One More Chance

"That would be great," he mumbled, a smile curling up against his lips.

I kissed the tip of his nose as I laughed at him. He then wrapped his arms around my waist as he captured my lips in a passionate kiss despite the gazes of everyone around us at that moment. "Luke..." I said trying to free myself from his kiss.

"Hmm...?"

"They are all looking at us right now!"

"And so?" he then kissed me again, unbothered by the attention we were getting.

"Hey, Luke Marcuz..."

"What?"

"Let's just continue this at home," I whispered, grasping his shoulders. I had to tell him those words just to stop him from peppering kisses all over my face.

It took him a few seconds before he finally let me go.

"Oh, great God in heaven! I was about to scream 'get a room you two', but thanks for ending your public display of affection right away, I wouldn't have to do it!" Everyone laughed including us when Dana screamed right after Luke decided to let me go.

"Damn! You're making my nerves tremble with envy!" She added, rolling her eyes that made me laugh even more and I realized that her husband wasn't there to hug her and take that envy away. I turned to Luke and was about to ask him where Caleb was, but he has already answered the silent question in my head.

"He was left in Cebu," he shrugged. "He still needs to prepare some documents for the project."

"Ohh..." I uttered, nodding.

After packing our things and saying goodbye to the head of the foundation, we all went on separate ways. While Martha and Toni went with Dana, I went with Luke to his car and headed straight home. "So where is the surprise you were talking about earlier, Mr. Williams?" I asked him as I slowly unbuckled my seat belt. "Can you even give a hint?"

"Hmm... just a few more minutes, sweetheart," he winked at me.

I just rolled my eyes when he leaned forward and kissed me on the lips.

"Sweetheart, it would no longer be a surprise if I gave you a hint. Patience is a virtue, my love."

I bit my lower lip at the last word he said.

I waited for him to come out and opened the door to my side as he told me before getting out of the car. It really enthralled me what the surprise he was mentioning about. "Thanks, Mr. Gentleman," I grinned as I took his hand in front of me.

"Are you ready?"

"Yup, just make sure it won't bite me,"

"No, it won't," he chuckled and helped me get off the car. "Let's just take a few steps..." We took a few steps towards the parking lot. "And there it is!" "Huh?" I turned to him with a slight frown on my forehead when he put something in my hand. "A car key," I uttered slowly as stared right into his eyes. "Yup, a car and a car key," he shrugged.

"Oh, my! Tell me this is not real!" My eyes went wide.

"It is, sweetheart,"

"Luke, tell me you didn't buy me a car!"

"But I did, I bought you a new car, sweetheart, look!" He then pointed to the new red Mercedes Benz C-class sedan.

"Oh, my God!" Different emotions instantly filled in me as I glanced back at him. Tears even welled up around my eyes and I had to bite my lower lip as it started quivering.

"Hey, what happened? Why are you crying? Don't you like it?" He asked, his voice woven with love, tenderness, and worry all at the same time.

He wiped the first set of tears that rolled down my cheeks before pulling me into a hug. I even felt his lips on top of my head.

"I'm sorry, sweetheart, I don't know what you want, so I just---"

"No, it's not that I don't like it, I love it actually. And thanks, but you don't have to. You know how I love sitting in your car. I love watching you drive." I said kissing him on the cheek.

"Okay... you are welcome," he smiled. "I also love to drive you off and pick you up at work and then we'll go home together. But sweetheart, what if I always have business meetings and out-of-town appointments? I don't want you to always ask Dana and ride in her car. Worse, I don't want you to ask anyone to send you home, especially Martin or some random guy." "Whoa!" I couldn't help but giggle at the spark of jealousy in his voice.

"I'm serious, Sam," and his face suddenly turned serious. "I don't even want to hear that you take a walk from home to work or work to home."

"But you're here and you always come to get me."

"Yeah and that was what I was saying! Sometimes I have meetings outside the city and I can't pick you up that's why I want you to have your own car. In that way, I won't be afraid even if I'm away."

"Ahh..." I uttered, nodding. But then I smiled as an idea came to my mind. "You won't be afraid of you won't be jealous?"

He stared at me with an arched eyebrow.

