Satin Sheets Romance
Series: The Enigma Saga - 4
(I LOVE YOU)
STILL
BY NIMFA BECK
Kinaladkad siya ni Joross. At sa kabila ng paghampas niya ng malakas ng bag sa braso nito ay hindi siya nito binitiwan. Diretso ito sa labas habang hinihingi ang kotse sa valley attendant.
Nagpumiglas siya pero niyakap nito ang baywang niya. “Joross, bitiwan mo ako!”
Ngumisi lang ito. “Iisa muna ako bago mo ako iiwan.”
Tinulak niya ito pero hindi man lang natinag. Lumapit ulit ang ibang security. Nakita niyang padating na ang kotse nang tumingin siya sa unahan. Isa lang ang naisip niya. Kapag naisakay siya nito, wala na siyang kawala kaya ubod lakas na tinapakan niya ng stiletto ang isang pa nito.
But he was wearing an expensive leather shoes, hindi man lang iyon nayupi.
Series: The Enigma Saga - 4
(I LOVE YOU)
STILL
BY NIMFA BECK
Kinaladkad siya ni Joross. At sa kabila ng paghampas niya ng malakas ng bag sa braso nito ay hindi siya nito binitiwan. Diretso ito sa labas habang hinihingi ang kotse sa valley attendant.
Nagpumiglas siya pero niyakap nito ang baywang niya. “Joross, bitiwan mo ako!”
Ngumisi lang ito. “Iisa muna ako bago mo ako iiwan.”
Tinulak niya ito pero hindi man lang natinag. Lumapit ulit ang ibang security. Nakita niyang padating na ang kotse nang tumingin siya sa unahan. Isa lang ang naisip niya. Kapag naisakay siya nito, wala na siyang kawala kaya ubod lakas na tinapakan niya ng stiletto ang isang pa nito.
But he was wearing an expensive leather shoes, hindi man lang iyon nayupi.
Tumawa lang ito. Saktong huminto ang kotse nito sa harap nila nang makita niya ang paparating sa bandang kaliwa. Papasok palang ng restaurant ang lalaki.
“Sir Lenny!” malakas na tawag niya rito.
Biglang humigpit ang pagkakahawak ni Joross sa baywang niya. “Sino iyan?”
“Boss ko.”
Sir Lenny, didn't fail her. Lumapit ito. “Hey, sweet-,” biglang huminto ang sasabihin sana nito. Tinitingnan si Joross na madilim pa rin ang ekspresyon. Saka ibinalik ang tingin sa kanya. “Are you okay?”
“Of course, she is okay. I am her fiance’, sino ka?” mabilis na sagot ni Joross.
“He is my boss!” mariing sagot niya kay Joross.
“Well nice meeting you,” bruskong sagot nito na tiningnan lang and boss niya. Sa ibang pagkakataon ay hahanga siya sa tapang ni Joross, he was only five feet and ten inches. At di hamak na mas malaki ang katawan ni Sir Lenny.
Binuksan ni Joross ang pintuan ng kotse. Si Sir Lenny ay nakipagtitigan sa kanya. Nakita nito na hinahatak siya ni Joross, wala siyang maisip gawin para isalba ang sarili, it would be too late for everything in a few moment. She had to act now!
Iniabot niya ang kamay kay Sir Lenny. “Sir!” tumulo ang luha niya.
Mabilis ang naging galaw ng boss niya. Humakbang ito palapit at inundayan ng suntok si Joross sa panga. Nabitiwan siya nito at bumagsak ito sa simento malapit sa kotse nito.
Nang hawakan siya ni Sir Lenny ay agad siya nitong iginiya sa likod nito. Hinarap nito si Joross.
“Karyll!” nagpahid ng bibig na sigaw ni Joross. “Halika na, sino ba yang lalaking iyan? Idedemanda ko yan, bigla na lang nanununtok!”
“Subukan mo, baka ikaw pa ang makulong!” matigas na sagot niya dito. Kung noon ay may natitira pa siyang respeto sa dating kasintahan. Ngayon ay wala na talaga.
Hinarap nito si Sir Lenny. “Problema namin ito, huwag kang makialam!”
