Chapter 37
First Real Date
I'm so disappointed with myself.
I can't believe I let this happen. Umuwi lang ako at nakita si Storm, hindi na ako nakapag-isip nang matino. Idagdag mo pa ang jet lag at pagiging excited maging girlfriend, nawala na lahat sa isip ko ang pag-iisip sa safety at security ko.
Umuwi lang ako ng Pilipinas, nakalimutan ko na kung sino at ano na ako ngayon!
"I'm sorry," bulong ko kay Storm nang umalis sina Sir Simon at Sir Red sa boardroom ng TMA, naiwan na lang kaming dalawa kasama ang mga staff nila na nagliligpit ng kanilang mga gamit. I can still feel the embarrassment from being reprimanded by our bosses.
But what can I do? Mali naman talaga ang ginawa ko na hindi kaagad sabihin sa kanila 'yung tungkol sa creepy text messages and calls na natanggap ko. Mali rin namin na pumunta sa isang sikat na mall para mag-date.
I'm not exactly an unknown civilian anymore.
Lumingon si Storm sa akin. "You don't need to apologize to me. Hindi rin ako nag-isip. What happened at the mall could've been worse. If anything, I should be the one apologizing to you. I need to prioritize your safety as your partner."
"Don't beat yourself up for it," mabilis kong sagot sa kanya. Mas ako ang may kasalanan dito. I should've known. "Hindi na tayo magkakamali sa susunod. This is just a part of us learning new things about each other."
"I'll make up for it." Storm took my hand and kissed the back of it. "I know how much you've been looking forward to our first date. There will be many more dates for us, I promise."
I felt the heat creep up my cheeks with that kiss. "This one doesn't count," I said to him, trying to shrug the kilig off. "We didn't even sit down at our table."
"Give me a day and I'll plan something better."
"No need to do that, love birds," said Sir Red, as he entered the boardroom again. "Your Tito Simon felt bad at his outburst earlier and asked me to give this to you."
He handed out a small piece of paper to me. I took it and read it immediately.
Reservation for 2
Sky Lounge
Marco Polo Ortigas
"What is this?" I asked as I stared at the paper.
"You have a reservation for two at Marco Polo's rooftop restaurant. Be there at 7PM," he said as he started leaving. "You need to leave now to get ahead of the traffic."
What? Seryoso ba 'to? "Is this for real?"
"Yes, sige na," natatawang sabi ni Sir Red. "Enjoy your first date, kids!"
Sabay na rin kaming tumayo ni Storm at sinabayan siya sa paglabas ng boardroom. "Thank you Sir Red, and please tell Sir Simon our thanks!"
"Just text him, hija. He already feels bad about losing his cool earlier."
"No, I get it. I was being reckless not thinking about the consequences."
Sir Red tapped me by the shoulder. "We know you're still adjusting with all this. No one is holding what happened earlier against you. Just remember to always tell us first when some creep gets a hold of your number."
I smiled to show how grateful I am for them. "You'll get me a new number tomorrow, right?"
"Yes. We'll get you a new phone tomorrow." Then he gave Storm a nod before he started walking towards his office.
"Thank you, Sir Red," my boyfriend said to my boss.
Lumingon ulit ito sa amin at tinignan nang maigi si Storm. "Yap, take care of our girl, okay?"
"Yes, Sir Red," sagot nito habang nakangiti at humawak sa kamay ko. "Her safety comes first always."
***
I don't know who Sir Simon called to prepare this date night, but whoever that person was spared no effort. As soon as we got to the hotel, we were guided by four security personnel and a host going to the rooftop restaurant. We were also seated at the cordoned section away from the other people dining there.
"How are you? Are you okay?" Storm asked after taking a sip of his red wine. We both ordered steak with asparagus and mashed potatoes. We're also sharing pavlova for our dessert.
I looked his way and beamed at him. Instead of sitting in front of each other, we decided to sit closer instead.
"I'm okay, I'm happy." Like really happy. My fairy godfathers saved another day in Asher's land. I need to send them a gift soon to show how much I love and appreciate them.
"That's great to hear," Storm said before carefully putting down his fork and knife. "So about that stalker..."
I groaned as I leaned back on my chair. "I'm sorry I didn't say anything agad! I swear, sasabihin ko naman. Masyado lang talaga ako na-distract ng pag-uwi ko pati na nito, tayong dalawa."
Tumango siya. "Do you have any suspicion who's stalking you?"
"No," I said, shaking my head. "And to be honest, ayoko nang isipin dahil may nag-ha-handle naman noon sa TMA. Bukod sa pagtawag at message nun sakin sa personal number ko, wala namang nakakalapit sa akin." Napahinto ako bago idinagdag, "Well, besides today."
He took my hand and squeezed it. "I promise to always protect you, Ash. Even though you have your own security detail now, I want you to know that you're always safe with me, okay?"
"Hindi naman kita pipiliin kung hindi kita pinagkakatiwalaan."
"I'm happy you're taking a chance on us," he said with a teasing smile. "Finally."
"I know." I smiled at him. This guy... Once again, I feel the rush of blood in my cheeks, and even on the tips of my ears. I feel so warm, so hot.
He flashed me a smug smile. "You're blushing."
I rolled my eyes at him before pushing his shoulder playfully. "Ang epal mo!"
