HORNY. Light licked his lower lip and tried his best not to laugh in front of his woman. The way Vyrlle said that… She looks serious like it was a matter of death and resurrection.

"Sunshine… we can't do anything about it," sagot niya rito. Pigil pa rin ang matawa.

Kinagat niya ng mariin ang pang ibaba na labi, lalo na nang marahas na bumuntong hininga si Vyrlle. They're just started dating for a week or so, he has to put a leash on his neck to prevent himself to jump on her.

Hindi pa pwede.

Nakaya niya ang magpigil noon. Kakayanin niya ngayon.

"Whatever!" Singhal nito sa kanya at umiwas ng tingin.

She even moved her swivel chair to the side and faced her table filled with important papers. Tumaas ang sulok ng labi ni Light nang mapansin na sobrang pula ng buong mukha ni Vyrlle, kaunti na lang ay magsasalubong na ang mga kilay nito, matulis din ang nguso nito.

He leaned his palm against her table, yumuko siya ng bahagya para masilip ng maayos ang mukha nito. She's still pretty even when she sulk.

"Sunshine…?" He called her, pero hindi man lang siya nito tinignan. "Are you mad?" He asked.

He's been with his friends wives for years now. Nakikita niya kung paano mag iba ang mood ng mga ito kapag dinadatnan ang mga ito. If they want something, kailangan maibigay 'yon agad ng mga kaibigan niya. Or else, maghapon na sisimangot ang mga asawa nila.

Light pressed his lips together and think of ways… Kung paano niya susuyuin si Vyrlle.

"You're craving for Taco right? Kainin mo muna yung dala ko?" Tanong niya ulit kay Vyrlle.

Hinila niya ang extra na upuan sa gilid at itinabi 'yon kay Vyrlle, bago siya umupo at binuksan ang box na dala niya. The smell of tacos filled her office and caught Vyrlle's attention. He smiled when he saw her taking a glimpse of the food he brought.

Ngumisi siya rito at bahagya na itinulak ang kahon papalit kay Vyrlle.

"Ang sabi mo kanina gutom ka na 'diba?" Light gently asked her.

Dahan dahan na tumango si Vyrlle at kinuha ang taco. Tahimik lang siyang pinapanood ni Light habang kumakain ito. Napangisi siya nang makita na magana itong kumain.

That's right… Forget the idea of you… getting horny…

"You want more?" Tanong niya pa rito.

Umuling si Vyrlle sa kanya. Binuksan ni Light ang dala niyang bottled mineral water at ibinigay 'yon kay Vyrlle.

"Dahan dahan…" paalala niya.

"Stop." Mariin na sabi ni Vyrlle. "Will you act like my freaking boyfriend? Mukha kang tatay ko, Light!" Reklamo nito sa kanya at tinabig ang kamay niya nang akma niyang pupunasan ang gilid ng labi nito.

"Hey, this is me, being a sweet and thoughtful boyfriend?" Natatawang sagot niya.

Vyrlle sarcastically smiled at him and sneered, "sweet and thoughtful my ass." she uttered.

"You don't like it?" Light pouted his lips.

Vyrlle was looking at him, displeased. But a few minutes later, lumambot ang ekspresyon nito sa mukha at naiirita na ginulo ang buhok nito.

"Luca, I love how you take care of me, but sometimes it's too much? Para ka talagang tatay ko, hindi boyfriend." Reklamo ulit nito sa kanya.

"Should I start kissing you before acting like that?" Light asked. Looking innocent when in fact he's not. "Should I lick the side of your lips instead of wiping it using tissue paper? Gusto mo ba na ako muna ang uminom pagkatapos ay hahalikan ka para ipasa ang tubig?"

Bantay sarado ni Light ang bawat ekspresyon na lalabas sa magandang mukha ni Vyrlle. And with every words that he says, her eyes were getting wide, her lips parting little by little, and her whole face turned bright red.

"Well?" Light asked.

Pinulot ni Vyrlle ang folder na malapit dito at hinampas sa braso niya. Nasaktan siya. But Light just laughed and enjoyed Vyrlle's flush face.