“Ayaw sumama sa’yo, huwag mong pilitin!” galit na sagot ng boss niya.
Tinadyakan ni Joross ang gulong ng Pajero nito. “’Tang ina, Karyll, babalikan kita!”
“Sana hindi ka nagbanta! Mag-iingat tuloy ako!”
Hinarap siya ni Sir Lenny. “Shut up!” mahinang sabi nito.
Para itong batas na nagpahinto sa kanya. Oh, she hated men.
Muli nitong hinarap si Joross. “Umalis ka na, baka madagdagan pa yang pasa mo!”
Tinitigan sila ng masama ni Joross at saka nagmamadaling sumakay sa kotse. Pinaharurot nito ang sasakyan.
She calmed right away. Nakatulong ang presensiya ni Sir Lenny sa kanya.
“Ano’ng ginagawa mo dito?” tanong nito nang muling humarap sa kanya.
Hinimas niya ang nasaktang braso, namumula iyon. “I was supposed to have a date. Then I called our engagement off.”
Hindi niya alam kung bakit tingin niya ay sumaya ang ekspresyon nito. But he surpressed his smile. Hindi rin ito nagtanong kung bakit. “You can’t go home. Nagbanta siya.”
“Hindi niya ‘yon gagawin. Takot ‘yon makulong.”
“Believe me, when you turndown a man, they turned into animals.”
Umiling siya. Saka iniba ang topic. “Thank you for the help. Natakot makialam ang mga guards nang sabihin niyang engage kami at nag-aaway lang.”
“Kung may nangyaring masama sa’yo babalikan ko silang lahat. Magpapatawag ako ng meeting bukas,” seryosong sagot nito.
Nanlaki ang mga mata niya. “You owned the place?”
Tumango ito. “I owned the damn building.”
Tiningala niya ang commercial building. “This is one of the Enigma Tower.”
“You’re right, I have stocks with them. Noong mag-asawa si Maverick, he sold some buildings to other stock holders. I got this one.”
This was only one of the three Enigma Tower in Bonifacio Global. “Do you also own the other’s?”
Umiling ito. “I don’t need much. Maverick still own the other. I think Chanse just bought the one in the north.”
Nalula siya sa kakayahan ng boss niyang bumili ng building ng ganoon na lang. The only thing that she was seeing in him that had value was his Jaguar. And well, the expensive clothes na kaya naman bilhin ng iba pang hindi kayang bumili ng commercial buildings.
“Let’s go inside,” yaya nito sa kanya na ikinagulat niya.
“Where?”
“Sa penthouse,” parang wala lang na sabi nito.
Hindi agad siya nakaimik.
“I am not letting you go home by yourself.” Iginiya siya nito papasok sa loob. “Pero, Sir Lenny-,”
“Stop calling me Sir. Wala tayo sa opisina. And cut the hang ups. It’s either you’ll spend the night here. Or I will go home with you.”
Nawalan siya ng isasagot. Hinawakan nito ang siko niya nang alalayan siya papasok sa elevator.
“Baka magalit ang asawa mo!” sabi niya agad pagkasarang pagkasara ng private elevator. Diretso iyon sa penthouse.
“She is not here at hindi siya magagalit.”
“Where is she?”
“Sa bahay namin sa Conrinthians.”
Hindi siya mapalagay, this was wrong.
“Quit thinking, Karyll.”
How could she do that? A year ago she almost give in to the feeling of wanting him so much. Mabuti na lang at dumating ang asawa nito nang gabi na. Nakita niya kung gaano kaganda ang babae. And Sir Lenny attentively brought her home. Nawala ang pantasya niya agad agad.
She let the moment passed. Ilang beses na gusto niya nang mag-resign but that would be too coward. SO she endured having him from the distance. Kapag lumalapit ito ay ini-ignore niya.
Except tonight, she needed him. “Salamat ulit,” mahinang sabi niya.
Tumango lang ito.
Bumukas ang pinto ng elevator at inalalayan siyang lumabas ng boss niya.
Diretso sila sa hallway. And an open entrance was on the far left. Bumulaga sa kanya ang napakalaking living room.
