Nagising si Tadz na ramdam ang pangangawit sa bandang hita niya. Tila ba may kung anong mabigat na nakadagan doon na nagdulot ng pamamanhid nito.
She tried to move her leg but much to her dismay, she didn't able to.
She opened her eyes and her gaze instantly went down to know what was that heavy thing leaning on her legs.
Ang pagkalaki-laki palang hita ng amo niya ang nakadantay roon!
Sinubukan niyang alisin ang pagkakadagan ng binti nito sa hita niya pero hindi siya nagtagumpay. Mabigat kasi iyon. Ang laki rin kasi namang tao ng mokong na ito!
Ilang beses pa niyang sinubukang alisin ang pagkakapatong ng binti nito pero wala talaga. Instead, her boss just stirred, scooted closer to her and in one swift move, his right arm was suddenly wrapped around her waist.
He's hugging her from behind! What the f*ck!
"Gosh!" She huffed.
What happened to their pillow barricades?
Tsk
Sinabi na nga ba niyang hindi magandang ideya na patulugin ito sa tabi niya.
Bakit ba kasi siya nakaramdam ng konsensya kaninang madaling araw nang makita niya itong pabaling-baling sa higaan at tila hindi makatulog?
"Get your hands off me, Mr. de Dios," mariing utos niya. Sigurado siyang gising na ito at pinaglalaruan lang siya.
"Isa!" banta niya nang wala siyang nakuhang reaksyon mula rito.
She's uncomfortable with their position. Lalo pa't nararamdaman na naman niya sa may bandang tagiliran niya ang matigas na bagay na pag-aari nito.
"Dalawa . . . " Wala pa rin. Nanatili pa ring nakayakap ang braso nito sa baywang niya habang ang binti ay nakapatong sa hita niya.
"Tatlo!" That's then she finally turned to face him. But when she did, she suddenly stilled when she saw his face. Ang nakangising mukha kasi nito ang inaasahan niyang matatagpuan ng mga mata niya pero hindi. What he saw was his gorgeous sleeping face. Medyo magulo man ang buhok nito, hindi iyon nakabawas sa kagwapuhang taglay nito. In fact, nakadagdag pa nga ata iyon sa appeal nito. His eyes were still closed, pero alam niyang nakakahalina iyon. His gray eyes never fails to captivate her. Madalas ay iniiwasan niya lang mapatingin sa mga iyon sa takot na baka malunod siya sa mga titig nito. His eyes are really beautiful lalo na't napapalibutan iyon ng mahahabang pilik mata. His nose, it's perfect and his lips . . . Wala sa loob na napalunok siya nang bumaba ang tingin niya sa mga labi nito. It was naturally red like an apple. She suddenly felt the urge to have a taste of it.
What the heck, Tadhana?!
Just when she was about to turn her back at him, embarassed at herself, bigla na lamang niyang naramdaman ang pagsapo ng mga kamay nito sa mukha niya at ang mabilis na paglapat ng mga labi nito sa kaniya.
Nanlaki ang mga mata niya at napaawang ang bibig niya dahil sa pagkabigla. And Aeon took that opportunity to let his hot tongue delve in her mouth.
Tadhana gasped when she felt his tongue urging hers to battle with his but she remained stupefied at that moment.
Her mind went completely blank.
The taste of his sweet tongue intoxicates her senses.
Ninanakaw ng halik nito ang natitirang matinong pag-iisip niya like it always does to her.
Kaya ayaw na ayaw niyang hinahalikan siya nito eh. She always loses control of herself and she hated it.
She also hates the feeling that comes along with his kiss. It was foreign to her but she knows exactly what it is. Ayaw niya lang iyong bigyang pangalan.
"Kiss me back, baby." His voice was husky and low, so hipnotizing.
Lalo iyong nagdulot ng init sa pakiramdam niya.
She was feeling hot and she could feel the fluttering of butterflies in her stomach plus the tingling sensation down her belly. Sari-saring emosyon dulot ng halik nito.
"I said kiss me back, love," again he urged using his seductive bedroom voice. He was nibbling her lips, sucking and licking it while her mind stays in chaos.
