Kabanata 20

Happy reading, enjoy! ❤️

+++++
ENEMY'S PROPERTY
Kabanata 20
''Promise''

Malakas ang kabog ng dibdib ko habang pinipilit buksan ang pinto. I let out a curse inside my head when I realized that the door knob wouldn't budge. It's locked! Carlos locked it with a key for sure! Nakita kong may itinago siya sa bulsa pagkatapos akong hilahin papasok.

''Come here, we won't take long.'' His low voice sent shivers down my spine.

I glanced at him over my shoulder. I saw him sit on the leather couch while removing his coat, leaving his vest on. After that he folded the sleeves of his white dress shirt until his forearm. Muling dumapo ang kanyang tingin sa'kin kaya iniwas ko ang mga mata.

Isinandal ko sandali ang noo sa pinto, mariing napapikit, nananalangin at humihingi ng gabay sa kalangitian. I feel like I'd die at this rate. Oh, good heavens.

''Don't let me drag you here. Come now when I'm still asking you nicely, Georgianna Eleanor.''

My whole body flinched. Huminga ako nang malalim bago ito hinarap. Matapang ang tingin niya, galit, at arogante. Umiigting ang panga habang pinagmamasadan ako ng madilim niyang mga mata.

No matter how I'm feeling nervous right now, I held my chin up, crossing both my arms under my chest. Saglit na lumihis nga lang ang kanyang tingin sa aking dibdib bago muling inagat ang tingin. Ha! The audacity of this man.

''What do you want?''

My forehead creased when he tapped his thigh. His legs are a bit apart. And his whole body, stance, and presence made the couch small.

''Come here and let's talk,'' he commanded.

''We can talk while I'm here-''

Naituptop ko ang bibig sa mariin niyang titig. He's so livid that I feel like he'd really lash out at me already.

''H-hindi ako pwedeng magtagal...'' paalala ko habang naglalakad papalapit.

I sat beside him, with a distance between us. Ngunit napatili na lang ako nang lumapit siya. He scooped me from my spot, as if I didn't weigh anything, then made me sit on his lap sideways, while his hands immediately wrapped around my waist, caging me. Idinatay pa talaga sa sa hita ko ang isa niyang braso.

''What do you think you're doing?!''

I glared at him. Pero pakiramdam ko nanghina ako lalo na nang makita ang kanyang mga mata. It doesn't hold any other intense emotions. Malambot na at katulad ko ay tila ba nanghihina rin.

''I can't take my eyes off you the whole night. You're so beautiful.'' he whispered as he caressed my cheek with the back of his index finger. ''And I've been wanting to tell you how both captivating and dreamy you look tonight.''

I harshly diverted my eyes somewhere. The touch wasn't uncomfortable but it made my whole body tense. It made me swallow a lump on my throat.

''Pero galit pa rin ako, Georgianna. I'm only praising you because it's the truth and I want to remind you of it,'' aniya, ang kaninang malambing na boses ay naging seryoso na. ''But let's not forget the issues we need to discuss. Now, let's talk properly.''

Gusto kong matawa. Right, he's so different from everyone else. Galit siya pero pupuriin muna. Aayawin niya ako pero maglalambing muna ng konti. What did I expect? This is no other than his royal highness, Carlos Lorenzo Montecarlo.

''I saw you on a date with another man, care telling me about it?''

Marahas ko siyang nilingon. Now his anger is back on the stormy grey eyes of him. Hindi ko alam kung bakit kabadong-kabado ako kahit wala naman akong ginagawang kung ano!

''Just to be clear, it's not a date.'' Irap ko. ''But why do I need to explain it to you? We are not in a relationship-''

''That's bullshit!'' mariin niyang putol sa sasabihin ko. ''We are not just fucking official, but we are in a relationship, Georgianna!''

''Who told you that? You're so delusional, Carlos.'' Iling ko.

His jaw clenched. ''You already gave me my chance before. Why are you suddenly taking it back? We weren't able to talk properly last time. But I want you, to tell me, now.''

''When did I gave you a chance? I do not remember! Maybe you only assumed!''

''Really? You're seriously...'' Napapikit siya, tila pigil na pigil ang sarili sa pagsabog pang lalo. ''I'm pursuing you! And you know that! I told you that!''

I bit my lip hard.

''Why would you come whenever I ask you out, then? I would always ask you beforehand, Georgianna. There are days that you would turn me down, and I respected your decision. But on the other days, you would always come to me with a smile, willingly! And whenever I touch you or kiss you, you would respond,'' pahayag niya. ''And even after those things, you are telling me... you did not give me a chance... that we are not in a relationship? What is it, then? You're just playing? You're playing me? Is my baby a playgirl, huh?''

