KABANATA 24:

Dinner date.

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❝I always hope to be with you and see your smiles because that's what I wanted. I would like to be the person who supports you as you pursue your goals. You're always shining in my eyes, that's way. In any case, they referred to you as Sunshine Grin. In my opinion, you're the most beautiful person in the world, regardless of what others may say.❞ — from the fragments of photographs

༄彡፨֍༄彡፨༄彡፨֍

I NEVER thought I would see Steele standing in front of me. Then, he grabbed me and placed his hands on my neck before giving me another kiss at ipinikit ko na lang ang mata ko habang hawak ang mukha niya.

I didn't realize how wild he could be. He also had experience. He poses a danger that might increase your desire for him. I couldn't resist pulling into his hair after placing my hands on the back of it.

We both paused, caught in the moment. Steele gazed at me with intensity, leaning in to press his lips against mine. He drew my legs closer to him, kissing me one last time before smiling and placing a gentle kiss on my forehead. "I love you, Eteri," he whispered.

I cried out to him, looked at him, and instantly felt quite heated. I stroked his hair and said, "I've never had that kind of kiss in my entire life. Next time, we ought to have our meet up more in a hidden place."

"Can't help it. You're too beautiful for me." 

Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko habang naglalakad kami. I couldn't help but smile while biting my lip. "You're happy," Steele said, grinning at me. "Did I make you happy?"

"Yes, you actually did." Sabi ko na lang at napahawak ako sa pisngi ko and I gave a little cough. "What? Why do you act this way?"

Hindi ko pa rin talaga ako makapaniwala sa kanya. He likes me, but I didn't know that. It seems unreal to consider that I was the girl Steele is interested in. Ganito ba talaga ang feeling ng ma-in-love? Ang lakas ng tibok ng puso ko at napahawak na lang ako ro'n.

"Want to join me for dinner? What are you craving?"

Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko habang naglalakad kami. I couldn't help but smile while biting my lip. "You're happy," Steele said, grinning at me. "Did I make you happy?"

"Yes, you actually did." Sabi ko na lang at napahawak ako sa pisngi ko and I gave a little cough. "What? Why do you act this way?"

'Di pa rin talaga ako makapaniwala sa kanya. He likes me, but I didn't know that. It seems unreal to consider that I was the girl Steele is interested in. Ganito ba talaga ang feeling ng ma-in-love? Ang lakas ng tibok ng puso ko at napahawak na lang ako ro'n.

"Want to join me for dinner? What are you craving?"

"Punta tayo sa Chowking! Tara!" excited kong sinabi, at agad kaming pumasok sa loob and I giggled at him. 

We both walked cautiously, sunod-sunod kasi ang dumadaan na mga jeep at kotse, kaya't si Steele na ang lumapit sa harap para tulungan akong tumawid. Nang makarating kami sa mall, we pushed the door, and as soon as the cool air conditioner welcomed us, I inhaled deeply, allowing the air to circulate throughout our bodies.

Binigay ko 'yung bag ko sa guard, tapos ngumiti siya at binati ko rin siya and then she quickly take a look on my bag at inisa-isa niya tignan 'yung bag ko gave me a smile in return. Ganun din kay Steele, tinignan muna niya ang bag nito bago siya pinapasok.

The place was filled with the sounds of music and conversation, as well as the tapping of heels and the sound of shopping bags.

Maya-maya, bigla na lang tumunog ang cellphone ko. Sunod-sunod na notifications 'yon. And there's an email from Glam Goddess Sasaki-make up company. Nagmadali akong tignan 'yon agad. 

GlamGodess_Sasaki. inc @gmail.com

Congratulations! We want you to advance to the next level. This is Tory, the company's chief executive officer.

We're excited to let you know, Ms. Eteri, that after looking over your application and portfolio, we'd like to meet with you and talk about your possible career opportunities with our company. We also think that this company would greatly benefit from your distinct beauty.

Kindly inform us of your availability for a meeting or photo session to talk about this issue. Please don't hesitate to get in touch with us if you would like more information or if you have any additional questions.

We're excited to collaborate with you.

Best Regards, Glam Goddess Sasaki-make up company.

Napahawak na lang ako nang mahigpit sa cellphone ko, "Is this for real?"

