Him

There's just something about the fact that he... moved on from his first love.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit. Bakit parang ang saya-saya ko?

I shouldn't!

But then I found myself teasing him every chance I get. It's just... the flush on his face that made me want to tease him more. Para siyang... hindi ko alam! I just enjoyed it!

"Iwan mo na siya, Jericho! Natatae nga sabi, eh!" I glared at Jericho when they fought again.

"Hindi na ako naniniwalang natatae siya!"

"Ano? Gusto mo suntukan?" Si Ci sabay hakbang palapit kay Jericho.

"Tingnan mo! Hindi 'yan natatae!" Si Jericho.

I elbowed Ci so he sighed loud. "Natatae nga!" Iritado niyang sabi sabay sama ng tingin sa akin.

I bit my lower lip to stifle a smirk. Jericho glared at him but in the end, he stepped back and sighed.

"Mabaho siguro tae mo!" He hissed before he banged the door loud.

Hindi ko na napigilan ang malakas kong halakhak. Nasira ang mukha ni Ci dahil doon. He glared at me but I continue to laugh—

"Ow! Ang sakit no'n!" Reklamo ko nang tumama ang sapatos niya sa ulo ko, pakiramdam ko nagiba ang utak ko dahil doon.

"Tumahimik ka!" He glared at me, I smirked and grabbed his shoe on my lap.

His shoe seemed so small. Maliit siguro ang paa niya. I stood and slowly went to the glaring Ci. This is the second time I'm doing this and I don't know why.

Lumuhod ako sa harapan niya at ibinalik ang sapatos na hinagis sa akin. I stared at his small feet for a while.

"What's your shoe size?" I asked.

"Thirty-eight." 

Thirty-eight... I know someone with the same size.

I snapped and shook my head. Tumayo ako at bumuntong-hininga. Ci might be tall but I'm taller. Hanggang balikat lang ang taas niya kaya hindi ko mapigilang matuwa sa tuwing pinoprotektahan niya ako. He's small and even though he shields my body with his, I'm still tall, my face can still be targeted. But the fact that he's still trying...

Ano bang iniisip mo, Hendrik?!

"Bakit?"

Doon ko napagtantong natulala na pala ako sa mukha niya! Nag-iwas ako ng tingin at namumulang tinalikuran siya. Hindi ko maintindihan bakit ako nahihiya!

Umupo ako sa swivel chair at nagpanggap na may ginagawa sa computer kahit na ang buong atensyon ko ay nasa kaniya.

"Ci." I called minutes later.

"Hmm?"

I sighed. Sometimes his voice can be deep, but most of the time, when he's off guard, his voice sounded... soft... a little... feminine.

Snap it, Hendrik! Bakit ang dami mong napapansin sa kaniya ngayon?!

"Wala..." I scrunched my nose and turned to google search.

How to know you're not straight.

I gasped when I realized what I searched for! Bago ko pa ma-press ang enter ay kaagad ko nang in-exit ang google.

Of course I'm straight! Bakit kailangan tanungin iyon?!

Then I realize the reason behind the confusion. Dahan-dahan akong nag-angat kay Ci na nakakunot na ang noo sa akin. Siguro ay nagtataka dahil sa singhap ko kanina. I gulped and slapped myself. It can't be!

"Huwag mo ngang sinasaktan ang sarili mo." Iritado niyang sabi.

I cleared my throat and sit up straight. Kinuha ko ang telepono at kaagad na tinawagan si Jericho.

"Oh! Na-realize mo na na kj 'yang bodyguard mo?!" Bungad niya sa kabilang linya.

"When... when will I meet Drizzy?" I asked, wanting distraction.

"Oh..." Dahan-dahang tumawa si Jericho kaya kumunot ang noo ko. "Na-miss mo na kaagad? Kakakausap mo lang kahapon ah!" Asar niya pa.

"Just tell me. Sabi mo magdi-dinner siya ngayon sa bahay?" Nagtaas ako ng kilay.

