Kabanata 16

Hello, March! Wishing you all, a month full of hope, new opportunities, and good news! Happy reading, enjoy. ❤️

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ENEMY'S PROPERTY
Kabanata 16
''Mine''

Palabas pa lang ng building namin ay nakita ko na ang sasakyan ni Carlos, katabi ng kay Lukas.

Mukhang nakita rin iyon ni Lukas dahil napailing agad siya. Hindi ko alam kung anong alam niya dahil wala siya masyadong sinasabi kapag tungkol sa kapatid. Pero literal na wala talaga siyang masyadong sinasabi, lalo na kapag hindi niya kailangan magsalita.

But I realized how awkward it is. I'm friends with Lukas... and there's his brother too, in the picture.

Tumikhim ako. ''I-I'm not dating your brother, Lukas.''

He only glanced at me. Mas nakaramdam tuloy ako ng hiya. Yung tingin niya kasi iba eh, para bang hindi naniniwala. But it's true! Carlos and I aren't dating. And I wouldn't want to date him either!

''He told me he's courting you.''

Pakiramdam ko nasamid ako kahit walang iniinom. ''What?! I-it isn't true!''

''Hmm.'' he shrugged.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit tila nataranta ako. Ayaw maniwala ni Lukas!

''Mapag-angkin lang ang kapatid mo, Lukas. At....'' Hindi ko alam kung itutuloy ko. ''...medyo feelingero. Pero hindi iyon totoo!''

He didn't respond to that anymore. I pursed my lips and just silently followed him. Carlos is already there, waiting for us. Kunot ang kanyang noo habang pinagmamasdan ako na panay naman ang sulyap sa kanyang kapatid.

''Bye, Lukas! See you tomorrow.'' I waved at him.

Tumango lamang siya.

''Kuya, mauna na ako.'' aniya kay Carlos.

''Alright. Drive safely.''

Ramdam ko ang paglapat ng kamay ni Carlos sa likod ng aking baywang habang pinagmamasdan namin ang pag-alis ng sasakyan ni Lukas. And when it was already out of our sight, I looked up to him. Sabay kaming bumaling kaya agad kaming nagkatinginan.

''What's wrong?''

''W-wala...''

Mas tumalas ang tingin niya. ''You've been looking at my brother.''

I frowned at that. ''And what do you imply?''

Hindi siya nag salita agad tila ba tinatanya muna at pinag-aaralan ang mukha ko bago sabihin kung ano man ang iniisip niya.

''I'm going to throw him out of the family if you start developing feelings for him.'' he warned dangerously.

Nahampas ko siya sa dibdib at mariing tiningnan dahil nabigla sa kanyang sinabi. But he just looked at me arrogantly. This man!

Alam ko rin namang hindi niya iyon magagawa kahit kailan. But sometimes he should mind his words, too. And what develops feelings for Lukas? He's just my friend!

''Bawasan mo nga ang pagiging overthinker mo. Kung saan-saan ka pa naman dinadala ng mga pinag-iisip mo!'' I told him, wanting to remind him of his assumptions before that only led us to misunderstandings.

''I laid my eyes on you first!''

''And?'' I asked, rolling my eyes.

''So, you are mine.'' he whispered in my ear, sending chills and goosebumps over my body. ''You are Carlos Lorenzo's woman, not my brother's and definitely not only anyone else. Remember that.''

Tinulak ko siya nang bahagya dahil masyado siyang malapit. I covered my ear too because his breath has been tickling me.

''I am not anyone's! I own myself.'' iritado kong sabi, kahit kabadong-kabado rin. ''And we are not in a relationship, that's what you should remember!''

''We are not, not yet.'' nanunuya niyang ulit, tunog pagod na ring marinig iyon. ''But nothing will change the fact that I claimed you mine the moment our eyes locked that day.''

Muling umikot sa kalangitan ang mga mata ko. These men are indeed possessive and too territorial.

Inaya ko na siya sa loob ng sasakyan nang mapansing marami nang tao ang nagsisilabasan ng building. If people would see this man, all attention would be ours. And that's the least thing I will ever want.

''I told you I'm fine with five minutes. But I'll add another five minutes on my clock, will you allow it?'' he asked while driving.

