Ace's POV
Lupa, kainin mo ako, please? Sana nag daydream lang ulit ako and hindi ako sabay na niyayaya nina Lucas and Seph ng dinner. Tiyak ko, kapag isa lang ang pinili ko, magtatampo ang isa.
I hate this feeling!
My phone beeped again and Seph texted me.
"Master, saan ka na? Is there a problem? Don't go down sa lobby. I'll go to your room instead. Wait for me —Seph"
Anak ng! Paano na 'to! Magkikita sina Seph and Lucas and baka mamaya mag away silang dalawa lalo na't parehas nila akong niyayaya ng dinner! What shall I do? Kunwari mahihimatay ako? Sabihin ko kaya na bigla ako nagka LBM? Or better yet, sabihin ko, nahihilo ako?
"Ano, Ace? Tara let's have a dinner. My treat doon sa favorite kong resto bar malapit dito." Lucas said while giving me this bright smile.
Argghh! Nahihirapan ako!
Elevator chime!
I just heard the elevator chime... the freakin' elevator chime! It means na nasa 3rd floor na si Seph! Ano na!
God, please help me!
Napalunok na lang ako since I really don't know what to say and Lucas was waiting for my answer. Pakiwari ko na hindi siya aalis hanggat hindi ako sumasagot.
I was about to answer "No" since nauna si Seph na magyaya ng dinner and we had it planned already. But then, I'm feeling this guilt na I also wanted to go with Lucas!
"Ace? Master?" I just heard Seph calling my name sa hallway and nakita ko ang mukha ni Lucas. He went from being a happy kid to this irritable man!
Parang kailangan ko atang tawagan si Joker para pigilan sina Seph and Lucas if ever na magsapakan sila. I mean those two guys are too huge for us to handle!
At ayun na nga, Seph walked slowly and nadatnan na siya ng mga mata namin ni Lucas sa hallway.
He stood up and tumabi siya kay Lucas but he didn't even bother to greet him.
"Ace, ano, tara? Ready ka na?" Seph asked.
"Saan kayo pupunta, Ace?" Lucas asked.
I heard Chester and Harry doing the "Ehem" sound so loudly that I had to give them a middle finger!
"I asked Ace first at niyaya ko siya makipag dinner. Why? Do you have a problem with that?" Seph just asked Lucas and I can already feel the tension rising between the two of them!
"Yes. I have a problem with that. Isa pa, I don't trust you. Saan mo dadalhin si Ace?" Lucas asked Seph.
"Why'd you have to know? Kailangan ko ba magpaalam sayo? Do you even own Ace?" Seph asked Lucas.
So what now? Isa na akong gamit na pinagaagawan ng dalawang guys? What the hell!
"No, but I can't trust you." Lucas said.
"'Yan ang hirap sayo, Lucas. Akala mo pagmamayari mo lahat, even si Ace!" Seph said.
Oh no, I think I need assitance. I looked at Chester and Harry and they were just sitting beside each other sa kama and para pa silang nag eenjoy sa bangayan ng dalawa!
I looked at them and giving them a signal to help me since hindi ko na din alam ang gagawin ko if nagsapakan sina Lucas and Seph!
Then, I looked at both Seph and Lucas and they were staring at me.
"So, kanino ka sasama, Ace?" Lucas asked.
"Ako ang nauna magyaya sayo, Ace." Seph added.
I actually don't know what to do! Hindi ako makapagdecide! But for me, since nauna si Seph nagyaya, I'd say na sa kanya ako sasama. Isa pa, nakabihis na rin siya. But, nahihiya ako na humindi kay Lucas and naguguilty ako if I turn him down. Arrggh! I really hate this feeling na kailangan kong mamili, kakain lang naman ng dinner! Nakakainis!
"Ano kasi... um..." I said then Seph interrupted.
"I really don't have time to argue with you, Lucas. Tara, Ace, let's go." Seph said then he grabbed my right hand and we started walking.
Wala na akong nagawa so I followed him but habang naglalakad kami papalayo, nakatingin ako kay Lucas and I feel so sorry. He's looking at us and nararamdaman ko na he really wants to have a dinner with me be but sadyang nauna lang talaga si Seph magyaya.
Nang makababa na kami, we went to the parking lot where Seph's car is located. And ayun na nga, mayaman nga talaga siya since Chevrolet Camaro lang naman ang sasakyan niya! Potek, ngayon lang ako makakasay sa 2-door car!
