Kabanata 29

Hello, everyone! I've got a lot of things on my plate, but I'm doing good. I hope you are, too.

P.S. "Void Maxwell" will be published by a publishing house this year! Yaaaaaay! I can't wait to share more details with you all. 🥳 I hope you'll be able to support me on this journey. ❤️

+++++
ENEMY'S PROPERTY
Kabanata 29
''Punishment''

Our conversation continued on various topics. I laughed the whole afternoon with them. They are so fun to be with. Despite only having met them today, everyone immediately accepted me as a friend.

We played volleyball too. Hindi ako magaling dito pero tinuturuan ako ni Lara at Dina. At sabi naman nila ay laro-laro lang. Magkahati kami sa dalawang grupo. Babae laban sa lalaki. Ewan ko ba sa mga babaeng kasama ko at iyon ang gusto nila. Lalampasuhin daw namin ang kabilang grupo.

While Jakob simply lounged there, as if he were a king. Sobra na kasi ang kabila kung sasali pa siya. At ayaw niya rin daw sumali dahil hindi siya bata. We all groaned at him when he made that statement.

When we started to play, I couldn't stop laughing, especially when I noticed that the men were taking it easy. Galit na galit tuloy si Dina at nagsimulang batuhin sila ng buhangin. Agad namang nagtakbuhan ang mga lalaki hanggang sa lumusong sila sa dagat.

I shook my head, smiling at these men. Despite being busy with their work, they still find joy in simple things, which I believe is truly essential in our daily lives—finding happiness in even the smallest or simplest of things.

Nang mapagod ay saglit rin muna kaming nagpahinga. They said we'll have barbeque later and we will drink until dawn. Hindi ako umiinom masyado pero sasali pa rin ako sa kwentuhan nila.

I was so tired from playing that when I rested in bed for a while, I fell asleep. I only woke up when Solenn knocked, asking if I wanted to come down. When I looked out the window, I saw that the sun was about to set. I responded to Solenn first before getting up from the bed.

I went to the bathroom so I could take a short shower. Malawak ang banyo katulad ng kwarto. There's a shower area and a tub. On the cabinets near the sink, aside from the usual toiletries, I also saw some other bath essentials like bath bombs. I wanted to use them pero dahil nagmamdali rin ako, mabilis na shower lang ang ginawa ko. I'll just use them later when I bathe after we swim.

Hindi ako nakaligo sa dagat kanina dahil masyadong mainit pa. But Solenn said that we'll still swim this evening.

I wore a black string bikini beneath my shorts and threw on an oversized white mesh shirt. After some time, I made my way down the shore.

''Alright. What should I do?''

''Tabi diyan! Hindi ka naman marunong,'' boses ni Dina.

''Arte naman . . .'' rinig kong tawa ni Axel.

Doon pa rin kami sa parteng pribado. I already saw them there, making noise again, but I chose to let them be. I headed towards the hammock and settled in. I watched the beautiful scenery in front of me. The day was slowly fading, and darkness was starting to claim the sky. However, there were still a few streaks of the sun, casting crimson hues, as if the sky were shedding tears of blood.

Dinuyan ko nang marahan ang sarili habang pinagmamasdan ito. Malakas din ang hangin kaya maginhawa sa pakiramdam.

For some unknown reason, I found myself patting my shorts. My forehead furrowed once more. I didn't even know why I had this feeling that I was looking for something, as if I had forgotten something. I even looked around the room and even checked my bag a while ago, looking for something I didn't have an idea of.

It took me a while to think and ponder about it. I ceased searching when I finally realized that I had left my phone behind; it wasn't in my pockets. However, it wasn't my phone that had slipped my mind, but rather someone.

I just closed my eyes and sighed heavily.

Dinner was served, complete with drink and alcoholic beverages. Grabe, kakain pa lang kami handa na rin iyon. Pero sympre mas pinagtuunan namin ng pansin ang pagkain bago tuluyang magsimula doon.

''Hindi umiinom si Anya,'' agad na sabi ni Rhys nang makita niyang akmang aabutan ako ni Erik ng iniinom nila. 

I smiled. ''Okay lang, konti lang naman.''

''Are you sure?''

I nodded my head.

''Alright,'' he trailed off, nodding. ''you can have a taste. But if that's too strong for you, we have a lighter drink here.''

Medyo nag-alangan si Erik na iaabot sa akin iyon dahil na nga rin sa sinabi ni Rhys, pero ngumiti lamang ako at ako na mismo ang nag-abot sa baso. Iba't-ibang inumin ang meron sa mesa, at nang subukan ko nga itong iniinom nila ay halos masamid ako sa lasa. Mapait iyon na hindi ko maintindihan.

