Nilapag ko ang inumin sa lamesa at pasimpleng inayos ang aking buhok. I leaned on the bench to prop my elbows on the arm rest. While doing so, I arched my back and gave the spectator some tease by having one leg slowly prop up. I bit my lip playfully and giggled while looking up the skies while my fingers sensually traced my collarbone.
"Hmm..." I imagined that it was him doing that instead. I licked my lips at the thought.
Naughty Adora.
"Oh my!" I gasped in fake surprise as I sat up and took off my sunglasses when the luxury yacht docked on the beach. My chest heaved in humiliation as I realized that Damon was no longer on the lookout. His back is now turned against me as he stepped out of the large fleet.
I groaned as I felt my cheeks heat up. Agad akong tumayo at naglakad sa pier para salubungin ang unwanted visitor.
"Look who showed up!" Pakunwaring mangha kong sabi para makuha ang atensyon niya. Taas-noo kong sinalubong ang seryoso niyang ekspresyon nang humarap siya sa akin. Humalukipkip ako at nag-antay ng sagot. I cleared my throat at his silence. Dinungaw niya lang ako at umiling.
"I'm afraid that you got yourself mixed up, boss...If you're looking for our resort, then I'm afraid you'll have to turn around and walk back to your luxury yacht and sail again. El Dorado is in Cabello, not Andelmo-"
Nalaglag ang panga ko nang nilabas niya ang cellphone niya at doon niya itinuon ang atensyon niya. No suitor has ever taken out their phone on me while I'm talking!
The audacity!
Pakiramdam ko ay may lalabas nang usok sa ilong ko nang panoorin ko siyang ngumisi sa cellphone niya. Sino bang kausap niya na naman?! Estelle Harlow? Sheena? Moriesette? o bago na naman?!
Pasimple akong lumapit para tingnan kung ano ang pinagkakaabalahan niya pero dahil sa sinag ng araw ay hindi ko makita nang mabuti. Nagulat ako nang bigla niya itong nilayo sa akin.
"Rude..." He remarked in an irritated tone as he turned off his phone screen.
Kumunot ang noo ko dahil sigurado akong naputol na ang pasensya ko. "Ikaw pa ang may ganang magalit?! You're my suitor and you dare to entertain yourself with bitches in front of me-"
"Ma cherie, that's not the proper way to treat our visitors." Umatras ang dila ko sa tono ni grandma na puno ng awtoridad. Napatayo ako nang matuwid. I scoffed as Damon looked at me with amusement in his eyes. He looked as cocky as ever when he grinned with his teeth showing as he offered a hand to help my grandma from the yacht.
"Thank you, Montavius. What a gentleman!" She praised and I rolled my eyes. She accepted his hand and safely landed on the pier.
"Right, my Fleur?"
Napalunok ako. Pareho silang nakatingin sa akin ngayon. She eyed me with warning. Darn it!
I flipped my dampened hair and smiled sweetly. "Of course! Being a gentleman is a choice. However, a true gentleman only has his eyes for one lady despite the attention he attracts."
My sweetest smile turned into a sly smirk as Damon's brows slowly furrowed, like he got offended. Kumurap lamang ang lola ko at tinaasan niya ako ng kilay dahil siguro hindi niya naintindihan ang pinanggalingan ng hugot ko. Agad akong tumalikod at lumisan pabalik sa manor, suot ang ngiti ng tagumpay kasama ang heart-shaped sunglasses ko.
Pagkatapos maligo ay dumiretso ako sa kusina para mag-bake ng blueberry muffins. Why? I just felt like it. Pipigilan pa sana ako ng mga katulong na naroon pero wala silang nagawa nang magsimula na ako. It's not like I'm preparing an aphrodisiac for the guest or whatever!
"Mademoiselle, is there anything else I can help you with?" I turned around to meet our loyal servant, Sylvia as she enthusiastically waited for my orders. I placed the muffin batter carefully in each cup.
