Darren was planted in front of his office table filled with documents. Kung anong pilit niya ay hindi sya makapag concentrate sa trabaho. Ilang buwan na din syang ganito. Every now and then ay naaalala parin nya ang insidente na nangyari noon sa New York. Halos 4 na buwan na ang nakakaraan. He really want to kiss the woman who hit his car. Pero dalawang beses naudlot ito.
Habang tinitingnan nya ang mga folder na nasa table nya, ay may nakakuha nang atensyon nya. "Ava Castro Profile" Kinuha nya ang folder at binasa ito. Naalala nya na inutusan nya ang secretary nya na maghanap nang impormasyon tungkol kay Ava. Nawala na sa isip nya ang resulta ng imbestigasyon dahil nagging busy sya nitong mga nakaraang buwan. Hindi nya namalayan na natabunan na pala ito.
"Let me get to know you Ava Castro" sabi ni Darren sa sarili.
Name: Avari Claire Castro
Age: 24 years old
Birthday: December 28, 1988
Parents: Alejandro Castro
Clarisse Montgomery
Sibling: Alexander Charles Castro
Education: Entrepreneurship and International Business Certificate
University of Notre Dame, Indiana, U.S.A
Work: Elite Media (Head Photographer) 2010-present
Habang binabasa ni Darren ang mga impormasyon ay kumatok ang secretary nya. "Karen saan mo nakuha ang mga informations mo about kay Ms. Castro?" tanong ni Darren
"Sir may profile po sya sa internet... Kilala na po kasi syang photographer sa America kaya nagka info na po sya." Paliwanag ni Karen.
"Ah, ganun ba... sige salamat..."sabi ni Darren, I should get more techie this time. Sabi ni Darren sa sarili.
"Sir, may naghahanap po sa inyo" sabi ni Karen.
"Sino daw?" tanong ni Darren habang may ninabasang papeles.
"Si Ms. Ava Castro po"
Na excite si Darren sa kanyang narinig na parang bata. "Sige, let her in" casual na sagot ni Darren. Na excite si Darren, matagal na nyang iniisip kung kelan ulit nya makikita si Ava, ngayon ilang menuto ay magkikita na ulit sila. Ano kayang pakay nya? Tanong ni Darren sa sarili.
Ilang sandal pa ay pumasok na si Ava sa opisina nya. Darren was just looking at her. Ilang sandal din silang nagtitigan sa isa't isa. He was still sitting behind his desk while she was standing in front of him.
"It's nice to see you again Ms. Castro. What can I do for you?" casual na tanong ni Darren.
"It comes to my knowledge that you just won a 20% share of a company by playing poker."
Sumiryoso ang mukha ni Darren, "And your interested about it because? I though your interests are in photography not in business.."
"Yeah, My interests are photography but there's something about that share I'm interested about..."
Tumaas ang isang kilay ni Darren, "Interisado ka sa premyong napanalunan ko sa isang poker game, why?"
"I want to take it back..." diretsong sinabi ni Ava... "Magkano ba ang gusto mo para makuha ko ang 20% na shares na yon?" pahabol ni Ava
Tumayo si Darren sa kanyang kina uupuan. "Bakit ba parang napaka importante nang share na yon sayo? At desperado kang makuha ito?" tanong ni Darren.
Huminga nang malalim si Ava, tapos tumingin sya ulit kaya Darren. "It was my brother's share sa company that my father built. I can't let it own by another person because that what our parents left for us. Kahit irresposable ang ginawa nang kapatid ko, I want to take it back." Paliwanang ni Ava.
Darren leaned on his table and crossed his arms. "Hmm... looks like it was very important... I think you can't buy my fee in exchange for your precious shares Ms. Castro..."
Umiinit na ang ulo ni Ava. Daming pang ek ek nang mokong na toh, hindi pa sabihin kung magkano ang gusto. Sabi ni Ava sa sarili. She also crossed her arms "I'm serious about this Mr. Deveroe, I'll do what it takes to get that back"
Darren walk closer to Ava..."You'll do what it takes ha, Let say, I want YOU and not your money..." nakita nyang nabigla si Ava sa sinabi nya.
"Anong sinabi mo?"pagsisigurado ni Ava
Darren walked even closer, while Ava stepped backwards trying to get away from him. "you hear me, I want to have you in my bed..."
Tumaas ang kilay ni Ava, "You want to have sex with me? and why is that?"
"For the thrill Honey, look, I find you every interesting..." sabi ni Darren habang nilalaro and dulo nang buhok ni Ava. Noon lang namalayan ni Ava na ilang inches na lang pala ang layo nang katawan nila sa isat isa. Bigla syang namula at sinaway ang kamay ni Darren.
