PANAY ANG suklay sa buhok niya si Lorch gamit ang kamay dahil sa inis.
Tang'na talaga minsan ang mga kapatid niya. What were they thinking having lunch with Saskia?!
Fuck!
"Boss-"
"Quit it, will you?" Sinamaan niya ng tingin ang babae na sinamahan niya sa sasakyan nito.
Bakit kailangan niyang samahan? Tang'na 'di niya alam.
"You call my brothers by their name there but why fucking can't you do the same with me?"
"Because they're not my boss."
"They are your boss indirectly," Lorch said under his breath as he tries to clear his fucking chaotic head.
Saskia huffed then closed her eyes tightly before opening it again with a glare.
"Fine! If that makes you less an arse-"
"I'm fucking not an arse!" He disagreed and scowled. "Is that what my brothers told you I am?"
Tinaasan siya nito ng kilay. "No. It is what I see on you." Sinipat siya nito mula ulo hanggang paa. "You're demanding. Ang hirap mong pakitunguhan pagmainit ang ulo mo. Masahol ka pa sa pusang nangangati pero walang mahanap na kakamot-"
"What the fuck?" Lorch looked at the woman incredulously. "You call me an arse now you compare me to a cat, are you fucking real?"
Naglapat ang labi nito at bago pa siya makalayo ay hawak na nito ang buhok niya at sunabunutan siya saka walang anong kinagat ang tenga niya.
"Aaaw!!! Fuck! Woman! Ouch!!!" Lorch gritted his teeth and without thinking much, he pinned Saskia against her car, gripping her waist while wrapping his hand around her neck to choke her but he couldn't.
He couldn't...
He can't stomach hurting her. Not to mention his brothers are there, watching them, ready to beat him to a pulp if he hurts this woman. That for sure.
Damn it!
"Fucking let go!" Sigaw niya. Tang'na! Ang sakit!
"Gago! 'Wag mo ako minumura ng minumura!" Sigaw nito sa kanya saka tinulak siya matapos itong bumitaw.
Lorch stared at her in disbelief while holding his ear. "Do you fucki-"
"Isa!" Bulyaw nito. "One more cuss and you'll be cupping your dick." Banta nito na mabilis niyang kinalayo sa dalaga habang pinipigilang sapuhin ang pagkalalaki niya para lang makasiguro na hindi siya luluhod pagginawa talaga nito ang banta.
"Geez... woman! I'm your boss-"
"And I'm calling you boss so don't press me to call you by your name otherwise!" Binuksan nito ang sasakyan bago siya muling nilingon. "Don't even expect me to put up with your foul attitude because I will not. Never will. Kahit sino ka pa."
Lorch runs his fingers again through his hair while taking a deep breath to compose himself.
Tang'na bakit ba ang hirap maging kalmado pag ito kaharap niya? He's known to be composed and calm given any circumstances but damn it! He can't get to when he is around her. Fucking maddening!
"Okay fine- my apologies if I was a jerk and kept on cussing," he apologized, huffing.
"Ang hirap bigkasin ng sorry no?" She pointed out filled with sarcasm while looking at him.
Lorch closed his eyes. No 'cuz sorry is only for my loved ones.
He opens his eyes and stared at her, tilting his head a little.
"How are you?" he asked.
Ilang linggo niya rin itong hindi nakita pero alam niya lahat ng ginagawa nito.
"Great. 'Kaw?"
"Same," he lied with a nonchalant shrug.
The weeks that passed that he didn't see her personally were not great. Barely. Madami siyang iniisip at trinabaho.
Saskia smirked while shaking her head, not believing him. "Kitang-kita ko sa mata mo na hindi. 'Wag mong ipilit boss," anito saka naupo na sa loob ng sasakyan nito.
Bahagyang kumunot ang noo niya sa sinabi nito. "What do you see in my eyes?"
"Tiredness and frustration- anger."
Lorch was taken aback. That's really what he feels right now and from the past days. It only sobers up when he's with his family or friends. And it's impressive she's seeing that.
Nonetheless, he's able to keep it cool and collect. But why can't he when he's around her? Bakit pagnasa paligid ito ay para siyang sasabog lagi? Lagi siyang tuliro at kinakabahan? Yamot? Galit?
"Well, life is tough," he quipped, shaking off the thought.
"But don't lash it out to people around you," anito. "'Di porke't sira araw mo sisirain mo rin ang araw ng nakapaligid sayo. That's just so uncool."
Lorch tsked, smirking in mockery. "Told you, I don't care about being cool or whatever."
Umirap ito saka binubay ang sasakyan. "Whatever too. Don't talk to me."
"That's not gonna happen, luv," not after I finish with my plan.
