Kabanata 31

Hello, it's been a while! Medyo jammed-pack ang events sa life ko the past few months kaya natagalan, but happy to be back! And thank you so so so much for waiting patiently sa updates! Hope you'll enjoy this chapter!

By the way, for those who don't know yet about my published book under PSICOM, it's Void Maxwell! Yes, VOID MAXWELL 2023 VERSION is already published as a physical book! Available at PSICOM's official Shopee account. 250 SRP with 416 pages (with a 16-page special chapter). Discounted din lagi and if you watch their live sa orange app, sobrang mura ng live streaming price ni Void Maxwell. Deserve mo ng isang Void ngayong pasko, kaya go na at mag-check out! ✨

If you already have your own copy, tag me on my accounts. FB: KD Montecarlo, Tiktok: KristinaDelAyre

Forever grateful. Lovelots. ❤️

+++++
ENEMY'S PROPERTY
Kabanata 31
''Wife''

Carlos and I slept, literally, on the same bed last night. When I woke up, I was even disoriented when I saw him lying beside me, almost caging me with his whole body. Nakaharap ako sa kanya at sobsob kanyang dibdib habang ang mga kamay niya ay nakapulupot sa'kin. Nang tuluyan akong magising at sinubukan kong tumayo, halos ayaw pa akong bitawan.

I already know how clingy he is when awake, but I didn't know he's more than that when sleeping. But I guess, I couldn't judge him yet on that aspect. Ngayon lang naman kami natulog magkasama.

Hindi pa alas sais ng umaga pero nakaligo na ako, suot ko na ang uniporme ko, at handa na sa pagpasok. I needed to get out of here as soon as possible. Baka may makakita pa kay Carlos sa mga pinsan ko. Solenn and Rhys seem like they won't mind . . . but Jakob is on a different level. Delikado. Lalo na't sumusulpot na lang rin iyon kung saan.

And since I didn't have my phone with me, I just wrote a note to my cousin. Nagbilin din ako sa isang staff doon na kapag hinahanap ako, sabihin na lamang na umalis na nang maaga.

I am already inside Carlos' car. Our lips are locked together in a deep, passionate kiss. Humiwalay ako ng kaunti para huminga. I felt his tongue roll over my lower lip a few times before he finally pulled away and placed a soft kiss on my cheek, and lastly on my forehead.

''Lorenzo,'' tawag ko sa pangalan niya at pagpigil na rin sa kung ano pang gusto niyang gawin.

I noticed that he was watching me closely, as if he was closely monitoring if my breathing was already back to normal. And that if it's a yes, he'd claim my lips again.

His brows slightly shot up with an instant defensive yet amused expression. ''Hmm?''

''We need to go,'' paalala ko habang inaayos rin ang aking buhok na medyo nagulo.

I heard his soft chuckle. Napairap na lamang ako.

I was still busy fixing my hair when Carlos fixed my seatbelt for me. When he was done, marahan niyang dinampian ng halik ang aking labi bago tuluyang lumayo at umayos ng upo.

Napabaling ako sa upuan sa likod nang may masulyapan sa rearview mirror. Isang magarbong punpon ng mga pulang-pulang rosas at isang malaking kahon ang naroroon.

I glanced at Carlos when his arm stretched to get the bouquet of roses and handed it to me.

''Happy Valentine's Day, Georgianna,'' he said, his lips curling for a smile.

Napakurap ako nang makita ang ngiti niya. Agad kong ibinaba ang aking tingin sa bulaklak nang maramdaman ang kakaibang dala ng tingin at ngiti Carlos sa aking sistema.

Kahapon pa ang Valentine's Day . . . Seeing this, remembering his clothes, and his words that he was looking for me yesterday, I feel like . . . Did he . . .?

''Did you arrange a dinner yesterday . . .'' Hindi ko na natapos ang itatanong nang makita na ang sagot sa kanyang mukha. ''. . . you did . . . I'm sorry.''