"Let's say na pumayag ako sa gusto mo, I'll have sex with you and I'll have the shares, as simple as that, right..." casual na sinabi ni Ava. Pero deep inside kinakabahan talaga sya kung saan pupunta ang usapang ito.
Darren gave her a smirk, but still starring at her. "Do you think I could easily give that share to you, it took numerous poker games to get that share... hmm I have a better idea" sabi ni Darren habang nakahawak sa baba nya.
Ava rolled her eyes and sighed "Ano naman yon?"
"How about I make you a deal Ms. Castro, I'll give the shares to you if... you'll agree to be married to me for a year..."
Nabingi ata si Ava sa sinabi ni Darren. Siryoso ba tong taong toh? He wants me to marry him? Tanong ni Ava sa sarili.
"Marrying you? Why? I think there are a lot of women that will voluntarily accept your offer Mr. Deveroe." Sabi ni Ava.
"Yes I know that they will agree, but I don't think na papayag sila na makipag hiwalay after a year..." Paliwanag ni Darren.
Ava crossed her arms, "What make you think of that offer? Hmm I think it involves around your inheritance is that right Mr. Deveroe?"
Darren raised his eye brows in amusement "Paano mo naman naisip yan?"
"I'm was born like you, and I think some parents think alike..."casual sa sagot ni Ava
"So, do we ourselves a deal? You'll have the shares,but you be married to me for a year" sabi ni Darren na parang nakikipag business deal. Nakatitig lang sya kay Ava, at ganon din naman sya. Ilang sandali din silang nagtagisan ng tingin. Sya na ang nag basag nang katahimikan nila. "Oh! I almost forgot, kasama don ang "benefits" of being being married..." then he got closer to her,hanghang sa ramdam na nya ang hininga nya.
"Ano?!" sabi ni Ava, yon lang ang tanging nasabi nya, hindi din sya nakalayo kay Darren nang lumapit ito sa kanya. Kahit gusto nang utak nya ay parang hindi sumusunod ang katawan nya. Walang syang nagawa kundi tumitig lang sa kanya. Another silent stare between the two of them.
Darren was looking at her lips. I really want to kiss those lips. Sabi nya sa sarili. I also like her smell, very comforting and amoy parang baby. I can't wait to take you to my bed...
Ava was looking at his eyes. Wow! Ang ganda ng blue eyes nya at ung smile nya, to die for! Sabi ni Ava. She was about to say something when her phone rang. Pareho silang dumistansya sa isa't isa. Lumayo ng konti si Ava kay Darren para sagutin ang tawag.
"Yes Kuya?"
"Ava, nasan kaba? Nag punta ako sa office mo, wala ka daw?"
"I was just doing something, bakit?"
"Ahmm, well, pinasasabi ni Papa, na we'll be having dinner with your future husband tonight, eh hindi nya nasabi kasi dead bat sya..."
"Ano?! No way Kuya!" sabi ni Ava. Grabe! Hindi talaga titigil si Papa... sabi nya sa sarili.
"Ava, you know na hindi titigil sa Papa..."
Sighed "Well, wala na syang magagawa kuya..." then he faced Darren and looked at him... "because I'm getting married to another man..."
Narinig ni Ava na nasamid ang Kuya Alex nya."Anong sinabi mo Ava?!" na halatang gulat na gulat. "I'll explain it to you later... I need to go... bye kuya!" then she hang up the phone. Hindi nya namalayan na nakalapit na pala si Darren sa kanya.
"Did I heared that right?"tanong ni Darren with curiously in his eyes.
"Yes, Mr Deveroe, we have ourselves a deal." Casual na sagot ni Ava. Then she saw his killer smile.
"Great! I can't wait to get my benefits Ms Castro..."sabi ni Darren giving her a seductive look. Please! Stop giving me those looks, maya maya siguro bibigay na ako...
"I forgot one thing..."
"Ano nanaman yon? Palagi kang may pahabol..." sabi ni Ava.
Nagulat na lang sya nang hilahin sya ni Darren palapit sa kanya. She felt his hard, well sculpted body. She can feel his heart pumping.She was trying to get away from him, pero masyadong malakas ito.
"Naalala ko, you owe me a kiss, diba?"sabi ni Darren at inilapit nya ang kanyang mga labi. "At wala nang makakapigil sakin ngayon from kissing you" bulong ni Darren before claiming his kiss from Ava.
This is not happening! Sabi ni Ava sa sarili. She can feel the softness of his lips. Gusto nyang makalayo kaya Darren but her body tells her other wise. She realized that she was already responding to his kisses.
Ava put her hands around his nape while his arms were wrapped around her waist. She moaned when he pulled her even closer. She can feel his aroused on her navel. They were having a steamy hot kiss, when the door suddenly opened.
Parehong silang nagulat kung sino ang pumasok sa pintuan. Kaya otumatikong lumayo sila sa isa't isa.