"Hm..." I hummed as I placed the tray inside the oven. "When this bakes, please serve one to our guest. Where is he, by the way?" I asked naturally to conceal my intentions. It's not like I want to know where he stays. Bahala siyang magkulong doon. I'm never stepping inside that room until he leaves!
Wait, for how long is he staying anyway? At bakit siya nandito?
"Monsieur Ainsworth's in one of the guest rooms at the east wing..." Humilig si Sylvia sa kitchen countertop. "May I ask something, if you don't mind?"
"Shoot." I said while undressing my apron to reveal my nude halter maxi dress with a side slit. Tinanggal ko ang pagkatali sa aking buhok and my long black hair draped to my back naturally.
"Are you finally coming in good terms with the monsieur?" Natigilan ako.
"Finally?" Tumaas ang aking kilay. "It sounds like you've been anticipating things for a long time, Sylvia." I shook my head while chuckling.
"Oh, you don't remember?" Kumunot ang noo ko nang napatakip siya sa umawang niyang bibig. Is it just me or really, I can't relate? Bakit parang ako lang ata ang hindi nakakaalam sa issue namin ni Damon noon, kung mayroon man?
"What do you mean?"
"Nothing! Hehe. I'm just happy that I got to witness you growing, mademoiselle..." I was still intrigued but I just shrugged it off. Kung ano man iyon, I think it's no longer important.
"And I am truly grateful for the loyalty you've given to the Montecarlos, knowing that trust doesn't sit pretty with us...You earned it well." I smiled at her and she did the same.
Nang masiyahan ako sa lasa ng muffins ko, pinabigay ko na ito kay Sylvia para dalhan niya ang taong iyon. Ako naman ang magbibigay sa lola ko kaya pumunta ako sa west wing ng manor dahil naroon ang kwarto niya. Kumatok muna ako bago pumasok at naabutan ko siyang nakatingin sa family picture namin na nasa pader. If I remember correctly, I was about 13 years old when that was taken.
"Grandma, what did I tell you about smoking?" I was about to take the cigarette from her fingers but she moved her hand away. So stubborn!
"Just one stick, apo. I'm smoking for Alexio too." She laughed weakly but I can sense the sadness in that laughter. I sighed in defeat. Inilapag ko na lang ang tray sa coffee table at sinamahan siya. She puffed her cigarette in the other direction and I watched as the smoke left the room through the opened windows and disappeared as it was carried away by the summer wind.
I wish problems and feelings quickly fleeted in the same manner.
"I was a model by day and a thief at night. I deceived politicians and took money from them through seduction-"
"...and you met your soul mate because of that. Grandpa was surely bewitched by such a beauty..." She laughed again, more genuinely this time.
"He was an absolute mad lad, I tell you! Asking a thief's hand for marriage on the spot that night when he caught me, he promised me all of these riches in exchange for my love, attention... and a child with him! He said it was love at first sight. I claimed that it was lust." She took a picture frame of grandpa in his youth and traced the outline of his face. I watched as tears formed in her eyes. I couldn't help but feel the heaviness of my heart because of the unspoken pain that I've tried so hard to disregard.
I hate looking vulnerable to everyone else but my family.
"He was quite the looker, my Fleur. Seducing me with his words, I said yes even if I didn't love him at first! I didn't know he worked for Montavius' grandfather, though. The Ainsworths were my target at the time because they were damn crying and bleeding diamonds, proudly standing on their pedestals like they owned the world. What surprised me though was the fact that mafias did exist... and I married someone on impulse who pretty much lived dealing with death every day in that world..." Her chest heaved as the tears she was trying so hard to contain just streamed down her cheeks.
I took that opportunity to swiftly take the cigarette stick from her and put it out on the ash tray. I then gestured her to seat down so she took another version of our family picture without them in it. It was when I was 16, fresh from an engagement break up with Lancelot Sevilla who was 19 years of age at the time.