"Oo! Tatawagan ko na! Alam mo na, babae, matagal talaga 'yan lalo't ang dami pang kolorete!"

"Okay... just tell me if she needs a driver or a horse." I said before I ended the call.

Ci's usual glare welcomed me the moment I put the phone down. Nagpanggap akong hindi siya nakikita. I typed something on my computer absentmindedly.

Is it possible to like someone in the same gender even when you know you're straight?

I gasped again. Ano bang nangyayari sa akin! I turned off the computer and rested my head against the head's chair.

"Singhap ka nang singhap." Si Ci.

I need to change bodyguard! It should not be Ci!

"Tawagin mo si Angelo." Seryoso kong sabi, nakapikit pa rin.

"Bakit?"

"Tawagin mo lang."

He sighed loud before I heard the door closing loud. Mukhang nagdabog nanaman. Hindi ko iyon pinansin at nagpatuloy sa pag-medidate. It can't be! I'm really really straight!

"Boss?"

I opened my eyes and saw Angelo with confused expression. Nasa likod niya si Ci na masama pa rin ang tingin sa akin at sa kay Angelo.

"Bibisita si Drizzy mamaya. Give her your greetings." Sabi ko.

It should be Ci since he's my night shift bodyguard. But the last time I told him to welcome Drizzy, he glared at me and refused to do so.

He even said. "Bakit kailangan kong gawin iyon? Boss ko ba siya?" His voice was deadly that I gave up convincing him to welcome Drizzy.

Henry told me that my new fiancée should feel welcomed by my men, and since Ci gave off a snobbish attitude to all the girls, I decided it should be Angelo.

"You can rest, Ci." Sabi ko sabay sulyap sa kaniya. Mabilis lang dahil pakiramdam ko mapapaso ako sa apoy sa mga mata niya.

"Hindi. Sasama ako. I'll welcome her." Malamig niyang sabi kaya nagulat ako.

"Woah... really?" Gulat kong tanong.

Inirapan niya ako at hindi na nagsalita. Ngumisi ako at tumayo. Angelo was eyeing Ci suspiciously like the usual. Nilapitan ko si Ci na mukhang bad mood.

"Bakit ang sama-sama ng loob mo sa mapapangasawa ni boss?" Si Angelo.

"Hindi masama ang loob ko." He denied even though his face was obvious.

Tumigil ako sa harapan ni Ci. Angelo stepped back and he stared at me and Ci but I ignored him. Nilagay ko ang dalawang kamay sa bulsa at tinitigan si Ci. Hindi siya nakatingin sa akin. He was glaring at nothingness.

"What's wrong, Ci?" I tilted my head to the other side.

Umirap siyang muli pero hindi siya nagsalita. I smirked at that. Kapag nagsusungit talaga siya, pakiramdam ko ang sarap niyang asarin.

"Selos ka?" Asar ko. Mas lalong nagiba ang mukha niya.

He glared at me. "Anong selos? Tumahimik ka."

"Kapag nandiyan na ang fiancée ko, hindi ka na puwede sa loob tuwing gabi." Pagpapatuloy ko.

His brows creased so deep, they looked like a trench. Namula siya, hindi dahil nahihiya siya kundi dahil malapit na siyang sumabog. My smirk widened. It's good to know I'm not the only one affected.

Affected?! Anong pinagsasabi mo, Hendrik!

"Bakit?! Anong gagagawin niyo?!" He hissed.

"I don't know... maybe—"

Malakas na kumatok ang pintuan. Bumaling ako sa likod ni Ci habang siya ay namumula pa rin sa inis. I glanced at Angelo whom I forgot was there. He was watching the scene with parted lips. Kaya humakbang ako papalayo kay Ci. Hindi ko namalayang ang lapit-lapit na pala namin sa isa't isa!

"Nandiyan na ang fiancée mo!" It was Jericho's voice outside.

