CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
"HOW'S YOUR marriage life?"
That question was from Joyce. They are in an exclusive coffee shop together with Kira. Her husband left early in the morning, so she woke up alone in bed. Okay na rin 'yon dahil nahihiya siya sa asawa niya. She made a rules last night, but in the end, she break it. What a shame?
Malay niya ba na hindi na siya sanay matulog ng hindi nakadikit ang balat niya sa balat ng asawa niya? Sana nga ay gano'n din si Brooke, pero mukhang hindi. Pinagbigyan lang talaga siya kagabi at naramdaman marahil na aligaga siya. Ngayon, hindi niya na alam kung mapapangatawanan niya pa ba ang 'no cuddling' niyang patakaran.
"It's okay. Kahit papano ay nasasanay na kami sa presenya ng isa't-isa." Casual na sagot niya, komportableng nakaupo.
"Halata nga. You're blooming. Masarap ba?" tudyo ni Kira sabay maarteng sumimsim ng kape.
"Syempre masarap!" Joyce was the one who answered. Tunog siguradong-sigurado. "I heard a lot of rumor about Brooke and his performance in bed. Binabalik-balikan daw 'yan ng mga ex niya. Ano bang mayron sa asawa mo, Icah? Bukod sa gwapo na, big time pa. Um?"
Ano nga ba? It's hard for her to compare Brooke to other. She doesn't have any experience with other men. Damn, she was a virgin when he took her!
Kaya ano ang isasagot niya? Na may pierce ang asawa niya sa pagkalalaki nito? Na nagpapasigaw sa kanya sa sarap? Uminit ang mukha niya, in no way in hell she would tell it to anyone! Kaya siguro hinahabol-habol ang asawa niya ng mga naikama nito dahil sa sarap nitong bumayo!
The rumor was right. Uh, she can still remember the night when Brooke admitted that there are some women who's flirting with him until now!
"Si Gelicah lang ang makakasagot niyan. Ano, girl? Is the rumor about your husband's right?" Kira shifted her sitting position aggressively, she's now facing her, the two are waiting for her answer.
"Hindi makasagot." Apila ni Joyce. "Hindi siguro totoo ang bali-balita-"
"Totoo!" Namula ang pisngi niya nang ngisian siya ng dalawa. Pareho itong lalong naging alerto, abang na abang sa susunod na sasabihin niya. "He's good in..." napalunok siya. "...bed."
"Rate mo, 1 to 10!"
"10!" she proudly said, making the two giggled.
"Nakaka-ilang rounds kayo?" Agresibong tanong ulit ni Joyce.
"Lupaypay ka siguro palagi, ano? Kaya pala ilang araw lang parang pumayat ka! Pero mas lalo kang gumanda, Icah. In fairness, nakakaganda pala talaga ang sex!" Walang preno ang bibig ni Kira na ikinahihiya niya na naging kaibigan ito.
Napapatingin na sa kanila ang iba pang customer do'n dahil ang lamesa lang nila ang tangi na maingay at nakakahiya pa ang pinag-uusapan nila! Goodness!
"Huwag na nga natin siyang pag-usapan." Aniya, asiwa na sa topic nila. They shouldn't talk about sex in public.
"Let's continue talking about your husband. He's interesting." Joyce said, making her rolled her eyes on her friend. Hindi talaga titigil. "Guess what? I've read an article about his family background."
And that caught her attention. His family background. She's interested to know since Brooke keep his family background from her. Though, she understand him, still she wanted to know. Wala naman sigurong masama na kilalanin niya pa ng lubusang ang asawa niya, di ba?
"Let us hear it!" Kira motioned Joyce to continue, then winked at her playfully.
Joyce proper her sitting position, she rested her back on the chair. "His mother left their mansion when he was five."
Gelicah eyes widened a bit, surprised by what she heard. She didn't expect it. Ang alam niya lang ay wala na ang mommy ni Brooke. That's all.
"Totoo 'yan?" Paninigurado niya.
"I don't know. It's just some part of gossips about him. He didn't tell you?"
