Quote for this chap :
Sexiness wears thin after a while and beauty fades, but to be
married to a man who makes you laugh every day, ah, now that's
a real treat.
- Joanne Woodward
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Is that you?"
OMG! What to do what to do?!?!
I swallowed a lump on my throat debating whether to turn around and reveal my self and face the consequence or ... just run for it
What to do?
"were you?????--" I could feel him coming closer to me now .. And every step he made, had my heart throbbing vigorously on my chest.
Please dont come near
"Were you the one slipping notes through the door?" He said with same authority, Thankful for the fact that I had my back to him, he did not recognize me .. I guess.
I gulped and adjusted the Lakers bullcap covering my head as I altered my voice, a little deeper than the usual
I hope it works
"Yeah.. I better go now before someone steal my seat.. Goodluck"
Hindi ko na hinintay pang sumagot siya ulit baka kung ano naman tanungin at sabihin niya kaya faster than a speed of light, kumaripas na ako ng takbo
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The race was held at Autodromo Nazionale Monza, Milan, Italy and I flew all the way from Manila for this. I know I sounded like a die-hard dork but that's my secret obssession.
Well not really an obsession, I just wanted to content my self with the mere sight of him even from a far
Is that bad?
With a footlong and a diet coke on my hands, I took the seat to the second row of the east part of the bleacher, I smiled at the man next to me and watch the other racers below as they get themselves ready for the race
And when I spotted Iñigo, I silently prayed he'll dodge the kisses his supposed- muse is giving him. It has been practially a tradition that someone will have a muse beside the racer
And every race, Iñigo's muse would change from one race to another.. but this time, it was Kendra
"Racers, Preparati e avviare il motore" (Racers, Get ready and start your engine) I heard from the speakers of the said racing tournament. They were speaking italian and obviously, I didn't get a thing out of it.
But my eyes were remain glued to where Iñigo was .. I watch as he wore his helmet and slid inside his race car
tre
.
.
.
.
due
.
.
.
.
uno
.
.
.
.
Paaaang!!!
"Avvicinandosi il numero della vettura 18 e numero 23 impenetrabile che solo un po 'solo molto" (Papalapit na ng papalit ang number 18 at malalampasan na si number 23, konti na lang.. konti na lang talga)
Number 18?! isn't that Iñigo's?
"Sembra che il numero 23 racer dal Brasile e il numero 18 da racer Filippine è in stretta lotta serrata. Signore e Signori, Sono venuta per l'ultimo giro e finale. Chi sarebbe il campione?" (Looks like racer number 23 from Brazil and racer number 18 from Philippines is in tight close fight. Ladies and Gentlemen, They're coming for the last and final lap. Who would be the champion?)
"Please .. Let it be him, Please let it be him" I silently prayed as my eyes were closed and my fingers were crossed
I heard two fast ranging roars of engine passed by before me followed by the next three and when I opened my eyes, then next thing I knew ...
"Ecco che avete la gente, il campione del Rookie Cup Formula BMW Pacific 2012, con un solo podio è Iñigo Bustamante dalle Filippine!" (There you have it folks,The Champion of Rookie Cup Formula BMW Pacific 2012 with only one podium is Iñigo Bustamante from Philippines!)
I was too happy and giddy with his victory alongside with the people who cheered for him, I joined the crowd with their standing obation and squeeled on top of my lungs .. and unconciously, threw my hat away in the air forgotting the fact that I was supposed to be hiding
At dahil nga may HD Camera focusing on the crowd, I right away froze on the spot when I saw my self on the widescreen tv
"Oh no!! Not good!" I said to my self and daw Iñigo's jaw dropped. I looked for the cap I threw in the air but I can't seem to find it so I left and went as fast as I could to the exit
I doubled and trippled my way out but I felt someone was following me .. so I ran faster.. catching my breath in the process but continued running away
"Nina!! Wait.. I know it's you" I heard from behind but I kept on running.. Running away for God knows why
"Nina!!" He shouted again but I turned right away to my right and slid my self inside the, what it seems to be, a Janitor's closet
"Why do you keep on running away fro me?"
My breathing stopped the moment I felt him walked passed to where I was hiding
And when I finally felt the coast is clear, I went out and silently told my self
"That was close"
I was walking on Parco Nord Milano, an infamous park in the industrialized city such as Milan. The grounds, speckled with ponds and romantic bridges, contains play grounds for kids, a relaxing place on the grass for young people and multiple outdoor areas and museums in which to take a stroll
I found an empty bench by the park andfound my self catching for my own breath the moment I sat upon it.