''Baby, no need to apologize. We can always have dinner date next time,'' aniya. Hinuli niya ang kamay at hinalikan ang likod ng aking palad. ''What matters to me the most is that we spend time together. And we were still able to do so yesterday.''

I bit my lower lip, unable to speak, as I was still feeling a little bit guilty about the things that happened.

''I booked us a breakfast date today, though, to make up for yesterday's date. Would that be okay with you?''

The corner of my lips rose, nodding my head. After a while, we drove away to the place he was talking about.

Carlos was holding my hand when we walked towards a hotel restaurant. He greeted and talked briefly to the receptionist. Pagkatapos ay hindi na kami dumaan sa kung saan o kanino pa at agad nang dumiretso sa isang pasilyo patungo sa isang pribadong silid ng kanilang restaurant.

Pakiramdam ko sobrang bilis ng mga pangyayari o siguro dahil medyo inaantok pa ako kaya medyo hindi ko masundan ang mga nangyayari. Eventually, I just found myself seated next to Carlos as our breakfast was being served.

Panay ang tingin ko sa taong nagse-serve dahil panay rin ang sulyap niya sa katabi ko. Tuwing tinitingnan ko naman si Carlos, nasa akin lang ang mga mata niya. And whenever I would turn around to face him, he would plant a soft kiss on my lips.

Ako, pati na rin siguro ang babae, ang parehong nahihiya sa ginagawa ni Carlos. Tahimik ko na lamang na hinintay na mailagay at maiyos ang lahat ng mga pagkain.

When everything was in place, at nang makalabas na rin ang lahat, akala ko'y magsisimula na rin kami sa agahan. Ngunit mas lumapit pa si Carlos sa'kin. I gulped when he encircled his arms around my waist. Naramdaman ko ang paghawi niya ng aking buhok papaunta sa likod. He gave me a long kiss on my cheek before his lips started tracing my jaw upwards to my ear, tickling me a bit.

Sa tuwing naalala ko ang mga ginawa ko kagabi . . . those bold and provocative acts . . . I can't help but flush and be embarrassed about it. I still can't believe that I was able to act that way. I told myself that it was probably just because of the drink . . . but as I pondered on it . . . It isn't just that . . . It's all because of this man. And it doesn't help whenever he's like this. Dahil tuwing binibigayan niya ako ng pansin tulad nito ay talagang nunuyo ang lalamunan ko.

''Sei tutto per me,'' he whispered soulfully in a language I couldn't understand. ''Voglio passare il resto della mia.''

''I-I can't understand you, Lorenzo.'' I covered my ear because it's already so ticklish.

My eyes shifted to him, and I found him gazing at me with those emotions in his eyes, like he had known me for centuries and had finally found a place where he truly belonged. Mas lumamlam ang kulay abo niyang mga mata. At bawat sandaling lumilipas na nagtitigan kami ay nalulunod akong lalo.

The whole world seems to stop at that very moment. I wish I could tell him how his mere presence gives me butterflies. And how he's looking at me like I'm the answer to everything makes my heart hammer loudly against my chest.

He smiled a bit before he claimed my lips. And just as it was last night, I have started to welcome him wholeheartedly.

Saglit lang iyon at agad din akong binitawan para makakain na.

Simula nang araw na iyon ay araw-araw na ata kaming nagkikita. Sometimes for lunch, sometimes for a brief dinner, or sometimes just for a glimpse when we can't really be together for that day, especially whenever we're both busy. Lalo na't hindi rin ako pwedeng magtagal.

''Did you already tell my brother about your decision, Anya?''

I stopped typing on my laptop when Lukas asked me that question. Saglit na nangunot ang noo ko dahil hindi ko alam ang tinutukoy niya.

Lukas already knows that I'm dating his brother . . . goodness, I still can't believe that I'm dating my friend's older brother.

''About?'' I asked.

