SUZY'S POV
"Liam?? Liam??" taranta ko ng sambit rito as I kept shaking him off. But to my dismay, hindi man lang ito nagising. Dahilan para mag-alala na'ko rito.
Oh my God. Anong bang nangyayari rito?? May sakit ba talaga ito?
Wanted to check if he really was, I quickly placed my palm against his forehead to check his temperature. And confirmed. Mainit nga talaga ito pero hindi naman ganun katindi.
With that finding, it'd be better if he can take a medication immediately para hindi ito lumala. But first thing first, kailangan ko munang maihiga ito sa kama nito.
Blowing out a breath, I gave his place a quick scan. The place was almost white with a hint of gray color. It was too sleek and has minimal decors. Ang linis rin ng bahay nito. Halatang palagi itong nililinisan. And his walls.... Not even a single frame was hanged on the walls except for the large nude painting of a woman's back in his living room. Just that.
And of all paintings na ilalagay niya rito, he really have chosen the one that he obviously adore. Women's nude bodies.
I couldn't help but shook my head at that as I resumed scanning his place. A white L-shaped couch at the left corner of the room and there are two rooms at the far corner. One of that must be his room. Mga ilang metro lang ang layo nito mula rito pero sa laki naman ng katawan nito, ewan ko nalang kung buhay pa'ko after I take him to his bed.
Talagang peperwisyuhin pa talaga ako ng gagong 'to!
Glaring down at him, I tried to wake him up again. Pero kahit anong gawin ko pang yugyog rito, hindi pa rin ito nagigising. Making me feel more frustrated about it.
Oh God! Kung pwede ko lang sana itong pabayaan na lamang rito, kanina ko pa sana 'yon ginawa!
Groaning in annoyance, inis na pinilit ko nalang na iangat ang katawan nito. And hell! May sa bakal yata sa bigat ang katawan nito!
So frustrated with it, tumayo muna ako ng maayos while glaring down at the unconscious pervert. Resting my hands on my hips, I heaved up a few deep breaths to save up enough energy to carry him.
At nang sa tingin ko ay kaya ko na, yumukod na'ko uli and then with bared teeth, I pulled up his upper body by clutching his underarms with each of my hand.
At nang maiangat ko na ito ng bahagya, sweats began to form on my forehead but I paid it no heed. Kahit na gusto ko nalang sampalin ito ng bongga ngayon so he could surely wake up, I shook that tempting idea.
Pinilit ko na agad na hilahin ito patungo sa tingin ko ay silid nito while cursing the hell out of him. Cursing him as I was too stupid to even come here para lang gawing yaya n'ya rito!
By the time na mahila ko ito papasok sa silid nito, basang-basa na'ko ng pawis. Wiping off my sweats from my forehead, sinuyod ko muna ng tingin ang buong silid nito. Malaki pa sa buong apartment ko ang silid na 'yon. The interior was still the same as his living room.
When I spotted a white large bed just a few meters from us, nakahinga-hinga na rin ako ng maluwag.
Oh God! I thought mamamatay na'ko sa sobrang bigat nito kanina lang pero tingin ko hindi naman pala.
With my want to be done with it, hinila ko na naman ito. And by the time I've tucked him on his bed, halos naubos na lahat ng lakas ko. Heavily panting with breaths like I've ran a thousand kilometre marathon.
For a while, I just stood there beside his bed habang hinihingal pa rin na tiningnan muna ito. He was still unconscious. And here I thought he was just trying to fool me again.
Good thing I've came here dahil gaya nga ng sabi nito, wala nga itong kasama rito ngayon and no one would've drag his ass over here.
Sucking a deep breath, kinumutan ko na lamang ito hanggang dibdib nito before I headed back to where I had left the medicine I bought for him.
Good thing I had bought some cold patches for him so it won't be that a hassle to relieve his heat.
When I've spotted the white cellophane on the floor, dinampot ko na agad 'yon and then headed back to his room.
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LIAM'S POV
The moment I heard the door had shut, I quickly peeked through her with one eye at nakahinga na'ko ng maluwag nang makita kong lumabas nga ito.
Oh God! Muntikan na sana akong mahuli nito kanina! Kanina ko pa sana gustong buksan ang mga mata ko so she won't have need to drag me all the way here in my room, pero ayoko. Ayokong gawin 'yon dahil tiyak magagalit at aalis agad ito rito once she'd find out na wala naman talaga akong sakit.
