𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟐𝟑

"Hi, Mardux!" A group of girls greeted me the next day. I was stunned for a second because they were not familiar to me.

"H-Hi," I awkwardly greeted them back.

Lumapit sila  sa akin. "Is it true that you're dating Blood Jared?"

My lips parted. So, kalat talaga sa buong school that Blood and I were dating? Aigoo!

"Uhm," 

Bahagya akong nagulat nang hawakan nila ako sa balikat. "Ayos lang naman kung dating na kayong dalawa, basta huwag mo siyang sasaktan or else kakalbuhin ka namin, do you understand?"

My eyes widen. "W-What? Are you threatening me?" I asked, and all of them glared at me.

"Oo! Hindi kami magdadalawang isip na saktan at ipahiya ka sa buong school kapag sinaktan mo siya,"

I shut my eyes and scowled at them. "Wala akong balak saktan siya, okay? Stop meddling with our lives. Hindi niyo naman ako kilala para sabihan ng ganito," I said.

"Patay ka sa amin kapag sinaktan mo ang captain ng Blue Dragons!"

Napaatras ako nang sigawan nila ako. Napalingon agad ako nang may kamay na pumatong sa balikat ko. When his butterscotch eyes met mine, my heart started to flutter. I blinked twice to restore my senses because I felt drowning in his eyes.

"Hey, are you okay?" Blood looked at me with care before looking at those girls. They turned pale when Blood glared at them.

"What the fuck did you do to her? Kapag nalaman kong may ginawa kayong masama sa kanya, I'll kick you out from this school! Do y'all understand?!"

Mabilis silang tumango, halatang natakot sa banta niya. "Y-Yes! Sorry Blood!" They run so fast after apologizing.

I pushed Blood after they left. "Nakakaloka mga fans mo! They threaten to make me bald and humiliate me in front of the students if I hurt you! As if naman papayag akong saktan nila, duh? Saka sino ba kasi nagsabing sasaktan kita? Overthinking ba mga fans-"

My eyes widen when he pulled me closer and embraced me. I heard his deep breath against my ears. "You... You just made my heart flutter," he whispered.

I blinked and mentally scolded myself when I realized what I said. Hindi agad ako nakapagsalita dahil hindi ko alam kung ano ang sasabihin.

"Don't worry about them, and just worry about your heart because starting today, I'll make you fall for me,"

Mabilis kong tinulak si Blood nang may tumawag sa'kin. I saw Shirley waving at me while grinning from ear to ear. It feels like, at any moment, she will tease me.

"Tama na muna 'yang lambingan niyo at magsisimula na ang klase!" She teased us, and I felt my cheeks burn.

I ran towards her and hugged her arm.  "T-Tara na, Shirley! P-Pasok na tayo sa room!" I stuttered.

Kinurot ni Shirley ang tagiliran ko kaya napangiwi ako. I scowled at her.

"Aray ko naman!"

"This is the first time I saw Blood, smiling!" She whispered, and I did everything not to look back.

         MABILIS LUMIPAS ang oras dahil isang subject na lang ay uwian na. Hindi ako mapakali sa upuan ko dahil kanina ko pa gustong umuwi. Kasi naman kalat na nga sa buong blue academy na nagdedate kami ni Blood. Sobrang bilis ng chismis! Grabe! Even if I wanted to avoid Blood, I couldn't because he's too clingy! It's annoying because our classmates have been teasing us, including the Blue Dragons.

"Sweetie,"

I shut my eyes when I heard his voice. I took a deep breath. "Can you please stop calling me sweetie? Baka marinig ka ng mga classmates natin at asarin na naman tayo," I whispered.

He was sitting next to me because he traded with Shirley in exchange for a concert ticket.  Akalain mo nga naman na ipagpapalit ako ni Shirley para sa isang concert ticket?

"Sweetie,"

"Will you please stop?" When I look at him, my lips parted because he was pouting. I gulp because he's so cute!

"Finally, I got your attention." He let out a chuckle.

"Ano ba kasing gusto mo?" I mumbled.

"Ikaw. Gusto kita,"

Nalukot ang mukha ko sa sinabi niya. "Ewan ko sayo," I rolled my eyes.

He tsked. "Gusto mo ba date tayo after class?"

Umiling ako habang diretsong nakatingin sa teacher na nagsusulat sa white board. "Ayoko,"

"Why? I wanna date you,"

"Nagdate pa lang tayo kahapon,"

Hindi agad siya nagsalita kaya lumingon ako sa kanya. I saw his eyebrows furrow as he looked straight at the whiteboard. I quickly looked away when he looked at me.

"I only have thirty-one days to date you, yet you kept declining our dates. That's so unfair of you."

Mabilis akong napalingon at napaawang ang labi ko sa sinabi niya.