''Your internship in Manila.''

Tuluyan akong bumaling sa kanya. Nakita kong medyo hindi siya mapakali. I don't know nor understand what's with his reaction.

''Hindi pa . . . Why, are you worried about something?''

It's already March. Naisubmit na naming lahat ang mga kinakailangan para doon, noong February pa. Ilang orientations at meeting na rin ang naganap para doon. And a week from now, we'll already start. I'm already done packing my bags. Ilang araw na lang at aalis na ako papuntang Maynila para sa internship namin.

What's with my internship and Carlos? Pupunta ako sa Maynila. . . Oh . . . Aalis ako! Carlos is already my boyfriend . . . and I haven't even told him about it yet!

Nagkatinginan kami ni Lukas, kinalaunan ay parehong napatampal sa noo.

''I heard he was offered another project here aside from the clubhouse,'' he trailed off.

Napahilamos ako sa aking mukha. And knowing Carlos . . . he would accept that project! Nasabi na niya sa'kin na dito muna siya sa Santa Monica mananatili hanggang sa araw ng graduation ko, at luluwas lamang kapag kailangan ng pinsan o kapag may problema sa trabaho niya sa Maynila.

I bit my lip. ''I wasn't able to tell him yet!''

It's not like Carlos would stop me from doing things I needed to do or things I wanted. I know he'd understand and would probably even support me. Pero mapagtanim din iyon ng sama ng loob! And while he was trying his best to be with me, I did not even inform him that I would leave Santa Monica. Dalawang buwan at kalahati lang naman ang internship namin . . . pero kahit abisuhan lamang siya ay hindi ko nagawa.

And knowing that man . . . at ilang linggo na ang nakalipas. The mere fact that I wasn't able to tell him is what he'll get mad about. Gosh, what excuse will work?

''Does he know you'll have yours in Manila?''

He nodded slowly. ''Yes.''

''Hindi ba siya nagtanong tungkol sa'kin?'' tanong ko, halos humingi na ng milagro.

If Carlos already knew about his brother's plan. He also might have already known or have an idea about mine. Kahit hindi man aminin sa'kin ni Carlos, alam kong madalas siyang magtanong kay Lukas ng tungkol sa'kin. Madami siyang alam sa buhay ko dito sa paaralan dahil may espiya siya.

Umiling si Lukas. ''He doesn't ask me anymore about you when you two became official.''

Oh my. He doesn't ask anymore... because we are already a couple... and he somehow expects me to tell him everything on my own. Hinihintay niya na ako na ang magsabi ng mga bagay-bagay. Gusto niya ako ang magsabi.

''You're always with him, what are you two talking about the entire time?''

Umiwas ako ng tingin nang uminit ang pising.

''Random things...'' I mumbled. Random things with kissing scenes.

Saglit nang dumaan si Carlos kaninang umaga sa school namin. He also told me he needed to work overtime in the evening. Kaya hindi na kami magkikita ngayon. Pero bukas ay may usapan kami. I will tell him about it tomorrow.

I ate lunch with my friends. And Lukas dropped me by a mall to change my clothes. Hindi ako pwedeng umuwi at baka makita ako ng kung sino sa amin. Although I already told my mother that I will go out and will be home a bit late tonight. Tahimik lamang si Lukas habang nag-aayos ako ng sarili. Nakapagbihis na ako at sa kotse na niya ako nag-ayos. Medyo nahihiya nga ako eh.

''Sorry, Lukas.'' I said with a small voice. ''Once you get a girlfriend, I will do the same. I will support you too, I promise!''

Umiling lamang siya nang nakangiti. Medyo tumatawa-tawa at nagbibiruan pa kami habang nag-uusap pero nang makita ang pagdating ng sasakyan ni Carlos at pagpark nito sa tabi ng kay Lukas, bigla ay pareho kaming natahimik. Tila ba pareho rin namin naalala ang tungkol sa pinag-usapan namin kahapon.