And I don't want that to happen. Dahil kung hindi pa'ko nagpanggap na may sakit, I'm certain she won't even thought about coming here kahit pilitin ko pa man ito.
At buti nalang talaga katatapos ko lang magluto bago pa man ito dumating rito so I was saved. Thank God! Akala ko mabubuko na niya ko kanina.
Inayos ko na lang ang higa ko while smirking in excitement.
Hmm.. Suzy, Suzy, Suzy.... You can't get away from me this time. You're in my territory right now kaya walang aalis rito nang hindi ko sinasabi.
At that thought, my smirk became a wide grin. Too excited with the thought of her staying here for me.
When I heard light footsteps approaching to this room, mabilis pa sa kidlat na inayos ko ang pagkakahiga ko. Kinumuta ko na agad ang sarili ko hanggang leeg and then resumed my act again. To be an unconscious ill baby.
And then just on time I've shut my eyes, I heard the door softly opened and then came her footsteps towards the bedside table beside me.
I just keep listening to whatever she was doing while trying to stay naturally unconscious. Kahit na gustong-gusto ko na sanang hilahin ito sa kama and just keep her in my arms.
Call me crazy but that's just what I wanted to do right now. Just to keep her in my arms and not because I want to have sex with her but because I just like the feel of her habang kayakap ito. Just like our last hug back in Canada. And it was weird to feel that towards her.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SUZY'S POV
Pagkapasok ko uli sa loob ng silid nito, he was still unconscious habang hanggang leeg na ang kumot nito. Siguro gininaw ito ng sobra pagkaalis ko kaya naman halos nakatalukbong na ito ngayon.
Placing the medicine on his bedside table, I checked his temperature again by my palm. And I felt relieved when he wasn't that hot anymore.
Inilabas ko na agad ang mga nabili kong cold patches kanina and placed one on his forehead.
This way, bababa na agad ang temperature ng katawan nito maya-maya lang.
Inayos ko muna ang pagkakadikit nun sa noo nito and I was about to take off my hand pero bago ko pa man magawa 'yon, bigla na lamang hinuli ng kamay nito ang kamay ko habang nakapikit pa rin ang mga mata nito.
"Liam---"
I gasped out in surprise when he suddenly pulled me down to his way, dahilan para manglaki ang mga mata ko sa gulat lalo na ng biglaan nalang niya akong ikulong sa mga bisig nito.
"L-Liam! What are you doing??!"I stuttered as I tried to get away from his hold but to my utter annoyance, he just tightened his hold around me and imprisoned me in his arms.
I tried to push him off but I couldn't even move right now habang mariing nakasubsob ang mukha ko sa malapad na dibdib nito.
Goodness with this man!
"L-Liam! Release me now!"
"Just stay, Suzy. Just stay for a while.." He mumbled against my hair as his warm hand began to gently caress my back.
Dahilan para mahigit ko nalang ang hininga ko as it was making me feel breathless. And this isn't right!
Tinangka ko na namang itulak ito sa dibdib nito pero sa ikinainis ko pa lalo, he just firmly wrapped his other arm around my waist while the other was holding the back of my head.
Goodness with him!!
He smelt citrus against my nose. So fresh and pleasant scent which causing my chest began to pound erratically. At kahit gaano ko pa kagusto ang amoy n'yang 'yon, kailangan kong makalayo agad rito before I'll lose my sanity and give into his charm this time.
I tried to push him off a few more times but to no avail. Damn it! He was just too strong and too large for a small woman like me to possibly get out from his hold. Na para bang wala man lang itong iniindang anumang sakit ngayon.
Hinihingal na hinayaan ko nalang muna ito as I already felt too exhausted dahil na rin sa ginawa kong paghila sa kanya kanina.
At gusto ko mang ikaila sa sarili ko, parang nagugustuhan ko rin naman ang ginagawa nito sa'kin ngayon.
It just weirdly felt so right being in his arms. I just felt so secured and cared while laying atop of him.
I could feel his hot breathing fanning at the crown of my head. His chest against my face lightly moved up and down as he breathe.
"You're awake, aren't you?"
"Hmm..."
I gritted my teeth when I only received that answer from him.
"Tell me, hindi ka lang ba nagpapanggap na may sakit ngayon?"
My brow shot up in suspicion when he didn't answered right away and then I felt his chest lightly shook pero agad naman 'yung tumigil.