"That's also too much!" She yelled at him.

"Saan naman ako lulugar niyan?" Tumatawa na tanong ni Light.

Vyrlle glared at him. So, he stopped. Tingin pa lang nito, nanlalambot na siya. She'll win hands down without putting a fight.

Light smiled at her innocently and his world started to spin slowly, as he stared at Vyrlle's eyes, and when she effortlessly gave him such a beautiful smile.

His love for her knows no bounds.

His love for her may look forbidden to others.

But, she waited… He waited for years before he began to chase her and finally claimed her as his.

His hand slowly reached her cheek, caressed her carefully, feeling her warmth. This was the only thing he wanted from the start. A woman who will love him. The way his mother loved his father. Wholeheartedly.

No matter how twisted they are.

"Buti na lang…" he uttered and genuinely smile. Mabuti na lang at nakahanap siya ng iba.

Vyel has given him a lesson. Made him feel firsthand that like and love were different. Far different.

Nagmadali siya noon. Thinking that time was ticking, they've known each other for such a long time, there's no point of spending their time dating. He made a rash decision. Without thinking.

And he failed. Broke his heart.

So Light promised himself to take his relationship with Vyrlle slow. Even though they've known each other, since the day her mother — Mj gave birth to her. Even though he waited and she loved him from the start.

Alam niya sa sarili niya na hindi niya kailanman mapapantayan ang pagmamahal na mayroon si Vyrlle para sa kanya.

But he has a lot of time, para makahabol siya rito. Hindi niya 'yon mapapantayan, because Vyrlle's love for him grows each day. But at least close enough… Until they're on the same page. He'll do anything just so he can catch up.

He won't make the same mistake.

The night she confessed her love for him, pinangako niya sa sarili niya na hindi siya magmamadali. That he'll enjoy the slow burn he's feeling inside his heart, he wanted to enjoy how this feeling slowly but surely grows, he wanted to look at her eyes and say how much he loves her every damn day.

Until his feelings reach her heart.

"WHAT ARE you doing here?"

Salubong ang mga kilay ni Vyrlle nang makita ang secretary slash kaibigan niya na kumportable na nagkakape sa sala ng bahay ni Light.

"Am I not allowed to visit my favorite little sunshine?" Dania asked, even lifting her brow a little.

Sumimangot lang siya sa kaibigan. Vystrelle was playing with her bears and Light was nowhere to be found.

"If you're looking for your man, he left and according to him, he will be back soon. He just needs to get something from your twin." Anito. "He also asked me to tell you to get dressed, he said you two are leaving."

Vyrlle was confused, pero nahanap pa rin niya ang sarili na sumusunod sa sinabi ng kaibigan niya. Umakyat ulit siya sa kwarto ni Light para ihanda ang sarili niya. She pampered herself inside the bathroom and wear something comfortable after. Nag spray siya sa katawan ng paborito niyang pabango, she was planning to wear the necklace he gave back then, pero hindi niya 'yon dala.

Hindi rin naman kasi siya umaasa noon na susundan siya ni Light.

"But here we are… Living under the same roof." Hindi makapaniwala na bulong niya sa sarili.

"Hi, are you ready?"

Nakangiti siyang lumingon sa may pintuan. Light was leaning against the door, his arms were crossed, his shirt sleeves were rolled up to his elbow, his tie was a little loose.

"Yes, saan tayo pupunta?" Excited na tanong niya rito. He scoffed and stood up straight.

Nagiwas pa ito ng tingin sa kanya.

"Date." Sagot nito. Na halos hindi na marinig ni Vyrlle.

Umawang ang mga labi ni Vyrlle nang tumalikod ito sa kanya at naunang bumaba sa kanya. Was he shy?

"Wow, I've never heard about him going on a date. Kahit sa ex nito…" she murmured. "Well, counted naman siguro ang bumili ng mga furniture?"

Naiinis niyang ipinilig ang ulo. Enough of thinking about his past. She should enjoy their first date.

Light kept his mouth shut, kahit ilang beses na magtanong si Vyrlle kung saan sila pupunta. He just held her hand and squeezed it from time to time, sometimes playing with her fingers.

