Pleasure series: Lust (TAGALOG)

Chapter 2

My hands are sweaty and cold, I've been checking my wrist watch for how many times ang tagal mag 1pm. Simula kahapon gumaan na ang pakiramdam ko nung nagkita na ulit kami ni Ralph. He still have the same effect on me feeling ko may mahihingahan na ako ng problema. Galit pa din kaya siya sa akin? Ano kayang mapaguusapan namin mamaya kapalit ng utang na hindi ko mababayaran sa company nila. Ralph have really gone a long way from an ordinary student isa na syang multi-millionaire of course. I did some research about him last night alam ko naman noon pa na tagapag-mana siya but it was hindered because of some serious family issues. Ang layo ng course na kinuha nya sa kung ano sya ngayon, I remembered how he badly wants to be a doctor way back. I sighed while pertaining the thoughts in my mind 12:06pm na. I decided na pumunta na sa Vinoco Building nakaupo ako sa lobby at doon naghintay. Maya maya lumabas yung secretary ni Ralph sa office, I noticed that she had her lips swollen, lagpas lagpas din ang lipstick nya and yung blouse nya ang gulo. Kinuha nya sa bag nya yung lipstick nya saka yung salamin nung napansin nya ako sa lobby napatingin sya.

"Miss Smith?" She smiled sweetly at me kaya pala kung makangiti to lagi may tinatagong landi din eh.

"Do you have an appointment ?" She asked me while her brows are curled up together in bewilderment. I restrained myself the urge to roll my eyes.

"Uh huh...1pm sabi sakin ni Ra--I mean ni Mr. Herrera."Her brows furrowed more as she put her lipstick and the small mirror down at the table.

"Ma'am naka book po ng flight si sir ng 4:00pm, 3hrs before department dapat nasa airport na si Sir. Paa o po kayong magkaka - appointment sa kanya non?"My mouth parted a bit I bowed my head in dismay. Pinaglalaruan lang ba ako ni Ralph pakiramdam ko maiiyak ako. Maya-maya tumunog yung intercom at may nagsalita. Ganado naman sinagot ito nung secretary nya. Hindi ko maintindihan gaano yung sabi sa kabilang line pero alam ko boses lalaki yun. I was about to leave but.

"Ma'am I'm sorry po, di ko alam. Pasok na daw po kayo sa office niya." Nagliwanag naman agad ang mukha ko sa narinig ko,I smiled at her and it gre bigger from time to time when I realized that my speculations are all wrong. Pumasok ako sa office ni Ralph at nakita kong nakaharap sya sa malaking bintana ng office nya he was talking to someone over the phone. Nung natapos na yon umikot ang swivel chair nya paharap sa akin.

Ang gwapo talaga ni Ralph he wasn't wearing his three piece armani suit but casual attire,lalo siyang gumwapo. I smiled at him but he remained soundlessly still and just stared at me he intertwined his fingers together at nilagay nya yun sa baba nya na parang may iniisip, maya-maya tumunog yung phone nya at may kausap siya.

"Okay, Thanks, We're on our way."He answered over the phone he ended the call then he stood up. Nagulat ako ng lumapit siya sakin at kinawakan sa wrist he dragged me outside the office, nagkanda-dapa dapa ako sa kalalakad. Napatingin ako sa kamay ko na hawak nya honestly my skin really longed for his touch so bad. Hindi ko maiwasan malungkot. Sa elevator papunta sa parking lot tahimik lang siya may sumalubong samin na BMW family car sumakay kami don.Kanina ko pa gusto itanong kung san kami pupunta pero urong na ata dila ko at stunned na stunned lang akong tignan si Ralph. Sa loob ng sasakyan naka-cross legs lang siya but he still have the authority and manly gesture kahit ano yatang gawin nya sa sarili nya lalaking lalaki pa din ang dating. Maya-maya binaba kami ng kotse sa airport dun ko nahindi maiwasan hindi magtanong because he keeps on dragging me. I shrugged away his hands gently as I asked him.

