CHAPTER SEVENTY-FOUR

She let a small sigh as she lifted her right hand away from Xander's and looked down at his contented, sleepy face. At, dahan-dahan niyang inayos ang ulo nito sa kanyang balikat na hindi niya ito magising.

May mga nakabinbin pa mang katanungan sa kanyang isipan ay hindi niya na muna pagtuunan iyon ng pansin. Ang malaman mula mismo sa binata na walang katuturan ang balita tungkol sa engagement nito at wala itong ibang babae ay tila naging sapat na sa kanya.

Ngunit mas napanatag ang loob niya na malamang wala na itong nararamdaman pa kay Pebbles. Hindi niya alam kung bakit pinaniniwalaan niya lahat ng mga sinasabi ni Xander.

She knew that every interaction with him was a dance on a tightrope, teetering between hope and skepticism. She yearned to believe in the sincerity of his emotions and to allow herself to be swept up in the warmth of his affection.

Yet, a nagging voice in the back of her mind urged caution, reminding her of the possibility that his intentions might not be as pure a