''Why do you even want to see me?'' I crossed my arms under my chest. ''Nagkita palang tayo noong nakaraan-''

''Tss. Because I missed you. What else?'' He sneered. ''And yes, the last time we saw each other was already a week ago! Para sa'kin ay matagal na, Georgianna. Kaya hindi na ako makapaghintay.''

Napatitig lamang ako sa kanya hanggang sa kinuha niya ang aking kamay at dinala sa kanyang hita. He held my hand, caressing the back of my palm softly with his thumb. I snorted, pero pinagbigyan ko na lamang.

''I have something for you...'' sabi ko nang ngayon lang maalala iyon.

''Hmm?''

Hinigit ko ang kamay ko na mukhang ayaw pang bitawan! Hindi ko muna siya pinansin at hinahanap sa bag ko ay isang box. When I got it, I noticed that Carlos stopped the car first at the side. He gave me all his attention. Kunot ang noo niya habang pinagmamasdan ako pero may kung ano rin sa kanyang mga mata.

I handed him the small brown box, inside is a resin coaster I made myself. I want to express my gratitude to him for helping us in the group work before. Hindi ko alam ang ibibigay dahil pakiramdam ko, mayroon naman siya ng lahat. He's rich and can easily buy things he wants on his own. So I thought of giving something else... a more personalized one. Pero hindi lang naman siya ang ginawan ko, I made one for Lukas, Terrence, Rona, and Peter, too.

''What is this? And what is it for?'' he asked while opening it.

''It's a resin coaster. A simple thank you for helping us...'' Halos hindi ko maipagpatuloy dahil pinagmamasdan ko siya na parang biglang naging bata na tuwang-tuwa sa natanggap na regalo.

His lips curled. ''You made it yourself?''

He noticed right away?

The resin is clear and only with dried flowers, greens, and gold flakes. It isn't really perfect... but it's the thought that counts, right?

''Ah, yes...'' Tumikhim ako, at napanguso. ''It's a floral design though. It's from the flowers you gave me, remember you sent me daisies last time, when we were done with the presentation? I dried them up and that's it-''

I wasn't even able to finish my sentence when he came close and kissed my cheek. Agad na uminit ang pisngi ko.

''Thank you,'' he whispered and planted another kiss on my forehead.

I want to say that it isn't really that much. It's just a simple gift of gratitude, it didn't even cost me a lot or anything. But he looks so happy that I don't want to burst the bubble with happiness.

Ngumiti ako. ''You're welcome.''

Kahit pagkatapos ng ilang linggo, may mga araw na pumupunta si Carlos sa paaralan namin para hablutin ako ng ilang minuto bago umuwi. We just drove around with him holding my hand. After that, he'd take me back to school. Laging may sumusundo sa'kin, sinasabi ko na lang na medyo natatagalan ako dahil may inaaral pa.

It was Saturday when Carlos' flooded my phone with his calls again.

Minsan hindi ko maisip na makulit sa pagtawag at pagtext si Carlos. I mean, he looked so mature that these things are probably not really his forte. Ang tipo kasi niya ay iyong mga walang interest sa ganitong bagay. Men who are already working, and especially a businessman, every minute of their time is important. I feel like they find this childish.

But I guess he doesn't. Walang siyang araw na pinapalampas para mag-text o kaya naman tumawag.

''Oh, to whom do I owe the pleasure of being called by His Royal Highness, Carlos Lorenzo Montecarlo?'' I asked playfully, the moment I answered his call.

He laughed languidly. ''Stop that!''

He doesn't like being called like that. Natawa na lang rin ako. I put the call on a loudspeaker, at inilagay sa study table dahil may ginagawa ako.

''I'm home,'' malambing niyang sambit. ''Where are you? Can I see you even for just a short while, Georgianna?''

My lips pursed when I realized some things. We aren't even in a relationship but he has been asking me to meet him whenever he's back at Santa Monica. Ngayon ko lang napagtanto na madalas ay napagbibigyan ko siya. Sinabi ko pa naman noon na hindi ako magpapakita ng interest para mawala na rin ang interest niya sa'kin.

