CHAPTER 27
NGINGITI-NGITI si Fashie habang naglalakad papasok sa FSBC. Timothy stayed at her condo for more hours before he left. And that's enough for her to greet the new day with a smile.
Tumaas ang kilay ni Carisha sa kaniya nang makita siya nitong napakalapad ng ngiti.
“Good morning, madam. Good mood?” The beautiful mommy tease her.
Fashie replied a chuckle. “Good morning, work safe. Sa office lang ako.” Aniya saka nilampasan na ito at pumasok sa opisina.
Hindi pa man nag-iinit ang pang-upo niya sa swivel chair nang tumunog ang cellphone niya tanda na man tumatawag.
She picked up her phone and answered the call when Fashie read Timothy's name in the screen.
“Hey, why for sudden call?” Fashie asked.
“Where are you?” His voice sounds like he just woke up. It's not that late, quarter to 8 palang naman.
“At the main branch cafè.” She answered.
“Oh, okay, bye.” And the call ended without her response.
Napatitig siya sa cellphone, he did really hang up the call?
Shaking her head, Fashie put her cellphone back inside her purse and focus to the paperworks on her table. She has lots of report to read and replies for inquries and emails. Hindi siya nag-hire ng secretary dahil kaya pa naman niya, it's not like as if it's always like this.
Hours passed, Fashie felt her head ache. Medyo nahihilo rin siya at bahagyang nilalamig. Napahilot siya sa sentido at itinigil muna ang ginagawa. Nang mapatingin siya sa wall clock ay alas onse na.
She wanted to take a nap so she did. Pinahinaan niya ang aircon dahil nilalamig na siya. Masakit talaga ang ulo niya, kailangan niya itong ipahinga.
While Timothy, at his house, cooked chicken parmesan, creamy lemon chicken piccata and spaghetti bolognese. Those are italian recipes that Timothy tried to cook. He watched video tutorials in youtube and he guess, it gives justice.
And for the dessert, he made mocha mud pie. Hindi na sana siya gagawa no'n dahil maraming dessert sa cafè ng dalaga ngunit mukhang masarap kaya sinubukan na niya.
He's not the kind of person who want to impress someone. But with that Kael ‘the chef’ can't just leave his mind. He can't cook hard dish but if to overpass that scumbag man, he's willing to learn.
He doesn't know why he's doing this. Galit ka diba? That's what Timothy wanted to feel but no. Kahit anong sabihin niya, na galit siya rito at hindi niya ito mapapatawad, babalik at babalik siya sa dalaga.
How could he get mad at those pretty alluring eyes? To her pouty lips which gets downward everytime she's about to cry? Those little nose and rosy cheeks? That gorgeous face which always captives him like a wild lion.
Napailing-iling siya, malakas na ang tama niya. Kailan palang nang ito'y dumating ngunit grabe na ang ginawa nito sa kaniyang buong pagkatao.
It took him hours in the kitchen and then he took a bath after. Timothy wore a simple white muscle shirt and sweatpants. Hindi na siya nag-abala pang magsapatos kaya nakatyinelas lang siyang umalis ng bahay dala ang dalawang paper bag na naglalaman ng pagkain na niluto niya.
Timothy push the cafè's door, many people are inside. Some glance at him and some obviously ogling which annoys him.
He went directly to the cashier to ask about Fashie.
“Hi, good morning. Where's your boss?” He asked.
The lady cashier smiled at Timothy, “good morning, sir. What do you mean by boss po? If it's a manager, we don't have manager here. Ma'am Fashie, the owner, stays here most of the time po.” Magalang nitong sagot sa kaniya.
Napakamot siya sa nuo. “Uh, yeah, Fashie. Where is your ma'am?”
“She's inside her office po.”
“Can i come inside? I told her i'm coming.”
Mukhang nagdadalawang isip pa ito kung papayagan siya o hindi.
“Wait lang po, i will go to her office lang po, sandali lang.” The lady cashier immediately leave him there standing.
Timothy understands it and he appreciates that people around Fashie are nice and worry about her safety. Paano nga naman diba kung basta nalang siyang papasukin, mamamatay tao pala siya.
But do i look like a criminal? Damn, man. You look very fine.
Agad naman bumalik ang babae.
“Tulog po si Ma'am Fashie, Sir. Pasensya na po.” Anito.