"Ako? Unfair? Bakit? Hindi ba ikaw naman ang nakaisip sa deal na ito?" My eyebrows creased.

"Yeah, I am the one who created this deal, but if I didn't do this, do you think you still have the chance to say no to our wedding? Just to remind you, your parents started this mess, not me. So, Whenever you decline a date, the thirty-one days of dating me will increase do you get it?" he said with conviction.

My lips parted when he reached for my hands and squeeze them. Hindi na ako nakapagsalita dahil sa impact ng mga sinabi niya. He was staring at me, I felt hypnotized by his eyes, so I nodded.

He pinched my nose. "Good girl,"

Narinig ko ang mga hagikgikan ng mga kaklase naming kanina pa nakatingin sa amin. Aish!  I'll make sure I will have my revenge!

             MALAYO pa lang ang sinasakyan namin pero tanaw ko na kaagad ang malawak na dagat na may pinaghalong kulay berde at asul na tubig. Ang pinong buhangin at ang mga sumasayaw na sanga ng puno ay tanaw mula sa sasakyan. Ang ganda!

Mabilis na tumigil ang sinasakyan naming van sa harapan ng isang hotel na paniguradong sina Blood rin ang may-ari. Hindi na ako mapakali sa kinauupuan ko kaya nauna na akong bumaba at mabilis na tumakbo papunta sa dagat. When the fine sand touched my feet, I felt galvanized. I shut my eyes and feel the cold air hugs my skin. The waves of the ocean were calm and harmonious in the ears.

"You really like the beach?"

I was surprised to hear Blood's voice from behind me. Hindi ko namalayan na sinundan niya na pala ako. Napalingon ako sa kanya at ngumiti ng bahagya. "Yup!"

"I'm glad I brought you here," He smiled before reaching for my hands and intertwining them. Hindi ko pinahalata na nabigla ako sa ginawa niya.

"Thank you for bring me here," I glanced at him.

A smile crept on his lips before squeezing my hands. "Our friends already went straight to the hotel to check the rooms. Tara na? So, we can eat already."

"Sige, tara."

Hawak kamay kaming dalawa na pumasok sa hotel. I just let him hold my hands so, we don't argue anymore. I don't want this once-in-a-lifetime vacation to messed up because of me.

"Waah! I'm so excited to swim!"

"Same here! May swimsuit ka bang dala? Patingin!"

Nakangiti ako habang nakikinig sa pag-uusap nina Sabrina at Shirley. We're all excited about this trip so we have to move quickly and cherish every second of it. Mabuti na lang at dinala ni Shirley ang camera niya kaya paniguradong magkakaroon kami ng mini photoshoot mamaya.

"Wait! Magbibihis na ako,"

"Ako rin,"

Shirley, Sabrina, and I have the same. While Blood has his own room. Clint and Lance were in the same room together. Gano'n rin sa ibang members ng blue dragons, except for Calvin dahil may kasama siyang babae.

"Wow! Ang sexy mo naman, Shirley! Ang ganda at ang puti mo, Mardux!"

"Salamat sa genes!"

"Akala mo naman ikaw hindi! Ang sexy mo rin kaya, Sab! Saan mo binili 'yan?"

Pinasadahan ko ng tingin ang dalawa kong kaibigan. Sabrina is wearing a black one-piece bikini with thin straps, while Shirley, on the other hand, is wearing a red halter two-piece bikini.  They both look sexy and gorgeous.

"Sa Zara ko binili. Ikaw ba?"

"F21,"

"Galing sa bali yung sa'kin," sagot ko naman.

"Ay, Chaebol!"

I just shook my head when they both giggle.

I'm wearing a purple one-shoulder ruffle one piece that I bought from Bali last year. Nagsuot na muna ako ng denim shorts dahil nahihiya akong lumabas ng bikini lang ang suot. Nag-aaply na muna ako ng suncreen at nagspray nang perfume bago lumabas ng kwarto.

Naabutan namin ang Blue Dragons na nasa lounge area at hinihintay kami. Everything is complete including the man behind this vacation, no other than Blood. I also noticed the attractive women beside Calvin. Hindi ako sigurado kung girlfriend ba niya o fling lang. The girl next to Calvin has red hair that adds spice to her strong facial features. She has a mysterious aura yet is sexy because of her maroon two-piece swimsuit.

"Damn! You're smoking hot, Shirley!" pagpuri agad ni Lance sa pinsan ko nang makita kami.

Shirley just smirked at him while I glared at him. Aish! Mukhang nabighani pa ata ni Shirley si Lance, pero hindi pwede dahil playboy itong si Lance.

"Wala na pala tayong hinihintay, eh. Let's eat so we can start our activity later!" sabi ni Paul, member ng BD.

