Domineering
It's a fine morning, I said to myself once I opened my eyes. My gaze directly locked to the windows. Hati ang kurtina niyon at mukhang nakalimutan kong isara kagabi. Sa sobrang pagod ko siguro kaya nakaligtaan ko nang isara pa.
I gasped and jumped out the bed when I smelled something. Bacon? Fried eggs?
"Shit." I muttered when realization hits me like a wrecking ball. Nandito pala and kuya ni Gabriel! How did I ever forget that? Guess I have to blame my tiresome job again.
I gathered myself as I mentally note the things that I needed to point out to this soon-to-be-brother-in-law of mine. I glided through my walk-in closet to get some fresh undergarments and my corporate attire for today as well.
The man is cooking. It's pretty obvious since umabot pa dito sa room ko ang bango ng kanyang niluluto. And my stomach somersaulted. I'm hungry. And it has been days since I last had a decent breakfast.
After I took a shower, pinatuyo ko ang aking buhok nang mabilisan at nagbihis agad ako. I glanced myself at the whole-body mirror. I wrinkled my nose when I noticed how short my pencil cut skirt is. But I don't have much time left to change.
Isang buntong-hininga na pagkalalim-lalim ang aking pinakawalan before I decided to show myself off to the devil. A handsome devil, so to speak. Natagpuan ko itong nakatalikod sa akin at busy sa pagluluto ng kung ano sa kalan. He was too preoccupied with what he was doing that he failed to notice my presence.
He's even whistling at bumubulong-bulong. He's singing quietly at mula dito sa aking kinatatayuan ay hindi klaro sa akin ang kanyang kinakanta.
And good lord! He's wearing an apron without anything underneath! Naka sweatpants lang din ito at nakapaa pa. He's sexy, one hell of a sexy man at that.
My throat became dry for some inexplicable reason that I wanted to grab a full glass of water. I looked away from his chiselled back at pinagtuunan na lamang ng tingin ang kitchen counter. Tatlong plato iyon. Apat na pirasong hotdogs sa unang plato, ang gitnang plato ay bacons at ang pangatlo ay apat na fried eggs. Nagulat ako nang masulyapan ang kanyang pinagkakaabalahan. Fried rice? Ano yun nagsaing siya para gisahin lang din niya?
I rolled my eyes upward. I cleared my throat to get his attention. He looked surprised knowing I have been here for quite a while now.
"Hey there. Kanina ka pa diyan?" He asked while taking off the ear buds from his ears.
Yeah, long enough to study how sexy your back is. I dismissed the thought.
"Not that long. You cooked?" Pinagaan ko ang tono ng aking salita.
He smirked. "Obviously." Humila ito ng upuan. "Have a seat, Julianne." Tinanggal nito ang apron at sinabit sa hamper.
And I obliged. The food looked delicious. "Thank you. Nag-abala ka pa." Are we in good terms now? The last night's argument was quite intense for me.
"Nah. I just can't start my day without having a breakfast."
"I see." Tipid kong sagot. Ako kasi, okay lang kahit magtrabaho na walang laman ang tiyan. Bumabawi nga lang ako tuwing tanghalian.
Umupo ito sa katapat kong upuan. His broad, muscled chest was very distracting. I couldn't even take my eyes off it.
He caught me looking at his chest and my face turned crimson red. He raised a perfect brow at me. "You look bothered. Are you okay?"
I bit my lower lip. "Ang pagkakaalam ko ay masama ang kumain nang walang suot. Magtatampo daw ang grasya so if I were you, I'll put my T-shirt on."
He chuckled. "I never heard of that."
I sighed. "Is this some kind of your peace offering from your last night's behaviour?" I could not help but to ask.
He laughed. And it annoys me when his cute dimples appear in each side of his mouth. Ayoko mang aminin pero bagay sa kanya ang may dimples. Gab has too, but it just makes him cuter. But this man in front of me is a lot manly than Gab. And I hate myself form thinking that way dahil pakiramdam ko nagkakasala ako sa nobyo ko.
"Peace offering? Where did that idea come from? And the last time I checked; I haven't done anything to you yet." His voice clipped and husky.