Timothy sighed, he decided to wait her until Fashie wake up. He nodded at the lady and sit at the corner of the cafè. When he check his phone, it was already quarter to 12.
Napagtuuan nalang ni Timothy ng pansin ang isang libro at nagbasa. He remembered the last book he read, the rated spg story. It has lots of bed scene but he couldn't deny the fact that he learnt a lesson from it. And he's applying it right now.
Napaangat ang tingin niya nang marinig ang isang pamilyar na boses ng lalaki. It was one of Fashie's staffs, the one who asked if he could have the book because it was Fashie's book.
His brow met when the lady cashier look at him as he speak with the boy. Maybe talking about him? Ilang sandali pa ay naglakad ito palapit sa kaniya.
“Good morning, Sir. Pwede na po kayong pumasok sa office ni Ma'am, i know you po. Timothy Degustare, a captain and owner of one of the big cruise ships in Asia.” The boy staff said.
“Thank you.” Timothy said and nodded then stood up. He put back the book he's reading earlier bago nagtungo sa opisina ng dalaga na natagpuan niyang natutulog parin.
Nakayukyok ito sa lamesa at mukhang mahimbing ang tulog. Timothy walk near Fashie and slowly caress her baby cheeks. Napamura siya ng mahina nang maramdamang sobrabg init nito!
He put the back of his hand to her neck to check Fashie's body temperature. She's very hot, he mean, burning in fever.
Timothy whispered, “Fashie, wake up, come on. Do you wanna go back home? Sweetheart, wake up.” Ilang sandali ay unti-unting nagmulat ito ng mga mata at bumungad sa kaniya ang namumula at pagod nitong mata.
Timothy brush Fashie's hair, “you're burning in fever. I'll bring you home.” Umungot lang ang dalaga at napapikit muli, pagod na pagod ang itsura.
He carry Fashie carefully saka lumabas ng opisina ng dalaga. People are looking so as her staffs.
Lumapit siya sa lady cashier, “she have fever. I'm gonna bring her home, take after the cafè.” Aniya saka tuluyan ng lumabas ng gusali habng ang buhat-buhat niya ay tulog sa mga bisig niya.
Binalikan niya ang paper bag na dala upang may maipakain dito mamaya bago uminom ng gamot saka pinaandar ang kotse patungo sa condominium building.
He stop to a drug pharmacy to buy a tablet of medicine for fever.
Binuhat niyang muli ang dalaga hanggang sa condo unit nito at dahan-dahang inilapag sa higaan. He took off her heels and blazer then cover her a thick blanket. One sheet isn't enough so he tried to find another blanket and he found one inside her closet.
Mabilis siyang bumalik sa groundfloor upang kunin ang mga paperbag at gamot na binili. Binalikan niya si Fashie na balot na balot ng kumot.
Ang alam niya masama sa balat na may make-up habang nasa kama kaya inilabas niya ang cellphone at nagtungo sa kaibigan ng lahat; Google.
What product to use to remove make-up?
A lot of articles showed up, hindi niya alam kung alin duon ang legit kaya sa YouTube siya nagtungo at natagpuan ang kailangan. It was a celebrity who did remove her make-up. It's more reliable.
Hinahanap niya sa vanity cabinet nito ang mga kailangan. It says micellar water and flat cutton? Fashie's make-up isn't thick so it was easy for him to remove it.
Saka ay nagtungo siya sa banyo at nanguha ng maliit na batsa at nanguha ng warm water. Pinunasan niya ito ng ilang ulit upang kahit papaano ay guminhawa ang pakiramdam ng dalaga.
Uungot-ungot lang ang dalaga na parang nasasaktan at may munting mga luha na lumalabas sa nakapikit na mata.
Timothy let out a heavy breath as he remove Fashie's bodycon dress, naiwan ang undergarments nito. Mabilis niya itong pinalitan ng hoodie jacket and cotton pants. Sinuutan na rin niya ito ng dobleng medyas pagkatapos ay lumabas at nagtungo sa kusina.
Ininit niya lang ang mga niluto niya kanina at gumawa ng corn soup kung sakaling hindi man nito kayang kainin ang mga ulam na dala niya. Knowing sick people, they don't eat that much.
Holding a tray with foods on it, Timothy went back to Fashie. He slowly put the tray on the bed side table.