''Good luck,'' Lukas uttered with a low and deep voice.

Bigla akong kinabahan. ''Don't scare me like that, Lukas!''

Ilang hinga ang ginawa ko. Nang makita ang paglabas ni Carlos sa kanyang sasakyan, lumabas na rin ako.

''Lorenzo!'' I called cheerfully with a big smile.

Agad akong lumapit at yinakap siya. Mukhang natigilan pa siya sa naging salubong ko pero agad rin pumulupot ang braso sa may balikat ko. I smiled more when he gave me a kiss on the top of my head.

''You look so happy.''

I chuckled a bit. ''I am!''

Bukas ang bintana ng sasakyan ni Lukas kaya nasulyapan ko siya. He was massaging his temple like he was problematic. Hindi niya rin siguro inaasahan ang pagsalubong ko sa kapatid niya. Pati si Carlos ay nagulat din. Although I need Carlos to be in a good mood, it's true that I am happy.

''Kuya,'' tawag ni Lukas. ''Aalis na ako.''

Tumango si Carlos. ''Alright. And thank you for accompanying Georgianna.''

I waved at Lukas. He just gave me one stern look before he drove away. When his car was already gone, my eyes drifted to Carlos. He gave me another kiss, but on the cheek, before he opened the door for me.

I was about to take a seat when I saw a grand bouquet of crimson-red roses wrapped in black paper. It looks so fancy and elegant. And the white caspias and the eucalyptus added to its details.

My smile grew wider. I tiptoed to reach Carlos' cheek, uttering, ''I love it. Thank you!''

Before, I was asked if I liked flowers. I answered that I don't really know either because I haven't thought of that much yet. But remembering the times whenever Carlos would give me flowers, even if there were no occasions, I did not just like them but loved them. And my heart would always flutter at his thoughtfulness.

He would give me different ones, sometimes pastel or bubblegum colors, white and pink roses, sunflowers, daises, tulips, and such. All in bright and light colors. Last month lang siya nagbigay ng ganitong red roses, noong may dinner date daw dapat kami, at ngayon, saktong isang buwan na ang nakakalipas.

I glanced at him, who was now driving the car. Paminsan-minsan ay kinukuha niya ang kamay ko at hinahawakan iyon. Sometimes he would bring it into his lips for a soft peck, and he would glance at me, smiling.

''Do you like pictures?'' I asked him after a while.

''Hmm?''

I played with my fingers. ''We don't have a picture together yet . . . I was thinking that it isn't so bad to have one, right?''

''Uh, huh.''

''There's this self-portrait studio in the place we are going . . . do you want to try?''

I don't know if he likes things like these. I don't know; I feel like he's just too mature and serious. Pero wala rin akong maisip na regalo para sa kanya. Hindi naman siya humihingi ng kung ano, but I just want to give something to him aside from finally being his girlfriend. And I feel like he already has everything he needs. So a memento would be a great idea.

He glanced at me, his lips curled upwards. ''Okay, let's do that.''

Natuwa ako. ''I already booked us an appointment yesterday!''

''You already planned about that, huh?'' he asked, playfully raising an eyebrow at me.

I pursed my lips. Nahiya ako pero nang tumawa siya ay natawa na lang rin ako. He looked so amused that I'm doing things like these and exerting effort too. Grabe naman, ano naman akala niya sa'kin?

Hindi ko alam ang eksaktong lugar noon. But I gave him the address, we used waze too, pero mukhang alam naman niya. Iyon ang una naming tinungo para sa lakad namin.

When we got into the studio, agad na may sumalubong sa amin at nag-explain ng mga bagay-bagay. Although alam ko naman na iyong iba doon, nakinig pa rin ako ng mabuti sa mga sinabi at itinuro nila bago nila kami iniwang mag-isa.

I opted to choose a nude color for the backdrop since Carlos and I were both wearing black outfits.