There was a battle going on in her head. Nagtatalo ang isip niya kung pipigilan ba ito sa ginagawa o tutugunin ang masarap na halik nito nang kasing alab at kasing init din ng paghalik nito. Until she realized she needed to do the latter. Not only because it wasn't what her body desires but it was what needed to be done to realize her plan.
She has to be Aeon's karma?
So she should act like one NOW.
So without letting any second pass, she kissed him back with the same intensity. Halatang nagulat ito nung una pero alam niyang nagustuhan nito ang ginawa niya. She could feel his smile between their kisses.
Tadhana closed her eyes when his warm lips went to her jaw and planted wet kisses down her neck. Kasabay niyon ay naramdaman niya ang pagpasok ng mga kamay nito sa long-sleeved pajama top niya at ang marahang paghaplos ng mga palad nito sa likuran niya.
Bahagya pa siyang napaigtad at napaungol nang maramdaman ang magkahalong kiliti at init na dulot ng mga palad nito.
His lips went back to her slightly opened mouth. Muli ay nilamukos nito ng halik ang mga labi niya kasabay ng pagtaas baba ng mga palad nito sa likuran niya.
"Gosh! Am I really allowing him to touch me like this?" pag-kwestyon niya sa desisyon niya sa buhay.
Nakakaramdam pa lamang siya ng pagsisisi ay saka naman niya naramdaman ang biglang pag-unhook ng magaling niyang amo sa bra niya. Then even before she could stop him, she felt his warm hand on her left breast.
Her bosom was still fully covered with her thick-foamed bra but Holy Moly! Bakit nararamdaman pa rin niya ang init na nagmumula sa palad ng lalaki? Or was that her body that was in heat?
Gosh!
Hindi niya maiwasang mapapikit nang mariin sa naisip.
"F*ck!"
Kaagad siya nagmulat ng mga mata ng marinig ang tila ba frustrated na biglang pagmumura ng amo niya. His brows were arching, his lips were forming a thin line. He looked annoyed.
"What the hell?"
Aeon quickly went out of the bed and strode across the room. And looking out the window, he shouted in a dangerous tone,
"CASSIDYYYYYYYY!"
Out of curiosity, mabilis na bumangon din siya sa kama, inayos ang sarili at nagmamadaling sinundan ito.
"Anong meron?" she asked, her brows furrowed.
Nakita niya ang pinsan nitong si Cassidy sa ibaba. Lumabi pa ito sa pinsan nitong hindi maipinta ang mukha sa inis.
"That kid! She filmed us!" nanggagalaiting turan ni Aeon.
"Anong ibig mong sabihin?"
"Look at her. She'll really do everything to spy on us and to prove her assumption about us."
Noon niya lang napansin ang itim na hawak nito. It was a drone. Sa pagkakaalam ni Tadz ay ginagamit ang bagay na iyon upang makakuha ng shots mula sa itaas.
"Ibig sabihin . . ." Natigilan siya sa naisip.
Ang batang ito!
"Akala yata niya hindi ko mahahalata ang ginagawa niya."
"Paano ba niya naipasok dito sa loob ang drone?"
"Probably because of this broken window." Tukoy niya sa parehong bintana na nabuksan ng malakas na hangin kaninang madaling araw. Nabuksan na naman siguro iyon kanina.
"Did you get what you're looking for huh?" sigaw ni Aeon mula sa itaas. "Did it satisfy your curiosity, you little brat?"
For the second time, Cassidy stuck her tongue at Aeon then immediately ran away when she heard her dad's voice calling her.
"Such an immature brat!'' Aeon blurted out.
Natawa na lang silang pareho rito.
"Mabuti na lang lagi tayong handa," malaki ang ngising saad ni Aeon sa kaniya. "Hindi talaga titigil ang batang iyon na mapatunayan ang hinala niya. That's why we should always be in acting mode even in private. Kaya halika na." Hinawakan nito ang kamay niya sabay hila sa kaniya. "Let's continue what we started." There was a playful expression on his face.
"Ituloy mo mag-isa!"Irap niya rito saka binawi ang kamay niyang hawak nito.
"Ito naman, uminit agad ang ulo porke't nabitin," Aeon said bluntly.
What the h*ck!
"Anong sinabi mo?"
"Wala,"nakangising turan nito. " Ang sabi ko tara na sa ibaba. Mukhang nagugutom na itong dalawa pa nating audience eh."