All that was in there was red and black leather. Including the big couch, three lazy boyz and the coffee table. Pati ang lalagyan mismo ng TV ay yari sa makapal na leather. The carpet was deep brown. Sa bandang gilid sa kanan ay may mini bar.
Ang buong bahay ay napapaligiran ng malalaking kurtina, in red and black also. May hagdan siyang nakita.
“Kumain ka na ba?” tanong nito nang maglakad papunta sa bar. Nagsalin ito ng alak.
“Konti.”
“I’ll order us some foods.”
Gusto niyang tumanggi, wala kasi siyang ganang kumain, pero baka gutom na ito. Puwede niya namang sabayan. Baka hindi na rin ito kumain kung tatanggi siya.
Dinampot nito ang landline sa mismong counter ng bar. “Chinese?” tanong nito sa kanya.
Tumango siya. “Dimsum would be great.”
Narinig niyang nakipag-usap ito sa nasa kabilang linya. He asked for a change for three thousand. Bakit ganoon kadami ang orders?
Nang maibaba ang phone ay naglakad ito palapit sa kanya. “Don’t you want to sit?”
Tiningnan niya muna ang malaking couch bago naupo doon. He literally sit beside her.
“You’ve known me for so long. Hanggang ngayon ba hindi ka pa rin kumportable sa akin?”
“Bakit kailangan kong maging kumportable sa iyo?”
“Bakit hindi? I don’t think it’s a crime?”
“Tinatanong mo ba ako?”
“I want you to say that I am right.”
Hindi niya iyon sinagot. Instead she focused on other things. “Kapag nalaman ng asawa mo-,”
“Wala siyang gagawin.”
“Paano kung pumunta siya rito?”
“She don’t know the place.”
“Why?”
“Because.” Final na sabi nito. Wala itong balak dugtungan ng reasoning ang huling sinabi. Pero tulad niya ay iniliko nito ang topic. “May mga bagay na gusto kong sabihin sa iyo. Pero sa estadong mayroon tayo. I don’t think it would be wise to give you informations just to gain your trust. I’m not gonna play that.”
Hindi niya ito maintindihan. “Ikakasal ako. I just called the engagement off.”
Humalakhak si Sir Lenny. “Ano ba ang pinag-uusapan natin, Karyll?”
She was mesmerized with the laugh without apparent reason. And she didn’t know the answer to his question. Ano nga ba ang pinag-uusapan nila?
Ibinaba nito ang hawak na wine glass sa coffee table at inilapit ang mukha sa kanya. “Or, puwede rin naman tayo gumawa ng mapag-uusapan.”
Bigla niyang inilayo ang mukha dito. She swallowed a few times habang titig na titig dito.
“Kung wala ba akong asawa, you will give me a chance?” tanong nito na walang kakurap-kurap.
Which she stupidly answered. “You, are a very attractive man.”
“You are attracted to me?”
“All the women are attracted to you.”
Pumikit ito saglit bago dumilat ulit. Parang nawawalan ng pasensiya. “This is about you and me, Karyll, first, call me Lenny, next, do not talk in general, least of all speak for other women. I want to know your view as a woman. How you feel, how would you react towards me.”
“Hindi ko sinagot iyan sa napakahabang panahon, what makes you think na sasagutin ko ngayon?”
Sumandal ito sa sofa, inangat ang kamay sa magkabilang backrest na parang nakaakbay na sa kanya. He rested his backhead behind the couch and closed his eyes. He pulled her close. “Don’t resist me.”
She didn’t move. She could feel the heat from his body, the intensity of his breathing.
Karyll thought of the time that Rica and her saw his wife with another man. “Kung manlalaki ang asawa mo. Matatanggap mo ba?”
Hinila nito ang katawan niya sa dibdib nito. Napayakap na siya dito pero tulad kanina ay hindi siya umalma. The feeling she had for him, everything about wanting and needed him just emerged from her system. Gusto niya itong yakapin ng mahigpit at ramdamin kung paano ang pakiramdam na mayakap siya nito. “You don’t know anything about me and my wife to ask that.”