"Tara lets! Excited na akong mag snorkeling saka mag island hopping,"

"Tsaka bar hopping syempre!" dagdag ni Kit na ikinatawa ng mga boys.

Syempre lahat kami ay sumang-ayon sa mga sinabi nila. As usual, lahat sila gwapo pero mas agaw pansin pa rin yung tatlo. And even though I don't want to admit it, Blood is the most handsome of them all. Iba talaga yung dating niya sa kanilang lahat, kahit kay Clint na mukhang prinsipe.

"Sweetie, let's go?" Blood encircled his arms around my waist and pulled me closer to him.

Narinig ko ang pagsipol ng mga kaibigan niya at ang pekeng pag-ubo nila. Hindi ko na lang sila pinansin dahil ayokong masira ang magandang araw na ito.

"O-Okay," 

"Don't mind them. Inggit lang sila dahil wala silang kasama ngayon," he muttered. I just bob my head.

Dumiretso kami sa restaurant ng hotel kung saan kami nakacheck-in. Sakto lang ang dami ng tao ngayon sa beach resort nina Blood kaya hindi siksikan.

"Good Afternoon po!  Welcome to Damon's El Paraiso!"

Damon... Tatay ni Blood.

Every staff greeted us with a big smile. Lahat kami ay binati sila at tanging si Blood lang ang hindi bumati pero tinanguan naman niya ang mga staffs na sumalubong sa amin. Doon kami sa pinakamahabang table pumwesto dahil lagpas sampu kami.

"Good Afternoon! Welcome to Damon's El Paraiso! Here's our menu. Just press the button if you're ready to place your order, Ma'am, Sir,"

"Sure,"

After twenty minutes dumating na rin ang mga order namin at isa-isang inilapag sa harapan namin ang mga putahe. My eyes quickly lit up, and I instantly drooled when I saw the food served. They all look appetizing!

"Teka! Before we start eating let's take a group photo!" sabi ni Shirley at pumayag naman ang lahat.

Using her professional camera, we took three photos with the help of male staff. fter that, we started eating peacefully.

I was startled when Blood gathered my baby hairs and tucked them behind my ears. "Are you enjoying the food?" he whispered.

I gave him a thumbs-up because my mouth was full. My cheeks flushed because we caught everyone's attention. He smiled, and I gasped when he wiped the side of my lips, but instead of wiping his finger with a napkin, he licked it while staring at me.

"Gaguhan ba ito? Nanahimik kaming mga single dito tapos yung dalawa sa dulo, grabe kung maglandian!" pagpaparinig ni Kit. Natawa ang lahat dahil sa biro niya.

Binato naman siya ng napkin ni Blood. "Why don't you try to be serious in a relationship?"

Nasapo naman 'yon ni Kit. "Seryoso na nga ako, Captain. Sadyang hindi ko lang type yung mga babaeng lumalapit,"

"In short, choosy ka," sabi ni Shirley.

His eyebrows lifted. "Ligawan kita, gusto mo?"

Napangiwi ako.

"Ngayon pa lang, basted kana."

Nagtawanan ang lahat sa naging sagot ni Shirley. Nagtuloy-tuloy na ulit ang pag-uusap namin at mabuti na lang at hindi kami ni Blood ang topic. Mostly, their topics were about basketball and how to lure girls.

          THE EVENING CAME, Since we were all grown up, we decided to go to a bar. We were tired from our extreme activities earlier, and going to a bar would be a great way to end our day. I decided to wear an off-shoulder smocked floral midi dress that reached my knee. Bago kami lumabas sa hotel room, pinilit na muna ako nina Sabrina at Shirley na maglagay ng make up. Masyado raw kasing inosente ang mukha ko at baka hindi ako papasukin ng bouncer. 18 na kaya ako!

"Yeppeuda!" They both complimented me.

"Gomawo, Chinggus! Tara na at baka naghihintay na sina Clint sa labas,"

"Si Clint nga ba?" Shirley lifted her eyebrows at me. "Baka naman yung dugo mo ang naghihintay sa labas?"

Mahina ko siyang hinampas. "Sira! Kayo 'ah! Masyado na kayong nag-eenjoy asarin kami ni Blood!" I glared at them.

"Bagay kasi talaga kayo," sabi ni Sabrina.

"Tao kaya kami,"

"Bagay as in bagay maging magjowa!" sabay na sigaw nila.

Napailing na lang ako at winasiwas ang kamay ko. "Ewan ko sa inyo! Tara na nga, dali!"

Hindi ko inaasahan ang maaabutan namin sa labas. The Blue Dragons were lined up at the entrance of the hotel. All of them were carrying a stem of red roses. My forehead creased when each of them walked towards me and handed me the flowers they were holding. Bakit sa akin?