"What's wrong, Eteri?" Steele asked, raising his eyebrows before turning to face me in astonishment.

Ngumiti ako sa kanya at winagayway ko na lang ang cellphone ko and I gave him a smile, "Tanggap na'ko!"

Gusto ko sanang tumalon sa saya, pero alam kong 'di pwede! Ang alam ko lang sobra kong saya sa nalaman kong 'to!I smiled at him, my eyes glimmering slightly. Steele gazed at me for a long time at unti-unti, nabago ang masungit niyang mukha and he embraced me after spreading his arms wide and approaching me.

He gave me a smile at tinignan niya ako, "I'm already confident that you will be hired. As I said before, I knew who was worthy of serving as my model."

༄┤֍☽_____♚_____‡☽༆

I FEEL SO happy. It felt like you were jumping and that there was no point in stopping the excitement that was coursing through you. I also felt more at ease after hearing his words of encouragement. "Mmm! 'Di ko rin expected, alam mo 'yon. Bakit ako?"I couldn't help but smile when I asked him questions.

Steele smiled at me and patted my hair, gently ruffling it and saying, "Hey, don't doubt yourself. Nakuha mo 'yon dahil karapat-dapat ka para ro'n." He looked at me while he spoke to me habang sabay kaming maglakad.

I gave him a quick glance at grabe 'yong titig niya sa 'kin. Parang nabibighani siya sa 'kin kung makatingin. Wala eh, ganda ko kaya!

Ngunit 'di na 'yon mahalaga! Narito na kami sa usapang na ito kaya sasamahan ko na siya. Walang nakakaalam sa mga hilig ko tungkol sa fashion bukod sa kanya. Kaya't nakakaramdam ako nang tuwa sa tuwing alam mong may nakakaintindi sa akin 'pag tungkol sa mga achievements mo. At isa si Steele sa mga taong 'yon.

"Hindi 'no! Syempre na-excite lang ako, kasi natanggap ako na magtrabaho sa kompanya niyo." I giggled at him, "Pero sandali lang, 'di naman siguro kayo bias masyado, ah? Dapat fair and square!"

"You and your pointless questions. Oo nga pala, pinahirapan mo nga pala ako sa confession ko kanina. 'Di na ako nagulat." Si Steel nama'y napayuko nang bahagya dahil do'n at napalunok ako sa sinabi niya at hindi makatingin sa kanya dahil sa mga binanggit niya. 

What? Ganun talaga ako 'no! Kailangan ko ng katiyakan sa lahat. Mabuti na't sigurado ka, kaysa sa naghihintay ka sa wala.

And before taking a chance, I only wanted to confirm everything. Either my dreams or love.

And what? He's aware of the number of walls I have built on myself para lang maprotektahan ko ang sarili ko. Pasalamat siya dahil siya ang nag -iisang taong pinapasok ko sa aking buhay muli pagkatapos ng aming paghihiwalay.

Marami siyang say, 'no? Pinahihirapan ko ba talaga siya at kung magreklamo siya? Siya kaya 'tong gandang-ganda kaya sa 'kin!

'Di naman sa mayabang na'ko nito, 'no?

He turned to face me and put both of his hands on my shoulders, saying, "But really, Eteri." sabi niya at tinignan niya ako,"You can do this. You have me, too. All right?"

Inakbayan na ako ni Steele pagkatapos, diretso kaming pumunta sa harap ng Chowking. After that, we enter the restaurant hurriedly.

As soon as we entered, the air welcomed us, and there were not many voices in the room. The smell of the food was strong, and there was constant conversation. Everywhere in the restaurant was filled with the sound of the chicken crackling and crisping as customers ate it.

"Tara, maghanap na tayo ng upuan." Bulong ko sa kanya at umiikot-ikot ang mga mata ko para maghanap ng bakanteng upuan. Nakita ko na may bakante sa dulo, kaya hinila ko si Steele papunta ro'n.

I was going to retrieve my wallet pero pinigilan niya ako. "Ako na. I promised to get you dinner. No buts, okay?" Inalis ko na lang ang wallet ko at napanguso na lang ako sa kanya.

He went for my hair as he spread his arms out once more, at unti-unti naging seryoso ang mga tingin niya, at itinaas niya ang dulo ng buhok ko then he give it a kiss.

