C9 Chapter 8

Hindi pa rin nawawaglit ang titigan namin ni Zadriel. Nga lang, habang ako ay nananatiling gulantang at nanglalaki ang mga mata, siya ay nakataas na ang sulok ng labi at tila natutuwa pa sa aksidenteng pagkikita namin ngayon. Base on his initial reaction awhile ago, he's also surprised to see me.

Gulat ka mas maganda ako sa girlfriend mo, ano? Char lang.

I pulled my gaze away from him and cleared my throat. Umayos ako ng pagkakaupo, tuwid ang likod at umastang hindi kilala ang nasa harapan. I anchored my eyes on the woman besiden him. She's already looking at me. Hilaw akong ngumiti sa kanya.

"Good morning, Miss..."

What the fuck is her name again? Diarrhea?

"Dainara, Ma'am Tate." si Abby.

"Oh! It's my pleasure to meet you, Miss Dainara."

Mas lalong naningkit ang mga mata niya dahil sa pagkakangiti. She walked near us and extended her hand. Tumayo ako para tanggapin iyon.

"Likewise, Miss Follosco. They're right when they said that you are one hell of a gorgeous interior designer. Naging kliyente ng Mommy mo ang Mommy ko noon."

Hindi sinasadyang napatingin ako kay Zadriel na nasa likuran niya. He's now crossing his arms over his chest while smirking at me. There's a hint of playfulness crawling upon it.

Bakit ba nangingisi ang isang ito?

Ibinalik ko ang tingin sa kaharap. "Thank you. Nagmana lang kay Mommy."

"Hmm. You actually have a good genes. Saw your family portrait in one of the billboards along Edsa. Have a seat, please."

Naupo akong muli sa tabi ni Abby. Dianara walked towards the couch across us. Napatingin ako kay Zadriel. He's still staring at me.

Naupo si Dianara habang si Zadriel ay nakatayo lang sa likuran niya. Both of them anchored their eyes on me. Ngumiti ang babae.

"Let's go to the main business, shall we?" pormal nitong sabi.

She sounds boring. Bakit kaya nagustuhan ito ni Zadriel? Hindi kaya dahil... maingay?

Oh my gosh, Tate! She's not a Japanese, remember? Hindi iyan maingay sabi ni Zadriel!

"Of course," I smiled. I tried not to look at Zadriel's direction for I know that there's a shadow of playfulness rolling across his eyes. "According to my secretary, you want us to design your master's bedroom, right?"

Dianara nodded. "Yes. My boyfriend thinks that our room is too plain. Maybe we need to spice it up for our sexy time-"

"Dianara..." Zadriel warned her.

Humagikhik ang babae. I almost roll my eyes up if I didn't just control myself to do it. Mukhang mahinhin. Mukha lang pala.

Nilingon ni Dianara si Zadriel. There's a warning looming in his eyes as if he doesn't like the words that came out of her lips but the woman seems to be oblivious about it.

"What? I'm just telling the truth. I'm sure Miss Follosco here doesn't mind it..." she said and then looked at me, a smile still plastered on her lips. "Right, Miss Follosco?"

Ngumisi ako. "Of course. It's normal. But in my case, I don't need to redecorate my room just to spice our moment up. My boyfriend already finds me hot. I'm more than enough, he said."

Kusa akong dinala ng mga mata ko kay Zadriel. He's still looking at me, a taunting smirk rolling across his dark eyes. It's few seconds later when he took his phone out of his pocket without pulling his gaze away from me. Bahagya akong nagtaas ng kilay nang tumungo siya at magtipa ng kung ano sa cellphone niya.

"That's so sweet of your man, Miss Follosco." tanging nasabi ni Dainara bago ko naramdaman ang panginginig ng cellphone ko sq aking kamay.

"He is..." I said unconsciously before looking down at my phone. My brows slightly creased when I saw a message from a very familiar name.

Zadriel:

Couldn't agree more with your boyfriend. You fucking look hot mostly without your clothes.

My teeth tugged a tiny part of my lips downward as I tried to fight a smirk. Ngunit gaano ko man pigilan ay kusa pa rin itong nakawala.

Uh, this man... nasa harapan niya lang ang girlfriend niya pero kung umasta ay akala mong wala.

