BEHIND HER INNOCENCE

Chapter 1

''Just stay here princess okay? Wait for me until I came back.'' ngumuso ako.

''San ka punta?''

He chuckled. ''I just need to talk to those businessmen.'' humalukipkip ako.

''Come on princess, I'll be back.'' sumimangot ako na ikinatawa niya.

''Okay, I'll be good girl here Kuya.''

He laughed at me. ''You're so cute princess.'' sabay gulo sa buhok ko.

''Kuya!'' inis kong tawag ng guluhin niya ito.

He just laughed at me and then kissed my cheeks. ''Kuya will be back princess.'' then he walked away from me.

I pouted when I saw him seriously talking to them. I ate all the food he get for me earlier. We're here in one of the best luxury hotels in Cebu to attend something about business. Kuya, was the only needed to be here but I told him that I want to be with him.

Mom and Dad disagree but Kuya insisted that it's okay. Wala na silang nagawa sa kakulitan ko. Kuya promises them that he'll take care of me. I remember my other kuya wanted to go with us but Kuya didn't allow them. I make face at my kuya's to tease them Kuya Darius just laughed while my two other kuya's faces looked like a lost puppy.

Kuya Darius is 20 years old now, while Kuya Damien and Kuya Dalion were 16 years old, they are twins. And I'm the youngest, 13year old. My parents and Kuya Darius always spoiled me, but I know my limitation.

After I ate everything on my plate, I decided to get a drink. I look around to find Kuya but I can't find him. Bumalik na lang ako kung saan ako ni kuya iniwan. He said that he'll be back there. Baka mawala pa ako kung maging pasaway ako.

The party is so freaking boring. Maybe because I'm not into a party. Sumimangot ako ng makita na si Kuya papalapit sa akin. Nakangiti ito at tila aliw-aliw sa reaksyon ko.

''Ang tagal mo!'' reklamo ko.

Tumawa naman ito. ''Sorry princess, huwag ka na magtampo please?'' paglalambing nito.

Umirap ako.

''Oh, Princess Dahlia is mad at me? Mayroon pa naman akong biniling movie ticket from her favorite cartoon.'' sabi nito na ikinalingon ko.

My eyes widened when I saw it. ''Kuya, Is that for me?!'' I asked using my excited voice.

''Hmm, Is Princess Dahlia still mad?'' sunod-sunod akong umiling.

''I'm not Kuya! Where are we going to watch that?!'' natawa ito at ginulo ang buhok ko.

''Tomorrow, princess. Dalion and Damien will come to us too,''

''Really?! Omg! Yey! We're going to have quality time tomorrow! I'm so excited!'' Kuya Darius laughed.

Napailing na lang ito at nagsabi na uuwi na kami. He told me to wait for him, dahil tatawagan raw niya ang driver namin. Maaga siyang nagpaalam sa ibang mga business man dito dahil uuwi pa kami sa Manila.

While waiting for him, I saw something near the garden. Out of curiosity, lumapit ako doon. Dahan-dahan akong naglakad papunta upang hindi mahalata ng kung sino ang nandoon. Nang makarating ako ay laking gulat ko dahil walang tao. I tried to look around, pero wala talaga. I was about to go back, but someone caught my waist.

My eyes widened when I saw his face. He looks so dangerous because of his emotionless face. I looked away because of his intense stare. Inalis ko ang braso nito sa baywang ko at matapang siyang hinarap.

I froze when I saw his face.

Why do I feel like I know him? He seems familiar!

Humalukipkip ako at tinaasan siya ng kilay. ''Why are you looking at me like that?'' masungit kong tanong.

Ngumisi ito. I admit that he's so handsome. He looks like 16 years old like my other kuya's.

''Acting innocent huh?'' nagkunot-noo ako.

Pinagsasabi niya?

''Nothing. Go back. Your brother is waiting for you.''

''Do you know my brother?'' gulat kong tanong.

Tinaasan lang ako nito ng kilay at malamig na tumitig sa akin. Kahit man ganun ang pakikitungo niya ay hindi ko pa rin maiwasan na mapatitig sa mukha niya. Sanay na ako na makakita ng mga gwapo dahil wala naman pangit sa amin. Ngunit ang sa kanya ay kakaiba na para bang hinihila ako nito.

''You're staring at me like there is no tommorow. Do you find me handsome?'' wala sa sarili akong napatango.

Tumawa ito. Napahawak ako sa bibig ko at nahihiya na tumakbo papalayo sa kanya. Omg! Do I like him? Maybe I have a crush on him kase he's good looking right? I think na crush at first sight ata ako! Lumingon ako kung saan ko tinakbuhan ang gwapong lalaki, mas lalo akong nahiya at namula ng makita ang malaking ngisi nito sa labi.

