SUZY'S POV
"Oh thank you, son. Come now, Suzy."
When Mrs. Montero said that pagkaupo niya sa loon, tumalima nako and crouched down to hop in.
"You should've just stayed at home tonight. And your dress!"
I glared at him when he suddenly whisper-yelled that to me pagkalapit ko rito.
I throw him an annoyed look pagkapasok ko sa loob but I just received an unknown look at him saka isinara na ang pinto sa tabi ko.
The moment hed get into the driver's seat, I glared at him at the rearview mirror pero hindi naman ito tumingin and just started the engine.
This shit! Ano bang problema nito sa suot ko ngayon? Hindi naman ito malaswa. It was an off-shoulder fitted dress with long sleeves covering my arms. It was in nude color at hanggang tuhod naman ito so it didn't show off my legs. Mrs. Viola was kind enough to lend this dress and this silver louboutin shoes to me. A shoes which cost a fortune kaya kailangan kong ingatan ito.
Kung hindi lang sana namin kasama ngayon ang parents nito, edi kanina ko pa sana sinakal ito.
Throughout the ride to the venue of the party, pinili ko nalang na tumahimik dahil parang nawalan na'ko ng gana.
Kung ayaw niya sana na nandito ako, dapat hindi na niya ako isinama pa rito. I would've been working overtime right now. Yes, it was tiring but atleast walang nangingialam sa'kin. Walang naiinis na nandito ako ngayon.
I know he was upset with me dahil hindi ako pumayag sa gusto nitong mangyari na magpanggap bilang girlfriend niya but hell, as if I'd give a damn about him being upset.
"We're here."
When his father announced that, mabilis ko ng binuksan ang pintuan sa tabi ko before he could even got out from the car at pagbuksan kami.
Kung ayaw niyang nandito ako ngayon, then I guess, ako na mismo ang lalayo rito and I'll make sure that I won't get into his way tonight.
Nawa'y pangit ang babaeng ipapakasal ng mama niya rito para mapagtawanan ko naman ito.
"Let's get inside now." Saad ng mommy niya pagkalabas ng sasakyan.
And before she could even walked towards the entrance of the hotel ahead kung saan gaganapin ang party ngayon, lumapit na'ko agad rito.
"I think susunod nalang ako sa inyo sa loob, Mrs. Viola."
Agad na napatigil ito nang ibinulong ko na'yon sa kanya.
"Sumunod? And why is that, young lady? Saan ka ba pupunta ngayon?"
The jerk and her husband quickly turned to our way when she'd asked that with her voice enough for them to hear her. Kunot ang mga noo nito habang takang nakatingin sa'ming dalawa.
Ignoring them, sinagot ko na lamang ang tanong nito.
"May titingnan lang ako diyan sa tabi-tabi. Mukhang maganda ho kasi rito sa labas. I'll just take a quick stroll around for awhile."
"A stroll? We're here for the party---"
"Honey. Just let her do that. Gusto niya lang makita ang Canada sa gabi so just let her, okay? Late na rin tayo."
I felt grateful when her husband cut that off with a playful wink in his eyes.
And though Mrs. Viola was quite against with my idea to stroll around, napapabuntong-hininga na lamang ito.
"Okay. I'll let you do that pero kapag hindi ka pa sumunod sa loob, I'll send someone to get you here okay?"
I quickly nodded at that with a smile. And I noticed her heaved out a deep breath again before she nodded.
"Alright. Let's head inside now. Take care here, Suzy."
I just nodded at her and followed their retreating backs nang umalis na ang mga ito.
I saw the bastard looked back at my way but I justt ignored him and turned on my heels.
Alright. Now I'm free to do what I want now at wala ng gagong mangingialam sa'kin just because I came here tonight.
Blowing out a sigh, naglakad na'ko patungo sa tabi ng daan and when I noticed the white sands on the ground, hinubad ko na agad ang sapatos ko.
Nawala na ng tuluyan ang snow ngayon so it wasn't an issue if I walked with bare foot tonight.
Binitbit ko na agad ang mga sapatos ko before I walked towards the sea nearby. This hotel has a white beach around here and it would be nice if I'll just stay here alone.
I smiled nang tuluyan na 'kong makalapit sa dagat. The sea was calm tonight at dahil medyo maliwanag naman sa gawing ito, may iilan ding naliligo ngayon rito and mostly were foreigners.
