"Never asked me to let you go. Because that's unworkable."
She threw a dagger look at Zedrick. How could he say that? He needed to let her go. He had Dorothy and they had a healthy relationship. She even saw the Instagram account of the woman. His face is all over her wall.
He is cheating!
Marahas niyang pinalis ang luha sa kanyang pisngi. Kung tatanungin siya nito kung bakit siya umiiyak, iyon ay dahil sa awa. Kailangan niyang panindigan na wala na talaga. Na hindi niya ito gusto. "Hindi mo ako mabobola. What you are doing right now is unworkable either with me. Babaero!"
The sadness on his eyes instantly changed into an amusement. Yet he remained to look pain and injured deeply. "It seems that my baby wants to clarify something." He arrogantly shifted on his seat and watched her closely. "Hmmm?"
She shouldn't be looked into his eyes. He is known as a silent playboy. He will not do or even say anything because his hawk and sexy eyes had a natural power that can fool any woman. One time she read an article on a woman's magazine about the most beautiful woman on the world. There are many lists of pervert question. One of those is; if you are going to die tomorrow. Can you name a man who you do want to have a one night stand? Mehiko said that the boys, Hetch are the living men on this world that she wanted to be with. Either Malik Hetch or Zedrick Dominique Hetch.
"Ano ba!" Pinalo niya ang kamay nito noong subukan siyang hawakan sa pisngi. Isang beses na siyang napaikot ng malanding lalaki na ito, hindi na mauulit iyon. Over her dead body.
He licked his lower lip. Putting a playful smile on his luscious lips. "I miss you."
"Miss your face. Ang landi nito. Doon ka nga sa Dorothy mo." She rolled her eyes.
Zedrick barked a laughter.
"Huwag kang tumawa. Hindi ako nakikipagbiruan."
"Listen. I am not a property to be owned by anyone... but a naughty little witch got my heart. She goes far away and now she is back. She is now right across my eyes."
"Don't make a—" Humarap siya rito para ipamukha na si Dorothy ang girlfriend nito. Pero lumapat ang malalambot nitong labi sa kanya. Sinubukan niyang pumiksi ngunit maagap nitong sinakop ng mga kamay ang magkabila niyang pisngi. Locking her for him to kiss her deeply, sensually, and hungrier. As if he is worshipping every corner of her lips.
Pinagsusuntok niya ang dibdib nito. Ngunit maagap nitong sinalo ang parehas niyang kamay bago nilubayan ang kanyang mga labi. "I'm not your enemy nor a stranger to your life. I am your boyfriend. Don't push me to anyone else." Mapupungay ang mga titig nito sa kanya.
Obviously, struggling hard on how he will make her believe about his feelings. Scared to lose her again. "No matter how difficult you are. Even if you push me away, I will always love you. Only you," he added, looking back on her tempting lips.
How can this man still love her after seven years? Kung tutuusin ay nagagalit ito at naghihiganti rin. Pero pagmamahal nitong totoo ang pilit pinauunawa sa kanya. Kapag ganyan ito, nahihirapan siyang ipunin ang lahat ng galit niya sa krimeng ginawa ni Brandon. The criminals' blood is running through his veins. But Zedrick is purely innocent to all of this. Or maybe she was wrong. There is a possibility that Brandon is using his brother to kill her too.
His eyes suddenly drifted on her see-through dress. Right there and then his dangerous eyes come back. "You don't have a brassiere?"
She unconsciously looked down too. Oh, yes! I don't have any, it's just a nipple silicon.
Nagtangis ang mga bagang nito, dismayadong ipinikit ang mga mata. Tahimik nitong tinanggal ang suot na coat upang ipasuot sa kanya. Sa una ay hindi niya tinanggap pero nang makaradam nang panlalamig at pakilusin ang sasakyan ay sinuot na rin niya.
"Where are we going?"
"Dinner," masungit na tugon sa kanya.
