Chapter Thirty-Three
"UGH," natutop ni Vengeance ang ulo nang gumuhit ang sakit. Sumalubong pa sa kanya ang liwanag mula sa bukas na bintana kaya mabilis siyang dumapa at halos ibaon ang ulo sa unan. Parang may nagaganap na rally sa loob ng kanyang bungo. "Damn it."
"Bumangon ka na. Take a cold shower, and eat this simple breakfast I prepared for you bago ka uminom ng gamot."
Natigilan si Vengeance. Boses iyon ni Meredith. Pero bakit parang hindi?
Am I hallucinating? he asked himself.
"Vengeance, it's almost lunch. Brunch na itong inihanda ko."
She cooked? hindi pa rin makapaniwalang tanong niya sa sarili. I'm really having a bad hangover. I'm hallucinating. Damn, hindi na ako iinom ng alak.
"Vengeance, baka malipasan ka na ng gutom."
She even sound worried, he thought. Looks like this isn't a bad hangover, after all.
He wouldn't mind having a bad hangover kung magiging ganoon ito ka-caring. She's not the sweet type of a woman. Considering all the bad things he did to her in the past, he can't blame her. At ang marinig itong banayad at tila masuyo ang pagsasalita ay isa talagang malaking surpresa. He remained in his position to savor that moment. Bihira lang mangyari ang sandaling iyon na sweet at maalaga ito sa kanya. At least maramdaman niya naman na may asawa na talaga siya.
Pak!
"Aw!" napaigtad siya nang lumagapak ang kanyang puwetan. "What the...?"
Pag-angat niya ng ulo ay ang mukha ng galit na si Meredith ang nakita niya. Now, that's what he called reality. Tapos na ang ilusyon niya.
"Get up and take a shower. Malilipasan ka na ng gutom. Ano'ng oras na?"
He stared at his annoyed wife stupidly.
"V!"
"Uh, okay. Babangon na," he sighed in disappointment pagkaupo sa gilid ng kama.
Tutop ng isang kamay ang ulo ay naglakad siya patungo sa banyo. Nakakailang hakbang na siya nang mapansing wala siya ni isang pirasong saplot sa katawan. Niyuko niya ang sarili. Tulog pa rin ang kanyang magiting na sundalo. Mukha itong pagod. Mag-iisip pa sana siya kung kanino at saan ito napagod nang ilang malalabong eksena ang biglang nagsalimbayan sa kanyang alaala. Bits and pieces of what transpired the previous night came flashing back like a scene from a porn flick.
Awang ang bibig na nilingon niya si Meredith. He caught her staring at his butt. What's on his butt?
When she looked up and found him staring at her quizzically she schooled her features.
"Move it. The food is getting cold," she said in a very strict voice.
He was dumbfounded. He looked at his sleeping member then back to his wife who's carrying a breakfast tray. He doesn't know what to make of that morning. Weird, unexpected, or simply wonderful. He decided to settle on the latter. With a smug smile on his lips, he went inside the bathroom and took a long, cold bath. It's been a while since he felt that good. Medyo parang gumaan na rin ang pakiramdam niya. He felt refresh when he came out from the bathroom wearing a robe. Kinukuskos niya ng tuwalya ang basang buhok nang lumapit kay Meredith na nagsasalin ng kape sa dalawang tasa.
"Tama ba 'yong narinig kong sinabi mo kanina?" tanong niya nang maupo sa upuang katapat nito.
Tumaas ang dalawang kilay nito.
"You cooked?"
"Pagpiprito lang naman 'yan, very basic."
"And the chao fan rice?"
They were having brunch. Meron pang tamarind soup na tamang-tama sa hangover niya.
"Inaral ko lang 'yang chao fan. Parang tulad doon sa kinakainan natin ng tapsi noong araw. Na-miss kong kumain doon."
"Same here. I'm glad you still remember."
"Of course, it's one of the fondest memories I had with you... and Rocky."