Bakit hindi na lang siya nito sagutin? “Hindi ka ba masasaktan? Hindi mo ba iisiping pumatay ng tao?”
“Nambabae ba si Joross?”
“Huwag mong ibalik sa akin ang tanong!” her voice became shaky.
Tuluyan na siya nitong niyakap. “Shhh, don’t fight me. Sagutin mo ang tanong ko.”
“Yes.” Tumulo ang luha niya. Si Joross ba ang iniiyakan niya o ang sitwasyon niya ngayon? Hindi niya alam. Pagod na siya sa kakakuwestiyon sa sarili niya.
“Nasaktan ka ba nang malaman mo?”
“Hindi ko maalala.”
“When did you find out?”
“Few months ago.”
“At hindi mo sinabi sa kanya agad?”
“Hindi ako bayolenteng tao, ayoko ng nag-aaway.”
“Kaya hinayaan mo lang?”
Hindi niya alam kung ano ang sasabihin.
“Or maybe, you already fell out of love during that time and you don’t care about what you just found out. Kasi wala ka na naman balak pakasalan siya. Were you thinking about that subconciously?” Naramdaman niya ang halik nito sa ibabaw ng buhok niya.
“I don’t know what I’m thinking-,”
“Karyll,” his tone was of a warning.
“You invaded my world from day one that I met you,” mahina niyang sabi. It would be humilliating to admit this to him, but she was left with no choice, now or never. Ano man ang isipin nito. If she had to resign from the company she would.
He lifted her chin. The sort of look that he gave to her face was unreadable. Ito lang ang nakakalam kung ano ba ang iniisip nito.
Nang bumaba ang labi nito sa mga labi niya ay pumikit lang siya ang ninamnam ang pagkakalapat ng mga bibig nila.
This was him, the man she had been dreaming about. Bukas na siya mag-iisip. She had been surpressing herself from him for years now. The outcome was devastating. She fell out of love, she stop caring about her relationship with Joross, and she didn’t feel anything when she found out about his woman.
But this man. Gabi-gabi ay ito ang laman ng isip niya. Nagseselos siya na baka kung ano ang ginagawa nito at ng asawa. Nagseselos siya na may iba itong katabi at hindi siya.
Lumalim ang halik at yumakap siya dito.
He moaned deep inside her trembling mouth. Their tongues met. He held her scalp with his big palm ang pulled her face to kiss her even more. The penatration of his tongue was like the sexual act itself.
Then she felt it all at once. Nakahiga na siya sa sofa. His thighs and legs were in the middle of hers. Nakapaikot na sa baywang nito ang mga hita niya.
His other hand was everywhere. Hindi niya alam kung ano ang unang raramdamin. He was rubbing her hip, the side of her body, her arm. Then his hand inserted around her and squeezed her bottom while he grinded his full and big arousal in her midsection.
She felt so hot, on fire and she couldn’t help it. Hinila niya ang ulo nito. He didn’t want to end the kiss, everything that she didn’t want to do with anyone else, she wanted with Sir Lenny.
Noon siya natigilan. She was making out with her boss. BInitiwan niya ang ulo nito at ibinaling ang mukha, itinulak niya ito pero hindi naman natinag.
He span her chin with his big hand, at pilit iniharap ang mukha niya rito. “Look at me!” mariing utos nito. “From now on, no more pretensions. Ikaw at ako, we will give in to what we feel with no reservation!”
“Nababaliw ka na ba? May asawa ka!”
“Do you trust me?” ganting tanong nito. He sounded upset.
“What trust has got to do with this?”
“You will trust so you won’t start thinking like a stupid idiot! Give in to what you feel!”
“Hindi mo alam kung ano ang nararmdaman ko!”
“Hindi ako bobo!”
They seered each other’s eyes for a very long time.
He thrusted his mid body to hers again. “Sabihin mo sa akin kung ano ang ibig sabihin nito, Karyll? If I made love to you awhile ago, pipigilan mo ba ako?”
Hindi niya iyon masagot. The answer was given. She felt so pathetic and weak loving this man. Marami namang iba. Her tears fell at the side of her eyes.