"Both, sweetheart," I gasped when he wrapped his hand around my waist and pulled me to him. "Actually it's the last thing you said. I hate sharing what's mine!" he then bit my earlobe which I screamed because of the tickle. "Ahh... stop it,"

"I won't!" And he continued peppering me with kisses all over my neck and ears.

"Somebody might see us here,"

"And so?"

"Luke!"

He gave me a quick kiss on the lips before hugging me again.

"By the way, why did you cry when you said you love my surprise?"

It made me look at him for a few minutes and then took a deep breath.

"Because I didn't expect to receive such a gift from you, I mean, I never imagined that one day you would give such a precious gift. You know, thinking about the past and all of that happened, I never once imagined we could be like this... together." I ended my response with a shrug and a half-hearted smile.

But to my surprise, it saddened his expression, and he took my hands.

"I'm sorry, sweetheart, I'm sorry---"

"Hey!" I cut him off immediately. "Why are you apologizing all of a sudden?"

"Because the guilt of what I've done to you in the past still haunts me every time I see cry or when you look at me and remember those things."

"Aww... look at me," I cupped his face and made him look at me. "I told you, it's all in the past, right? You don't have to apologize for your entire life because I have already forgiven you."novelbin

"I know, but I'll still do it whenever I have time or when I remember those hurtful things."

"Okay, but how can we forget the past, and how can we move on if we keep digging and reminiscing it? I only mentioned gifts because I want you to know how I appreciate you and your efforts."

He didn't say anything, he just heaved a deep, long sigh, so I cupped again his cheeks and without any word, I kissed him.

I felt his lips twitch in a smile before he returned my kiss.

"Thank you," I whispered between our kisses.

"You are always welcome, my love," he replied and hugged me eventually.

"So, can we now test my new car?" I asked, biting my lower lip.

"Oh, no, no, no! Not at this hour, sweetheart!"

"Huh? But why?" I complained, suppressing my laughter. I already knew he won't agree.

"What do you mean by why? It's already half past ten, Samantha, you can't!" His eyes held dominance when he mentioned my full name and I like it. I really like how he dominantly pronounced my name. "But you know I'm already a professional driver,"

"I know and no questions asked about it and your license, but still, you can't." He shook his head while his hands were still on my waist.

"But sweetheart?"

"Nope!"

"Even if I kiss you until midnight?"

"Even if you kiss me until morning."

"What if I don't kiss you until tomorrow?"

"Then I'll take it rather than risking your life at this hour."

"Hmm... what if I don't kiss you until next week?"

"Don't you dare, woman!" His eyes went wide.

And my laughter exploded into the air. He just watched me go crazy in the parking lot for a few minutes before scooping me in a bridal style much to my surprise. He ignored me even when I begged him to put me down. "You're crazy!" I complained when he finally put me down.

"Yes, I'm crazy for you, baby! Rrrr!"

"Oh, my!" I exclaimed and hit his arm when he growled and pretended to bite me.

That night, I agreed to sleep in his plat... well, it's not the first time I'd be doing it, but that's just it. When we said sleep, then it means, we will only be sleeping in one room, but not in the same bed. I'll be on his bed and he'll be on the couch. It's the same as when I invited him to sleep in my room, I'll be on my bed and he'll be on the couch.

Well, I know it's kinda weird to believe, but that was our setup every time we slept in one room. Yes, the temptation... the fucking temptation was so hard to resist, but you know what? I admire his strength, discipline, and determination to prove what he promised me that he will never cross the line until I'm ready or until I give him permission for that matter.

Honestly, it was he who was always in control when it came to 'that thing' between us. As I said, he never once crossed the line whenever we have dates, on movie nights, when we were watching some romantic movies in cinemas, or when we were left alone in a room that has an awkward, lusting atmosphere.

The only thing he does when we are next to each other is to hold my hands, hug me, put an arm around my shoulders, and kiss me if not on the lips, well, all over my face and neck. Hmm... not to mention that he also showers me with sweet words like I love you, I miss you, you are beautiful, you are my life, my everything, and a few other sweet words you may think of.

He never forgets to call me every day even when he's at work or no matter how busy he is. He never once complained when he dropped me off and picked me up from work. I also never heard him complain or demand when he tells me I love you, but I don't say it back. I love him and I realized that I love him more now, especially when I got to know him better.