After the Twilight (Iska Series #1)

14

Bumuntong hininga na naman si Enzo, taking a step closer. I look up at him when he reaches for my face and pins my hair behind my ears, eyes straight into mine. 

"You look beautiful," he says, bakas pa rin ang seryosong ekspresyon sa mukha. "Too beautiful," he says with a sigh, "you're surely going to attract too much attention."

Napangiti ako. Parang nararamdaman ko na naman ang pag-init ng pisngi ko. 

"I mean, how else can I find myself a boyfriend if I don't attract their attention?" pangiti kong sambit. 

Enzo only lets out a scoff and puts his sunglasses back on. Bago pa man may masabi ang isa sa amin ay bumukas na ang elevator. May mga sakay pa rin itong guests pero kasya pa naman kami. 

Iginiya ako ni Enzo papasok, a hand on my back as he follows me inside. He is standing behind me as the doors closed. 

"Mommy, pretty." Tinuro ako ng batang babae na kasama namin sa elevator, binibigyan ako ng malapad na ngiti. I couldn't help but smile at her. Ang cute niya kasi, kulang pa ang ngipin sa harap. 

"It's not nice to point, baby." Sabi ng mommy niya na nginitian din ako. I also smiled at her, waving slightly at the little girl na ngayon ay biglang nahiya at nagtago sa likod ng nanay niya, peeking at me with a small smile. I only chuckle. 

When I return my gaze to the elevator doors, napansin kong nakatingin din sa akin ang elevator boy. Ginawaran ako nito ng ngiti na sinuklian ko rin naman, but I notice how his eyes drift down and his smile fades, lalo na ng napatingin sa likod ko. 

Paano ba naman at pinulupot ni Enzo bigla ang mga braso niya sa baywang ko, his large hand resting on my stomach.  

"Grabe bakod na bakod ha," I mutter as we exit the elevator nang lumapag na ito sa ground floor, his arm still wrapped around my waist. "Paano ako makakahanap ng boyfriend nito."

"You already have one," he mutters, giving me the side eye as we make our way to the beachfront wing of the resort where our lunch is being served. 

"Sus," A real one, I wanted to say, pero hindi ko na tinuloy. Pakiramdam ko kasi, baka makasira ng mood. I could only snicker, lalo na nang nakita kong nakasalubong na naman ang kilay nito. Ano kaya ang problema nito at biglang masama na naman ang timpla. 

May isang grupo ng mga lalaki kaming nakasalubong, lahat matatangkad at may itsura, but not as attractive and tall as Enzo. Pansin kong they all had their eyes on me, two of them having the guts to smile at me. 

I hear Enzo groan beside me before he pulls me to the other side, blocking me from the group. Mas hinigpitan niya lang ang hawak sa akin, and from the corner of my eyes, I see the group of men quickly look away, cowering under Enzo's height. 

Nang makarating na kami, agad kong nakita ang table na nakahanda para sa amin. Ada and Kaleb were already seated beside each other, having a conversation. I eye her when our eyes meet and I notice kung gaano siya biglang nahiya. Paano ba naman kasi, ang lapit nila masyado kung mag-usap. But then again, who am I to judge? 

Ako nga nagpapaturo ng thermodynamics habang nakikipagmake out sa jowa kong hindi naman talaga jowa. 

There is no room for judgment in this family. 

"Si Demi?" tanong ko ng nakalapit na kami ng tuluyan. 

Ngumuso lang si Ada at ngumiti. Nang sundan ko ng tingin ay nakita ko na siya, sinisigawan si Ivan habang nagpapapicture. 

"Angle it higher! You're gonna make me look short!" sigaw niya sa lalaki habang nakaposing ito. 

"If I angle this higher ang bunga ng niyog na ang mapipicturan ko, it's not my fault you're just short."