Bewitched By You (After All Side Story)

Chapter 23

Christian held the small of my waist as soon as he stood beside me. The way he held me announced possession. Bumaba ang tingin ni Anthony sa bewang ko kung saan naroon ang kamay ni Christian. Pain danced in his eyes, his jaw clenched.

“Care to introduce me to this man, Thalia?” Christian asked, the sound of his voice was a little bit off.

Saka lang nag-angat ng tingin si Anthony nang sabihin ni Christian ‘yon. Bumuntonghininga ako.

“Anthony, this is Christian Ricaforte. He’s my boyfriend. Chris, this is Anthony. My ex b-boyfriend.”

I heard Christian let out a dry chuckle. “See the difference? Is that already enough for you to leave my girl alone?”

Nakita ko ang mariing paglunok ni Anthony. Dumiin ang titig niya kay Christian ng ilang sandali bago sa akin. I can see him gritting his teeth so hard before he turned away. Naglakad siya palabas ng hotel. Sinundan ko siya ng tingin hanggang sa tuluyan na siyang maglaho.

I bit my lower lip and raised my eyes to look at Christian. His eyes were still dark and intense while looking at the main entrance. At nang mapansin na nakatingin ako sa kaniya, bahagya siyang tumungo at sinalubong ang mga mata ko.

“I didn’t initiate that kiss…”

He nodded his head and crouched a bit to give my forehead a soft peck.

“I know. I saw everything. Don’t worry.”

Hinila niya ako palapit sa kaniya at niyakap ako. This was the first time he held me this close in public. Kaya naman nang makitang halos nasa samin na lahat ng atensyon ng mga empleyadong napapadaan, bahagya akong lumayo na ikinakunot ng noo niya.

“We’re in public, Chris. Pinagtitinginan na tayo.”

Nagsalubong ang makakapal niyang kilay bago tumingin sa paligid. He anchored his eyes back to me and shot his brow up.

“So?”

“I was thinking that you don’t want to be seen with me in public—”

"And why is that?”

“Naisip ko lang dahil pribado kang tao.”

He chuckled and pinched my cheek. “I am. But that doesn’t mean I would also keep my relationship with you in private. I’m the proudest when I’m with you, Thalia.”

Hindi ko ugali ang tumilo kahit gaano ako kasaya. Pero sa unang pagkakataon, iyon ang gusto kong gawin. Christian Ricaforte is really the master of these butterflies in my stomach. Kaunting salita, kaunting pagpapakilig, para na akong lumulutang. Nasaan ang hustisya?

Marahil ay napansin niya ang reaksyon ng mukha ko dahilan para bahaw siyang matawa. I only glared at him as he pinched my cheek once again. Napapansin ko na ‘yon lagi ang puntirya niya sa tuwing magkasama kami.

Hinawakan niya akong muli sa bewang at kinabig pa palapit pa lalo sa kaniya. Mabagal kaming naglakad sa lobby na tila ba wala talaga siyang pakielam kahit pa pinagtitinginan kami. I even saw Mrs. Smith went out of the elevator and suddenly spotted us.

Nakaramdam ako ng pagkailang. Ngunit nang ngumiti siya sa akin, pakiramdam ko ay hindi ko na kailangan pang mailang sa kaniya dahil alam niya na.

Imposible rin naman talagamg hindi nila malaman gayong no’ng araw na pinagbintangan ako ni Bella na ninakaw ang singsing nung isa sa mga guest, si Christian ang kaagad na sumaklolo sa akin.

“Stop glaring. You’re seducing me.” si Christian nang papasok na kami sa sarili niyang elevator.

Natawa ako. “Naaakit ka ba?”