Pero hindi ko madalas maisip iyon... maybe because I was enjoying his company as well. But now, I remember again that... I am a De Leon. And Carlos Lorenzo... will always be a Montecarlo.

''I-I'm busy...'' I replied. I even flipped the pages of my notebook for him to hear, so he'll know that I really wasn't entirely lying that I'm busy.

''What are you doing?'' he asked.

''School works.''

''Maybe I can help? We can meet, I'll help you-''

Huminga ako nang malalim. ''Hindi ako pwede, Carlos. Maybe next time.''

Natahimik ang kabilang linya. Nakaramdaman na naman ako ng kakaiba na tila ba sumikip na naman ang dibdib ko. I know he just wanted to spend time with me. Mahaba o kahit maliit na oras iyon ang gusto niya. Hindi naman siya nagpupumilit kapag ayaw ko. Hinahayaan niya naman ako.

Pero may mga pagkakataon din talagang tila ba nakararamdam ako ng kakaiba sa mga pagtanggi ko.

''Alright, I'm sorry. I understand you are busy. I'll just see you next week, then? If you're available by then...''

I bit my lip hard. ''Okay.''

''Or you can send me your schedule, so I can do something and adjust mine with yours. You already know I regularly go home every week, mostly on weekends. But if you're only available on other days, you can tell me. Uuwi ako, hmm?''

Hindi ako makapaniwala sa narinig. He'll adjust his schedule with mine? Nag-aaral lang naman ako. It's him who's busy since he's working! At kahit umuuwi siya dito sa kanila tuwing weekends, alam kong namamahala pa rin siya ng kanilang mga ari-arian dito. For a busy man to adjust his schedule... just for someone is beyond me.

Tumanggi ako ngayon. Noong dumating ang sumunod na Sabado, nagkaroon ng salo-salo sa bahay dahil umuwi ang mga De Leon. I told him I wasn't available. Another Saturday came, naging abala naman ako sa paaralan. There's an event and we are all present in school. Hanggang alas dos lang naman iyon, pero nag-aya sina Rona na mag-group study kami noong palabas na kami.

Tatango na sana ako pero nang makita ang pamilyar na itim na sasakyan sa may malayo, agad na akong nakabuo ng desisyon.

''Pasensya na. May gagawin pala ako. Sa susunod na lang ako sasama sa'inyo...''

I noticed how Lukas glanced at me before his eyes drifted to his brother's car. I thought he'd say something, pero wala naman.

Nakapagpaalam na ako kina Rona nang lumapit ako sa sasakyan ni Carlos. I was already a few steps away when he went out of it.

I don't know why he's here. We always communicate... almost everyday. Nasabi ko naman sa kanya kahapon na hindi kami pwedeng magkita ngayon dahil abala ako. Akala ko hindi na siya uuwi dahil umuwi na siya noong Wednesday, hindi nga lang kami nagkita.

''You're here...'' sambit ko nang nasa harap ko na siya.

He reached for my hand and pulled me into a hug. His arms immediately wrapped on my shoulders. I felt how he subtly pressed his lips on top of my head before he backed away, smiling a little.

''I just wanted to see you even for a bit. Babalik din ako ng Maynila.'' he said, his hand fondled on my cheek. ''Just five minutes, Georgianna. I'd be fine after, hmm?''

My heart clenched painfully. Whenever I will reject him nor tell him we won't be able to met, he'd just say he understands. I wonder until when he's going to understand...

''I have assignments to do...'' panimula ko.

''Three minutes, then.'' agap niya.

''I have assignments to do,'' ulit ko. Akmang magsasalita pa sana siya, pero naunahan ko na. ''If you aren't busy, maybe you can help me a bit?''

After that, I just found myself beside Carlos' who is now busy on his laptop doing the things I needed to do. He doesn't even need to do that. Palusot ko lang naman iyon. But he said he wanted to, since I granted him some of my time.

Sobrang lapit niya rin. Hindi ko alam kung bakit lagi siyang tumatabi sa'kin kahit may upuan naman sa harap. My legs are crossed, and when he isn't busy typing with both hands, he would rest his free hand on my top knee.

