Luscious Man Series 3: Danrev Blade Montillo (R18+)

KABANATA 9

Nanginginig ako sa galit. Halos wala akong pansinin sa mga bumabati at sumasalubong sa akin dahil nagpupuyos ako sa galit sa narinig ko kay Daddy.

He’s going to marry me to a man he’s chosen for me. To a man I don’t even know.

And I don’t have a f*****g say! Kasi hindi nila tatanggapin kung tatanggi man ako. Gusto nila… susundin ko sila. Pero paano naman ang kagustuhan ko para sa sarili ko?

Bumuntong-hininga ako bago hinanap si Mommy. Nagkakainan na ang mga tao kaya paniguradong hindi na abala si Mommy. I know I can talk to her in a calm way. Baka pa makumbinsi ko siya na huwag na ituloy ang binabalak ni Daddy.

I saw her talking cheerfully to some of her friends. Her usual friend, so I think I can disturb them for a while. Lumapit ako at hinawakan ang braso ni Mommy. Bumati ako sa mga naroon.

“Mom, can I talk to you for a while?” I asked mom. She looked at me, frowning.

“What’s the matter, darling?” she asked calmly when she decided to excuse herself to her friends.

When we are already in the veranda, I stopped and faced her. Walang tao rito dahil abala sa pagkain at pakikisalamuha ang mga tao sa loob. I looked at her with indifference, she saw it so I know that she already know that there’s something bad now.

“What happened?“ she asked carefully.

My lips were now in a thin line. “I heard dad…” I trailed off.

“Hmm? What about it?” she seems so uninformed.

“Narinig ko na… nagpaplano siyang ipakasal ako sa lalaking napupusuan niya para sa akin. Is that true? Or… sinabi niya lang ‘yon, pero hindi niya iyon tototohanin?” kinakabahan ako sa kung ano mang idudugtong ni Mommy. I know she knows Dad’s plan all along.

She chuckled in a languid way, “you know, darling, kapag nagsabi ang daddy mo, for sure na gagawin niya—”

“And you won’t do anything for that?”

“Why would I? It’s for you, after all.”

I scoffed, “it’s not for me, Mom. You know that.” mariin kong sambit.

She smiled at me wryly, “it’s for the best, darling.”

“I already have a boyfriend, Mom.” I said in a weak voice.

Her smile didn’t change at all. “You’ll dump him eventually. I know you, Vea. You are my daughter. I know how you handle your boys. And surely, the boyfriend you are saying isn’t an exemption.” She shifted on her feet. “We’ll talk once the party is over. We’ll wait for your father’s final decision.”

After saying that… she left me there in disbelief. Sa nanginginig na mga labi ay bumuntong-hininga ako. Pilit kong pinipigilan ang maluha at maglabas ng galit. Mahigpit akong napakapit sa railings at doon kumuha ng lakas para hindi matumba sa sobrang galit na nararamdaman.

How… cruel they are to me.

Napapikit ako nang mariin at tumingin sa madilim na langit. Tanging ang buwan lamang ang nagpapaliwanag doon pero hindi sapat para… maliwanagan ang lahat. Just like how much I want to tell my parents not to decide for myself. Just like how much I prove to them that I can now decide for my own good. Na kahit anong paliwanag ko sa kanila na… bata pa ako para sa ganitong bagay… hindi sila maliliwanagan. Because they are blinded by their own desires in life. It’s not for us, siblings, it’s only for them.

I remembered my mom said she was forced to marry dad for their company’s sake. Because dad’s family are wealthy. And now… they want to repeat that history.

Hindi na ulit ako bumalik sa loob. Nanatili ako sa veranda at nilanghap at dinama na lang ang malamig na hangin. I closed my eyes tightly but it was just in a short time when I felt a presence of someone. I turned to look at it. And it was an unknown person. He was wearing a tuxedo so for sure he’s invited here. Hindi na lang ako nagsalita at tumikhim na lang lalo pa nang maglakad siya palapit sa railings kung nasaan ako. Mabilis akong lumayo, dahilan ng pagbaling niya sa akin. He arched a brow at me and looked at me from head to toe. I rolled my eyes.

