Agad akong nagpaalam sa lola ko tungkol sa mga plano ko ngayong linggo. She was also delighted upon hearing my plans of finally helping her manage the family businesses for the next two months in Cabello Island.
Modeling my favorite heart-shaped sunglasses again, I graced the deck of Ainsworth's luxury yacht because I got bored in our cabin. Iniwan kong natutulog si Damon doon dahil sa sobrang pagod niya sa trabaho.
Napakagat ako sa aking pang-ibabang labi nang maisip ko kung paano ko siya maaalagaan kung ganito ang magiging sitwasyon niya lagi.
I shook my head.
There you go again with your thoughts, Adora. Your relationship just started, parang nagmamadali ka agad.
Kumunot ang aking noo at napa-isip tuloy ako...Am I too much for him?
I just can't help it. Masyado akong nahuhumaling sa boyfriend ko, lalo na nang malaman ko na parehas kami ng nararamdaman para sa isa't isa. I just think that I like him more, though. Pero hindi ko iyon ipapahalata sa kanya.
Napahawak ako sa handrail nang maramdaman ko ang bahagyang pag-uga ng yate. Nakaramdam ako ng kaunting kaba dahil doon pero nawala rin ito when things seemed peaceful again.
Sinikop ko ang aking buhok na ginulo ng malakas na hangin na animo'y sumisigaw. Kumawala rin ang naipong hangin sa aking dibdib at naramdaman ko ang pag-kurba ng aking labi nang panoorin ko ang napakabagal na paggalaw ng mga ulap sa gitna ng nag-iinit na hapon. Parang napakabagal tuloy ng oras, kung tutuusin. Maybe this is a signal to take things slow and make it grow on its own pace.
With that, I suddenly remembered mommy with her flowers. Her sweet voice, laced with amusement as she spoke her tale about loving something a tad too much because doing so tends to backfire. In my memory, she would always scold Agape for overwatering the plants in her garden. When my curious mind asked why, she explained that they might drown.
Maybe relationships are like that too. Giving someone too much of what they need is unhealthy, or maybe I'm just giving another application to one of my precious memories with my beloved mother.
I giggled as I took out my phone and looked at my lock screen. It was the face of my boss in his deep slumber, looking defenseless and too comfortable in bed. Earlier, he claimed that he would cuddle me until I fall sleep pero siya pa ang nakatulog sa aming dalawa. Maybe two cups of coffee is not enough?
Napasinghap ako nang mahuli ng aking paningin ang pamilyar na kamay na napahawak rin sa handrail at nakaramdam ako ng init mula sa aking likuran, kasabay ang kalabog na sigurado kong galing sa kanyang dibdib.
Muntik ko nang mabitawan ang hawak kong phone nang dumampi ang malambot niyang mga labi sa aking balikat at ang mainit niyang hininga na walang kupas sa paghatid sa akin ng kakaibang intensidad.
"Samahan mo akong matulog ulit, Adora..." He finally spoke with a hoarse voice after wrapping his unoccupied arm on my waist. Halatang kakagising lang nito at ipinatong niya ang kanyang ulo sa aking balikat na para bang tamad na tamad.
"Ayoko. Can't you see I'm busy recollecting my memories here in Europe?"
"Please? We're still 'bout an hour away from Cabello and I want to be on my best energy with you later."
Hindi ako sumagot. Pinanood ko na lamang muna ang mga ibon na sabay-sabay sa paglipad patungo sa iisang direksyon.
"You can reminisce on your memories with me while resting. Kwentuhan mo ako doon. I want to know more about my Adora, back when she wasn't with me yet..."
Napahawak na lamang ako sa aking pisngi na nag-iinit. Buti na lang at hindi niya ako nakikita dahil sa posisyon namin. Parang walang saysay na rin ang hangin na nagpapakalma sa akin dapat kanina. Ito na naman ako, nababaliw sa mga pinagsasabi niya. Kasalanan mo 'to, Ainsworth!
Napangiti ako nang nakakaloko dahil sa ideyang lumitaw sa aking isipan para bumawi.
"Are you sure? Ikukwento ko rin ba ang mga exes ko sa'yo? They were part of my past too, Ainsworth..." I had to stop myself from laughing when I heard him groan.
"Fine, exclude the part with your boys." He emphasized the last two words like he hated the combination.
"No need to be jealous, Damon. Sa'yo lang ako..."
Humigpit ang kapit niya sa aking bewang. "I'm not jealous, Fleur Adora. Alam ko naman sa sarili kong kaya ko silang higitan."