Nanliit ang mata kong nakatitig sa nakangisi niyang mukha. "Tatanawin ko bang utang na loob ang paghahanda mo ng almusal?"
He shook his head. "Ginagawa ko lang ang binilin ni Gabriel at iyon ay ang estimahin ka at alagaan daw. Those were his words when we talked this morning." He spoke nonchalantly as he gathered his cutlery and started eating.
I frowned. "Nag-kausap kayo?"
"Kakasabi ko nga lang, di ba? Don't stress the obvious, Julianne. Otherwise, I would really think you're stupid. And a stupid girlfriend is my least preference for my brother to have."
"I'm not stupid!" I yelled.
"Obtuse then."
What the hell!
"Obtuse? Stupid? Wow! How kind of you to think of me like that! Could you get any ruder than this?!" Goodness! Now my beautiful morning has officially turned into a gloomy one.
Damn this man!
I scrambled from my seat. The atmosphere suddenly became heavy. Mas gugustuhin ko pang umalis na lamang with an empty stomach than to stay here with this prick and asshole.
I grabbed my bag and turned my heels away from him. But I was stunned when he pulled my wrist forcefully dahilan para bumalandra ako sa kanyang dibdib.
"Don't touch me, you scumbag!" I tried to free myself from his strong hold.
I gasped when my chest touched his. Pakiramdam ko'y walang kahit hangin ang makakadaan sa pagitan namin.
I glanced up to meet his stern, dazzling eyes that were looking at me intently. His lips slightly parted, gasping for air. He was towering over me and I just happened to realize how tall he is.
"I like the V line forming on your forehead when you frown like that. You are exceptionally beautiful even when you look angry. Your beauty is exotic. A peculiar beauty. Honey-coloured skin, silky and smooth. And your soft brown eyes are captivating." He breathed huskily.
And I was caught off guard by his words. No one had ever told me about those things he just said. Not even Gabriel. At hindi ko maipaliwanag kung bakit nakakapagbigay iyon ng kakaibang init sa dibdib ko.
"And you smell heavenly, love. It intoxicates the hell out of me." He whispered gently.
My heart beats rapidly. And I find swallowing difficult thing to do. What is wrong with me!
He smiled lopsidedly and again; I was overwhelmed with this strange feeling. There is something in the way he smiles that makes me speechless.
I need to talk!
"I am late. I need to go." Thank God I found my voice! This man intimidates me in every way.
"Breakfast first." He said defiantly.
"Pero—"
"I'm sorry. I know I'm being a dick here, but I did not mean to offend you. Please, eat with me Julianne." He asked hopefully and his eyes are telling me he's indeed sorry.
"Okay."
"Good." He uttered and to my surprise, he kissed my forehead.
His lips were warm against my skin and my pulse palpitated once more. I almost wanted to close my eyes. Gusto ko mang tanungin ito kung bakit niya iyon ginawa pero inisip ko na lang na isa lamang iyong simpleng halik.
"Sit. I'll be back after a couple of minutes. Help yourself." He let go of me at dumiretso ito sa kanyang kwarto.
I sat in my chair at napagbatid kong nanginginig pala ang mga tuhod ko. I don't know why I am acting weird since last night.
Hindi ito nagtagal at bumalik din. This time, naka-ripped jeans na ito at naka white V-neck polo shirt. His diamond stud earing sparked, and it made him look dashingly gorgeous.
Why is he so handsome? My God, what am I thinking again?
Tahimik kaming kumakain at kahit nako-conscious ako sa panakaw niyang tingin sa akin ay naubos ko pa rin ang pagkaing nilagay ko sa plato ko. Ilang beses kong nahuhuli ang pagtitig niya sa labi ko.
Pansin kong magana itong kumakain. Yung walang pakialam kung nagmumukha itong patay-gutom. Napangisi ako. But he's still handsome, nonetheless.
"Are you laughing at me?" He asked, caught me in the act.
I pressed my lips together. "No."
He raised an eyebrow before he grabbed a table napkin to wipe his mouth. "Yeah. That's why you're grinning." He hissed.
"Naaaliw lang akong pagmasdan ka." Did I just say it right?
"Oh, so you're watching me."
"So were you." Bigkas ko.