Ako:

Shut up :p

"Let me guess, it's your boyfriend, right?" si Dianara dahilan para mag angat ako ng tingin sa kanya. Malawak siyang nakangiti sa akin. "Ganyan rin kasi ako kapag si Zadriel na ang nagtetext sa akin. I can't help but to always smile."

Ngumisi ako, hilaw. "Is he a sweet boyfriend?"

"Sometimes. He's usually snobbish but it's alright. Bumabawi naman siya kapag kami na lang. Mostly when it comes to the things behind closed door."

Abot-abot na naman ang paglipigil ko na huwag paikutin ang aking mga mata. Hindi ba siya nahihiya ipagkalandakan ang ginagawa nila ni Zadriel kahit pa sa ganoong pamamaraan?

I maybe brutal and all but I would never share my dirty things with anyone. Lalo na at hindi naman kami close. This woman is surely kiss and tell.

My phone beeped again that stole my attention from Dianara. It's a message again from Zadriel.

Zadriel:

Love the scarf on your neck. Wanna see my marks behind it.

Me:

No way.

Zadriel:

Yes way, baby. I'll look into it when I got the chance.

Napailing na lang ako at nag angat ng tingin. Dainara is still staring at me, a little smile was plastered on her nude painted lips. Zadriel was also eyeing me, may pilyong ngisi sa kanyang labi.

"Shall we start? Time is ticking." sabi ko na lang para maiwasan ang nakakalokong titig ni Zadriel sa akin. He really looks unbothered by my presence. Para bang ikinatutuwa niya pa.

Dianara smiled and nodded. "Let's go upstairs."

She uncrossed her long legs and stood up. Humarap siya sa gawi ni Zadriel. He smiled a bit and nodded his head. Hindi ako sigurado kung may sinabi si Dianara pero mukhang ganoon nga dahil sa paraan ng pagsagot niya.

Abby was the next one who pushed herself off the couch. Nilampasan ni Dianara si Zadriel at naglakad paakyat ng hagdan, kasunod si Abby. Tumayo ako, ang mga mata namin ni Zadriel ay nagsalubong. I arched my brow up and he only smirked at me.

Just before I dare to utter a word, I glanced at Dianara and saw her already climbing up the stairs.

"You're not coming with your woman?" I whispered, being so careful not to be heard by her girlfriend.

He licked his lower lip and widened his smirk. "You want me to come with you?"

Natawa ako. "Why are you asking me? I am not your girlfriend."

His set of porcelain teeth tugged the tiny part of his pinkish lips while a playful smirk still etched on it.

"I'll follow you. Just have to make a call with my father."

I shrugged my shoulders. "Alright."

Nagsimula na ako sa paghakbang. Just before I could totally walk past him, I brought my hand in the middle of his denim jeans and gripped it gently. It earned a silent groan from him, a bit of frustration, too. Humagikhik ako.

"Damn it, Tate..."

Nakalampas na ako sa kanya nang lingunin ko siya habang patuloy pa rin sa paghakbang. He's looking at me with lust swimming in his dark orbs. I winked at him and smiled mockingly before pulling my gaze away from him.

Sa pag akyat sa hagdan ay hindi ko maiwasan ang muling matawa nang bumalik sa isip ko ang itsura niya. He looked tempted as if he wanted to grab me on my waist and pin me against the wall.

Well, that's what he always does whenever he got the chance. Sa tuwing nagiging agresibo siya ay lalo siyang gumagwapo sa paningin ko.

Sino kayang magulang ng isang iyon? He's a Monasterio if I remember it correctly. Is he somehow related to the business tycoon Zion Monasterio? Iyong kaibigan ni Daddy? Maybe I could ask him one time.

Narating ko ang kwarto ni Dianara. She's already telling Abby what color she wants for her room while pointing the wall.

Boring is an understatement to describe her room. Kulay abo ang kulay ng pader niya, ang mga kagamitan ay mula sa ninuno pa ata niya nanggaling. Sabi nila, nagre-reflect ang ayos ng bahay mo sa kung anong personalidad ang mayroon ka. If this room looks boring, then maybe Zadriel's girlfriend is boring, too.

"I want to change everything in this room, Miss Follosco. From the ceiling down the floor." Dianara said as she turned around and faced me.

Eh di ikaw magbago. Ikaw nakaisip, e.

Charaught lang.