They chuckled when they saw my expression. Habang umiling-iling lamang ang pinsan ko.

There is a pitcher there of sangria. Iyon ang iniinom ni Solenn kaya nakigaya na lang rin ako sa kanya. It's sweet and has a fruity taste. Mukhang hindi din masyadong matapang kaya nagustuhan ko iyon.

Nanatili ako sa mesa kahit nagkaayaan na para maligo. Madilim na ang buong kalangitan pero maliwanag ang buong resort, lalo na ang dalampasigan dahil sa mga pa-ilaw.

The girls were insisting that I join them in the sea, so I eventually gave in. They were all wearing very daring swimwear, even Solenn. Hindi ko ata kaya ang ganon. Hinubad ko na lang ang mesh shirt ko at tinira pa rin ang shorts. Since I wasn't much of a swimmer, I stayed in the part where the water only reached up to my neck.

Rhys was watching from the shore like a lifeguard. Jakob seemed to have disappeared once more. The couple was already sharing kisses in the water. The two men were on the farthest, darker side of the sea, competing with Dina and Lara. Meanwhile, Solenn and I were simply here, trying to enjoy the water.

"Si Vernaise, Solenn?" I finally asked the question that had been on my mind. Javier and Vernaise had been mentioned several times in the conversation earlier.

''Hindi iyon sumasama kapag ganitong araw . . . Alam mo na, si Javier ang naalala,'' she replied with a small smile. ''Pero kung ibang araw naman ay sasama iyon.''

I nodded in understanding.

Nauhaw ako kaya bumalik ulit ako sa mesa. I saw the pitcher again. Iyon ang sinalin ko sa baso. Tuwing makakaramdam ako ng uhaw habang nasa dagat, iyon ang iniinom ko. It doesn't taste like alcohol. Pero ewan ko ba at sa pang-apat na baso ko, bigla akong nakaramdam ng hilo. After that, I drank a lot of water.

I took a moment to rest on the hammock. My vision wasn't spinning, but I had a headache. I almost didn't realize that I had drifted off while lying there. When I woke up, there was already a towel covering me. My cousin Rhys was standing near where I was while still keeping an eye on our companions.

As I slowly came to my senses, I rose from the hammock and quietly approached Rhys. With a tired smile, I mumbled my goodbyes, conveying my intention to head to bed. Although I couldn't determine the exact hour, the darkness indicated it was very late already.

''Sasamahan na kita,'' aniya.

''Hindi na. Malapit lang naman ang main building,'' sagot ko.

The building was indeed nearby, visible from where we stood. I even gestured to him the path toward it. A sense of unease washed over me, though, as my eyebrows knitted together upon spotting a tall man lingering at the far end of the pathway, near the corner.

''Are you sure?''

Muli kong naibaling pabalik ang tingin sa aking pinsan nang magsalita siya.

I nodded and replied, "Yup! I have class tomorrow, so I really need to get some sleep now."

''Alright then. Have a good night.''

Ngumiti ako at kumaway na lamang. Kumaway din ako kay Solenn nang tawagin ang pangalan ko. I used hand gestures to convey that I was heading to bed, and she responded with an okay sign.

Bawat hakbang ko papalapit sa main building ay muli kong nararamdaman ang sakit ng ulo. Antok na antok na rin ako at medyo nilalamig.

In my sleepy eyes, I noticed the man I spotted a while ago. He's still there standing at the same spot even when I was already nearing him. Matangkad at kahit hindi ko man lubusan pang makita nang maayos ang mukha, ramdam na ramdam ko ang mariin niyang titig sa'kin. Ngunit naghalo-halo na ang nararamdaman ko at dahil hindi ko rin naman makilala, hindi ko na pinansin at nilagpasan na lamang.

''Having fun?''

A shiver ran down my spine as I heard the frigid voice, dark and cold, sending invisible daggers through my skin.

I slowly turned my head over my shoulder to glance back at the person. My eyes widened, and it felt as if a rush of icy water had been poured over me when I saw who it was.

Carlos Lorenzo Montecarlo, with his usual dark and menacing expression, fixed his intense gaze on me. His eyebrows furrowed, and his jaw clenched in a fierce manner.

I tapped my cheeks a few times, desperately trying to convince myself that this couldn't be real. No, this can't be real. I must be drunk! He can't possibly have found me! I deliberately left my phone behind and made sure Lukas wouldn't have any idea of my whereabouts. Dahil alam kong kapag nagtanong si Carlos, hindi makakapagsinungaling si Lukas sa kapatid niya.