"Ralph san tayo pupunta? Bakit tayo nandito?" he turned around and face me while giving me a smug look. Nakaramdam ako ng kaba lagi nalang ako kinakabahan pag kaharap ko sya his dark brown eyes and mine locked. He cross his arms and shrugged his broad shoulders.

"The choice is yours Miss Smith. I still give you credits. You'll come wiith me? or I'll sue you?" My jaw literally dropped. Ano bang tumatakbo sa isip niya?

"What do you mean?" My brows furrowed in confusion naguguluhan ako sa mga tanong niya I mean san naman kami pupunta at anong gagawin namin bakit ba ayaw pa nya ako diretsuhin?

"Okay" He puckered his lips and it made a thin line while containing himself.

"Let me tell you straight Miss Smith, this is a proposal." His tone was a bit annoyed he leaned forward and grinned at me.

"You won't come with me and I'll sue you? OR You will come with me inside that god damn plane and we'll get married in Greece and I'll forget you owe me 40 million pesos? THE CHOICE IS YOURS." My mouth fell opened was he offering me marriage?

"Ralph Clifford Herrera?" I almost whispered, It took me awhile before I realized who it really was. Si Ralph? Lumapit sakin si Kath saka tinignan yung papel sa loob ng chip ko.

"Honey, You know him?"She asked. Matagal bago ako nakasagot pero wala sa loob, I slightly shook my head as a response. I denied the fact that I know him. Kath rolled her eyes lumapit siya sakin and she gently caressed my cheeks she smiled sweetly.

"Good! Because I know him. He's not even a boyfriend material too bad." Umiiling iling pa sya with a disgust face.

"But don't worry, mabuti nga yan madali ang yung sayo kaysa yung sa kanila." she pointed the two rookies using her lips.

"Mga manwhores talaga at mahihirapan sila for sure." she giggled, she faced the other girls and nagsalita sya ulit.

"Okay loves, Rule number one." sabi niya habang pumapalakpak na parang nagtatawag ng attention medyo nag-ingay kasi at nagkagulo.

"You only have the maximum of 2 months to do your gig." Kayanin ko kaya ang two months? I really want this group so bad and I belonged here! So yes I'm doing it kahit si Ralph pa yan. I mean mabait sya but deadweight is a deadweight walang personalan.

"Rule number two, kailangan makuhanan nyo sila ng picture, much better if video as evidence okay? Keep in mind na hindi nyo pwedeng maging long term boyfie ang mga prey nyo after the gig. If that happened, you're automatically OUT.. Sayang ang hirap. I don't care kahit sa anong way kayo magsucceed,If you're gonna use your body make sure na safe okay? There's no place for second chance here one mistake then you're out and don't you dare tell anyone about this gig because it's a TOP SECRET. Okay loves?" Honestly mixed emotions ang nararamdaman ko excitement and doubt. Ralph was i don't know a peer? Mabait sya kaya nakakapanghinayang. There was a long hurly-burly in the meeting. Habang ako nakatingin ang sa chip na nabunot ko.

'Sorry Ralph but I will make you fall inlove with me.No matter what.' I whispered to myself.

I was putting my stuffs on my bag, the class was dismissed already, It was my last subject for the whole afternoon and I have no plans. My classmates are all having a mutiny riot and a backwash while they're chatting senseless stuffs. I didn't noticed that I was almost left alone. But someone called my name and made brows furrowed.

"Ralph, may naghahanap sayo sa labas." Alfie said with a idiotic smile on his face. Tss.

"Who?" I asked as if I wasn't interested.

"It's for you to find out dude, she's outside." He smiled sheepishly again. She so a girl huh? I wiped some moist on my eye glasses first and put it back on it's place then went outside. I smiled as I saw Meil Marianne outside the room she was so cute because she was leaning on the wall with her hands gripping her backpack straps and playing her right toe in a circular motion. Yes, I have never been indenial with my feelings for her. The moment I saw her I knew it was weird until I found out I really like her No I love her now. I secretly paint and draw her pictures coming from my mind. I was actually thinking of courting her but I was such a dork to ask. Yes! Natotorpe ako, I must say.