She shook her head before she sipped on her coffee. If his mother left him when he was a kid, if its really true, then her husband suffered of being left by his mother? How painful it was to be left by the one you love?
"All I know that his mother was gone."
"Maybe the rumor is true?" Kira muttered. "What matter now is he's successful even without his mother beside him."
"He grew up without a mother." She almost whispering, she suddenly felt sad. "His grandfather was the one who raised him."
"Yes, he never forget to thank Don Armando whenever he have an interview for business magazine. Your husband look up on his abuelo so much, he said that in one of his interview."
She smile, she can tell it too. Brooke really care about his grandfather. He's a lolo's boy. Don Armando is his only family. Kung sana ay papayagan siya ng tadhana na maging pamilya si Brooke ay gagawin niya...gagawa sila ng pamilya. Kaya lang anim na buwan lang ang pagkakataon na ibinigay sa kanya.
Pagkakasyahin niya na lang ang mga araw na 'yon para maiparamdam sa asawa niya na kabahagi siya ng pamilya...na pamilya parin silang matatawag.
IT WAS THEIR second month of being married, and so far so good. Walang naging problema sa kanila ni Brooke, bukod lang sa mga araw na iritado siya sa asawa lalo at madalas na itong umuwi ng hating gabi. Staying at home or going to Mall every day starting to bore her.
"I want to work." She said to him, he's getting ready to go to work again.
"You don't need that. I can provide every thing for you, babe."
Inaayos niya ang pagkakatali ng tie nito, gano'n sila araw-araw at nasasanay na siya, pero ang kabog ng dibdib niya ay hindi pa nasasanay sa tuwing tititigan siya nito. Katulad nalang ngayon, magaan ang lapat ng mata sa kanya ngunit nanunuri.
"But I want...I'm getting bored." She whisper, her lips protrude a bit, while looking on his stubbles.
Marahan na ipinulupot ng asawa ang mga braso sa bewang niya, ang kabog ng dibdib niya ay mas lalong naging agresibo.
"Payagan mo na ako," lambing niya pa sa mahinang boses.
"You can work with me."
Kumislap ang mga mata niya nang mag-angat ng tingin sa asawa. Ang labi nito ay nakapirmi sa isang linya, may multong ngiti.
"Gusto ko 'yan. I can even replace your secretary." Mayabang na sabi niya, halos taas noo.
"Hmm. My secretary do a lot of works."
"Kakayanin ko."
Ngumiti ang magaganda nitong mata, amuse sa ipinapakita niyang dedikasyon na mag-trabaho na.
"Just work with me in my office."
She knotted her forehead. "What would be my job?"
Brooke smile playfully. "Just be...with me until I finish working."
"Papanoorin lang kita?" Bahagya niya itong itinulak sa dibdib pero tinawanan lang siya. "You're playing with me."
Hinalikan siya nito sa noo. "Get dressed. Come with me in my office."
Sa galak ay pinanggigilan na hinalikan niya ang asawa sa labi. Ilang araw niya rin itong nilambing sa bagay na gusto niya ng mag trabaho. Ngayon lang siya pinayagan, sa wakas. Sa opisina nga lang nito, okay na rin. Makakasama niya ito buong araw.
FOR THE FIRST time after being married with Brooke Montero for a good two months, finally, she got the chance to visit his office.
"Good morning, boss." The secretary stood up when she saw them came out from the elevator. "Good morning Mrs. Montero." She greeted politely with a smile.
"Good morning," she greeted back with a smile. Being called Mrs. Montero made her heart jump gladly. Lalo tuloy gumanda ang araw niya.
Brooke just nodded his head before guiding her to his office. The wide glass wall at the back of his swivel chair, making the sun light came inside. The skyscrapers were good enough for an everyday view.
"What am I going to do?" She asked, standing in front of his center table, while he's already sitting on the swivel chair, signing some papers.
"You can watch a movie in my room or make us coffee." He winked at her and turn on his expensive silver laptop.
"Um, I want to eat chicken salad." She sat on the couch.
Lumipat ang tingin ng asawa sa kanya mula sa laptop nito, nakuha niya ang atensyon ng gano'n lang. Distorbo lang yata siya rito.