I scoffed and rolled my eyes, ignoring the heat growing in my thumping chest. "Nakakatawa ka."
"Is that a challenge, then?" He spoke darkly.
Napalunok ako.
"Matagal ka nang nanalo. Kahit noong wala pang tayo, nahigitan mo na sila..." I pouted as the truth finally escaped my lips. Mas lalong nag-init ang katawan ko ngayon nang marinig ko ang mahina niyang pagtawa na nahimigan kong puno ng galak.
Damn, you got me this time, love.
"Matulog na tayo," pang-aaya niyang muli at naramdaman ko ang paghina ng kanyang kapit. Ang isa niyang kamay na nakahawak sa bakal kanina ay nakapatong na sa aking kamay ngayon.
Ngumisi ako at gumalaw para harapin na siya kaya nakawala ako sa kanyang kapit. My gaze met his sleepy, yet calculating eyes that watched my movements. Napapikit ako para damhin ang kanyang mga daliri na inayos ang ilang piraso ng aking buhok na tumakip sa aking mukha dahil sa pabugso-bugsong hangin.
This certain Ainsworth I've come to adore may seem intimidating and harsh all the time with his powerful stance, coupled with his vicious eyes but his careful touches with me were creating a dissonance to his image.
With the summer wind also making loose strands of Damon's black hair touch his sun kissed skin, hindi ko iyon pinansin dahil nangingibabaw ang mangha. For a moment, he looked like a movie I wouldn't get tired of watching.
"'Lika na," nanlalambing na ang kanyang tono at naramdaman ko ang pasimple niyang pagsalikop ng aming mga daliri.
"No."
Nagsalubong ang kanyang mga kilay. "Bakit na naman?"
"Ang clingy mo, Ainsworth."
I felt his body freeze. Nanlaki ang kanyang mga mata na para bang gulat na gulat ito sa sinabi ko, taliwas sa reaksyon na inaasahan ko. I thought he would tease me again like usual pero...
"Oh, am I...too much?" nahimigan kong hirap na hirap siya sa tanong niyang iyon. I suddenly felt something inside me that made me want to hit myself. Why did I even say that? What is wrong with me?!
Mas lalo pang sumiklab ang nangingibabaw na pagsisisi nang maramdaman ko ang kanyang pagkalas. Namilog ang mata ko dahil sa ginawa niya. "D-damon... I-"
"You can tell me now and I can adjust for the both of us, Adora. Please, tell me if I'm being too much."
"H-hey, I'm joking. Sineryoso mo naman," I giggled nervously until it died out dahil wala siyang naging reaksyon.
Humakbang siya paatras at mas lalo akong naalarma. "You are my girlfriend. Of course I'm taking this relationship seriously."
Wait, wait... Wait!
"Well, I'm also serious that I was joking a while back! Sige na, sasamahan na kitang matulog. Pwedeng sabay na rin tayong matulog, okay? Forget what I said earlier, Damon. It was a joke, a joke!" I explained frantically with my hands making exaggerated gestures just to prove myself.
"Okay," tanging sambit niya nang iginiya ko siya pabalik sa aming kwarto. He still doesn't look convinced at napansin ko na parang wala siya sa sarili at tila malalim ang iniisip.
Hindi ko namalayang umidlip na pala ako habang nakikipagkwentuhan sa kanya sa kama. Una ko kasing nakita ang dingding ng aming kwarto nang buksan ko ang aking mga mata. Palagay ko'y nasa Cabello na rin kami dahil hindi ko na nararamdaman ang paggalaw ng yate. Na-kumpirma ko naman ang hinala ko nang sumilip ako sa labas ng bintana.
"Adora, we're here," Napatalikod ako nang marinig ang malalim niyang boses. Damon leaned to the wall while watching me. Nakapamulsa ito at tipid na ngumiti sa akin. "Iyong mga gamit mo, ipapadala na lang natin sa El Dorado mamaya. Are you ready?"
"A-ah... S-saglit lang... mag-aayos pa ako," hinintay ko siyang sumagot pero tumango lamang ito. My feet made contact with the oak hardwood flooring and I quickly took my make-up bag. I then headed to the bathroom to fix myself as fast as I can.
Mabigat pa rin ang dibdib ko habang ginagawa iyon kahit na mukhang okay na siya. Ugh, forget it. I won't let that thing a while back ruin our week together! Remember, Adora. For two months, you'll be too busy with work so let's make the best out of this!
