#COMM

Chapter 29

"Thank you," I told Jasper when he handed me my tumbler. I just finished shooting a catalog that's out a few months from now. I was actually already booked for the next four months, and I couldn't be happier. But of course with great work comes great responsibility.

"Are you tired na?" I asked Jasper. We've been here at the studio for almost half-a-day already. My muscles were already sore from posing in front of the camera, and my jaw felt like locking from smiling na. But work's work. It's nice to make my own name outside of my family's influence.

"No," Jasper replied.

"Ako I'm tired na..." I whispered. "Tapos may party pa si Mama bukas. Gosh, if I don't love her, I'll probably rain check," I said and then wrapped my arms around Jasper's waist. Naka-upo kasi ako sa harap ng salamin while Jasper's standing beside me. Then, I felt him tousling the top of my head.

"You should rest," he said.

I closed my eyes because it felt too relaxing to have him touch my hair. This would never be not comfortable. "But I like working... but it's still also tiring," I said, my eyes still closed. I rested my head against Jasper's side.

Maybe we're too obvious? Or maybe we're just not really trying hard enough to hide that there's something between us already? Because whenever Jasper's inside my dressing room, I felt na they're giving us alone time.

Even Evan's being a bit nicer to me na.

"I'll bring you somewhere tomorrow," he said.

Biglang napadilat 'yung mata ko. "A date?"

"What is it with you and dates?" he asked, still gently brushing my hair with his fingers.

I tightened my arms around his waist, and then looked up at him. "I want you to take me out on dates because..." I said and then stood up. I was wearing heels, so we're finally face to face. I wrapped my arms around his neck and smiled at my First Lieutenant. "It makes me feel that you're with me because you want to, and not because of work."

Jasper was intently looking me in the eye, when I felt him holding me by the side of my waist. "Siobhan—"

"Jasper," I cut him off. Kumunot na naman 'yung noo ni First Lieutenant. I chuckled. "I'm sorry. Go on."

"I want you enough for me to break my own rules."

"I know..."

He held my chin, and made me look at him. "But?" he asked.

I sighed. "Wala lang... I wished I was stronger... para masabi ko na sa family ko. Because you know? Hiding us sucks so bad."

Because I wanted to hold his hand in public.

Because I wanted to hug him randomly.

Because I wanted to kiss him out of the blue.

I was never territorial, but with him, I just wanted everyone to know that he's mine and I was his alone.

But instead of answering, Jasper held me inside his arms. And for some reasons, I was okay again...

* * *

The next day, I was so eager to finish the shot that I gave it my best. The photographer was so happy kasi sobrang aga naming natapos. I mean, it's a win-win situation for everyone! Maagang makaka-uwi 'yung prod team... plus, longer time for my date with Jasper!

"You know, this is basically an invasion of privacy," I said while waiting for Jasper to do something.

"Ma'am, trabaho lang, walang personalan," Kellan said, obviously enjoying the frown on my face.

"It's a date. You know what a date means? Dapat kaming dalawa lang ni Jasper."

Kellan shrugged. "Sorry ka, Ma'am, package deal kaming apat," he said smugly.

"Si Jasper lang 'yung binili ko... And maybe si Nico rin," I told him to annoy him.

"Sus, si Ma'am. If I know, ako naman talaga favorite niyo, 'wag ka na magdeny," he said and then even wiggled his eyebrow. I glared at him. "Wag kang madamot, Ma'am, alalahanin mo, naunang naging sa amin si Sir Jasper."

If hindi ko lang talaga nakita na nagdrool si Kellan kay Yan, I'd think na may feelings siya kay Jasper!

Aawayin ko pa sana si Kellan when Jasper finally came back. I glared at Kellan for the last time, bago ako pumunta kay Jasper.

"You can protect me naman alone, 'di ba? Bakit kailangan kasama pa silang apat?" I whispered kasi nandyan si Manong. I still wasn't sure where his loyalty lies.

"Protocol," he shortly replied.

"But it's our date..."

Jasper looked at me. "What exactly do you have in mind when you say date?" he asked, like he was hinting na may something akong iniisip kaya dapat walang witness!

"Gusto ko lang ng privacy! Masyado kang feeling!"

Jasper shook his head, and kept his face impassive kahit naman halata na he was about to smile na. "They won't stare," he said to appease me.

"Okay lang kahit magstare sila. Wala naman akong gagawin na dapat itago," I said, glaring at him. I was planning on kissing him pa naman! E kasama namin si Evan. And Evan's like a mother hen to Jasper, nakaka-loka! Parang dapat ligawan ko muna si Evan to get his approval.

After a while, we were entering a private place.

"Is it safe here?" I asked him. The place was surrounded by high gates. Mukhang seryoso 'yung may-ari na ayaw ng trespassers.

Jasper looked at me like he's offended na akala ko dadalhin niya ako sa unsafe na lugar. I should start filtering the things I ask of him. Ayoko naman na continuously offended lang siya sa akin... kasi gusto ko lang naman na lagi kaming may pag-uusapan.

When the car stopped, we were at a place full of trees. Sobrang sarap ng hangin—unlike sa polluted air of Manila. Come to think of it, hindi ko alam if nasa Manila pa ba kami.

I just followed Jasper, not saying anything kasi baka unconsciously, I was offending him with my questions na. Mahaba ang pasensya ni Jasper sa akin, pero ayoko naman na sagarin.

Napa-tigil ako nang makakita ako ng maraming target board.

"Are we... going to practice shooting?" I asked.