Inunahan niya ako maglakad and he opened the door for me para makapasok sa kotse niya. Wow? Napaka gentleman naman nito ni Seph? Haha!
Nakaupo na ako sa loob and it smells so damn good! Ang bango na parang gustong singuhitin 'yung buong paligid. Then after a while, pumasok na si Seph and started the engine.
Nakaalis na kami but hindi ko alam kung saan kami pupunta talaga. So I asked him, "Seph, saan tayo kakain?"
"Ace, master, please don't be angry... sa bahay ko." he said.
"Teka, teka, teka, you mean sa bahay mo mismo? Sa family mo?" I asked and nagulat ako since akala ko kakain kami sa isang restaurant!
"Yes, I'm so sorry. Okay lang ba?" he asked.
"Hala! Nahihiya ako! Hindi ako prepared! Wala akong gamit na dala!" I said and I was about to jump off the window!
"Don't worry, Ace. Alam nila na may bisita ako and sabi ko mag sleep over ka doon." Seph said.
"Sleep over what? Huh? What!" I said and I was really shocked! Akala ko dinner lang ang pupuntahan, but naging sleep over na!
"Nakahanda na lahat ng gamit mo, so nothing to worry about. Ang nandoon lang is my dad and my elder sister at home and the maids. My mom's not there since she's at work and out of the country. I know it's too late to ask, pero okay lang ba?" he asked.
As if my choice pa ba ako? I don't know kung nasaan na kami, and malayo-layo rin naman kami so wala na akong magagawa. Nahihiya na talaga ako and I feel like I'm about to blow.
"Yes... I guess. Kaso nakakahiya talaga!" I said.
"'Wag ka na mahiya. My dad and elder sister are friendly, and kabaligtaran ko. So you'll be fine, don't worry. Hindi ka nila sasaktan." he said and smiled.
Hindi na ako nakasagot since kinakabahan ako. So I texted Chester and Harry and sinabi ko na hindi ako matutulog sa dorm tonight and tomorrow morning na lang ako uuwi. Good thing na walang pasok bukas since weekends naman na!
"I wont sleep sa dorm tonight. I'll sleep at Seph's house. Don't wait for me. —Ace"
"Hala! Binahay na nga! Sabi ko sayo dalhin mo condom! Lagot ka! —Chester"
"Nasabi mo ba 'yan kay tita Lucille? Baka mamaya tatlo na kayo pagbalik niyo dito sa dorm ah? Baka buntis ka na! Haha —Harry"
These friends of mine, gusto ko tirisin 'tong mga 'to! Nakakagigil! Hindi na ako nag reply since ayaw ko na silang kausapin pa at wala kaming patutunguhan!
"Seph, saan ba 'yung bahay niyo? Malayo layo ba?" I asked.
"Yes, sa Bulacan. You can sleep if you want too." Seph said.
"Okay lang?" I asked.
"Yes, sure. May blanket ako dyan sa drawer and a neck pillow. You can use that. Gisingin na lang kita once we're at our house." Seph said.
Binuksan ko ang drawer na nasa harapan ko and kinuha ko ang dark blue na neck pillow and blanket na sinasabi ni Seph. Pakiramdam ko makakatulog ako ng mahimbing since ang sarap higaan ng upuan ng kotse ni Seph tapos ang lambot pa ng neck pillow niya.
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So ayun na nga, somebody was tapping my head and nagising na rin ako. Seph was standing outside his car just beside me and ginigising niya na pala ako.
"Ace, nandito na tayo." he gently said and smiled.
Nag-ayos muna ako at tinupi ko 'yung blanket and binalik ko sa drawer. Afterwards, lumabas na ako ng kotse and nagulat ako dahil napakalaki lang naman ng bahay nila! Para akong nasa isang mansion! Gaano kayaman ang family nila Seph? 'Yung totoo?
"Seph, nahihiya ako. Bawal na umatras no? Haha!" I asked.
"Nope, wala ng bawian. Nandito na tayo. They're waiting for us." he said.
"Sephy!" a high pitched sound just bursted out and when I looked sa kung sino ang nagsalita, it was a girl and sobrang ganda niya! I mean she looks like a Goddess and pakiramdam mo na ang hirap niyang lapitan!
Lumapit siya kay Seph and she hugged him.
