Platonic Hearts (Compass Series #1)

Chapter Forty-three

5 months later...

I entered the restaurant with two cappuccinos in my hand. I greeted the guard who opened the door for me before heading to our reserved table. Napangiti agad ako nang makita siyang nauna na naman roon. As usual, still never late.

He was on his laptop. He's wearing his usual attire. A coat and a long-sleeved shirt. This time he has his glasses on. Napaangat siya ng tingin nang maanig na paparating ako. He immediately closed his laptop and stood up. "Five minutes late," ngumisi siya. "My place."

Sumimangot ako bago nilapag sa lamesa namin ang mga kape niya. We made a bet. Whoever's late for today's date would get to pick the place where we would be staying once we're back at the Philippines tomorrow. I don't mind. I kind of expected it would be his pick so...

"Well, congratulations." I chuckled. Inabot sa kanya ang kape niya at susi ng sasakyan niya na ginamit ko bago umupo. "I parked your car properly this time. Oh, and by the way, your cappuccino has less sugar in it. I specifically ordered the one you always get."

He took a small sip of his cappuccino. "Perfect. Thanks, love."

I smiled and sat down. "Venus will be coming with us, by the way. Kakabili lang niya ng ticket niya kanina..."

He nodded. "I kind of expected that. You two were inseparable. And..." He grinned and placing his hand above the table. Binuksan niya ang palad niya at inabot ang kamay na nakapatong sa lamesa rin. Bumuntong-hininga ako at napahawak sa kanya ng maghigpit. "I know you're nervous... Going home. " He murmured.

"Are you sure about this?"

"Ilang beses mo na 'yang tinanong sakin. I am, Ashen. And I'll be with you... I'm sure I'll be fine." I gave him an assuring smile. "At isa pa, natanggap ko na ang sketches ng interior design para sa bahay. I can't wait to work on it..."

"You finally got it?" He asked, startled. "Can I see?"

"No," I laughed. "I told you it's a surprise."

He chuckled. "Dapat nga tinutulungan kita... I mean, it's kind a man's job to examine houses, while you, love, can pick every design you want to have inside and outside the house."

Tinampal ko ang kamay niya. "Are you saying I can't do all of the hard work? That only guys can surprise girls with a house?" Pinagtaasan ko siya ng kilay.

Napahalakhak siya. "No, of course not. Alright, fine. You can do whatever you like. But come on, Aria... I want to help." He asked then pouted.

Napatitig ako sa kanyang ng matagal at sa labi niya. He's really using this face just to be a part of building my house?

Ngumisi ako. "Fine. You can buy the furnitures once I'm done with the structure."

He muttered 'yes' quietly as if he just won a lottery. Napatawa ako nang bahagya pa siyang sumayaw-sayaw sa upuan niya. "Ashen!" I hissed at him and laughed when he even tried to stood up to lean towards me. "Baliw ka ba?! Sit down!"

He didn't listen. Mas lumapit pa siya sakin at bumulong sa tenga ko. "We'll took some from the museum."

Hinampas ko siya sa balikat at napailing-iling. "Don't even try. I like it where they are... At mas gusto kong ikaw mismo ang gumawa ng mga imahe."

Kumunot ang noo niya bago napaupo. "What?"

I grinned and brought out something from my bag. He immediately snorted once he saw it again. It was the camera I bought for him months ago. He touched it once, but never really used. Parang iniiwasan niya lang ito sa tuwing dinadala ko. I kept on asking him to take it but he was too in denial.