"I'm guilty. I just can't help but to stare at your pretty mouth." He smirked as he sat up. "Let's go." Inabot nito ang tasa at humigop doon.
"Go where?"
"To where you are going, Julianne." He frowned.
Sa sala ay nagsuot ito ng kanyang rubber shoes at tumayo muli.
"Okay lang talaga, Jack. I can go to the office by myself." Ayokong makaabala pa sa kanya.
He snapped at me. "I know but I insist."
"I didn't ask you, did I?" Oh, I'm getting irritated by him!
"I didn't ask your opinion, either. And to tell you the truth, your opinion doesn't matter. Let's go." He said in a serious tone.
Napabuga ako sa hangin. "You're so domineering!"
He wolfishly grinned. "Love, domineering is my middle name. And you haven't known me that well. Oh, we have plenty of time to get to know each other, yeah?"
"And I'm sure I'll be disappointed of knowing more about you." I gripped my shoulder bag tightly and reminded myself that he's my boyfriend's brother.
He tilted his head sideways. "Or it's the other way around. You gonna like me in the process." He winked before he opened the front door.
Umirap ako. "I'm not giving you high hope, Mister."
"I'm not hoping you gonna like me Julianne because I'm so sure that you will."
"Tss. You are so full of yourself, Jack." I hissed.
"That, I am."
Sa loob ng kotse niya ay nakakabingi ang katahimikan. But I preferred to be this way. I don't want to speak with him. Maiinis lang ako.
"You're quiet." He uttered.
"Am I not allowed to be?" Pgtataray ko.
He chuckled. "You're mad again. I like that."
"I don't like to talk with you."
"Then don't." He said while manoeuvring to the right.
"Why are you so hard on me, Jack?"
"I'm just being protective of my brother."
I huffed. "I am not a bad person and I love your brother!"
"What do you know about love, Julianne?" Bumaling ito sa akin.
"It's none of your goddamn business, Jack."
"My brother's business is my business as well. Ayokong mapunta siya sa masamang babae. I won't let that happen." He said vindictively.
"My god! Hindi ako masamang tao Jack! Don't judge me without knowing me yet."
"That's my point Julianne. I'm gonna stick with you for a while until I know you well enough. Hanggang sa mapatunayan kong karapat-dapat ka nga."
Humimpil kami sa tapat ng agency. "Kilala ko ang sarili ko kesa sa kilala mo ako. And I'm telling you, mapapahiya ka lang dahil mali ang pagkakakilala mo sa akin." Binuksan ko ang pintuan ng kotse niya.
Hindi na ako nagulat nang bumaba din ito. He leaned his back against the door and crossed his arms over his chest.
"Your skirt is too short, Ms. Gutierrez. This will be the last time you ever wear that one." He said with authority.
Nilingon ko siya, not minding if I'm losing my composure. "Don't tell me what to do with my life, Jack. I'm not a child."
He smirked as his dazzling gaze raked my entire body. "I can see that." He said and bit his lower lip sexily.
Agad na nag-init ang aking pisngi. "Thanks for the ride and goodbye." My voice is in a monotone.
"Don't mention it. I'm sure my car had a good time while you're riding him. But I must say, you have a nice pair of legs. But I don't want people ogling at you, Ms. Gutierrez."
"Why, are you Mr. Aragon?" I curved a brow.
"Nah. Ogling at you won't be enough."
Nanliit ang mata ko at tinuro ko ang kanyang dibdib. "Are you flirting with me, Jack?"
"Why, are you Julianne?"
Shit. Bakit ba lagi na lamang nagba-backfire sa akin ang mga salitang binibitawan ko sa kanya?
"Go away Jack and stop pestering me."
He shrugged his shoulders. "Alright. Have a nice day ahead, Ms. Gutierrez."
Umirap ako at tumalikod ngunit bago iyon ay nagsalita muna ako. "Jack, gusto ko lang sabihin na you don't have to like me. It's fine with me if you don't. But please, respect me the way a person should be respected. And I'm your brother's girlfriend. Try to be civil with me, at least. Good day." At tumalikod na ako ng tuluyan sa kanya.
Beat that, Mr. Domineering!