"I will," I managed to response to Tita Yaleyna. "This may sounds weird, but I'll take this opportunity to ask for her hand."

Biglang nagkaroon ng virus dito sa sala nila at nag-ubuhan sila bigla maliban lang kay Mrs. Davids na ngayon ay napaawang ang labi.

Clane is the one to speak. "I thought you were not rushing Kuya Zen?" Kuya Zen? Should I take that a sign that he accepts me for her sister? Okay, whatever.

"I am not, but I want you to know that I'm planning for it. It maybe soon or not soon enough," paliwanag ko.

"Teka Zen, kakaamin niyo lang ng anak ko diba?" mahinanong tanong ni Tita Yaleyna.

"You shouldn't rush. My daughter is still young," pagsabi ni Tito Chris na tinanguan naman ng kanyang asawa.

"Psh," Duke sounded. "I should be the one to tell that, my parents. Huwag mong minamadali ang kapatid ko Zen, maybe after ours she'll be more than ready."

Lahat kami ay napabaling sa kanyang nagtataka. He just shrugged at us, "We're still not engaged but of course we have plan for marriage,"

I chuckled. "Bakit kailangang pagtapos mo?"

"I'm his brother,"

"But I'm older than you," sagot ko. Binigyan niya ako ng hindi natutuwang tingin at seryoso lang akong nilalabanan iyon. Who would have thought that there are two gays fighting of who's going to marry with their girls first?

"It's not my fault that you were born 8 years early,"

"It's not a fault," I smirked. "I was born this early and will marry earlier than you,"

Before Duke could say his counterargument, Clane coughed that took us away from the argument. "I'll be heading first, had to deal with my plates than marriage,"

I had to fly out of the country for consult of shipments and new deals. I finished my business deals these past few days, and for my remaining days I will have to sort out our properties here for expansion or either put it off for a higher advantage.

If only I could bring Sapphire with me, but of course she has to do her own work.

I was busy checking our properties here online at my office when my phone suddenly rang, It's Clane.

"Ah.. Kuya Zen,"

Napatikhim ako, "Yes?"

"Ate Sap is in the hospital.."

Hindi na ako nagdalawang isip ikansela lahat ng schedule ko, I commanded my secretary to book me a private plane so I can go home already.

13 hours is so long! It felt like years!

Kaagad akong dumeretso sa Hospital kung saan siya. I sighed, I am so tired but seeing her again regains my energy. I can still feel the ache from yesterday when I heard that she's in the hospital. I was so worried!

Kaagad akong lumapit sa kanya ng pansin kong naiiyak muli siya. What I notice about it, she doesn't like it when I call her with anything else, She got used to be my baby, babygirl and will forever be get used to it, I'll make sure.

Gosh, I missed her so much. Hindi ko na napagilan na halikan siya, ramdam ko ang pagtuod niya dahil doon. This is our first kiss, napangiti ako. I think I'm crazy.

"Arczeno Imperial, bring your girl with you here at the company." Dad said and left.

When Dad uses my whole name, I know I wouldn't be able to argue. Hindi na ako magtataka kung bakit nalaman na nila ang tungkol sa amin ni Sapphire kahit hindi ko pa naman inaamin.

Sapphire was so nervous but I can't think of anything to do to be able to ease her from feeling tensed. Maski ako ay may nararamdamang kakaiba, I just hope my parents wouldn't say ridiculous things.

They did not disappoint. They didn't really talk out ridiculous things but heck! Inunahan nila ako! I don't want my baby girl to feel pressured, alam kong matanda na ako pero hindi ko iyon idadahilan para madaliin siya.

Hindi ako makasagot ng maayos sa mga ibinabato ng mga magulang ko. My attention is locked to Sapphire when she started to bow her head and I know for sure she isn't comfortable anymore.

Why are my strict parents need to ruin our comfort? I swear if our relationship change because of them, I wouldn't take the company. I can build my own anyway.

Looking at Sapphire, I don't know how will I start to explain myself. Why does she need to smile at me as if her eyes can't hide the sadness in it? I don't know what to feel anymore... Does the thought of marrying me bothers her so much that she's sad?

Hinayaan ko na lamang ang katahimikan sa pagitan naming dalawa nang bigla na lang sunod-sunod na ilaw ang sumasalubong sa amin.

Heck! How come there are media teams here?

I quickly grab Sapphire to me, this is stressing me out. Hindi pa nga kami nakakapag-usap ng maayos may manggugulo nanaman?

Mas magulo pa ata 'to kesa noong kinukwestiyon ko ang sarili ko.

The press keep throwing questions and they are really doing a great job for asking these kind of questions. How do these people get informations and turned it in a wrong way?

"Totoo po bang ikakasal na kayo sa babaeng anak ng Davids?"

Well, soon if things go smooth.

"Is it true that you are now a man because of the Davids's heiress?"

Psh, why do you all care

"Totoo bang hanggang ngayon ay lalaki pa rin ang hanap niyo?"

Wth!

"Are you willing to forget who you are for convinience?"

How does this question connected to me?

Even if I was ignoring all their questions, my mind still unconsciously response inside my head. But there is a question that need to be adressed especially if it's being over the line.

"Kaya niyo pa papakasalan ang nag-iisang babae ng mga Davids para sa merging ng CJ Davids' at Imperial Co.?"