“Good evening, miss.” he greeted in his baritone voice.

I frowned at him. “I don’t talk to strangers,”

“But you talked.” He shrugged. “I’m Ajax, by the way.” He smiled at me charmingly.

“I didn’t asked for your name. I don’t care who you are.” I said flatly.

He chuckled, “oh… sungit. I’m a fan of yours. In your modeling.”

“Creep.” bulong ko.

“Hey! I’m not. I just said I’m your fan and it’s a great timing that you’re here. Sayang, hihingi sana ako ng autograph.”

I snorted at him. “Alam mo, nag-eemote ako rito tapos sisingit ka sa katahimikang meron ako ngayon. Napakapaepal mo! Hindi naman kita kilala.”

“I told you, I’m Ajax.”

“I said, I don’t care who the fu— you are!” iritado kong singhal sa kaniya.

He chuckled, “alright, masyado ka namang highblood diyan.”

Inirapan ko na lang siya at natigil lang ang tawa niya nang tumunog ang cellphone ko para sa isang tawag. And when I saw who caller was, I immediately answered it and turn around to speak.

“Hello,” I greeted.

I heard him sigh heavily, “is the party… done already?”

“Uhm, not yet.”

“Where are you, then? I can’t hear any background music.” Tumingin ako sa paligid at huminga nang malalim.

“I am outside.” I smiled lightly. “I just want… to breathe.”

“Why? What happened?”

I was about to answer when someone spoke behind me.

“I’ll go inside, Miss. It’s nice talking to you.” he interrupted.

I’m ready to lash out when I turned but he’s already walking inside.

“Who was that?” Blade suddenly asked in his most serious voice.

“Uh… I-I just met him here. Maybe, a son of my parent’s colleagues. I don’t know. Ngayon ko lang ‘yon nakilala.”

A silence crept between us. I bit my lower lip and wait for him to speak again. And when he did, I felt relieved that he’s not thinking about something else. Like what he used to do before.

“What time are you going back to Manila tomorrow?” he asked slowly.

“Maybe around 1pm. I still have to book a flight.” sagot ko sa mahinang boses. I really want to go home.

“I can take care of that for you.”

“Thank you…” I whispered.

“Anything for my baby.”

My heart skipped a beat when I heard that from him. Damn. How could this man… be like this to me all of a sudden. Effective talaga ang paghahabol ko sa kaniya noon. I smiled mischievously.

I stayed there for a while as we had a light and good conversation over the phone. His voice somewhat calmed me. Nakausap ko lang siya parang ang gaan na agad ng dibdib ko. Hindi man ako sanay sa ganitong nararamdaman… this really made me realized that… he’s the only one who can make me feel the real love. I never expected being in love. At this age, I can now tell what true love is.

Saka lang ako bumalik nang marinig ko ang pasasalamat ni Daddy sa lahat ng mga dumalo. Nanatili ako sa gilid ng mansyon. Our mansion is enough for his party, kaya hindi na siya nag-arkila pa ng venue para sa birthday celebration niya. Kapag may gatherings din, dito rin iyon ginaganap kaya sanay na ang mga kasambahay sa mga pressure kapag may ganitong selebrasyon.

I was about to go upstairs when when someone blocked my way. Muntik pa akong mabunggo sa dibdib ng lalaking ‘yon. Nang mag-angay ako ng tingin at agad na sumimangot nang makita kung sino ‘yon. Ito ‘yong lalaking kaninang kumausap sa akin.

“It’s you again,” I said boredly.

He smiled, “well, it’s nice meeting you again.” I made face at him that made him chuckle. “Ang sungit mo talaga sa akin, crush mo siguro ako.”

I scoffed in disbelief. “What? Ako? Magkaka-crush sa ‘yo? In your f*****g dreams, Mister. I don’t even know you, why would I f*****g have a crush on you.”

“Oh, easy, masyado kang defensive.” Tumawa pa ulit siya.

“I don’t have a crush on you. I already have a boyfriend. So stop spewing shits. You’re not my type.”

Humalakhak siya at humawak sa dibdib. Kumunot agad ang noo ko. This man is so f*****g dramatic.