Ngumiti ako, may halong kaplastikan na siguradong namana ko sa nanay ko.

"Of course. Abby will just get the measurements of your room and in a span of few weeks, I'll set a meeting and show you the designs I-"

My eyes encircled a bit when I felt a large hand grip my butt! Wide eyed, I glanced sideways and found Zadriel walking towards Dianara who's already looking at him. Seryoso ang ekpresyon ng mukha ni Zadriel, tila ba hindi nangpisil ng puwetan ng ibang babae!

My gaze followed him as he held Dianara on the waist. Still a bit bewildered, he finally let our eyes locked with each other as I saw how a taunting smirk slowly crawl upon his lips.

Baliwag lechon talaga.

Nagsimula kami sa pagdidiskusyob ng mga detalye na gusto ni Dianara para sa kwarto niya. Ni minsan ay hindi ko narinig na nagbigay ng opinyon si Zadriel sa kagustuhan ng nobya niya. It's like whatever she wants is fine with him. Nga lang, sa tuwing magsasalita ako ay nakatuon rin ang mga mata niya sa akin.

"Can I go to the comfort room?" tanong ko sa gita ng paguusap namin.

Dianara, who's sitting on the edge of the bed nodded her head while smiling at me. Si Zadriel ay nakaupo sa isa sa mga couch, abala sa cellphone niya. Nang marinig akong magsalita ay nag angat siya ng tingin sa akin.

"Sure. You can use my bathroom-"

"No. Use the spare bathroom outside." putol ni Zadriel na ikinataas ng kilay ko. Mula sa gilid ng mga mata ko ay nakita ko ang pagtuon ng atensyon sa akin ni Abby.

"It's alright, babe. She can use it."

"The one outside, Miss Follosco. I'm sorry but I don't let anyone use my girlfriend's bathroom."

Dianara giggled. Maarte nitong hinampas ang braso ni Zadriel ngunit hindi naman ito natinag. She then looked at me.

"I'm sorry about it. He's just this meticulous. Don't worry. The toilet outside is as clean as I have here."

Hindi ko alam kung bakit nakaramdam ako ng insulto sa sinabing iyon ni Zadriel. They way he delivered that message feels like her girlfriend's bathroom is too clean and I would just bring dirt into it.

Abot-abot ang pagpipigil kong huwag siyang irapan. Sa halip ay ngumisi na lang ako at umastang ayos lang iyon.

Buwisit ka. Hindi ka na makakatatlong rounds sa akin.

"It's alright. Excuse me." sabi ko at taas noong naglakad palabas ng kwarto nila.

Nakarating ako sa banyong sinasabi nila hindi kalaunan. My lips was pouting so bad as I get myself ready to pee. Pumapailanlang pa rin sa tainga ko ang sinabi ni Zadriel dahilan para mas lalong manghaba ang nguso ko.

Nang matapos umihi ay inayos ko ang suot na bestida. I was fixing my underwear when the door suddenly opened that made my heart jump!

"Zadriel!" gulantang na tawag ko.

He locked his eyes with mine and closed the door with so much care. Sa paraan ng pagsasara niya ay para bang ayaw niyang maglikha ito ng kahit kaunting ingay.

"What the hell are you doing-"

I didn't had the chance to continue what I was saying when he suddenly pinned me against the wall and slammed his lips on mine. His warm palms rummaged my breasts, squeezed them that made me release some sensual moan.

He let go of my lips and kisses my jaw. Mas lalo niya pa akong idiniin sa pader dahilan para maramdaman ko ang bukol sa gitna ng pantalon niya na tumatama sa may bandang puson ko.

I laughed. "Asshole. You dare to kiss me like a fucking horny man you are after embarrassing me in front of your boring girlfriend?"

He groaned against my jaw. "Lies, Tate. I only said that so I'd have the chance to be with you. See where I am now, baby?"

I rolled my eyes heavenward. "Palusot!"

He chuckled. Umayos siya ng pagkakatayo at tinitigan ako sa mga mata, ang ngisi ay nasa labi pa rin. From my face, his gaze went down my neck. He cocked his thick brow up and slowly untied the scarf on it.

Ngumuso ako nang tuluyan niya na itong matanggal mula sa pagkakatali. Nagtagal ang mga mata niya roon, siguradong sa mga marka niya siya nakatitig. Muling umusbong ang mapaglarong ngisi sa labi niya.