Pinahid nito iyon g likod ng palad. “No need to cry,” he whispered. “Ang pagpapakasal namin ni Penelope ay isang kasunduan. We gave in to her grandparents wish to try it out. If it doesn’t work after a certain time. Then it’s okay to let each other go.”
Gustong sipain ni Lenny ang sarili. For one dahil umiiyak ang babaing ayaw na ayaw niyang makitang nasasaktan. Pangalawa ay may mga bagay na hindi niya masabi ng kumpleto dito. But he wanted to comfort her. He wanted her to feel that he would take care of her, of both of them. Hindi niya ito sasaktan sa paraang alam niya. He wanted to spend time with her. Love her.
Napapikit siya sa naisip. He was subconsiously loving the woman for so long. Wala na siyang maisip kung hindi ito. Araw-araw ay kailangan niyang dumaan malapit sa opisina nito to make sure she was still there. Just be there for him.
“Kaya sa tanong mo kanina, kung masasaktan ako kung malalaman kong may lalaki ang asawa ko, no! Pero nang malaman kong may boyfriend ka na and was about to be married, I was deeply wounded,”
“Sir Lenny!” malakas na tawag niya rito.
Biglang humigpit ang pagkakahawak ni Joross sa baywang niya. “Sino iyan?”
“Boss ko.”
Sir Lenny, didn't fail her. Lumapit ito. “Hey, sweet-,” biglang huminto ang sasabihin sana nito. Tinitingnan si Joross na madilim pa rin ang ekspresyon. Saka ibinalik ang tingin sa kanya. “Are you okay?”
“Of course, she is okay. I am her fiance’, sino ka?” mabilis na sagot ni Joross.
“He is my boss!” mariing sagot niya kay Joross.
“Well nice meeting you,” bruskong sagot nito na tiningnan lang and boss niya. Sa ibang pagkakataon ay hahanga siya sa tapang ni Joross, he was only five feet and ten inches. At di hamak na mas malaki ang katawan ni Sir Lenny.
Binuksan ni Joross ang pintuan ng kotse. Si Sir Lenny ay nakipagtitigan sa kanya. Nakita nito na hinahatak siya ni Joross, wala siyang maisip gawin para isalba ang sarili, it would be too late for everything in a few moment. She had to act now!
Iniabot niya ang kamay kay Sir Lenny. “Sir!” tumulo ang luha niya.
Mabilis ang naging galaw ng boss niya. Humakbang ito palapit at inundayan ng suntok si Joross sa panga. Nabitiwan siya nito at bumagsak ito sa simento malapit sa kotse nito.
Nang hawakan siya ni Sir Lenny ay agad siya nitong iginiya sa likod nito. Hinarap nito si Joross.
“Karyll!” nagpahid ng bibig na sigaw ni Joross. “Halika na, sino ba yang lalaking iyan? Idedemanda ko yan, bigla na lang nanununtok!”
“Subukan mo, baka ikaw pa ang makulong!” matigas na sagot niya dito. Kung noon ay may natitira pa siyang respeto sa dating kasintahan. Ngayon ay wala na talaga.
Hinarap nito si Sir Lenny. “Problema namin ito, huwag kang makialam!”
“Ayaw sumama sa’yo, huwag mong pilitin!” galit na sagot ng boss niya.
Tinadyakan ni Joross ang gulong ng Pajero nito. “’Tang ina, Karyll, babalikan kita!”
“Sana hindi ka nagbanta! Mag-iingat tuloy ako!”
Hinarap siya ni Sir Lenny. “Shut up!” mahinang sabi nito.
Para itong batas na nagpahinto sa kanya. Oh, she hated men.
Muli nitong hinarap si Joross. “Umalis ka na, baka madagdagan pa yang pasa mo!”
Tinitigan sila ng masama ni Joross at saka nagmamadaling sumakay sa kotse. Pinaharurot nito ang sasakyan.
She calmed right away. Nakatulong ang presensiya ni Sir Lenny sa kanya.
“Ano’ng ginagawa mo dito?” tanong nito nang muling humarap sa kanya.
Hinimas niya ang nasaktang braso, namumula iyon. “I was supposed to have a date. Then I called our engagement off.”
