Chapter 6

"Alam kong gwapo ako" he arrogantly remarks "Pero iba naman ang mukha ng gwapo sa mukha ng mabait. Hindi naman ako mukhang mabait, Binibini" he speaks grinning from ear to ear.

I step back and tilt my head eyeing him intently. My gaze transfixed to his face and I mentally nod my head. Yes, he's indeed a handsome guy that is oozing with sex appeal. His eyes, his nose, his jawline, and his lips- they are all perfectly combined. Kahit na medyo madilim ang kinatatayuan namin, his good looks still visible in my eyes na para bang hindi yun kayang takpan ng dilim. Funny- he's the first man I praise like this.

Hindi naman siya mukhang mabait, as a matter of fact, he looks so bad actually. His badass look is kinda intimidating but I find him more attractive because of it.

I smile at him again "You don't look kind, but you also don't look like someone who had a bad intention or something " I suppose ignoring his teasing smirk.

Amusement dance in his eyes and the corner of his mouth twitch as if he's on the verge of laughter. He shake his head when I didn't withdraw my gaze on him while he still standing proudly in front of me.

I envy his height.

"Marunong ka tumawid?" He looks away and asks casually.

I slightly furrowed my brows and shook my head "I think... I can..." I said almost like a whisper earning a playful laugh from him.

"Tara" he mutters that made me lift my head again to look at him "Itatawid kita" he offered.

I blink my eyes staring at him intently. Hindi ko alam na generous at mababait naman pala ang mga tao dito sa Tierra Veloz, far from what my father told me before I start studying here in Velonzon.

"Thank you"

He chuckles and wiggles his brows. But I was taken aback when he suddenly held my arm that made me flinch and step back away from him.

He was taken aback by my reaction too and a frown reflected on his face but later on, he laughs when he saw my surprised expression and realize something.

"Taray, sensitive" he teased and run his fingers through his hair "Hawak ka na lang sa bag ko, wag ka lang bumitaw para hindi ka masagasaan" natatawa niyang sabi.

He's obviously making fun of me.

My hand moves on its own nang biglang tumatak sa isip ko ang salitang 'masagasaan'- I immediately grip the strap of his sports bag earning another set of laughter from him. I purse my lips concealing the frown on my face. I notice that he keep on laughing since kanina pa, I am clueless about what's funny at hindi ko naman gusto mag tanong. Maybe he has a lot of happy pills inside his body?

My grip on the strap of his sports bag tightens when I notice na biglang dumami ang sasakyang dumadaan. Most of them are private vehicles and delivery trucks. I step closer to him but suddenly he grabs my wrist and pulled me to cross the street without a warning.

I felt the sudden fast beating of my heart when we stop in the middle that made me fisted my hand. Surprisingly, I heard his low chuckle again.

"Relax, malakas tong kasama mo" he arrogantly said and smile smugly at me.

He gently pulled me again until we finally cross the other side of the road. He instantly let go of my wrist while I immediately check my phone when I felt it vibrate.

I bit my lower lip at bahagya kong hinawi ang buhok ko when I saw Kuya Tobias's text message asking me where I am. I immediately compose a reply and sent it before I turn my gaze to the guy who helps me.

"What should I do next?" I innocently ask.

It's funny that I don't know him not even his name but here I am, listening to what he's gonna instruct me to do. Hindi siya mukhang mabait, what I'm holding is- dahil hindi rin siya mukhang masama. According to Nana Rita, I shouldn't judge someone just like a book cover.

"We" he corrected "Sasamahan na kita" he said coolly and put his both hands on the pocket of his shorts.

I stilled and stare at him intently.

"A-Are sure?" I hesitantly whisper not minding the playful smile plastered on his lips.

"Ngayon pa lang ako naging sigurado sa desisyon ko Binibini" he mutters and puffs out a single laugh "Tara na" he tilts his head gesturing me to follow him.

Napatitig ako sa mukha niya and I blink my eyes. I know I shouldn't trust anybody just like what Daddy told me, and this guy in front of me right now shouldn't be an exemption.

But then, instead of declining his kind offer- I smile genuinely and nod at him before I follow him as he leads me the way.

"Traysikel po, Manong" he said to one of the drivers.

I nervously roamed my eyes around at hindi ko mapigilang hindi lumapit sa lalaking kasama ko when I felt those stares on me.

"Saan ba kayo boi?" The driver asks and glances in my direction.

I stunned when the guy gently held my wrist and pulled me behind him. My gaze turns to him and I saw how he seriously look at the driver far from his facial expression a while ago.

"Sa mga Dela Huerta" sagot nito na kinatigil ng driver.