"Pinagtatawanan mo ba ko?"
He cleared out his throat first before he talked again.
"No. I'm not. Do I even have a reason to pretend right now?"
Iaangat ko na sana ang mukha ko para tingnan ang mukha nito but his hand was quick enough to stop my head. Causing the gritting of my teeth tightened in utter annoyance.
"Siguraduhin mo lang na hindi dahil malilintikan ka talaga sa'kin, Liam. Malilintikan ka talag sa'kin kapag niloloko mo lang ako. You never know how hard for me to drag your ass just to get you here.."
"Yeah. I know. That's why I'm hugging you right to return that favor."
I scoffed at that in disbelief. Sounding like this was enough payment for everything!
"At tingin mo gusto ko ang bayad mong 'to ngayon, Liam?"
"Hindi ba?"
"Absolutely not!" I answered in a snap na ikinatawa lang nito. Chuckling like that was funny!
"No. I don't think so. Alam kong nagugustuhan mo rin ito and you're just trying to fool yourself, Suzy." Preskong sagot pa nito, sounding too confident in my ears.
"No. Hindi." Mariing sagot ko rito while shaking my head.
"Hindi ko 'to nagugustuhan at hindi ako naparito para pag-usapan ito, Liam so enough with this nonsense. Alam kong ginagawa mo lang ito to seduce me again and it won't work again this time."
I felt his muscles tenses against me while he made a noisy sound in his chest.
I just ignored him and just stated my business here instead.
"I'm just here to apologize for what I've done to you yesterday. Alam kong hindi 'yon tama and it was so rude of me as an intern to embarrass you as my boss."
"You don't have to apologize." Came out his answer like a groan.
"No. I must apologize. Gusto kong matapos ko ang isang buwan na internship ko sa kompanya mo nang walang sabit, Liam. Kaya kung maaari, pwede bang 'wag mo na'kong guluhin? Just keep your promise na hindi mo na pakikialaman ang buhay ko and I promise you na hindi na mauulit pa ang nangyari kahapon."
He didn't answered right away and just keep making those noises under his throat. But after a while longer of his silence, I heard him let out a loud sigh.
"What if I won't do that?"
I scowled when I heard that. Na para bang wala pa rin itong balak na sundin ang gusto kong mangyari.
"Then you must really be that determined to ruin my life, Liam. If I won't graduate this year on time nang dahil sa'yo, masisira lahat ng pinaghirapan ko ng ilang taon. At magiging katawa-tawa lang ako sa mata ng pamilya ko."
"No sane family would ever do that to their daughter."
"Pero hindi mo kilala ang pamilya ko."
"Then why don't you tell me? I'm ready to listen."
I almost cursed him out when he'd answered that. Trying to remind with my family na pinakaayokong gawin. Dahil sa tuwing naaalala ko sila, naaalala ko rin kung paano nila kagustong sirain ang buhay ko.
"Hindi niyo pwedeng gawin ito sa'kin..Papa, sabihin niyo sa'kin na hindi kayo papayag sa bagay na'to. Alam mong ang bata ko pa at marami pa'kong pangarap sa buhay ko!"
"You're already eighteen, Suzy and you're in your legal age now to marry."
"So you're going to ruin my life just to save this farm? At para may maiambag naman ako sa pamilyang ito dahil para sainyo, wala akong silbi."
"Which is true. Alam naming iba ang gusto mo at hindi ang farm na'to."
When our last conversation from four years ago echoed through my head again, my eyes instantly heated up with tears. Not wanted to let him see me cry, I quickly bit the inside of my cheeks hard to stop the tears that were threatening to fall.
Swallowing hard the sudden lump that had formed in my throat, I lightly shook my head in refusals.
"No. Ayoko. Hindi mo na kailangan pang makilala ang pamilya ko. Just please do what I'm asking you to do, Liam. Just let me have a peaceful internship in your company and stop making fun of Klent."
I just received silence from him but I felt his hold tightened while he was making those noises under his throat as if he was tormented inside.
For a while, I waited for him to talk. And just a few seconds longer, he finally broke that silence.
"Do you really like that pretty boy to even ask me to do it?" Came his question in almost a groan.
I bit my lower lip in contemplation when he suddenly asked that.