Sukat sa narinig ay naramdaman niya ang biglang pag-init ng magkabilang pisngi niya. Lalo na nang makitang nakatayo sa crib ang dalawa at nakatunghay sa kanila.
She just can't imagine the twins watching them as they licked and lapped each other's lips.
She mentally face-palmed.
"I'm sorry, kids!"
"Mama, Dada!" The twins cheerfully said in unison. Pareho pang nakataas ang mga kamay ng mga ito na tila ba excited na magpabuhat sa kanila.
Para na namang hinahaplos ang puso niya sa narinig. Nakakagaan talaga ng damdamin marinig ang mga boses nito na tinatawag siyang mama. They always call her that but it never really fails to make her heart flutter. It always makes her day.
Tadz lifted Baby Deo up and carried her in her arms while Baby Dea was in her Dad's.
"Thank you for the wonderful morning kiss, love,"malaki ang ngiting bulong ni Aeon sa kaniya nang pababa na sila ng hagdan.
Natigilan siya sa paghakbang. Kinilabutan man at kumabog nang malakas ang dibdib niya sa ginawa nito'y sinubukan pa rin niyang i-compose ang sarili.
"It's nothing, babe." She gave him her sweetest smile that made him stilled.
She tiptoed and leaned her mouth closer to his ear and in low, alluring voice, she said,
"In fact, I'm willing to break my own rule just to have a taste of your delectable lips."
Natawa si Tadz nang marahan nang makita ang ekspresyong biglang lumarawan sa mukha nito. He looks amazed, doubtful and confused at the same time.
~~~
Ang nagkakagulong pamilya ni Aeon ang nadatnan nila sa comedor. Sentro ng komosyong iyon ang pilyang pinsan nito na si Cassidy. Nakatayo ito sa ibabaw ng upuan at itinataas ang cellphone nito na pilit inaabot ng daddy nito.
"Give me that f*cking phone, Cassidy Nicolette!" may pagbabanta sa boses na sigaw ng daddy nito.
"Ang bibig mo, Ryker. Nasa hapag kainan tayo," paalala ni Lola Celestia.
"Ito naman kasing apo niyo, pinapainit na naman ang ulo ko," reklamo nito.
"Kanino ba naman magmamana 'yan kung hindi sa'yo," naiiling na saad ni Lolo Nando.
"What's happening here, Tito?" Aeon interrupted.
"Gabby told me that this naughty little kid did something bad to you two." Si Tita Cassandra ang siyang sumagot.
"I'm not a kid anymore, Mom!"
"Well, you're acting like one!"
Like the immature teen that she is, she rolled her eyes at her mom.
"That's right, Kuya. She showed me a video of you and ate . . . . in your bed . . . kissing." Napansin ni Tadz na tila pigil na pigil ni Gabby ang kilig habang sinasabi 'yon. Siya naman halos matunaw na sa kahihiyan. Ramdam na ramdam niya ang biglang pag-init ng magkabilang pisngi niya. The fudge!
"Isn't that normal? They're a couple afterall."
Napadako ang tingin ni Tadz sa nagsalita. Una niyang napansin ang dimples sa magkabilang pisngi nito. Nakadagdag iyon sa kapogiang taglay ng estrangherong lalaki na nakaupo sa tabi ni Gabby.
"Hi, I'm Mac Kenzo, Aeon's cousin." Marahan nitong inilapag ang hawak na kubyertos at tumayo ito sa kinauupuan saka inilahad ang kamay sa kaniya.
"I'm Tadz, Aeon's uhm wife." Tinanggap niya ang pakikipagkamay nito. "And these are o-our twins, Deo and Dea," nakangiting pagpapakilala niya sa kambal.
"Nice meeting you, babies. I'm your Tito Mackzy," magiliw na pagpapakilala nito sa sarili sa kambal.
"Kelan ka pa rito sa Pilipinas?" kaswal na tanong ni Aeon sa pinsan.
"I got here last night."
"Mackzy, you're right. It's normal for Aeon and Tadz to kiss and make out since they're husband and wife but what's not normal was this naughty teen flying a freaking drone to film them just so she could spy on them and justify her assumption."
Napansin ni Tadz na kumunot ang noo ni Mac Kenzo.
"Assumption?"
