Embrace the Suck (Bad, #1)

Chapter Twenty-Three

I felt a soft lips pressing a kiss on my cheek. My forehead creased. Nang idilat ko ang mga mata ay nakita ang mukha ni Saint sa malapitan. His eyes widened a bit. Para pa akong naalimpungatan at inabot pa ng ilang seguno bago na-proseso ang pagkakita sa kanya.

"Saint," I happily exclaimed in a somnolent tone. My heart instantly fluttered.

"Hey. I'm sorry I woke you up," he murmured.

My face scrunched in confusion. Woke me up?

Lumampas ang tingin ko sa likuran niya at nakita ang hindi pamilyar na scenes sa pinapanood kong bagong series. Oh. I must have fallen asleep.

"Bakit dito ka natulog? I told you not to wait for me," he softly said and brushed my cheek.

"Hindi ko napansin." Napanguso ako. I feel like I was being lulled knto sleep with his touch. "Anong oras na? Kumain ka na ba?"

He nodded. "It's eleven. Come on. Let's go to bed."

Hindi hinintay ni Saint ang pagpayag ko. He stood up from the floor and leaned down to scoop me from the sofa. His arm supported my upper back while the other was on the back of my knees. Nagawa niya 'yon nang walang kahirap-hirap na akala mo parang hangin lang ang timbang ko.

Ipinatong ko ang ulo ko. His warmth is pulling me back to sleep. Bumabagsak ang mga mata ko pero pinilit kong idilat dahil gusto ko pa siyang makausap.

"Bianca, my step-sister, visited me earlier," I said and couldn't resist a small yawn.

"Really?" he casually responded. Naalog pa ako nang bahagya nang buksan niya ang pinto. Hindi niya binuksan ang ilaw at tumuloy lang sa paglalakad. May dim light

I slowly nodded and tilted my head back to look at him. "Inaaya niya akong sumama sa Pagudpud this Christmas."

He didn't say anything. Huminto siya at dahan-dahan akong ibinaba sa kama. He looked serious as he fixed my pillow and placed the comforter over me.

"She said I can bring anyone." Bumaba ang tingin niya sa akin. I slightly puckered my lips. "Can you come with me?"

Saint gazed at my face for a few seconds before nodding. "Alright."

Lumaki ang ngiti ko. Halos pumikit na ang mga mata sa tuwa. "Thank you."

"Go back to sleep. Magbibihis lang ako," utos niya.

I nodded like an obedient kid. That pleased him. He pressed a kiss on my forehead and then briefly on my lips before standing up.

I watched him unbutton his top. His body looked glorious especially with the dim light. It reminds me of the sensual scenes in movies. He looked so fictional. I'm still having a hard time convincing myself that he's real. 'Yon nga lang, hindi ko na natuloy ang panunuod at tuluyan nang hinila ng antok.

The next day, Bianca called me to confirm if I'll be going with them. Sobrang excited pa siyang ibalita sa akin na pumayag si Mama na isama ako sa Christmas vacation nila. I was excited, too. Ngayon ko lang ulit sila makakasama sa isang bakasyon.

Nagpasama ako kina Nina at Oli sa mall para mamili ng swimsuits at mga damit. May klase si Saint kaya sa kanila ako nagpasama. Isang sabi ko lang na libre ko ang food, pumayag na agad sila. They are so predictable. Mabuti na lang at mababaw lang ang kasiyahan nila. KFC lang, solve na sila.

"Saan pala ang lakad mo at nag-shopping ka? Boracay with bebe?" sabi ni Oli habang ginagawang sabaw ang gravy sa rice niya.

"No." I grinned widely. "My family is going to Pagudpud this Christmas. Sinama ako ni Bianca. Pumayag si Mama."