"It's fun making you blush!"
I looked down on my food and tried to change the subject as I took a piece of my steak. "Are you not even a little bit weirded out that we're dating?"
I can feel his eyes on me. "Is this you starting to freak out on us?"
"Hindi naman. Napapaisip lang ako."
"About what?"
"We're really dating. Like really dating." I looked at him and widened my eyes to convey my thoughts. "Like boyfriend-girlfriend."
He moved closer to me and whispered to my ear. "I already came inside you once."
"Storm!" I gasped. Holy shit, this guy...
"Yeah, it's kinda weird." He moved away slightly as he laughed. "Especially when you call me by my real name when you've always called me 'Yap.'"
I paused. Wait. It's weird for him, too? "Do you not like it? When I call you Storm?"
"I like it, I'm just not used to it." He moved close to me again and lowered his voice. "I'm sure I'll get used to it, especially if you keep screaming my real name."
I pushed his shoulder again and growled at him. "You ass."
"There she is, that's my best friend." Storm was laughing at me again. "Don't be mad, Ash. But it's really fun to see you blush because of me."
Despite his teasing, I couldn't help but smile again and feel kilig. "Best friend to girlfriend, who would have thought?"
"Me," he answered without missing a beat. "Well, I hoped you would be my girlfriend when you finally come home."
And here we are... Why is he making me blush so much?
"Can I kiss you?" he suddenly asked, his face turned serious.
"You don't have to ask," I said to him with a smile as I leaned close to him.
I can feel my cheeks burning but I couldn't stop the smile stretching my lips. He met me halfway and brushed his lips against mine. I pressed my forehead against his and sighed.
"I'm so happy." My heart is so happy. I feel so light, so content. I just feel so damn good that I feel like I'm going to burst and scream that I love him.
He kissed my lips again. "I'm happy you're happy."
Shit. I want to tell him I love him. But it's just our first date... would that make me look so eager? So clingy? But we're already together, doesn't that mean we both know we love each other?
Heck, he told me he was falling in love with me again.
Pero may sinabi ba ako sa kanya about my feelings? Shit. Have I told him I'm in love with him? Hindi ko maalala!
But I think I haven't yet...
Should I say it now?
Is now the right time to do that?
Ugh. Is there ever a right timing for this? Is 'right timing' even real?
"It's fun dating you," he said to me before pressing another smile against my lips. "I get to know you all over again. It's fun seeing you in a different light."
We straightened in our seats and continued eating our dinner.
"I like that we're each other's oldest friends, and yet we don't really know each other as romantic partners." We both stepped back when there's someone in our lives. I dated some before, but it never went past the talking stage. It didn't bother me at all since I was preoccupied by tennis. And now we'll get to know each other as lovers. I'm so excited to get to know him on a deeper level.
"I love your smile," he said, as if distracted.
My smile widened. How could I not smile after hearing that? "You're making my heart happy, so you better get used to it."
He only flashed me a smile before he continued eating his steak.
Shit. Did I say too much?
Even before I could spiral with that thought, Storm took my hand and played with my fingers before intertwining them with his. "I feel the same. I've never felt this happy. Everything just... feels so right."
Fuck.
I love him. I'm so in love with him and I don't know how to tell him!
***
I don't want this night to end.
Can I ask to stay with him tonight? Is it bad? Is it cool to ask if we could spend more time and not end our date for a little while?
Sobrang dyahe ba na ganito ako ka-sentimental sa first date naming dalawa? Hindi kaya siya ma-turnoff kaagad sa akin dahil ganito pala akong girlfriend? I'm even surprised that I'm being like this.
It's like knowing this other 'me' that I had no idea was there. I was so focused on my career then and now, I didn't even stop to think what kind of partner I'll be when I finally become someone's girlfriend.
Asher, what the fuck? This is your best friend. He already knows how much of a stupid shit you are. If he's not running away now, he's not going to run away after being asked basic relationship questions or requests!
Pero pauwi na kami. He's driving me home na...
"Spit it out, Asher."
"Huh?" I snapped out of my spiraling thoughts.
"Don't play dumb," he said, even tsked. "Kanina ka pa lingon nang lingon sa akin, like you want to ask something and you're debating with yourself if it's a stupid question to ask."
I was left speechless for a beat. "Wow, you really do know me."
He looked at me briefly before focusing again on the road. "I'm your best friend, aren't I?" he asked as he laid his right hand on my thigh.
I took his hand and intertwined my fingers with his. Storm's thumb made circles on my palm, making the hairs on my arm stand up.
"Did you have fun with our date, though?" I asked, my voice a little squeaky showing my insecurity.
He squeezed my hand. "Yes, baby. I had fun."
"Me, too."
"And...?" he pressed.
Damn it. I'm just going to say it. He's my fucking best friend, for fuck's sake!
I bit my lip before finally telling him what I really wanted. "I don't want this night to end yet."
"Ayoko pa rin," he said with a grin on his face. "Where do you want us to go?"
"Parking lot?"
"Next time," he said, bringing the back of my hand to his lips. "Do you want to hang out in my place?"
I felt my core squeeze. I looked at his profile and traced the features of his face with my eyes, admiring how handsome he was. My boyfriend is so fucking hot.
I smiled at him. "Sure."