Deceret Series #1: His Lips On My Neck

Chapter 24

It's drizzling. Giniginaw din ako. Mula sa dilim ay nagkaanyo si Philodemus na tahimik na nakahilig sa kaniyang kotse. He is wearing a black leather jacket with silver studs on the shoulder pads. He stared at me intensely as I hesitantly walked towards him in my satin sleepwear.

"Philodemus... aren't you in a party?" naguguluhan kong tanong sa kaniya. "What are you doing here?"

He grunted under his breath. Umalis siya mula sa pagkakahilig at hinila ang aking braso palapit sa kaniya hanggang sa mayakap niya ako.

"You're worrying me. You think I can party while my baby is alone here? Hmm?"

My heart clenched in joy and other unknown feelings with what he said. Niyakap ko din siya pabalik. I instantly felt a little bitter. Gusto ko pa ngang sabunutan ang aking sarili dahil para akong bata sa inaakto. Nakaramdam pa ako ng matinding guilt. I'm sure he's having fun with his friends at Rigor's party, and I made him come here while it's raining.

"Won't they be looking for you?" tanong ko sa kaniya habang binubuksan niya ang pintuan ng kaniyang sasakyan.

He shrugged. "It's Rigor's party, not mine."

"Where are we going?"

He only winked as a response. Natawa tuloy ako. When I am done buckling my seatbelts, he circled the car and then occupied the driver's seat. Mabilis niyang pinaandar ang sasakyan. His other hand reached for his phone. He clicked something and then the voice of Lana Del Rey singing Venice Bitch filled the car.

Huminga ako nang malalim. I glanced at him. Seryoso lamang siyang nakatitig sa dinadaanan namin. I know he's not drunk, but I could smell a small hint of beer from his mouth earlier when he pulled me into a hug. Ang kaniyang panga'y bahagyang umiigting at nangungunot ang noo, para bang may malalim na iniisip.

We slowed down in front of a 24/7 coffee shop. Philodemus glanced at me. "Dito ka lang muna. I'll order something for us."

My brows shot up. I thought he'd rather spend our time in a cafe, lalo pa ngayong bahagyang umuulan. Philodemus got out of the car and jogged to the cafe. Ihinilig ko ang aking ulo sa bintana ng kaniyang sasakyan. Nang matapos ang kanta ay napatingin ako sa kaniyang phone. I am very tempted to open it, but I respect his privacy. Even though I know the passcode of his iPhone, it doesn't necessarily mean that I can open it anytime I want.

Philodemus came back with two large cups of steaming coffees. Iniabot niya ito sa akin. I held it to my lap as he occupied the driver's seat again and continued driving. May ilang minuto din kami sa kalsada bago ko narealize kung saan kami papunta ngayon.

"Temple?" I turned to him, a bit shocked. The Ma-Cho temple is closed by now. Don't tell me we're going to break our way in?

Philodemus' lips lifted up sexily in a crooked smile. I groaned inside of my head. He's really planning to do it, after all.

Kinakabahan ako sa gagawin namin. Pero nagpatianod pa rin ako. I haven't been to the temple, but I know exactly where it is. Mga turista lang kasi ang madalas na nagpupunta rito. The elegant Ma-cho temple stood proudly in the dark as the two of us sneaked inside.

Hawak ng isang kamay ko ang kapeng binili niya para sa akin kanina at ang isa nama'y nakahawak sa kaniya. He walked fast and confident, as if we are not going into serious trouble once we're caught here.

Mukhang palaging nagpupunta si Philodemus dito dahil alam na niya ang pasikot-sikot. And now that I've thought about it, this is the place where we are supposed to meet. When we were young and stupid to decide that we're going to run away from my family and elope. Sometimes, when I'm alone and I think, I imagine what could've happened to us if we really did run away. Would I end up being happy with him? Or would I end up being a miserable teenage mother who made a huge mistake of trusting her boyfriend?