''Are you okay, princess?'' tanong ni kuya ng makita akonf medyo namumula.

''Yes, po!'' tumingin ito sa akin na tila hindi naniniwala ngunit sa huli ay tumango rin.

Hindi ko alam kung ilang oras kami bumyahe. Nagising lang ako nang marinig ang boses ni Mom. Minulat ko ang mata ko. I already wearing a cute pajama set, maybe mom already change it.

I smiled at my mom who is now sitting beside me. ''Hello, mom! Namiss po kita!'' then hug her.

''We miss our baby girl too!''

''Where are they po?'' I asked.

Mom kissed me on my forehead. ''They are preparing breakfast, let's help them. Is it fine with you?'' I excitedly nodded.

''Yes, mom! I will brush my teeth po muna then hilamos.'' natawa ito at napailing na lang.

''Okay sweetie, we'll wait for you downstairs.''

I immediately go to my bathroom the do my morning routine. I wear a simple pink dress that I always wear every time I'm home. After that ay bumaba na ako. Sinalunong ako ng mababangong pagkain na niluluto nila.

I smiled widely when I saw my three kuya's annoying each other.

''Aba kuya ang hina mo naman, ikaw yong matanda sa atin pero wala ka pa rin chix!'' natatawang asar ni Kuya Damien na sinabayan ng tawa ni Kuya Dalion.

Sila Mom and Dad naman ay nakikitawa at nailing na lang sa kanila.

''I'm not a playboy like you.'' iritadong sagot ni Kuya Darius.

''Hoy Kuya hindi ako playboy!'' si Kuya Damien.

''Oh really?'' Kuya Darius sarcastically said.

''I'm not! Sila ang lumalapit sa akin, kaya binabalik ko lang pakikitungo nila sa akin.''

''Convince me more.'' sinimangutan lang ito ni Kuya.

''Good Morning po!'' sigaw ko kaya napabaling ang atensyon nila sa akin.

''Good morning princess!'' sabay bati nila Dad at mga kuya.

''Good morning kapatid!'' si kuya damien.

''Did you enjoy the party?'' biglang tanong ni dad.

''Opo! Masarap po yung mga pagkain!'' sagot ko na ikinatawa nila.

''Pagkain lang pala pinunta mo don eh sana niyaya mo na lang ako gumala.'' nagtatampong singit ni Kuya Damien.

''Inggit ka lang bro hindi ka sinama.'' si Kuya Dalion.

Hindi ko na sila pinansin at tumulong na lang kay mom.

Pagkatapos namin kumain ay marami pang tinanong sila Mom and Dad sa amin ni Kuya. Kuya Darius also remind me about our movie date with my two other brothers.

While browsing on my phone, I accidentally saw the boy yesterday. He's kinda famous pala? I stalked his I* account out of curiosity, isa pa ay crush ko naman siya.

@theseus.ferrari 5 post 45.4k followers 10 following

I'm rude.|🏀|Don't assume too much.

That was the only I see, because his account is private. I nervously click the follow button and then patiently wait. I thought he will accept my request but he didn't.

My brothers and I happily watch the movie together. After that, we ate at our favorite restaurant, and as usual Kuya Damien annoyed Kuya Carius again. Nakikisabay na lang kami ni Kuya Dalion sa kalokohan nila.

Among my three brothers, Kuya Damien is the bubbly one while Kuya Dalion and Kuya Darius were serious. Maybe because our Dad is so serious too?

Nang makauwi kami sa bahay ay magdidilim na. Umakyat na ako sa kwarto ko para maligo. I feel so sticky, after that, I did my night routine for my face. Matapos naman ay dumiretso na ako sa kama. Nakadapa ako habang tinitignan kung in-accept na niya ang request ko. Napanguso ako ng makitang hindi pa.

Inabot na ata ako ng madaling araw kakaantay sa pagaccept niya. I sighed. Inilagay ko na sa gilid ko ang phone ko at nagpasyang matutulog na.

I was about to close my eyes to sleep, pero biglang tumunog ang notification ko. Halos mapatalon ako ng makita ang profile nito.

@theseus.ferrari accept your follow request.

@theseus.ferrari follows you.

''Omg! Hindi lang niya ako inaccept, follow back pa!''

I can't believe it! Omg!

@dahlia.nicaleigh.moretti

Thanks<33

Nawala ata antok ko ng dahil sa kanya. Sumimangot ako nang ilang minuto na ay hindi pa ito nagrereply. Pero sabagay ano ba ang reply sa thanks? Mukha pa naman siya yung tipo na di pala text.

Naputol ang mga iniisip ko ng marinig ang ringtone ng message.

My eyes widened at his reply.

@theseus.ferrari

Sleep kid.