''Lasing ka lang, Georgianna,'' sambit ko habang umiiling-iling pa.

Yeah, this is probably the aftermath of that drink. It was much stronger than I thought, huh? It gives you a clear vision of the person you both desperately want to see and the one you're trying to hide from. I'm never going to drink that again.

I continued walking again. Wala namang pumigil sa'kin kaya napagtantong kong imahinasyon ko nga lang talaga iyong kay Carlos.

I got into the building safe and sound. Nakita ko doon si Jakob, nakatayo malapit sa may reception area. I didn't know if he noticed me since he didn't glanced my way. Hindi na rin ako lumapit dahil mukhang abala siya sa pakikipag-usap sa ilang staff.

Nakarating din ako sa harap ng aking kwarto nang buhay at ligtas. But as soon as I swiped the keycard and slightly opened the door, it was abruptly pushed open, and I was yanked inside.

Napatili ako sa gulat, but my scream was cut short as I caught my breath when I once again saw the imposing figure of Carlos. It startled me so much that I almost stumbled on my feet. If I hadn't been grabbed immediately, I felt like I would have kissed the floor.

My lips parted as I blinked repeatedly, trying to determine if these surreal events were real. Carlos Lorenzo . . . stood before me . . . scrutinizing every inch of my face.

My heart felt like it was about to stop as he crouched down slightly, his nose almost touching my lips as he inhaled deeply.

''You drank,'' he uttered. It was a statement and not a question.

He was so close, and I wanted to see him whole to confirm if he was indeed real or not. So, I tried to push him away, pero ako ata ang natulak sa sarili kong ginawa dahil wala akong lakas. I slipped out of his grip, and my back hit the door, causing me to wince a little in pain. Carlos quickly pulled me back to his chest, and his hand rested gently on my back, caressing it as if soothing and comforting a child who was about to cry.

''Still careless as before,'' I heard him murmur under his breath.

I wanted to retort back or roll my eyes but I was sleepy and tired. Instead, I lifted my eyes to see his face clearly. My mind is still debating whether this was real or not. Pero nakaramdam na ako ng sakit dahil tumama sa pinto, imposibleng naman panaginip o imahinasyon pa rin ito.

''Are you here . . . for real . . . in front of me?'' I asked, my voice sounding hoarse.

''I'm real, Georgianna. I'm here with you,''  he trailed off. ''Where would I be anyway?'' he asked back, as if telling me that there's no other place where he would be aside from being with me.

''H-how did you find me?''

His eyes narrowed. ''So you purposely hid, huh? Is that the reason why I haven't been able to contact you since last night?''

I swallowed hard and closed my eyes, pretending as if I suddenly had a painful headache. I massaged my head gently while wearing a frown. Hindi naman na ganoon kasakit ang ulo.ko, but I don't want to talk to him right now.

''Take a shower to sober up,'' I heard him say.

Binitawan niya ako. Pero imbes na sumunod ay tinungo ko ang kama at doon dumapa. I want to sleep! Why is he even here?! And how was he able to find me?!

''Georgianna.''

Hinaklit ko pabalik ang kamay nang marahan niyang hawakan at hilahin iyon. Humarap rin ako sa kabilang gawi at pumikit. I heard his long and heavy sigh.

''I'm gonna prepare your bath. Don't sleep yet. You need to change your clothes, too, Georgianna.''

Kahit nakapikit ay umikot ang mga mata ko. He has been acting cold to me for the past days and now he's like that? Akala niya ata madadala niya ako sa pasuyo-suyo niya. Tulad ni Solenn at ng mga De Leon, nagtatanim din ako ng sama ng loob, noh! Nagpapatawad pero hindi nakakalimot! I won't just accept him with open arms!

Sa sobrang antok ko, muli akong nakaidlip. Naalimpungatan lamang ako nang maramdaman ko ang paglapat ng medyo mainit na tubig sa aking balat.

When my eyes flew open, I realized that Carlos Lorenzo had already placed me in the tub. He was crouched beside it, gently tucking the strands of hair that had fallen over my face behind my ear.

''Stay here for a bit. I'll find some clothes in your bag so you can change after.''

Umirap lamang ako at hindi siya pinansin. Ramdam ko ang titig niya pero hindi ako kailanman lumingon sa gawi niya. Naramdaman ko lang rin ang pagtayo niya at ang tahimik niyang paglabas ng banyo.

