NINONG: My Silent, Forbidden Desire

Spoiled by Him

The house was already dark by the time I arrived. It seemed Tita and the others had gone out somewhere.

I was about to head up the stairs when a cold voice stopped me in my tracks, sending a nervous sweat down my palms. It was Godfather.

"Is this what you call coming home like a decent woman, Aira?" he asked. I swallowed hard at his words.

"I just really enjoyed talking and catching up with my friend!" I reasoned out.

"Catching up? About what? About bed matters? Or about how well he satisfied you?" he retorted. Rage was evident in his eyes. What on earth is he talking about?

"Can't speak now, can you?"

I almost froze where I stood as he closed the distance between us. His lips crashed onto mine—rough, demanding, and possessive. It was as if he was trying to mark me, to remind me that I belonged only to him.

"What? Is that man better than me?" he hissed, filled with fury.

I tried my best to fight back, but he was as hard and unmoving as stone; I couldn't push him away even an inch.

His hands began to wander again, finding their way toward my most private part. Meanwhile, his other hand remained firm at the back of my neck, pressing my face closer to his so I couldn't pull away.

I didn't kiss him back. I could only taste my own blood on my lips after I whimpered in pain as he bit me hard. Tears started rolling down my cheeks, which made him stop abruptly, finally realizing what he was doing.

Under the glow of the lampshade in the living room, I saw his expression shift into shock. He probably never intended to hurt me, but the damage was done. It was painful, in more ways than one.

Before he could utter a single word, I ran straight to my room.

At exactly 3:00 in the morning, I went downstairs to get a glass of water. Unexpectedly, I heard two people talking nearby. I recognized one voice immediately—it was Ninong. The other voice belonged to someone I didn't know.

"Dude, look at the time. I’ve been here for hours because you said you needed someone to talk to... but damn, it's already dawn and you haven't said a word yet!" the man exclaimed, annoyance lacing his tone.

"I don't know where to start," Godfather replied.

The man scoffed. "Seriously? The well-known Governor of this province, and the untouchable CEO of Gomez Corporation, and you don't know how to start?"

"I'm not joking, man. I have sinned so greatly against Samuel!"

Against Father? What wrong could he have possibly done? Is he hiding something from me?

I stayed hidden where I was. I wanted to leave and go back to my room, but my feet felt heavy, nailed to the spot where I stood.

"What about him? You haven't even heard anything from him lately!" the other man said.

"It’s about his daughter."

"You mean... Aira? What about her?"

I almost collapsed upon hearing my name mentioned. My whole body trembled, yet I forced myself to stay put. Moments passed, and silence followed. It seemed they had finished their conversation.

I was about to leave when the man suddenly cursed loudly.

"What the hell, dude? She’s your goddaughter! Why are you acting like this? You’re acting like a demon!" he gritted out in frustration.

"I... I can't control myself," he admitted.

"Then face the consequences and take responsibility! Dude, Aira is innocent, yet you did something horrible that could ruin her dignity and reputation. You have no other choice but to man up and stand by her!"

"How can I do that? When I’m already entangled with Zapphira?"

"Are you out of your mind? You are staining and ruining Aira’s womanhood, and yet you plan to marry that Zapphira woman?"

"I love Zapphira, and I won't be able to handle it if she leaves me again."

I couldn't bear to listen to any more of it. I felt worthless—like I was just a woman to be used and discarded for his pleasure. How could he let me believe that I was the only woman in his life, aside from Aunt Emilia?

Several days had passed since the night I overheard their conversation. I no longer had the heart or energy to treat Godfather normally.

Whenever he asked me questions, I would simply tell him that I was tired, or that I wasn't feeling well.

"Aira."

It was Aunt Emilia. She peeked through the doorway of my room. I looked at her as she fully entered and sat down on the couch inside my room.

"I know everything."

It felt as if I had been doused with freezing water upon hearing her say that. She knows? About what?

"If it were only up to me... I would want you to stay here with us. But considering the current situation and relationship between you and Ethan... it doesn't look right. He is your Godfather, Aira. People see him as a father figure to you."

I wanted to speak, but it felt like something was stuck in my throat. My eyes started to burn, a sign that tears were about to spill over.

"I tried to talk to Ethan's father, but he was furious. Aira... you are like a daughter to me," she said, tears welling up in her eyes.

"It's okay, Aunt. It's all my fault. I let myself get carried away by feelings," I managed to say, but it was followed by uncontrollable sobbing.

She approached me and pulled me into a warm embrace, silently telling me that she was there for me and that I wasn't alone.

"I want to go away for a while. I just want to leave everything behind and forget," I told her.