On our first day, I had my eyes set on the ferris wheel kaya iyon agad ang pinuntahan namin pero parang nagsisisi agad ako. Kung sa mall sa Pilipinas, pinagkakaguluhan na siya, wala iyong pinagkaiba dito sa Cabello! Coveting eyes were all over the amusement park. Hindi na nahiya ang mga taong ito!
Isa pa, pansin ko rin na parang ayaw akong hawakan ni Damon, na para bang may nakakahawa akong sakit. Hindi ba siya nakikinig kanina?! Nagbibiro lang naman talaga ako, damn it!
"Hey, Damon?" I called out while we were on our way to the ride. I bit my lip in frustration as I caught another group of shameless onlookers at my boyfriend.
"Hmm?" Natigil kami at dinungaw niya ako.
"Gutom ka na ba?" I hooked my arm around his elbow at pasimple kong idinikit ang aking dibdib sa kanyang braso. My fingers gently traced his veined arm before making its way downwards to intertwine mine with his. Ramdam ko ang paninigas muli ng kanyang katawan dahil doon.
As I claimed my territory, I smirked at the ladies who were gossiping at our direction. They were caught off guard and immediately looked away.
I returned my gaze to Ainsworth. Seryoso itong nakatingin sa direksyon na tinitingnan ko kanina. I squeezed his hand gently kaya nakuha ko ulit ang kanyang atensyon.
"Love," I pressed my body further against him and breathed on his masculine scent. "I said, are you hungry?" I asked again.
He blinked twice and I watched as his adam's apple moved in a seductive manner again. Agad siyang nag-iwas ng tingin at napapikit saglit bago bumulong ng mga salitang hindi ko nakuha sa sobrang hina ng pagkasabi niya.
"Damon?"
"No," he sighed like he caged that air in his lungs for a long time. "But if you're hungry, we can eat first before this."
I shook my head in protest and pulled him towards the ride. Nagpatianod naman siya. "Nandito na tayo, eh. I've been dying to ride this with you kaya tara na!"
The ferris wheel's cabin had an enclosed type exterior designed modernly with curved windows. The ride was mostly made of glass. Tinted ang mga ito at may front sliding double door. Sa kabilang cabin ay nakikita ko ang isang grupo ng mga panigurado'y mga teenagers na masayang nakikipagkwentuhan habang pinagmamasdan ang kagandahan ng isla mula sa itaas.
I sat across Damon who was busy tying my shoe lace that got unknowingly unraveled when we got here.
"First time mo ba dito sa Cabello?" I tried my best to stop laughing as I looked at the white halo headband I made him wear. May pakpak kasi ang disenyo nito. Bago kami sumakay kanina, nahagilap ng paningin ko ang mga binebentang merch malapit doon. Originally, I chose the halo headband for myself but in the end, iyong may sungay ang suot ko ngayon.
"I've been here twice," he cocked his head to the side and raised his brow when he must have noticed my reactions. Ang cute niya, naiinis ako na natatawa!
"What's funny now, little devil?"
I bit my lip but it failed to conceal my amusement. "Wala lang... I never thought I'd see you wear something that's clearly in contrast with your usual persona as the glorified king of the mafia empire, like how my grandma describes you," I crossed my legs and I noticed how he licked his lips slowly.
"Hmm... a 'glorified' king? I never knew I was perceived in such a way," he smirked and propped his chin with his hand.
I nodded and raised my two fingers in one hand to explain. "Your subordinates are either daunted by your authoritative demeanor or they really look up to you as their boss. Judging by how your soldiers take your commands, I see it as the interplay of both factors. As a Montecarlos, our trust is hard-earned, much more with our loyalty. I believe that you too, were as consistent as your ancestors to deserve such a throne which also suffices how my bloodline got to continuously serve your family for generations."
He hummed. "Well, one of the ways you can lead people is to be the example. I was taught that doing so was more likely to attract the loyalty of capable men. In a normal business, sure...I can be kind. However, it's the mafia, Adora. It's a different kind of business. My subordinate's lives are replaceable at any moment and as much as it's unfortunate for their loved ones, they willingly signed up for hell. Sometimes, as quick as a flip of a coin and it's either me or them gone. Kaya ako ganoon 'pag dating sa kanila. It's necessary to be the kind of king you're talking about."
Napatango akong muli sa punto niya. Oo nga naman, ang isang mafia boss na may pusong mamon ay mas nakakabahala.
Moreover, if an incapable person manages skilled men, it's like forcing yourself to use a powerful gun that you have no knowledge on how to operate.
In the same way, the world's best leader handling incompetent men is like a sharpshooter mistakenly bringing a gun with an obstructed bore to war- you are more likely to experience a firearm malfunction and fail, too.
