Kinabukasan, maaga akong nagising dahil sa hindi malamang dahilan. Pawis na pawis ako at malakas ang kabog ng aking puso.
Sumilip ako sa labas ng bintana at pinanood ko ang pagsikat ng araw.
Did I have a bad dream?
As I blow-dried my damp hair fresh from shower, continuous thoughts streamed in my mind.
My beloved Andelmo Island has restored its beauty once again, as if nothing transpired in the first place. Umuwi na rin ang mga pinsan ni Damon, pati ang mga tauhan niya. I remember Donovan looking grumpier and eager to rush home at nairita pa si Sheena dahil doon kaya nag-away pa sila sa chopper. Jacob was discharged from the hospital earlier than expected so I wasn't able to pay him a visit. Balita ko ay umuwi na rin ito. Paano niya kaya ipapaliwanag sa pamilya niya ang kanyang sugat?
On the other hand, grandma was back to her usual routine again. She woke up early at naabutan ko siya sa labas ng kanyang kwarto, nakabihis na agad at mukhang may pupuntahan.
"Morning, grandma...Going to Cabello already?" Bati ko sa kanya bago halikan ang kanyang pisngi.
"Morning, apo... Yes, yes... I can't miss my daily exercise at the gym... my kick starter for the day." Hinaplos niya ang aking buhok at inayos ang mga takas na buhok na bahagyang tumakip sa aking mukha.
"What about breakfast?"
"Done. Just tell the maids to cook breakfast for you guys. I'm sure Sylvia's already doing that, though. Oh, kayo na muna ang bahala ni Montavius dito. Ipasyal mo siya sa Cabello later, if he likes..."
Nagpaalam na siya agad pagkatapos noon. Pinanood ko pa ang pag-alis ng kanyang kotse bago bumalik sa kusina. Doon, naabutan ko nga si Sylvia na abala na sa paghahanda ng agahan. I munched on a piece of French toast while brewing coffee.
It's just the helpers, Damon, and I here at the villa right now. Paano kaya kung may asawa na ako? Ganito kaya ang pakiramdam noon?
Uminit ang pisngi ko dahil sa mga kabaliwang naisip.
Malaki ang ngiting suot ko habang naglalakad sa hagdan. Hawak-hawak ko ang baso ng kape na ginawa ko para kay Damon. Nang makarating sa kwarto niya ay huminga muna ako nang malalim.
This time, kumatok muna ako bago ibaba ang level handle para makapasok. Dahan-dahan ako sa bawat galaw ko, nagbabakasakaling tulog pa si Damon noong sumilip ako pero kabaliktaran ang nakita ko.
With his lips pressed in a thin line and vicious eyes glaring at the laptop, he sat comfortably with his back leaning on the black tufted leather chair. His fast fingers tapped on the keyboard without his gaze ever leaving the screen. From this angle, he is effortlessly picture-perfect while commanding of full authority. How he does that is beyond my knowledge.
Nagtataka tuloy ako. Alas sais palang, ah? Nagtratrabaho na agad siya ng ganitong oras? He seems to be really dedicated and responsible as an adult, then. Bigla tuloy akong na-pressure. With a partner like him, I can't fail in my career plan or so help me. I am confident with my capabilities but I am still intimidated and highly respectful of those who have outstanding performances in their fields. It's a different kind of war out there.
I fixated my eyes on his gray sweatshirt after that did nothing to conceal his powerful build. Kunin ko kaya iyan pag babalik na siya sa Pinas? Pero marami na siyang damit na nakatago na sa mansyon at hindi ko pa naibabalik ang mga iyon. Hmm... nasa Andelmo naman ako, so I have an excuse, I guess?
Besides, even if he's covered up, I still think that I'm sinning 'cause all I remember was his exposed, warm muscular body on top of me when we almost made out at the terrace. Ngayon ko lang napagtanto na nakakahiya iyon! What if isa sa mga tauhan niya ang nakakita sa amin, like Vincent?