“Ouch, sakit mo naman mang-reject.”

Umayos ako ng tayo at pinatitigan siya. “If you have a crush on me—”

“Hoy! Pa’no mo nalaman?” he said exaggeratedly.

“What the f**k?! Tumigil ka nga!” Tumingin ako sa paligid at binalik sa kaniya ang tingin. Kitang-kita ko ang maloko niyang ngisi.

“Crush kita, pero hindi ako mang-agaw, ‘no. I told you, I’m your fan. Pero hindi naman ako maninira ng relasyon. Hintayin ko na lang na magbreak ka—” mabilis kong pinalo ang braso niya na mas lalo niyang tinawanan.

“Tumigil ka nga! We’re not breaking up! Not anytime!”

He smiled at me genuinely. “You changed now, huh.” Kumunot ang noo ko.

“What do you mean?”

He shrugged. “I was… admiring you for years now. Siguro hindi mo lang ako napapansin talaga dahil hindi naman ako papansing tao. But I was always — no, I am always admiring you from afar. I know how you played. I know how you dumped your boys. Pero ngayon… mukhang seryoso ka na. That’s a good news.”

“Are you telling me that… you have a crush on me — oh, you like me for years now?”

He just smiled at me. “But it’s not a big deal. I’m not asking for you to reciprocate it. I really just admire you. Your beauty. Your everything. I admire your passion.” Nagkamot siya ng batok niya. “Uh, I think, it’s too much but… can we be friends? I promise, I won’t cross the borderline. I just want to be friends with you. If you allow me.”

His words somewhat touched my heart. In a gentle way. G’wapo naman siya, mukhang maloko pero mukha rin naman siyang mabait. He promised, so I will hold on to that.

“Sure. Pero hanggang doon lang, okay?” I handed my hand on him.

He smiled at me genuinely and shook my hand.

After that, I continued going to my room to rest. I’ve had enough for today — for tonight. My parents are stressing me out. I should rest early now.

Tumawag si Blade sa akin kahit na ala una na ng madaling araw. He was still up, looking so sleepy, but still manage to talk to me through video call.

“You should sleep already,” I said while laying my back on the mattress. I yawn.

“I will, later.” he replied in a serious tone.

“Why so serious?” I chuckled.

“Wala. Naalala ko lang ‘yong lalaking kumausap sa ‘yo sa veranda. You said you don’t know him but he still bugging you.”

Napanguso ako roon.

“He’s harmless, don’t worry.”

“G’wapo?” napamulat ang mata ko sa sinabi niya. My eyes narrowed at him. Hindi naman siya… bakla, ‘di ba? Gosh! What am I thinking?!

“Uh…”

“Your type, probably.”

“What?” I sighed in relief. “He’s not. Saka… mas g’wapo ka ro’n, ‘no. Mas lamang ka. At… hindi ko pa naman siya kilala nang gaano. But, he wants to befriend me. Sabi ko, p’wede naman. Pero hanggang doon lang.” I explained.

“Why? Does he likes you?”

“Oo raw. Crush niya raw ako noon pa. But I don’t know him. And he’s far away from my type. ‘Yong mga type ko… masungit, laging seryoso, g’wapo, basketball player, saka… pakipot.” Natawa ako sa huling sinabi dahil nagsasalubong na ang dalawang may katamtamang kapal na kilay niya.

“Hindi naman ako pakipot,” he defended.

“Hindi raw, e ‘no. Kung hindi pa kita kinukulit, hindi ka bibigay.” I smiled at him widely. “But it’s fine. That’s what I love from you.” I saw how he froze on that. Hindi ko alam kung nabigla talaga siya sa sinabi ko o ano. He cleared his throat and looked away, frowning. I giggled at his reaction. “Are you blushing?” I asked teasingly.

Mas lalong nagsalubong ang mga kilay niya. “I am not.” sa matigas na boses ay sagot niya.

Hindi naman ako natigil sa kakaasar sa kaniya hanggang sa bigla na lang kaming natahimik dalawa. He was looking at me from the screen intently, I am too.

“I miss you,” bulong niya, tama lang para marinig ko.