I stayed there a few minutes before I stood up to go to the sink. I brushed my teeth. Naghilamos rin ako ng mukha para tuluyang mahimasmasan. After that, I went back to the tub. The water soothed me. Mainit iyon at bumubula rin dahil sa kung ano-anong nilagay ni Carlos. He must've found the bubble baths and used them.

I still have my clothes. I know I wouldn't be able to bathe properly if they are still intact, kaya isa-isa kong pinagtatanggal iyon. Pagkatapos noon ay mas umilalim pa ako sa tubig at dinantay ang ulo sa gilid para muling umidlip.

''Georgianna.''

I scowled in my sleep, hearing the soft call of my name once again. To be honest, there was something indescribable when someone addressed me by that name. I had grown so accustomed to being called Anya that Georgianna felt overly formal, stern, and somewhat scolding. However, there was one person . . . who liked calling me by that name . . . and it didn't sound formal but rather like an endearment.

Umangat ako nang konti sa tubig. I heard a few violent curses when I did that. Nang imulat ko ang mga mata ay nakita kong nakatayo si Carlos sa may gilid ko. He is holding a white towel, his body was facing me, but he wasn't looking at my way. Bumaba ang tingin ko sa katawan at napagtantong nakikita ang hubad kong dibdib.

Tss. He acts like it's his first time to see such a thing.

''Is it your first time to see a breast aside from chickens?'' I asked sarcastically.

Marahas siyang bumaling sa gawi ko, matapang at tila galit ang mga mata. I mirrored the same thing. Kung matapang siya ay mas matapang ako! Kung makapal ang mukha niya ay mas makapal ang mukha ko! Anything he does, I will equal them with more intensity!

Napakurap ako sa biglang bugso ng damdamin. It felt like the De Leons' blood had suddenly taken dominance and coursed through my veins. It was probably due to the effect of the drink I had earlier. I wasn't really accustomed to drinking.

Carlos quickly wrapped the towel he was holding around my body, even before I could fully stand. Due to his hurried actions, almost a quarter of the towel got soaked in the water.

Ano takot na takot siyang makakita ng hubad na katawan?

''Dry yourself and put on your clothes. Let's talk after,'' mariin niyang sabi.

This man! I will never bend to your liking!

''No,'' I told him. ''You dry me and put my clothes on me, Carlos.''

His stormy eyes grew even more intense—a mix of rage and another emotion. After a while, he chuckled darkly, a trace of amusement dancing within it. Ngayon ang mga mata niya ay tila ba nanghahamon. Nanatili rin ang matapang kong tingin.

''Alright, mi reina. Let me do your bidding.''

I let out a loud gasp when his strong arms suddenly scooped me up and carried me. He placed me on the marble surface beside the sink. Medyo kinabahan ako sa paraan ng kanyang titig. Knowing the towel barely hid my nakedness added to the strange feeling. Ngunit hindi kailanman umalis ang kanyang tingin sa'king mga mata kahit nang simula na niya akong patuyuin.

''You're very daring when intoxicated,'' he said with a slight smirk playing on his lips. ''I like it . . . But I feel like I don't deserve this . . . punishment.''

''Punishment?'' Marahan at nanunuya akong tumawa. ''Aren't you even overjoyed to see me naked?''

My strong facade faltered a bit when he went closer. His warm breath touched my face as he went for my ear.

''What is to be happy about that when I can't even touch it the way I want to, hmm?'' he whispered huskily on my earlobe.

Nagsimulang lumakas ang kabog ng aking dibdib. Ilang beses akong napakurap at saglit na natahimik. Pakiramdam ko, nawalan ako ng boses.

''Lift up your arm,'' he commanded.

I obeyed instantly. Dumapo ang tuwalya sa may dibdib ko. He gently dried my upper body with his swift and careful movement. Still, I couldn't help but bit my lower lip at the foreign sensation. He isn't totally touching my body with his bare hands, but somehow it still sends tingles all over my spine.

This is all new to me . . . At tanging siya lamang ang hiyaan ko nang ganito.

I straightened up my posture as the towel moved lower, down to my thighs. I exhaled deeply, feeling a rush of sensations. For a brief moment, my gaze drifted to his hand that was drying my thighs before returning to his stormy grey eyes.

Carlos' eyes did not leave me, though. Tila ba ayaw niya ring ibaba o igalaw ang tingin kanina pa. His whole body is stiff and rigid, but I've been seeing him clench his jaw, and sometimes he would swallow hard. Pero sa puntong ito, pakiramdam ko hindi na siya humihinga.

One touch on his chest to feel if he's still breathing, my eyes widened in surprise when he attacked my lips with hot kisses.
  
                  
#ENEMYSPROPERTY