Embrace the Suck (Bad, #1)

Chapter Twenty-Four

"When did you two meet?" tanong ni Mama habang naghihintay kami sa tapat ng counter. Sa harapan lang siya nakatingin, mukhang binabasa ang menu.

Her question caught me off guard. It also warmed my heart. She wants to know something about me. I can't remember the last time that she asked me about myself.

"October 31 po."

Walang naging reaksyon si Mama. Nanatili ang tingin niya sa harapan. "Kailan naman naging kayo?"

"Two weeks ago lang po," I shyly answered. Nakakahiya dahil bago pa lang kami ni Saint.

"So the relationship is new and you just met him. Boyfriend mo na agad?" I can hear the disapproval in my mother's tone.

I paled. I felt slightly ashamed. It crossed my mind once, na masyadong mabilis para sa lalim ng nararamdaman ko kay Saint... but it never crossed my mind to hear it from my mother. Hindi ko alam ang isasagot. All I know is that I don't want to disappoint her.

"He's nice and thoughtful, Mama," I tried to explain.

"Masasabi mo ba na kilala mo na siya nang mabuti?" striktong tanong niya.

Hindi ko 'yon nasagot. Pakiramdam ko ay sobrang bigo siya sa akin. Nanatili ang marka ng disappointment sa kanyang mukha. Hindi niya na ako kinausap nang bumili ng pagkain hanggang sa bumalik kami. My stomach was turning the whole time. Pakiradamam ko ay napagalitan niya ako at may malaki akong kasalanan.

Pagkabalik namin ay sina Tito Fred at Bianca lang ang nakita kong nakaupo. Tito Fred is busy with a newspaper, si Bianca naman ay malalim ang simangot habang kinakalikot ang phone. My forehead creased as I scanned the whole area. Saint was nowhere in sight. Pati ang mga gamit namin ay wala.

"Bianca, where's Saint?" 'yon ang unang tanong ko sa kapatid.

She regarded me with an annoyed look. "Malay ko." She pursed her lips as if something crossed her mind. She grinned like the Chesire Cat. "Baka iniwan ka na."

Kumunot ang noo ko. I nervously looked around again before getting my phone. I dialed his number. Ilang rings lang ay sumagot naman ito.

"Saint, where are you?" my voice was a little high-pitched because of my anxiousness.

"Starbucks, baby. I just needed some drink. Can you come here?" he softly said on the other line. I released the breath that I was holding and calmed a bit.

"Okay. I'll be there," I answered before dropping the call.

I glanced at my family. Magpapaalam sana akong pupuntahan si Saint pero abala sila sa binili ni Mama na pagkain. Si Bianca naman ay abala na rin sa phone. I think it will be for the best if I leave without them knowing. Baka sumama pa si Bianca sa akin. Kagaya nang dati, hindi nila napansin ang pag-alis ko.

Sa bungad lang nakaupo si Saint kaya madali ko siyang nakita. He easily stands out. Mukha siyang nagpho-photoshoot kahit na simpleng gray shirt and black pants. Napansin ko ang ilang napapatingin sa gawi niya. I can't choose between feeling proud or feeling possessive. I just want to keep him all for myself.

He's wearing his Phantos black shades now, kaya hindi ko sigurado kung nakita niya na ako. He was sipping on his iced coffee. There's one mocha frappe placed on the table.

Saint placed down his cup. Inabot niya ang mocha frappe sa akin. Nakangiting tinanggap ko 'yon at umupo sa tabi niya.

"Thank you," I softly murmured. "Bakit ka umalis doon?"

"Your step sister is annoying," he flat out said. He looked unapologetic about it.

It's mean to laugh but I did exactly that. I bit my lip. He managed to ease my worries about this whole trip. Nina and Oli's warnings in my head died down.