"Hello" she greeted me and my heart starts beating fast. She was smiling at me what the hell! That was so gay!

"Hi" I greeted back speak asshole! It's your chance she's right infront of you for f**k's sake.

"Uhmm.. Uuwi ka na ba?" I was metally asking myself what does she needs because this was totally not usual she doesn't talk to me senseless, unless if school matters are involved.

"I was about to.. I uhmmm..." Fvck! I felt like my tongue backfliped and frozed, I couldn't think straight.

"Starbucks?" We both asked in unison Jeeez! Why is it so awkward anyway? We laugh our ass out because of that so we decided to grabbed some frapped and some sweets I don't usually eat those. I tastes awful I'm not into sweets but since I was a glorified stalker of Meil Marianne, I know she loves cakes and ice creams, she was too girly and I found it in a cute way.. 'And it happened.. I'm going to force myself to eat awful cakes and stupid frappes because I am with Meil Marianne Smith, the girl that I love..'

I was pacing back and forth while I'm with Maxi. I finally ask Ralph out. It's been 5 days since we started hanging out and yesterday was kinda queer. Pinagtapat na nya sakin na mahal nya ako at noon pa daw, I was so overwhelmed when he confessed for I cried because I felt I was filled with too much euphoria. Ralph really freaked out when he saw me crying. I am overjoyed and what I felt was real. I should've feel happy about it dahil my plans are well executed I just need to work on the evidence but I am not natatakot ako. Hindi na ako nagpakipot pa at nagpaligoy-ligoy pa sinagot ko din sya ng 'iloveyoutoo' at kilig na kilig talaga ko non, I've realized that I like him tooI really do hindi mahirap gustuhin si Ralph.

"I quit" I looked at Maxi who was still spaced out.

"What? Miel what are you talking about?" I asked her I knew what she was talking about but I want to hear it from her.

"You heard me I quit I'm done this is nonsense Meil! This is so immature! I can't do it! Hindi ko kayang ipahiya ang taong walang kamalay-malay! Ayokong madamay sa kahibangan ni Kath sa mga galit nya sa lalaki.. Ohhh that b***h!!" she shouted and walked away. Nanlamig ako ng bigla may magsalita sa likod ko, making a 'tsk' sound.

"Tsk.. tsk.. tsk.. " umakbay sya sakin and gave her infamous sweet smile she was pouting her lips na parang nangiinis.

"Don't worry Honey, she's a loser. Kaya nya yun nasabi because she can't do it and she's just making that as an excuse." Kinikilabutan ako sa way ng papanalita nya because the way she looked at where Maxi walks away? She was really up to something evil.

"I got her honey, I'll teach her a lesson she deserves." Then she tapped my shoulders and walked away.

I was left there dumfounded.

*****

The next day a ballyhoo scene shocked me

"That's what she deserves." Sabi ni Kath sa tabi ko pabulong nyang sinabi sa kin yon, alam ko na na sya ang may kagagawan, I got goosebumps with what I saw

"Oh God! Please somebody help me!!!!!!!" Maxi was crying like a wolf. Nakatingin ang maraming tao sa kanya sa loob ng gym nagtatawanan yung ibang boys at girls while staring at her. Nakablind fold sya wearing only nothing but her lacy underwears nakatali yung kamay nya sa likod at pati yung paa nya. She was almost naked. Iyak sya ng iyak umagang umaga ito ang sumalubong sa akin. Kath walked away and tapped my shoulder. I know that she did that to warned us if we quit on our gig. Napa buntong hininga nalang ako nakita ko si Aya at Juls na tumakbo papunta kay Maxi at binalot ng jacket, they're with Aya's boyfriend. Xeth De Silvia.

Nakahinga ako ng maluwag ng tulungan nila si Maxi umalis na ako agad sa gym at ayokong tignan pa. That was extreme humiliation. Nakatungo ako sa barracks sa millenium garden mag-isa, I almost jumped when someone wrapped his hand around my waist nung dinismiss kami dito na agad ako dumiretso. Napangiti ako at humarap sa kanya. I pinched his cheeks and gave him a light peck on his cheeks. He chuckled.

