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

SIMULA

"Miss Vea! Come back here!" I run as fast as I could when I heard my bodyguard calling me and chasing after me.

"No! I want to be fvcking alone!" I shout as I run fast.

Ah! The perks of choosing to wear a sneakers over heals! Mas lalo akong tumakbo nang makita kong sunod-sunod nang nagsitakbuhan. Sumunod na ang iba kong bodyguards para habulin ako. But no fvcking way!

Humalo ako sa dagat ng mga tao para mahirapan silang masundan ako. And God! Time Square is really so crowded today!

"Excuse me! Fvck!" Sumisiksik talaga ako sa maraming tao para makatakas.

Tumayo ako sa gilid ng isang lalaki at kinapitan ang braso nito. I don't know him, but what the fvck I care?! I need to get away from my bodyguards! Hindi ko siya matingnan dahil abala ako sa pagtatago. Nanuot sa ilong ko ang mamahaling panlalaking pabango ng lalaking kinapitan ko . . . a prefume is something familiar.

"Diretso! Find her!" Rinig kong sigaw ng bodyguard ko sa hindi kalayuan kaya mas lalo akong nagsumiksik sa lalaki na halos yakapin ko na siya para hindi ako makita ng mga 'yon.

I don't care how embarrassing this is I just want to get away from them and be free just for today. I feel stuck. I feel suffocated. I feel tired. I feel restless. With my surroundings. And I need freedom. Just for today.

Ilang sandali ang lumipas ay tumingin ako sa likuran at tiningnan kung naroon pa ba sila. At nang makumpirmang wala na, a victory of smile crept in my lips.

"I escaped," bulong ko sa sarili.

"You almost hugged me, I don't know if you really couldn't escape," nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang marinig ang boses na 'yon.

Agad akong bumaling sa kaniya at sa nanlalaking mga mata ay sinalubong ko ang tingin niya. His dark brown piercing eyes met mine. I swallowed hard while looking at his eyes. How I missed looking at those beautiful eyes. It's been what? Four or five years?

"What? Are you just going to stare at me the whole time or enjoy your . . . freedom today?" his jaw clenched while looking at me intently.

"Blade . . ." I whispered his name like it was my salvation to utter.

"Yeah?" He looked down to my lips, down to my body, and to my arm, snaking in his arm.

I bit my lower lip and immediately remove my arm. I smiled awkwardly at him and looked away, embarrassed.

"It's nice . . . to see you again. After years," I smiled sadly and looked at him again. I caught him looking at me intently. With unreadable emotion.

"Yeah, it's been five years. And you've changed a lot." he smiled, I didn't. "You're already alluring and gorgeous before, but now . . . this is too much. Damn, you look like a goddess now. Modeling really suits you."

I saw how regret and sadness glistened in his eyes for a second. But it immediately disappeared and changed into something I could'nt read.

"I don't think so," I shrugged.

"Really? Why?" he asked low key.

"It sometimes, sucks. Tiring." I chuckled lightly.

"You can take a break, you know."

"I know. But, medias and intrigues just couldn't let me sleep peacefully and let me rest for a while." I look at him with sad smile crept in my lips.

"Want to take a rest and enjoy your day today?" my brows furrowed and look at him suspiciously.

"Should I trust you? Because the last time I trust you with my heart — I mean, myself, I got hurt." I smiled at him dryly.

He pinched the bridge of his nose before pouting a little. "Trust me today, I won't hurt you. I'm here to relax, too. I still have three days to spend here and I'm all alone. Care to accompany me?" he said playfully. "I promise you, I won't do such things that will make you uncomfortable."

I smiled mockingly at him, "alright, then." Mayabang ko siyang tinitigan habang siya naman ay nakangisi sa akin.

I wear my shades and my black cap and put my hands inside the pockets of my reefer coat. He smirked and gesture the way. Nauna na akong maglakad sa kaniya bago siya sumunod. Hindi ko alam kung saan niya ako dadalhin kaya bumaling muli ako sa kaniya at naabutan ko siyang nakatitig sa akin habang nakatalikod ako. What's he's problem, anyway? Why is he keep on staring at me?

"I don't know where you're taking me, so please, lead the way." I arched a brow at him and motioned him to walk passed me.

"Alright," aniya bago naglakad palagpas sa akin.

Sinundan ko siya habang tumitingin sa paligid. Baka kasi nasa paligid lang ang mga bodyguards ko. Napatigil ako nang bumangga ako sa likod ni Blade nang tumigil siya sa paglalakad. Napahawak ako sa noo ko na tumama sa malapad niyang likod.

"Why did you stop?!" iritadong sambit ko habang hinihimas ang noo.

Bumaling siya sa akin, "I'm sorry. I just noticed that you keep on looking around. It makes you suspicious. Your bodyguards can easily see you if you keep on looking around like a criminal." Napasimangot ako at napagtantong tama siya. I should act normal.

"What should I do then?" I asked and crossed my arms in front of my chest.

"Be my girlfriend," nanlaki bigla ang mga mata ko sa sinabi niya.

"What the hell?!" I hissed.

"Just for today. Let's just pretend that you're my girlfriend. It's a date." Hindi ko alam kung nasisiraan na ba siya ng ulo o sadyang mahina ang tuktok ng lalaking ito dahil sa mga sinasabi niya.

"A date?" I scoffed. "Spare me with your bullsh*ts, Blade."

