Guarded ✔ (Alpha Sigma Omicron #5)

4. Wanted Bride

"Hindi pasensya mo ang gusto kong sagarin," he chuckled.

Kumunot ang noo ko. Wala akong ideyang marunong siyang mag-tagalog, may accent nga lang ang kanyang pananalita. Ang akala ko lang nakakaintindi siya ng mga salita.

"Umalis ka na nga!" Itinaboy ko siya.

Humina ang kanyang pagtawa pero nanatili ang ngisi sa labi. He didn't move from the bed.

"You're so slow to take a hint of flirting, Filantropi. That's your weakest point," mayabang niyang turan.

I was more confused with what he said. Kinuha ko ang unan at kumot sa kama, dinala ko iyon sa malambot na sofa. Even the couch was a nice place to sleep. Probably, the floor was also a good option.

Pagod ang katawan ko. Biglang rumehistro sa aking katawan ang suntok, sipa at tadyak na natamo ko kanina. I was exhausted. Wala na akong pakialam sa lalaki. I just want to lie down and sleep peacefully.

Iyon ang ginawa ko, nahiga ako sa malambot na sofa. It was heavenly.

Tinahob ko ang kumot sa aking kabuuan hanggang mukha. Malamig pa rin kahit makapal ang kumot. The whole mansion was well-ventilated and air-conditioned. Agad akong hinihila ng antok.

Naalerto ako ng maramdaman ko ang aking katawan sa ere. I was still conscious, but I couldn't seem to move.

"Hush, you're not in danger." I heard the familiar voice whispering against my ear.

Lumapat ang aking likod sa mas malambot na bagay. It was more comfortable for my back. Tuluyang nilamon ako ng antok. When I woke up the next morning, a man was sleeping beside me.

Disoriented, the initial thing I did was to punch the man in the face. Pareho kaming nagising at natauhan. Bumungad sa akin ang dumudugong labi ni Gotham at magulo niyang buhok.

Magkasalubong ang kanyang dalawang kilay. "Damn it, woman. It's early in the morning." Pinahid niya ang munting dugo sa labi.

I checked myself. Balot na balot ang katawan ko ng kumot. I was still wearing my clothes from last night.

"Dapat kasi hindi ka tumatabi sa kung kani-kaninong babae," I tried to defend my wrong action.

"It's my fucking bed as well," he gritted his teeth.

He was annoyed, I was kinda loving his reaction. Natatawa ako sa inis niyang mukha. My victory didn't last long. Walang pasabing itinulak niya ako pahiga ng kama. He made me roll on the duvet.

Mas lalo pa niya akong binalot sa kumot na parang turon.

My hands and legs were bound together. Hindi ko magawang kumibo kahit anong pagpupumiglas ko.

"Better," he commented and lay again in bed.

Muli siyang nahiga sa tabi ko. Our faces were inches apart. Kitang - kita ko ang kanyang mukha sa malapitan. Napakatangos ng ilong, makapal ang kilay, mas mapula at masigla ang labi kaysa sa akin. Para siyang modelong hinugot sa magazine.

I don't know why he's staring at me, it's probably because of my black eye.

Pinitik niya ang aking ilong, agad naman akong natauhan.

"Sleep pa," I heard him murmur, his eyes were already closed.

For the record, it was a tempting offer. Nanakit pa rin ang katawan ko sa nangyari. I definitely needed the sleep. Hinayaan kong hilahin akong muli ng antok, wala na akong pakialam kung katabi ko si Gotham.

***

My brother easily adjusted to Gotham's mansion. He made friends with his goons. Ang kapatid ko na yata ang papalit bilang bagong may-ari ng bahay. Gotham was true to his words helping my brother, all in that one week, we were able to visit doctor specialists.