Not even fifteen minutes into the movie, Stephanie's head rested against Ashton's shoulder and her soft breathing could be heard near his ear. He looked down at her and saw that she had definitely fallen asleep. He chuckled quietly and reached for the remote control on the coffee table. He paused the movie and then fixed Stephanie so that she was laying more comfortably on the couch with her head on his lap. His phone rang and he quickly answered it so as not to wake up Stephanie. She shifted in her sleep and he winced before putting the phone against his ear.
"Zo," he said quietly, just above a whisper.
"Hey, bro! Musta?" Enzo said happily on the other line.
"Eto, same old, same old."
"Anong ginagawa mo?"
"Nanonood ng movie."
"Oh really? The great Daniel Ashton Ordonez Benitez is not working today?" Enzo laughed.
"Bro, I really hate it when you use my whole name after the word 'great'," umiling si Ashton. "Oo, I took the day off; nanonood ulit ng kapitan."
"Again? Hindi ka pa ba nagsasawa, bro?"
"Hindi pa eh. May first time kasing nanonood pero nakatulog eh."
"May babae ka dyan, bro? Do my ears deceive me?" hindi makapaniwala si Enzo sa narinig. Medyo matagal tagal na rin walang dinedate ang kuya nya.
"Shhh."
"Alright, alright, I get it, I get it," tumawa ulit si Enzo. "Anyway, how's Gigi?"
"Not okay. May ubo eh."
"Hala! Kawawa naman si Gigi. Uminom na ba ng gamot."
"Di pa nga eh."
"Pwedeng makausap?"
"Hindi pwede."
"Bakit? Sige na, bro. Gusto ko lang syang kamustahin."
"Tulog nga."
"Paano mo nalaman?"
"Because she's sleeping right next to me," walang takot na sabi ni Ashton sa kanyang nakababatang kapatid.
There was a long silence on the other line. Hinintay na lang ni Ashton magsalita ulit si Enzo; alam nyang nagiisip na ang kapatid nya ng kung ano ano. "That's not a funny joke, bro," Enzo said after the long pause.
"Who said I was joking?"
"Bakit natutulog sya dyan sa tabi mo?"
"Nanonood nga kami ng movie, pero nakatulog. Pinagpahinga ko sya today kasi masama nga ang pakiramdam nya."
"Ah. Kala ko naman kung ano na..."
"Ano?" Ashton goaded. He didn't want to hurt his brother, but he didn't think he had to keep anything from him either. Tsaka wala naman ugnayan o kasunduan si Enzo at Stephanie as far as he was concerned.
"Sabi ko kasi ilakad mo ko sa kanya, hindi ilakad ang sarili mo," Enzo laughed a nervous laugh, trying to joke around with his brother.
"At sabi ko sayo gumawa ka ng sarili mong diskarte," Ashton said calmly.
"Gumagawa naman ng paraan eh, pero medyo mahirap lang tibagin ang walls ni Gigi."
"Paano kung hindi talaga sya interesado sa yo?"
"I'm a Benitez, bro. I have the same determination and never say die attitude you and dad do. I will keep trying until bumigay na si Gigi."
Ashton swallowed the lump in his throat. Akala nya crush or puppy love lang ang nararamdaman ng kapatid nya para kay Stephanie, pero parang natamaan na talaga si Enzo sa cook ni Ashton. Sinasabi ko na nga ba eh. Ayokong maging kakompetensya ko ang kapatid ko.
"You can't force Gigi to feel something she doesn't."
"Maybe for now, pero who knows in the future? Babalik ako dyan at liligawan ko sya."
"I told you not to play around with my cook, Zo," medyo frustrated na ang tono ng boses ni Ashton.
"Eh bakit, ba, Kuya? Bakit ba parang ayaw na ayaw mo? Bakit ba kanina ka pa tumututol dyan?" nagtatakang tanong ni Enzo.
Bumuntong hininga si Ashton. Hindi nya alam kung paano nya sasabihin sa kanyang kapatid, pero alam nyang dapat nyang sabihin. Hindi naman sa natatakot syang sabihin, pero ayaw nya lang saktan ang damdamin ni Enzo. Di naman nya sinasadya pero nangyari na eh; sabay silang nahulog kay Stephanie.
"We've never fought over a girl before," Ashton said quietly, his words heavy with meaning. He looked down at the sleeping Stephanie. He reached over to where her one arm was folded on top of her stomach and weaved his fingers on top of hers.