Ngumuso siya. Hanggang ngayon ay natatakot pa rin siya rito. Hindi niya iyon maipagkakaila. Kahit anong gawin niyang inis o galit, kayang-kaya nitong pagpalitin ang sitwasyon. Pero gayunpaman kailangan niyang mag-ingat. She cannot trust him fully. She will not let her guard down. Baka mamaya paraan lang nito ang gamitin ang edge niya sa kanya para madali na siyang mapatay. Kailangan niyang tingnan ang iba pang anggulo.
He brought her to a luxurious fine dining. At first, she intentionally forgot the coat on the car, but he wisely brought it with him. When they reach the foot of entrance, all the men there turned their heads at her. And the diligent Zedrick put the coat on her.
Some of the guests recognized her immediately. They almost blocked them for a few talked and autographs. Hindi siya mahilig mag-entertain ng tao, pero dahil iniinis niya si Zedrick ay pinaunlakan niya. Nakikipagbeso pa siya at selfie.
"Gusto ko talaga ang mga gawa mo. Ang gaganda parang ikaw. Salamat, Majesty."
"Thank you, po." Kumaway siya sa mga ito bago nagpahatak sa kasama niya sa nireserba nitong marahil para sa kanila.
She wanted to laugh at their arrangement. Zedrick is literally selfish. He chose a private place for them as if he doesn't want to share her or any disturbance. She didn't talk to him while waiting and 'til the food served. She just wanted to take care. To avoid failure or any reason for him to take advantage again.
"Are you comfortable surrounded by many lustful eyes looking you bare?"
"The more attention the merrier. Besides this is part of my name," sagot niya, abala sa paghihiwa ng karne. "Why?" Inosente niya itong sinulyapan. Hindi niya maiangat ang tinidor na may nakatusok na steak. Nakakalunod ang atensyong pinupukol nitong atensyon sa kanya.
"I don't like it. But what can I do? That is your passion. Your dream."
Mariin niyang tinitigan ito. She suddenly doubted the past years of being away with him. He seemed knew what happened in between those brackets. That he witness her sorrow, hard days, and how she had her name now.
"Do you base in here?" She took the glass of wine and played it while waiting for his answer.
"My company is in Dubai."
"Then what are you doing here?" She arrogantly cocked her head, trying really hard to show him that she's still higher than him. That his power over her won't work anymore. A satisfied gesture instantly graces on her movement when he remained tight lip. Obviously, he is lying about his feelings toward her. He is bluffing. "You know. You don't have to—" Her eyes found her ringing the phone.
Goodness, Charlie not now.
"It's fine. Answer it, maybe it's urgent."
Saglit niyang sinulyapan ang tensiyonadong lalaki bago dinampot ang tawag. "Hello, Charlie?" Pumitik ang kilay niya nang tumingin si Zedrick sa kanya.
"What's up? Good news, my dad can walk now."
Iniisip ba niyang lalaki ang kausap ko? Her lips curved up into a devilish grin when she thought something crazy. "Really, Baby Boy? That's great news."
"Gaga. Baby boy mong mukha mo. Umayos ka nga. Ganyan ba ang nangyayari kapag nadiligan na. Share ka naman riyan."
Tumawa ang nasa kabilang linya kaya tumawa rin siya. Iyong kinikilig na tawa. "I even miss your hugs and kisses. Especially your, you know. Once you come back here. Maybe we can... oh my! Alam mo na 'yon."
"What the fuck are talking—"
Binaba niya agad ang tawag at hinarap ang ngayo'y hindi na maipintang mukha ni Zedrick. Bakit ngayon ko lang naisip ito? If he is using me then I can use him too. He is Brandon's brother. He will bring me to him. My mission will be very easy. "As I was saying, Mr. Hetch. You are working in Construction world. You need someone for the interior. Actually, my designs are up for that as the BnG Company discovered my skills. We can work together."
"Who's Charlie?"
Naroon pa rin siya? Hay, napasobra yata ang adlib ko. "She is my bestfriend. Ano bang iniisip mo? Hindi ako kagaya mong babaero. Playboy. Jerk."