Blowing out a sigh, I began to walk slowly along the shore. Just aimlessly walking with nothing in my mind. Just enjoying the feel of the sands and the cold sea water under my feet. It was wise of me na nagpaiwan na'ko rito sa labas dahil kung pumasok pa'ko ngayon dun, magmumukha lang akong alien sa loob at baka nakatunganga lang ako ron while feeling so out of place as I wasn't used to being surrounded with filthy rich people.
Dahil dito, hindi ko kailangang magpanggap na nabibilang ako sa kanila. Dito, pwede kong gawin ang gusto ko and no one will ever find out kung iiyak man ako rito.
"You should've just stayed at home tonight. And your dress!"
When his words replayed in my head, I halted with my steps saka humarap na sa madilim na karagatan while tightly holding my shoes in my hand and trying hard to stop my tears to fall from my eyes.
Parang sinasabi nito na hindi ako nararapat sa party na'to and that I looked terrible in this dress. Kahit na ayokong pansinin ang sinabi nito kanina dahil likas na gago lang talaga 'yon, hindi ko lang mapigilan ang sarili ko na manliit ngayon.
That was why pinili ko nalang rito sa labas kaysa sa loob. This way, hindi na'ko manliliit pa lalo sa sarili ko with Liam kept making me feel that way.
And though I had told her mom na susunod ako sa loob, no. Hindi ko gagawin 'yon.. Kahit mangisay pa'ko sa lamig dito, I won't go inside.
It's his night tonight so I'll let him enjoy this night with her future bride. Mabuti naman at sa wakas magpapakasal na ito. Wala naring manggugulo sa'kin araw-araw. Always pestering me just to accept his ridiculous offer.
~~~~~~~~~~~
LIAM'S POV
"Something wrong?"
I turned to my right when Magi asked that. Her light blue eyes were looking at me with questioning look. Probably dahil sa panay na tingin ko sa labas kanina pa, expecting some little woman to appear pero halos mga dalawang oras na ang nakakalipas, hindi parin ito pumapasok.
"Nothing's wrong, Magi.." tugon ko na rito before I glanced back at the entrance with bared teeth.
Ano naman kayang nakain nito ngayon? Don't tell me she was just enjoying there so much now kaya nakalimutan na niyang pumasok rito?
"Are you expecting anyone to come tonight?"
"No. Nothing. I just thought I saw someone I know at that way." I lied to her while giving her a tight smile.
Agad namang ngumiti ito saka tumango.
Honestly, this woman isn't bad to be my bride. Blonde hair, a bony-pointed nose, luscious lips and a white skin with a slight of freckles in her skin. So foreigner. She's stunning and with a figure every men would die for to have. She was almost in the same height as me, quite taller than Suzy na hanggang balikat ko lang----
I quickly shrugged those thoughts off when again, I'm starting to compare that little woman to this gorgeous woman here. I must focus on Magi now dahil base sa malalagkit na tingin nito sa'kin kanina pa, mukhang magkakaroon nga kami ng advance honeymoon mamaya.
Kaya naman kailangan ko ng tumigil sa pag-iisip sa Suzy na'yon dahil tiyak nagsasaya na rin 'yon ngayon.
"Liam.."
Lumingon na'ko sa likuran ko when dad called that out.
"Dad? Something wrong?" Tanong ko na agad rito when he seems perturbed right now.
"Pakitingnan na muna ang mommy mo. I'll just go outside for awhile and check for Suzy dahil kanina pa 'yon sa labas."
I grunted when again, I heard about her name. Just great.
"Baka nag-eenjoy na'yon sa labas, dad that's why hindi na siya pumasok rito. Hayaan mo nalang muna siya."
"I don't think so, son. She's just new here and she didn't even have a warm jacket with her right now. So please tell your---"
"Ako ng maghahanap sa kanya."
Agad na napatigil ito when I suddenly blurted that out. Alright. Baliw na siguro ako dahil sinabi ko agad 'yon pero hindi ko lang maiwasang mamroblema na rin dito when dad mentioned about her having no any jacket with her.
Baka mangisay pa ito sa lamig at kargo ko pa 'yon.
"Are you sure, son? Alam mong magkasama pa kayo ni Magi---"
"I'm certain. Ako ang nagdala niya rito so I should be the one responsible for her.." Agad ko ng putol rito before I turned to Magi who just looked at us in confusion. Halatang hindi naintindihan ang mga pinagsasabi namin.
"I just have something to check outside, Magi. Just wait for me here. It'll just be quick, okay?"
"Okay. Sure." Agad na sang-ayon nito sabay tango.
"Go back to mom for now, dad. Babalitaan ko nalang kayo kapag nakabalik na'ko rito. I'll go now."
Then without any further, umalis na'ko saka hinanap na agad ito pagkalabas ko.
