Substitute Bride (Editing)

Chapter 26

CHAPTER 26:

Troy surprised me this morning. He helped me pull through a Hail Mary attempt. Malaking parte siya kung bakit hindi ko na kailangan pang pakiusapan si Miss para sa extension, na alam ko naman na malabo niyang pagbigyan. O kung sakali ay baka paluhurin pa niya ko sa asin para lang pagbigyan ako.

I really owe him, big time.

But his surprises didn't stop there.

Nang matapos ako sa paghahanda ng sarili, inalok niya ko na siya mismo ang maghahatid sa'kin sa university. I was stunned for a moment.

What did I do to deserve the pleasure of having the Troy Mcintyre to drive me to school?

"Are you sure?" I asked him for confirmation. Ilang beses ko na siya kinulit tungkol dito at kahit nakasakay na kami sa sasakyan ay tinatanong ko pa rin siya.

"Yup!" simpleng sagot niya habang nanatili sa daan ang mga mata.

Napatingin ako sa ilang buhok na tumutubo sa kanto ng kaniyang panga. Ngayon ko lang napansin 'yun kahit kanina pa kami magkasama. Hindi na siya nagpalit ng damit o kung anu pa man.

He just asked me a minute para naman makapaghilamos at toothbrush siya. Pinagtawanan ko pa siya dahil dun. I find it amazingly funny how comfortable he was with his natural scent.

Sa katunayan, mabango pa rin siya kahit andami na naming pinagdaanan ngayong umaga. That's just so unfair for my haggard look. Tsk.

"Wala ka bang meeting or something ngayon?"

He shook his head while playing with his lower lip. "Not until 5 pm. Dad and I have this early dinner with some of the investors."

Kaya naman pala late na siya natulog kagabi. He thought he had all day to spare and sleep his hearts out.

Lumingon ako sa'kanya. "I'm really sorry, Troy. Babawi ako sayo bukas or sa weekends. Hindi na kita gigisingin dahil sa ingay ko. Nagkata—" pinutol niya ang sasabihin ko sa pamamagitan ng biglaang pagpreno.

Nakapula ang stoplight sa unahan kaya Malaya siyang nakagawa ng paraan para harapin ako. He hastily pulled up the hand break before giving me his full and undivided attention.

Napalunok ako.

Bumaba ang tingin ko sa kaniyang labi. Damn it! His full red lips are inviting me for a show. And I tried my best to ignore it, but for some reason my attention really pointed to his tempting lips.

Damn it, Sam!

"Eyes on me, Samantha. Not on my lips." He said before licking his lower lip.

Napatalon yata ako sa kinauupuan ko dahil sa sinabi niya. Para kong bata na nahuling nagnanakaw ng candy sa cupboard.

I bit my lower lip and tried to regain my composure. "A-Anong sinasabi mo? Sa mukha mo ko nakatingin!"

Ngumisi siya. He leaned backwards to the car seat before stifling his taunting chuckle. He threw me a side glance, and laughed some more.

Oh God he's enjoying this!

"I discovered something new about you, Sam." Bitin na sabi niya.

He pulled down the hand break and started driving the car once again.

"Discover what? Puro ka kalokohan Troy!"

"You deny too much. You deny even the most obvious thing in the world." Halakhal niya, at pinasibat ang sasakyan sa daan.