Matilda's words were bothering me. Hindi ko naman dapat talaga papansinin dahil buo ang loob kong hindi gano'n si Apollo. 

The years that we've been together, moving to the next level - which is involving physical commitments, in our relationship never crossed our mind. Hindi naman ako informed na kailangan pala ng gano'n sa relationship so I knew - thought that it's completely irrational, well not really because we'll eventually cross the bridge when we get there but still.

I still think we're too young for that and as I have said, I want to give my purity to the man I'll marry in the future. So, there's no need to sweat, right?

I sighed as I brush the length of my dress that I chose to wear for tonight. I fixed my hair and re-arranged the sleek ponytail that goes well with my light make-up. I wanted this night to be perfect so I had to look like one for it to happen. 

And as for Apollo, well he always looked good, it's almost too illegal so that's not going to be a problem. We're like a match made in heaven - that's a quote.

Not a second later, someone knocked on my door. I immediately grabbed my bag and ran to open it. I saw Matilda still sleeping on the couch with her back on us. Tulog mantika ang kapatid ko. "Hey, handsome."

He smirked, "Hello beautiful." He pulled me to him and cupped my face.

I frowned, "Bakit? May dumi ba ako sa mukha? What are you doing?" I said as I encircled my arms around his waist. 

With his dark blue Apollo, light brown cuffed pants and dark tan Sperrys, my baby is looking good. Really good. Like really really really good. I can smell the Weekend Burberry perfume that I love sniffing. Someone's looking so fine.

He smiled, "I'm just looking at you." I smiled, "Look at that, knocks me off my feet every damn time."

I frowned, "Yung alin?"

"Your smile, baby." I blushed. Always the sweet talker. I laughed and shake my head. I saw him frown at the sleeping girl on my couch. Oh, right. "Who's she?"

I cleared my throat, "Matilda."

His eyebrows shot up and nodded, "Your stepsister. Right. What's she doing here?" His eyes never leaving my sister's sleeping form. I frowned at that.

"She's drunk. Dito daw muna siya matutulog." I slapped his cheek, "Eyes right here, Mr. King."

Nagulat siguro siya sa pagsampal ko, his mouth slightly agape. Good. He chuckled and bit his lip, "Tinitignan ko lang naman." His deep voice's obviously teasing. The bastard - no pun.

I removed my arms around him at nauna ng lumabas sa condo, "I said, eyes right here, Apollo King." I looked at him behind my shoulder and pointedly looked at him. He was laughing and I don't see anything funny about what I said.

"Of course, my queen. Of course." He said following me.

* * *

"Wow." Was his first word when we reached our destination. It is amazing. The view was spectacular. Top of the Citi Terrace was my favorite escalated place to go whenever I want to relax and just enjoy the lights that are more evident at night. It reminded of NY City Lights, it's perfect. 

Apollo squeezed my hand, "Never knew you could be this romantic, my love. Thank you." He said kissing my cheek.

I smiled at him and we went to our reserved seats. We were enjoying the food and our conversations were running smoothly. Hindi naman talaga nakakasawang kausapin si Apollo. Hindi kasi kami nauubusan ng pag-uusapan. We talked about our paper works, deadlines, goals and perspective to certain issues. I also found the moment to tell him about what Matilda said to me. At first, I was contemplating about it but then again, it shouldn't bother me because I knew too well that this topic wouldn't bother Apollo just as much as it should to me. So, I told him.

"Matilda said that?" Apollo thoughtfully looked at me. "Why would she say that?"

I blushed, "Kasi virgin pa daw ako and nobody would want to be with me in a long time relationship If I don't, well, if I'm not, you know." I told him and bit my lip. Hindi ko alam na mao-awkward pala akong pagusapan to. Nahiya ako bigla pero kasi I want to be open to him and I want him to also be open to me as much as possible about everything.

He was in deep thought as he looked at me, "And what did she say?"

"Baka daw tumanda ako at maging madre pagdating ng araw kakahintay sa isang lalaking kayang magtiis ng matagal katulad ng pare."

"And then it bothered you?"

Yes. "No."

"Why?" Feeling ko hindi ako makahinga sa pagtitig ni Apollo. Always the breath-taker.

"Because I know you're not like that," I said, my raised chin made me looked twice as confident as intend to be. And I was proud, to say the least. I know I have the best boyfriend in the world.

"What if I am?" My face fell. Are you? 

"What if I want us to move to the next level of our relationship? What if I want you? What if I tell you, I've fantasized about what would it feel like making love to you, baby?" My breathing stopped. "What will you do? Will you give me what I want? Are you going to do it because you love me so much and you'll do everything to stay with me just as much as I wanted to stay with you too? Will you do that, Caly?"

Naguguluhan ako. "What?" My voice disbelieving. What's- what's happening? What- "Apollo?" I was mentally asking him 'the fuck are you saying'. Anong-? 

I was in deep thought. Gagawin ko ba? Gagawin ko nga ba kung sakaling gustuhin ni Apollo? Kaya ko ba? Hindi ko naman naisip na ganito ang sasabihin ni Apollo because I know him very well. Kung talagang gusto niya, he should at least gave me hints noon pa diba? I was scowling at him and I am fully aware of that.

And then he laughed, "You should have seen your face!" The fucker.

"Ha-ha. So funny." I said as I rolled my eyes. Ang hilig magbiro ng lalaking to, nakakainis.

"Oh, baby. You know I wouldn't do that to you. Of course, given na yung ma-carried away because there are times that you look so fucking sexy, I'd take cold showers but that's it." 

He held my hand and I bit my lip to stop myself from smiling. "Don't mind Matilda, okay? You shouldn't worry about that. We shouldn't. MOMOL lang muna tayo." I laughed.

"I want to be a very successful man I want to become before we take things far. I know we still have our goals and careers to think first. I love you and you don't have to do that for me. I want you to give me all of you when I put a ring on your finger and give you the wedding you've always dreamed of ever since you were a kid. I can wait and I'm not complaining."

I was relieved. Matilda's just messing my mind. Grabe talaga ang babaeng 'yon. "You sure?"

"Very. Ikaw," He smiled, teasingly, "Kung gusto mo na talaga-" I smacked his arm. "Aray! Mapanakit ka, babe."

"Ikaw kasi!"

"Kinilig ka naman." I laughed, harot. "I love you." And I do too.

* * *

Apollo drove me home and I was exhausted. 

When we reached my condo, Matilda was awake. She was still wearing the same revealing dress only barefooted this time. She was in the kitchen drinking juice. The moment she heard the door open, she whipped her head to look at us. It only took a second when she looked at me before she turned her full attention to Apollo who was nonchalantly looking at her. 

I scowled at her. "Akala ko ba pagbalik ko wala ka na?"

She smirked, still not looking at me. I wanted to dig her eyes out, "Is he the priest?" She nodded to Apollo.

I felt Apollo looked at me and I knew he knew what she was talking about. He turned his face to answer her, "Yes?"

I turned to look at Matilda and saw her bit her lips when she heard his voice. "Holy shit."

What the fuck?