Ano nga bang sagot dun? Of course, I like him. I like him even before Liam stole my first kiss at the club a few months ago so yes, I like him. I should. Because he wasn't like Liam na walang ibang alam gawin kundi akitin ang mga babae tapos iiwan lang sa huli after he get what he want. Sex.
Kaya hindi ako dapat maguluhan ngayon.
Heaving up a deep breath, I answered him.
"Yes. I like him at mas mabuti kung lulubayan mo na siya."
"If you say so... Lulubayan ko na siya.."
I felt relieved when he'd finally said that.
Thank God! Akala ko kailangan ko pang awayin ito just to do that for----
"But I can't promise you na gagawin ko rin 'yon sa'yo."
When he suddenly added that, wala sa sariling natampal ko na lang ang matigas na dibdib nito.
Napaigik agad ito sa ginawa ko which caused his hold at me loosened out. I quickly took that as my chance para makawala mula sa pagkakayakap nito.
Nang akma na naman niyang hihilahin ang kamay ko pabalik sa mga bisig nito, tinampal ko na agad ang noo nito as I sat at the edge of his bed.
"Ouch!" Napapangiwing reklamo nito when I've fortunately smacked him hard on his forehead.
"That was harsh from you, Suzy!"
I just sent him a sharp glare with my raised brow.
"Talagang hindi lang 'yan ang aabutin mo sa'kin kapag hindi ka pa titigil, Liam. At 'wag mo kong pinagloloko ngayon na may sakit ka dahil hindi naman 'yon halata sa mukha mo."
Napasimangot agad ito when I've stated that fact. Siguro dahil tama ako na wala naman talaga itong sakit.
"Nagagawa mo pa'kong tawagan na papuntahin rito when you have that sexy woman here with you."
Napakunot agad ito ng noo when I've mentioned that woman na nadatnan ko kanina na lumabas mula rito. Looking at me with confusions in his eyes.
"Sexy woman?"
"Yes, bastard. 'Yong babaeng kasama mo rito before I even came here. That Gianna? Akala mo siguro hindi ko 'yon malalaman ano? Nagagawa mo pang magsinungaling sa'kin na wala kang kasama rito, 'yon pala, may kinakalantari ka na namang babae rito at gusto mo pa talagang makita pa 'yon ng mismong mga mata ko!"
I expected him to explain to me. Pero imbes na gawin 'yon ng gago, the bastard just bloody smirked at me na siyang ikinainis ko pa lalo. Gone was the grimacing in his face right now habang nakatagilid na ito ng higa paharap sa'kin.
"Ohh?? Si Gianna? That 'sexy' and hot' Gianna?"
The urge to strangle him now was too strong when he uttered that in a tease. Emphasizing the 'sexy' and 'hot' part while waggling his damn brows at me habang ang lapad naman ng ngisi nito.
This bastard! Talagang iniinis pa'ko lalo ng gago!
"Bakit, Suzy? Nagseselos ka ba sa kanya para magalit ka ng ganito ngayon? Nahuhulog ka na ba sa'kin ngayon para pagselosan mo ang mga babae ko?"
When he bluntly teases that with a stupid grin in his face, I felt like all my blood rushed to my head.
This jerk!
"NO! Hindi ako nagseselos, gago! Sinasabi ko lang na ke aga-aga, babae na agad ang inaatupag mo!" I defended sabay baba mula sa kama nito.
Dahil kapag hindi pa'ko lumayo rito, baka mapatay ko na talaga ito dahil sa mga pinagsasabi nito!
And to my utter annoyance, instead of stopping his damn grin, mas nilakihan niya lang ito lalo. Grinning at me while his eyes dancing in mirth.
"Ohhh? You're even blushing right now, woman... Hindi nga ba?"
Nasapo ko nalang ang magkabilang pisngi ko nang sabihin niya 'yon. At gaya nga ng sabi nito, mukhang namumula nga ko dahil ramdam ko ang init ng mga pisngi ko ngayon.
"Hindi ako nagbablush kaya tigil-tigilan mo na nga ko, Liam! Wala ka na talagang alam gawin kundi kalokohan."
"Rest assured. Hindi nga kita lulubayan, Suzy. That would never gonna happen."
Mas lalo pang uminit ang ulo ko when he bloody assured that. Naikuyom ko nalang ang mga kamay ko while glaring down at him.
"Hindi mo talaga titigilan ang isang babae hangga't hindi mo nakukuha ang gusto mo sa kanila ano? Hangga't hindi mo nakukuha ang 'katawan' namin."
