Going the Distance (Book #1 of Distance series)

Interlude: Care

Maya-maya lang ay iniabot na sa kanya ng bartender ang in-order niyang inumin para kay Sophie. He lets out a sigh of relief. He now has a reason not to linger long. "I gotta go, Paola. See you 'round."

Natagpuan niya si Sophie na nakasandal sa lounge habang nakabusangot ang mukha. Kitang-kita niya iyon kahit medyo madilim. Umupo siya sa tabi nito at inakbayan ito sa balikat. "You okay? Who are you texting with?"

"Everything was fine until I texted Marcia." Dinampot nito ang drinks at uminom na para itong uhaw na uhaw.

"What's the matter?" Bahagya siyang sumilip sa phone ni Sophie. Medyo nabasa niya ang usapan nila pero hindi naman niya naintindihan kasi Tagalog ang mga iyon.

"I was asking about the woman I suspect to be Dad's girlfriend. And she just seen-zoned my message.

"Oh that thing again. It bothers you terribly, huh?"

Mabagal itong tumango. He realizes this issue about her Dad seriously affects her that much. He doesnt exactly get it and at few times it annoys him, but the fact he sees her in that state affects him too in a way.

"Maybe your sister was busy to reply you. Give her the benefit of the doubt."

Tumango na lang si Sophie at itinabi na ang cell phone sa bag.

"How can I put the smile back on my baby's face?"

"An out of this world---Mai Tai," matulin nitong sagot. Biglang pawi rin ang lungkot nito sa mukha.

"You haven't even finished your drink yet."

"Alright, I'll finish this up!" Kinuha ni Sophie ang Cosmopolita niya at inubos ang natitira sa isang inuman lang.

"Fierce!"

"Would you care to get me more?"

"Fine. But only after you danced with me." He sets his beer down and grabs Sophie's hand. Hinila niya ang kamay nito kaya't 'di na ito nakapalag.

"Wait, I still wanna drink! I want my Mai Tai!"

"Come on, let's dance first." He takes her hand and tugs, dragging her to the dance floor. Sophie's eyebrows furrow but then her lips give up a smile as he pulls her against him and he begins moving to the rhythm. Music and moving bodies surrounds them. They have danced before in the wedding but this one of course is a different environment and different music, giving him a different vibe.

Lalo na't mas lumapit pa si Sophie nang husto sa kanya kaya't mas naging dikit ang kanilang mga katawan, nagsimula na naman siyang maakit dito. Andiyan iyong tatalikod ito habang hawak ang mga kamay niya't ipapalibot ang mga iyon sa baywang nito. Sophie's taking the lead in the dance floor. She's hot and full of confidence. But she doesn't lose her grace.

"You are so hot, babe! You're making me wanna take you home now instead."

Sophie just gives him a smirk and stares at him teasingly. Napakagat-labi siya at inilapit niya ang kanyang mukha rito, akmang hahalikan ang girlfriend. Pero inikutan siya nito habang sinasayawan kaya lalong siyang nanabik.

"You're teasing me! And I'm really liking you this way."

Pagkabalik ni Sophie sa kanyang harapan ay lumapit ito nang husto sa kanya. Magkadikit ang kanilang mga katawan kaya't ramdam niya halos ang dibdib nito. Hinila niya ang baywang nito papalapit pang lalo sa kanya hanggang magkadikit narin ang kanilang mga balakang at hita. Halos manghina ang kanyang mga tuhod.

"I really like this side of you, Sophia," bigkas niya sa tainga nito.

"I may be virgin. But I'm no saint," halos pabulong nitong sabi sa kanya kasunod ang may pagka pilyang tawa.