"Yeah. She believes we're not a real couple, "Tadz answered.
"She thought Kuya and Ate are just pretending. Cassie even thought that Deo and Dea are not their babies," sabad naman ni Gabby. "Eh tingnan mo nga, Kuya oh. Kamukhang-kamukha nila 'yong dalawa. Dea got more of Kuya Aeon's feature while Deo got his' from Ate Tadz. Ang cute nga nilang tingnan eh."
"Let me inspect, mmm."
Tadz felt suddenly awkward when Mac Kenzo examined them like they were some specimen under a microscope. Nagpalipat-lipat ang tingin nito sa kanilang apat and after a few seconds, napatango-tango ito.
"Well, judging from the way they all looked, one can surely tell they're family. Si Baby Girl, she looks like Aeon while the little boy kinda looks like Tadz."
It wasn't her first time hearing from people that the twins kinda looked like her. Una iyong nasabihan ng mommy ni Aeon nang makilala niya ito sa hotel.
Kaya nga hindi ito nagduda na siya ang mommy ng kambal. Ang kamalian nga lamang niya ay hindi niya iwinasto ang akala nito. Ewan nga ba niya kung bakit.
Ang pangalawa naman na nagsabi niyon ay si Tita Cassandra. She said that the twins look like them when she defended the two of them from her silly daughter.
At heto nga sa pangatlong pagkakataon ay nasabihan muli ang tungkol doon.
Hindi niya tuloy maiwasang maisip, was there really an uncanny resemblance between her and the twins specifically Baby Deo? O nagiging kamukha lang niya ito dahil siya ang lagi nitong nakakasama?
Ganoon daw kasi iyon minsan. Kapag laging magkasama, nagiging magkamukha na.
Ganoon man ang nasa isip niya'y tila iba ang naging pakiramdam niya.
She just felt in her heart that something isn't right. Hindi lang niya matukoy iyon.
"Ano ba kayo? Will everyone go back to eating? Masamang nagdidiskusyon sa harap ng pagkain,"pagsaway ni Lola Celestia. "Tadz, Aeon, maupo na kayo. Saluhan n'yo na kami sa pagkain."
They don't need to be told twice para sumunod sila sa utos ng matanda. She's the matriach afterall.
~~~~~
"Who would have thought that the well-known womanizer Aeon Grae de Dios will turn out to be a responsible family man?"
Aeon who was busy showing Baby Deo the horses in the stable turned his back to where he heard Mac Kenzo's voice.
He saw him walking confidently towards them, his hands on the pockets of his cargo pants.
He had no idea if his cousin was mocking him or he was complimenting him. But based from the smirk on his face, Aeon could tell that it was more of a mockery.
Sa lahat ng pinsan niyang lalaki, ito ang pinakamalayo ang loob sa kaniya. Hindi niya alam kung dahil ba iyon sa kadahilanang sa Canada na ito nakatira at ang buong pamilya nito simula noong nag-ten years old ito o sadyang hindi lang click ang personality nilang dalawa kaya madalas ay hindi niya ito kinakausap at pinagtutuunang pansin.
"Well, people change."
"Or better say, love changes people." Hindi pa rin inaalis ang smirk sa mukha nito.
His eyebrows furrowed.
"What do you mean?"
"Try to observe yourself, Aeon. Are you the same person that you were few weeks or months ago?"
Lalo yatang lumalim ang gatla sa noo niya nang sabihin iyon.
"You're talking in a different language, Mac Kenzo. I don't understand you," he commented.
Ano ba kasing pinagsasasabi nito?
Aeon knows his cousin is a well-known psychologist but why don't he tell him straight to his face what he really meant? Hindi 'yong pinag-iisip pa siya nito.
"How did you meet her?" Tanong nito mayamaya.
Nilingon niya ang tinitingnan nito. Nakita niya si Tadz kasama ang magkakapatid na sina Gabby, Hiraya, Mithi at Likha na masayang nagkukwentuhan at nagkukulitan sa damuhan. Sa tabi ng mga ito ay naroon at naglalaro naman sina Baby Dea, Cairo at si Leon.
"She seems nice."
Muli siyang napalingon sa mukha ng pinsan. His brows arked when he noticed him observing the nanny carefully. Ngumiti ito nang marinig ang tawanan ng mga babae.