I glared at him. ''I'm not a playgirl...''

''Then, what is it?'' he asked. ''Did I do something wrong? Were you upset by something? Was I taking too much advantage on the way I'm courting you right now? What is it, tell me. I want to understand, please.''

Mariin akong napapikit nang marinig ang mga iyon.

''No... it's just that...'' I trailed off silently. Nanikip ang dibdib ko, halos hindi kayang sabihin ang mga sumunod na salita. ''We can't be... you and I... just to be in place like this together... alone... isn't right...''

''That's not true!'' He disagreed right away.

''Wake up and stop dreaming, Carlos! We both know it's the truth!''

Hindi siya nagsalita. But even his mouth is mum I can almost feel his whole body shaking in violence. Hawak niya ako kaya ramdam na ramdam ko.

This is so frustrating. He's so hard to please and appease! I don't even know why something's urging me to appease his anger. Who is he anyway? What is he to me? No one! Wala akong pakialam kung magalit siya nang magalit! But at the back of my mind where I caged all the thoughts I don't want to let out, I know he isn't just... Napailing ako.

Nanatili ang tingin ko sa aking kamay. I played with my fingers but stopped when Carlos held my right hand and filled the gaps of my fingers with his own. Marahan ang hawak niya habang magkasalikop ang aming kamay.

My eyes drifted to him again. I pursed my lip when his lips rested on my bare shoulder. Namumungay ang kanyang mga mata. Matindi pa ring galit pero nanlalambot rin.

''I'm a De Leon,'' I tried to remind him of the difference in our surnames, of our families, and of the issues of the past to the present time that still seems to haunt anyone in the families.

He raised an eyebrow. ''So?''

''That's it! Whatever you are doing stop it now.''

''Georgianna, I was already willing to take you away and waged war when I assumed about those things before...'' he said, his soulful eyes not leaving me. ''What you do think would be the difference now? It's even easier for me this time. You carry their blood and name within you, but at least you aren't a woman of someone from them. It's a bloodier war if the latter was the case!''

Napahilamos ako sa aking mukha. He's so difficult! Akala ko ay titigil na siya kapag sinabi ko ito, inuungkat pa ang nakaraan! At anong sabi niya? He thinks it's easier this time?

Well... right, kung totoo ngang asawa ako ng isa sa mga De Leon... mauulit iyong kay Isaac Montecarlo. Pero teka, bakit mauulit? Bakit papayag rin ba ako? Hindi, sympre! What am I even thinking? At kahit ano pang gawin niya, I'm still a De Leon! He is a Montecarlo!

''I-I don't have feelings for you.'' I tried to reason out.

''Liar,'' he growled quietly.

Napalunok ako at ramdam na ramdam ko ang panlalamig ng aking mga kamay. And his nose, that's now brushing against my cheek, did not help me calm down but made me more panicky.

''But fine, if you want me to believe that lie of yours, fine.'' namamaos niyang bulong. ''That's fine with me. I'm fine without having a relationship yet, too. I'm content with that. Hindi naman kita minamadali, Georgianna.''

I feel my heart throbbing as he lets his forehead rest on my end shoulder, looking so weak.

''If you don't have feelings for me... I will work on that, alright? Just please, let me, hmm? Give me back my chance...''

No matter how I wanted to touch him, how I wanted to soothe him, how I wanted to just melt with him, I held everything inside. I'd rather be heartless now, than see ourselves in a dark future tomorrow.

With a firm voice, I said, ''No.''

His grip on me tightened. Halos maipit na ako pero tila ba ayaw niya akong pakawalan. He started to rain my shoulders with soft kisses, papataas sa aking leeg, hanggang sa aking pisngi. Tila ba sumasamba at nagsusumamo. I feel myself weakening again, kaya pinilit kong iniiwas ang sarili.

''Georgianna...'' he whispered my name like a prayer, almost begging. ''What should I do, hmm? I won't call you everyday. I won't go home every week. I won't be demanding. If you will only grant me a day in a month, I won't mind. I won't kiss you if you feel uncomfortable. I won't touch nor hug you. I'd be content with whatever you can give me as of the moment... even scraps of your attention... just be with me.''

My eyes widened but I felt it was getting moist as well. Mas lalong nananikip ang dibdib ko.

Why is he like this? Why is he saying these things? Walong buwan pa lamang noong una kaming nagkita... Don't tell me he has... no. It's impossible! We didn't even see each other everyday! There's no way!