Time flies fast.
"I was afraid of him when I first learned about it. Even your mom with Axel..." She chuckled as her gaze went back to the frame.
"If only you knew how many times she rejected my son before they finally settled down and brought you into our lives." I massaged her back as she continued to reminisce. I've heard about her tales numerous times already but if this is what will make her feel better, then I'd be willing to listen to her every day. Everyone grieves in different ways. It's how we choose to fight our battles.
She took a sip of the tea I prepared after wiping her tears. "Alexio loved surprising me every day, and I fell harder for him each day. He loved surprising me so much that one day; the most painful one he did was leaving me- us, my Fleur... Even my Axel and Margaux..." She sobbed. "God, I just hope she's somewhere alive and well!"
Me too. Please be safe and come home already, mommy.
"I'm sorry t-that I left you suffering a-alone in this place, grandma..." My voice cracked as my tears finally gave up from holding on for too long. I held her hand and squeezed it gently.
"No...I deserved this. It's karma's ways collecting a long overdue payment of my debts." She smiled and wiped off my tears with her thumb before pulling me into a warm hug. "I just hope my karma won't get to you, ma cherie." Humigpit ang yakap ko sa sinabi niya.
Fuck karma. I don't believe in such a thing.
She broke our hug and I smirked. "Karma will give herself a bigger headache when that happens, grandma. I don't pay anything unless there's a debt instrument issued."
She giggled and patted my head. "You really are Axel's daughter..." She then stood up to put the frame back to its original placement.
"Do you like him, my Fleur?" She suddenly questioned out of nowhere as she turned around, perhaps to see my reaction.
Kumurap ako. "Of course I like Sean O'pry! He's a head turner and I'll never forget the time he modeled mommy's designs-"
"Silly girl." She cut me off and crossed her arms while shaking her head. "You know who I'm talking about..."
I bit my lip and looked away. Sino daw?
"I-I'm still deciding."
"Now, I see Margaux..." She clasped her hands and breathed out as she sat down across me this time. "You can't decide on whom to love, Adora. It comes to you naturally."
"...and I'm coming to like a hunk who's apparently an expert in the art of seduction, naturally." I remarked sarcastically. She stared at me blankly.
"He's got women linked with him all the time! Now, what does that say about his character?" I defended.
She rolled her eyes. "You said so yourself that the media melts truths and lies into a pot to create the spicy narratives for bored and miserable souls. You're not exempted to your own criticism, as you can see with what happened last night."
Namilog ang mata ko. Damang-dama ko ang bawat salita kong ibinalik niya sa akin. I'm too proud to admit that I'm hypocritical at times.
"You're being unfair with Montavius, don't you think?"
Bumilis ang pintig ng puso ko sa pagbikas pa lamang ng pangalan niya at ramdam ko na naman ang pag-init ng mukha ko.
"I... I don't even like him that much. Huwag siyang ano..." Nanuyo ang lalamunan ko sa sinabi ko. Damn it, I'm being betrayed by my own body!
Totoo naman, ah.
Siguro.
"Hmm... Should I send him back, then?" Napatuwid ako sa pagkakaupo at kumunot ang noo ko sa banta niya. Napasimangot ako nang madama ko ang tuwa sa malakas niyang pagtawa.
"Aww. So cute!" She squealed. I can't believe that she's acting like a romance- induced teenager who just discovered fan fictions!
"You've got one treacherous heart, ma cherie..."
She finished the food and drink I prepared for her. She was satisfied and thankful that I didn't make it as sweet as the last time I baked a snack.
She yawned after a while. "I enjoyed this talk with you, apo... but I'm afraid that it's time for my beauty rest." Tumayo na siya at nilapitan ako para halikan ang aking noo.
"I want things fixed before dinner, my Fleur. We are on vacation, not some Filipino telenovela... my goodness! It's okay to be pabebe but do it in moderation!"