"Bakit ngayon ka na lang bumisita ha? Dad's waiting for you inside!" she said with a very sweet tone then she looked at me, "If I'm not mistaken, you're Ace, right?" she asked me.
"Yes po. Opo." I said and sobra akong nahihiya sa kanya.
"Ang cutie mo naman! By the way, my name is Athena. I'm Seph's elder sister. Don't be too polite. I'm just 2 years older kay Seph so don't use 'opo' sa akin. It makes me look old! And pinilit ka ba nito ni Seph na pumunta dito?" she asked.
"Hindi po." I said even though sapilitan ang naganap kanina. Haha!
"Good. Akala ko pinilit ka ni Seph eh. By the way, you're a new face. Ang madalas na nakikita kong nandito na kasama ni Seph is si Lucas and Joker. Bakit hindi sila kasama?" Athena asked.
"They're busy. Don't mind them." Seph answered.
Siguro, hindi alam ng ate niya na they're not in good terms. Ayoko na lang magsalita. Baka kung ano pa masabi ko!
"Come, let's go! Dito ka lang sa akin, cutie. Don't go near Seph or else he'll choke you! Napaka unfriendly pa naman ng tao na 'yan! Haha!" Athena said.
She's joking right? Seph wouldn't choke me? Isn't he?
Nang makapasok na kami sa loob ng bahay ni Seph, pakiramdam ko maliligaw ako sa sobrang laki ng bahay nila! This is insane! Sobrang yaman nila and ang ganda ng bahay nila!
We went to the living room and Seph's dad was sitting on a big dark blue sofa wearing a light green robe! Ganito ba ang suotan ng mga mayayaman? Naka bath robe lang sa bahay? But while looking at Seph's dad, I'd say he's good looking as well. May pinagmanahan si Seph, and If I were to admit, I'd say that I have a man crush on his dad! Haha! I mean seriously, gwapo si Seph, but parang mas gwapo ang dad niya. He looks so fresh, has this light aura and balbas sarado and he looks more of somewhat western.
Seph's dad stood up and nilapitan niya kami. Maygahd, he's also huge... I mean ang tangkad ng dad ni Seph!
"Ah... so you're Ace. Seph's new friend?" Seph's dad asked, "Or... boyfriend?"
"Huh?" I asked and sobrang nanlaki ang mga mata ko and I don't know if seryoso 'tong dad ni Seph!
He bursted out of laughted and said, "Just kidding, Ace. I'm Henry, but you can call me tito, or whatever you like. You can call me by my first name if that's what you want and I don't mind. Malapit na ma-prepare ang dinner. Are you hungry?" Henry, I mean tito Henry asked.
"Hindi po. Okay lang po ako." I said, but deep inside, gutom na gutom na talaga ako!
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
"Dinner time!" Athena shouted habang naghihintay lang kami sa living room and we're watching a movie with Seph and tito Henry.
We went to their dining area and pakiramdam ko nasa fiesta ako dahil ang daming handa! Ano ba 'to? May birthday ba? Grabe naman ang dinner nila!
"Ace, I'm sorry if ito lang 'yung food namin. I know it's not too much, but you can request if may gusto ka ipaluto." Seph whispered.
"You're joking, right? Eh pang fiesta tong dinner niyo! I doubt maubos natin 'to." I whispered but I think tito Henry heard me and he tapped my head and ginulo niya ang buhok ko.
"You're funny, Ace. If hindi mo naubos 'yung pang fiesta namin na dinner, pwede ka mag take out. Haha!" Tito Henry said and smiled at me. Shoot! Ang pogi talaga ng dad ni Seph! Nakakainis. Haha! I wish I have a dad like him. Yayakapin ko araw araw 'yun. Haha!
Umupo na kaming lahat and katabi ko si Seph sa table. We started eating and the food is really good and pakiramdam ko kumakain ako sa mga five star restaurant sa sobrang sarap!
"So Ace, how old are you again?" tito Henry asked.
"16 po." I said.
"I'll just go to the C.R. first." Seph said and iniwanan niya muna kami for a while.
"So, you're two years younger than Seph. Hindi ka naman niya binubully? Seph has this tendecy na maging matigas ang ulo and ang puso. Pinapahirapan ka ba niya?" tito Henry asked.
"Hindi po. Actually, Seph is really nice to me." I said and smiled.
"Ah, nice. So I'm guessing na... Seph is into you?" tito Henry just said it casually na parang he's saying that he knows that Seph is somewhat into guys?