"She's not only nice. She's great."
"Anong nagustuhan mo sa kaniya?" Mac Kenzo asked bluntly still not ripping his gaze off Tadz.
Bakit ba napapansin niyang kanina pa nito inoobserbahan ang yaya ng kambal? Maging habang kumakain sila ng almusal kanina ay nakita niyang pasulyap-sulyap ito kay Tadz.
Was he just observing her or does she pique his curiosity?
"Why would I tell you? You might just like my wife the same way I do." Aeon scoffed.
Ewan ba niya pero nag-iinit ang ulo niya sa tanong ng pinsan.
Why would he ask him such question?
Duda ba ito sa kaniya?
"So possessive." To add up to Aeon's sudden change of temper, he smirked at him again. "Can't it be that I just wanna know her since she's my cousin's wife? Gusto ko lang din malaman kung anong nagustuhan niya sa'yo."
His head snapped at his cousin. "At anong tingin mo sa akin, hindi kagusto-gusto?"
Sa tono kasi ng pananalita nito'y parang duda ito kung bakit siya nagustuhan ni Tadz.
Isn't he likeable enough for someone not to fall for him?
F*ck! His cousin, he's making his blood boil. He's ruining his supposed to be a wonderful day!
"Hindi ako ang nagsabi niyan," nakangising turan nito. "I was just wondering what she likes about you."
"Why don't you go and ask her? Then come back here and tell me." Sarcasm was evident in Aeon's voice.
His patience was wearing thin. Kaunti na lang ay mapagtataasan na niya ito ng boses. Mabuti na lang at mabilis itong nawala sa tabi niya at . . . .
F*ck!
"Come back here, idiot!"
Tinawanan lang siya nito at nagpatuloy sa paghakbang patungo sa kinaroroonan nina Tadz. Prenteng umupo pa ito sa tabi ng yaya ng kambal.
Pinapatid talaga ng magaling niyang pinsan ang natitirang pasensiya niya!
~~~~
"Can I join you, guys?"
Tiningala ni Tadz ang nagsalita. Si Mac Kenzo iyon. Nakangiti itong naglalakad palapit sa kanila.
"Yeah, sure." Sinuklian niya ito ng ngiti.
Mac Kenzo comfortably sit-indian sit style- few centimeters away from her.
Tadz suddenly felt uncomfortable having him closer to her. Lalo na nang nakangiti pa ring pumirmi ang paningin nito sa kaniyang mukha.
"Bakit?" she asked, referring to why he was staring weirdly at her.
Tadz pretended to adjust her eyeglasses to somehow distract Mac Kenzo but his mere gaze was still glued to her face. Kaya naman bahagya na lang niyang iniiwas ang paningin dito. Nakakatunaw naman kasi ang paraan ng pagtitig nito.
"Mas maganda ka pala sa malapitan."
Automatikong sumilay ang ngiti sa kaniyang mga labi kasabay ng pag-init ng magkabila niyang pisngi.
Napagtanto niyang mag-pinsan nga ito at ang boss niya. Pareho kasing bolero at sigurado siyang pati ito'y matinik pagdating sa mga babae.
Hindi rin naman kasi magpapahuli ang taglay nitong kagwapuhan. Mac Kenzo looks really cute with his chinky eyes, pointed nose and perfect shape of lips. Mas lalo pang nakadagdag sa kapogian nito ang mga biloy sa magkabilang pisngi nito. Tadz was pretty sure that many woman are falling for his undeniable charm.
"You know what, I could conclude na magpinsan nga kayo ni Aeon. Pareho kasi kayong bolero."
"I don't like it when someone is comparing me to somebody especially to Aeon. We're two different individuals. There should be no comparison between us."
"I'm sorry," Tadz apologized. Napansin niya kasing nag-iba ang aura ni Mac Kenzo dahil sa sinabi niya.
"It's perfectly fine,"nakangiti na ulit na sabi nito. "And I'm not lying. You really look prettier up close."
"Salamat," nahihiya pang pagpapasalamat niya.
"Though we just met earlier, I can assume that you're a kind and nice woman," he complimented afterwards.
"She really is, Kuya," Mithi butt in, beaming. "I like her more than Ate Cassidy."
"I like her too," segunda naman nina Hiraya at Likha.
