Her Impromptu Wedding

Chapter Eight

"I was in 10th grade when I first laid my eyes on you. I can't take it off. You're just so gorgeous. But you're just 13 that time. You're too young so I didn't make a move.

That letter that you received on your birthday was mine. Playboy ako. Nakapila ang mga babae sa akin pero hindi ko alam at na-torpe ako pagdating sayo. You're perfect and I'm not. I'm scared that I'm not good enough for you. Kaya nag-settle na lang ako sa pagpapaabot ng breakfast sayo araw-araw. I'm happy that you're not refusing it." His eyes twinkled while remembering that.

Napangiti na rin ako. It was him.

"Bakit ko tatanggihan e libre iyon? Pinapatry ko muna doon sa nag-aabot, baka kasi may lason." I laughed.

Natawa naman siya sa sinabi ko at nagpatuloy sa pagkukwento.

"Pero nang gumraduate ako ay naging busy ako. I missed being in high school. Wala akong problema bukod sa mga lalaking umaaligid sa iyo. I was wondering if may nakakalapit ba sa iyo. Hindi na kasi kita nababantayan. Good thing I'm smart that's why I hired a bodyguard for you..."

"Wait. You hired a bodyguard for me?!"

Nababaliw na ba ang lalaking ito? He's Lincoln Freaking Nicolosi! He can have any girl he wants and he wants me? Wow.

"Yeah." He pinched my cheeks then continued. "Paminsan-minsan ay pumupunta ako roon para makita kita. You're getting prettier day by day. Nagpatuloy iyon hanggang sa maka-graduate ka at mag-college. Hindi ka nag-enroll sa school na pinasukan ko kaya nag-transfer ako. But still, hindi mo pa rin ako napapansin." He pouted.

Natawa naman ako sa sinabi niya. He's whipped.

"I was busy studying. Napapansin naman kita. I just don't really care about boys that time."

That was true. Seryoso ako sa pag-aaral noong first year college ako. Wala akong ibang inintindi kundi ang mag-aral dahil alam kong mapapakinabangan ko iyon balang-araw.

But well, nagbago ako. And it's because of them. My parents.

"Mas lalo kitang pinabantayan noong nagsimula kang magpunta sa mga club. You changed but I don't mind. I love you." He blushed. "Buti na lang ay wala kang ini-entertain na lalaki kahit na iyong mga kaibigan mo ay meron. I was there when you graduated. I saw how you look at your parents. You're sad and I hate it. But I can't do anything about it 'cause I'm a coward. I'm sorry."

Inilingan ko siya. "Nope. Wala kang kasalanan. I'm really thankful to have you. Lincoln Nicolosi is freaking head over heels for me."

Everything he said is true. My parents love Red more than me. Pero sila pa rin ang nagpalaki sa akin kaya sinusuklian ko iyon ngayon.

"Nang magtrabaho ka at magpatayo ng shop, I was there all the way. Kinausap ko iyong pinag-applyan mo, not because you can't do it. I just don't want you to overthink. Pinababaan ko rin iyong presyo ng lupa ng boutique mo kasi I don't want to stress you out.

"You see, Saria, I'm in love with you for a decade now. I want you and only you that's why I got mad when I'm forced to marry Arianna. I need their investments that's why I accepted it. At hindi ako sigurado kung may pag-asa pa ako sa iyo dahil sampung taon na ay wala pa ring nangyayari. Sa loob ng tatlong buwan na engage ako ay tinigilan kita. I tried even though it's hard. But destiny probably loves me because I met you again.

"And now, you're mine."