Sailing Against the Tides (CS #1)

Chapter 10

SATT•C#10

Livy
"Ah, you're a suitor of my daughter."

Napapikit ako dahil sa riin ng boses ni Daddy. He had a raised brow, obviously judging him. Mommy was staring at Nikolo before she gazed at me. At isang mahinang singhap ang kumawala sa labi ko nang ngumiti siya na para bang proud na proud siya sa'kin kasi ang gwapo ng manliligaw ko.

"Daddy, stop staring," suway ko sa tatay ko na kinikilatis pa rin si Niko na kalmado lang sa tabi ko. I'm amazed at how composed he looks even if my parents are in front of him.

"What were you doing inside my daughter's condo, Nikolo?" My father sounded so serious kahit hindi naman siya ganoon. Luh si Daddy, binibigyang malisya. Well, hindi ko naman siya masisisi. He's just protective.

"We dropped by to get my jacket, Sir. Nothing else more," Nikolo responded before glancing at me. Napakagat ako sa labi habang inaala ang pang-aasar ko sa kanya ng halik.

"Are you sure?" Dad said, trying to catch us red-handed. Muntik ko nang sabihin na 'Nilalandi ko si Niko, Dad. 'Wag kang basag trip.'

Nikolo nodded. "Hundred percent, Sir." He faced my Mom. "Good evening, Ma'am," baling nito sa Mommy ko na agad ngumiti, akala mo nanalo sa lotto!

"Hello, dear. Did you both have dinner already?"

"Yes, Ma'am," Niko said and cleared his throat.

"Let's have coffee," biglang sabi ni Daddy na hindi inaalis ang tingin kay Niko. Mamaya n'yan, ma-fall ka sa gwapong mukha niya Dad. Ikaw pa magiging karibal ko.

Pinaningkitan niya ng mga mata si Niko. "Dad, stop looking at him like that!" May pang-aakusa kong sikmat sa tatay ko.

"I'm not doing anything, Olivia. Why don't you let us in? I want to talk to you Nikolo."

"What, now?" Nataranta ako at kinabahan ako para kay Niko. So I looked at him and found him looking at me.

"But Daddy, may pupuntahan pa ata si Niko. Baka busy 'yung tao," I stated.

"No, I'm not. It would be a pleasure having coffee with you Ma'am and Sir," sabi ni Niko na halatang nagpapa-good impression sa mga magulang ko.

"Narinig mo 'yon?" Tinaasan ako ng kilay ni Daddy kaya sinimangutan ko siya. Mommy grinned widely. But my eyes settle on my father's back. Tumabi ako nang pumasok sila sa unit ng walang pasabi at iniwan kami ni Niko dito.

"It's okay, Livy," he chuckled in my ear after my parents went inside.

"Oh gosh, I'm sorry! They did not inform me of their visit. Hindi ko alam," paghingi ko ng tawad. "Malay ko ba na pupunta pala sila!"

Umiling lang siya. "Wala na, Livy. Nasabi ko ng liligawan kita. It slipped out of my tongue."

Talaga? "Hindi ka naman mukhang sorry," puna ko. "You're not even nervous at all. Sabi mo pa nga, 'I'm courting your daughter, Sir'," panggagaya ko sa tono niya.

"Livy, do I have your permission? Do you allow me to court you?" Nahimigan ko ang pangamba sa boses niya. He sounded so careful with his words.

Napakurap ako. I dramatically covered my mouth before nodding slowly. "Yes, Niko. Sinasagot na kita!"

The side of his lips raised. "Let's go talk to your parents. They might think I'm some random guy who just came at your condo. I need to change that," he said.