"Ikaw, Kuya Mackzy, don't you have plans to get your own girl and get married?" Gabby asked. The subject "love" really fascinates her.
"I do have but I'm still looking for a perfect bride," nakangiting tugon ni Mackzy.
"Sabi sa nabasa ko, hindi raw kasi 'yon hinahanap, Kuya. Kusa raw 'yong dumadating."
"I guess I don't need to wait for her anymore 'cause you know why? I think I've already found her," saad nito sabay lingon kay Tadz. Na-conscious pa siya nang ilang sandaling muling tumitig ito sa mukha niya.
"Really, Kuya?"
"Yeah, but too bad, she's already taken."
"She really is so go get yourself your own woman, Mac Kenzo!"
Nagulat silang lahat nang bigla na lang lumitaw sa harapan nila ang tila nag-iinit ang ulong si Aeon.
Unang hinanap ng mga mata ni Tadz si Baby Deo nang napansin niyang hindi na nito karga ang sanggol. Naroon na rin pala ito sa damuhan, masayang nakikipaglaro sa kakambal at sa mga pinsan.
"Why? What did I do?"
"Just f*ck off, Mac Kenzo,"angil nito sabay baling kay Tadz. "Honey, let's go inside. I have something to tell you."
Hindi na siya nagreklamo nang inilahad nito ang kamay nito sa kaniya para tulungan siyang tumayo.
"What was that? Why are you so mean to him?" Hindi pa man sila nakakalayo ay pinigilan niya ito sa paglalakad.
"Can't you see? That son of gun was trying to seduce you!"
Kumunot ang noo niya dahil sa sinabi nito.
"Ano? Anong seduce? He was just being nice."
Marahas itong bumuga ng hangin na para bang pinipigilan ang sariling sumabog.
"I don't get why you can't see it. He was just flirting with you."
"And you don't?"
Doon ito natigilan. Umawang ang labi nito ngunit walang salitang lumabas mula roon.
"But you allowed me to,"he countered after few seconds had passed.
"Then why did you get so grumpy all of a sudden? Are you jealous?" Hindi na niya napigilan ang sariling itanong iyon. Para naman kasi itong isang nagseselos na asawa o boyfriend kung umakto.
Medyo nakakatakot kaya ang itsura nito kanina kaya walang reklamong nagpatianod siya rito.
"What?! Why would I be jealous?"
"Bakit nga ba?" balik-tanong niya rito sabay ngiti. Then Tadz took a step forward closer to him and clung her right arm on his neck.
Halata niyang nagulat ito sa ginawa niya pero kailangan niyang gawin iyon. It's part of her plan anyway-to trap him, seduce him and make him fall for her. At kapag nagtagumpay siyang gawin iyon, if he already fell madly and deeply in love with her, she'll drop him off like a hot potato.
It's what he always does to his girls, right?
Ano kaya ang mararamdaman nito sa oras na ginawa niya iyon dito?
Tadz wonders.
"Huwag ka ng magselos, baby. It's only you I'll allow to be flirting me with,"may pang-aakit na saad niya saka marahang hinaplos ng libreng palad ang makinis na mukha nito.
She smirked when she noticed him suddenly stiffened. His Adam's apple bobbed up and down and his gaze was fixated at her lips.
She felt his want to kiss her so she closed the gap between their lips. Ilang segundo lang ang lumipas at tinugon agad nito ang kaniyang paghalik.
Magkahugpong pa rin ang mga labi nila nang bigla na lamang mula sa kung saan ay lumitaw sa harapan nila ang isang puting kabayo. Dahil sa gulat ay kumalas sila sa isa't-isa at sabay na dumako ang atensyon sa magandang babaeng sakay ng kabayo.
"Sahara . . . " Narinig ni Tadz na usal ni Aeon.
The good-looking cowgirl got down from her horse in one smooth move. Pinoproseso pa lamang ni Tadz kung paano ito nakababa nang ganoon kaswabe sa kabayo nang biglang nasa harapan nila ito, malaki ang ngiti partikular na sa katabi niya.
"Hey, long time no see, AG. You know I miss you so much, lovey."
Natulos na lang sa kinatatayuan si Tadz nang makitang bigla na lang nitong niyakap at hinalikan sa pisngi ang kaniyang pekeng asawa.