Pretty Little Thief

  NATIGILAN ako nang maabutan si Ruru sa living room, nakaupo at parang hinihintay talaga ang pagdating ko. There is a thick stack of papers on the coffee table.

"Ruru!" I exclaimed.

"Sinong naghatid sa 'yo?" Tanong niyang wala ng paligoy-ligoy pa.

"G-grab po," I fibbed to shorten the questions.

"Grab? Where's Dawson?"

"May emergency po. His father was rushed to the hospital,"

He sighed, "You should have texted me. Susunduin naman kita,"

"Nang naka motor?" I protested.

His eyes narrowed. "I'll use the spare cars. Pasalamat ka at wala pa si Roro," he said.

"Opo, thank you."

Ruru sighed upon hearing my response, "Just rest up, princess."

Patakbo akong umakyat ng kwarto at nagpalit ng pambahay. Habang nagpapalit ng damit, hindi ko maiwasan hindi mapakagat labi sa mga nangyari ngayong araw.

I touched my heart when my heart pounded faster, and an image of a man flashed in my mind. Umiling agad ako para maalis ang gwapong pagmumukha ng lalaking 'yon sa isip ko.

"No, I can't think about him," I whispered. "He's off limits, Rara..." I reminded myself.

I groaned and hid my face with the pillow to protect my face from the light when my door cracked open.

"Prinsesa ko, natutulog ka pa? Hindi ba ngayon ang unang araw ng pasok mo sa skul?"

My eyes instantly widened. I rubbed them and yawned. Then, I got up from the bed and glanced at the door, where I saw Popsi standing at the entrance.

"What time is it?" I was still groggy when I snatched the alarm clock. "7:30..." Halos sabay naming banggit ni Popsi sa oras.

As soon as I figured out the time, I jumped off the bed and ran straight to the bathroom. I have to be quick, damn! I rushed to take a shower so I could still eat breakfast.

Why didn't I wake up early?!

"Baba kana lang, prinsesa ko! Nakahanda na ang agahan!" Dinig ko ang boses ni Popsi.

My body was wrapped with a towel when I got out of the shower. I dried myself before getting dressed. Sa sasakyan na lang ako magmi-make up! I grabbed my things before going down to the kitchen to have breakfast.

Nakasandok na ang pagkain ko at ako na lang ang hinihintay. We started eating the moment I sat down. Ruru refilled my glass with water, and I just smiled at him as my mouth was full.

"Dahan-dahan, prinsesa ko at baka mabulunan ka," Popsi said.

I swallowed before saying, "I need to eat fast, Popsi. I don't want to be late," I said and finished all the food on my plate.

I cleaned my mouth with water as I stood up, holding my plate with the utensils. Dinala ko sa lababo ang plato at basong ginamit. Pinigilan agad ako ni Ruru nang akmang huhugasan ko ang mga 'to.

"Don't wash your plate, princess. Baka ma-late ka. I'll wash them for you," Ruru said behind my back.

I quickly hugged him on the waist. "Thanks, Ruther! You are the best!"

Napangiti ako nang maramdaman ang labi niya sa ulo ko.

"Go, show them what you are capable of!" Ruru cheered for me.

Bumungisngis ako. "Thank you, Ru!"

"Study well, prinsesa ko! Palagi mong tandaan na proud ako sa 'yo." Hinalikan ako ni Popsi sa tuktok ng ulo.

I nodded and waved at them for the last time. Dawson was already waiting for me outside our house. He opened the car door when he spotted me.

"Good morning, Dawson!" I greeted him, but he only nodded at me.

Napanguso na lang ako at tumahimik hanggang sa makarating kami sa pastry school. Mukhang may nangyaring hindi maganda dahil mabigat sa pakiramdam ang pagiging tahimik ni Dawson ngayon.

"Thanks for the ride," I said when we reached the school.

"Okay, Miss."

He left as soon as I got out of the car. I couldn't help but worry about my Dawson. What happened to him yesterday? I hope he is okay.

I shook my head and spun to the entrance of the pastry school. I'll make sure to make my first-day fun. I entered the school and marched towards the admin office to get my schedule for today.

"Hi, everyone! My name is Rashaiah Dorothy Morrison..." I introduced myself in front of everyone.

"Ms. Morrison, can you share your thoughts on why you chose pastry?" the instructor asked.

