Deceret Series #1: His Lips On My Neck

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

"Where have you been?" pinandilatan ako ng mga mata ni Denver nang sa wakas ay nagpakita muli ako sa kaniya.

My face flushed, remembering what we did in the storage room a few minutes ago. As if sensing my misery, Philodemus stepped and wrapped a possessive arm around my waist, smirking at Denver.

"We had some business, Denver."

"Business...?" litong nakatingin sa amin ngayon si Denver. Desperate to steer his attention, I chuckled nervously.

"Yeah, we just talked about some... stuff. Anyway, let's keep going so I could choose which of these amazing paintings to buy and hung in my condo?"

Nanunuri pa rin ang mga mata ni Denver nang talikuran niya ako. Nagkatinginan kaming dalawa ni Philodemus. I glared at him as he chuckled and walked with me.

My feet dragged me to a large frame that was almost ignored by everyone. I stepped in front to get a better view of the painting and was shocked that it was nothing but a single dot on the middle of the canvas.

My gaze dropped to the small metallic plate that says the chosen title of the masterpiece by the artist, desperate for some sort of explanation. Perserva. Mas lalo pang kumunot ang noo ko nang makita ang kalakip na presyo ng painting sa baba.

"950,000 for a single dot." I said and couldn't hide the surprise in my voice.

Philodemus stared at the painting. His free hand was shoved inside the pockets of his trousers. Seryoso siyang nakatitig sa ginawa ng kaniyang pinsan, bago siya mabagal na lumingon sa akin.

"Do you want this?"

I blinked. Hindi ko pa alam kung magkano ang ihinulog ni Denver sa bank account ko and I won't certainly most spend almost a million when I could do a thousands of dots by myself.

Iginala ko ang paningin. Ito lang talagang painting ang naiiba. The rest are abstract pieces of which Rigor was best known. Nang mahagip ko ang tingin niya ay may kasama na siya. A young woman in red mermaid dress clung unto his arms while Rigor is talking to some foreigner visitors. She seemed pre-occupied with something. Nang makita niya akong nakatitig sa kanila at nagtama ang tingin namin ay nginitian niya ako.

She looks very familiar. I just couldn't point my finger on where I saw her.

"I'll get this."

Nagulat ako nang magsalita si Philodemus nang lapitan kami ng isa sa mga staff na tumutulong sa art exhibit. The young woman who smiled professionally at us nodded and wrote something on her notepad.

"I'll inform Mr. Treveron immediately, Sir...?"

"Just name it after her." He waved his hands lazily. "Stormie Iona Roman. I'll just be paying."

Mas lalo akong nagulat sa sinabi niya. I tugged his arms and sent him a warning glare but he ignored me. The young woman nodded and then walked away, approaching Rigor. She politely excused herself and whispered something to Rigor. His cousin nodded and then approached us as well.

"I would be lying if I say that I was expecting this painting to get sold," he chuckled in deep baritone. Nakasunod pa rin sa kaniya ang babaeng kasama niya kanina.

"Hello, Rigor." I politely said.

"It's been a long time, huh? Roman..." makahulugan nitong sinabi bago dumako ang tingin niya sa pinsan.

"Have this delivered at her condo unit first thing tomorrow," ani Philodemus at iminuwestra ang painting sa likuran namin.

"Sure." He shrugged lazily. "By the way, I think you still haven't met her yet... Stormie, this is Czarina. Czarina Martinell, my assistant..."