Napatangin ako sa labas ng bintana. Sa gilid ng aking mga mata, ramdam ko ang panonood sa akin ni Damon.
A lot of things in this world really need balance...
"With that said, I wonder how my girlfriend perceives me?"
Napatingin ako sa kanya nang nakataas ang isang kilay.
"As an associate? Same with the others. As your girlfriend?" Naalala ko na naman ang mga kabaliwang naiisip ko tuwing nakakasama ko siya.
"Y-you're...cool, I guess?" I can't deny the long pause I made. If he could read my mind right now, I wonder how he would react? Is he as crazy as I am, anyway?
Play it cool Adora. Remember the flower analogy!
"Cool? Hmm... okay," His tone was very playful. Tumikhim ako at nag-iwas ng tingin nang sumilay sa kanyang mga labi ang isang nakakalokong ngisi. I guess I'm too transparent that he is able to find his answers even with just a single word or expression from me. How unfair.
"S-saan na nga pala tayo kanina? Sa mga kwinukwento ko?" Pagpapalit ko ng usapan nang inayos ko ang aking pagka-upo.
"About how you and Bridgette met?" Tugon nito pero nangingiti pa rin siya.
"Oh! Yeah... She was a really quiet person back then in elementary. I used to be the one who taught her about stuff-makeup, fashion, you name it! That's how we bonded up 'til high school. She was basically my sister from another mother because we share the same interests. She could have passed off as my soul mate if I was interested in chicks. But now, I guess she knows more than I do..." Natawa ako nang maalala ko ang mga kaganapan sa birthday ng kaibgan niyang si Ingrid Valdez.
Agad namang napawi ang naramdaman kong saya nang rumehistro sa utak ko ang mapang-insultong tingin ni Calix Rockefeller sa akin noong gabing iyon.
Kita ko naman sa mukha ni Damon ang pag-aalala. I just heaved a sigh and looked at him seriously. "I'm sure that you're already aware of Rockefeller and his presence in El Dorado. May magagawa ba tayo para paalisin natin siya roon?"
"Unless he's done something wrong again, I will handle him. Bakit, may ginawa ba siya sa'yo na hindi ko nalalaman? Ano bang sinabi niya?"
I shook my head and gave him a reassuring smile. "Nothing, really... We just insulted each other that night and that's the least of my problem. Ang inaalala ko ngayon, ay si Bridgette. They're flings and I just find it unsettling, knowing that my innocent friend has connections with the enemy. I also find it fishy because as I've been an associate for almost a year, and I believe that's the same time she's been with Rockefeller. Naghihinala tuloy ako. Is he plotting something? What do you think?"
"She'll be safe with him," he declared.
Nalaglag ang panga ko.
"What do you mean? My friend's safety is at stake here, Ainsworth." hindi maalis sa aking tono ang pagkabahala.
"Your grandfather, tito Alexio suggested my great granddad in the past to negotiate a non-aggression pact with other mafia bosses when he was still in my place. One of those bosses were Calix's father who was still a neophyte at the time." He shifted in his seat and leaned his elbows on his knees as support. He then clasped his hands together while intently explaining a side of history I've never heard before.
"Those people made an agreement in which a battle royale must only take place in territories or somewhere else that would lead to lesser to none casualties of innocent people like your friend," he added. "Every mafia leaders fear such a pact, because breaching it would mean 'suicide' for them and their mafia."
So iyon pala ang rason kung bakit sinabi ni Jacob na hindi basta-bastang nanghahamak ng tao ang lalaking iyon.
"But what about the case of small scale murders? Rockefeller can easily hire a hit man to do such a thing and ditch them to protect his name and pass off his sins, "I argued.
Baka iyon ang gawin niya kay Bridgette. It's certainly possible!
"Yep, which makes it harder to catch them even if I made another pact to supplement the first one. Our grandfathers failed to consider the fact that bosses have enough resources to go incognito when they made that agreement. I guess it was that way since wars happened more often before and murders in their book meant outright extermination, too. And, they had to think of a way before our families got caught up in the mess."
"What should I do then? 'pag nilaglag ko si Rockefeller, malalaman ni Bridgette ang sikreto ko. As much as possible, I want no one else to know about my involvement with the mafia."
In the first place, hustisya ng tatay ko ang dahilan kung bakit ako nandito ngayon. After that, I'm putting all these in my past. All those shit I've been through until now, I am willing to leave behind... excluding Damon.
"You'll eventually need to make sacrifices if it means the life of another person, Adora. As much as balance makes things more convenient, that is not always the case. Besides, the way I see it, they treat each other more than how flings should be acting."
