Happy morning my dears, here's an update before I go for church service. Mamayang na muna ang harot, ok? Hahaha, Sunday duties first.
Thank you for sharing your views about the last chapter. I agree with most of you about keeping things secret for the time being, as a form of self-preservation. It's human nature to protect one's own interests.
Let's give our couple this time to get to know each other intimately, because when they were back in Evanston, they never really got to know each other well. They were too caught up in their drama and the struggle to balance things together. But now that they have matured, are more sure of what they feel for each other, the right time has come for them to be together.
Enjoy this time with them my dears, mamayang gabi na lang ang pasabog, ok? Good pasabog yun, promise :)
She could barely sleep the night before. As early as four in the morning, she was awake, took a cold shower and got ready for her day with Richard. He said he would come by around six, but at five in the morning, she was ready and waiting, her hands cold in anticipation. He told her to bring clothes for changing, they were spending the night in Tagaytay.
She wondered if they would be going full-on intimate later, and was she ready to give herself to him? It was a big step for them both, considering they were just starting to rebuild the foundation of their relationship from their falling out in the past.
Her doorbell rang, startling her from her reverie. She rushed to open the door and found him standing outside her condo with a bunch of multi-colored carnations in his hand. He handed her the bunch and pulled her by the nape to kiss her, his tongue snaking out to tease hers. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him inside to deepen the kiss, while his hands met at the small of her back to press her closer to him. Breathless, they came up for air, their noses touching.
"Good morning, Dei," He whispered huskily, stealing another kiss on her mouth.
"Good morning. You just took my breath away, literally." She took his hand and made him feel her heart's erratic beat. The heat went up his face and ears, his hand trekked lower to cup her breast.
"Jayyyy........"
"Yes?"
"I.....hmmm......." His hand squeezed her cup lightly. She felt lightheaded with desire. "Aren't we leaving yet?"
He lowered his mouth to her bare shoulders, pressing a warm kiss to her smooth shoulder.
"I don't know how I am supposed to drive to Tagaytay without touching you."
"Ako lang pwede magtouch. You concentrate on driving." She took her bags and pushed him out of her unit to lock the door.
After spending 10 minutes putting on her seatbelt for her (of course this was just an excuse to reach over her and kiss her again), they were on their way. Despite their years of knowing each other, they were just discovering each other's playful side for the first time. In their college years they were so intent on impressing each other by showing their good side, such that they forgot to be themselves and enjoy each other's company.
Dei reached for Richard's hand and kissed his palm. She was absently stroking it while her eyes were closed, her mind drifting back to those times when she was so divided by her studies and his feelings for her.
"Tell me about your life after graduation, Jay."
"There isn't much to tell. I chose Gregory Weighman as my Fiction Coach, and he paved the way for me to get published. He read a few chapters of my work, coached me on how to improve it and gave me one of his contacts at Fairfax-Harper."
"You never dated?"
"No. I was too busy to meet anyone. I was so intent on getting published because I wanted to get it out of the way so that I could follow you."
"I'm glad you pursued your dream first. I wouldn't want you to have any what-ifs once we're really together."
"What about you? What happened when you came back?"
"I was busy immediately after settling down in Manila again. Kat recommended me to several directors who had story ideas for TV anthologies and movies. I was overwhelmed that they were willing to gamble with a newbie like me. I started with TV scripts, they were easier to do and the workload was more manageable. KPop adaptations were easy because there was a plot already and I just needed to localize it. But there was a lot to be done and pretty soon I was already outsourcing some of the work. I finally asked for a loan from my dad to set up Pageturner. Dad wanted in as a silent partner. The rest is history."
"I'm glad Kat helped you out. See, I told you she'd be a good sister to you."
"Yes, we became closer when I got back. I owe that to you."
They finally arrived at Concha's Garden at the Cliffhouse, a branch of the chain of restaurants owned by Jay's family in the Philippines. Dominic managed this branch while another one in Quezon City was managed by his sister. Dei liked the lush greenery around the restaurant, the homey feel of the interiors, and warmth of the staff. She was introduced to the chef and the restaurant manager, after which they were ushered to a table with a nice view, the table already laden with comfort food for breakfast.
"So much food! I'm so hungry I could eat everything," she said excitedly.
They were left to enjoy breakfast, feeding each other and outrageously flirting. Their conversation was laden with subtle references to intimacy later, the sexual tension between them was so evident. Dei could not get enough of the way Richard's eyes would roam all over her body, watching her every move, such that she had to playfully slap him once, to pay more attention to what she was saying. He pulled her chair close to his, rubbing his bare knee against hers, skin against skin making electric contact.
They went to Museo Orlina to check out the glass sculptures on display, marveling at the beauty of Orlina's work.
He took her to The Bathhouse at Qiwellness Living for a relaxing bathhouse experience; soaking in their pool for forty five minutes, followed by a seventy five minute massage.
It was already past two in the afternoon when they decided to have a late lunch at Bag of Beans, but neither was that hungry. Dei was sleepy from the massage and they decided to check into their room at The Inn at the Cliffhouse.
"Dei.......separate beds?" He looked at her longingly, as though to implore her to say no.
"No," She said, blushing as she looked away, but he gently turned her face to him.
"We're not doing anything you're not ready for, sweetie. But I do want to hold you close while we sleep. Ok?" She nodded and hugged him in response.
They slept for a few hours and woke up to a beautiful sunset unfolding before them. Both were lazy to go out and ordered room service for dinner. It was during dinner that Richard shared his plans to stay in the country for good.
"Dei.......I'm thinking of relocating to Manila. I asked my brother to help me find a house, when I go back to Miami next weekend, I'll just tie up loose ends there with Faairfax-Harper and move here."
"Why? Won't your parents miss you there?"
"I can always visit them. They're busy with the business, they're not that old yet. They also travel, so I don't think they'll miss me that much."
He reached for her hand across the table and looked at her steadily.
"I promised I'd follow you remember? I'm making good that promise. And this time, I'm making sure we're clear on our label. No more excuses for us to blur the lines, Dei."
"Are you sure about this? I don't want you to regret this later on if things don't work out with us."
"We will make things work, Dei. At least on my end, I will."
"I'm so afraid of losing you again. Please hurry back, ok?"
"I will. But for tonight, I just want to be with you and make up for lost time."
She stood up from her seat and walked towards him, barefoot with just a loose shirtdress on. She pulled him up from his seat and cupped his face to bring his lips to hers, brushing her mouth against his.