“SO, girlfriend?”
“No girlfriend.” It took him a while to answer. They’re still at the coffee shop, sitting in front of each other, with empty coffee cups on the table.
“Since today?” Astrid folded her hands under her chin and stared at him as if studying him carefully.
“Since two years ago.”
“Why do I feel like you’re not telling the truth?”
“Fine,” he smiled. “I dated a few. Just dating, that’s all.”
“Why?”
“Actually, I’m not sure. Maybe no time?” Bullet shrugged his shoulder. “No interest.”
“Wow, ‘the’ Samuel Blake Ortega, no time and no interest for girls? That’s something.”
“I’ve matured,” he joked, smiling. How could he tell her that she’s the sole reason why he doesn’t have time and interest in da
IT was already midnight when Bullet was able to talk her into staying in his room while waiting for the rain to stop. After opening the door, Astrid asked for the bathroom so he turned on the lights and led her inside. From where he’s standing, he could hear the splash of water on the floor.Is she taking a shower? He shook his head. Why does he care if she’s taking a Goddamn shower or not?Ah, there he goes again. He has told himself many times over that he won’t do anything that would get him into trouble, especially when Astrid is involved, especially now. But it’s not late now, he didn’t know how it happened or what was he thinking to offer his bathroom and let her stay in his room.“I can’t just leave her alone in the coffee shop, can I? I’m just being nice, as a friend,” he kept telling himself while pacing the room. “I’m just concerned about her, as a friend.” He stuf
BULLET stared at her and for a moment, Astrid felt something that she hasn’t felt for a long time. Her heart beat faster than the usual, which made her gasp for air. And then, he smiled that kind of smile once more. It was more of a smirk, which always melted her heart. And that smirk reminded her of the things they used to do, things that she should have forgotten. She felt her cheeks burn as the memories of their intimate moments came rushing in – the feeling of his persistent lips over hers, the sound of his rugged breathing every time they-Astrid shook her head to get rid of that image inside her head. She looked down and stepped back but Bullet immediately grasp her both hands. From there, his warm hands moved up to her shoulders, going to her cheeks.Just one more step and there will be no space between them.She immediately felt Bullet’s lips touched hers. It was so unexpected that she was not able to do anything
SLOW. That’s the word that would best describe what Bullet was doing to her. Slowly, he caresses her skin. And ever so slowly, he kissed her lips. It was as if every move he makes was in slow motion.While kissing, Bullet gently laid her to bed. Astrid felt his hand unbutton her shirt and she whimpered as cold air fanned her now uncovered chest. She anticipated his warm lips covering them but it didn’t happen. He took off his shirt, threw it away and just stared at her for a few seconds.Astrid just had to feel his chest and hard-rock abs. He smirked as she run her hands from his shoulders down to his abdomen. He then lowered himself to her until his chest hair came in contact with her skin. He moved his upper body ever so slowly, teasing her senses even more and that made her arch her back, which caused him to close his eyes and groan.“Don’t think about anything right now, please,” bulong ni Bullet sa pagita
“HEY,” Bullet whispered as he suddenly popped up behind her back. “Something wrong?”She was at the balcony to get that call early in the morning. Aside from the thick blanket that’s covering her body, she’s got nothing underneath. The sun was just about to rise and the wind was chilly. The fog that morning made the view of the mountains more spectacular than it already was.It has just been two days and as far as Astrid was concerned, it was the best two days of her life. Bullet should have gone back to Manila last night but he rescheduled it just to spend more time with her.He kept his promise to be with her and for Astrid, it was such as huge deal. He attended his meetings online and finished his paper works on his laptop. It was a nice feeling, spending the whole day and the entire night with Bullet. She could actually picture them like this someday, everyday.They’ve been like th
“I’M LEAVING,” Astrid said softly when Carl asked her why she rushed to the hospital late at night.It was almost ten in the evening when she paid him a visit at his hospital. Carl was busy in front of his laptop, still wearing his light blue scrubs and it was obvious that he had just finished a surgery. She was able to enter his office without him noticing and if she didn’t stand in front of him, he’d probably not notice her at all.It has been a week since she received his call about his mother’s heart bypass operation and she had to stay with her at the hospital until she got better. And now that his mother has gotten back to the Leopold ancestral house, she has finally got the courage to talk to Carl about the thing that she’s been delaying for a long time.And it has been a week since she last saw Bullet. He’s been calling her to ask how she was and when she’s coming back to him.And that is
THERE was a light drizzle that afternoon and the sky was dark as if it was forecasting heavy rain. Bullet looked closely at the woman next to him and smiled at her.Astrid was wearing a simple white boho fringe dress and white sandals. Her ivory-colored lace headband perfectly matched the Peace Lilies with Baby’s Breath bouquet she’s holding. Bullet, on the other hand looked casual but sharp with his dark blue heathered sweatshirt, light brown khakis and classic white sneakers.He offered his arm to her without saying a word. Smiling, Astrid automatically linked her arm to his and slowly walked down the aisle of the chapel.Though being one of the oldest in the mountain, the chapel has an inviting feel to it. Its white-painted stone walls and cold marble floors captured the crisp breeze of the afternoon.The chapel was empty. No colorful flowers, no sweet-smelling burning candles. There was nothing fabulous, nothing that
AFTER 4 YEARS...“HAPPY?”“Why shouldn’t I?” Astrid replied softy without looking at the man beside her. They were sitting at the wooden bench at the balcony of the 10th floor of the hospital.He shrugged. “I’m sure you’re missing your old life back in Manila since we moved. Your students, your friends. Even your coffee shop, I’m sure you’re missing it a lot.”Astrid didn’t have to answer the question because they both know that it is the truth. It has been four years since they moved to Boston and not a single day that she didn’t miss her old life, her old self. It wasn’t easy for her to stay in their marriage because it meant for her to leave everything behind, including her heart. But she didn’t have a choice. Being married to a Leopold was definitely not a walk in the park and defying the rules has its consequences. 
SO, why did she come to Boston with Carl?Because he didn’t give her a choice, really. He told her that if she really didn’t want to go, she must talk to his mother, explain the whole situation. That means telling the poor old woman that she wanted an annulment, and that she’s having an affair - something her conscience couldn’t take.Oh well, he actually gave her a choice - to stay married or run away with Bullet and forget everything, including the deteriorating condition of Carl’s mother, who has been nothing but a darling.Astrid didn’t know what to expect when she came back to Manila from Baguio. Bullet wanted to come with her and talk to Carl. He’s even willing to beg him to set her free but she didn’t permit him. The situation was already complicated as it is and she’s certain that it will just make matters worse. She should know. Carl may be the most respected and compassionate