'Holy mother of fuck, the boss is about to devour (ravish) an associate of ours!' He'd probably say that. Hmm... Vincent is close with Sheena, I think? Ah! Baka kung ano pa ang gawin ng babaeng iyon kung nagkataong siya ang nakahuli sa amin. She's so unpredictable pa naman!
Worse, what if grandma was the one who saw us and not Donovan? My grandmother is not religious but I can picture her being over dramatic while calling out all the angels, saints, and my father if she saw us in that suggestive position!
Bless your love life, Donovan!
Isa rin naman kasi itong si Damon. He did not bother locking the door when he thought of doing that!
As if on cue, nagtama ang tingin namin kaya napatigil siya sa pagtipa. Napatuwid siya sa pag-upo at ang seryoso niyang mukha kanina ay nawala.
"Morning..." He greeted me with a big smile as he stretched his arms with one eye closed. He seemed carefree and in a good mood while doing that... something you won't see often with a certain Dan Montavius Ainsworth!
"Good morning..." Ganti ko sa isang maliit na boses at napahawak na ako sa pwetan ng baso dahil sa nangangawit kong kamay. Tuluyan na akong pumasok sa kwarto niya.
Napansin kong may isang baso sa lamesa niya. My lips protruded. Did he have his coffee already?
Sighing, lumapit na lang ako sa isang round table sa harap ng kanyang kama at inilapag ang dala kong inumin doon. The rooms in this villa are smaller compared to the manor but it doesn't mean that it's not as cozy.
"You're up early." He remarked and I sensed that he was about to close his laptop when he raised his hand over it.
"Hey, you don't have to do that." Natigilan siya sa sinabi ko at tiningnan niya lang ako. Umupo ako sa couch at niyakap ang unan sa tabi ko habang sinusukat ang upuan kung kakasya ang katawan ko dito. I guess I'll sleep here for a while?
Nag-angat ako ng tingin sa kanya pagkatapos kong humikab. Itinaas ko ang mga paa ko para maging kumportable sa planong pagtulog. Isinandal ko ang aking ulo sa isa pang unan at nag-antay ako sa gagawin niya pero hindi siya gumalaw.
"Magtrabaho ka lang, Damon. I'll just sleep for a while. Sorry, ayokong makaistorbo sana pero..."
"Para sa'kin ba 'yan?" Tinuro niya ang baso.
Tumango ako at ngumuso ulit. "yeah... Dinalhan kita ng kape pero nakapagtimpla ka na pala..."
But I can still drink it, though. Pareho naman kami ng taste sa kape—dark but sweet.
"Akin na, nauuhaw ulit ako."
Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay at itunuon ko ang aking atensyon sa basong nasa tabi niya. "Sure?"
"Another cup won't hurt."
"Okay..." Akmang tatayo na sana ako pero inunahan niya agad ako. He carried his laptop and sat beside me instead.
"Thanks, baby. You're so sweet." Nahimigan ko ang tuwa sa boses niya. Namilog ang mata ko nang halikan niya ang aking pisngi bago kunin ang baso para uminom. Tila nawala ang antok ko dahil sa ginawa niya, lalo na ngayon at nagsimula na namang bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko.
Ah, his kisses are more effective than coffee now.
As he kept himself busy with work, my gaze went back and forth from his laptop and to his face. Hindi nakakasawang tingnan ang mukha ni Damon. I assessed his side profile. With his thick brows furrowed, it gave more depth to his already deep-set eyes. As if God wanted to punish us sinful mortals, He blessed my Damon with those striking grey eyes that gleam whenever he thinks of mischief. Coupled with his tall nose, high cheek bones, and square jaw, he can seduce onlookers of both sexes even when he does nothing!
I can't blame Estelle Harlow, Moriesette Hidalgo, and probably more unnamed women for their delusional fantasies about him. Ako rin naman, mukhang tinamaan agad ako ng kakaiba niyang karisma noong una ko siyang makilala at maka-usap. I hate to admit it but I immediately had a crush on him on our first meeting.
Naputol ang mga pinag-iisip ko nang marinig ko ang kanyang pagbuntong-hininga. Kumurap ako nang bigla niyang isinara ang laptop at itinabi niya iyon sa lamesa. Hindi ko napansin na ubos niya na ang kapeng ginawa ko. Ganoon na ba kalalim ang iniisip ko kanina? Was I admiring him too much?