The old lady beside me gazed on me curiously and said "Stai bene, signorina?" (Are you okay, Young lady?)
Again, I didn't say anything but I felt like I needed to nod .. so I did and smiled at her and she return the favor and did the same
She was feeding the birds on her palms but stood up right away. She turn to my direction and said "Buona. Meglio che vada ora, Buon giorno!" (Good, I better go now, Good day!)
I watch her retreating back before I felt my phone vibrating on my pocket
"Hello?! Tita Laura? OMG! Really?!" I stood up and didn't care that I was actually catching up attention from the other people in the park
"Thanks .. Pauwi na ako"
I gripped on my phone tighter and was apparently excited ..
My book's gonna be publish soon!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My first book received a lot of good criticism from well-known writers such as Jun Lana, Danton Remoto, J. Neil Garcia, Lourd Ernest de Veyra, Ramil Gulle, Roel Hoang Manipon, Ricci Guevarra, Clinton Palanca; the older literati - Cirilo Bautista, Butch Dalisay, Poet Ophelia Alcantara Dimalanta, Domingo Landicho, Benilda Santos, Liwayway Arceo, Margie Evasco, Virgilio Almario, and C. Pantoja-Hidalgo among others.
I know it's a big yes being recognize like this and being praised but .. something deep inside me is lacking .. something is missing
I miss Iñigo
There were some cheers when I walked onto the little podium as I cracked a tight smile. It was my Third day of book signing..
As usual, there was a table set up, with chairs, and next to the podium was a large easel with a picture of my book and my face, proudly declaring that it was a book signing.
The first fan dashed up to me excitedly, making me feel very glad there was a table between them.
"Ms. Fernandez! You have no idea how much I adored you! And I can't wait to read this one!"
"Thank you," I said, smiling as I took the book, opening it and quickly signing my name with a flourish before returning the book back to the middle-aged lady.
"Hope you enjoy this one," I said.
Time flew by, and faces began to bleed into each other. Very quickly, I settled into a routine, sign the book, look up to smile and return the book, sign the next book, look up to smile and return the book. I would have been bored to tears if it hadn't been for those adorable fans whose smile never fade
It always surprised me how people really got into the books. It pleased me greatly, actually, to know that there were people, lots of people, who actually loved my first ever book, even though I was simply a diary-turned-novel
I signed the book before looking up at the girl. She looked to be in high-school, and I smiled.
"I read you synopsis online and I couldn't help my self but buy it!"
"Thank you, I'm glad you liked it." I watched the girl dash off to join her giggling group of friends, and they promptly started squealing. Laughing, I turned back to the desk, there was another book sitting there. Opening it, I began to scrawl my signature on it.
"I've been waiting in line to see you for the past half hour."
The voice was a low, deep timbre and I immediately recognize to whom it belongs, looking up, only to squeak in horror and draw back immediately, feeling flushed.
Iñigo!! Holy-- What do say? What to say?!?
"Diane wanted a copy for her self" Iñigo commented. His mouth was quirked in amusement, and he looked incredibly gorgeous in a black button-down, the sleeves folded to his elbows, and dark wash jeans. His hair was neater than I remembered though, and memories of the both of us together fluttered to the surface.
"Oh. Oh," I stuttered. I nervously played with my pen, waiting for him to leave, or do something, like kiss me or something. Oh yeah. Kiss me.
"So there I was, walking past my favorite bookstore, when I saw the display windows publicizing this huge author's book signing. Imagine my surprise when I looked at the photos and saw the same beautiful woman who had run out on me about a week ago."
I smiled softly, tucking an errant strand of hair behind my ear bashfully.
"I, uh, I -"
"Hey mister, you're taking too much time!"
I bit my lip, looking over Iñigo to see a large woman waving her book at her. Iñigo turned around as well, which somehow made that woman froze in the spot
"Isn't that Iñigo Bustamante?" I heard someone whispering from the pile of girls in the line
"I'm sorry guys, but Miss Fernandez is taking a fifteen-minute break," Tita called out at the top of her voice. She quickly turned around, ignoring the murmurs in the crowd, and strode back to me grasping my arm and hauling me up from my chair.
"Tita Laura?!" I cried.
What is she planning to do?
"You, follow me," She ordered Iñigo, as she tugged me towards the back office. She shoved me gently inside.
"I'll be back in five minutes, okay?" She said sweetly, grinning at me, but before I could inflict my dying protest, Iñigo entered the office.
