The Gentlemen Series 4: Jack, The Disk Jockey (SELF-PUBLISHED)

TWELVE

Trapped

Haplos sa aking pisngi ang nagpagising sa diwa ko. Pero hindi ko iminulat ang aking mata, bagkus pinakiramdam ko lamang ang banayad at magagaang haplos na iyon.

His fingers ran across my cheek down to my chin, and slowly, carefully caressing my lower lip. I shivered.

Lumundo ang kama and I stiffened when I felt his warm lips on mine. Sandali lamang iyon. Parang halik lamang sa hangin ngunit malakas ang naging epekto ng damping iyon sa katawan ko at higit na sa puso ko.

I flickered my eyes open and was surprised to see how dark the room is. Tanging ilaw mula sa lamp shade ang nagsisilbing tanglaw sa buong silid. Agad akong napalikwas at naupo sa kama. Hinila ko ang kumot hanggang sa dibdib ko.

"Hey..." Hinawakan ni Jack ang palad ko at bahagyang pinisil. I saw the smile on his lips when he looked at me.

"My sleeping beauty has finally awakened by my kiss." He whispered huskily.

"Anong oras na?" Ang tanging nasabi ko. I ignored his words.

"Around nine o'clock, love. Nakatulog ka at may mga tuyong luha sa iyong mata." His eyes concerned.

Hindi ako nakaimik at nagbaba lang ng tingin. Tinitigan ko ang palad niyang niyang nakadaop sa akin. Kumudlit sa diwa ko ang tagpo kaninang hapon at naramdaman ko na naman ang sakit mula roon.

Hinawi ko ang palad niya gamit ang isa ko pang kamay. Nakita ko ang pagkagulat niya sa ginawa ko. Niyakap ko ang aking mga tuhod at binaling ang tingin sa kabilang direksyon.

"Gusto ko nang umuwi. May trabaho pa ako bukas."

He chuckled. "Tomorrow is Saturday, love. Don't tell me you work on weekends?"

Damn it. I don't want to be stuck with him in this place. I need to find a way out.

"Yes. May kailangan pa akong asikasuhin sa opisina. Hindi ko kasi nagawa kahapon lahat. And magkikita kami ng pinsan ko bukas ng gabi."

He nodded at me. "No problem. Pero dito ka pa rin uuwi." He stood up.

Nalaglag ang panga ko. What did he just say?

"And why is that? The last time I checked, hindi ako dito nakatira, Jack."

"Gabriel informed me na nakapag-usap na kayo tungkol sa bagay na ito, Julianne. I thought you agreed to this."

Umiling ako sa kanya. "I didn't agree, and I don't think I will. I don't see any point why I should stay here when I have Gab's condo. There's no logic in here."

He ran his fingers through his hair at umupo ulit patalikod sa akin. "Ako man ay hindi makuha ang gustong iparating ni Gabriel, Julianne. Pero ayokong tanggihan ang paki-usap niya. I made a promise to him na lahat ng paki-usap niya ay susundin ko. I don't want him to get upset. That's the last thing I want him to feel." His jaw clenched like he's trying to hold his emotions.

"Kakausapin ko siya ulit. And I'll stand by my decision. I don't want to stay here. I don't want to live here."

He cocked his head sideway. Kumislap ang diamond stud earing niya sa kanang tainga and I was dazzled by it. The side view of his face is a fine sight to behold. His prominent nose is just perfect.

"Do you love my brother, Julianne?"

My mouth dropped open. I didn't see that question coming.

I swallowed hard as if there's a lump behind my throat. "Must you have to ask that, Jack?"

Lalo akong napayakap sa aking tuhod at ang aking baba ay tinukod doon. My eyes on the linen of the bed. I can't meet his gazes. They will hypnotize me.