Wala na talaga itong ibang ginawa kundi perwisyuhin ako. Talagang palagi nalang itong kailangang hanapin. It was bloody cold out here so I wonder where she was now.
With stomping feet, sinuyod ko na agad ang posibleng puntahan nito. At the bar nearby, bench, stores but she was still nowhere to be found.
Gasping a lungful of breaths, sinimulan ko na naman agad ang paghahanap sa tabing dagat. May mga iilang tao pa rito ngayon at malay natin, dito ko pala ito mahahanap. At baka nagdadrama pa 'yon ngayon sa harapan ng bagong kakilala nitong foreigner.
Nagpatuloy ako sa paglalakad ko, checking every face that I'd passed by. And after just a few minutes of searching for her, I cursed out a breath when I couldn't still find her.
Oh God! Saan na ba napunta ang babaeng 'yon?
In annoyance, nasipa ko nalang sa inis ang mga buhangin sa kinatatayuan ko.
"Shit!"
I frowned when I suddenly heard that familiar curse just a few meters from here.
Medyo madilim sa bahaging 'yon. Someone was moving in that way right now habang parang may binubuo itong sand castles ngayon.
Squinting my eyes, pinilit ko ng maaninag ito while slowly walking to that way.
And the more I came closer to that way, the more I feel relieved. Dahil unti-unti ko ng nakikilala ang damit nito kahit nakatalikod ito ngayon while she kept molding the sand castle with bare hands habang nakaupo ito sa buhangin. Quite oblivious with my presence here.
I was able to let out a sigh of relief when finally, nahanap ko na rin ito sa wakas.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SUZY'S POV
I shivered when again, another cold air frozen my state here.
I sniffed and then rubbed my hands, desperate to fell warmth before I continued molding the castle.
Dahil wala na naman akong magawa rito kanina after I take a short stroll at the streets, bumalik na'ko rito and decided to just build a huge sand castle here para naman kahit papano malibang ako. Well, this become a good use as well dahil nagagawa nitong sanggain ang lamig kahit papano.
I know this isn't the time to play pero ano pa bang pwede kong gawin bukod rito? I've got no any cash with me now kaya kahit gusto kong pumasok sa mga coffee shops or even bookstores nearby, hindi pwede.
Nang may malamig na hangin na namang dumaan, I cursed out and tightly hugged myself.
Oh God. Mukhang tama nga yata ang gagong Liam na'yon.. Dapat nagpaiwan na lang ako sa bahay ng mga ito. I could've been sleeping in a warm bed at this hour. Hindi sana ganito na-----
I was interrupted with my thoughts when suddenly, a warm cloth was being wrapped around me from behind.
Startled, I turned around to know kung sino ang naglagay nun.
And when Liam appeared in sight wearing only his dress shirt under his dark vest, tumayo na'ko agad mula sa buhangin.
"Anong ginagawa mo rito?"
He just folded his arms before he shrugged.
"Of course hinahanap ka, babae. Hindi ba halata?"
With a glare at him, umupo na'ko uli sa buhangin and resumed what I was doing before his sudden appearance.
"Just go back to the party, Liam. It's your night tonight. Have fun with your fiancee."
"Oh? yeah. You're right. Dapat nagsasaya na'ko sa kama kasama ang mapapangasawa ko ngayon but guess what? Kailangan ko na munang ipagpaliban 'yon dahil nag-aalala sa'yo sina dad with you not appearing in the party."
"Well, I have my reason kung bakit hindi ako sumipot dun. At ngayong nahanap mo na'ko and you've finally see I'm doing fine here, sabihin mo nalang sa parents mo na may ginagawa ako."
I groaned when I received a disbelief scoff from him.
Talagang alam na alam nito kung paano painitin ang ulo ko.
"May ginagawa ka rito? Playing this sand castle like a child? Oh no. Hindi mo man lang ba alam na kanina pa nag-aalala sina dad sa'yo dahil baka kung ano ng nangyari sa'yo rito?"
"Then go back to the party now para masabi mo sa kanila na okay lang ako and I'm just playing like a 'child' right now." I answered in between with gritted teeth while emphasizing the 'child' part without glancing at him.
"Well, bata pa naman talaga ako. I'm just twenty-two and unfortunately you are turning thirty kaya naiintindihan ko kung bakit ginagawa ko 'to ngayon. Palibhasa ang 'gurang' mo na para maintindihan 'tong ginagawa ko."
"What??!!"
"Whuut?" I mimicked him with a roll of my eyes before I continued building the sand castle na sing-laki ng 'Ego' nito.