Jasper got back from a small cabin, and brought a bag with him. He got a small gun from the bag and handed it to me. Ah. Iyon pala 'yung kinuha niya kanina.

"No, thanks," I politely said. Kellan and the squad were just standing from afar. It seemed like it's them giving us privacy.

His hand remained. "It's empty."

I shook my head. "I don't like guns."

"It's for your safety."

"No, thanks pa rin. You're there to protect me naman."

"What if for some reasons—"

I cut him off. "Then, I'll take my chances," I said. I just... wasn't exactly comfortable with the idea of holding a gun. According to researches, possessing a gun increases the chances of getting shot. So, no, thanks talaga.

Jasper sighed. "Please?"

Napaawang ang labi ko.

Did he... just say please?!

Si Jasper Alexander Ybañez, nagsabi ng please?!

"You don't have to carry a gun. You just have to know how to shoot," he explained. He seemed serious in getting me to learn how to shoot.

I sighed. "Akala ko date," I said in an accusatory tone, but then got the gun from his hand. It was heavy! And scary! I gulped to calm myself down.

Jasper, then, stood behind me. Biglang nag-iba iyong pakiramdam ko nang maramdaman ko siya sa likod ko. "Stop shaking," he whispered in my ears.

"I'm nervous," I uttered.

"It's blank."

"But, it's still a gun," I reasoned.

Jasper, standing behind me, enclosed me inside his arms. Hawak ng kamay niya iyong mga kamay ko na nanginginig.

"Why do you even insist that I learn to shoot?" I asked. There's just something different. I could feel it. Something must've happened, dahil pati sila Kellan, parang mas naging seryoso.

"Just because, Siobhan," he answered, but I believed that there was more to it.

So, I calmed myself down and tried not to shake, even if the mere idea of holding a gun was making me shiver.

"First, tighten your grip," Jasper whispered in my ear. Paano ako makakapagfocus kapag ganyan siya kalapit?!

"Then, disengage the safety," bulong niya ulit. I was very aware of the feeling of his hard chest against my back, so everything Jasper was saying was coming off as blah blah blah. Ano daw ang sabi niya?

"Are you listening?" he asked.

"No," I honestly said.

Jasper released me, and then made me face him. "Siobhan," he said.

I frowned at him. "I'm sorry. Guns... aren't my thing."

"It's for your—"

"Safety, I know," I said, cutting him off. "But if I'm meant to die, I'll die. Let's just leave it at that, okay?"

* * *

Jasper obviously didn't seem happy with my decision to remain as a gun-ignorant. I mean, it just wasn't my thing. I feel na I'd just cause more harm kapag may hawak ako na baril.

And he's with me. That's enough to pacify my system.

We went back a little after 5pm. I still had 2 hours to prepare for my Mom's party. She'd literally hold it against me kapag hindi naka-punta ang nag-iisa niyang anak na babae.

I wore a pale pink floor length gown and a black stiletto. I was still wearing the heavy makeup from the shoot earlier, so I just retouched it. Iyong buhok ko naman, I just let it down.

My brothers went to the hotel na. Ako lang 'yung naiwan kasi nga babae daw ako at matagal magprepare. Seriously, minsan ang sexist nila. Anyway, it's better na rin at least may time na naman kami ni Jasper na magkasama. It's just really hard to move around kapag nandyan 'yung family ko at si Jasper. It's like constantly making a choice...

And that choice was to hide Jasper.

And it really, really sucked.

When I went downstairs, I literally held my breath when I saw Jasper.

God... that man... he's so breathtaking.

From where I was standing, I could only see his side-profile because he was talking with Nico, but that was enough to send my system into an overdrive. He was wearing a suit and his hair was sexy pushed back.

Could I just... stay here? We could really go on a date na! He looked so fancy! And he's mine!

I was busy gawking at Jasper when Nico pointed at me...

And then there it was. Jasper looking at me.

Do you ever get that look? That kind of look a person gives you that makes you feel like you're the center of his universe? Because that's exactly the kind of look Jasper was giving me.

Slowly, I smiled at him. I descended from the stairs and he met me halfway.

"If it's not so hot here in Manila, I'd probably require you to wear suits all the time," I said, in obvious admiration of how beautiful my guy is.

Jasper stared at me. "It's almost painful not to touch you," he almost whispered.

I smiled a sad smile, and then sighed. "I promise I'll tell them soon..."

Because it was painful not to be able to touch him, too.

Jasper and I walked outside, careful not to touch because we're both too aware of the cameras around the house. Once we were outside, Jasper pulled me to one side.

"Are you sure?" he asked.

I nodded and then touched his cheek. "Yeah."

"I don't want to get you in trouble."

I smiled at him. "You already got me in trouble the moment you entered my life, First Lieutenant."

* * *

Upon arriving at the destination, Jasper helped me get out of the car. We were standing at the entrance of the hotel, waiting for our convoy when a familiar face approached us.

"Surprised to see you here," that freaking asshole said.

I felt Jasper's hand forming into a fist. I held his hand in an attempt to pacify him.

"This is my mother's party," I said in the most sarcastic tone I could muster. Kulang na lang sabihan ko siya ng duh.

But the perverted asshole ignored my remark, and then looked at Jasper. There was a cut on the side of his lips... but I didn't remember Jasper hitting his stupid face. "I'll see you later," he said, tapping Jasper's shoulder and then went inside.

I held Jasper's hand. "Don't leave my sight, okay?" I asked of him... but still, my heart wouldn't stop worrying.