"What is it, Adora?" He leaned back with his arm draped around the back cushion.
I smiled shyly at our sudden closed distance. "Tapos ka na?"
"I can't focus on my work when you're around, especially when you stare at me like that. Nagkukunwari lang akong nagtratrabaho kanina."
Natatawa akong umiling. He's really not afraid to voice out his thoughts while I, on the other hand...
"Oh...I'm sorry. Baka wala ka nang matapos niyan..." I played guilty. Kumunot ang noo niya dahil doon.
"Hindi ako naiinis. Madali lang naman ang trabaho ko at hawak ko lagi ang oras ko. When it comes to you though, my love...I don't mind you staring at me like that all the time but just so you know, we must be doing more than just staring..." His tone changed into a suggestive one as he leered at me.
I rolled my eyes to conceal the fact that I like how this conversation is going at a particular direction. "I don't get your logic, mister summa cum laude—"
"C'mere, woman. I wanna cuddle you so badly ever since I arrived, 'wag mong ipagkait sa'kin iyon ngayon." He demanded and I was stunned. Nang hindi ako gumalaw ay sumimangot siya habang inilalapit ang sariling katawan sa akin para yakapin ako.
He leaned back further into the corner of the sofa after so I could lie down on a better position and stretch my legs. Buti na lang at nagkasya kami dito!
Ipinatong ko ang aking ulo sa kanyang balikat habang ang isang kamay ko naman ay nasa kanyang dibdib, pinapakiramdaman ang mabilis na pagtibok ng kanyang puso. He played with my hair a bit before kissing my forehead gently.
I felt secure with his warm and seemingly caring embrace. He treated me like a fragile object, breakable if he becomes too reckless with anything. It... it was just one simple act of hugging, yet his was enough to convince me that his feelings for me were genuine, raw, and full of ardor.
I gulped as his musky scent, combined with the aroma of coffee immediately registered in my system so I tried to distract myself by staring at the coffee mug nearby. It did absolutely nothing but drown me further in my thoughts.
I cursed at myself and bit my lip as I buried my face in his shoulder. I returned his embrace, hoping my feelings would reach him too.
I've fallen harder, Damon. Panagutan mo ang puso kong patay na patay sa'yo.
"W-when are you leaving?" Bigla kong tanong dahil lumalala na talaga ako. I can't show him how much I've become marupok when it comes to his touches. I don't want to dwell so much with my feelings too when he seems to be able to control his naturally.
Humigpit ang yakap niya sa akin. "Next week. Pinapalayas mo na ako?"
"Assuming!" Bahagya kong kinurot ang kanyang dibdib at ngumiwi siya dahil doon.
"I... I was just asking... para lang naman... ano—"
"Hmm... so my baby knows when she'll miss me?" He chuckled softly.
I pouted and sat up to face him properly. "...so I know how to plan my vacation... now that you're here..."
Hindi na ako natapos sa gusto kong sabihin nang bigla niyang atakihin ng halik ang aking labi. I was too surprised to even move when he withdrew. I pressed my lips together and my gaze went back and forth from his eyes and lips before he finally cupped my chin to spoil me with his kisses again.
The renewed kiss was different compared to our first. He moved his lips slowly this time, like he was challenging me. I groaned and moved closer to him until I found myself sitting on his lap again, with our tongues exploring each other's mouths.
Surely, I don't think I'll get enough of Damon's lips, especially when he tastes like my kind of coffee.
Napapikit ako para damhin ang kakaibang init na sumisibol muli sa aking katawan na tanging siya lang ang nakakagawa. It doesn't help that his hands were roaming anywhere else but my erogenous zones. It frustrated me so much!
He breathed out as we broke the kiss and he licked my lips like it was his favorite dessert. "You think...like we're on a long distance relationship."
I shuddered when his warm hand stayed on my stomach, with his middle finger tracing a part of the cradle of my bra that was covered by the thin fabric of my blouse.