I nodded and looked in front of everyone.

"I decided to take a pastry course because aside from being fond of bread and sweets, I am also planning to start an online business." I paused, and a subtle smile appeared on my lips. "Moreover, it would be a shame if I as the owner of the business didn't know the process of how the products I sell are made..." I added.

Everyone applauded after I finished my statements. My smile widened, revealing my dimples. The instructor looked at me with amusement. He asked me to go back to my seat, which I did quickly.

"Nice to meet you, Rashaiah! I like your answer! I'm Ivy, by the way!"

"Hi, Rashaiah! I'm Shea!"

I was surprised when two of my female classmates talked to me. Slowly, my lips parted for a subtle but sincere smile.

"Hi, nice to meet you, Shea, Ivy... I'm Rashaiah."

"You are so pretty, no? Are you aware of that?" Shea said, which made my cheeks flush.

"Exactly! Just look how the boys were secretly looking at you!" Ivy whispered.

I bit the inside of my cheeks when I caught my male classmates looking at me. When they saw me looking at them, they looked away.

My lips parted when I saw four familiar men in the same classroom. They were the same men I met yesterday. Tama nga ako at magiging kaklase ko nga sila. Mabilis nilang siniko ang bawat isa nang mapansing nakatingin ako sa direksyon nila.

"Hi!" I waved at them.

"Rashaiah, h-hi!" Nahihiyang bati nila pabalik.

I smiled widely at them.

"You know them pala?" Shea asked.

I glanced at her and nodded. "Yeah. I just met them yesterday,"

"Okay, everyone, I know this is only the first day, but I would like you all to make bento cake. I would give you all the chance to bake two bento cakes each. Pwede niyo rin iuwi ang mga magagawa niyo," The instructor announced.

Shea and Ivy almost squirmed in excitement. I just giggled at their reaction. They looked at me after the announcement.

"Tabi tayong tatlo!" Shea said excitedly.

"Okay," I answered right away.

We transferred from the classroom to the kitchen lab. The instructor told us to wear our customized aprons, hats, and white chef's coats before entering the laboratory.

"Does anyone of you here know the different types of frosting? Give at least three examples. Raised a hand for those who wanted to answer," The instructor said.

I raised my hand when no one raised theirs, "Sir! I would like to answer,"

"Sure, Ms. Morrison," The instructor nodded.

"Examples of frosting are Cream cheese frosting, Ganache, and Italian meringue buttercream," I answered.

"Well done, Ms. Morrison," The instructor praised me. "Anyone else?"

I smiled, feeling proud of myself.

"Have you tried baking before?" Ivy asked.

"Yup. Iyon ang pinagkakaabalahan ko nang tumira ako sa Sweden."

"You live in Sweden?!"

"Yes, for two years." I nodded, biting my lower lip, chastising myself as I overshared something about me.

"Everyone, you can now start baking. Raise your hand if you need my help. This activity won't be recorded, so don't worry and enjoy yourselves," The instructor caught our attention.

"Girls, let's get our tools and ingredients!" Shea said.

Five hours later, our class ended. Pumasok akong bag lang ang dala, lalabas akong may bitbit na dalawang kahon na may laman na cake.

Both of the bento cakes I made were coated with buttercream. I used a piping blob to put frosting around the edges of the cake. Then, I drew a smiling face on top of the cake.

Masyado pang maaga para umuwi kaya napagpasyahan kong dumiretso sa mansyon ng mga Altamirano. I'll give the other bento cake to Dustin and Thunder. The other one was for Popsi and Ruru.

"What are you doing here?" I saw Dwight outside their mansion.

He was leaning on his Lexus with a stick of cigarette between his lips. His eyebrows furrowed a little as he closed his eyes, inhaled slowly and let the smoke explode through the air.

Napalunok ako at humigpit ang pagkakahawak sa maliit na kahon nang mapagmasdan ang itsura niya. He was wearing a navy suit vest with a black necktie. On his feet was black shiny oxford shoes. His hair was neatly styled, which made him more attractive in the eyes.

Tanga lang ang babaeng hindi magkakagusto sa isang Dwight Altamirano. He has the money, power, connection, face, a brilliant mind, and a scorching body built like a Greek God.

"I'm here for Dustin and Thunder," I said after a few seconds.