"Siguraduhin mo lang, Thaysky."
"It's Majesty. Ano na? Are you up with my suggestions or not?"
He is calm down now. His gentle movements say so. But the way he looked at her seemed suspicious. "Your offer is a temptation. I'll take that. You will start today."
Tumawa siya. "Relax. I need to know the background of my partner. How's your family?" She needed to know more about Brandon, to be specific. Charlie's information was limited and Zedrick had a comprehensive view of him.
"Partner?" He drawled as the side of his lips rose up. "Okay if that's what you want."
Naubos ang oras nila sa pag-uusap tungkol sa pamilya nito. Nalaman niyang may asawa na si Joffrey at dalawang anak, isang lalaki at na babae. Ang daddy naman nila ay nasa Hawaii. Ang daming pasikot-sikot ni Zedrick dahil hindi nito binabanggit ang tungkol kay Brandon. Ngunit sa huli ay napaamin niya itong nag-resign ang huli upang sumama sa kanya. Bagaman mas luto ang kaalaman nito sa kapatid.
Nauna siyang sumulyap sa phone nitong tumutunog. "Answer it. Maybe it is an urgent too." Patay malisya niyang ininom ang wine.
"It's Paige. She is asking for a video call."
Nagliwanag ang kanyang mukha. "Answer it. I miss her!"
Sinagot nito ang tawag at agad itinapat sa kanya ang screen. Bumungad sa kanya ang losyang na si Paige habang nagpapatulog ng baby. "Oh my, is that yours?" Mangha niyang tinitigan ang nasa likod na si Benny na sinasabunutan ng batang babae.
"Hoy, Ulap. After seven years, ganyan lang ang sasabihin mo sa akin? Ang laki na ng utang mo sa pamangkin mo." Nginuso nito ang batang ngayon ay sinusuklay na ang buhok ng inosenteng si Benny.
Tumawa siya nang mamilog ang mata nito nang makita siya. Binuhat nito ang panganay na anak upang sumilip sa screen. "Babe si Sky ba talaga 'yan? Akala ko si Eury."
Saglit siyang natulala pero agad ding ngumiti. "Ang tulis mo, Benny. Nakadalawa na agad kayo niyan. Hindi ko aakalaing seryosohan ang relasyon niyo ni Amorsolo."
"Syempre naman. Dapat sumunod na rin kayo ni Zedrick. Aba, pitong taon kayong nagkahiwalay 'no. Aray!"
Inagaw ni Paige ang cellphone mula rito. Narinig din niya ang utos nito sa asawa na bantayan ang umiiyak na bunso nila. "Hoy babae. Bakit bigla kang nawala? Magkuwento ka naman."
"Paige, it's getting late now. She can talk to you some other day." Si Zedrick na agad pinatay ang tawag.
Nabigla siya sa saglit na pag-uusap na iyon. Hindi niya masisisi kung bakit ganoon ang naging reaction ng mga ito. Lahat ay biglaan at walang nakakaalam. Pero masaya siyang hindi galit ang mga ito sa kanya.
"Do you have any more question?" Zedrick broke her reverie.
"I'll reserve the other next time. I'm sleepy."
"Alright. Ihahatid na kita."
Nagising siya dahil doon. "No need. I can go home alone."
Puno nang pagdududa ang mga titig nito sa kanya, lalo sa suot niyang see-through. "You think I will let you ride alone."
Mabigat na talaga ang mga talukap ng kanyang mata. Pumayag siya sa kagustuhan nito. Siya na ang nag-direct sa GPS para hindi na siya tanungin pa nito. Habang tulala ay tuluyan na siyang nakatulog. Hahayaan niyang gawin nito ang maibigan. Sa gayon ay makuha niya ang tiwala nito. Hanggang sa makalimutan ang tungkol sa totoong pakay niya.
A feeling of someone watching her from nowhere made her awake and alert. She immediately found Zedrick staring at her while sipping his cup of coffee on the veranda. Tirik na ang araw kaya kumikinang ang bronseng hantad na pang-itaas nitong katawan.