''You just fancy me, Carlos, that's all! It's not too late to walk away-''

He groaned. ''I know myself, Georgianna. If you aren't ready to hear it yet, then I won't tell you right now!''

Umiling ako, hindi pa din kayang paniwalaan ang lahat ng ito. I need to etch my mind with negative thoughts. I remember what Miss Ivy told me. Carlos likes mature women. Someone who's around his age. And I'm not that woman. What does he want from me then? Does he find me challenging? Does he want to play with me? I remember his eyes whenever he would look at me before, he wanted me!

''You just like my face. You just probably want my body-''

''Don't insult me like that!'' sigaw niya, pagpuputol sa sinabi ko. Halos mapapikit ako. ''Hell, yes, you are hot and damn beautiful. But I am not, and was never, a slave to my libido. So don't ever insult my feelings like that, Georgianna.''

''Nababaliw ka na...'' halos bulong sa hangin nang wala nang maisip na iba pang dahilan.

I'm sure he's not after anything from our family. He doesn't like the De Leons, he would rather turn his back and build a wall in between, than build any kind of relationship to anyone. Revenge? I'm not sure... I feel like he'd rather focus on his family and his work than waste his time on us. But it's not impossible, too.

''Tama ka... nababaliw na ata ako. At pakiramdam ko mas mababaliw ako kapag wala ka sa tabi ko, Georgianna.''

Nilingon ko siya at tila ba inaabangan niya ang pagbaling ko kaya agad niyang nadampian ng halik ang aking labi.

Napapikit ako at tuluyan nang nanghina. I feel his hand on my nape, pushing more to him as he claims my mouth. Patuloy ang pagangkin niya sa labi ko ngunit hindi ako gumalaw. But just after a while, I somehow felt an urge to mimic the way he moved his lips, like the last time. And I did.

Natigilan siya ngunit naramdaman ko ang pagngisi ng kanyang labi. I was about to open my eyes when he deepened the kiss. I felt light headed immediately. A soft moan escaped my lips when he was able to skillfully plunge his tongue inside my mouth, meeting mine and tasting every corner of it. My heart beat raced each second that was passing by, until I was already out of breath.

Humawak na ako sa kanyang dibdib para itulak siya dahil hindi niya ako pinapahinga. He even bit my lower lip, chewing it like some candy. And he only pulled away when I was already literally gasping for air. Mariin ang pagpikit ng mga mata ko habang hinahabol ang hininga. Carlos was still holding the other side of my face though. At pisngi ko naman ang pinapaulanan ng maliliit na halik.

''Carlos!'' mahinang saway ko nang pati ang aking tainga ay pinagdiskitahan niya.

''I'm sorry. I'll behave.'' aniya at yinakap na lamang ako.

Binalot kami ng katahimikan. Nakasandal na siya ngayon sa inuupuan pero dala-dala pa rin ako. Wala akong nagawa kung hindi ang dumantay na lamang sa kanyang katawan. His one hand is still on my waist, at ang isa ay nasa hita ko habang pinaglalaruan ang aking mga daliri.

I drew in a sharp breath. ''Carlos, just turn away-''

He cut me off instantly. ''No.''

''You are so stubborn!''

''And so are you.''

Muli akong napabuntonghininga. Malakas at matatag ang paninindigan kong tinigilan na ang kung ano mang sumisibol sa aming dalawa. But I can't believe how weak I am... but I also know that I should not let my weak side win fully.

Whenever the De Leons and Montecarlos are in one place, with or without their knowing, they're always building a heavy tension and atmosphere. Yet here we are, a De Leon and A Montecarlo... doing more than being in one place... Kissing, hugging, and cuddling. We aren't even supposed to be together.... And what would our family say and do, once they hear about of this... of us?

''If you are worried about your family-''

''Of course, I'm worried!'' I snapped at him. ''Dating an enemy is just such a...'' Hindi ko matapos pero alam kong alam niya rin naman iyon. ''And if only you can see how Javier's has been fighting...''

''Is that what made you finally decide to push me away and ignore me, even after how many months of being with me?''

''What else...''

''Georgianna, we won't end up in something like that-''

''It'll be more tragic.'' I mumbled silently, cutting him.

Huminga siya nang malalim, ramdam ko iyon dahil nasa dibdib niya ako. I can also feel nose on my hair, as if breathing my scent to calm him down.