"Sinasabi mo bang matanda na'ko?"
"Hindi po. Sinabi kong 'gurang' kayo at hindi matanda. Hindi niyo po masyadong narinig 'yon ano kasi mahina na po ang pandinig niyo? Well, ganun po talaga 'yon kapag malapit na po tayong lumagpas sa kalendaryo."
That made him growled more like a lion now. And hearing him so ready to eat me alive now, I couldn't help but grinned in amusement. I'm sure malapit na itong sasabog sa inis ----
I gasped out in surprise when suddenly, someone kicked the sand castle before me. Ruining my master piece!
"ANONG GINAWA MO???!!!" I exclaimed habang gulat na gulat na napapatayo sa kinauupuan ko. Gaping at the poor castle on the ground with wide eyes.
"OOpps! I'm sorry, child. Matanda na kasi ako kaya hindi ko nakitang may nakaharang pala sa daraanan ko. My mistake!"
Hearing that, parang bigla nalang kumulo ang dugo ko rito. At dahil sa sobrang inis na nararamdaman ko rito, wala sa isip na pumulot na'ko ng maraming buhangin malapit sa'kin saka inis ko ng binato ng buhangin ang pagmumukha nito.
"Aw—shit!!! My eyes!!!" He cried out sabay sapo ng mga mata nito habang nakapikit.
"Mabulag ka sanang gurang ka!" I shouted sabay pulot uli ng maraming buhangin before I throw it to him.
This time, nagawa nitong iilag ang mukha nito habang panay pa rin ang pagmumura nito.
I picked up another handful of sands from the ground saka makailang ulit ko ng sinabuyan ng maraming buhangin ito.
"Suzy! Stop it this instant! Hindi ka na nakakatuwa!!!"
"Oh yes. Sinabi ko bang matuwa ka ngayon??? Pwes, hindi! Bubulagin kita ngayong matanda kang gago ka at ililibing kita ng buhay sa ilalim ng mga buhanging ito kapalit ng sinira mong obra ko!!"And then with that, tinapunan ko na naman ito ng mga buhangin.
"I said enough, woman!!!"
I just scoffed at him when he growled that out habang naliligo na ito ngayon ng mga buhangin. And I felt so satisfied just seeing him looking so mess now.
"Suzy! I swear malilintikan ka talaga sa'kin kapag nakalapit ako—Oh damn it!"
I couldn't help but grinned in amusement when he cursed that out nang tiyempo kong matamaan ito sa ulo. Making his dark hair turned blonde in an instant. And seeing what I have done, mas dinamihan ko pa ang pagpulot ng mga buhangin ngayon before I throw it to his face.
"Suzy! Sabi ng tumigil----"Hindi na nito natapos ang iba pa sanang sasabihin nito nang pagtapon ko ng buhangin rito, sakto namang pumasok ito sa bibig nito.
"HOWLY SHI--!!!" before he could even complete that curse, napaubo-ubo na ito ngayon.
And seeing his reaction, hindi ko na napigilang humalakhak ng tawa dahil rito. Looking like a mess right now habang punong-puno naman ng buhangin ang bibig nito.
This time, my laugh was unstoppable. I could even feel my tears in my eyes right now dahil lang dito.
Oh God! I didn't know this evening would turn out this hilarious!!
I just kept laughing there at his expense while he kept spitting every little sand particle out of his mouth.
"Oh ano ka ngayon? Gusto mo pa bang makipag-away sa isang bata, Liam? I bet you won't."
When I mockingly asked that while I kept laughing, his deadly glare snapped to my way as he straightened up on his feet.
And with his face suddenly turned serious and dangerous right now, my laugh instantly died down in a second as alarm suddenly filled me.
"You better run now, child before I could get my hands on you!!" When he threatened that in a shout and with a very promising voice, I stepped back in alarm.
Especially when he began to take a predator steps now to my way.
"Liam! You better stop what you are thinking now dahil talagang pakakainin pa kita ng marami pang buhangin----"
I stopped as my eyes went wide when suddenly, nagsimula na itong umatake ngayon sa gawi ko.
Oh my God!
In alarm, hinawakan ko na ng mahigpit ang nakabalabal sa'kin na jacket nito saka kumaripas na agad ako ng takbo palayo rito. As if I was running for my dear life in the middle of the cold night. Kahit hindi ko na gaanong maaninag ang dinadaanan ko, I just keep running habang binabaybay ko lang ang tabing dagat habang nakapaa lang.
I bet everyone who are watching us right now must have thought na nababaliw na kaming dalawa.