"Bro naman, walang ganyanan. Alam mo naman na may gusto ako kay Gigi," Enzo said exasparatedly.
"I know you do."
"O baka naman nachachallenge ka lang. Nachachallenge ka kay Gigi. Nachachallenge ka sa akin..."
"Bakit ba pareho kayo ng sinasabi ni Gigi? Na nachachallenge lang ako?" he said through gritted teeth.
"Dahil siguro totoo!"
"Bro, alam mo namang hindi ko kayang saktan ka, pero my feelings are real. My feelings for her are so intense. Siguro hindi mo lang napansin kasi sya lang ang napansin mo habang nandito ka. Pero sinabi ko na sa kanya. Alam nya na na gusto ko sya. In fact, nagsimula na nga akong manligaw."
"At talagang hinintay mo lang akong umalis bago ka gumawa ng diskarte mo," Enzo rolled his eyes. "Anong sabi nya?" Enzo swallowed. His throat suddenly felt dry.
"Basted na daw ako," natawang sabi ni Ashton.
"Eh yun naman pala eh!"
"I'm not going to stop na ganun ganun na lang."
"Kuya Dan, masasaktan mo lang sya in the end. Ikakasal ka na, remember? Yeah, you're just hiding from the truth, but the truth remains the same! Ikakasal ka na! Kaya tigilan mo na si Gigi. Tigilan mo na sya habang maaga pa. Tutal basted ka rin naman eh. And kelan ka pa pumatol sa empleyado mo?"
"Zo, stop it!" Ashton said, his irritation rising. "I know my situation, and I don't want to hear it. Alam mo namang hindi ako payag sa gustong mangyari nila Dad kaya walang kaso yun sa akin. And yes, hindi ako pumapatol sa mga employees ko, pero ever since I met Gigi, marami ng nagbago. Marami na akong self-imposed rules na brineak ko."
"Bro, I don't know what to tell you. Gusto ko rin si Gigi."
"I can't change the way you feel, bro. Gusto ko lang malaman mo. Yun lang."
"Ang lupit mo talaga, bro," natawa na lang ulit si Enzo, kahit na bitter laugh lang yun. "Bakit si Gigi pa talaga eh?!"
"Hindi ko rin alam," he squeezed her hand tight. "Ang alam ko lang, nahulog na ko sa kanya."
"It's a small consolation, pero thanks for telling me," Enzo said sadly.
With a heavy heart, he ended the call with his brother. Pinatay nya ng tuluyan ang movie na pinapanood nila kanina and just stared down at Stephanie's face. For you I'm willing to fight my brother. He lifted her head from his lap carefully and placed a throw pillow under her head. Kumuha sya ng kumot from the linen closet sa second floor. Bumalik sya sa home theater at humiga na sa tabi ni Stephanie. Humarap sya kay Stephanie at hinaplos nya ang buhok ng dalaga at napahinto lang sya ng tumagilid si Stephanie unconsciously to make more room for him on the couch next to her. He put the blanket over the two of them, making sure her legs were covered kasi medyo tumaas nanaman ang laylayan ng duster ng dalaga. Her legs were fast becoming his favorite parts of her body. Mas lalo pang sumiksik ang dalaga sa kanya kaya niyakap nya na lang din ito. He kissed her forehead and rested his chin on top of her head bago sya natuluyang makatulog na lang din ulit.
***
Hapon na ng magising si Ashton. Yakap yakap pa rin nya ang dalaga, pero this time pati si Stephanie ay nakayakap na rin sa kanya. Not only were her arms wrapped around him, but her legs were also on top of his. Tumingin si Ashton sa kanya at natawa. Para kasing bata si Stephanie kung matulog. Nakabuka ang bibig at medyo natuluan na nga ng laway ang sando ni Ashton. Hinalikan nya na lang ulit sa noo ang dalaga bago kinuha ang cell phone nya from the coffee table. Pinicturan nya ang natutulog na dalaga na ngayon ay nakasara na ang bibig. He couldn't go back to sleep so nagbrowse na lang sya sa internet gamit ang phone nya. He also checked his work e-mail na nagpile up na pala agad agad kahit ilang oras pa lang syang hindi nagtatrabaho. Finorward at dinelete nya ang mga mukhang hindi naman importante at kaya ng sagutin ng secretary nya sa Manila. Nilagyan nya naman ng flag ang mga kailangan nyang balikan bukas. I could get used to working like this; ang sarap naman ng yakap mo, Babe.
