Chapter 6

Nauna na sa dining table si Lucas. She tried to calm herself first bago sumunod,

When she got there, the only unoccupied seat was facing Lucas na naupo katabi ang Kuya nya.They left the seat beside her mom empty. She usually seat beside her brother pag umuuwi naman ito.

Halos di sya makakain. Everytime she looks up, she meets Lucas' eyes. When she tries to reach for something, He picks it up and hands it to her. Pinag uumpisahan ng tuksuhan everytime may inaabot sa kanya si Lucas. He is just grinning comfortably sa lahat ng panunukso.

She looked at her mom asking for help. She just smiled at pabulong na sinabi, "Consider it practice, he will not be the first guy na ibibiro sa yo." and her mom pats her behind the back.

Nakasimangot naman nyang tiningnan si Lucas who was still looking at her.

"Mukhang boto din si Tita kay Lucas boy natin ah." Nag kakantiyawan na naman ulit.

She didn't know how she survived dinner but it eventually ended. Thank Goodness!

Umakyat na si Dad nya to his library at may late video call meeting pa sya with some partners.

Her kuya and friends lumipat sa sala para ituloy ang kwentuhan.

Naiwan naman sila ng mom nya sa kusina. She was starting to prepare to bake some macarons and prepare dough for bagels for tomorrow morning.

"Lex, I want egg pie for breakfast tomorrow," Narining nyang sabi ng kuya nya galing sa sala.

"Ha? So you don't want macarons?" sagot nya din

"No. I want egg pie AND macarons."

"What? Ang takaw mo naman." Narinig nya na lang na natawa ang Kuya nya.

She needed more counter space at kailangan tanggalin ang box ng mixer sa counter, she decided na tawagin ang kuya nya. Pag silip nya sa sala, ganun naman pag lingon ni Lucas sa kusina.

Lexie cannot help notice na katabi nito si Brenna sa sofa and mukhang masyado naman atang malapit ang pagkakaupo nilang dalawa.

Kinindatan sya nito. Umirap naman sya. And she saw Lucas move away from Brenna trying to create some space. He mouthed, "Okay na?" at pilyong ngumiti.

Namula naman sya at hindi na pinansin ito, "Kuya, palipat naman muna nitong box oh." Tawag nya sa kuya nya na nasa kalagitnaan ng pag kwekwento. Napakamot tuloy ito ng ulo.

"Where do you want it moved?" ana ng baritonong boses. It's Lucas. Mabilis itong tumayo at lumapit when he heard Lexie's request sa kuya nya. Tumaas naman ang kilay ni Mark sa kaibigan and left NIam and Matt with wide grins on their faces.

She tried to control the racing of her heart. Hindi na ata hihinto sa pagkabog tong puso nya. She keeps getting goosebumps pag lumalapit si Lucas.

"Dito na lang muna" She started to go to the walk-in pantry and sumunod naman ito. She opened the door at dahil makitid, hindi naman sya makalabas at nakasunod na sa kanya si Lucas, nauna na syang pumasok para makapasok din ito.

Lucas put down the box sa available na espasyo sa isang rack doon. Pag kalapag nya ng box ay pumihit ito paharap sa kanya. Napa-atras naman sya.

"Are you uncomfortable with me?" and he came nearer. Near enough that she needs to lift her head to see his eyes. She can smell him and his cologne. That cool, manly scent she also smelled on his shirt earlier. She can smell his minty breath. And she can almost feel his heat. She decided to look at his chest instead.

"No! Hindi, k-kuya" Umiling pa sya to emphasize it. He did not move or say anything right away, When she lifted her head. She saw Lucas na nakatingala, rubbing his face with his hands as if frustrated.

"I am not your brother, Lexie. Call me Lucas."

Hindi sya makaimik.

"Call me by my name."

"Ha?" She saw Lucas eyes looking at her open lips. Napabuntong-hininga ito. His hand moved to her face and she felt his finger on her jaw pressing it closed.

He expelled another deep breath and his finger tapped the tip of her nose next. Pumihit na ito palabas.

"Say my name, Lexie." His hand on the door knob but he was not opening the door.

"L-Lucas" She answered in an irritated voice.

Lucas grinned and finally opened the door and left.