I smiled, “I miss you, too.”

I saw how he stifle his smile. Bakit niya tinatagong kinikilig siya sa akin? Wala namang problema ro’n, ah.

I slept that night with a smile. He watched me fell asleep. Gusto ko sanang patayin na lang ang tawag dahil medyo naiilang ako na papanoorin niya akong natutulog. What if naglaway ako bigla habang natutulog? O humihilik? E ‘di napagtawanan niya ako, ‘di ba?

Kinabukasan ay tanghali na ako nagising. Alas onse y media na ako nagising at pagbaba ko ay naglilinis pa rin ang mga kasambahay sa mansyon. Dumiretso ako sa dining area at kumain ng almusal.

“Where’s mom and dad?” I asked one of our maids here.

“Uh, si Madame po nasa Casa de Fuerro, at si Gov po ay nasa opisina na niya po.”

“Dito?” nang umiling siya ay naintindihan ko ‘yon. “Ang mga kapatid ko?”

“Si Vrix po ay tulog pa, si Vander naman po ay pumunta sa school niya para raw po sa gagawin nilang project ‘ata. Pero sabi niya ay uuwi siya bago mag-alas dose para maabutan ka niya bago umalis.”

Huminga ako nang malalim at nagpatuloy sa pagkain. Napapatulala ako dahilan ng pagtatagal ko sa pagkain. Tumawag sa akin si Blade at sinabi sa aking alas dos ang flight ko pabalik ng Manila. Nagpasalamat ako sa kaniya dahil kung hindi niya ako tinulungan sa pagbook ng flight ko pabalik.

Bumilis lalo ang oras nang matapos ako sa pagkain. Isang bag lang naman ang dala ko kaya hindi na ako natagalan sa pag-impake. Nagpaalam ako kay Vander at Vrix, I called dad that I am leaving, and also called mom but she’s out of reach. Baka walang signal sa pinuntahan niya. Hindi ko na ulit siya tinawagan at nagpahatid na sa airport.

Hindi naman ang matagal ang biyahe kaya hindi na rin ako nagpahinga sa eroplano. Nang makarating sa Manila ay handa na sana akong mag-taxi pero natigil ako nang makita kung sino ang naghihintay sa akin sa labas ng airport.

Wearing a plain black v-neck shirt, white jeans, partnered with white sneakers, and wearing a rayban, Blade seems so oblivious how ridiculously handsome he is while leaning on his BMW… waiting for me.

I licked my lower lip before slowly walking towards him. I tried so hard not to smile, but… I can’t! I just can’t! Especially when it’s him that’s waiting for me! Oh gosh!

This guy is my boyfriend. My boyfriend is a frigging handsome! I tried to concentrate. I tried to act normal. While walking.

He extended his hand while waiting for me to get near him. My smile widened when he excitedly reached for my hand, pulling me for a tight hug.

“I missed you…” he whispered to my hair and kissed it lightly.

I inhaled his manly scent, “I missed you, too. So damn much.”

Kahit na isang araw lang naman ‘yon. Para sa akin, hindi ko talaga maiwasang mamiss siya.

“Are you tired from your flight? Or from the party last night?” he asked slowly.

Umiling ako, “I had a good night last night. I slept so well.” I smiled at him.

“That’s good to hear. Let’s have a date today.”

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang bigla niya akong hilahin papasok sa kaniyang sasakyan. Siya pa ang naglagay ng seatbelt sa akin na para bang hindi ako marunong no’n. His face is near mine. Our nose touched with his sudden move. He looked down in my lips. My lips parted to breathe. And it just gave him more ideas! He smirked before crouching more to taste my lips.

“Your lips is so sweet. I love it.” then he kissed it again in a more passionate and long way. I almost forgot that we’re still on the airport! I was about to pull out of the kiss when he did it before I did. He smiled.

Pumasok siya sa driver’s seat at pinaandar ang sasakyan.

“Where are we going?” tanong ko nang makahuma na sa halik niya.

“Somewhere I know you’ll enjoy.” he smiled at me, assuring that I am gonna enjoy it.

Ah! To go home here is now way more better than before. To have Blade waiting for me to go home…