Maganda na sana ang dating sa unang linya, kaso may sumingit pang ibang pangalan.
"How is he, by the way?"
"He's fine," his monosyllabic reply.
Napatitig ito sa kanya. At alam niya kung ano ang ibig sabihin ng tinging iyon. She wants him to elaborate. Pero ano nga ba ang puwede pa niyang sabihin dito? Pagkatapos ng tangkang pagsaboy ng asido ni Suzy kay Meredith ay hinanap niya ang babae. Gusto niya itong papanagutin sa ginawang pagtatangka sa buhay ni Meredith. Ngunit nawalang parang bula ang babae. Isa sa kanyang mga tauhan ang nakapagsabi na si Rocky ang huling kasama ni Suzy bago iyon nawala sa Purok 6.
Nang tanungin nila ito ni Bentley kung nasaan na ang babae ang sabi lang nito ay pinatay na nito si Suzy. He didn't believe him. At ganoon din si Bentley, hindi ito naniniwalang magagawa nitong patayin ang babae. To prove his guilt ay sumuko ito sa pulisya para i-report ang sariling krimen. Ngunit hindi sapat ang salita lamang para ma-convict ito sa inaaming kasalanan. At isang mahusay na defense attorney ang nakuha ni Bentley para idepensa ang kapatid. Nakalaya ito at hindi nakulong. But the bond between them fell apart.
"I followed his case," ani Meredith. "Where is Suzy? What did he do to her? Honestly, I don't think he's capable of killing anyone. Least of all, Suzy."
"Iyon din ang palagay namin ni Bentley. But up to the end, iyon ang sinasabi niya."
"His case was dismissed, though, for lack of evidence."
"Yes."
"What happened between you two? Nagkasamaan ba kayo ng loob pagkatapos ng mga nangyari? I didn't see him after his case was dismissed. Si Bentley na lamang ang parati kong nakikita na kasama mo."
"He left."
"I see," halata ang lungkot at tila disappointment sa tono ni Meredith. "That's sad."
Itanggi man niya pero may isang bahagi sa pagkatao niya ang nasaktan sa mga nangyari. Na tila lalo pang pinabigat nang isang araw ay bigla na lamang magpakasal si Meredith kay Ramil Zamora. It's one of the lowest point in his life. At sa galit niya nga ay dinukot niya si Meredith matapos ang kasal nito kay Ramil...
.
"WALANGHIYA ka talaga! Ibalik mo ako sa asawa ko, ibalik mo ako sa kanya!" galit na umatake si Meredith kay Vengeance nang magising ito sa isang hindi pamilyar na silid.
Vengeance managed to block and avoid her kicks and punches. Nang mahuli niya ang dalawang braso nito ay malakas niya itong itinulak sa kama. Sa gulat nito ay hindi ito kaagad naka-react. At bago pa man ito makabangon ay mabilis na niya itong dinaganan. He pinned her hands above her head and locked her thighs between his legs.
"You betrayed me," puno ng galit na akusa niya rito.
"Who betrayed who, really?" sarkastikong sagot nito sa kanya. "Sa pagkakaalam ko ay wala akong binitwang salita o pangako sa'yo."
Tama ito. He assumed that everything was sealed and agreed upon the night he took her innocence. At dahil wala ring pagtutol dito sa ilang beses na naulit pa ang mga tagpong iyon sa pagitan nila, masyado siyang nakampante na magpapakasal ito sa kanya sa itinakdang panahon. He should have known, Meredith is clever. Kung noong una ay napaikot niya ito, sa pagkakataong iyon ay siya naman ang napaglaruan ng dalaga.
"Very well, I will just kill your husband and marry you after you become a widow."
"Do that and I will kill you myself," she hissed venomously.
"You love him that much?" nakangising tanong niya ngunit ang totoo'y labis siyang nasasaktan. People only see the surface. But deep inside him there's a lonely boy longing to be loved.
"What's not to love? He's your complete opposite."