“Fashie, come on, sweetheart, eat so you could drink your medicine.” Mahinang aniya habang hinahaplos ang mainit nitong pisngi.
Fashie slowly open her eyes, “T-Timothy...”
He smiled at her, “yes. Come, sit. I'll help you.” Inalalayan niya itong makaupo, nilagyan niya ng isa pang unan sa likod nito upang sandalan. “Nagluto ako ng ulam kanina, aayain sana kita ng lunch. So anong gusto mo? This or this?” Turo niya sa corn soup at sa mga niluto niya kanina.
“I-I don't want to eat...” Nanghihinang anito.
“But you need to eat.” He said firmly, “so, choose. Or you want to eat then both?”
Napalabi ito sa kaniya, “'y-yung niluto mo kanina. S-Sayang naman k-kung hindi makakain.”
“I can put it in the fridge.”
Dahan-dahan itong tumango, “s-sige. Sorry, i'm not in the mood to eat.”
“It's fine, so, corn soup?” Fashie nodded. Sinimulan na niya itong subuan at pagkaraan ng ilang subo ay umayaw na ito. Hindi na niya pinilit at pinainom ito ng gamot bago humiga.
Iniligpit muna ni Timothy ang mga pagkain at ginamit bago siya tumabi sa dalaga at mahigpit na niyakap ang manginginig nitong katawan sa lamig.
Timothy kissed her forehead, “please, get well soon. I'm worried, sweetheart.” He whispered and silently pray to God to heal Fashie sooner.
Fashie pressed her body againsn't his and hug his waist. Her face looks pale and exhausted. Timothy felt sorry for his sweetheart.
FASHIE WOKE up feeling unwell. When she look at the man beside her, a smile crept her lips. What a handsome man lying beside her. Timothy took care of her today. Binihisan, inalagaan at pinakain.
Timothy checked her forehead and neck, “hindi na gaanong mataas ang lagnat mo. Pero nilalagnat ka parin.” He informed her.
She nodded, “medyo masakit nalang ang ulo ko.” Mahinang aniya, pipikit-pikit pa ang mata.
“Rest, you should just rest.” Hinapit siya nito palapit saka marahang hinahaplos ang hita niya. Hindi iyon nakakahibo ngunit pakiramdam na parang batang pinapatulog.
Agad na napikit ang mata niya ay muling itinulog ang hilo at sakit ng ulo niya. Hoping that tommorow, her fever will end.
Kinaumagahan nagising si Fashie na maginhawa na ang nararamdaman. Naamoy niya ang masarap na aroma ng pagkain mula sa labas ng kwarto niya.
Napabaling siya sa tabi at wala ruon ang binata. Did he sleep here last night?
Fashie stood up and do her face in the bathroom before she went to the kitchen. Nadatnaan niya si Timothy na hubad barong nagluluto suot ang kulay green niyang apron na fairycore ang design. He looks cute and hot.
He may not be a chef, his cooks are all taste wonderful. Title lang ang kulang dito kaya hindi niya parin labis maintindihan bakit big deal dito na si Kael ay chef at ito ay hindi.
She cleared her throat to get his attention which was a succes because Timothy instantly look at her over his shoulder.
“Good morning, how are you feeling?” Tanong nito habang abala sa niluluto.
“Good morning. Yes, maayos na ang pakiramdam ko. S-Salamat sa pag-aalaga.” Nahihiyang aniya.
He winked at her, “anything for my sweetheart.”
Napahawak siya sa dibdib nang tumibok ang puso niya ng mabilis. Lagi nalang itong malalas ang kabog tuwing malapit sa kaniya ang binata.
She smiled, “what are you cooking?” Aniya habang papalapit dito.
“The usual breakfast. But i reheat the foods i cooked yesterday, if ever you want to eat it.”
Parang natunaw ang puso niya sa ginagawa ng binata. Grabeng pag-aalaga ang ginawa nito sa kaniya kahapon.
“Maraming salamat.” Muli niyang pagpapasalamat at naglabas ng mga plato at kubyertos upang maghanda ng kumain.
Timothy was preparing their breakfast when the doorbell rang. Nangunot ang nuo ni Fashie, sino na naman kaya ang isturbo sa umaga niya? Is it Kael?
