sasama sa pupuntahan mo, ihahatid lang kita tapos hihintayin na umuwi. Maghihintay lang ako sa sasakyan,” he insisted.

I sighed and faced him. “I said no, Noah. Can’t you understand that?”

“Baby…” he called sadly.

I shook my head. “Just stay here and review for your exams,” I told him.

“Tapos na ang finals namin,” he said, looking so sad and… hurt.

It hurt me too, but I’m too embarrassed.

“I’m getting late already,” I said as I opened the Benz’s door, I hopped inside without saying any other words to him.

I drove off after.