Author's Note:
1) Hello, guys! Sorry sa matagal na update. Sobrang laki ng impact sa akin ng 'Tears of Astrid Torres' kaya parang umi-stop ang utak ko for a few days maiayos 'yung mga chapter dun. Anyway, ugh. Basta basahin niyo na lang ang chapter na ito huhuhu. Hindi ko na grinabihan dahil baka may masabi pa ang mga kaibigan kong nagbabasa nito lol.
2) Sa mga readers ng 'The Maid's Secret', sorry din dahil hindi ako makapag-update. Parang kailangan kasi ng editing ng TMS kaya umi-stop ako. Anyway, susubukan ko ayusin 'yung patapos ko nang draft para sa Chapter 56.
3) Sa mga nagtatanong, hindi pa po tapos ang story ng mga characters ng MAOG at TOC sa epilogue nitong book two. I don't know if I should consider it as the third book or a separate book but yes, may story po si Sean. It will be the continuation of the second special chapter. Mayroon na pong title at may kumpletong plot na. When? Second week of August or even earlier than that.
4) May part po ng chapter na ito na galing sa revised and edited version of Chapter 4 ng book one.
5) If you want to get updated, do like my page and join to our group in facebook. I'm thinking of opening a twitter account to reach the other readers too. Anyway, the links are posted on my profile!
Thank you for reading and God bless! Enjoy~
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Special Chapter #3 (Tender Rain) - Set on the time of the Vantress Couple's honeymoon.
ALEX'S POV
"Seriously. Bakit kailangan pang umulan ngayon?" medyo nagtatampo kong komento habang pinagmamasdan ang mga tila kumikinang na mga dyamante sa labas ng mga bintana.
Hindi tuloy kami makalabas at makapagikot-ikot ni Liam. Bakit kasi sa lahat ng araw na pwede pa umulan, ngayon pa? Ni hindi tuloy kami makalabas dito sa presidential suite. It is our first time in Maldives and we have two weeks to explore the country and yet it's only been two days since we came here and this fucking rain came up.
Napabuntong hininga na lang ako at inilingon-lingon ang ulo ko para hanapin si Liam. Nasaan na 'yun? Napakunot naman ang noo ko nang mahagip ng tingin ko ang ilaw sa may kusina. Teka, ano naman ang gagawin ng isang Spade William Vantress sa kusina? He doesn't even know how to cook to begin with. Don't tell me ...
At bago pa ako matawa sa nai-imagine ko nang sitwasyon ni Spade ay tumayo sa ako sa pagkakaupo sa gilid ng kama. Marahan at maingat kong inihakbang ang mga paa ko papunta sa kusina nang sa gayon ay hindi niya mapansin ang presensya ko. He's a mafia boss. Siyempre iba ang pakiramdam nito sa paligid.
"Shit, ang init! Hmm." rinig kong impit na sabi niya.
Ni hindi ko na nga rin namalayan na tumaas na ang isang sulok ng mga labi ko nang marinig ko iyon. I tried to walk closer to reach the walls near the kitchen. Oh God. Is he really thinking of cooking?
Baka naman matulad sa mga binomba niyang mga wearhouses at mga kampo ang mangyari sa hotel na ito kapag tinuloy pa niya ang balak niya.
Patuloy pa rin akong nakikinig ng maigi sa hirap na hirap na Liam habang nakasandal sa pader nang makarinig ako ng malakas na buntong hininga. Pumataas naman kaagad ang isang kilay ko. Tumigil na siya? Suko na kaya?
"I know you're there, Alex. Bet you're secretly laughing at me eversince you noticed me here." may inis pero may pagkabatang tono ang pananalita niya na ikinangiti ko na talaga.
Yeah. He may be a mafia leader but boys will always be boys. Throwing tantrums and showing signs that you should pet them are not an exception for this guy.
Nagpipigil na tawa akong pumasok sa kusina. I found him with a very grumpy look while holding a frying pan and wearing a — "Oh damn, Liam. Wearing a pink apron? Hahaha!" I can't help but to burst out as I walk towards his place.
I caught him rolling his eyes on me and he went back to his so-called cooking. Uh-oh. Looks like he's really into it today. Anong klaseng bulalakaw ang tumama sa mundo para maging seryoso 'to ngayon sa pagluluto?
Growing up on a wealthy family, it's already understandable if he's not used to doing house chores. He can get everything he wants just through those magic words, "I want this" or "I want that". Obviously, their family sure owns numerous maids and butlers to assist him. He is even a mafia leader! Of course, he must be on to giving orders and the associates will follow. Not only that, he's the leader of the HEAD! The whole studentry bow down and obey any orders from them. But now? Him cooking? There is really a miracle.
Dahil mukhang wala naman na siyang balak ulit lumingon sa akin, nagtungo na lang ako sa dining table para kumuha ng upuan. He really is cooking. Sino ba naman ako para tumangging kaiin ang pagkaing sa tingin ko ay kauna-unahang ginawa ng taong ito?
"What are you cooking?" I asked as I play with my fingers.