Hindi ako nakasagot so si Athena na ang nagsalita, "I know speechless ka, Ace, sa way how dad talks to you about, Seph. Don't worry, Ace, sobrang open kami dito sa bahay. And you're the first guy that Seph brought. I mean the only guy na dinala niya dito mag-isa and the first person as well. He usually comes with Lucas and Joker, but I know they're tropa, but you, since mag isa ka lang, I know hindi ka lang niya tinuturing as a friend."
Lalo akong nahiya at hindi nakasagot sa sinabi ni Athena. So si tito Henry naman ang nagsalita.
"We're not pushing you, Ace. I mean if you're not really Seph's boyfriend and just a guy friend, don't worry. But if nililigawan ka ng anak ko, which I suppose so, since he doesn't bring anyone home expect mga tropa niya. Wala pa siyang dinadalang babae dito sa bahay but I know he has girlfriends in the past but he was never serious. But seeing Seph dito sa bahay and bringing a guy instead of a girl, that's fine for me. As long as kung anong gusto ni Seph, he's free to love. Ang sa akin lang, I don't want to see him sufferring anymore." tito Henry explained.
That's what Joker said to me, na Seph was into verge of a suicidal attempt. So I'd better be good and anytime na ikakamatay niya, I might be the reason! Nako!
"And if Seph's hurting you, sabihin mo lang sa akin. Ako ang mananakit sa kanya para sayo cutie!" Athena interrupted.
Nginitian ko na lang silang dalawa since hindi ko alam ang sasabihin ko! Mas advanced pa sila sa advanced! Hindi naman nanliligaw si Seph tas may pa boyfriend na agad sila! Grabe naman 'tong family niya! Haha.
Seph just returned and with squinting eyes, "Anong sinabi niyo kay Ace, ha?" Seph asked both Athena and tito Henry.
"Nothing. Tinatanong lang namin if Ace liked the food, right?" tito Henry asked.
"Yes, 'yun pinaguusapan namin, Seph." I answered.
So ayun na nga, after dinner, we went to Seph's room and he handed me the clothes that I can wear. I went to the C.R. sa loob ng kwarto ni Seph para mag linis ng katawan ang magpalit ng damit. Sinuot ko 'yung oversized na sando na pinahiram niya sa akin and boxers. Mygahd, sobrang presko and I feel like wala akong suot. Haha!
Afterwards, lumabas ako ng C.R. and Seph was just sitting at his bed and was waiting for me.
"Okay na ako, Seph." I said but he didn't responded. Nakatingin lang siya sa akin na para bang gusto niya akong kainin! So I shouted to gain his attention! "Seph!"
"Huh? Yes, yes." he said and bigla siya natauhan and stood up, "pwede ka na humiga sa kama. I'll sleep on the floor."
"Huh? Baliw ka ba? Bahay mo 'to tapos sa sahig ka matutulog?" I asked.
"It's fine, don't worry." he said.
"No, dito ka sa kama mo, and I'll sleep on the floor. Isa pa, your carpet is so soft that pwede na akong matulog talaga doon." I insisted.
So humiga ako sa floor since I don't want Seph to sleep there. Siya may ari ng bahay tapos ako sa kama?
Nilapitan ako ni Seph and bigla siyang yumuko towards me!
"What are you doing!" I shouted while nakahiga pa ako sa floor.
"Making sure that you'll be all right." he said then bigla niya akong binuhat and inilapag sa kama niya gently like we're newly wedded couple!
Nang mailapag niya na ako sa kama niya, he's still holding my body and his face near to mine and said, "Maliligo lang ako." he whispered and smiled.
"Wag ka nga magpaalam sa akin! Maligo ka kung gusto mo!" I exclaimed.
He released me from his grip and tumungo na siya sa C.R. So while waiting for him, I checked my phone for any messages and saw Chester and Harry's messages. Pakiramdam ko, puro asar na naman ang messages nila.
"Ace, okay ka pa ba? Masakit na ba? —Chester"
"Handa na namin wheel chair mo bukas? —Harry"
"Ilang inch ba, Ace? Nasukat mo? Haha! —Chester"
Hindi ko na sila sinagot since ayoko makipagusap sa dalawa! So annoying!
After a while, bumukas na ang C.R. and Seph was wearing his boxers only! Takte, kitang kita ko 'yung bulge niya. Potek! Natatakot ako!