Hindi niya alam kung bakit tingin niya ay sumaya ang ekspresyon nito. But he surpressed his smile. Hindi rin ito nagtanong kung bakit. “You can’t go home. Nagbanta siya.”
“Hindi niya ‘yon gagawin. Takot ‘yon makulong.”
“Believe me, when you turndown a man, they turned into animals.”
Umiling siya. Saka iniba ang topic. “Thank you for the help. Natakot makialam ang mga guards nang sabihin niyang engage kami at nag-aaway lang.”
“Kung may nangyaring masama sa’yo babalikan ko silang lahat. Magpapatawag ako ng meeting bukas,” seryosong sagot nito.
Nanlaki ang mga mata niya. “You owned the place?”
Tumango ito. “I owned the damn building.”
Tiningala niya ang commercial building. “This is one of the Enigma Tower.”
“You’re right, I have stocks with them. Noong mag-asawa si Maverick, he sold some buildings to other stock holders. I got this one.”
This was only one of the three Enigma Tower in Bonifacio Global. “Do you also own the other’s?”
Umiling ito. “I don’t need much. Maverick still own the other. I think Chanse just bought the one in the north.”
Nalula siya sa kakayahan ng boss niyang bumili ng building ng ganoon na lang. The only thing that she was seeing in him that had value was his Jaguar. And well, the expensive clothes na kaya naman bilhin ng iba pang hindi kayang bumili ng commercial buildings.
“Let’s go inside,” yaya nito sa kanya na ikinagulat niya.
“Where?”
“Sa penthouse,” parang wala lang na sabi nito.
Hindi agad siya nakaimik.
“I am not letting you go home by yourself.” Iginiya siya nito papasok sa loob. “Pero, Sir Lenny-,”
“Stop calling me Sir. Wala tayo sa opisina. And cut the hang ups. It’s either you’ll spend the night here. Or I will go home with you.”
Nawalan siya ng isasagot. Hinawakan nito ang siko niya nang alalayan siya papasok sa elevator.
“Baka magalit ang asawa mo!” sabi niya agad pagkasarang pagkasara ng private elevator. Diretso iyon sa penthouse.
“She is not here at hindi siya magagalit.”
“Where is she?”
“Sa bahay namin sa Conrinthians.”
Hindi siya mapalagay, this was wrong.
“Quit thinking, Karyll.”
How could she do that? A year ago she almost give in to the feeling of wanting him so much. Mabuti na lang at dumating ang asawa nito nang gabi na. Nakita niya kung gaano kaganda ang babae. And Sir Lenny attentively brought her home. Nawala ang pantasya niya agad agad.
She let the moment passed. Ilang beses na gusto niya nang mag-resign but that would be too coward. SO she endured having him from the distance. Kapag lumalapit ito ay ini-ignore niya.
Except tonight, she needed him. “Salamat ulit,” mahinang sabi niya.
Tumango lang ito.
Bumukas ang pinto ng elevator at inalalayan siyang lumabas ng boss niya.
Diretso sila sa hallway. And an open entrance was on the far left. Bumulaga sa kanya ang napakalaking living room.
All that was in there was red and black leather. Including the big couch, three lazy boyz and the coffee table. Pati ang lalagyan mismo ng TV ay yari sa makapal na leather. The carpet was deep brown. Sa bandang gilid sa kanan ay may mini bar.
Ang buong bahay ay napapaligiran ng malalaking kurtina, in red and black also. May hagdan siyang nakita.
“Kumain ka na ba?” tanong nito nang maglakad papunta sa bar. Nagsalin ito ng alak.
“Konti.”
“I’ll order us some foods.”
Gusto niyang tumanggi, wala kasi siyang ganang kumain, pero baka gutom na ito. Puwede niya namang sabayan. Baka hindi na rin ito kumain kung tatanggi siya.
Dinampot nito ang landline sa mismong counter ng bar. “Chinese?” tanong nito sa kanya.
Tumango siya. “Dimsum would be great.”
Narinig niyang nakipag-usap ito sa nasa kabilang linya. He asked for a change for three thousand. Bakit ganoon kadami ang orders?