Hindi na rin siya nagtanong kung ano ang kinuha nito sa kambal niya, at kung bakit may driver silang kasama ngayon. Vyrlle just leaned closer to him and rest her head on his shoulder.

"We're here…" Light softly whispered.

Umangat ang ulo ni Vyrlle at sumilip sa labas ng bintana. A park. Her heart hammered inside her chest when she saw his younger sister, waiting for them.

Nauna na bumaba sa kanya si Light, umikot ito para mapagbuksan siya ng pintuan.

"Enjoy!" Grex smiled and kissed her cheek before leaving.

Bumaba ang tingin ni Vyrlle sa picnic blanket na nakalatag. May fairy lights na nakapalibot doon, may mga pagkain na rin na nakahanda. But there's only one thing that caught her attention. The cake. It was similar to the cake she received when they turned eighteen. When Light surprised her.

"I hope you like it," bulong ni Light mula sa likuran niya. Napasinghap siya nang yakapin siya nito mula sa likod. "Ako ang nagluto pero si Grex ang bumili sa cake."

Vyrlle chuckled, he sounded nervous.

"I love it, Luca," she answered.

"Ahh, I'm nervous!" Light exclaimed and laughed shakily.

Tinapik niya ang braso nito na nakapulupot sa kanya, "don't be, let's enjoy our date? Shall we?" She asked and glance at him over her shoulder.

Hinalikan ni Light ang tungki ng ilong niya bago siya nito dahan dahan na pinakawalan at inalalayan na umupo sa picnic blanket. All throughout the day, she was treated like a Princess — a Queen rather.

Light started a conversation with a question, followed by another questions and all Vyrlle can do was to answer him. Honestly. With his every question, napapansin ni Vyrlle na kinikilala siya lalo nito, at sa bawat sagot niya… para bang kasama niya ito sa mga araw na 'yon or Light would feed her information about him too.

"Oh, I almost forgot!" Light exclaimed. Lumuhod ito at may kinuha sa bulsa nito.

"Don't tell me mag pro-propose ka na?" Biro niya kay Light.

He chuckled and flicked her forehead. "Silly, I want us to take things slow. Huwag mong isipin na ayaw kitang pakasalan, ayaw ko lang na magmadali ulit." Light answered.

"Noong nakita ulit kita, hindi ko napansin na suot mo yung kwintas na lagi mong suot noon. You didn't wear any accessories, maliban sa hikaw. I'm a lucky guy, boto sa akin ang kambal mo. And not to mention that she's generous." Light smiled warmly. Namilog ang mga mata niya nang ilabas nito ang kwintas na regalo ni Light sa kanya noon. "I personally drew the design, until now, nasa akin pa rin ang papel na 'yon."

"Ipapakuha ko dapat 'yan…" she uttered. Vyrlle was planning to wear it. Every damn day. Because they're now dating.

Light leaned closer, isinuot nito sa kanya ang kwintas. Vyrlle was still shocked that the necklace he gave was on her twin possession.

"Bago ako pumunta dito… No, I was delusional and prepared in advance after I realised my feelings for you. I asked my friend, Dylan, to make a promise ring… for you. Hindi ako sigurado sa sukat ng daliri mo, so… I asked Rayos to help me."

Parang may bumara sa lalamunan ni Vyrlle. He was looking at her. Sa kanya lang. Those gentle and loving eyes were only looking at her. Her heart swelled up.

"Vyrlle, sunshine… I know my love for you was nothing compared to your love for me. Hindi ako mangangako na malalagpasan ko 'yon, but I want you to know that I am doing my best… para kahit papaano ay maabot 'yon…" Light breathlessly uttered. Kinuha nito ang kamay niya at marahan na hinaplos 'yon. Vyrlle gazed didn't leave her hand as Light slowly slid the ring on her finger.

A small band, sa halip na maliit at makinang na bato, the design was similar to her necklace pendant.

"One thing I am sure of… I can't live without you and our little sunshine. You give me hope, Vyrlle. You've given me hope to live and look forward to tomorrow."

☕