Hopelessly Devoted to You

CHAPTER 3

...

"FLOWERS FOR ME?"

"Yes, just for you, Miss Dimaunahan."

I gave her my most genuine smile. Sabi nila madali raw mahulog ang mga babae sa palangiting lalaki. Sinundan ko iyon ng bahagyang pagkagat ng labi.

She looked away. Sabi ko na nga ba may epekto ako sa kanya. Wala pang babaeng nakatanggi sa mga ngiti ko. I'm not labelled as chick-magnet for nothing. I can make a woman fall for me in just thirty seconds.

Itong si Safina, ramdam kong nagkakagusto siya sa 'kin. Ma-pride lang siya kaya ayaw niyang aminin.

Her face turned into tomato. See?

She's so damn gorgeous when she's blushing. Damn! Bakit ngayon ko lang nakilala ang babaeng ito?

"H-hindi ko kailangan ng mga bulaklak. May sarili akong garden at flower shop."

My smile faded. Napakamot ako ng ulo. Nakalimutan kong siya pala ang may-ari ng Safina's Garden. Hayop.

"Why don't you open the box? You'll love the chocolates."

She smiled at me. Buti na lang mabilis akong makaisip ng paraan para hindi mapahiya. Siyempre naghanda na ako ng pang-rebut t sa kanya, 'no.

"Carbo-diet ako, eh. Sorry."

Tanginang diet 'yan. Papatayin ko akung sinuman ng nag-imbento ng salitang 'yan!

"Is that so?" I tried to hide my disappointment. She gave me an apologetic smile.

"I'm so sorry, Mr. Madrigal. I don't even understand why you suddenly barged in inside my office and gave me these. As much as I appreciate your thoughtfulness, I'm not really into flowers and chocolates."

Tangina. Paano siya nagkaroon ng flower shop kung hindi siya mahilig sa mga bulaklak? Ginagago ba ako ng babaeng ito?

"You're too sexy to go on diet, Safina."

"Hindi naman ako nagda-diet para magpa-sexy. I'm just taking care of my health, Mr Madrigal," she rebutted.

She has a point though. Pero hindi ba nauubusan ng sagot ang babaeng 'to? Medyo napipikon na ako, ha. Hindi ba talaga niya nahahalata ang intensyon ko sa kanya?

"Just I thought but please drop the formality, you can call me Elliot."

I gestured my hand but she didn't take it. Medyo walang manners ang babaeng 'to.

"As you wish. Thanks for dropping by, Elliot. Pero hindi kita mai-entertain. Can't you see? It's just 10:00AM and it's working hours." Itinuro pa niya ang nakakabit na chime sa likod ng office table niya.

Muntik na akong mapamura.

"I'm sorry for disturbing you. Honestly, I came here to ask you to dine with me."

I pretended not to notice her sudden reaction. I saw how her eyes went wide. I patted my head in my imagination.

Let's see how far you can go, Safina.

Kinuha niya ang bulaklak na dala ko saka tinungo ang vase sa likod ng office table niya. In fairness, kahit maliit ang office niya'y mukhang pinag-isipan ang design. There were two abstract paintings facing each other on the walls.

"Are you okay?" I asked out of malice.

Namulsa ako.

"Of course!" she answered while covering her chest.

"But why are you asking me to dine with you? Hindi naman tayo gano'n ka magkakilala, hindi ba?" she blurted without looking at me.

"That's actually why I'm asking you for a dinner date. I'm interested in knowing more about you, Safina."

"Come on, Elliot. Why don't you just tell me what really your intention is? I'm old enough to understand where this knowing-more-about-you stage leads to."

She gave me a challenging look but her hands were shaking. Itinago niya ang mga iyon sa kanyang likod. Aish! Dyosa ng mga pakipot.

"I know you're rich and a successful pilot. Ang mga kagaya mong lalaki ay hindi naiiba sa mga lalaking nakilala ko noon. I know your mantra, Elliot. You will-"

"I like you, Safina..." I said cutting her off.

She gasped in surprise. In fairness, I like her being direct to the point. Siguro kapag nasa kama kami wala nang romance, bakbakan agad.

"And oh, don't ever compare me with any other guy. Nag-iisa lang ako sa mundo. Wala akong katulad."

I stepped forward and held her chin. Damn! Her breath smells like an audible fragrant flower. It's so damn tempting to kiss her!

"I like you, Safina. I hate to admit but this is the first time that I exerted too much effort for a woman. You piqued my interest. And yes, I won't just settle for a dinner date and knowing-more-about-you stage. But I wanted to take it slow..."

I caressed her right cheek using my thumb. It feels so good to rub my finger against her clear and smooth skin. I felt her stiffened that made me grinned inwardly.

"Saturday, 5:30PM. I'll pick you up from your pad. Okay?" I declared fanning her face with my breath.

"O-okay," she nodded absent-mindedly.

Success!

©GREATFAIRY