"Mom?! A anong ginagawa nyo dito?" gulat na binanggit ni Darren. He was staring at her and she was not alone. She was with a middle aged man.
Ava can't believe what was happening. Bigla nang lang dumating ang nanay ni Darren while they were having a passionate kiss. Hindi sya makapaniwala sa mga nakikita nya?
"Papa?" sabi ni Ava sa lalaking kasama nang nanay ni Darren.
Tumingin si Darren sa kanya. "That's your Dad?"
Awkward moment! They all stared at each other for a moment.
"Darren anak, I came to surprise you... Pero ako pa pala ang nagulat. I guess kilala mo na si Ava." Sabi ni Diane
"Ava hija, magkakilala na pala kayo Darren... Mabuti naman..." sabi ni Alejandro
Naguguluhan pareho si Ava at Darren sa mga nangyayari. Bakit ba magkasama ang parents nila?
"Bakit kayo nandito Papa? Wala ka bang meeting or something?" tanong ni Ava.
"Sya dapat ung ipapakilala ko sayo. Pero hindi na pala kailangan dahil magkakilala na kayo."
"Teka! How did you guys meet?" tanong ni Diane sa kanilang dalawa
"Actually Ma, may sasabihin sana kami sayo, I mean sa inyo since nandito na din ung Dad ni Ava..." sabi ni Darren.
Both parents are confused kung anong ibig sabihin ni Darren. Habang si Ava naman ay sobrang lakas nang tibok ng puso. Aatakihin na ata ako sa puso nito.
"What is it?"
Darren grabbed her hand, "Ava and I are getting married..." he said with a lively tone.
Nga nga ang lahat nang pipol na nasa loob nang office ni Darren. Kahit si Ava ay gulat din, hindi pa sya handa sa ganitong mga revelations.
"Talaga! Wow! I'm so happy for the both of you! Well hindi na pala namin kailangang ipakilala kayo sa isa't isa..." masayang sinabi ni Diane.
"Wait, ano pong ibig nyong sabihin?" tanong ni Ava
"Sya ung tinutukoy kong ipakikilala ko sana sayo... hindi ko naman alam na kayo na pala..." sabi ni Alejandro.
Ava can't believe what is happening, masusunod din pala ang gusto nang Papa nya na ipakasal sya.
"This calls for a celebration! So tuloy ang dinner sa bahay tonight!" sabi ni Diane
Ilang sandali pang nanatili ang mga magulang nina Ava at Darren. Napag kasunduan na sa bahay nina Darren mag didinner at pag uusapan ang kasal. Ava looked at Darren, he seemed so relaxed and excited about it. Well, sya naman talaga ang may pakana na magpakasal ako sa kanya...sabi ni Ava sa sarili. Pero ano kaya talaga ang tunay na dahilan nito? Tanong nya sa sarili.
Everything is happening according to my plans, well except for Ava being my wife. Hindi ko inaasahan na pupunta si Ava ditto sa office ko. Sabi ni Darren sa sarili, I can't wait to have my "benefits" from Ava. Dagdag nya.
Nakaalis na ang mga parents nina Darren at Ava. Silang dalawa na lang ang naiwan sa loob ng office. Paalis na din si Ava,
"Let me get things straight, our deal is you'll give me the shares, when I agree to marry you..." sabi ni Ava,
"Yup, and all the benefits of being married..."
Ava rolled her eyes, "Fine, it's just sex and nothing attached..." casual na sagot ni Ava.
Darren walked closer to Ava until their face was a few inches away from each other. "Yes, and if someone got attached, loses... you know what I mean..." he said while playing with her hair. "I can't wait to claim my benefits Ava... I'm sure that you will never forget..." in a husky voice
Ava laughed a bit then looked at him, "Let's see about that Mr. Deveroe... I promise you that no one can't blow your mind like I did... and make you regret that you make this deal with me..." she said while their lips are a few centimeters away. Then she fulled back teasing him. She saw his reaction on what she did. Yun! Makita mo! Kala mo ikaw lang ang pwedeng makipag laro...sabi ni Ava sa sarili. Then she walked away heading to the door.
Malapit na si Ava sa pinto nang may humigit sa kanya. Napaikot sya at bumangga sa katawan ni Darren. To her surprise Darren kissed her for the second time. He caught her off guard, kaya he took the advantage of her slightly open mouth. He slipped his tongue inside, while his right hand was around her waist and the other was holding her head pulling her more to deepen their kiss.
Darren's kisses make Ava lose her sanity. His kisses make her body weak. Her brain tells her to stop but her body says other wise. She wrapped her arms around him and respond to his every kiss. Then suddenly he pulled away breaking their passionate kiss. They were both gasping for air. Ava eyes was full of confusion, she was wanting for more.
"Don't tease me like that, or you'll regret it... I'll see you tonight, hon" said Darren then he winked...