My dress is black with a sweetheart neck, puff sleeve, and a ruched split thigh. I paired it with black stiletto sandals heels. Last night, Carlos actually asked me what I would wear for today. I told him I'd go with this dress. And now Carlos is here with me with his black polo and gray trousers, which looked so good on him.

Ewan ko ba pero madalas ay puti ang suot niya. He looks clean, manly, and hot in those, but he looks hot in other colors too especially the dark ones. Our outfits are matching. Ewan ko pero ang cute naming tingnan.

Carlos' poses looked so formal though. Ilang beses ko siyang sinita dahil mukha kaming nasa shoot ng isang magazine. I wanted something fun and somehow more of a candid shot.

I feel like he took it to heart, though. He became way more clingy in each shot. Kung saan-saan nakalapat ang labi niya. Umupo din ako sa isang stool at nasa likod ko siya, nakayakap habang ang baba ay nakadantay sa ulo ko. May mga shots din kaming magkatinginan at medyo natatawa ako dahil kung ano-ano ang binubulong niya. Siya ang may hawak ng shutter at nakukuha niya ang mga shot na iyon. There's also one where he gripped my cheeks playfully, at umikot ang mga mata ko nang halikan niya rin ang aking pisngi. Pati iyon ay nakuha!

We had so much fun, especially me! Medyo magulo kami kaya akala ko hindi maganda ang kakalabasan ng mga larawan, but when we were already browsing the soft copies, they all turned out well.

Carlos also let me have solo shots a while ago. He even fixed my hair for me. Nakatitig lang ako sa kanya habang iniipit niya ang ilang hibla ng aking buhok sa likod ng aking tainga.

''I could stare at you for hours, and I won't even get bored.'' He kissed the tip of my nose. ''I always have the best time whenever I am with you. Let's spend more time together like this, hmm?''

I coughed fakely. I don't know why he's being cheesy. Uminit rin ang buong pisngi ko kaya pinilit kong umiwas ng tingin pero hinawakan niya ang magkabilang pisngi ko at muling iniharap sa kanya. Pikit na pikit na rin ang mata ko dahil pinapaulanan niya ng maliit na halik ang aking buong mukha.

''Carlos, ano ba!?'' Natatawa kong saway, pinipilit siyang itulak dahil nakikiliti ako sa ginagawa niya.

Para naman akong baby sa ginagawa niya! He was laughing, but thank goodness he stopped. He let me have my moment after that. Then we went out when we were done with our time and someone assisted us.

I kicked Carlos out of the reception area when I saw him there. Halos tumakbo pa ako para lang pigilan siyang maabot ang card niya.

''Check the photos. I will pay for this one. It's my gift!''

He snorted and looked like he was about to throw an argument about paying, but when he saw my glare, he swallowed everything he was about to say. Eventually, he smiled and just let me do whatever I wanted. He went back to the person who was assisting us a while ago.

I booked three sessions yesterday. Mabuti na lang at iyon ang ginawa ko dahil medyo nagtagal kami. I paid for everything, even the soft copies, and all. Ang pinipili nalang ni Carlos ay iyong ipiprint.

''Is it possible to have this printed in a wallet size?'' rinig kong tanong ni Carlos kaya naibaling ko ang tingin sa kanila.

Mahina lang naman ang boses nila pero rinig ko iyon dahil hindi naman malayo ang distansya. My eyebrows furrowed when I saw a solo shot of me on the screen. At iyon ang tinuturo ni Carlos.

''Possible naman po, sir.''

''Please give me some.''

The person grinned at Carlos. ''Bagay na bagay po kayo ng girlfriend niyo, sir.''

Napaiwas na ako ng tingin nang marinig iyon. I felt my cheeks heating but my lips protruded when I didn't hear any response from Carlos. Akala ko wala na siyang sasabihin pero nagkamali ako.

''She's my wife.''
     
       

#ENEMYSPROPERTY