"Ah, my complete opposite. Enlighten me, please."
"You're a monster."
"I bet he's an angel."
"Oh, he is. And a whole lot more. That's why I love him."
Para iyong kutsilyong bumaon sa kaibuturan ng kanyang dibdib. And there's more that brought a sting to his eyes.
"I will never love you as much as I love Ram."
He gritted his teeth. But he hide his emotion well. Too well that he managed to fool even himself.
"Fuck love. I don't need it."
"Then why bother with all of this?" ang tila naguguluhang tanong nito.
"Because you're mine. And I haven't had my fill of you yet."
Tila dalawang bolang apoy na biglang nagbaga ang mga mata nito sa sinabi niya.
"Fight me or submit yourself to me freely. You choose, giliw, because I will have you either way."
"For someone who doesn't need love why force yourself on someone who hates you to the core?"
"Ever heard of the word obsession?"
"You're crazy."
"From a monster to a loony. That's rich. What will you call me next?"
"You're a bastard."
"I am more than that."
Mariing nagtiim ang mga labi nito. Tila kayrami pa nitong gustong ibatong maaanghang na salita ngunit inaawat lamang ang sarili.
"How long are you gonna keep me here? My husband is probably worried sick by now."
"You texted him a while back."
"What?!"
"Of course, it wasn't you. You were sleeping like a log during our long drive. I told him--me pretending to be you--that you need a few days all to yourself to think things."
"You're... you're a fucking lunatic!"
"I'm the worst person there is, M. Believe me, I can do the most unimaginable thing when it comes to you."
Bahagyang namilog ang mga mata nito sa sinabi niya.
"Now, where were we?"
"How long are you planning to keep me here? Mag-aalala ang Mommy ko kapag hindi niya ako nakausap sa loob ng ilang araw. And she is not well."
"It all depends on you, M. If you can satisfy me in just a few days, you're free. I won't bother you anymore."
Ilang sandali itong napatitig sa kanya. Parang naninigurado na nagsasabi siya ng totoo.
"Do you want me to sign it with my blood?" he asked sardonically.
"Fine. Pumapayag na ako."
Siya naman ang nagulat sa mabilis na pagpayag nito. Ang buong akala niya ay kakailanganin pa nila ang mahabang diskusyon tungkol doon.
"Good. Let's proceed with the honeymoon," he said with a smirk.
"Honeymoon my ass."
He tsked before he sealed her lips with a hard and deep kiss that drove the breath out from their lungs. He had been itching to steal a kiss from her but he waited for the right moment. And his patience got paid. God, she has the most intoxicating lips he had ever tasted. He let go of her hands but he didn't completely let his guard down. He taught her how to defend herself, after all. And he taught her well that she knows how to immobilize someone by targeting their vulnerable spots.
He removed her white dress. Simpleng puting bestida lamang iyon na may zipper sa likuran. Na nang maibaba niya ay kusang hinubad at sinipa ni Meredith sa kanilang paanan. When he saw her wearing a pair of very sexy lingerie, lihim siyang nakadama ng pagdiriwang. Kung hindi niya ito dinukot pagkatapos ng kasal nito kay Zamora, maaaring sa mga sandaling iyon ay ang lalaking iyon ang nakatingin sa kagandahang nakalatag sa harapan niya.
He brushed those thoughts off and removed his own clothes. Tanging ang boxers niya lamang ang natira nang paibabawan niya si Meredith. He caressed her face with the back of his hand, tracing the delicate details of her lovely features with his fingers. Her mouth gaped as if she was about to say something but he pulled her in his arms. His lips landed down on hers in a fiery kiss, snatching the breath out of her and left her panting. His lips moved down to her chin, leaving openmouthed kisses at the base of her neck, over her collarbone to the valley between her breasts. She has a very addicting scent. And it seemed to be coming from the center of her chest.
He licked the delicate swell of her breasts, flicking his tongue over the lacy fabric of her brassiere. Aninag niya ang pinkish nitong mga nipples na ngayo'y parang mga kawal ng sandatahan na nakasaludo sa kanya at nagpupugay.
