Tequila Nights, Tipsy Lights (Revelry Series #3)

Hakbang 13

It was all weird and different.

The feeling of the ring against my skin. The atmosphere between us. And how my heart responded earlier. It was strange.

And for some reason, I couldn't seem to get myself to look at Avino. Nanatili akong nakatitig sa madilim na dagat, at walang masabi pagkatapos siyang batiin. Hindi ko alam kung bakit nagkakaganito ako.

Maybe I was just so tired and sleepy that my organs couldn't function properly. More specifically my brain and heart, kaya ganoon ang reaksyon ko.

Right! I thought that was it! Napaaga tuloy ang balik namin sa hotel dahil nag-aya na akong matulog. Tahimik lang din si Avino. We're both strangely quiet after talking so much earlier.

Pareho siguro kaming antok at pagod. We had a long day so...

But if that was the case... why am I still wide awake now? Magdadalawang oras na mula noong makabalik kami at malalim na ang gabi, pero gising na gising pa rin ako!

What the fucking hell is wrong with my system tonight?!

I heaved out a deep sigh and shifted my position. Iritado na ako sa sarili dahil hindi makatulog. My eyes then caught the ring on my finger. Kuminang 'yon.

Hindi ko masyadong natitigan kanina ang design dahil nabigla talaga ako. Until now, I couldn't believe I was wearing an engagement ring! Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine myself wearing one this early in my life, more so from this Acierno.

But now I am.

I swallowed hard as I stared at it.

It was a simple oval cut diamond ring. Maliit lang ang bato pero maganda. I suddenly thought of the money he spent on this. Not that I'm ungrateful, but he could have just settled with our heirloom ring. Hindi na dapat siya gumastos para sa bagay na hindi naman mangyayari. This... is too much.

I want to return it because he could use the money for something more important, but I also know it's needed for our phony engagement.

Hindi rin papayag si Avino na ibalik ko 'to. Lalong hindi kapag sinabi kong maghati kami sa pinambili. At isa pa...

Bahagya kong tinaas ang kamay. Biting my lips hard, I sighed as I realized that... it looks good on my hand. It blended perfectly with my skin. It's simple yet so classy.

Maganda rin talaga ang taste ng unggoy na 'yon.

Honestly, I'm actually more of a gold girl. My accessories are all gold. Kagaya ngayon, mukhang out of place ang singsing na bigay ni Avino sa mga suot kong singsing. Mas madaling tanggalin ang isang naiiba, 'di ba?

But I didn't take the easy way. Instead, I began removing my gold rings until the only accessory left on my fingers... was the one he gave.

Weird but... I like it.

Patuloy ko 'yong tinitigan habang nakataas ng kaunti ang kamay. I then shifted on my position again while my hands are still up, at tumapat 'yon kay Avino na nakahiga at nakatalikod sa banda ko.

He's already sleeping, and not wearing anything on his upper body. The ripples on his back were clear in my sight. The fact that the light was dimmed didn't help; it reflected perfectly, emphasizing his muscles and skin.

Ilang beses ko na naman 'yan nakita pero ngayon ko lang napansin na... lumalaki ata ang katawan niya? It's like he can lift someone up without breaking a sweat with those damn muscles. Not too bulky though, just enough to be called a snack.

Teka nga lang! Why is my train of thought centered on Avino's muscle?! There's something really wrong with me tonight. Kulang na talaga ako sa tulog!

Inirapan ko ang likod niya at tumalikod. I forcibly closed my eyes, and tried so hard to sleep. Bukas, siguradong maayos na ang utak ko dahil nakatulog!