"Kay Señor Geronimo? Naku! Bawal kami dun" the driver decline kaya napunta dito ang tingin ko.

Bawal?

"Wh-"

"Kahit doble ang bayad?" the guy cut me off, not letting me speak, and even pulled me behind him.

My mouth formed into 'o' when the driver's reaction change. He's contemplating kung papayag ba siya or hindi when he heard what did this guy beside me said.

A smile forms on my lips nang mag kamot ito ng buhok. He's gonna agree...

"Papayag na yan..." the guy whisper to me grinning secretly "Ano kuya? Payag ka?" He asks the driver.

"Tara na nga! Basta doble ang bayad ha" napipilitan na sagot ng driver.

"Awit" he chuckles and shakes his head before he turns his gaze to me.

He arrogantly smirks, obviously boasting na napapayag niya ang driver na ihatid kami. I laugh and bit the inside of my mouth.

"Thank you" I mouthed.

"Pangatlo na yan" he points out and gesture his hand "Sakay na, anong oras na"

I back to my senses and I immediately step inside. I was confused at first because I didn't know kung saan ba ako pwede humawak, thank goodness that the guy who help me assist me although he's laughing at me.

"Awit! Hahaha, dito ka humawak" he chuckles.

I purse my lips at humawak sa bakal na nasa gilid ko, just like what this guy beside me said. Wow, I didn't know na maayos naman pala although wala ka lang mahawakan. Inayos ko ang upo ko when I heard the loud engine sound at nag simula na itong umandar. The guy beside me is sitting comfortably, halatang sanay na. While me on the other hand- didn't know what to do. I'm nervous, not just because this is my first time in this kind of vehicle with some random stranger but also because the time is running so quickly.

I check my wristwatch and I sigh.

"Nilalamig ka?" He asks casually as if we really know each other.

I glance at him and the mischievous glint on his eyes is still visible. My gaze landed on his earring and stare at it for a seconds before I turn my gaze on the road.

"I'm fine, I love the cold night breeze of Tierra Veloz" I replied and just rested my back.

I saw him smirk through the corner of my eyes which I just ignore. Honestly, medyo masikip sa loob ng sasakyang ito. But the guy beside me is really considerate dahil hindi niya ako iniipit. With his tall powerful frame- isang urong niya lang maiipit na niya ang isang tulda ko na maliit. Nag tataka nga ako dahil mukha namang hindi siya nahihirapan although nakayuko na siya because of his height.

"Oh My Goodness! " I exclaimed loudly and unconsciously held his firm arm tightly when the road suddenly turns bumpy.

I heard his laugh when I keep on covering my mouth for me not to squeal loudly every time naalog kami sa loob.

The road here in Tierra Veloz are not all cemented, especially those private roads na pag mamayari nang mga kilalang pamilya dito.

It took almost haft an hour until I finally saw the familiar ginkgo biloba tree on the middle side of the T- junction road. I sigh in relief while the guy beside me is still laughing lowly. I know why he's laughing, he's making fun of me. But what can I do? This is my first time at para akong sumakay ng bump cars. That haft an hour ride in the tricycle is like finishing an obstacle course.

I will never try it again.

"Arat, dito na tayo" the guy beside me said when the tricycle halted.

I sigh in relief again. I get my purse to pay but he pays it first that made me look at him.

"I should pay for it..." I hesitantly said.

He briefly glances at me and just wiggles his brows before he steps out first making me saw the word 'Le Havre' on the back of his shirt.

He extends his hand towards me offering me help so I gave him my bag before I step out too. He gave back my bag to me with a sly grin on his face.

I smile at him genuinely and then I wave my hand when I saw Nana Rita on the gate while holding a small blanket.

"Thank you so much, you don't look kind but you act with kindness"

The corner of his mouth lifts a bit that turns into a side smirk.

"Eline tara na!" Nana Rita called me.

I shook my head and shyly smile at him again "Thank you again, I promise I will return the favor to you. Just ask me anything, I'm Elizabeth Lemonine by the way" mabilis kong sabi before I walk fast towards my Nana Rita who approaches me immediately and wraps the blanket around my shoulder.

I don't know if he answers me, but I'm really sorry that I act rudely. Ayoko lang kasi mag duda si Nana Rita.

"Sino yun?" Nana queries as we enter the gate.

I was about to glance back wanting to know if he's looking at me too, but I restrain myself when I remember what my father told me since I was young- 'I shouldn't glance back when I already turn my back'. I mentally sigh and put a small smile on my lips.

"A friend..." I replied- my first ever white lie to my Nana Rita.

I'm sorry...