"Good morning," he casually greeted.
Napaahon siya dahil doon. "What are you doing in my room? And goodness, why are you half naked?" Histerya niyang sinilip ang kanyang suot. "Did you change my clothes?" she asked him suspiciously.
Patay malisya nitong pinatong sa mesa ang hawak. "Hindi ka magising kagabi kaya tinawag ko ang katulong mo."
Talaga? Sobrang pagod lang siguro. Pinanood niya ang pagsandal nito sa forge iron panel habang nakadipa ang mga braso. He is facing the backyard, oblivious on her that was engrossed on his broad back shoulder and flexed shoulders.
"Mag-isa ka lang bang nakatira rito? Bakit isa lang ang security mo sa labas?"
Sinamantala niya ang pagkakataong nakatalikod ito upang magsuot ng roba. "One is enough. Besides I don't stay here that much."
Pumunta siya sa veranda para makita ang tinitingnan nito. Ganoon nalang ang gulat niya nang makitang ang daming paparazzi sa labas ng gate niya. Hinila niya agad si Zedrick papasok sa loob. Sinara niya ang glass panel at hinarap ito. "Anong ginagawa mo?"
"You are not safe here. You can live with me in my place."
"Hell no. Partner lang tayo sa work, hindi kita asawa."
That the last time, he saw him again. Rumors exploded like a ballistic bomb in the news and any tabloid about her mysterious man. On the first week, it didn't name yet, but a new controversial photo of her together with Zedrick Hetch leaked. Everyone directly predicted that the naked man on her veranda was him.
"Ibig sabihin ay hindi pala si kuya ang pakay mo. Si bunso pala si Baby Boy." Tinawanan siya ni Charlie noong bumisita ito sa kanyang opisina isang beses nang umuwi ito.
Hindi siya makapaniwalang darating sa ganitong ingay ang tungkol sa kanya. Pumutok din ang balitang inaakusahan siyang ahas ni Dorothy. At kung kailan ginigisa siya ng media ay saka hindi magpapakita ang hinayupak na si Zedrick.
"Is it true, Sky?" Si Denver nang minsang tumawag sa kanya. Kasalukuyan itong out of the country magmula ng close door party. Magtatagal pa ito ng ilang linggo roon pero gusto na raw umuwi.
"Denver, it's not true. Alam mo naman sa mundo ng showbiz, gagawan nila ako ng kuwento. Hindi iyon totoo kaya relax lang, okay?"
"I'm worried, Sky. You are alone there. Charlie is out too. Please take care."
"You too. Good bye."
Bumuntong hininga siya nang maalpasan ang hindi magkamayaw na media sa labas ng gusali ng Swizz Corporation. Inaasahan niyang hindi niya malalagpasan iyon pero may apat na lalaking naka-suit ang biglang sumulpot upang protektahan siya. When she entered the building the mysterious men instantly disappeared.
"Ma'am, paki-check naman po itong new arrival na silk galing ng India." Bungad ng isa sa kanyang assistant designer na si Magnum pagkalabas niya ng elevator.
Hinila siya nito sa reception desk upang silipin ang sample colors.
"Ako na ang magbibigay."
"Ako na girl. Ako ang secretary ni Miss Majesty."
Irita niyang nilingon ang nagbabangayang bago niyang secretary na si Nicky at isang designer. "What's up with you, two?" Napansin niya ang pinag-aagawang tasa ng kape. "Nicky, served my coffee later."
"Hindi po, Miss. Para po sa bisita niyo ito."
Suminghap ang mga ito nang taasan niya ng kilay. Wala siyang inaasahang bisita. Higit sa lahat, sino ang nagpapasok ng tao sa opisina niya ng walang pahintulot? Binitawan niya ang hawak at galit na dumiretso sa automatic sliding door.
