DANCING

“SO YOU MEAN you are single right now?!” Julia asked him softly. Her eyes were blinking, and a smile

already played on her lips.

“Hmm . . . yes,” he answered.

Julia seemed happy with what she heard from Franco, so she leaned a little on his shoulder, probably

because she was very drunk.

“I’m done!” Jeremy suddenly shouted, lowering the glass of wine on the table. Then he violently stood

up and, without saying a word, left.

He immediately followed by Santino and carried him inside the mansion. Everyone knows that Julia

and Jeremy are dating, but I have not yet confirmed that to Julia.

Shaking, I just glared at Franco, who was now busy drinking.

The night deepened, and almost everyone was drunk. Jocko was already dancing with Samantha to

the accompaniment of the Logistic Band. Carrick and Cindy danced in the middle as well.

“Do you want to dance?” Lawrence whispered to me while he laced his fingers through mine.

I quickly glanced around as if some were already dancing.

I saw Julia pulled Franco to dance in the middle. The latter firmly refused, but because of Julia’s

carving, she drifted him to go to the hall as well.

“Okay, let’s dance!”

He supported me towards the hall. His hand encircled my waist securely. I let our bodies fit together

and lean on his chest.

“I hate the way he looked at you,” he whispered while hugging me tightly.

I looked up at him. I couldn’t help but smile because his eyebrows met again. He’s so jealous of his

brother Franco.

“Come on; it’s your birthday today. Don’t be so hot-headed.” I lick my lower lips and stared at him

closely.

“You’re so beautiful, Margaux.” Then his mouth moved, and our lips synchronized in a perfect kiss.

I heard loud cheers from Cindy and Julia; even the band playing also gave me a faint melody.

His lips delve into mine, and I swallowed his groan and the taste of his tongue.

Loud applause filled the area as we parted.

“Happy birthday,” I whispered.

“I love you,” he replied.

***

I WOKE UP early, and Lawrence was no longer by my side. The only thing he left was his familiar

sweet scent that made my stomach churned.

I stayed in bed for a few more minutes before I got up and took a shower. I chose to wear only walking

shorts and a plain white shirt before going down.

“Good morning!” I warmly greet everyone.

“Morning. Come on, join us,” Carrick told me. He was taking care of his son Kyzler’s food next to his

wife, Cindy.

I gave him a nod, then stood next to Doris, who was also feeding baby Clarence breakfast.

“Good morning, handsome,” I utter, then kiss him on the cheek.

“Where is Lawrence?” I looked up at Jocko who asked that.

“He’s just been here. But after he cooked our breakfast, he’s gone!” Carrick replied.

I just ate quietly, even though I wondered why he woke up early, and he’s not on the table right now.

“Oh, Julia, why are you frowning?” Ally commented while sipping a mango juice.

She does not answer; her focus is only on the food. Then I heard Jeremy grin after he lowered the

glass he was holding.

I wanted to ask what the problem was or if I could help, but my tongue just stayed still. My real problem

is that I don’t get well, so I just chose to keep quiet and continue eating.

“Do guys want to go to Dinalayan Falls?” Jocko asked Carrick as I looked up at them.

“Okay, game!” they answered.

“Wait, where are you going? It looks like it’s all for boys, huh?” Cindy raised an eyebrow as she spoke

to her husband.

“Love, of course, you can join us. You know I can’t leave you,” Carrick said to his wife and kissed her

softly.

“Okay, here we go, Dinalayan Falls! Woohoo!” Jocko shouted.

When we finished having breakfast, everyone arranged their things to go to what they call Dinalayan

Falls. It was also just here in place of San Felipe. I wanted to see it because I heard the news that the

place is good.

We almost came out of the mansion at the same time, screaming and teasing each other. Julia and

Jeremy seem to be getting along now that they’ve become attached due to their sweetness.

But even before we left home, we were startled by the arrival of horses and two half-naked guys riding

them.

My mouth dropped as I watched their forthcoming. They are actually laughing together as if there was

no argument last night.

“Hooh!” I heard Lawrence’s baritone voice. Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

I was stunned when our eyes met. I almost stopped breathing. Damn it! What would I expect? He was

shirtless! I can’t help but look at it. His muscles rippled across every part of his body, from his broad

shoulders down to his enticing biceps.

I let out a shaky sigh and tried my best to looked away.

“Oh, you and your brother are here; we can go now!” I heard Carrick told them.

“All right, I’ll just get dressed!” Lawrence replied. He finally got off his horse and walked straight

towards me.

He first caressed Clarence’s hair before giving me a quick kiss. “Morning, how’s breakfast?”

“Hmm, good,” I answered hoarsely.

“Alright, I’ll take a shower first. Franco, get dressed too!” he ordered to his brother, then he went

straight into the house.

“Good morning, my lady!” Franco stepped closer and smiled at me foolishly.

My pulse quickened; though I did not want to answer, I was forced to speak. “Morning.”

He stepped straight into the mansion. Eventually, I could not help but sink into deep thought. Last night,

the siblings were about to kill each other, but now, there seemed to be no trouble between them.

We rode in the van together because they said the more crowded, the more fun.

“Who has the idea that crowded is happier?” Samantha suddenly spoke as she folded her arms by the

window.

I heard a small grin coming from Jocko. This is because he suggested that we were together in the

same car even though they had their car.

“It’s okay that we were crowded so we can fit in?” he then smiled foolishly.

“Why do I have to push myself if there is another way so that I don’t get in trouble, huh?!” Her eyebrows

rose in response.

“Wow, are you guys fighting?!” Santino chortled.

She just rolled up her eyes. She pulled the earphone she was carrying from her bag and quietly

slapped it on her ears.

I was able to sit up feeling like someone was beside me. Even though I didn’t stare, I knew it was

Lawrence. I already knew his fragrant smell and his warm presence beside me.

I barely glanced at him. He looked so freshly hot wearing his white T-shirt and pants. I couldn’t help but

to notice his thick brows that furrowed together, his commanding bone structure, a generous curved

mouth, tumbled of his hair, and his soft, kissable lips. I don’t know how he gotten into my nerves over

and over again.

I quickly averted my eyes as he looked down at me.