Sinara niya ang pintuan nito bago pa man siya nito sagutin. Then he turn around while frowning as he felt that fluffy- sweet? Or fucking whatever it is that soothes his chest just by getting a chance to call her luv.
Just... Fucking weird and...
Damnable.
Busangot ang mukha niya na naglakad palapit sa lima niyang kapatid na puro nakangisi. Hinapalos niya ang tenga niya na masakit.
"Grant is my ear still whole?" he asked his brother that is a doctor.
Nagtawanan ang mga kapatid niya.
"What do you think of Saskia? A cannibal?" Grant shook his head with a smirk then checked his ear. "It's red with bite marks. Nothing serious, don't be a baby, Lorch."
"Baka sa susunod ilong mo naman kagatin sayo. Ingat, kuya." Fourth chuckled. He knows it is Fourth because he calls him kuya while Rosh, he only want kuya Kreston.
"You take care too, bunso. Baka sa susunod hindi lang panga mo sapakin ko. Tang'na mo ka." Lorch gritted his teeth, getting really riled up again just hearing his youngest brother speak.
"What's with the anger thrown at me?" Fourth spread his hands with a smug smirk. "Don't tell me you're angry because of that innocent picture?"
"That was not fucking innocent!" Lorch snapped. "You were too close! Hugging her!"
"Lorch, Rosh has many pictures on the internet with him hugging his fans. Saskia is a fan." Mirrow informed shooting him deducing gaze.
"He can do it to his other fans but not Saskia."
"Lorch, that's unreasonable. Don't tell bunso how he should treat his fans as long as he's not being a pervert- "
"Pervert? The fuck, Rage." Rosh shook his head.
Dusk scoffed. "Pervert ka naman talaga pagdating kay Katana-"
"Si Rosh kay Katana pero hindi sa fans." Masama ang mukha na sagot nito at alam mong hindi na ito natutuwa.
"Galit ka na niyan?" Mirrow mocked.
Lorch chuckles when Fourth just glared before he walked out followed by Grant.
Nagpaalam narin ang iba pa niyang kapatid maliban kay Rage.
"Can you drive me to the Crown HQ, Lorch?" Rage asked.
"Sure. I'm heading there."
Kinuha niya ang susi ng sasakyan niya saka pinindot ang remote para i-unlock ang kotse niya.
"How much did Saskia pay for her car?" Usisa niya pagkapasok nila ng sasakyan niya.
"Roughly seventy thousand in dollars with half paid in cash the rest will be monthly paid."
Lorch hummed inwardly scoffing. Tsk, she can't even fully pays for a cheap car and her damn parents can't even gift her with one. He wonders how long they are financially secured before they run out of money?
"What did you tell her there?" Tanong sa kanya ni Rage.
Sa gilid ng mata niya ay nakita niyang nasa kanya ang atensyon ng kapatid niya.
"Where?" Lorch asked.
"There in the parking lot. Why did she suddenly bite your ear?"
"Because I was a jerk." Walang ganang sagot niya saka nagbuga ng hangin.
"I couldn't agree more. What you're planning is a total bonehead attitude."
Hindi siya sumagot pero dumiin ang hawak niya sa manebela.
"I don't know Lorch, but what you're up to is just wrong in many ways." Rage sighed. "Ang swerte mo pwede mo siyang makasama."
"I don't want to be with her. Her presence is not but a reminder of what I lost and what I've been through."
"Lorch, hindi si Saskia-"
"Drop it, okay?" Lorch gritted his teeth as he breathing ragged from being mad. "Drop it Rage. We are different. Far from it."
Rage tsked. "Just remember, if your plan boomerang you're on your own and we will always stand with Saskia."
Lorch's jaw tightened hearing the same words again since the day he started to move to start his plan. It's heavy to carry in his chest knowing that what he's doing is not supported by his family and friends but he can't stop.
And he is tired of explaining why he has to do these. Pero ramdam niya ngayong mas bumibigat sa pakiramdam ang parang nag-iisa siya sa bagay na mahalaga sa kanya. Ang kawalan ng suporta sa kanya ng kahit na isa sa pamilya sa bagay na gusto niyang makamit ay nakakainis.
But he understand. They have their reason why they can't support him with this. While he also has his why he can't stop.
"ENCAR, 'WAG ka maglasing." Saway ni Saskia sa kaibigan niya na inisang lagok ang baso ng red wine.
"Ako'y hayaan mo Saskia. Alam ko ang aking ginagawa. Ni minsan ay hindi pa ako umuwing lasing," sagot lang nito.
"Okay..." Saskia drawled sipping her own wine and then looking at the people dancing on the dance floor while the local band blasted the music from the stage.