I glanced at him, hanggang sa hindi ko nakayanan kaya napatitig ako sa kanya.

I'd admit, Carlos Lorenzo is a boyfriend material. I mean, he has a stable job, came from a good family, mabait din kahit laging mainitin ang ulo. He's generous and thoughtful. And let's also not forget about the body and his handsome face, too. He's already a total package.

If only he wasn't a Montecarlo. I almost whispered aloud. It isn't bad though for others, since their family are nothing but kind and warm people. But for a woman like me... who carries both the name and blood of the De Leons... it's a different story.

I blinked, startled, when he tilted his head to catch my eye.

Napapikit ako sandali nang lumapit siya para hagkan ang aking noo. Para akong tinakasan ng hininga. It wasn't the first time he would plant a soft kiss on my face, yet every time I still feel myself flushing.

''You've been staring at me.'' he said. ''Is there something bothering you?''

Umiling ako. ''Wala...''

My forehead creased when I saw him save the unfinished document before he closed his laptop.

Napaayos ako nang upo nang ibigay niya sa'kin ang kanyang buong atensyon. Idinantay niya ang isang braso sa sandalan ng aking upuan. Pinaglaruan ng kanyang kamay ang aking buhok at matamang tumitig sa'kin, may ngiting nakasilay sa kanyang labi.

''Can I kiss you to recharge myself?''

''Uhm...'' Hindi ko alam ang sasabihin. I mean, it's okay, I guess. If it's just a peck... ''Dampi lang?''

Ngumisi siya. ''Susubukan ko.''

''Anong susubukan mo-''

''Susubukan ko kung hanggang dampi lang ang kaya ko, Georgianna.'' aniya sa boses na tila hinahalina ako. ''I am a man full of greed... for you.''

His other hand reached for my face pulling me closer to claim my lips. My heart almost leaped out of my chest when I felt his lips on mine. Marahan at malambot ang paraan ng kanyang halik... at laging napapasabay ang labi ko sa mga galaw niya. My lips parted involuntarily to breathe, but he took the opportunity to insert his tongue inside. I almost purred when we met halfway.

Pero agad rin akong nahimasmasan. I gently pushed his chest when I remembered where we were. Our lips made a soft smack sound when abruptly pulled away from each other. Carlos looked slightly annoyed at what happened. He licked his lip while his eyes were still on my lips.

''L-lorenzo... m-maraming tao.''

Heavens! We are in a cafe, a public place! I can't believe that I always lose my mind whenever he kisses me. Agad akong napatingin sa paligid, mabuti na lamang at wala nang masyadong tao. It is always my initial reaction... to look around, especially whenever I'm with him. Mahirap na.

''Edi doon tayo sa walang tao, Georgianna. Let's make out... in the car?'' marahan niyang suhestiyon. ''I promise to finish your assignments later. But I need your lips on mine now. Baby, I've been missing you badly.''

I glared at him but eventually softened at the look he was giving me. Pero sympre, hindi ko pa rin pinagbigyan.

Hindi naman kami naghahalikan dati. I mean, we kissed way before. But after that day when we went to the falls, hindi na iyon nasundan. But just recently, he kissed me. Nang mapansin niyang wala akong tutol, napansin kong dinadalasan na niya. Dati kontento na siya na hawak lamang ang kamay ko. Ngayon tuwing makikita ako, nailulusot niya na ang mga patak-patak ng halik. Hanggang sa minsan ay ganitong uri ng halik na.

''Uuwi na ako kapag hindi mo iyan tinapos ngayon.''

Sinabi ko lang iyon. Pero hindi ko naman hinahayaang si Carlos ang gumawa ng lahat. I still needed to do my work on my own because it is I who will be asked by my professors. Hindi pwedeng wala akong alam, even though he always explains them to me, ako pa rin ang tumatapos.

He groaned but eventually chuckled. ''My baby is so cold.''

My heart pounded when he tucked in the few strands of my hair at the back of my ear before he pressed his lips on my cheek. I wiped the trace of it. I saw how his eyebrows furrowed at that. He tried planting another one, but I wiped it again.

''Why are you doing that? Don't wipe my kiss, Georgianna.'' iritado niyang sabi. ''I'm going to bite you, if you wipe the trace of me on you.''