Napakurap ako. "Say what? How would you even know?"
"Legit sources," nagkibit-balikat lamang siya.
Humalukipkip ako. "How legit?"
"Firsthand evidence."
"From whom?"
"Donovan."
"I'm still not convinced with this new knowledge."
Natawa si Damon sa sinabi ko at napayuko na lamang. Nilaro ko ang mga hibla ng puting materyales sa kanyang headband habang nag-iisip.
Based on what he said earlier, the only ways I can tear off Rockefeller's façade is to sacrifice my undercover when I reveal him to Bridge, think of a way to stimulate his bloodlust outside his territory, or hire a double spy who would carry out his small scale plotted murders. That way, he would breach the non-aggression pact and other bosses would go after him!
Heck, Damon alone can get rid of Rockefeller if he wanted to! I would also solve my problem with Bridge and she could live normally again and cut off her loose ties with the two-faced bisexual Don. Brilliant!
I let out a small giggle at my plans. Hindi ko namalayan na pinapanood pala ako ni Damon habang ginagawa iyon.
He furrowed his brows and warned me, "I know what you're thinking, woman. Don't even try or you'll hurt yourself. Matters out of your father's case are for me to handle..."
Our second and third day in the island was mostly spent on lesser-known tourist destinations dahil napuntahan naman na namin ang mga sikat at nagsawa na din kami sa dami ng mga turistang bumibisita. So far, I'm liking the decision we made.
However, I hate the decision HE made without my consent! I still remember the moment I entered the hotel room in El Dorado on our first day here, bouncing happily on the mattress only for Damon to announce that he'd be staying in another room. In his words, he reasoned that 'it was for the best.'
Moreover, my puppy eyes didn't work out when I tried to beg him to sleep beside me these past nights we've spent in that place. He'd only accompany me until I pretend to have fallen asleep, and he'd leave immediately after planting a kiss on either my forehead or temples.
I guess he doesn't want to be really called 'clingy', huh?
Fine, then! Edi ako lang ang clingy sa aming dalawa!
As I took out my camera to take a picture of the vast scenery from a hill, I noticed how quiet Damon was compared to the usual. Sporting his hiking attire, he climbed on the flat surface of the nearest rock formation.
Cabello is not only known for its pristine waters and pearl white, fine sands. It also has rock formations that speak wonders of nature's life before humans came to co-exist.
Kaninang umaga pa kami nakarating sa bundok at kasalukuyan akong nagpapahinga habang siya naman ay parang hindi nauubusan ng lakas! Parehas lang naman kami ng breakfast kanina, ah.
As I pointed my camera lens at his direction, the frame reminded me of a ruler who was overlooking his kingdom. I took more shots until I was satisfied, especially when the clouds parted ways to make room for the sun's majestic reappearance as it conquered the seemingly eternal skies. It was like a face-off between the two rulers of different worlds.
"Are you... bored?" Tanong ko agad nang tumabi na siya sa akin. Inabot ko sa kanya ang tumbler at pinanood ko siyang uminom ng tubig galing doon.
"Nah." He licked his lips while breathing heavily. Inayos niya ang suot niyang cap at ngumisi sa akin pagkatapos. "I'm enjoying the view, actually. It's been a while since I've taken a break from the capital and this is the vacation I'm talking about."
"Parang bored ka naman ata, eh." I pouted.
Tinaasan niya ako ng kilay. "How?"
"Hmm... Ang tahimik mo."
"I am more able to focus on stuff that way."
"What stuff?"
"Stuff like, enjoying my view at this moment, too?" He chuckled with the windows of his soul staring at me, shameless ardor peeking through them as they pierced through my racing heart.
Nakuha ko agad ang ibig niyang sabihin at ramdam ko ang pag-init ng aking pisngi. Itinuon ko na lamang ang aking atensyon sa pagpunas ng kanyang pawis gamit ang face towel.
"E-ewan ko sayo! You don't need to pretend for me, Damon! After this, let's go to places you want-"
"I want to go wherever you want to." Pagputol niya agad.
Tumayo naman ako at nagpagpag ng damit nang may ideyang biglang nag-laro sa aking isipan.
"Fine, let's go to a strip club." Walang preno-preno kong suhestyon at nagsimula na akong mag-impake ng mga ginamit namin.
Nalaglag ang panga niya, kasabay ng pamimilog ng kanyang mata dahil doon. "What?!"
Napangisi agad ako sa boses niyang hindi makapaniwala at gulat na gulat.
Wherever I want to go pala, ha?
Wrong move, Ainsworth.