"I-In a way...that's how it will be with us for two months..." I moaned when he trailed his damp lips on the sensitive areas of my neck and down to my collarbone, his hot breath making me squirm on his lap a bit. The demon is tempting me yet again and I hate to admit that he's got me good.
I tilted my head to expose more of my neck. "Mmm..."
"Uhuh? Care to share why you think that way?" He spoke while his lips were lightly pressed against my sensitive skin, making his voice slightly huskier and more inviting than usual. Halos mabaliw na ako sa pang-aakit na ginawa niya.
"I-I'll be helping... g-grandma with the family b-businesses... Then, I'm going back... to France... t-to check on LEFEBVRE..." Halos putol-putol ko nang sagot dahil nangangapa na rin ako sa sasabihin.
Bigla siyang natigil sa ginagawa niya at nag-angat siya ng tingin sa akin. Ang isang kamay niya ay nasa hita ko naman ngayon. "Pwede naman kitang tulungan, 'di ba?"
"But you need to work too, right?" Napahawak ako sa balikat niya bilang suporta dahil ninanamnam ko pa rin ang mga sensasyon na idinulot niya sa akin kanina.
"Donovan can handle it while I'm on a vacation with my girlfriend."
Napangiwi ako. "Aren't you being too hard on him? Suddenly having him do all the work..."
"He owes me 'cause I'm doing him a huge favor. The poor guy needs help with his personal affairs or he'll continue pestering me. Ayoko ng istorbo lalo na kung busy ako sa pagpapaligaya sa'yo." Ngumisi siya.
Naramdaman ko ang pag-init ng pisngi ko sa sinabi niya. Bakit ako lang ang paliligayahin niya? What about him? Magpaturo kaya ako kay Bridgette?
"Are you not gonna spend time with your family, then?" pagpapalit ko ng topic.
I'll contact her soon. Miss ko na rin ang kagagahan niya.
"I see them all the time. I'm already making excuses to be with you, Adora. Ayaw mo pa?"
"W-well...y-you have your own life too, Damon. Just because we're in a relationship, it doesn't mean that we have to be like this... on each other's lips, 24/7."
"That's not a bad idea, actually." He laughed and bit his lip while caressing my thighs.
Pinalo ko ang balikat niya. "You're insane! I mean, we don't have to be all over each other--"
"Ah, that would be better." Mas lalo pang lumakas ang tawa niya kaya ang dibdib niya naman ang pinalo ko.
"I'm serious, okay?! I mean--"
"I get it, I get it..." Hinuli niya na ang mapanakit kong kamay. "I was just pulling your leg. No need to be violent, woman. Baka masagi mo ulit yung sugat ko..."
"Ay, oo nga pala..." My other hand made its way to lightly feel the bandage against his sweatshirt. Hinimas ko ang nakabalot niyang sugat. I felt him staring at me while doing so.
"You're part of my life now, Adora. It's natural for me to give you my utmost attention. Stop pushing me away."
Napalunok ako.
It felt heartwarming, hearing those words from him. Too warm, that I couldn't look at him.
"I'm not doing this to push you away, Damon. I'm doing it p-para... hindi ka ... magsawa agad." I joked but somehow, it made my chest hurt.
Paano kung mangyari nga iyon? I can't seem to visualize him without my side... or him doing this with another girl. I can't at all. I think that not being able to visualize it hurts than being able to.
Pinanood ko ang pamimilog ng kanyang mata sa sinabi ko. Biglang nagdilim ang mga ito na para bang hindi niya nagustuhan ang kanyang narinig.
"Y-you have to admit it. Everything went too fast between us—"
"Stop it with those thoughts, woman." He hissed. "We'll get to know each other more while we're in a relationship, okay?"
He cupped my cheek and I nodded as my thumb made gentle strokes on his wrist. I felt my lips curve into a small smile with his reassurance.
"What made that thought even cross your mind?" He sounded pissed.
I giggled. "Novels...past experiences?"
Although, I was the one who would usually leave the guys hanging.
He clicked his tongue. "Don't compare me to the boys you've played with. I love you."