"The usual menu for a decent breakfast, Mrs. Vantress."
"Oh. Sorry, Chef Vantress."
"Funny."
"You wearing pink apron is funny."
"Tss."
"I love you." nasabi ko na lang nang mahalata ko ang pagkapikon niya sa pang-aasar ko. Ang bilis talaga nito matalo sa asaran. Nakakatuwa tuloy lalong asarin. Hahaha!
I heard him smirk seconds after. "I love you more, Alexandria Kirsten Dela Vega Cromello-Vantress." he replied back then he puts a plate of eggs and hotdogs on the table. Guess he's done.
Wala na akong ibang pahabol na sinabi at baka maasar na naman siya. Kaya nga hinayaan ko na lang na siya ang mag-asikaso ng lahat. Hindi naman din siya nagreklamo. Mukhang papanindigan niya ang ipinangako niya sa akin na pagsisilbihan niya ako para sa labing isang taon na hindi niya ako naalagaan na parang prinsesa niya.
Oo, ang sarap batukan. Ang sarap din sapakin at tadyakan sa kakesohan na lumalabas sa bibig. Kasi nga hindi ko maisip na 'yung dating puro pang-iinsulto, panghahamon, at pangdebateha lang ang sinasabi, aba'y ngayo'y kulang na lang ay magtayo ng siya warehouse ng pagawaan ng keso.
Gusto ko minsan sisihin sina Jonathan, Vlad, at ang iba pa naming kasamahan kaya siya nagkakaganito eh. Sigurado kasi ako na kung hindi si Spade ang nagpaturo, malamang ang mga ugok na 'yon ang nagsulsol. Palibhasa mga walang matinong magawa sa buhay kung hindi ang magliwaliw. Mga hindi pa kita nagpapatali.
Even so, I like the way Spade is doing these kind of things to me. Pinaparamdam niya talaga sa akin ang lahat ng dapat na naiparamdam niya sa akin sa loob ng labing isang taon na nagkawalay kami nang dahil sa mga pamilya namin at sa amnesia. Sa halos isang taon at kalahati naming ginugol para unti-untiin ulit ang pagbalik ng samahan at pakikitungo namin sa isa't isa bilang magkasintahan, he never failed to amuse me and to surprise me.
Kita niyo nga't nagluto pa siya para sa akin. It is surprising.
"How is it?" he asked with a sound of nervousness and excitement. The kind of tone you don't want to change into tone of disapointment because you'll surely feel guilty and the most cruel person in the world.
But damn, this man is one of the merciless people in the world! "Not bad. It actually tastes good for a beginner like you. Good job, Liam." I answered with full honesty. I don't want to lie to him too, you know. Mapapansin din naman niya 'yon sa mga mata ko kung nagsisinungaling ako o hindi.
Para namang nakahinga siya ng maluwag at nabunutak ng isang malaking tinik sa dibdib nang marinig niya ang sinabi ko. We then continue our meals silently while hearing only the unstoppable raindrops from the sky.
It is really upsetting. I want to go out and have some fun outside. Sightseeing, swimming, and try everything with him. We only have two weeks and then we need to go back for work. Sa loob ng isang taon at kalahati rin naming dating time, minadali namin ang pagtatapos ng kolehiyo sa Antrenica University para hindi maging malaking isyu ang pagpapakasal namin sa edad na almost twenty lang.
I know we're too young for marriage but we're on a different scenario with those arranged marriages between business clans. We're from mafia families. A breach of contract would mean disorganization and chaos between each other. It's not like we're forced or something. Seeing each other again after eleven years, me meeting him on a same school, crossing our paths again and again, and ultimately, falling in love with each other again and again.
Coincidence? No. It's called fate.
"Cold." I muttered when I felt the air conditioner and rising coldness due to the rain.
I was still looking at the window while sitting on the edge of the bed and hoping for no such thunderstorm to come when a pair of warm arms wrapped me up from behind. Due to his broad arms, he was able to cover my arms against the cold. Due to to his big hands, he was able to envelope my hands with his and create warmth. Due to his calm and warm breathing on my sensible neck, he was able to make me feel secured and comfortable with him by my side.
"Still feeling cold?" he mumble as he trailed soft kisses of my bare shoulder. I can feel his presence from my back.
Shit. Mukhang alam ko na kung saan pupunta 'to ah. Looks like he found an opening from my defense.
Before I could even utter a reply, he pulled me closer to him. "You've been avoiding this circumstance for a while now. When will you stop running away from me?" nervousness flickered on me when he starte to use his husky and seductive voice on me. I know he's really trying to make give up with this game but the seriousness on his voice is also evident. He seems determined, huh.
"Am I running away? I never did that. Twelve years ago, I've been running to chase you. Now that I was able to be with you again, why would I run away from you?"
"Because you're scared?"
Huh? Scared? Wait, does he know? Mas tumindi tuloy ang kabog ng puso ko. Hindi dahil sa pinaparating ni Spade kung hindi dahil sa ideyang baka alam na ni Spade ang plano namin ni Sean. Paano kung malaman niya? Alam niya na ba 'yung tungkol sa —
"Hey." he called out and I unconsciously turn my head to face but I only end up meeting his lips instead.