"You ate a lot of chicken salad this pass few days."
"Is that bad?"
"No,"
"Then, can I buy?"
"Mag-uutos nalang ako. Huwag ka nang lumabas." He pressed the intercom above his table. "Come here," he said on it.
Maya-maya lang ay magalang na pumasok ang sekretarya nito, nakangiti.
"Ano po 'yon, boss?"
Brooke motioned her to his secretary. "Ask my wife what she wants to eat and tell Ruben to buy it outside."
The secretary turn around and face her. Para siyang nahiya bigla. Nagpunta lang yata siya do'n para kumain at distorbohin ang mga nagtatrabaho.
"Ahm, I want Mexican chicken salad and..." she paused and think on what she wants to eat. What she's craving for. "...Lasagna, Macapuno caramel ice cream and..." she bit her lips shyly when she glance on Brooke and saw him staring and listening on her. "I want to eat santol, too. Okay lang ba?"
"Yes, Madam. Walang problema."
"Thank you."
"That's all Mrs. Montero?" The secretary is all smile.
"Yes,"
The secretary turn to face her boss. "What about you, boss? Anything you want to eat?"
"I'm good, Lorry. Thanks."
Tumango si Lorry at magalang na naglakad papunta sa pinto, saka niya naman naalala ang masarap na pamares sa santol.
"Um, please don't forget to buy bagoong na maanghang." Pahabol na bilin niya pa.
Lorry smile grew wider. "Noted, Madam."
Ngumiti rin siya bago ibinalik ang atensyon sa asawa niya, napawi ang ngiti sa labi niya nang makita ang mataman na titig nito sa kanya.
"Why? You told me to eat whatever I want."
Brooke blinked and shook his head. "Yeah," then he force a smile. "Sabihin mo lang kung ano pa ang gusto mong kainin, magpapabili tayo, okay?"
"Okay," Ilan sandali muna siya nitong pinagmasdan bago ibinalik ang atensyon sa ginagawa. "Do you want me to make you a coffee?"
"Yes, please." He answered without looking on her.
She went to the mini kitchen and make him a brewed coffee. After a few minutes, she went back on him and put the coffee above his table.
"Here's your coffee, boss." She teased.
Brooke chuckled. "Thanks, baby."
He rested his back on the swivel chair and massage his temple.
"Headache?"
"Uh, a bit."
Umikot siya sa likod ng swivel chair nito at marahan niyang dinama ang sintido ng asawa, natigilan ito ng bahagya.
"It must be your lacked of sleep. You go home late and leave home early in the morning."
"I think so," he gently grabbed her hand and made her sit on his lap.
She carefully sitting on his lap, avoiding the thing between his thighs. His right arm was wrapping her waist and his palm was above her stomach, while the other one is on the arm rest.
"You can take a nap."
"Hmm," he nuzzle on her neck, making her tilted her head back a bit. His palm is caressing her stomach.
Nakapalupot ang isang braso niya sa batok ng asawa, habang ang isang palad niya ay nasa dibdib nito, nanghihinang nakalapat. Nalalasing na naman sa masusuyong paghinga nito sa leeg niya at sa paghaplos-haplos sa tiyan niya.
"Do you think it's good that I'm here?" Her voice is low.
"Yes, I wanted you here in my office."
"I'm disturbing you from working." She pointed out. "Imbes na nagtatrabaho ka, ako ang tinatrabaho mo."
Brooke let out a husky short laugh. Mas lalong nanindig ang balahibo niya sa pagtama ng hustong hininga nito sa may leeg niya.
"I'm just resting."
"And this is your way of resting? Caressing and kissing your wife?"
"Yes, it's relaxing."
He planted a gentle kiss under her ear, it affects her body so much that even it was just a simple kiss, it put her body on heat. The feeling is so familiar, if her husband continue teasing her, she would surely ask for more!
"And this is my job? To make the boss relax?"
Marahan itong natawa. "That's my wife's job from now on."
"How much is my monthly salary for that?" She playfully asked, tilting head on the side to have a full view of his handsome face.