As if I was also bewitched by her words, my feet made its way to the east wing when I left grandma's room. Abot-langit ang kaba ko nang tumigil ako sa tapat ng guest room kung nasaan ngayon si Damon.
Medyo nanginginig kong inayos ang buhok ko kahit na maayos naman na ito. I feel like a girl who's about to confess her feelings in a cliché rom-com! Ugh!
I barged into his room without knocking at naabutan ko siyang may kausap sa laptop niya.
All I heard were business jargon so I sighed in relief and sat prettily with legs crossed on the lounge across his table. Habang kinakausap ang katawagang lalaki, dumapo ang tingin ni Damon sa damit ko, lalo na sa maputi kong hita na nagpapakita dahil sa slit ng dress ko. Nang magsalubong ang titig namin ay tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. Binasa niya ang kanyang mga labi at nag-iwas ng tingin.
"I'll review the proposals later. I'll call you back, Vincent." He ended the call. Pasimple akong tumingin sa platitong binigay ni Sylvia na nasa lamesa. My lips curved into a proud smile.
He ate my muffin. Haha!
"Care to knock, Montecarlos?" He spoke darkly as he closed his laptop. He then rested his chin on his intertwined fingers. Masama ang tingin niya sa akin.
"What?" I crossed my arms. "We own this place! I am free to go wherever I want, whenever I want."
He scoffed. "So you're saying that your family has no respect for the privacy and boundaries of their guests?" He leaned back on the swivel chair and ran his fingers through his hair. I watched as his muscles flex because of that.
"Edi sana ni-lock mo yung pinto, 'di ba?" Irritated, I stood up and locked the door.
Kumunot ang noo niya nang hinarap ko siya. "What are you doing?"
"There! Now we have privacy and our boundaries from everyone established at this moment!" I smirked.
"Happy, Ainsworth?"
"Woman..." He pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. Hindi na mapinta ang pagkabahala sa mukha niya.
"Please stop sending mixed signals when you have already established where I stand in your life." Drama niya.
Nalaglag ang panga ko. Say what?!
"What are you trying to say? That I was leading you on?!" I couldn't help but raise my voice. Eh siya nga itong may babae!
"Took the right words out of my mouth..." He said calmly as he stood up to make his way to the bedroom. Agad ko siyang sinundan doon.
"Ang lakas ng loob mo! You were the one leading me on! Hindi mo sinasabi sa akin na may gf ka na pala sa Indonesia before you courted me! The audacity to make me your side chick, Ainsworth-"
"Ikaw, side chick?" Nakita ko ang pag-ngiwi niya sa salamin na nakaharap sa amin at ang galit kong ekspresyon. "I've only courted one girl in my life, Adora. If that isn't already obvious with you." May bahid ng sarkasmo sa huli niyang pangungusap.
"Bullshit!"
"Language!" His tone was laced with warning. I don't care!
"C'est des conneries!"
"I said stop cursing or I'll give you a more genuine reason to do so!" Namilog ang mata ko sa mangha nang huminto siya sa paglakad at hinarap niya ako kaya nagdikit ang katawan ko sa katipunuan niya. I felt so small as I realized that this situation just emphasized our height difference again. Our chests heaved as we made an intense staring competition, the tension building up ironically as silence enveloped the room.
Muli, ako ang unang sumuko dahil sa nag-iinit kong dibdib. Ang lakas naman ng loob kong kiligin sa ganitong sitwasyon! I was here to apologize but I'm just making things worse! Damn it, Adora. Makisama ka naman sa mga plano mo!
Feeling defeated by my pride, umatras na lamang ako at tumalikod para hindi niya makita ang nagbabadya kong mga luha.
What are you doing to me, Ainsworth?! I feel so vulnerable and overwhelmed with emotions whenever I'm with you.
