Sunlight Deception (Isla Series #1)

13

"That... did not just happen."

I blinked twice while staring at the door of my room. 'Di ko alam kung gaano ako katagal nakatutok sa pintuan pero noong natauhan ako, humarap na ako sa cabinet.

I can still feel the heat on my face while finding a decent pantulog. Nagbihis na ako at nagsuklay bago bumaba para makauwi na si Echo.

Dahan-dahan akong bumaba ng hagdan at nakita ko si Jericho na nakaupo sa sofa at busy ulit sa phone. Nag-init naman agad ang pisngi ko noong lumingon siya.

"I'll go now," aniya sa malalim na tono.

Tumikhim ako at lumapit sa kanya. He smirked at me while brushing his hair. He stood up and wore his jacket bago lumapit sa pinto.

I went to the door and opened it. He held my waist and pulled me close to him. I felt a familiar static kaya tinampal ko ang kamay niya. Natawa naman siya.

Ano ba Esme! Umayos ka nga! Ilang beses ko pa kaya ipapahiya ang sarili ko?!

"Uwi," naiiritang sambit ko.

"Ano ako, aso?" natatawa niyang tanong. Inirapan ko naman siya para matabunan ang hiya.

"Whatever. Go na. I want to sleep," I said, still not looking at him. I looked at the clock and saw that it's already 10:54pm. Late na pala.

"Okay." I looked at him and was taken aback when he gave me a smack on the lips before going out.

"Bye. Ingat ka," nahihiya kong sambit habang nagtatago sa likod ng pinto. Natawa naman siya kaya sinara ko agad ang pinto kahit 'di pa siya nakakasagot.

Nakakahiya na talaga ako!

May kumatok kaya binuksan ko ito ulit. It was Echo. 'Di pa pala siya umaalis.

"What?"

"'Di mo talaga ako aayain matulog dito?" he asked innocently.

"Gago," iritadong sabi ko kaya natawa siya. "Drive safe, please!" pahabol ko noong naglakad sya palayo.

He nodded and waved his hand before going in the elevator. I closed the door and locked it bago umakyat sa kwarto ko. Nakatulog naman ako agad.

I woke up the next day and checked my phone immediately. Binuksan ko ang messages ko at nakita ang chat ni Echo.

From: Jericho

I'm home.

From: Jericho

Are you asleep? Goodnight, babe.

To: Jericho

good morning! sorry nakatulog ako agad.

From: Jericho

Good morning! Kain na bb!

He sent me a picture and I opened it. It was him holding a plate with food, probably his breakfast. He was topless, his hair was messy, and he was smiling cutely.

"Sarap," I blurted unconsciously while looking at him. Natauhan naman ako bigla at sinampal ang sarili. "God, Esme. What's happening with you?" I asked myself.

From: Jericho

What are you gonna do today?

To: Jericho

punta ako sa mall later.

From: Jericho

Can I join you?