Always, In All Ways (Change Series #4)

Chapter 39

"She's important to you. I don't want people who are important to you to be angry with me. Ayaw kong nahihirapan ka."

Hinawakan ko ang kamay niya at hinila na lang siya sa loob para pigilan ang ngiti ko. Nang nasa loob na kami ay nakita ko si Addie na abala pa rin manood.

"Addie," Gio called her.

Tumingin sa amin si Addie. Tinaasan niya ng kilay si Gio at tumayo. Napatingin siya sa pizza na hawak ni Gio. "Ano akala mo? Okay na lahat? Pizza lang tapos kalimutan na?! Nabasa ako sa ulan noong nandoon kami sa labas ng bahay mo!" Addie shouted.

Hinigpitan ni Gio ang hawak sa kamay ko at tumingin sa akin, probably asking for help. I bit my lower lip to hold back my laugh.

"Ano, Gio?! Ganoon na lang 'yon?!"

"It's because..." Gio looked at me. "I thought you explained everything to her." he whispered on me.

"Joke!" Addie shouted before bursting out her laugh. Natawa rin ako at napabuntong-hininga naman si Gio.

Gio shook his head. "You got me there," he told Addie. "Pizza for you." He handed Addie the pizza.

Addie got the pizza and sat down again. Umupo ako sa tabi ni Addie at umupo naman si Gio sa tabi ko.

Gio removed his coat and put it on the siderest of the couch then he rested his back on the backrest while losing his necktie a bit.

God, he's just too perfect!

"Prosecutor Vergara, galing-galing sa korte tapos kabado ngayon?" Napailing si Addie. "Iba talaga ako." she praised herself.

Mahinang binatukan ko siya. "Feeling."

We just watched one movie and then Addie already went to her room. Ayaw na raw niya magpuyat at saka may pasok daw siya bukas.

"Are you in for a night drive?" Gio asked me while I was finding something to watch.

I looked at him. "Sure, babe." I smiled and stood up. "Bihis lang ako."

He held my hand and pulled me, causing me to sat down on his legs. "Okay na 'yan." He kissed my cheeks.

Tumango ako at hinila na siya palabas. I excitedly went inside his car. I opened the compartment and looked for something.

"What?" he asked.

"Nothing. Baka lang may condom ka ulit dito." I shrugged. "Just checking."

Gio frowned. "Stop reminding me that."

Natawa lang ako at sumandal na. Gio opened his roof and began driving... like the old times.

"I miss Gio!" I shouted. I'm sure no one can hear me since it's already midnight and wala rin masiyadong dumadaan dito.

Gio chuckled. "I miss you, too."

We stopped in our usual spot. Iyong mataas na lugar na kitang-kita namin ang mga city lights sa baba tapos kapag tumingin kami, kita namin ang stars.

"Have you read my email? When you passed the BAR exam?" I asked while we're both looking down.

He gave me a glance and smiled. "Yes."

"Hindi ka man lang nag-reply." I sulked.

"I needed to restrain myself before I crawl back to you. Sino pa lang ba ako noon? I'm not yet deserving of you. I still can't protect you that time." he seriously said.

I sighed and looked up. "Hay! Akala ko pa naman ayaw mo na sa akin no'n." I faced him. "But, you know, I'm so proud of you!" I gracefully said. "My baby is top 2!" I clapped cutely. "Yey!"

Gio smiled and got my hand before he intertwined it to his. "Thank you. How about you? Bakit hindi mo pa rin 'to tinatanggal?" He raised my hand, the one with the cartier bracelet he gave me. "You even got the screw, hindi mo rin pala tatanggalin."

I got my hand again. "E 'di, tatanggalin ko na." I rolled my eyes.

Gio chuckled and got my hand again. "I'm just kidding. Give me back my screw, okay? Bawal na 'yan tanggalin. Forever na 'yan d'yan."

I nodded. "Opo."

We went back inside his car dahil sabi ko nagugutom na ako. We bought chips and cookies at the convenience store earlier.

"Oo nga pala, love." I said before sipping my coffee. "Can you be my date to Lian's wedding?" I smiled.

"Of course." he answered and leaned in to give me a soft kiss. "I promise from now on, I'll be present in all the special events in your life. Promise, love."

I sighed in contentment. What a time to be alive.

-

"Wala ka bang nakilalang lawyer dito or prosecutor?"

I waited for him outside the prosecutor's office since we've decided to eat dinner with Maureen. It's already 6:30 PM and dadaanan pa namin sa bahay si Maureen.

He put his hand on my shoulder when he reached me. "What?" he asked then we began walking towards his car.

"Naisip ko lang, bakit hindi ka nag-girlfriend? Ayaw mo ba sa abogado?"

He chuckled. "Nurse ang gusto ko, maalaga."

I looked at him. "Ah, ganoon? Sige, ihahanap kita ng ibang nurse sa ospital."

Pinagbuksan niya ako ng pinto ng kotse niya nang huminto na kami sa tapat noon, after that, he went to the driver's seat.

"Okay ba sa 'yo 'yon? I'll find you a Nurse." I joked.

He faced me. "Ayaw ko ng ibang nurse."

"Why? Kasi gusto mo ako lang?"

"Damn right."

Napailing ako at napangiti. He chuckled and tousled my hair before he started the engine then we went to Maureen to simply have dinner.