''I cannot promise you that we will not face hardships, for sure we will. When did life have become easy for anyone anyway? May it be in different forms, everyone did and will experience trials and hardships, Georgianna. As much as I want us to sail smoothly, there's always a possibility of meeting rough uncontrolled waves and even strong storms, that might test us,'' banayad niyang sabi, puno ng emosyon ang tinig. ''What I can and what I will promise you is that, I will always be here, beside you. No matter how unsteady the ride might be, I will hold your hand tightly. No matter how dark the night might get, I will light the sparks of hope and faith we have for each other. No matter how heavy the rain pours, I will shed you from it, with all I have.''

My heart throb painfully. I eyes lifted to meet his soulful and gentle gaze that held me warmly. The way he said those words like an oath and a vow, and not just an empty and worthless promises, weakened me more and made me yield.

''I want you to trust me. Will you please do that?'' malambing niyang tanong. ''Just be with me. Ako na ang bahala sa ibang bagay. I will not let anything, especially not your family, break us apart. And this is a promise.''

Halos hindi ko maintindihan ang mga nararamdaman. Nanatili lamang akong nakatitig sa kanya. He leaned closer to drop a soft kiss on my lips. Umawang ang labi ko. Lumayo man siya ay nanatili ang aking titig. He smiled a little before planting another one. I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply.

''Trust your boyfriend, hmm?''

Napanguso ako. Although the conversation warmed my heart, and somehow eased my worries, I also cannot believe he's thinking that we are together now. Hindi ko mapagkakaila na napaka mapagangkin siya, noon hanggang ngayon, ganoon pa rin.

''Hindi pa kita sinasagot... kaya hindi pa kita boyfriend...''

''Hindi... pa?'' his lips stretched for another smile. ''That means you're giving me back my chance.''

Umayos ako nang upo kaya umayos rin siya. Matalim lamang ang titig na pinukol ko sa kanya habang nandoon pa rin ang kanyang ngisi. Tila ba napaaga ang Pasko niya kahit ilang araw pa talaga iyon.

''Ang kulit-kulit mo rin naman!'' Pagdadahilan ko na lamang. ''Ano pa bang magagawa ko? Mamaya sa bahay ka pa dumiretso at manghamon sa buong pamilya namin!'' Which I think is not impossible not to happen.

''Thank you,'' he breathed out, not minding most of the words I've said. ''This means a lot to me, Georgianna.''

Gustong umikot ng mga mata ko pero dahil sa sinabi niya ay hindi na rin ginawa.

It's like I couldn't do anything anymore. He's quite the persistent type. Yet I'm still on the edge. But if without our family names, I may have already taken him. He isn't that hard to like anyway. But it's the surnames of us that makes everything hard. And I know it'll be our biggest enemy.

''We can't be seen by my family, Carlos. Especially not by my grandfather,'' I told him after a while of pondering a lot. ''If you can't do that, you're free to walk away.''

''I told you, I'll do anything. We'll just wait for the right time to tell your family about us... kapag tayo na,'' he said, swallowing hard.

Hindi ko rin alam kung darating ang araw na iyon... iyong araw na ako mismo ang magsasabi sa pamilya ko. I already told him about every possibility yet he's still willing? How far can he go like this?

''Okay...''

Umangat ang dalawang sulok ng kanyang labi at muling marahang humalik sa aking labi.

Nang medyo maayos na kami ay tsaka ko palang naalalang may party sa labas. At naroon ang buong pamilya namin. Hindi ko alam kung masyado ba kaming nagtagal dito ni Carlos. I don't have a watch with me. But I'm sure someone is already looking for me already.

''I need to go back to our family...''

It seems like he understands, that's why he loosened his grip. Tumayo ako sa pagkakakandong sa kanya. My dress got hitched up a bit and he helped me with that. Hinayaan ko siya ayusin ang damit ko habang inaayos ko naman ang aking buhok. Nang matapos na kami pareho ay nanatili pa rin siyang nakaupo, tinitingala ako.

I pursed my lips and extended my hand to him so he could get up, too. Mukha siyang mangha at gulat, pero kinuha rin naman. Magkahawak tuloy ang kamay namin nang lumapit kami sa pintuan.

I saw him take out a key from the back pocket of his trousers. Ni-lock niya nga! I glared at him as he unlocked it. He only raised his brows.

''Mauna ka na. I'll follow after a couple of minutes.''

I rolled my eyes. Palabas na ako nang pigilan na naman niya.

''Please answer my calls this time, hmm?''

I nodded timidly. Hinagkan niya muna ang aking pisngi bago ako tuluyan pinakawalan.

               
#ENEMYSPROPERTY