"What took you so long?" I asked. Faking my voice na nagtatampo ako.

"I'm sorry, nag-overtime si Ma'am e.." He buried his forehead against mine and smiled. Kinikilig talaga ko pag nginingitian nya ako, I felt his minty breath brushing through my face ang bango-bango niya at ang sarap niyang yakapin. Hindi ko alam pero nakaramdam ako ng guilt sa ginagawa ko, I may sound selfish but I'm so happy when i'm with Ralph. He was always so sweet to me. Kalat na din sa school that we're kinda 'dating'. Lagi kaming magkasama.

"Why did you took nursing?" I asked out from nowhere. We're here at the mall eating at mcdonalds. Tumataba na ako kakakain, si Ralph kasi lagi nag-aaya kumain, he has a voracious appetite. He loves pastas and fried chicken too, at laging may extra rice more less dalawa. I giggled mentally about the thought he's looks so cute!

"Because of my Mom " Tumahimik siya sandali tapos ako tuloy sa pag-nguya.

"I was supposed to take AP subjects,I want to be a doctor but too bad we can't afford it she's just a single mom." Common cases na nga yan karamihan ngayon eh hiwalay ang parents,I feel fortunate kasi kami nila Daddy at Mommy eh hindi besides magiging ate na nga ako. I continued chewing my fries while nodding.

"Besides she has cancer." He blurted out and that made me frozed. I saw his eyes softened parang maiiyak niyang sabi yon I don't know why but my body automatically moved to hug him. I just felt like he needed it he hugged me back and after a while he unwrapped his arms on me and kissed my forehead.

"Silly, you're looking at me like I was a lost puppy soaked wet in a heavy rain." He still managed to smile at me.

My God! Bakit ba parang pakiramdam ko ako yung mas nalulungkot. Ralph started to freak out again because I can't help myself and I cried about the thought. Napaka bait nya kasi.

"Meil please stop crying.. Holy s**t!.. what the---- " Madali nyang kinuha yung panyo niya at pinunasan yung luha ko ang OA ko talaga. Ewan ko ba bakit pagdating kay Ralph nagiging emotional ako. I was sobbing and he tried his best para patahanin ako, I'm such a cry baby!

"Damn it! I shouldn't have told you! If only I knew you'll just cry like that... s**t!" he hissed, ayaw na ayaw nya talaga akong umiiyak. Ganyan sya kasweet, I find it really cute lalo na pag natataranta sya minsan gusto ko nalang mag-iyak iyakan kasi ang cute cute ng boyfriend ko kapag ganun sya. He kissed me on the tip on my nose and my forehead.

"I'm just so happy, since you came I manage to just smile inspite of all my predicaments, I love you so much Meil." He whispered, then he hugged me tight my whole body frozed about the thought. Hindi ko maiwasan na malungkot lalo dahil alam kong iiwan ko din sya. I will just broke his heart naguguluhan ako pero It felt so right being with him. I was beyond happy.

"I love you too Ralph" I gave him a kiss on his lips.. It was supposed to be a smack kiss, but he held my head and tilted it to scrape out more the kiss, he started moving his lips and I responded. My heart starts beating really fast and I felt like I melted in his arms for f**k's sake we're at mcdonalds! But the hell I care! I love this guy! He pulled off the kiss buried his forehead to mine and smiled.

"Lousy kisser." He said with a chuckle my jaw dropped and I playfully smashed his shoulder.

"Wag mo na kong ikikiss kahit kailan!" Sabi ko, kuwari nagtatampo ako tumawa lang sya.

"I'm just kidding of course even if you really are a lousy kisser you're still the greatest kisser for me." He gagged. I pinched the part of his waist playfully and I rolled my eyes.

"Then if I'm a lousy kisser,could teach me how be a great one?" I asked him seductively. He chuckled again and gave me a peck on my lips.

"I guess we can fix that." he said as he smiled.

[A/N: NP=Skin to skin by Sarah Connor