I sighed and glanced at Ci. He stepped back to give me way. Ilang minuto ko siyang tinitigan bago ako lumabas sa opisina.

Narinig ko ang yapak ni Angelo sa likod ko. I know it's him and not Ci. Ci's steps are light yet controlled, like in a military.

Bakit si Ci nanaman ang iniisip ko?!

"Hendrik! Hi!" A familiar brunette girl welcomed me with a smile.

"Welcome, Ms. Dela Vega." Angelo politely welcomed the guest.

"Yes, yes!" Si Drizzy sabay sulyap sa gilid ko. "Oh! New bodyguard?"

Nanlaki ang mata ko nang bumaling sa likuran. At nagulat nga ako nang makita si Ci sa likuran ko. He was looking coldly at the guest. This is the first time he met her! The last time I told him about welcoming Drizzy, umayaw siya sa akin. Hindi niya rin ako sinamahan kaya nakakagulat na sumunod pala siya sa akin!

"Welcome." His tone was clipped, cold, and devoid of any emotion. Ngumuso ako para mapigilan ang ngisi.

I find it cute that he hates women.

Pinanliitan siya ng mata ni Drizzy kaya bago pa magbangayan ang dalawa— lalo na't sigurado akong papatol at papatol si Ci sa babaeng 'to, ay hinila ko ni si Drizzy sa hapag kainan.

I was too out of focus that when I glanced at Drizzy, she was already blushing. I tilted my head due to confusion. Bakit siya nahihiya?

"Tsk." Si Ci sa likod ko.

Doon ko napagtantong nakahawak pala ako sa braso ni Drizzy. I didn't mind it though. Wala naman iyong malisya ngunit siguro ay para kay Drizzy ay mayroon. Kaya tinanggal ko ang kamay ko sa braso niya at pinagbuksan siya ng upuan. Drizzy sat with flushed cheeks, I took a quick glance at the glaring Ci.

Angelo cleared his throat. Nag-iwas ako ng tingin kay Ci at umupo na sa harapan ni Drizzy. The maids served us our food while I was distracted because of someone's presence behind Drizzy.

"Can I sleep here tonight?"

"Ha?" Bumalik ang atensyon ko kay Drizzy.

"Tonight..." She cleared her throat. "Can I stay here? You know... gabi na?" She bit her lower lip.

"Sure! Marami namang guestroom." Bumaling ako kay Angelo na halatang gulat. "Angelo, prepare the guest—"

"I mean with you. Can I sleep with you tonight?"

It might be too fast or too low to notice. But I heard it. Ci's little tsk. I heard his scoff.

"Ahh... Hindi ako natutulog sa gabi." I politely said.

Mukhang nagulat si Drizzy dahil doon. "Hindi ka natutulog?"

"Oo. Hindi ako makatulog—"

"Then that's better! Hindi rin ako matutulog! We can stay awake all night!" She looked excited, my brows furrowed.

"Okay, then..." I shrugged it off.

Hindi ko alam kung ano bang nasa isip ni Drizzy pero sigurado akong hindi ito ang inaasahan niya. She was sulking on a chair, glaring at Ci who was standing by the door. While me? I was pretending to do something on my computer.

"Wala bang kama rito, Hendrik?"

"Wala." Sabi ko, nasa computer pa rin ang tingin.

"Inaantok na ako!" Reklamo niya.

"Okay. I'll tell Angelo to escort you—"

"No! You'll escort me! I'm your fiancée!" She demanded.

I sighed and stood. Sumulyap ako kay Ci na nakakunot ang noong nakatingin kay Drizzy. His lips were pursed and he looked pissed.

"You'll escort me?!" Kaagad na tumayo si Drizzy nang makita ang pagtayo.

"Ah... pwede namang si Ange—"

"No! No!" Aniya sabay lapit sa akin.

Tumango lang ako at naglakad na palabas ng opisina. There's a guestroom near the office so I'm sure it won't take long before Ci burst.

