CROSSING THE WILD WAVES (Familiá Altamirano #2)

CHAPTER 9

The First Move

ANOTHER day, another slay. I'm going to the mall today because my hair needs some retouching because the dye is fading. Naligo na ako at nagbihis. I wore a lilac crisscross halter crop top and black baggy jeans. I partnered my outfit with my Louis Vuitton sliders. I picked up my black Prada baguette bag and put my things inside.

I left the room after I finished my make up. I sauntered towards the door, opening it. Nagulat ako nang makita si Croisx sa labas ng aking unit, six hours after he went to school.

He was still wearing the same clothes from earlier- a navy blue knitted sweater vest over a plain white shirt, a white cargo pants, and Nike shoes. He even wearing his green school ID!

"Ang aga mo, ah? Don't tell me nagcutting ka?" gulat na tanong ko habang nasa harapan ko siya.

He pursed his lips. "Free cut," sabi niya at kumunot noo nang mapansin ang ayos ko. "Are you going somewhere? Photoshoot?" he asked cluelessly.

I shook my head. "I'm heading to the mall. My hair needs some retouching," sabi ko at hinawakan pa ang buhok, pinapakita sa kaniya.

His lively expression became saddened. "Can I join you?" he asked in full of hope.

I nodded without hesitation. "Sure!" I chirped.

His lips automatically formed a subtle smile.

Hindi na nagpalit ng damit si Croisx. He just removed his school ID and brought out a medium-sized box from his unit. Pumunta na kami sa parking lot. I saw his expensive Ducati Panigale beside my Porsche.

Nang nasa tapat na kami ng sasakyan niya ay mabilis niyang binuksan ang kahon na bitbit at namilog ang mga mata ko nang makita ang laman. It's a matte pink helmet! May tatak na spyder ang helmet sa gilid. Para sa akin?!

"I bought you a helmet," he softly said, showing me the helmet.

Warmth enveloped my heart. "How much does this helmet cost? I'll pay you," I offered, but he shook his head, refusing my offer. "Ayaw mo?"

"You don't have to pay for it. I bought the helmet because I want to, not because you ask me to." He slid the helmet over my head before he opened the visor so I could see him clearly.

I reached for his head and patted it. "Thank you, babe!" ngumiti ako kahit may harang sa aking bibig. For the first time in my life, I called a man 'babe', and it felt so weird because my stomach leapt for no reason.

A smile of triumphant formed on his lips before he wore his helmet and climbed on the motorcycle. My heart melted when he he fixed the rear footrest so I won't feel uncomfortable. It's just a simple gesture but it really warms my heart.

Mabilis akong sumakay sa likuran niya nang makasakay na siya. He grabbed my arm and encircled it around him.

Hindi naman ako nagsalita, but deep inside, I was grinning like an idiot.

Mabagal lang ang pagda-drive niya. Since the visor was open, I could smell the mixture of his natural scent and the perfume he used. I really love how he smells!

We arrived at the mall and headed straight to my go-to salon. Bubbles immediately spotted me and approached us. Mabilis na nalipat ang paningin niya sa lalaking katabi ko.

The corner of her lips rose. "Boyfriend mo?" hindi niya man lang binulong 'yon at talagang harap-harapan lang na tinanong!

I wanted to pull her hair but stop myself from doing such recklessness. Instead, I encircled my arm on Croisx's and even rested my face on his arm. My lips formed a smirk. "What do you think, Bubbles?" I asked in a sing-song tone.