He heard Meredith took a deep, quivering breath as she unclasped her bra. She let it fall off her breasts, leaving her chest bare. Not a second was wasted when he bent over and took one pebbly nipple into his mouth. She gasped, her breath broke into short, breathy whimpers. Then her hands wound around his neck, pulling him closer as though she didn't want to lose contact with his mouth on her nipple. Nagpalipat-lipat ang bibig niya roon habang ang isa niyang kamay ay humahaplos at pumipisil sa iba't ibang parte ng katawan nito. Sinapo niya ng kamay ang pang-upo nito at marahang pinisil, pahapyaw niyang pinaraan ng hagod ang slit ng puwetan patungo sa pinakamaselang parte nito. Muli itong suminghap kasabay ang banayad na pag-igtad ng katawan.
Patuloy niyang siniil ng halik ang paligid ng dibdib nito. Swirling his tongue over the turgid tip before taking it deep into his mouth and sucking it like a hungry infant. He did it several times, leaving Meredith breathless and shuddering.
"Ooh, ga--" she covered her mouth to stifle her moans.
But Vengeance removed her hand and replaced it with his lips. He gave her an openmouthed kiss as his hand headed lower at the juncture of her thighs. Her body writhed as soon as his fingers made contact with her flesh.
"You're soaking wet, M," he whispered against her lips.
She squirmed, her cheeks turned beet red. He didn't gloat. Nor did he try to mock her about it. Instead he stroked her, gliding his digits up and down between her very slick lilies. She hummed and closed her eyes when he found her clit. He focused his attention in that sweet little bud, earning a loud moan from Meredith as she threw her head back into the pillows when she reached her first climax. Her toes curled and uncurled as ripple after ripple of delicious sensation engulfed her.
"Ooh, gad."
Vengeance pulled down his own boxers. Hinawi niya lamang sa gilid ang suot na lacy thong ni Meredith at inihagod sa basang-basa pa nitong pagkababae ang ulo ng kanyang ari.
"Spread your thighs wider, M."
She obeyed without a word. She even held her undies on the side to allow him more access.
"You have a very lovely pussy, giliw," at hindi niya naawat ang sariling yukuin ito at hagurin ng kanyang dila.
"Oh, shit! Vengeance!" hindi niya ito tinigilang dilaan at sipsipin hanggang sa muli itong manginig at labasan.
Awang ang mga labi na napasinghap ng hangin si Meredith. He kneeled down between her opened thighs and rubbed the head of his cock against her pulsing clit. And then slowly, he pressed into her. Their eyes locked as their bodies melded into one. He raised her legs and kissed it as he gently pulled out and pushed back in. Nakita niya ang pag-uulap ng mga mata ni Meredith sa bawat hugot-baon niya. May isang bahagi sa kanya ang nag-iilusyon--umaasa--na hindi ito napipilitan lang sa lahat ng iyon. That somehow she wanted it, too. That she craved it as much as he does. Na para bang ang bawat katapusan ng kanilang pagtatalik ay isa lamang simula. Like it was never enough.
Gradually, his thrusts gained momentum. And Meredith clung to him as though her life depended on him. Moaning and panting for precious breath, she matched his movements thrust for thrust.
"Oh, gosh," she whimpered.
An animal-like growl vibrated from the back of his throat. "Fuck. You're like a drug, M... addicting but prohibited."
He grabbed her hips. Nagkaroon ng desperasyon ang mga ulos niya. Madiin at mabilis. He was getting close to the precipice. At nararamdaman niyang ganoon din si Meredith. Pahigpit nang pahigpit ang mga yakap nito at ramdam niya ang pagbaon ng mga kuko nito sa kanyang balat.
"Oh, shit... I'm gonna... oooh, gaaad!"
He plunged into her fast and hard, pumping heat after heat until they both reached their summit.
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frozen delights