Nang maibaba ang phone ay naglakad ito palapit sa kanya. “Don’t you want to sit?”
Tiningnan niya muna ang malaking couch bago naupo doon. He literally sit beside her.
“You’ve known me for so long. Hanggang ngayon ba hindi ka pa rin kumportable sa akin?”
“Bakit kailangan kong maging kumportable sa iyo?”
“Bakit hindi? I don’t think it’s a crime?”
“Tinatanong mo ba ako?”
“I want you to say that I am right.”
Hindi niya iyon sinagot. Instead she focused on other things. “Kapag nalaman ng asawa mo-,”
“Wala siyang gagawin.”
“Paano kung pumunta siya rito?”
“She don’t know the place.”
“Why?”
“Because.” Final na sabi nito. Wala itong balak dugtungan ng reasoning ang huling sinabi. Pero tulad niya ay iniliko nito ang topic. “May mga bagay na gusto kong sabihin sa iyo. Pero sa estadong mayroon tayo. I don’t think it would be wise to give you informations just to gain your trust. I’m not gonna play that.”
Hindi niya ito maintindihan. “Ikakasal ako. I just called the engagement off.”
Humalakhak si Sir Lenny. “Ano ba ang pinag-uusapan natin, Karyll?”
She was mesmerized with the laugh without apparent reason. And she didn’t know the answer to his question. Ano nga ba ang pinag-uusapan nila?
Ibinaba nito ang hawak na wine glass sa coffee table at inilapit ang mukha sa kanya. “Or, puwede rin naman tayo gumawa ng mapag-uusapan.”
Bigla niyang inilayo ang mukha dito. She swallowed a few times habang titig na titig dito.
“Kung wala ba akong asawa, you will give me a chance?” tanong nito na walang kakurap-kurap.
Which she stupidly answered. “You, are a very attractive man.”
“You are attracted to me?”
“All the women are attracted to you.”
Pumikit ito saglit bago dumilat ulit. Parang nawawalan ng pasensiya. “This is about you and me, Karyll, first, call me Lenny, next, do not talk in general, least of all speak for other women. I want to know your view as a woman. How you feel, how would you react towards me.”
“Hindi ko sinagot iyan sa napakahabang panahon, what makes you think na sasagutin ko ngayon?”
Sumandal ito sa sofa, inangat ang kamay sa magkabilang backrest na parang nakaakbay na sa kanya. He rested his backhead behind the couch and closed his eyes. He pulled her close. “Don’t resist me.”
She didn’t move. She could feel the heat from his body, the intensity of his breathing.
Karyll thought of the time that Rica and her saw his wife with another man. “Kung manlalaki ang asawa mo. Matatanggap mo ba?”
Hinila nito ang katawan niya sa dibdib nito. Napayakap na siya dito pero tulad kanina ay hindi siya umalma. The feeling she had for him, everything about wanting and needed him just emerged from her system. Gusto niya itong yakapin ng mahigpit at ramdamin kung paano ang pakiramdam na mayakap siya nito. “You don’t know anything about me and my wife to ask that.”
Bakit hindi na lang siya nito sagutin? “Hindi ka ba masasaktan? Hindi mo ba iisiping pumatay ng tao?”
“Nambabae ba si Joross?”
“Huwag mong ibalik sa akin ang tanong!” her voice became shaky.
Tuluyan na siya nitong niyakap. “Shhh, don’t fight me. Sagutin mo ang tanong ko.”
“Yes.” Tumulo ang luha niya. Si Joross ba ang iniiyakan niya o ang sitwasyon niya ngayon? Hindi niya alam. Pagod na siya sa kakakuwestiyon sa sarili niya.
“Nasaktan ka ba nang malaman mo?”
“Hindi ko maalala.”
“When did you find out?”
“Few months ago.”
“At hindi mo sinabi sa kanya agad?”
“Hindi ako bayolenteng tao, ayoko ng nag-aaway.”
“Kaya hinayaan mo lang?”
Hindi niya alam kung ano ang sasabihin.
“Or maybe, you already fell out of love during that time and you don’t care about what you just found out. Kasi wala ka na naman balak pakasalan siya. Were you thinking about that subconciously?” Naramdaman niya ang halik nito sa ibabaw ng buhok niya.