Nasa isang high-end- sabagay wala namang hindi high-end sa islang ito. Nasa high-end bar silang magkakaibigan. Dahil sa Friday ay nagkayayaan silang magbar tutal walang pasok bukas. They can sleep 'til they sober up without worrying about their job.
"Ano? Wala ba kayong dalawa balak sumayaw?" Tanong ni Nicole na kababalik lang galing dance floor.
"Nope." Saskia shook her head. Tinatamad siya.
"Ayoko rin. Baka maapakan ng kung sino ang aking maria clara'ng kasuotan," Encar replied making Saskia, together with Nicole to scoffed.
"Sa dami ba namang costume, Maria Clara dress talaga? Sa bar?!" Nicole rolled her eyes. "Encar, pwede namang yung igorot costume para walang maapakan. Parte rin naman ata yun ng kasaysayan nating mga Pilipino. Tsk."
Umiling si Encar. "Muli ay aking binasa ang Noli Me Tángere at naisip kong maging si Leonor Bauson Rivera ngayong gabi."
"At anong napala mo sa pagsuot ng ganyang damit?" Saskia sneered.
"Naipakita ko ang isa sa moda ng ating kasaysayan bilang isang Pilipino." Nakataas ang isang kilay na binalingan siya ni Encar. "Ikaw? Anong ang iyong napala sa pagsusuot ng ganyang bulgar na kasuotan maliban sa lamig na dadampi sayo mamaya oras na tayo'y humayo para umuwi."
"It made me feel sexy and beautiful," Saskia winked. "While your dress made you historic." She giggles.
"Ang ating kasaysayan ay-"
"Nope!" Saskia stood up, grabbing her pouch. "You're not lecturing me about history," saad niya habang nakabukas ang dalawang kamay. "Not tonight, Encar, not tomorrow, never. Punta lang ako ng cr." Paalam niya sa dalawa saka tumalikod.
Saskia washed her hand after using the bathroom and then headed out of the bar. It was a bad idea to sneak outside without informing her friends but she'll be fine. Wala naman sigurong kidnaper sa islang ito.
Pagkalabas niya ng bar gamit ang exit sa likod ay huminga siya ng malalim saka napangiti dahil sa preskong hangin na nasagap at ang katahimikan na sumalubong sa kanya.
She sauntered away from the bar and went to the walk path with benches facing the ocean.
Naupo siya roon at habang nakatanaw sa karagatan at pinakikinggan ang alon ng dagat ay iniisip niys ang buhay na meron siya.
Saskia smiled when she realized that her life is peaceful and ideal right now. Kahit wala siyang boyfriend at lagi siyang minamalas pagnagkakaboyfriend siya ay masaya siya. Totoo ata ang kasabihan na malas ka sa pag-ibig pag maswerte ka sa pamilya, kaibigan, at pera.
"Are you not cold with that piece of cloth?"
Saskia gasped, startled when a familiar rough baritone voice break her thoughts. Her head quickly looked up at the man, frowning while her heart somersaulted inside her chest seeing him again.
"What are you doing here?" Saskia asked, eyes skimming her boss from head to his feet.
Damn... handsome and hot.
Ang sarap pampainit sa gabing malamig. Saskia nibbles on her lips and suppresses a smile.
"Saw you inside the bar and then followed you here." Naupo ito sa tabi niya at tinignan ang damit niya. "Hindi ka ba nilalamig? Your dress is shorter than my patience and vulgar than the words that come out my fucking mouth."
Ang lakas ng tawa niya sa sinabi nito. "Boss-"
"Lorch." Pagtatama nito na pabirong kinairap niya.
"Lorch, mas mahaba pa ang damit ko kesa sa pasensya mong sinulid lang ata sa nipis."
Ngumisi ito. "You judge me badly. I have a long patience. After all, having brothers and friends that are annoying is hard to deal with every day but hey," Lorch smirked. "We're still as it is- brothers and friends."
"Kasi sila ang nag-a-adjust para sayo."
"Yeah, yeah," Lorch drawled lazily then stared at the twilight. "Do you like it here, luv?"
Saskia's breathing hitched from the endearment again, her heartbeat quicken like always been every time he used that luv endearment for her.
With her brows converged into a frown, Saskia stared at him. "You shouldn't call me luv."
"Just for your information, no one can tell me what to do or to say or how to call someone but myself. Well..." He paused and smirked. "Let's just not mention my older brother and our parents."
"Of course, there will always be a person that you'll bow down to." Tinitigan niya ang gawapong mukha nito na siyang kinalingon nito.
"What?"
