I pursed my lips together with her cold attitude. I suddenly want to go home, ashamed that they'll think I'll be eating with them.
Zekiah got food and gave the platter to me. Albeit shy, I accepted his offer and smiled timidly.
"We're sorry. The dish is just chicken feet adobo," Rupert said.
I shook my head repeatedly. "It's fine, I also eat adobo," I shyly said.
"But not chicken feet?" Julieta interjected, staring at me deeply as if reading something on my face.
Instead of responding to her, I ate the dish. "Hmm, it's delicious!" I exclaimed.
"Are you with Carding?" Zekiah asked after he got himself his food.
"Nope, I brought my car."
I heard Julieta snorted at that and whispered something to Badong.
"You should've waited for me in the house," he stated.
I pouted. I don't want to think of something not good, but is something wrong with me going here? Is it because Julieta is here, too?
"Dude, stop hiding your girlfriend. That's the reason why everyone thinks your still single and available!" Rupert laughed.
Badong coughed fakely beside Julieta who just rolled her eyes.
I bit my lips, hurt from what I heard. I knew it! That's why he doesn't want everyone—especially that Julieta—to know that he has a girlfriend.
"Well, if I have a girlfriend as beautiful as Meredith, I would flaunt her to everyone here!" Wilfred remarked while smirking.
"Why? Julieta's pretty, too," Badong said, hinting something.
"Just eat!" Julieta stomped.
Zekiah was just silent beside me while eating his food. I lost my appetite all of a sudden but still finished my plate.
"Thank you for the food," I muttered and smiled at them.
"Don't be shy to go back here, okay? You're welcome here, besides, we're all kind. I just don't know about the dragon sitting beside Badong..." Rupert gave a quick glance at Julieta.
"Hey, Rupert! Shut up or you won't have any money with you today!" Julieta threatened while pouring juice to a glass.
Zekiah stood up, "Thank you, I'll return in a bit," he bid.
"The seedlings, you can already plant them later," Celso reminded while sipping his coffee.
"Okay, I'll bring Iseah with me..." he replied, eyes gazing down at me.
"Let's go?"
I stood up as his hands covered my wrist. I smiled at all of them which they returned with a nod.
We were in silence as we walked back to his house, trying to get the perfect timing of opening a topic.
There are some agriculture workers who greeted him which he nodded. Some of them smiled at me, and so I returned it, too.
"It's actually good to visit here at this hour. There's also free snacks, and your friends are good at entertaining," I opened up.
"Next time, just wait for me in the house. The sun's too hot for your skin," he said in a serious tone.
I sighed. "It's fine by me. I'll just bring an umbrella if you like."
He shook his head. I looked up at him though my eyes were almost blinded by the sunlight.
"What's the problem? I just wanted to visit you and see your work, is it bad?"
He didn't answer, instead, he brushed his hair back. I gulped as I saw him trying to calm himself.
"Let's just talk at the house." He continued walking.
I followed him though I often get tripped with the small rocks on the pathway.
"Well, sorry! I should've just said that I'm coming and let myself be bored to death waiting for you inside your house! I'm sorry if I had to eat the food that Julieta brought!" I said, voice shaking.
I'm trying, I'm trying to stay calm, but I don't like what he's showing to me.
He stopped on his tracks and faced me. I noticed his jaw clenched as soon as he saw the tears forming in my eyes.
"That's not what I meant," he frustratedly said.
"Then, what?!"
He clenched his jaw, turning into the workers who's currently watching us argue.
"Damn it!"
I was stunned with what he did after. His manly hands settled on my waist, gently guiding me to walk.
We briskly entered their house, their neighbors peering at us as we pass by them.
I harshly removed the shirt he made me wear earlier. He turned to me.
"What?!" I raised my chin up, ready to fight with him. I saw him stiffened for a split second.
Until he let out a long sigh, "Eat dinner here, I'll cook..." He turned his back on me.
"No, thanks. I'll go home," I said and stomped my feet towards the door, but I suddenly felt his arm stopping me, facing me to him.
Silence lingered between us, I can feel my heart thumping because of our distance. Slowly, he tilted his head a bit, eyes focused on my lips.
"I'm sorry..." he said in a softer voice.
I closed my eyes for a second, and soak up his word. This time I want to melt because of nervousness.
"You should've told me you're coming so you wouldn't have to bath yourself under the sun..." he continued
I gritted my teeth, tired of hearing his excuses. "Is that the only reason why you don't want me going there? Or because of Julieta?!" I accused, glaring at him.
He was stunned, brows knitted innocently. In the end, he chuckled a bit when he finally absorbed what I said.
So what if I'm jealous? It seems there's a reason to do so!
"She's the daughter of the land owner where we work," he said softly.
And so what? I rolled my eyes to make him see that I'm not interested on his reasons.
He stepped closer, hands moving around my middle, warm and soft. In just seconds, his body molded to my own.
"You're making me horny every time you get jealous..." he said huskily.
I sensed him squirming with desire and hunger. I was almost hypnotized by his words. I trembled at the caress of his hand over my waist, slowly traveling down my hip.
He shook his head. "Next time, don't wear these kind of clothers. I hate the way people looked at you..." He smiled at me ever so gently.
I wanted to hide my face in so much embarrassment, and so I lowered my head. I was shocked when he stroked my long black hair and pulled me into his chest. The hug that once reassured me that my world was safe and my heart was guarded. I buried my face into his broad chest, standing there like that for a while.
I closed my eyes as I listened to the beautiful rhythm of his heart. I wrapped my arms around his torso and hugged him close.
I could never let another person get close to me like this, no other than him. Just him...