Aalis na dapat ako nang hulihin niya ang palapulsuhan ko at hinila niya ito kaya napatili ako. Umupo siya sa kama at sinalo niya ang katawan kong nawalan ng balanse. Napa-upo ako sa binti niya at napakapit sa suot niyang pang-itaas.
Ikinulong niya ako sa kanyang bisig kaya mas lalo pang nagharumentado ang puso ko. Lumihis ang slit ng suot kong dress kaya inayos niya ito at doon niya ipinatong ang kanyang kamay.
Napalunok ako at huminga nang malalim. Pumikit ako nang mariin.
How I missed your scent, love.
He cupped my chin, forcing me to face him. Bakas sa mukha niya ang gulat. "Why... are you crying?"
Hindi ako nagsalita. Pinaubaya ko na lang sa mga luha ko ang mga napagtanto ko ngayong araw. I like him too much for my own good!
Huminga siya nang malalim at pinalis niya ang mga luha ko gamit ang kanyang daliri.
"Talk to me, Adora." Panunuyo niya bago patakan ng halik ang sentido ko. It somehow calmed me down but it doesn't mean that my heart did the same. I bit my lip and buried my face in his clothed chest. Ramdam ko rin ang bilis ng tibok ng puso niya dahil doon.
"Tell me what upset you that day, please?" Pangungulit niya ulit. Hahawakan niya na sana ang kamay ko pero hinawi ko ito dahil takot ako sa intensidad na pinaparamdam niya sa akin. It felt like fiery ardor every damn time.
"You don't trust me." He claimed at kita ko sa mga mata niya ang sakit nang tumingala ako sa kanya. My lips parted in shock. Umayos ako sa pagkakaupo para mag-level ang tingin namin. The more I look into his eyes, the more enticing and inviting they seem. They're grey... like the moon that rules the dark skies when the sun embarks on a journey to the other side of the world.
"Stop assuming, Damon." I pouted as I realized how captivated I am again.
"Then c'mon, baby. Tell me so I have a clue."
My brows furrowed. "Stop calling me that! I'm not your baby! I feel weird when you call me that!"
Humalakhak siya. "Really? Your face tells me you like it so much."
Nag-init na naman ang pisngi ko sa pang-aasar niya. "I-I don't! Masyado kang feeling-"
"Stop changing the topic and tell me why you're mad when in fact, I should be the one doing the angry stuff." He commanded whilst fiddling with my fingers resting on my thighs. My anger suddenly got sidetracked because of it.
"Explain Estelle Harlow, then."
"What about Ms. Harlow?"
"Indonesia conference?" Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay.
He hummed and licked his lips. Pabalik-balik ang tingin niya sa mga mata at labi ko habang ginagawa iyon. "Indonesia? I don't even remember talking to her, though."
Really? Hindi ko ba alam kung nagpapanggap lang itong inosente o ano, eh.
I tugged on the neckline of his shirt. Pinanood niya ako sa ginagawa ko.
"Moriesette Hidalgo?" I intrigued next.
"A colleague from our university and a member of Gamma Phi sorority... She funds org events and she's also in charge of their external affairs. We hold partnerships with their org so there are times when we have to meet as a group." He emphasized the last word.
Pero tinanong siya kung malaki ang ano mo?
"...Sheena Miller?" I continued even if I was still pissed with Hidalgo.
Kumunot ang noo niya. "What about my cousin?"
I froze. C-cousin?
"She's your pinsan?!"
He nodded, still confused. "Her mother's an Ainsworth... My tita. Why?"
Sheena Ainsworth-Miller...I can't believe that I've been jealous of her for nothing!
"A-ah... So that explains why..." Hindi ko na tinapos ang sasabihin ko at dahan-dahan kong pinagsalikop ang aming kamay. His gaze never left me while doing so, as if he was devoted. His hand is warm and huge! Oh my...
Hindi niya na ako kinulit sa bitin kong pangungusap pero napasinghap ako nang maramdaman ko ang malambot niyang labi sa leeg ko. I shuddered as he brushed his lips against my skin teasingly. Humigpit ang kapit ng isa kong kamay sa dibdib niya dahil doon.