"Mukhang maayos ang mood mo ngayon. Buti naman." Saskia noted with a smile.
"Malakas daw magpatanda pagmainit lagi ang ulo kaya't pahinga muna ako." Kibit-balikat na sagot nito.
Saskia chuckled then glance at the ocean leaving them in comfortable silence.
"Luv..."
"What?" She asked while rolling her eyes slyly but her lips cracked into a smile with the endearment.
"Can you tell me about yourself? Like- you know - family?"
"You curious?" Saskia asked, turning in her place to face him a little.
Lorch twitched his shoulder in response.
"Alam mo ba na pag ang binata nagtanong sa isang dalaga tungkol sa magulang nito ay senyales na interesado siya sa dalaga?" aniya habang nakataas ang isang kilay. "It could mean that the guy likes the woman romantically."
"No. I didn't know there's fucking stupid stuff like that."
Saskia tsked while shaking her head from his rude reply.
"Now you know. So, are you interested in me?" Tahasan na tanong niya sa binata.
For some, her question will be embarrassing but for her, it is just a common question she shot at people. She just wants to be clear and spare herself from thinking and guessing when she can have a direct answer from the person.
Nakita niya ang pag-angat ng isang dulo ng labi nito saka siya nilingon. "Will you make me your boyfriend if I said yes?"
"Without even courtship?"
"Courtship is not my cup of tea, luv. I fuck women and that's it. Never been in a relationship 'cuz I find no need for it when I feel nothing for the woman."
Bahagyang naghiwalay ang labi niya sa direkta at walang habas nitong sagot. Lahat ng naging ex niya puro sugar-coated ang mga salita noong nanliligaw pa lang. Bait-baitan. But turns out all of it was a lie just to be her boyfriend and to get between her legs. And when she refused they are all red from anger. Later on, they cheat. Pero mukhang hindi ganon si Lorch. His words is straight and well, crass- blatant.
"Why do you want to be my boyfriend if you find no reason to be in a relationship?" Saskia sighed and looked away as she suddenly felt disappointed with Lorch's opinion about relationship.
Sabagay, hindi lahat ng tao ay nakadestino para magkaroon ng karelasyon. Madaming single.
"New trills? Try new things? Experience it?" Tugon nito sa boses na lahat patanong at walang kasiguraduhan.
Bahaw siyang natawa. "Relationship is not something you get into like it is just a game of some sort. Dapat naroon ang effort to make it work. There should be love, loyalty, and trust."
Nailing ito. "So much to give for a thing that doesn't last."
"Nagtatagal naman ang relasyon kung iingatan ng dalawang tao na nasa relasyon."
Lorch hummed a yeah in a bored tone. "So is your answer a no?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Saskia run her fingers to fix her hair. "Kahit naman puro gago ang naging ex ko, gusto ko parin makahanap ng matinong boyfriend na pwedeng maging asawa. I'm not counting broken relationships to experience how it is to have this kind of guy or that- but to find a suitable and loving man that will match my character. A man that I will love and will love me back the same, someone that will stay faithful to our marriage and love. You don't find your other half by staying single and fucking just anybody- or getting into a relationship just because you think it's fun or perhaps there could be a new thrill to experience."
"You dream something so impossible, luv. Such love- marriage, relationship is rare to find at this time of generation. Hookups are the trend-"
"Will you fucking stop with the negativity?" Saskia hissed.
"I'm merely telling you the truth."
"No, you are being pessimistic." Saskia retorted.
"Nah. Prove me otherwise. Be my girlfriend and show me that being in a relationship is worth the time." Hamon nito.
"Nababaliw ka na ba?" Kunot ang noo na tanong niya dito.
"No."
"Well, sinasabi ko sayo Lorch, nababaliw ka na! Sinong matino ang basta na lang aayaing maging girlfriend ang empleyado niya?!"
"May kilala akong inayang maging kabit yung sekretarya niya."
Bumukas-sara ang bibig ni Saskia sa narinig.
Tumawa naman ito.
"Are you kidding?" Saskia asked in a low voice.
"Nope. It happened."
Suddenly, Saskia felt sad. Napanguso siya saka tumingin sa karagatan.
"I'm sad and hurt for his wife... Must be painful to be cheated on by your spouse who promised you a marriage filled with love and fidelity."
Lorch laughed, one that was short and with scoff. "Of course."
"Maka of course ka naman diyan parang may experience ka na. Tsk."
Bahaw itong tumawa habang umiiling. Muli ay nakikita niya ang Lorch na parang ninakawan na naman ng lahat-lahat.
"I don't need to experience it to know being cheated on hurts like hell," anito sa malamig na boses.
👑
Clfern
📪22.08.05