"My marks good on you..." His raspy voice played in my ears as he brought his eyes on mine.

"You're happy to see them?" taas kilay na tanong ko, nangaasar na rin.

"Hmm. I still want to give you more," he whispered so deep that sent an electrifying feeling deep down my stomach. He started unbuttoning my polo dress while biting his lip. "I want to leave marks on that beautiful skin that will last for weeks. How does it sounds?"

I groaned. "Sounds awful."

He chuckled and suddenly placed his face beside my neck. He has just started kissing me when three soft knocks echoed inside the room.

"Miss Tate? Ayos ka lang po?" It's Abby.

Napatingin ako sa pinto. Bahagya kong itinulak si Zadriel na busangot ang mukha at tila nabitin.

"Yes. Papalabas na rin, medyo sumakit lang ang tiyan ko." palusot ko, inaayos na ang pagkakabutones ng damit.

"Sige, Ma'am. Bumaba lang po saglit si Miss Dianara. Hinahanap po kasi niya 'yong boyfriend niya."

Nanglaki ang mga mata ko. Si Zadriel ay tila ba walang pakielam sa narinig. It's like he doesn't care if his girlfriend is looking for him.

"Okay. I'll go out in a minute." sigaw ko kay Abby. Narinig ko ang yabag ng sapatos nito tanda ng paalis na. I anchored my eyes on Zadriel and he's still staring intensely at me. "Lalabas na ako. Mauuna ako, baka makita ka ng girlfriend mo."

That's the last close encounter I had with Zadriel today. Maayos akong nakabalik sa kwarto ni Dianara, ganoon rin siya. He made an alibi that he had to call a business colleague. Naniwala si Diarana. Wala naman siyang choice.

Dinampot ko ang shot glass sa aking harapan at nilagok ang madilim na likido mula roon. After work, I decided to go in a private club and have a little drink. Kanina pa tawag ng tawag sa akin si Cade, naalala kong sa kanya ako dapat matutulog ngayon pero nawalan ako ng gana. Hindi ko alam kung sa anong dahilan.

Dumaan ang mainit at mapait na likido sa aking lalamunan pababa sa sikmura ko. I pursed my lips as I hold the glass down and looked at the people that are dancing aggressively in the dance floor. The neon strobe lights are somehow hitting my eyes, making them narrow a bit.

My phone vibrated. Nang tingnan ko ay isang text na naman ang natanggap ko mula kay Cade.

Cade:

Where are you? Wala ka sa office mo.

I breathed a sigh as I decided to finally compose a response.

Me:

Late meeting outside. I'm sorry.

As soon as I sent it, I lifted my hand and was about to drink my liquor when somebody snatched the glass from me.

Bumaling ako sa gilid. My brows formed in a line when I saw Zadriel settling himself beside me while holding my shot glass.

"Miss mo ako kaagad?" natatawang tanong ko.

He brought the glass down the table and leaned his back against the backrest. Nilingon niya ako, seryoso ang mga mata.

"It's too early to drink, Tate."

"May oras ba para mag-inom?"

He sighed and looked ahead of us. Sandali lang nang ibalik niya sa akin ang atensyon niya.

"Did you have your dinner already?"

Umiling ako. "Not yet. After this, maybe."

He nodded. "What do you want to eat?"

Ngumisi ako. "You..."

He chuckled, his eyes darkened despite of the lights reflecting against his dark orbs. Inilahad niya ang kamay sa sinasandalan ko at umusod palapit sa akin. He leaned his face closer and wrapped his other hand around me. Kung titingnan sa malayo ay parang nakakulong na ako sa kanya.

He then whispered, "I'll eat you first..."

I giggled. "Nabitin ka kanina-"

"Tatiana Faith!"

Mabilis akong nag angat ng tingin sa gilid nang marinig ang tawag na iyon. Blood left my face when I saw Kuya Tobias standing beside me, glaring at me with so much anger rolling over his hawk-like eyes.

"K-Kuya..." I called out through a breathless whisper as I felt Zadriel's hand loosen from his hold on my stomach.

My brother's eyes moved beside me. The anger there only intensified. It's few seconds later when he anchored his eyes back to me.

"Mag-uusap tayo..."