"Allow me to do this. Because Eteri, manliligaw na'ko sa 'yo. I don't want you to misunderstand me. Kung aasa ka sa 'kin, gawin mo na. Because you have my permission to do so," he informed me.

Mas lalo ko pang nahigpitan ang hawak sa table ko dahil sa sobrang pula ko. What's he saying? Manliligaw? Siya? Napakagat na ako sa labi ko and I'm having trouble looking at him. How exactly does he manage to do this? I was unable to speak as the heat swept across my face. I was only able to muffle certain noises at namula ako.

Steele grinned at me and said, "You're adorable. I think everything you do is too gorgeous, even when you're not doing anything at all."

"Let's order? Ikaw na ba o ako na ang tatayo para pumila?" tanong ko sa kanya at nagpapaypay ako sa sarili ko. Ang gwapo nitong nasa harap ko jusmeo! Hindi ko kinakaya ang lalaking 'to.

"Ako na lang orderin mo, Eteri." he chuckled.

"Steele!" Suway ko sa kanya. 

Pumunta na siya sa harapan para pumila. Napatili na lang 'yung mga babae, habang siya nama'y napaubo at umiwas ng tingin.

He gave them a smile at mas lalong nagtilian and he responded to the girls by opening his mouth, "May nililigawan na'ko. "I'm done being single," he told them at napanguso 'yung mga babae sa mga sinabi niya. Sumilip siya sa pwesto ko and I giggled as I nodded to him and waved my hand to let him know I was alright.

'Di talaga mapipigilan 'yon. The fact that he's quite handsome. He's always that way, lagi talaga siyang napapansin ng mga babae.

At 'di ako magseselos 'no! Bakit naman? Eh, ako nga 'yung gusto. Hahaha!

Nagkaroon ng kaunting pagkakagulo sa Chowking. Akala mo'y isa siyang artista. Hanggang sa pinalubutan na siya ng mga babae at natawa ako.

Dahil ayaw niyang pinapansin siya. I-send ko na lang 'to mamaya at lagyan ko ng meme! Hahaha! After a short while, he moved ahead and headed for the counter.

He chose our drinks and some of the Chinese food we would be having. He then selected our table number, which is "48" tsaka siya ngumiti sa babae sa harap at kinuha 'yung table number namin, "Thanks."

He swiftly reached for his wallet at tsaka siya nagbayad do'n. The girls continued to swarm around him while he swiftly turned away, at nagtitili na lang.

Nang umupo siya sa harap ko, his shoulders slumped, and he couldn't stop rolling his eyes and sighing at those girls. Kitang-kita inis na siya.

I pointed at his cheeks and found it amusing. "Now, you're the one being cute," Sikat na sikat, ah. Ang pogi mo—"

Napahawak ako sa bibig ko sandali at pinigilan ang sarili ko na magsalita pa. Ano ba naman 'to! What did I say to him just now? Kitang-kita ang mga ngisi niya nang mapatingin sa 'kin. Wala akong sinabi! Wala talaga!

Inalis niya ang kamay sa bibig ko and carress my cheeks and he's looking at me with such loving eyes, "Care to tell it to me again, babe?"

"Ewan ko sa'yo!" Hampas ko na lang sa braso niya at siya itong Ngiting-ngiti sa 'kin. Kainis talaga 'tong bibig ko eh! Pahamak na lang lagi!

I tapped my heels at napailing na lang ako sa sobrang hiya. Maya-maya, dumating na rin ang order namin. Isang chinese Rice meal at isang chao fan and sprite for our beverages.

Ipinatong ng waitress ang mga order namin, at sobra akong natuwa nang makita ang pagkain.

"Here, you should eat now." Ipinatong niya ang plato sa harap ko and he smiled, "Siguro kailangan ko na magpatayo ng franchise ng Chowking, don't you think?"

Napaubo na lang ako habang kumakain, pinunasan ko ang bibig ko dahil sa natapon kong sprite, at napailing, "Chemical Engineering ka! Ano'ng franchise ka r'yan?"

"It's for my woman though, and I fail to understand the reason why not I do that. It appears that this is your happy place, dito lang kita nakitang ganyan ngumiti. It's cute. So no difference either way. I'll get a franchise of a Chinese restaurant for you."