"Thanks," He told Tita Laura, while she simply grinned before shutting the door behind her
Blast it!
Now it was just me and him, and although I knew I should be feeling nervous and upset at this unexpected turn of events, all I felt was heat pooling in my belly.
I was almost breathless, in fact, as I looked up at him. I had backed away to perch myself on the edge of the desk, but he had come to stand just before me, and I could feel the heat radiating off him.
"I read the book," he said, showing me the hard bound book. "Well, not all of it. I read some of it while standing in line," he amended, smiling.
"Oh," I breathed, smoothing my black skirt over my thighs.
"There was this scene in there, you know, the first time Jayme meets Kyle, that sounded oddly familiar, though," he commented lightly, his brown eyes twinkling playfully.
"Oh." Could I not say anything else? Seriously, woman!
I straightened, gathering all my will power and wits. "Well, I suppose I was rather, well, inspired," I said.
Iñigo grinned. "How did you manage to write a bestselling romance while still hiding away from me" he asked then, and I sucked in a breath.
"That is a secret. Okay?"
"That. Is a secret," I repeated, poking him in his chest. "I will not have you going out there and humiliating me – mmph!"
Iñigo had just kissed me lightly on my lips. He drew back, his smile firmly in place, and I was left there staring at him in surprise.
He inched closer, placing his arms on either side of me on the desk, effectively trapping me. My eyes grew wide, my lips parted, and I felt my entire body heat up. Suddenly the sheer cream blouse I've worn seemed too tight.
Iñigo turned his gaze onto my parted lips, and I shut my mouth immediately, causing him to shift his gaze back to my eyes.
This guy is teasing me.. Definitely teasing me
"Can I take you out for lunch after you're done with the book-signing?" he asked, his voice husky.
"Wh – what?" I stuttered, surprise flooding my features. Iñigo's mouth turned up in amusement, but a moment later, he frowned.
"Why did you leave? why did you ran away?" he asked, almost petulantly.
"I thought you wouldn't care," I murmured, "and later, that you'd have forgotten about me," I added, biting my lip, feeling discomfited.
"Well then, you ought to know that I tried looking for you at the that oval racing track for several times, and tried tracking your GPS but it isn't working"
Heart be still!!
"But I know now since there are ten posters out there with your name and face on them."
We were inches apart from each other now. I was pressed up against him, and his arms were tight around my waist.
"You haven't answered my first question."
"Iñigo"
"Yes, Nina?"
"My answer will be yes to any question you ask."
With that, I closed the gap between us, pressing my lips to his in a sweet kiss that quickly turned passionate. When we broke apart, breathing heavily, Iñigo raised an eyebrow at me.
"If that's the case, I'm just going to try my luck here. Can you sign this book first?"
He said and handled down the book for me to sign, but something was different .. the moment I turn to the very first page .....
"Will you marry me?" was written in bold letters
I gaped at him. "Are you serious?"
"I wouldn't be asking if I wasn't."
"Then, well, you know my answer."
We clashed again in a flurry of lips and tongue, breaking apart only when Tita Laura burst in on them.
"Oops, sorry," Tita Laura said, smiling widely, not looking sorry at all.
"I'd better go," I said, pulling myself away from his embrace difficulty.
I paused at the doorway, turning back to him.
"Will you... Will you wait?"
"Of course I will."
My smile was huge, my eyes sparkling, and I rushed back to Iñigo to kiss him soundly on the lips. He laughed, bringing his arms up around my tiny frame
"Nina!" Tita Laura called, impatient.
"Oh, yes, okay, yes, coming," I stuttered, smiling at Iñigo before turning around and dashing out.
Maybe book signings weren't too bad after all.
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( IMPORTANT A/N: kung nababasa niyo to ibig sabhin tapos na talaga ang story. May special chapter to .. pero dedicated for farns la mang.. ibig sbhin private. mag comment lang kayo below kung gusto niyo ng link. I-p-pm ko kayo kinabukasan..
Dont' forget to answer the poll by clicking the external link. Participate and help me dcide anong magandang motif color ang sa tingin nyo ay bagay sa kasal nila Nina and Iñigo. Tama kasal nga.. pero ang twist, sa point of view ni Iñigo.. for the first time.. So what are you waiting for?)
BINABASA MO ANG
A night with Mr. Arrogant
Romance(Tagalog)Just one night would change it all. Nina had a complete and perfect life-- Thats what she thought until she met the man who captured her heart. Typical isnt it? But unfortunately for Nina, She was with someone else for years now . So h...