But God. Baliw na kung baliw basta hindi niya lang ako maaabutan rito!
With that thought, I hastened up my steps.
I took a glance at him behind me and I cursed out when I saw him now chasing after my ass at malapit na ito sa'kin ngayon.
"Liam! Pwede bang tigilan mo na'ko ngayon!!!" I shouted at him with deep breaths as I keep running kahit nagsisimula ng mapagod ang mga ang binti ko.
When he didn't even answered, I cursed out again in annoyance habang patuloy lang sa pagtakbo.
He must really be----
Hindi ko na natapos ang iba ko pang iniisip nang may biglaan ng humatak sa jacket mula sa'kin.
"I told you to run, child."
When he said that, binitawan ko nalang ang jacket nito para lang makawala ako rito saka tumakbo na naman ako palayo rito. Pero napapamura nalang ako nang mahawakan nito ang kamay ko before I could even take a few steps away from him.
"Bitawan mo'ko, Liam! I swear I'll----"
Before I could even threaten him, napatili na lamang ako nang biglaan nalang niya 'kong buhatin sa balikat nito na parang sako lang ng sibuyas. This shit!
"Liam! Anong ginagawa mo???!"
"Well, dahil pinaliguan mo 'ko ng buhangin kanina, pwes, maligo ka na rin muna rito."
And before I could even curse the hell out of him, napatili nalang ako ng malakas when he unceremoniously throw me to the cold water without any mercy in his bones!!
Pagkatapon niya sa'kin, his laughter rang out through the cold night of Canada. Laughing so much at my expense while I felt like all my nerves had turned numb dahil sa mala-fredyider na lamig ng tubig ngayon.
I could really kill him for this!
Kahit na parang hindi na'ko makagalaw dahil sa lamig, pinilit ko nalang na tumayo at umahon mula sa tubig. Hanggang tuhod ko lang ito pero sapat na para maging basang-basa ang buo kong katawan ngayon. With gritted teeth, inis ko nalang na nahampas ng kamay ang tubig habang nagsisimula na 'kong maglakad palapit rito while killing him with my pinprick glare.
He just kept laughing at me while clutching his stomach in amusement.
There's just no way na ako lang mag-isang uuwi ngayon na basang-basa.
Pagdating ko sa tapat nito, tiim-bagang ko ng hinawakan ang necktie nito saka malakas na hinatak ito patungo sa tubig kasama ko. Stopping his laugh and making him looked at me with wide eyes.
"Hooooly shitttt! It's COLD!!"
When he exclaimed that pagkabagsak naming dalawa sa tubig, it was my turn now to laugh at his face while he shivered in cold.
This time, basang-basa na rin ang buhok ko. Habang ito naman, ang harapang bahagi lang nito ang basa ngayon.
"Now, ramdam mo na rin ba kung ga'no ka lamig ng tubig rito, Liam?"
When I sarcastically asked that in between my laugh, his glare snapped to my way with his pursed lips.
"Talagang hinahamon mo'ko ano?"
With raised brow, I just folded my arms on my chest.
"Yes. Hinahamon kita na gumawa na naman ng kalokohan ngayon dahil talagang hindi kita titigilan hangga't hindi ako nakakaganti sa'yo."
"Ganun ba? Pwes. Tingnan natin ngayon kung gaganti ka nga talaga sa'kin."
"At anong---"
My eyes widened in horror when he suddenly pulled the back of my head with one hand and before I could even realize what was coming my way, I felt his hot lips met mine.
With eyes wide as saucers, agad ko ng itinulak ito palayo sa'kin pero bago ko pa man mailayo ang mukha ko sa kanya, his other hand quickly pulled the other side of my face and forced me to face him again.
"Liam!"
"Sabi mo gagantihan mo'ko, hindi ba? So now respond to my kisses then." Then without waiting for my answer, he claimed my lips for a punishing kiss again. Firmly holding both my cheeks with his hand to refrain me from pulling my face away from him.
It was a brutal and demanding kiss but yet it brought warmth inside me. Warming my cold nerves.
And it was weird to feel this way!
Kahit parang nagugustuhan ko na rin ang halik nito, I have to stop my----
Hindi ko na naituloy ang iniisip kong 'yon when again, may malamig na hangin na namang dumaan ngayon. Making me shivered against him.
Alright then. Maginaw rin naman at kailangan ko rin ng mainit-init na kape ngayon and it just happened na ang halik nito ang available ngayon. Okay. I'll take it.
Desperate to feel his warmth, I quickly pulled him down closer to me before I returned those kisses.
~~~~~~~~~~~~