Nanlaki ang mga mata ko since it was too disturbing for me and napansin ata ni Seph na nakatingin ako sa lower part ng body niya.
"Ace, please don't look at me like that. Nahihiya ako." Seph said and laughed.
Nahiya pa siya sa lagay na 'yan na naka boxers lang siya sa harap ko? Mygahd!
Then he walked slowly to his bed and lalo akong kinakabahan sa kanya! Baka mamaya gapangin niya ako ng wala sa oras! I should've brought Chester's condom... wait what? No! What am I thinking!
Tumabi na siya sa akin sa akin and what the hell! Seph smells so nice na para bang gusto kong amuyin 'yung buo niyang katawan but I won't do it!
Then, lumapit pa si Seph sa akin and felt the warmth of his body. Lalo na 'yung right arm niya na nakadikit sa left arm ko.
He's smiling at me na para bang may balak siyang gawin so I looked at him furiously then he laughed.
"Relax, Ace. I won't do anything to you. You know how much I respect you, right? Sabi ko nga sa'yo, I'll only do it if may full consent mo lang and if you asked me to wholeheartedly." Seph said and smiled.
"Hindi mo ko gagapangin?" I literally asked Seph and he laughed.
"Bakit ko naman 'yun gagawin sa'yo? You think I'm that aggressive?" he asked.
"Well, yes. Sobrang aggressive mo kaya gumalaw!" I answered.
"Nakakatawa ka, Ace. Nope, I won't do that to you. I just want you to see my other side na hindi ko maipakita in public." Seph said
"What other side? You mean you with your boxers only?" I asked.
"No, silly! I mean, you can see me at school with my usual cold self lalo na in public. I want you to see the other side of me that I'm not that kind of person, and gusto ko na ikaw lang ang makakakita noon." He said and smiled at me.
But yes, I'm curious as to why napaka cold niya makitungo sa iba.
"Seph, bakit nga ba cold ka in public?" I asked.
"Well, ayaw ko lang na lapitan ako ng maraming tao. I'm too tired of the attention that's why I'm giving them the cold shoulder para isipin nila na hindi ako mabait na tao and para hindi na nila ako kausapin. I don't want any engagement." he answered.
"But hindi mo na 'yun maiiwasan since you're famous and guess what, your fans love it! Lalo na kapag sinusungitan mo sila, mas natuturn on sila so if I were you I'd stop being so cold." I said.
"Nope, I won't stop. I'll be cold sa lahat ng tao, except you." he answered.
"But why me? Anong nakita mo sa akin? I'm not even the ideal person. Isa pa, we're both guys." I asked.
"Ace, I don't care if you're a guy or if sabi mo straight ka. I just wanted to be with you, even if the whole world is against us. Even if ayaw mo sa akin, I just want to be beside you." he said and looked at me very gently and I've never seen this side of Seph smiling at me so delicately na para bang his showing his softer side sa akin kumpara sa kung gaano siya katigas tingnan sa labas.
"So why me? Anong nakita mo sa akin? I mean, weeks pa lang tayo magkakilala but you're like that?" I asked.
"Nope, hindi lang weeks ang pagkakakilala ko sa'yo. I've known you for a long time. Let's say for about a year now." he answered.
"What? Seryoso ka? I haven't met you before or have I but hindi ko lang matandaan?" I asked.
"Yes, we had an encounter before. But I know na makakalimutan mo rin ako sooner or later, but not me." he said.
"When? How? Why? Where?" I asked and I was shocked! Am I too pre-occupied before at hindi ko maalala na nakilala ko na si Seph?
"I have a favor first. Can I lay my head on your shoulder?" Seph asked.
"Huh? Nakakahiya!" I said while my eyes were widely open.
"Well, don't be. You already did this to me before." he said.
"Kailan?" I asked him.
"The first time we met." he said and he slowly place his head on my left shoulder. Naramdaman ko 'yung init ng ulo ni Seph and also kung gaano talaga siya kabango. Mygahd! But what amazes me is that hindi binibigatan ni Seph ang paghiga niya sa left shoulder ko. I felt comfortable just being beside him, but aside from that, I'm beginning to feel the loneliness na nanggagaling sa kanya na napupunta sa akin like I'm receiving all his pain mula sa kanya.
"Allow me to tell you how we met and why I like you so much." Seph said.
End of Chapter 18