"Aira..."

"I will come back here. I will still be the same Aira you raised. That will never change. I just... I want to continue my studies in Manila."

She agreed. She stayed inside my room until sleep finally took over me, letting the darkness swallow my thoughts for a moment.

"Aira, wake up. Mathew is here to pick you up. He said you’re needed at school right now!"

It was Aunt's voice that woke me up, making me sit up abruptly. I looked around and indeed, Mathew was standing there, wearing a wide grin on his face.

She chuckled at my reaction. Alright, go ahead and tease me today.

He walked closer to where I was and gave me a kiss full of affection and love. Why couldn't I have just fallen in love with Mathew instead?

...But wait, I did love him before. But back then, I found out that he loved someone else, so I moved on. And then, later on, he realized he had feelings for me. Life is so unfair, isn't it?

"You’re spacing out again. Go take a bath and get ready. Sir Kenneth is looking for you. Remember, you have your performance later today," he reminded me.

I nodded at him, gave him a sweet peck on the cheek, and headed to the bathroom. I heard him chuckle. Let him be.

When I went down to the living room, Aunt and Mathew were chatting. Godfather was there too, casting dark and menacing glances toward Mathew.

"Oh, Aira is finally here."

Mathew stood up the moment he saw me. I gave him a playful smile. Well, Mathew is a total gentleman, just a little crazy sometimes.

"Let’s go, Mat. I’m already late," I urged him. Godfather shifted his sharp glare toward me this time. I don't care anymore. He belongs to the woman he loves, anyway.

"Won't you have breakfast here first?" Aunt asked.

"We'll just eat at school. Besides, Mathew is already going out of his way just to accompany me here, even though he’s needed more at school right now because of the event. Yet here he is, at our house!" I explained.

Aunt nodded in understanding. Meanwhile, my hands were getting cold and clammy from the way Ninong was staring daggers at me.

Mathew noticed it, so he took the initiative to say our goodbyes and guided me out of the house.

"Geez, it felt so hot inside. It was like standing right in front of a scorching sun," he commented once we were settled on his motorcycle, making me laugh.

Every pair of eyes was fixed on us in the parking lot when I took off my helmet. Some looked at us with envy, while others looked with plain hatred.

Mathew is one of those guys who is considered the school heartthrob. He really is handsome and carries himself well. That’s exactly why I fell in love with him before. Key word: before.

"Thanks!" I said, handing him the helmet.

"Be at my office exactly at 9:30 AM for breakfast. And don't you dare argue about it. Okay?" he said firmly. I just nodded and walked away.

Clara greeted me with a mischievous grin.

"Hey, I thought only that person was the one you liked... why are you hitching rides on Sir Mathew’s motorcycle now..."

"Stop it, Clara," I warned.

She laughed and shook her head. "Well, who knows? Maybe the sweet feelings you used to have for Sir Mathew will come back... it’s not impossible, since you used to have such a huge crush on him."

There she goes again. Starting to bring up my embarrassing past feelings.

"Finally, you’re here," MG said as I entered the room where Kuya Jeffrey and the others were gathered.

"Sorry, I woke up late!" I apologized.

They didn't make a big deal out of my tardiness, so I felt relieved.

I snapped back to reality when Glenda nudged me. "The ROTC officers... I think Sir Mathew sent someone to fetch you!" she whispered. I looked toward the door, and sure enough, there were the two guys always trailing behind Mathew.

I excused myself to go out, and no one objected.

With every step I took, I could feel eyes burning into me.

"I said 9:30 AM. It’s already almost 10:00!" Mathew grumbled, sitting quietly at a table with food served in front of him.

"Sorry..."

I walked straight toward him and gave him a sweet, lingering kiss. I heard him curse under his breath and mutter something I couldn't quite understand.

"Eat properly," he said, his tone still cold and sulky. I pouted and quietly enjoyed the food set before us.

Minutes passed, and the silence remained. I didn't speak. I knew he was mad. One of his biggest pet peeves was when I didn't follow what we agreed on, especially when it came to meals. See? I know him so well now.

I heard a heavy sigh from across the table. "Alright, fine. Stop looking at me with that face. Just... next time—"

"I promise it won't happen again!" I said, sounding like a child. Finally, he smiled.

I could clearly smell his expensive cologne. Right now, I was lying down, resting my head on his arms on the bed inside his office, while he stayed beside me, his eyes fixed on me.

Our gazes locked, deep and intense. Then suddenly, I felt his warm hand slipping beneath my clothes, finding its way to my core. His middle finger toyed and teased my womanhood, driving me crazy.

We only stopped when we heard a knock coming from the door. Such a disturbance.