And why am I thinking of Ci?!

Nang matanaw ang puting pintuan ay tumigil na ako sa harapan. I opened the door and turned to Drizzy. Nakanguso siya, halatang pinipigilan ang ngisi kaya kumunot ang noo ko.

"Pumasok ka na." Sabi ko at aamba sanang lalagpasan siya ngunit hinawakan niya ang braso ko.

"What about you? You should get a rest!"

Kinunutan ko siya ng noo. "Ayos lang—"

"Just a minute okay? Hindi na kita guguluhin!" Si Drizzy sabay hila sa braso ko.

I released a deep breath. It wouldn't be bad. After all... she's my fiancée, right?

But Ci might be wai—

Huwag! Hindi ko siya dapat iniisip!

Kaya nagpatianod ako kay Drizzy dahil natatakot na ako sa takbo ng isip ko!

Kaya lang, nang sinarado na ang pinto ay kaagad niya akong inatake! I mean, not in a violent way. But she attacked me with a kiss!

"Wha—"

A loud bang and we both flinched. Drizzy shriek while my eyes widened when I saw a bullet on the door knob! Bumukas ang pinto at pumasok si Ci! I blinked, unsure of what he's doing!

"Ayos ka lang, Boss?" Kalmadong tanong niya na ikinalito ko.

"Anong ayos? Malamang! It's not like I'm gonna hurt him!" Bulyaw ni Drizzy.

"Hindi ikaw ang kinakausap ko." Malamig niyang sabi kay Drizzy sabay baling ulit sa akin.

"Why are you ruining our moment! You're just a bodyguard!"

Nanatili ang titig sa akin ni Ci, nag-aantay sa sasabihin ko. I almost forgot what he asked me. I was too off-guard and shock, I didn't get to process his question.

"Boss."

My lips part as I stare dumbfoundedly at him.

"Ugh! You're so annoying!" Drizzy stormed out of the room, closing the door loud.

Sumulyap si Ci sa kung saan umalis si Drizzy. I don't know if I was hallucinating things or not but I saw how relief flashed through his eyes. As if he was relieved she's gone. Away from me.

"Huwag mong pilitin kung ayaw mo." Malamig niyang sabi sa akin bago niya ako tinalikuran.

But I was fast, before he could even reach the door knob, I grabbed his arms. For... unknown reason.

Dahan-dahan niya akong nilingon. "Ano? Ayos ka lang?"

I mean, it's not like I was violated. But why... why does it mesmerize me?

"Erikson." Seryoso niyang tawag. It was to snap at me.

My eyes widened and my heart started to beat rapidly against my chest. He... called me Erikson. No one called me Erikson except for—

"Tumagil ka na, Ci." I didn't know where the coldness came from. It was like a shield. Away from the memories. From the past.

His pupils dilated as his lips parted out of shock.

"Know your boundaries." I removed my hands off his arms and looked at him coldly.

"I did that to pro—"

"Protect me? No, I don't think so, Ci. Akala mo hindi ko na napapansin? You're acting out of your job."

He blinked once. Twice. Thrice. And then he gulped and he avoided his eyes.

"Every time a girl approaches me, you shoo them away. Even thought they're harmless."

"Hindi ka nakakasigu—"

"What about my fiancée? She's obviously harmless." I smirked mockingly at him.

He glared at me. "What if she has motive—"

"Her only motive is to sleep with me tonight." And yes, I'm not as clueless as I seemed to sound earlier.

Hindi siya nakapagsalita roon. My smirk widened. I caught him off-guard just like how he caught me off-guard earlier. Now we're quits. But this is not enough. Kaya humakbang ako papalapit sa kaniya. His eyed widened and he stepped back.

"Tell me, Ci." I stepped forward, his steps halt since his back hits the door.

I don't know why am I doing this. I don't know if I'll regret this. But I ask anyway.

"Do you like me, Ci?"