SEA'S BRIDE (PHILMYTHO ROMANCE II)

CHAPTER 54

Amanikable, Florante rather, had me ceased once more and though I want to struggle, it was like my body choses to stay in this state while my mouth is being lavished by him. Pathetic, I believe I have completely absorbed this frenzy too much. The surface of his lips brushing against mine is too addicting. It stirs the low heat igniting below my stomach. My head wishes to force me that I should let go and stop him from taking advantage of the situation but somehow, that 'something' in my chest enjoys this and could it be that I, too, somewhat feels the same?

It just feels odd knowing that the man I used to despise a lot, is now becoming the reason behind the fluttering of butterflies in my stomach the whole time. And it was because he had been showering me with kisses, an intimate act I've never done with any man before, not until he came and capture me.

Florante pulled out to breathe before his lips arch up a grin. And then he said, "you really are stubborn. The next one, my realm. I owned a large portion of the West Philippine Sea. From the point of Bajo de Masinloc to portions of the highly disputed islands of Spratlys." He suddenly said.

"You own the sea? The Philippine sea belong to its people. The government will not allow this." I said back trying to take in a few simultaneous breathing after making out with him. Florante could kill me with the way he kisses me. It's just to hard to breath when his mouth is hardly pressed on mine.

"Your government sold it to my parents to use as payment to the US government for their debts, this is also for the Philippines to freely ward off the American troops across its shores. They got the whole west Philippine sea for nine hundred sixty seven billion U.S. dollars. And that's about roughly forty-five trillion pesos back then."

"That's impossible! How are your parents able to buy that sum?"

"My parents were marine biologists who happens to be too engrossed about the marine life in this country. It's their passion that accidentally discovered the largest caldera in the world..." He said, pointing out something outside the window.

When I reach out to see the outside, I saw numbers of coral reefs waving at me on the sea floor. school of fishes rushing to get past the submarine, other marine lives varying from biggest to small. The abundance here is no different from what I see everyday inside my room. What's just so unique about here is the experience of getting inside the luxury submarine while seeing all these closer than before.

"--At that time, the government under a syndicate ruler made a bargain with my parents to sell the west coast of the Philippine Sea. My parents were willing to pay if the government agrees to sell the whole portion." Florante continued his chatter as I am still awestruck by what I am seeing.

"Amazing. How rich can your family be?" the thought in my head just flew out from my tongue.

And he was proud enough to answer, "More than you could imagine." He mumbled as he held my face back to him. and then he added saying, "--And more than you could ever grasp when you become my wife."

I immediately push myself inches away from him before he could even try tricking me again to reclaim my lips. He won't get a second this time, as I am in careful watch of his sleek moves. And to divert his attention, I tried asking a different question instead. "Where are your parents?" I asked. The question may have hit a nerve for him to slightly loosen his hold as he stride his head away from looking at me to to tilt on the window.

His eyes were looking outside as if it was staring from a far. I was patiently waiting for him to answer but I guess it might have been too personal for him to tell me about them. I wouldn't mind if he didn't and I was about to tell him that he doesn't have to tell me when he suddenly said, "They both died in an attempt to get near the Caldera."

This would be the very first time that I could see the picture of him looking as if longing for something. Was it just in my thoughts? Or could he be really yearning to see his parents again? I'm slowly beginning to understand the reason why he has been awfully acting rude among his people. Even the hideous features he is showing me were all just a protective mask.

He wanted to show the world that in spite of the absence of his parents, he can still stand on his own and protect himself. He tries to showcase people that he is capable of handling things on his own. My only question is why would he have to go beyond to the extent that most of his servants already despises him?

My hand voluntarily, climb the line of his jaw, that somewhat tickles my palm due to his growing beard, until I rest it on his cheek. It's the only thing I could offer him now even if he doesn't ask me to. And for some reason, he didn't forbid me to do so. I guess despite how tyrant he can be, a soft spot still lies within him that touches like this may have warm him a bit.

"I'm sorry to hear about your parents." I told him as my head lowered down the same time with my hand.

"There is not a need for that." He just assured me with his plain answer.

"But you know...you're still lucky to have met them both. If only given the opportunity, I wish I had the chance to meet my biological mom too. She died giving birth to me. Well, that was what my father told me."

I never expected for his sympathy but I was moved when he looked at me in total disbelief. But as I was thinking he would actually reciprocate my sympathy, I was wrong. Florante disrupt that image from happening by releasing me as he respond to me saying, "Let us not talk about people who aren't here."

I immediately took advantage of the situation to move out from him and settled on the chair from the other side. My legs are feeling quite numb from sitting on that position for quite long. Suddenly, Florante rose to walk on the mini bar at the gallery. He took two glass and a bottle red wine with an screaming eagle embedded on the body. Florante handed me a little amount on the glass and the smell is too strong for me to handle, it has an aroma of blackcurrants, a subtle trace of oak and an opaque purple appearance.

"I don't drink." I admitted. compared with my friends, I guess I am the only one who is allergic to any alcoholic drinks.

Florante look at me with a bit of dismay before taking in the wine in his mouth. He maybe disappointed that I don't drink wine that he seems to love but I can't force it to myself if it's not to my liking and also harmful to me.

"Where are we really going, Am--Florante?" I suddenly ask before the atmosphere becomes dull once more.

He poured another serving on his glass, filling it with two more ice cubes. As he settled back on his seat, he then answered, "I have prepared to show you something." The tone of his voice sounded neutral. There was nothing to expect of him if he goes on with this tactic, I can't help but feel a bit anxious whether he will be presenting me with something that could harm me. I'd like to believe that he's just trying to confide whatever surprise he's up to. The past few weeks, he had done nothing bad against me except raise his voice and act so agitated which is his true nature.

I've realized that he has been trying to be considerate about me most of the time. Even at moments when he feels about exploding, he still tries to control his emotions. At this point of time, I could not carefully think if I am being delusional but, could the tyrant and ill-tempered man before me possibly be having his feelings towards me?

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