Gumalaw si Stephanie and slowly opened her eyes. Her eyes immediately connected with Ashton's brown eyes. Nagulat sya sa close proximity ni Ashton at nilayo nya ang ulo nya ng konti. Pinunasan nya ang gilid ng labi nya at nahiya. Alam nya na minsan naglalaway sya pag tulog sya eh. Mas lalo syang nagulat ng nakita nyang nakadantay ang kanyang binti kay Ashton. She decided to just play if off as she slowly moved off of him.
"Tapos na ba ang movie?"
"Hindi natin natapos. Kakaumpisa pa lang, nakatulog ka na agad."
"Sorry naman."
"So you must not really find Kapitan that hot since tinulugan mo," he smirked at her.
"Grabe ka naman! Hindi naman yun ang sukatan nun. Ikaw nga tinulugan ko din." Crap! Crap! Crap!
"So you find me hot?" he smirked at her again.
"Pagod lang ako, kaya nakatulog ako," pagiwas nya sa tanong ni Ashton.
"Bakit hindi ka makasagot?"
"Like I said before, hindi naman ako bulag. Bakit ba lagi kang nagtatanong? Parang kailangan mo ng validation all the time. Were you an ugly child? A face only your mother could love? Were you bullied? An ugly duckling turned into a beautiful swan?" she teased him at breakneck speed.
"Pag tulog ka, akala mo kung sinong anghel yun pala isang bratinella pag gising," tumawa si Ashton. "Mukhang okay ka na eh, wala na ang ubo."
Stephanie sat up. *Cough* *Cough* "Medyo."
"And for your information, kung gaano ako kagwapo ngayon, ganun din ako kasing cute nung bata ako. Gusto ko lang marinig galing sa bibig mo mismo na you find me hot. Parang ang taas kasi ng standards mo eh."
"Syempre naman, sa ganda kong ito?" inirapan nya si Ashton. "I think may karapatan naman akong maghanap ng ka-level ko."
"You're right. Ang ganda ganda mo, Gigi. Ang simple simple mo lang, hindi ka naman nagmemake up pag nandito ka lang sa bahay, pero ikaw na ata ang most beautiful girl in the world," he also sat up and leaned closer and closer to her. The tip of his nose touched the tip of hers, waiting for permission to come closer.
"Panis."
"I'm not using lines on you, babe."
"Panis na ang hininga mo..." she moved away from him.
"Hindi ah. Baka ikaw. Tingnan mo...you drooled on me pa!"
Her eyes widened as she saw a circular wet spot on his gray sando. "Ah ganun? Pero hahalikan mo pa rin ako? Panis ka talaga!" she slapped his shoulder.
"Peace na, peace na!" sabi ni Ashton dahil kinurot kurot na ni Stephanie ang shoulders nya.
"Ikaw kasi."
"Ang bayolente mo pala pag naglalambing ka."
"Heh!"
"Ganyan ka rin ba ka-aggressive pag nagsese..."
"Shut up!" she shrieked at him.
"Siguro dala dala mo pa rin sa kama ang take charge attitude mo? Or di kaya kailangan pagsilbihan ang mahal na prinsesa pagdating sa bagay na yan?"
You evil smirking man! "I guess you'll never know, huh?" she raised an eyebrow at him.
Ashton's grin fell. Nakalimutan nyang basted nga pala sya. Tinotoo mo na ba talaga, ha, Gigi? Wala na ba talaga akong chance?
"O ano? Natahimik ka na dyan? Bababa na ako at ng makaluto na."
"Kain na lang tayo sa labas," Ashton grabbed her wrist and stopped her.
"Labas nanaman? Tapatin mo nga ako...ayaw mo ng luto ko no?" she placed her free hand on her hip.
"Ito namang baby ko, tampo agad agad," he pulled her to sit on his lap. "Syempre, today is about us having a rest day. Anong gusto mong kainin?"
"Hmmmm, let's see..." nagisip si Stephanie. What can break the bank? I wanna have fun with this! "Steak and lobster."
"Sige," he wrapped his arms tightly around her waist and snuggled against her neck.
"Ano to? Bakit ka humahawak na parang boyfriend kita?"
"Malapit na."
"Tse!"
"Sabi ni Enzo na I need to start believing in the power of positive thinking so ito na yun."
"Heh! Steak and lobster ko!"
