In Between Calms and Storms

Chapter 24

"H-Hoy, ano ba?" mahinang bulong ko.

"I want to hug you," he whispered back. Damn. Since when did asking for consent start sounding this hot?

I nodded slowly.

He hummed, then slowly wrapped his arms around my waist. "Better."

He started planting light kisses on my neck, making my eyes flutter shut. But just as he was about to reach my ear, Koen suddenly barged in.

Agad akong napatalon papalayo kay Ryx, na halatang nagulat din. When we both turned to Koen, he looked like a walking zombie. I let out a breath.

I can't believe I was relieved just because Koen was too drunk! And I really can't believe we actually cuddled like that—right there—in front of our drunk friends.

Tang-ina talaga.

I could feel my cheeks heating up like a tomato.

I cleared my throat. "M-matutulog na ako." Paalam ko at nagmamadaling umakyat.

Reis' mansion also has a lot of guest rooms, kaya naman hindi problema kung saan pwedeng matulog dito.

I entered one and went inside the room's own comfort room. Agad akong naghilamos at tinanggal ang mga suot kong contact lens pati ang halo.

There are also ready-to-wear and new clothes in every guest room, iyon ang kinuha ko at nag-wash up. Hindi rin ako makakatulog kung hindi ako naglinis ng katawan. It is still part of my routine before going to bed.

I sighed as soon as I got out of the comfort room. Sinasampal ko pa ng mahina ang pisngi ko dahil ramdam ko pa ang pamumula nito.

When I was about to go to bed, the door suddenly opened. Pumasok si Ryx na mukhang nagbihis na rin.

"Hi," bati niya habang nakangiti. I suspiciously looked at him because he was just drunk as hell earlier.

"Ano?" Tanong ko kaagad.

He pursed his lips. "Sungit."

I rolled my eyes and sat on the bed. Humihikab na ako habang unti-unti akong humihiga. When I finally lay down, he followed and slipped into the space beside me.

"Can I sleep next to you?" He asked softly.

Napailing ako. "Nakahiga ka na nga."

He just smiled drunkenly and scooted even closer beside me, closing the little space we had left.

Akala ko ay matutulog na siya pero nang bumaling ako sa kanya ay nakatingin lang siya sa 'kin.

"You looked really great today," komento niya.

Umiwas ako ng tingin para itago ang pamumula ng pisngi ko. Tumikhim ako bago sumagot sa kanya. "Ikaw rin."

He didn't answer. Nang lingunin ko siya ulit, nakatingin lang siya sa 'kin.

If his gaze weren't this soft, I would've looked away in an instant because I wouldn't be able to handle it. But tonight was different, and it made it impossible not to look away.

Nakatitig lang kami sa isa't isa. His eyes flicked from mine to my lips. Napatingin din ako sa kanya.

Naalala ko tuloy ang nangyari kanina. Fuck. That was supposed to be my first kiss.

I saw him gulp.

"I regret listening to Reis and not kissing you earlier," mahinang aniya.

I felt something twist in my stomach.

Tumikhim ako. "Wala na si Reis ngayon."

His serious gaze shifted into a slow, sexy smirk. Unti-unti siyang lumapit sa 'kin until I finally felt his lips on mine.