Umikot ang mga mata ko, pero pinagbigyan ko na ngayon. Hindi ko din talaga alam kung bakit gustong-gusto niyang hinahalikan ako. Hindi man madalas sa labi pero sobrang dalas sa pisngi o sa noo.

He smiled triumphantly. ''Good girl.''

''You're so clingy...''

He raised an eyebrow. Nagulat ako nang mas hilahin niya pa papalapit ang aking upuan sa kanya. His hand snaked on my waist almost touching my stomach. Then he kissed my shoulder before he smirked smugly at me.

''Am I?''

I tsked. Inirapan ko na lamang siya at hindi na ulit pinansin. Muli kong ibinalik ang tingin sa labas. Narinig ko ang tawa niya pero hindi ko rin pinansin. He then continued what he was doing too.

Naubos na ang iniinom kong juice at kinakain na cheesecake, kaya inabutan niya ako ng bottled water. He opened it first before he handed it to me. Habang umiinom ako, tissue naman ang hawak niya, at nag-aabang na matapos ako. I didn't know he is this attentive even though he's busy with other things.

''Let's have dinner after this. Would that be alright with you?'' tanong niyang nang makitang tapos na ako.

''Okay...'' I nodded. ''Pero hindi ako pwedeng magtagal. Uuwi si Javier.'' dagdag ko nang maalalang nasabi pala ng pinsan ko na dadalaw siya.

''Alright. We'll have our early dinner then.''

I remember Javier. I think they are both on the same age. They also both have that same charisma, dangerous aura and ruthlessness, like it's part of their blood. Javier is handsome but Carlos... is on another level too. Lalo na't mas litaw rin ang pagkabanyaga niya.

Well I guess it's given. Because aside from the Montecarlos old lineage of Spanish blood, Lukas told me that his mother is half italian. Thus, the reason for their grey eyes. The genes of these Montecarlo brothers are beyond incredible.

''Are you friends with Javier?'' I asked because I suddenly got curious.

''No.'' he answered right away.

Oh, hindi? Pakiramdam ko magiging malapit silang magkaibigan kung sakali. O baka hindi rin dahil bukod sa mga pamilya namin, I feel like they'd clash too. But why do I feel like they'll have a strong and deep bond if ever they become friends?

''But I'm friends with Vernaise.'' he added after a while.

Napatango-tango ako. So this is what Jakob said before, huh? Not only the De Leons, but even the Montecarlos, are fond of Vernaise Sarmiento.

Nilingon niya ako at matiim na tinitigan, nanantya ang tingin. ''Vernaise Sarmiento is your cousin's beloved.''

Umarko ang aking kilay. ''I know that.''

''She's just like a sister to my cousin and I. We treat her the way we treat Heidi. Like a family and nothing really special.'' dagdag pa niya kahit hindi naman na ako nagtatanong.

Ngumisi ako at uminom na lamang ng tubig. He looked so defensive I wasn't even saying anything. Baka akala niya magseselos ako sa pagbanggit niya ng pangalan ng ibang babae? What a ridiculous assumption.

''Don't think of anything else, alright?'' rinig kong sabi niya. ''I don't want you to misunderstand anything so I'm trying to explain it. And I want to say that I'm not treating anyone the way I treat you, Georgianna. You are different because you are special to me.''

I almost choked on my water when I heard that. I wanted to chuckle right away but prevented myself because he might feel offended by that, even though it wasn't my intention. Hindi na lamang ako umimik.

I know how my cousin loves Vernaise. I feel like she does, too. Naiipit lang pareho sa gulo ng pamilya. They aren't together, yet Javier still treats her as his girlfriend. And the things he is doing for her are immeasurable... for a Sarmiento... a family that the De Leons treats as an enemy.

Natigilan ako nang tila ba muli akong sinampal ng katotohanan. Ang mga Sarmiento at Montecarlo ay ang mga pamilyang maaring kailanman ay hindi matatanggap hindi lang ni Lolo, pati ng buong pamilya namin.

Yet here I am... sitting beside a Montecarlo.
    

#ENEMYSPROPERTY