Stolen Moments

03.

Sabay na daw kaming pupunta sa hotel- yun ang sabi sa'kin ni Zayden bago ako binilinan na sumunod sa sasakyan niya pagkatapos kong kumain.

Nagpaalam muna ako kay Cheska bago ko kinuha ang bag ko sa opisina ko at sumunod sa sasakyan. Naabutan ko siyang tulala sa driver's seat, mukhang malalim ang iniisip.

I sat in the backseat, waiting for him to notice that I was inside. When he saw me through the rearview mirror, his face crumpled before he moved to look back at me.

"What am I, your driver? Dito ka sa harap." masungit na sabi niya. Napanguso ako at kaagad na sinunod ang sinabi niya dahil baka sumabog na naman ang dragon. I sat on the passenger seat and waited for him to drive. He glanced at me and raised one of his brows. Nagtataka ko naman siyang tinignan pabalik.

He suddenly leaned forward towards me, dahilan kung bakit mas lalo akong nagtaka. He kept leaning until our faces were so close, our noses almost touched and I can feel his breath on my face.

He smelled good. His face was sinfully handsome, too. He looked handsome from afar, but this close, I can see his perfection. He was flawless. His eyes were intense but as we stared at each other right now, it was soft and affectionate. Like how it used to be back then.

I didn't seem to care if he noticed that I was shamefully staring at him. His gazes captivated me and it felt like I was trapped in his eyes.

He leaned closer even more, and I don't know what has gotten into me, but I closed my eyes, anticipating for a kiss me when our noses finally touched.

I waited, but it never came. Naramdaman ko ang paglayo niya sa'kin at nang magmulat ako ay abala siyang inaayos ang cuffs ng puting polo na suot niya.

"W-What..." I was still disoriented, I didn't know what to say.

"I fixed your seatbelt, you always forget to fasten it." he said and started the car habang tulala pa'rin ako sa kanya.

He glanced at me, his eyes were cold and his face was emotionless. "You thought I'll kiss you?" he chuckled humorlessly. Hindi ako nakaimik, I was still lost with what just happened.

Or what I thought would happen.

"Get back to your senses, Celestine. I would never kiss those lips of yours." aniya bago sinimulang magmaneho.

I've never been embarrassed my whole life. The whole ride, I was just silenty staring out the window.

Why the fuck did I assume? And really, I anticipated it? Disgusting! That's Zayden, your worst enemy, Celestine! The man who hates you! You hate him too, right? So why the heck did you close your eyes to wait for a kiss from him?!

Kung mag-isa ko lang ay kanina ko pa sinabunutan ang sarili ko, kaso ngayong kasama ko siya ay baka isipin niyang baliw ako kapag ginawa ko yun.

Naunang nakarating si Miss Megan sa hotel kaysa sa'min. Akala ko kanina ay hindi na namin siya kasamang kakausap sa event manager ng hotel, pero maaga daw natapos ang lunch meeting niya kaya nakasunod siya.

"I want a fairytale themed wedding. The whole events' hall will be covered with flowers, vines, and butterflies- if that's possible." I said when I was asked about the theme I wanted.

Miss Hana, the hotel's event manager, smiled at me. "We can have your reception at the hotel's garden, if you please. I think it would suit better with the theme you want."

"Really?!" I beamed excitedly. I clasped my hands and glanced at Zayden who was silent, nakasimangot as always.

"No." kontra niya. Here we go again. "It's hot outside, maiinitan ang mga bisita."