My lips parted at his declaration, as if my heart just skipped a beat. I have exchanged such powerful words with different men in the past years but not one of them compares to how Damon's words felt and affected me...
I leaned in and kissed his cheek. "Okay..."
"Okay?" Tinaasan niya ako ng kilay pero kita ko ang pamumula ng kanyang tenga.
"I accept your love."
He scoffed.
"Ibang klase. You're rude!" I felt his finger poke my sides, making me squeal.
"Damon, may kiliti ako d'yan—ay! Ano ba!" Inulit-ulit niya iyon hanggang sa ihiniga niya ulit ako sa couch para hindi ako makawala sa pangingiliti niya. Nakangisi siya habang ginagawa iyon na para bang tuwang-tuwa siya sa ginagawa niya.
Malalakas na pagtawa at pagtili ang kumawala sa aking bibig. Maging siya ay tumatawa na din. Our synchronized laughter filled the room at nagpakasawa siya sa ginawa niya.
Nang mapagod siya ay ipinatong niya lang ang kanyang ulo sa aking dibdib. Ang isang kamay niya ay nakahawak sa bewang ko at hinihimas iyon. Pinakiramdaman ko kung mangingiliti ulit siya pero hindi niya ginawa iyon.
He breathed in. "Damn it. Now you're making it harder for me to leave."
"I'm... sorry..." Hingal na hingal kong tugon.
"Baby, I'm not complaining. Stop apologizing. I really don't wanna leave you."
"B-but... I'm making you worry." Nilaro ko ang buhok niya at paminsan-minsan naman ay ang tenga niya rin habang nakatulala sa labas ng bintana.
I know how it feels. It eats you up, right?
"Damn right. Fine. Let's make this week memorable then, you and I... Since you don't want me here longer."
Dinungaw ko siya at kita ko ang pagbusangot niya mula dito. Umirap ako.
"Damon!"
"Mmm... Adora?"
"You're making me feel like kinakawawa kita! You jerk."
"I'm not." Painosente niyang pagtanggi at nag-angat siya ng tingin sa akin. He rested his chin on my chest and smiled lazily.
"Unless?"
"Anong unless ka dyan? You will go to work, Ainsworth!"
"And if I don't want to, Montecarlos?"
"I... will punish you."
He licked his lips seductively before raising his brow. "Oh, interesting. I wonder what kind of punishment that is... can I get one without being naughty, too?"
Makahulugan niya akong tinignan.
"Ugh. Bahala ka sa buhay mo. Kung ano-ano na lang iniisip mo." Nangingiti kong tugon. Marahan kong itinulak ang kanyang balikat dahil nabibigatan na ako sa kanya. Nakuha niya naman ang gusto kong iparating kaya umupo na siya nang maayos.
"Wala akong sinabi. Ikaw itong madumi ang utak sa atin." He accused but I still caught him smirking mischievously. Pinalo ko ang braso niya.
We stayed silent for a while and I fiddled his fingers while doing so.
"Where do you wanna go then?" he asked.
I rested my head on his shoulder again while keeping myself busy. "Hmm...I was thinking of swimming here first. But the idea of splashing into water filled with debris at the moment? Nevermind!"
I heard him humming.
"Ah, what about El Dorado?" I gasped.
"It's been years since I've roamed around Cabello. I wanna check those places again. I heard there are new things to look out for."
He squeezed my hand gently. "Okay..."
"Then we... can ride... a f-ferris wheel..."
Nahuli ko siyang nakatitig lamang sa akin gamit ang namumungay na mga mata. Nakaramdam tuloy ako ng hiya. "I-it's gonna be my first time, okay?! I wasn't able to do that stuff when I was younger."
"Let's do that too, then." He said coolly.
I nodded, feeling a rush of excitement in my nerves because of numerous places I immediately thought of. "O-okay...I can create an itinerary then I'll show it to you later! Kumain ka na ba?"
Umiling siya. "Hindi pa. Hinihintay muna kitang magising kanina para sabay na tayo, actually."
Oh.
Tumayo na ako at hinila ang kamay niya.
"Let's go then, breakfast na tayo... Baka tapos na sina Sylvia sa pagluto ng almusal..."