"Wala akong ibang babae kundi ikaw lang..." He whispered and cupped the back of my neck, craned it after to kiss my ear. Dahan-dahan niyang inilapit ang mukha niya sa akin pagkatapos nang hindi nilulubayan ang tingin sa labi ko. I closed my eyes in anticipation as I felt his soft lips pressed against mine.
Agad siyang kumalas sa halik kaya nabitin ako. As if it was a silent demand, hindi ko muna binuksan ang mga mata ko kaya natawa siya nang bahagya bago patakan muli ang mga labi ko ng mga mababaw niyang halik.
"You like me." I declared as I opened my now sleepy eyes to meet his satisfied gaze. I could still feel his lips, though.
I pressed my lips. I think I'm developing a new addiction.
His eyes gleamed at my claim as he smirked. "I should be the one telling you that. You don't think I notice your reactions whenever you see me?"
I giggled and shook my head after. Without any warning, I cupped his cheek and kissed him back slowly.
I like you, Ainsworth!
"Y-you're... my b-boyfriend now..." I stuttered in a small, shy voice as I gasped for air after. Namilog ang mga mata niya at hindi siya nakasagot. Niyakap niya ako nang mahigpit.
"You're no longer mad at me too?" I asked as he proceeded to kiss my forehead, nose, and back to my lips again.
"Hindi ako galit, Adora." He answered.
"Hindi na..." Pahabol pa nito pero nakabusangot pa rin siya.
So, drama lang talaga yung sinabi niya kanina? Bakit parang ang sungit niya pa rin?
"Eh bakit ang sungit mo pa rin? Kanina ka pa..."
"You made me worried nung hindi mo sinasagot ang mga tawag ko. You even blocked me and that frustrated me so damn much, you know?"
"Kasi naman..." I groaned. "You attract too much attention, Damon. So much that you make women like Harlow and Hidalgo delusional with their fantasies about you!"
"Right back at you." Natawa siya pero naramdaman ko ang mapanganib niyang aura. I puffed my cheeks.
"Don't hurt my friend." I pertained to Jacob.
"Mmm..." He snaked his arms around my waist. He looked like he was thinking deeply of something. "It won't end well with the London guy, though."
"Spain, actually." I corrected. I watched as his jaw clenched when I ran my fingers down his chest to feel his defined muscles. I smirked when his adam's apple moved sexily.
"Are you not familiar with the Enamorados?"
He groaned. "Enough talking about other people when we're alone. We'll discuss this after our little business..."
With that, he gently grabbed a handful of my hair near my nape and led me to his lips again. I moaned with this renewed make out when he sucked my lower lip and his tongue quickly made its way inside my mouth.
"Damon..." I purred in between when I felt the hem of my dress expose more parts of my thighs. He pulled me closer to his body until the space in between us was non-existent. I draped my arms around his shoulder so I could feel his warmth better.
Little by little, I felt like I was drowning in ecstasy as he dominated my senses. If this is what he meant by little business, then I don't mind being alone with him all the time!
Halos mapatalon ako nang may marinig akong pagsabog galing sa labas ng bintana. Naputol ang landian namin dahil doon at napatingin ako sa kung nasaan galing ang ingay na iyon. Like a cinematic scene, a helicopter crashed into the sea.
Wala man lang reaksyon ang kaharap ko at nagpatuloy lang siya sa paghalik sa aking leeg. Tinulak ko ang dibdib ni Damon at kumalas ako sa kapit niya. Agad akong tumayo para lumapit sa bintana. Halos mapasigaw ako nang makita ko ang mga hindi pamilyar na yateng papunta sa isla namin.
Oh my god, are we being attacked?! Who are these people? They're all armed!
"Wish me luck, baby..." Bulong ni Damon nang yakapin niya ako mula sa likod.