"Anong meron?" I asked cluelessly.

"Captain is waiting for you,"

"Huh?" 

Lance smirked. "I didn't know Captain has a sweetness in his blood. He even prepared a dinner date for you,"

Tinignan ko silang lahat at mukhang ako lang ang walang kaalam-alam na may ganito pa lang plano si Blood. Even my girl friends were smiling like they are really happy for me.

"Lakad na miss, Mardux. Kanina pa naghihintay 'yon,"

"Baka nilalamok na nga," biro ni Calvin kaya nagtawanan ang lahat.

"Pero-"

Pinagtulakan ako ng mga kaibigan ko kaya wala na akong magawa kung hindi ang humakbang at magsimulang maglakad. Tulad ng sinabi nila, I followed every candle that was light up on the white sand. As I got closer to where Blood was, my heart beat faster as if it was going to come out. I took in a deep breath to calm my crazy heart when finally, I met his gaze.

"Mardux,"

Napakurap ako ng ilang beses dahil para akong naestatwa nang tawagin niya ang pangalan ko habang nakatingin sa'kin ng diretso. He walked towards me and guided me to sit down.

"T-Thank you," siguradong nahalata niya ang kaba sa boses ko dahil natigilan siya ng ilang segundo bago naupo sa harapan ko.

He flashed a smile. "Are you hungry? Nagpaluto ako ng mga paborito mong pagkain,"

My lips parted. He knows my favorite food?!

"P-Paano mo nalaman ang mga paborito kong pagkain?" I asked, curiously.

Why does he know so much about me? Parang ang dami niyang alam tungkol sa akin, habang ako'y limitado lang ang alam tungkol sa kanya. Suddenly, I felt remorseful because my treatment of him seemed unfair. We didn't start as good friends because we started as enemies, but we became friends after we settled our issues until the issue with my parents came.

His eyebrows creased. "You told me when we had our first project together,"

My lips parted in aghast. "Ang tagal na non! It's been six or seven months already! Tanda mo pa rin?" gulat na tanong ko.

He gave me a smug smile. "When I start liking you, I started to memorize all the things you like, dislike, everything about you. Hindi naman ako interesado sayo noong una pero simula noong magkagusto ako sayo, I've realized that I've fallen for you and I can't get up anymore." Nakatingin siya  sa mga mata ko habang nagsasalita.

I didn't  respond because he left me speechless.

Basta nakatitig lang kami sa isa't-isa habang walang nagsasalita. Sa isang iglap, bigla akong nalito sa sarili kong nararamdaman.

I blinked twice when reached for my hands and squeeze them "You okay? Bigla kang natutula sa mukha ko," His eyebrows wiggle.

I squeeze his hand that is holding mine. "W-When did you start liking me?"

Akala ko hindi niya sasagutin pero nabigla ako nang magsalita siya.

"Since the day we accidentally kissed,"

My lips parted. Using my free hand, I pointed him. "Yung natamaan ako ng bola, and I accidentally kiss you?"

"Uh-huh."

"Why you didn't tell me?"

"I don't want to surprise you, and If I say I like you, for sure you won't believe me, and you might just laugh at me,"

I pursed my lips. "Why do you even like me? Why me? Ang daming babae sa school... Mas maganda pa nga si Shirley kaysa sa akin," Malumanay na sabi ko.

His eyes squinted. "Can you stop comparing yourself to others? Sa lahat ng babae sa school, you're the only one who can take my breath away,"

I swallowed my saliva and did not dare to look up at him. I was shocked when he grabbed my cheek with his hand and my heartbeat quickened at his touch. 

"You're beautiful by being you," he muttered. I quickly shifted my eyes to the sky as a sequence of fireworks exploded. It was wonderful!

Paglingon ko sa kanya, I was stunned when I saw a white box, my chest suddenly hammered because I thought it was a ring, but it was a bracelet! The bracelet has pink and white tiny flower beads with a gold clasp.

"Ang ganda," I was mesmerized by its design. 

"Mas maganda ka,"

I rolled my eyes at him as a joke. "Is that for me?"

He nodded. "Yes, this is for you,"

"Thank you," I said and watched him with a smile while he was busy putting the bracelet on my wrist.

His eyes lingered on mine. Bumaba ang tingin niya sa labi ko bago bumalik sa mga mata ko. A small smile appeared on his lips before he started to get closer to me. As soon as I shut my eyes, our lips met again.

My heart is beating so fast because of him.

I don't know how long did we kissed because he took all of my senses away when our lips met. I opened my eyes when he pulled back. I saw him giving me a quirky smile before lifting my chin.

"I love you." He stated and gave me a quick kiss, yet it made my heart go crazy.

*****