Bago pa siya makatayo ay nauna na si Timothy sa kaniya.
“Don't, ako na. Stay here, kumain ka na.” And then he left.
Fashie nodded then put foods on her plate to start eating. Tinikman niya rin ang niluto nito kahapon na hindi niya alam ang tawag at sobrang sarap no'n! I'm gonna ask him later how to cook this dish.
Si Timothy naman ay binuksan ang pinto nang makitang si Kael iyon. May dalang paper bag na naman kagaya kahapon na mabilis nagpainit ng ulo niya.
Fashie said she throw this man away, so persistent huh? He rolled his eyes, after this, you will never get talk to her.
“Hi, is Fashie inside?” The man asked him, he looks younger than him. Huh, Fashie likes a man older than her and it's me, bonehead! He scoffed.
“Why?” He crossed his arms.
“I cook her breakfast. I went to the cafè yesterday and her staff said she has sick. I'm just hoping she'll get better sooner. Where is she?” Ang mga mata nito ah siniyasat ang loob kaya naman sinarado niya ng bahagya ang pintuan na ikinataas ng kilay ng lalaki.
“She's better now and done with her breakfast. I cook for her, my sweetheart don't need your cooks. Thank you for preparing though.” He harshly said. Pakealam niya naman kung bastos siya, hanapin nalang nitong lalaking 'to.
Don't he see Fashie have him?! What a delusional.
“But she can eat this later, just put it inside the fridge. Hindi naman panisin ang mga niluluto ko, i'm a chef.” Anito na ikinataas din ng kilay niya.
“I said what i said, she have me. I can cook for my wife so back off.” At this state, mabait pa siya. H'wag lang siyang sagadin ng lalaking ito dahil hindi siya mangingiming dalhin ito sa hospital.
Kael look into his eyes, “wife? The last time i know she's single.”
Timothy gritted his teeth. Nakipagtitigan siya rito. “Now she's not, you should stop hoping.”
“Binabakuran mo kasi alam mong maraming umaaligid sa kaniya. Why? Afraid she might find someone better than you?” He smirked.
Biglang uminit ang ulo ni Timothy dahil sa sinabi nito.
His face darkened, “no, no one else is better than me. And you know what? Fashie loves me, ever since then. FYFI, we've been in a relationship for a long time.” Mayabang niyang sabi, naghahamok na ng away.
Kael scoffed, “yeah, she left you right? What do you think why?”
Tinitigan niya ng masama ang lalaki. How this man knew that? Did Fashie told him that?
“Our story is not your business, man.” Fashie left because she can't face her family with him. Hindi nito kayang iharap siya sa pamilya nito, hindi siya nito kayang ipaglaban and that hurt him. Timothy can and will do everything for her, but it's opposite to Fashie.
“O baka naman hindi ka naman talaga niya mahal?” Pang-iinis nito sa kaniya.
Sandaling napatigil si Timothy. Yes, if Fashie loves him, why can't she fight for him? If she really want to be with him, why would she leave him broken?
Timothy overcome those thoughts. He smirked, “if Fashie doesn't love me, she won't let me ravish her body, writh and moan under me, make love to me every night and sleep beside me, asshole. I'm telling you, Fashie is mine and mine alone. Ayaw kong may mga lalaking aali-aligid sa asawa ko, nagiging demonyo ako, baka makapatay ako. And you're not an exemption. So stop hitting my wife if you don't want to be buried 6 feet underground.” He look down to the paperbags he's holding. “She don't need that, sa'kin palang busog na siya.” He rolled his eyes and slammed the door to his face.
Serves that you, bastard.
Sandamukal ang mukha ni Timothy habang naglalakad pabalik sa kusina. That man ruined his freaking morning.
That is the face Fashie saw when Timothy got back in the kitchen. Ano ang nangyari at sandamukal ang mukha ng binata?
“Who's that?” Her brows met, curious. “What happened?”
Umirap lang ito ang hindi siya sinagot. Nilagyan lang nito ng kanin ang ulam ang plato niya kahit hindi naman niya sinabi saka ininom ang may kalamigan na nitong kape.
Para itong batang nagtatampo, naka-cross arm pa. Sino kaya 'yon? Ano ang nangyari?
.....
A/N: Asawa pa nga. Hahaha.
PRETTY IN DARK|PID