That's it. I need to answer these annoying people. Don't ever drag my baby girl into your stupid assumptions, my gosh!

Nang masagot ko sila ay saglit silang nanahimik. I grab the chance to enter the car with her, seeing Sapphire this way makes my heart clench in a painful way.

Kanina lang ay naiinis na ako sa magulang ko sa pagmamadali sa akin ngayon naman ang press ang magbubukas ng usapang kasal.

Can't they wait? Because I am still waiting!

"But I want.. to.."

I think my heart wanted to jump when I heard that. She wants to? Is this for real? Hindi naman ako nagmamadali, we've been together officially for only moths. Not that,m I'm not sure pero hindi ko gustong ipagkaila sa kanya ang buhay dalaga.

Well, she will still always be free even if we got married except from possible threats.

Para namang biglang tinusok muli ang puso ko nang malama ko ang iniisip niya. My baby girl be really making me feel a hundred different emotions with just one seating.

At least, we still have this chance to be straight forward about it right?

You're too advance buying a ring but you forgot to say I love you to your girl tsk. Will never happen again.

Kinuha ko ang singsing na binili ko before pa ako muling makauwi ng Pilipinas, the 3rd year of not seeing her yet made me decide that she will be the one I'm going to marry.

"Why didn't you tell me about this?" I asked her as I entered the art gallery with a lot of known people inside.

She just gave me an invitation letter yesterday, she didn't even bother to hand it to me personally. Hindi kami nagkita kahapon dahil sabi niya ay marami siyang ginagawa, I told her I'll help her but my baby insisted she doesn't want to... kaya pala.

"Eh.. surprise?" She giggled. "Sorry, wag ka magtampo ha? I... was hesitant in continuing this gallery with my own arts."

I sighed and kissed her forehead. I already told my secretary to bid the highest price so I can get everything without her knowledge. There's nothing wrong with that right?

"And.. Can you not buy any of my paintings?" She pleased.

Umiwas ako ng tingin. "Why? I haven't seen those. Can you tour me baby?" pag-iiba ko ng usapan. True to what I said, hindi ko pa nakikita ang mga iyon, sinalubong ko lang siya agad dito sa entrance.

Maraming mga bumabati sa amin habang naglalakad kami. Some wanted to talk to her, but got swallowed by the intimidation they felt from me.

I smiled. I'm so proud of her, without being biased. Her paintings are beautiful and unique, it particularly conveys emotions and most are France-themed. The one painting that caught my attention the most is that one that has a particular scene, I'll get that for sure.

Maya-maya ay kailangan niya ng magbigay ng message. Kaya't nagpaalam na siya sa akin, "Don't buy my arts... please? I won't be able to enjoy this if you would,"

Why do I feel like she's blackmailing me? Umakyat na siya sa isang platform, ngayon ay nasa kanya na ang atensyon ng lahat. I quickly texted my secretary about the plan, sinabi kong huwag na ituloy maliban sa iisang painting na pinaka kumuha ng atensyon ko.

Sorry baby, can't help it.

"Ang daya mo naman e..." She cutely said pero nagkibit balikat lang ako. She's so adorable, gosh!

"I'm not," sagot ko. "I only bought one, Mrs. Genero bought 4.."

Mrs. Genero is in Food business but everyone knows how she loves to collect paintings. Hindi lang naman siya ang nagka-interes, marami sila. Of course, who wouldn't be interested to my baby girl's great paintings.

"I told you naman.." She sighed. "Why did you buy it?"

I smirked. "You painted us,"

Namumula ang pisngi niyang umiwas ng tingin. "H-huh? h-hindi naman.. "

"It's the scene where you got lost and I found you," sabi ko naman na lalong nagpapula sa pisngi niya. I chuckled, she'll always be the shy and adorable Sapphire who wants to be with me, and so do I.

The painting depicts the exact location in France where I saw her. She painted a figure of a man with a coat and a girl holding the coat walking towards a certain direction, this is where the part of the place is changed, instead the figures were to walk towards a mansion.

I guessed this is where she realized she liked me.

"Can you accept my reason baby girl?" I teased her. She just pouted at me kaya mabilis ko siyang binigyan ng smack.

She suddenly giggled, "Okay... I love you still,"

"You should, I love you always." I said.

She adoringly nodded at me at saka yumakap sa akin. I encircled my arm on her waist at nagsimula kami lumakad palabas.

"Bakit noon sabi mo car agent 'yung parents mo?" She suddenly opened.

"Oh. My mom was, noong nasa France siya but when she met Dad they decides to live here," paliwanag ko. I just don't feel the need to tell her that time that I am inclined in huge business.

"You shouldn't like any boys or girls again," biglaan niyang sabi na nagpatawa sa akin. She suddenly speak things of what she thinks I should do, that I would do even if no one told me so.

"Needless to command, baby girl. I wouldn't love anyone else....you should too, cause you are now mine."

She tiptoed to reach my face and kissed me in the lips. I smiled, I love this side her huh.. "Noon pa naman... sa'yo na ako,"

Heck. I think I should prepare myself for this kind of energy from hers.

Tumawa na lang ako, "Very good then, baby girl.

I love you so much, soon to be Mrs. Zeno Imperial,"

---------the end------------