“I don’t know what I’m thinking-,”
“Karyll,” his tone was of a warning.
“You invaded my world from day one that I met you,” mahina niyang sabi. It would be humilliating to admit this to him, but she was left with no choice, now or never. Ano man ang isipin nito. If she had to resign from the company she would.
He lifted her chin. The sort of look that he gave to her face was unreadable. Ito lang ang nakakalam kung ano ba ang iniisip nito.
Nang bumaba ang labi nito sa mga labi niya ay pumikit lang siya ang ninamnam ang pagkakalapat ng mga bibig nila.
This was him, the man she had been dreaming about. Bukas na siya mag-iisip. She had been surpressing herself from him for years now. The outcome was devastating. She fell out of love, she stop caring about her relationship with Joross, and she didn’t feel anything when she found out about his woman.
But this man. Gabi-gabi ay ito ang laman ng isip niya. Nagseselos siya na baka kung ano ang ginagawa nito at ng asawa. Nagseselos siya na may iba itong katabi at hindi siya.
Lumalim ang halik at yumakap siya dito.
He moaned deep inside her trembling mouth. Their tongues met. He held her scalp with his big palm ang pulled her face to kiss her even more. The penatration of his tongue was like the sexual act itself.
Then she felt it all at once. Nakahiga na siya sa sofa. His thighs and legs were in the middle of hers. Nakapaikot na sa baywang nito ang mga hita niya.
His other hand was everywhere. Hindi niya alam kung ano ang unang raramdamin. He was rubbing her hip, the side of her body, her arm. Then his hand inserted around her and squeezed her bottom while he grinded his full and big arousal in her midsection.
She felt so hot, on fire and she couldn’t help it. Hinila niya ang ulo nito. He didn’t want to end the kiss, everything that she didn’t want to do with anyone else, she wanted with Sir Lenny.
Noon siya natigilan. She was making out with her boss. BInitiwan niya ang ulo nito at ibinaling ang mukha, itinulak niya ito pero hindi naman natinag.
He span her chin with his big hand, at pilit iniharap ang mukha niya rito. “Look at me!” mariing utos nito. “From now on, no more pretensions. Ikaw at ako, we will give in to what we feel with no reservation!”
“Nababaliw ka na ba? May asawa ka!”
“Do you trust me?” ganting tanong nito. He sounded upset.
“What trust has got to do with this?”
“You will trust so you won’t start thinking like a stupid idiot! Give in to what you feel!”
“Hindi mo alam kung ano ang nararmdaman ko!”
“Hindi ako bobo!”
They seered each other’s eyes for a very long time.
He thrusted his mid body to hers again. “Sabihin mo sa akin kung ano ang ibig sabihin nito, Karyll? If I made love to you awhile ago, pipigilan mo ba ako?”
Hindi niya iyon masagot. The answer was given. She felt so pathetic and weak loving this man. Marami namang iba. Her tears fell at the side of her eyes.
Pinahid nito iyon g likod ng palad. “No need to cry,” he whispered. “Ang pagpapakasal namin ni Penelope ay isang kasunduan. We gave in to her grandparents wish to try it out. If it doesn’t work after a certain time. Then it’s okay to let each other go.”
Gustong sipain ni Lenny ang sarili. For one dahil umiiyak ang babaing ayaw na ayaw niyang makitang nasasaktan. Pangalawa ay may mga bagay na hindi niya masabi ng kumpleto dito. But he wanted to comfort her. He wanted her to feel that he would take care of her, of both of them. Hindi niya ito sasaktan sa paraang alam niya. He wanted to spend time with her. Love her.
Napapikit siya sa naisip. He was subconsiously loving the woman for so long. Wala na siyang maisip kung hindi ito. Araw-araw ay kailangan niyang dumaan malapit sa opisina nito to make sure she was still there. Just be there for him.
“Kaya sa tanong mo kanina, kung masasaktan ako kung malalaman kong may lalaki ang asawa ko, no! Pero nang malaman kong may boyfriend ka na and was about to be married, I was deeply wounded,”