Not Until You

Chapter 10

Juniper’s POV

Handa ba ako? I know I’m ready. Yeah, I can smile. I can stay calm. I can talk to him. Look at him. I can pretend he’s just… anyone— kundi lang alam kong delikado.

But I’m not ready… hindi ako ready for whatever might happen if he sees me. If he’s going to see the part of me I’ve been hiding. If he senses the secret I’m not supposed to let anyone know. If he remembers the woman who saved him that night. Alam kong nakita niya ako that night, but knowing his state, may posibilidad na hindi niya totally maalala ang buong mukha ko.

My heart’s racing—not just because of the flutter, but because every glance, every word from him could unravel the careful control I’ve built.

And even if I’m ready with my face, ready with my smile… I’m not ready for how he might change everything I thought I had under control.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart. I could feel his eyes before I even looked up.

“You’re quiet,” he said, his voice low, casual… pero may intensity na parang kayang basahin ang bawat iniisip ko.

“Paano ako makakapagsalita kung hindi mo ako pinapatapos?” diretso kong sambit.

Bahagyang nanlaki ang mata niya at ako rin. Hindi ko inaasshan na lalabas iyon sa bibig ko na para bang hindi isang Mayor ang kaharap ko.

“I’m sorry–”

“No, it’s okay!”

Nailing ako at mas pinagana na lang ang utak. Kailangan kong mas kumalma at mag-isip, kung aakto ako na para bang may tinatago talaga ako ay baka mas mahalata niya at baka maging katapusan ko na. I should act like a normal person.

“No– I’m sorry. Nanggugulat ka kasi,” mahina ko na lang na sambit. “Akala ko kung sino na,” dagdag ko pa, halos hindi ako makatingin sa kanya.

Inikot ko ang mata sa paligid para tingnan kung may kasama siya. Kami lang dalawa ang andito sa labas.

“I didn’t bring any bodyguards with me… just my long time personal driver,” aniya na para bang nabasa niya agad ako.

Nailing ako at napahilot sa sentido. “Lagi ka bang umaalis na wala pong bodyguard? Hindi ba nasa protocol niyo na dapat 24/7 may kasama. ”

Naglagay na ako ng ‘po’ para naman hindi ako masyadong halata.

Bahagya siyang natawa. Kinuha ko ang pagkakataon na yun para sumilip sa loob ng Velvet & Vine, iilan lang ang tao at busy sa kani-kanilang ginagawa. Mukhang galing naman na siya sa loob at mukhang siya ang tinutukoy ni kuyang guard kanina.

“They were here with me earlier but I told them na mag uwian na after nila kumain.” May tinuro siya sa loob na lalaki at nakamasid sa amin. Umiwas ako ng tingin. “I still have my personal driver with me,” pagpapaliwanag niya.

“What drink would you like to drink?” I asked him, para lang maiba na ang topic at matapos na ito.

Binuksan ko na ang glass door at dumire-diretso na sa area ko. Binati ako ng mga staff at nginitian ko lang sila. Binati rin nila si River… as Mayor.

“They’re calling you ‘Ma’am’—”

“Ma’am and Sir po talaga tawagan namin dito,” palusot ko. “I’d recommend the velvet night,” dagdag ko pa habang sinusuot yung apron ko.

Wala akong balak na maging bartender ngayong gabi. Ang plano ko lang ay kumain at magmasid sa Velvet & Vine, hindi yung aabot sa ganito. Ramdam ko ang pag vibrate ng phone ko sa bulsa at alam ko na kung sino iyon. Sielo.

Hindi ko iyon pinansin at ipinagpatuloy ang pagkuha ng mga gagamitin para sa inumin ng lalaking nasa harapan ko.

“This is different from what I served the last time you were here. The base is dark chocolate milk with cinnamon and a pinch of smoked sugar.”

He chuckled.

“No alcohol for tonight, huh?” aniya.

Umismid ako, still not looking at him directly, segundong sulyap lang ang ginagawa ko. “Velvet & Vine offers a wide variety of drinks to suit different tastes, which is why customers keep coming back—not just for the cocktails. Look at you?”

Narinig ko ang mahinang pagtawa niya. “You’re right.. and I guess, I’ll keep coming back here.”

Napairap ako at inilagay na sa harapan niya ang drink niya. “Velvet night for you, Mayor.” I smiled, “Enjoy.”

He smiled sweetly, iyong ngiti na nakikita ko kapag kaharap niya ang mamamayan na pinagsisilbihan niya. Iyong ngiti na walang bahid ng kung anong kasamaan. Isang tunay at natural na ngiti na alam mong hindi labag sa loob niya.

He clicked tongue. “Just call me River, it’s been a long day for me. Wala na ako sa city hall,” kaswal niyang sambit.

Bahagya akong nailing. “Still, you’re a Mayor. Whatever happens here, you are Mayor River.”

Nakita ko pagtitig niya sa akin na para bang may mali sa sinabi ko. “Respect should go both ways, and there are still boundaries. You’re above me Mayor and I respect that.”

Nakita ko ang gulat sa mukha niya. “You– ah, yes, you–,” sandali siyang natahimik at napainom sa inumin.

Kinuha ko ang pagkakataon na iyon para kumuha ng isa pang baso para naman sa inumin ko. I don’t have plans to drink, pero dahil na nagaganap ngayon ay parang gusto ko uminom ng alak para pag-uwi ay makatulog agad.

He keeps talking to me like we’re close—like we’re friends. And I hate that. I know he’s the Mayor. People feel at ease around him because he’s familiar, he has the power, and because people around him like him.

But I’m not everyone else. I’m not part of that comfort. I need to treat him differently. I need him to see me differently.

There are lines I keep for a reason—lines he doesn’t see. And if he won’t respect them on his own, then I’ll make sure he understands where they are. Ako ang magpaparamdam sa kanya. Uunahan ko na siya. I’m not like his people.

“I just want to feel normal tonight. No cameras, no meetings, no people asking me for things. Today was… a lot. I just want to sit here and relax without thinking about that title,” he blurted out with a chuckle, but I knew even if I didn't see his face, it felt like it didn't reach his eyes.

Napatigil ako sa paghalo ng inumin ko pero hindi pa rin ako tumitingin sa kanya.

“Is that even allowed, or do I need permission for that too?” he added.

When I lifted my head to look at him, our eyes met.

He was looking at me like I was supposed to be the place where that could happen.