I want to worry. I want to panic. I want to cry. I want to tell him everything about the plan but I can't. I don't want to hurt him. His feelings that are very precious to me. Kahit na sabihin pa sa akin nina Sky at Alexis na may iba siyang naging karelasyon noon, hindi ko 'yun inda. Lahat ng mga iyon binigyan pansin lang niya dahil may hawig ko. May mga hawig sa itsura ng batang ako. I am living in his mind and heart eversince we met, how could I deny this man's unconditional love to me?
Although I want to pull myself from the enchanting kiss of his because of the guilt and fear within me, I can't. I love this man so much. Too much I'm prepared to risk everything for him. To sacrifice my own happiness just for his safety and for the family that we will have in the future. He helped me to turn around. I instinctively hang my hands around his nape and so is he when he pulled my waist closer to his body.
Due to the sudden turn of my body toward him, we eventually lost our balance and fell on the bed. But we just continued tasting each other's lips as if it was the first time we did this. As if our life depends on every kiss, ignoring I am already on top of him, ignoring the rain from the outside.
Someday, I'll be missing these lips. These sweet and soft lips. I deepened our kiss for getting that thought. I know he noticed me being into it and later on, his tongue is asking for entrance and I opened my mouth slightly to welcome it. I can't get enough with his kisses. What a one hell of a good damn kisser.
Mas humigpit ang hawak niya sa bewang ko at naramdaman ko ang paggamit niya ng lakas para mapabaliktad ang posisyon naming dalawa. Naputol tuloy ang mga halik naming dalawa. Abang napatingin kami ng marrin sa mga mata ng bawat isa. He looks at me like opening his inner self to me. And it's showing desire and longing. With so much love and not just mere lust.
"Am I forcing you? Tell me. I can still wait, you know. Tell me if I should stop now or else —" I stole a quick kiss on him to cut him off.
I smiled at him genuinely. The smile I showed him whenever I'm with him on their villa twelve years ago. I don't want to make him remember the tragedy that day. I want him to remember all the good memories. Because someday, he will need it. It will be his source of strength once my presence dissapeared from his sight. "Or else you won't be able to stop yourself?"
Spade then nodded awkwardly like an innocent kid which I found cute and funny. "Sa pagkakaalam ko, ako ang virgin dito, Mr. Vantress." I said jokingly.
However, he didn't laugh. He continues on looking at me intently as if I'll fade any moment now. Not now, Liam. Mawawala ako pero hindi pa ngayon. I still want to share everything with you. Even this day. This moment.
"Natatakot lang ako na baka masaktan kita. Na baka napipilitan ka lang. Na baka ako lang ang may gusto nito. Alex, I want you." and that shut me up.
He's really serious. "You don't know how much I love you, Spade, Liam, or whatever name you still have there. I love you because you are my saviour, my knight in shining armor, my first crush, my first love, my miracle." at hindi ko na siya pinagsalita pa dahil imbis na sa salita, gusto kong iparamdam na lang sa kanya na wala siyang dapat ikatakot, ipangamba, at ikaduda.
Muli kong ibinalik ang mga kamay ko sa pagkakasabit sa leeg niya at hinila siyang muli para halikan. Hindi naman din siya tumanggi o kung ano pa. He took this action of mine as a response from his question. The kiss became more aggressive, more passionate, more intense, and I returned him the same intensity.
Hindi naman nagtagal ay napansin ko ang pagpasok ng kanang kamay niya sa damit pantaas ko habang nakatungkod ang isa niyang kamay para hindi maputol ang mga halik niya sa akin. "Liam." I can't help but to moan his name when I had the chance to do so. The tiny click sound from the hook of my brassiere followed.
"Kirsten, I chose to be with you. Will you lead me to the axis of your world?" tanong niya habang hindi naaalis sa mga mata ko ang tingin niya. Naghintay pa siya ng ilang segundo para sa sagot ko pero hindi ko alam ang isasagot dahil sa pag-iisip ng maraming bagay habang nakatitig sa mga magaganda niyang mata.
Umangat naman siya sandali para tanggalin ang pang-itaas niya. Nang magawa niya iyon ay ambang isusunod na sana niya ang leeg ko para halikan nang magsalita ako. "If I said yes, will there be any change? Nothing, right?" Ginaya ko ang tono ng pananalita niya nang sinabi niya rin ang parehas na mga salita noong bata pa kami at nang isang beses kaming nagkita sa greenhouse.
His gaze shifted to me again. One of my brows arched when I caught him smiling sneakily. "Yeah. Because I won't ever let you go. Not again, queen." Inilapit naman niya ang mukha niya sa akin para pagdikitin ang mga ilong namin.
I love this man. I love him so much and I'll never be tired of saying it. Even if it cost me the last chance to breath in this world again.
I'll prove to you that there's a miracle, King. Someday, when I come back to your arms again.
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