"Sige nga diba," he sniffed the dip between her neck and collar bone. Stephanie giggled kasi nakiliti sya.
"Eh di let me go so I can get ready."
"Mamaya na. Five minutes."
"Kailangan ko nang maligo. Feeling ko ang asim asim na ng amoy ko."
"Medyo nga," inamoy ulit ni Ashton ang leeg ni Stephanie.
"Kaya basted ka, mga linya mo, akala mo."
"Paliguan na lang kita, gusto mo?"
"No!" *Cough* *Cough* This guy made her nervous!
"Eh baka kasi hindi mo mascrub ang asim."
"OMG, ang sarap mong patayin, sa totoo lang."
"Sagutin mo muna ako so at least I can die happy."
Stephanie looked down at his smirking face seductively. Nilapit nya ang bibig nya sa tenga ni Ashton, lightly touching her lips to his earlobe, teasing him. "Gusto mong sagutin kita?" she whispered. Tumango naman si Ashton. "The answer is...NO!" she yelled loudly right into his ear causing him to loosen his hold on her. Sinuot nya na ang tsinelas ni Ashton at tumakbo na palabas ng main house at tuluyan ng pumunta ng cottage.
***
Kumatok si Ashton sa cottage after 90 minutes. Yun kasi ang last words na Stephanie yelled out bago sya tuluyang lumabas ng home theater. Binuksan ni Carlota ang pinto.
"Oh, Sir Ashton, kayo po pala."
"Ready na ba sya?" he smiled at Carlota.
"Um, hindi pa po eh. Sige po, pasok po kayo. "Pinapasok na ni Carlota si Ashton sa living room at pinaupo sa sofa. "Malapit na rin po sigurong matapos."
"Okay lang, I can wait," Ashton sat down on the couch at nagdekwatro. "Lota, maybe you can give me some advice."
"Ako po, sir?" nabigla si Carlota sa tanong ng boss nya.
"Oo," ngumiti ulit si Ashton. "Paano ko mapapasagot si Gigi?" seryoso nyang tanong sa kanyang helper.
"Uh, nanliligaw po kayo, Sir?" Hindi naman kasi sure si Carlota kung may nangyayari na nga between her boss and her friend. Ang alam nya lang, medyo naglalandian ang dalawa, pero hindi nya alam na humantong na pala sa ganito.
"Yes. Kakaumpisa ko pa lang naman."
"Kelan po?"
"Kahapon."
Carlota giggled. "Ay, sir! Atat lang?"
"Medyo eh. Tinamaan ako sa kaibigan mo."
"Eh, Sir, huwag nyo naman po kasing madaliin. Kilalanin nyo na lang po siguro si Gigi muna. Opo, medyo malakas ang dating ni Gigi pero babae pa rin po yan. Magpapakipot pa po muna," Carlota giggled again.
"Do you think I have a chance?" Ashton asked her earnestly.
Carlota studied her boss' face. Seryoso ba to? Bakit parang batang naubusan ng candy? "Sir, sa gwapo nyo pong yan, naiinsecure kayo?"
"Kay Gigi lang," Ashton laughed.
"Ay, sir, malaki po ang chance nyo kay Gigi. Konting tsaga lang po. Pag may tsaga, may nilaga, sabi nga nila."
"Salamat, Lota. Pinalakas mo ang loob ko!" tumayo na si Ashton ng narinig nyang bumukas na ang pinto.
Lumabas na si Stephanie na naka suot ng red, sleeveless shift dress. She curled her short again a little bit and put on her signature red lipstick. She walked out to the living room area and stopped when she saw Ashton already waiting for her. He was wearing dark jeans and a blue shirt na nakatuck in and naka roll up hanggang elbows ang sleeves. Crap! Crap! Crap! Bakit ka ganyan, Abo. Mukhang ang bango bango mo! Nakakagigil ka!
"Ready?" he asked her as he took her hand.
"I'm ready. Are you ready? Or better yet, is your wallet ready?" she teased him.
"Anything for you, babe."
Carlota covered her mouth with her hand. Halatang pinipigilan ang tili dahil kilig na kilig na sya.
"Don't wait up," sabi ni Ashton kay Carlota when they passed her by.
"Sige po, Sir," nauutal na sabi ni Carlota na kilig na kilig pa rin.
Kinurot na lang ni Stephanie ng pinong pino ang tagiliran ni Ashton.
Crap! Crap! Crap!