He drew in a sharp breath, staring at me with his intense sunset eyes.

"They're not here," he said.

"Where are they?"

"Work,"

I sighed in disappointment. "Sayang naman..." I mumbled.

My eyes laid on the box of cake I was holding. Then, I looked back at Dwight. Nakatingala siya sa langit habang dahan-dahang bumubuga ng usok ng sigarilyo.

"Are you going to watch me smoke again?" His voice was deep with a bored-serious tone.

I looked away and handed him the box instead. "Here,"

"What is this?" he asked, yet he accepted the box.

"Tignan mo kaya,"

"Cake? I am not fond of sweets," he said in a low and icy tone.

I rolled my eyes. "It's not for you to begin with!' I uttered. "That cake was for Dustin and Thunder, not for you. Pakibigay na lang sana... wala naman pala sila,"

He tsked, "Ginawa mo pa akong utusan,"

My lips parted with his attitude. "Huwag na nga lang! Akin na, ako na lang ang magbibigay sa kaniya! I'll just visit him at work!" That was lie.

I will probably go home and text Dustin to get the cake at our house. I caught how Dwight's jaw harshly moved.

"No. This cake is mine,"

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang bigla angkinin ni Dwight ang cake na kanina lang, halos laitin niya.

"No! I made that for Dustin and not for you! Give it back!"

My eyes sliced with annoyance when he raised the box while he puffed a smoke between his lips.

"Nope. I touched it, so it's mine," he said possessively.

"Kasasabi mo lang na hindi ka mahilig sa matamis!" I tiptoed and jumped to get it back. "Dwight, isa!"

"Dalawa," he mimicked me.

I quickly pushed him against the wall, and that move made him freeze. The cigarette between his lips fell on the ground. I took that as a chance to grab the box of cake back. Niyakap ko agad ang kahon nang makuha 'to pabalik.

"Nakakairita ka," I said bluntly.

Mas lalong bumusangot ang mukha niya.

"At ikaw hindi?"

"Hindi,"

He scoffed. I walked away a bit from him. Doon na lang ako maghihintay kay Dawson dahil pinaalis ko siya agad sa kadahilanang akala ko, matatagalan ako rito.

I shook my head, seeing Dwight light another cigarette as the first one fell. I wonder why and how he started smoking. Is he rebellious? He doesn't look like a rebel one. What makes him overthink? What makes Dwight Altamirano stressed?

Dwight caught me staring at him. He didn't talk, but his eyes crawled up to my face, staring at me for a few seconds before he looked away like nothing happened.

"Don't you know that smoking is bad for your health?" I asked.

"I know,"

"Then, why do you still do it? Are you addicted? Have you tried stopping yourself from smoking?"

I marched towards him as I still hugged the box of cake. He licked his lower lips and looked away again.

"Stop with your questions, Rashaiah."

I mimicked him quietly. Sumeryoso ako nang lumingon siya akin, naiirita. Nilamon kami ng katahimikan. I tapped my foot as I felt bored because of too much silence. I sighed loudly.

In my peripheral vision, I saw Dwight tilt his head a little. I have a view of his killer jaw and side profile.

My eyes glanced at his lips. I swallowed when I saw him lick his lips. I suddenly have the urge to kiss him right now! But no, because I am too beautiful to make the first move!

"Damn it," I mentally cursed before looking at him.

Everything happened so quickly, and because of boredom, I took the chance and stole a kiss from Dwight's cheek. The trace of my glossy pink lipstick left a mark on his cheek.

Mabilis siyang napalingon sa akin. His eyes widened in fraction as his face immediately reddened. I also noticed that his ear was also blushing. I saw him swallowing as he never left his gaze on me.

"My lips look good on you," I stated, grinning.

His lips parted, and for the second time, his cigarette fell between his lips. I was the reason again.

Nagpapasalamat akong dumating agad ang sasakyan ni Dawson. I took Dwight's massive hand and seized the box of cake between his palms. He was still in shock, but the muscles on his jaw keeep clenching.

"Ikaw na ang mag-abot sa kanila, 'a? Thanks, Dwight!"

I waved at him and hurriedly embarked inside the car, not looking back as the embarrassment and disbelief that I had done something bold slowly spooked inside my head.

For the first time after a long time, I felt the feeling of achieving something again. It may be silly, but I am very proud of myself.

:)