Naabutan niya ang mga nakatanghod na mga tauhan sa kanyang opisina. Para bang may artista roon na gusto nilang kuhanan ng autograph. Isang tikhim niya lang ay agad nagsibalik sa kanilang trabaho ang mga ito. Wala siyang sinabi pero masama niyang tinitigan ang bawat isa bago tumingala.
Ganoon nalang ang kilabot niya sa buong katawan ng makasalubong ang galit na mga titig ni Zedrick. Pero galit din siya, sa paanong paraan nito nalulunok na tiisin siyang saluhin lahat ng pasaring ng mga tao? Na ahas siya. Mangangagaw.
Mabigat ang mga yabag niyang inakyat ang stairwells. Pabalagbag na sinara ang pinto. Galit itong hinarap.
"Ang kapal din ng mukha mong magpakita rito," she bluntly speaks.
"I spoke with Mrs. Swizz. She agreed to our partnership. I might use the other side as my office so we can start."
"Wait, give me a month. I still have something to—"
"Tomorrow I will come back here. Don't worry I'll not disturb you."
"Tomorrow?"
All her plans literally crumbled at her feet. Hindi niya alam kung paano pagsasabayin ang trabaho sa revenge, idagdag pang ginagambala siya ni Zedrick. Hindi niya inaasahang ang partnership na tinutukoy niya ay ganito. Na makikita niya ito araw-araw? Siya dapat ang gumagambala rito? Bakit parang ito pa ang may ay ngiting tagumpay ngayon?
"You heard it right, Majesty. I can't wait to work with you every day. No more hiding."
Ngumiti siya upang itago ang kabang nadarama. Hindi siya papayag na ultimo sa mundong kung saan niya sinimulang mabuo ay papasukin nito. Sinara niya ang bintana ng glass panel at lumapit dito. She rested her hand on his nape and looked into his dangerous eyes. Until now she didn't forget all those flirting habit that Violet just taught her.
"Are you sure about that? Maybe it is not a good idea. I might disturb or distract you. You know I am naughty and sometimes I'm not satisfied with a simple kiss." Maging siya ay hindi nakilala ang sariling tinig. Lalo nang ilapit niya ang kanyang bibig sa labi nito. Sa sobrang lapit ay bumangga ang ilong niya sa ilong nito.
Zedrick closed his eyes on the sudden touch. He seemed falling on her drama and expecting a kiss from her. But it was not her real plan, she wanted him to realize that her presence will only distract him.
Namilog ang kanyang mga mata nang hapitin nito ang kanyang baywang. Ang gilid ng labi nito ay umangat, tila natutuwa sa kanyang naging reaksyon. "I've known you, a wicked witch, that won't change my mind." Right there and then he savagely attacked her lips for a quick kiss. Her red lipstick tainted his lips.
Hindi siya nakapalag. Gulat na gulat sa biglaang atake. Nagising siya nang aakmang aalis ito. "Alisin muna natin 'yang marka sa labi mo." Hindi niya na hinintay ang pahintulot nito. Pinunasan niya ng daliri iyon.
Kung anong seryoso niya ay saya naman nito. He used that moment to tease her. His both hands snaked around her waist to close their distance. He didn't say anything. He just waited for her to finish.
Kanina pa niya natanggal ang mantsa, pero hindi niya sinasabi rito. Sadyang gusto niya lang samantalahin ang pagkakataon dahil marami siyang napansing pagbabago sa binata. He is the tall, dangerous, and bulky type of man, but he became even massive, darker, and taller. All his muscles are way leaner and like a metal. So tight and compose. He let his stubbles grow while his mustache is properly trimmed. He actually looked shabby but that won't barricade his natural appeal. He looked even manly and slinky.
How could this man obtain his charisma on his dirtiest option?
"Aren't you done yet?"
Sa gulat ay itinulak niya ito. Marahan lang iyon pero umatras ito habang may nakakalokong ngiti sa mga labi.
"Do whatever you please. Just don't disturb me." Malamig niyang tinalikuran ito para bumaba. Kailangan niyang tingnan ang mga telang dumating galing sa India. She felt at ease when he straight through on the elevator.