Brooke eyes landed on her lips, she tried hard her best not to bit it because it would only make him turn on. Instead, she force a small playful smile.
"Name your price. I would give it to you in a blink." He was intently stating on her lips now, her chest is going wild.
Icah swallow carefully, the desire on his dark eyes is very evident. Her husband wanted her! He's just controlling himself!
Naalarma siya nang may kumatok sa pinto.
"Come in," Brooke said in a flat tone.
Aalis sana siya sa kandungan ng asawa ngunit maagap siya nitong napigilan, huli na ang pagprotesta niya dahil pumasok na si Lorry na may dalang mga paper bag. Lorry smile on them, and it made her think that she is used seeing Brooke with a woman in that position. Hindi man lang nagulat sa nadatnan, nanatiling pormal at may ngiti.
"Heto na po ang lahat ng pagkain na pinabili mo, Madam." Inilapag ng sekretarya ang mga 'yon sa lamiseta.
"Thank you." She smile shyly at the woman.
Her face rose up because of their position. She looks like a naughty wife who's disturbing her husband from working.
"You're welcome, Mrs. Montero. Lalabas na po ako." Magalang itong lumabas sa opisina.
"Uh, nakakahiya!" She hissed and slap her husband's chest lightly.
"Anong nakakahiya do'n?"
"Your secretary caught us in this position. Baka iniisip niya ginugulo kita."
"My secretary is out of my private life. And I don't think she would think that my wife is only a distraction to me."
Hinaplos nito ang hita niya, napaigtad pa siya nang ipasok nito ang palad sa formal dress na suot niya. Tinutumbok ng daliri ang ibabaw ng pagkababae niya.
Icah fake a cough and lifted her one eyebrow when Brooke smirked on her. He's teasing her. Hindi siya magpapadala sa mapanudyong haplos nito.
"We are in your office." She reminded him, she was killing the familiar heat that's building up.
"I know baby," he whispered under her ear, seducing her. His finger found her sensitive spot, making her body arch a bit.
"Brooke..." malambing na tawag niya.
His finger was teasing and rubbing her cl*t, she's getting wet. She wants him, too, but she already smell the bagoong, para siyang naglaway bigla.
"Baby I want to eat..." she muttered and reached for his hand that's busy rubbing her wetness, telling him to stop.
"Alright, eat." He planted a kiss on her lips and stare on her for awhile.
"Sabayan mo ako,"
"I don't eat santol."
She laugh heartily. "Ice cream nalang?"
"Pwede, give me some."
"Yes boss," she winked on him before she stood up and went to the paper bags.
Inisa-isa niyang inilabas 'yon at mas lalong natakam nang makita ang mga santol na naglalakihan. Ilang beses pa siyang napalunok, takam na takam.
"You like that?" Brooke asked, he was watching her reaction.
Matamis siyang ngumiti at tumango. "Yeah, parang ang sarap. Lalo siguro kapag sinawsaw sa bagoong."
Napangiwi si Brooke nang buksan niya ang lalagyan ng bagoong, inamoy-amoy niya pa 'yon. Ang sarap ng amoy!
"What the fuck is that smell?!" The door suddenly opened and a handsome man came in. It's Kielton if she's not mistaken. "The smell is gross! Ew!" Halos mangidlis pa ang lalaking bagong dating.
"Ang bango kaya," sabat niya, inirapan ito.
"Oh, Mrs. Gelicah Montero is here. Hi," Kielton coolly wave his hand on her, but she just leered at the man. Hindi niya bet. Masyadong ma-presko. "Ang sungit ng asawa mo, Brooke. Mabuti nalang maganda parin."
Nang tignan niya ang asawa ay pasimpleng nakatakip ang isang palad nito sa ilong, tila ba minamasahe 'yon.
"Ayos ka lang?" Tanong niya rito.
"Yes baby, go on and finish eating your Santol and bagoong." Brooke force a smile, telling her that everything is okay. "Don't mind that brute." Then he eyed Kielton sharply, as if he wanted his friend to shut his mouth.
"Oo na, ang bango na ng bagoong. Ang bango-bango ng opisina mo, Brooke." Kielton said with the hint of sarcasm.