When I've slapped him with that truth, his grin was gone in a second as his face instantly darkened at that. Giving me a feeling of satisfaction right now.
"Don't give me that look, Liam. Like I was wrong dahil hindi. Kaya nga ayaw mo ngang makasal 'di ba dahil gusto mong tumikim lang ng iba't-ibang putahi sa buong buhay mo. Paglaruan mo na ang lahat ng babae 'wag mo lang akong idamay sa mga kalokohan mo."
This time, mas lalo pang dumilim ang mukha nito while intensely glaring at me. I just ignored him and just continued to talk nang wala pa rin itong balak na magsalita.
"I think you're fine now. Aalis na'ko and I hope na simula bukas, lulubayan mo na kami ni Klent.. Just a month long. Please do that for me, Liam kung gusto mong maging magkaibigan pa tayo." I reminded him again and then without waiting for his response, naglakad na'ko agad patungo sa pintuan while he just remained silent in his bed. Siguro dahil tama ako.
Well, sana naman maisipan niya na lubayan na'ko ng tuluyan dahil wala naman siyang mapapala sa'kin. Dahil kahit ang totoo, nagsisimula na'kong mahulog rito, kailangan ko namang pigilan 'yon ano ma'ng mangyari. Because once I'd give into his charm, I shouldn't expect him to return whatever feelings I have for him.
Kaya bago pa man mangyari 'yon, kailangan ko ng pigilan 'yon before I'd foolishly throw myself to him.
"Then what if I'm not just playing around this time, Suzy? Hindi mo na ba ako itutulak palayo sa'yo?"
My hand froze at the door knob in surprise when he suddenly uttered that. Hindi ko ito nilingon as I just stayed there motionless as my heart began to erratically thud against my chest.
A-Anong ibig sabihin nito?
Nang maramdaman kong bumangon at bumaba ito mula sa kama, the thudding in my chest intensified.
"What if ayoko naman talagang maging magkaibigan lang tayo? Are you going to push me away again and avoid me at all cost?" he added with low voice. Not even a hint of joke in his voice right now.
I swallowed hard when I felt him began to slowly walk towards me. Dahilan para mataranta na'ko.
Ano bang pinagsasabi nito?
"Suzy----"
When I heard him just a few feet away from me now, hindi ko na alam kung anong nakain ko. I just thought about running away from him now sa takot na hingan niya 'ko ng sagot ngayon kaya naman tarantang binuksan ko na agad ang pintuan before I rushed out of his room.
"Suzy! Where are you going??"
When I heard him shouted that, hindi ko na nilingon ito and just ran straight to his door and out of his condo. Ignoring him keep calling out for my name as I ran from that building like a troop of rabid dogs were on my heels.
Buti nalang at sakto namang bumukas ang pintuan ng elevator kaya bago pa man niya ako mahabol, the elevator door had fortunately shut.
I was heavily panting inside while leaning against the elevator wall for support with my knees trembling right now dahil sa sobrang kaba.
Pagkabukas ng pintuan, kumaripas na'ko agad ng takbo palabas.
"Ma'am? Ano pong-----"
"I'm fine, guard. I'm fine! Aalis na'ko. Bye!" Putol ko na sa guard nang maabutan ko 'to sa baba. Nagtataka ang mukha nito, probably wondering why the hell I was running right now like I was running for my dear life. I was just too desperate to get away from his confrontation right now.
Pagkarating ko sa daan, pinara ko na agad ang unang taksing dumaan sa tapat ko. Quite aware na ang lakas ng kabog ng dibdib ko ngayon dahil lang sa huling sinabi nito.
"Then what if I'm not just playing around this time, Suzy? Hindi mo na ba ako itutulak palayo sa'yo?"
"What if ayoko naman talagang maging magkaibigan lang tayo? Are you going to push me away again and avoid me at all cost?"
When I thought about it, my face instantly heated up at that.
Goodness with that man! Ano bang ibig niyang sabihin dun? Nababaliw na ba talaga ito? Or was he just saying that para bumigay ako rito?
Clasping my chest with my hand, I tried to calm my heart down. Trying to shrug the thoughts of him kept appearing in my head pati na ang mga huling sinabi nito.
Oh my God. Gusto niya talaga sigurong mabaliw ako dahil sa mga pinagsasabi nito!