"Why? Still affected?" Umasim bigla ang ekspresyon ko sa kaniya. "Come on, a friendly date, then. I'm just helping you here from escaping to your bodyguards. I can easily call them that—" I immediately cut him off with a growl.

"Fine!" labas sa ilong kong sambit. "Just this day." Sabay irap ko sa kaniya.

Kitang-kita ko kung paano siya ngumisi sa sinabi ko.

"Let's go?" Mabilis niyang kinuha ang kamay ko at pinagsalikop 'yon sa kaniyang malapad na kamay.

Nabigla ako pero hindi ko na ipinahalata lalo na't sobra-sobra na ang kalabog ng dibdib ko habang hawak niya ang kamay ko. I look at my hand, covered with his. I miss the old time, but I know we can't go back to our past. We rather move on and keep on stepping forward. We shouldn't be bothered by our past.

We went shopping and have something to eat. After that, we left Time Square and went to somewhere more exciting.

"What the fvck?" he hissed under his breath. "Arcade? Rides?" he asked, looking disgusted.

"You said it is a date? Here's my kind of date we never had before." I smirked. I remember asking him to go to some arcades in Philippines but he's too busy and can't have a time to . . . have a date with me before.

He looked at me, confused. I smiled. He arched his head a little to the side, looking at me intently.

"This is dangerous,"

I snorted at him, "oh, please, shut up. You do more dangerous than this! You even risking yourself and riding this rides is dangerous now? Don't make me laugh, Blade." Hindi naman nagbago ang ekspresyon niya. Mariin pa rin siyang nakatitig sa akin. "What? Kung ayaw mo, ako na lang mag-isa!"

Tinalikuran ko siya pero agad niya aking hinatak pabalik sa kaniya kaya muntik na naman akong mabunggo sa katawan niya.

"Can you stop pulling me! Para naman akong bata kung hatakin mo!" iritadong sambit ko at nagtaas ng kilay.

Pumikit siya nang mariin bago binasa ang pang-ibabang labi ng kaniyang dila.

"Fine. We'll ride these," a smile of victory flashed in my lips that made him snorted.

"Let's go!" Agad kong hinila ang kamay niya papasok sa loob para makabili na ng ticket.

Halos ma-stress siya sa bawat rides na sinasakyan namin. Kapag tuwang-tuwa ako ay siyang sama ng tingin niya sa akin. Tinatawanan ko na lang ang mukha niya.

"Last ride na, please!" Pinagdikit ko ang palad ko ang mga palad ko habang nakatingin sa kaniya, nagpapaawa. "Promise, last ride na talaga. Pagkatapos no'n, uuwi na tayo. Promise." sabay taas ko ng kanang kamay na parang nanunumpa.

Inirapan niya ako, "after last ride, we'll have our dinner." he said firmly, making me gasp in excitement.

"Aye, aye, captain!" Sumaludo pa ako para ipakitang sinsero ako sa sinasabi.

Pagkatapos no'n ay nagpatianod na naman siya sa akin papunta sa huling rides na sasakyan namin. Perris wheel!

"This is for lovers only," napatingin ako kay Blade nang magsalita siya sa likod ko.

"Aren't we?" nagsalubong ang mga kilay niya na ikinatawa ko. "You said I'm your girlfriend for today. So, we still can ride this one." I winked at him playfully.

I saw him clenched his jaw before I look in front. Malapit na kami sa pila kaya mas lalo akong na-eexcite.

I think this day is my lucky day. I got away from my bodyguards and have him with me the whole day. I actually liked it. I missed him. So much. We never had a good closure before he flew to Australia for his training and got his job there. We never had any communication again because I chose not to be associated with him anymore. I know how much he despise my father's path, but he stayed, because of me. Because we're both committed to each other. Because he knows how much suffocated I am in my family. But we still collided. We still . . . chose our own path without each other in our side. We strive . . . alone.

He reached his very dream. He's now . . . a good man with honor. I'm so proud of him. But . . . I think we couldn't be together again. I think he has a girlfriend now. And he's just coming with me today because he's alone. Like me.

I love him. Until now. I'm always interested in him, in everything he does. And I know how much he dislike me before because I'm too talkative and I'm into modeling. He said modeling is too hard for me but I still chose being a model. But he let me. Because I want this. He still supported me because I love this. Because this is one of my dreams.

He really is something. That's why up until now . . . I still couldn't love other man the way I love him. I guess, I'm still stuck in our past. My heart still goes for him. My mind still keeps on thinking about him. And my body still longing for him.

"Careful," aniya nang muntikan na akong matumba dahil sa nagtulakang kababaihan.

Umirap ako dahil alam ko ang dahilan ng pagiging malikot ng mga babaeng 'yon. It's because of him!

Hindi na lang ako nagsalita at naglakad na papasok sa rides. Umupo ako at hinintay na makaupo sa kaharap kong upuan si Blade. He looked at me intently. I arched a brow when he suddenly chose to sit beside me.

"Doon ka kaya sa harap," mataray kong sambit dahil bigla na lang akong nailang na katabi ko siya rito.

"I want here," sumandal siya sa upuan habang hinihintay namin ang pag-andar ng Perris wheel dahil may sumasakay pang iba.

Hanggang sa nasa tuktok na kami ay wala pa ring nagsasalita sa amin. We never had a good closure but there's no too much awkwardness. O baka sadyang sanay lang ako sa kaniya kahit ilang taon na ang lumipas?

"I'm proud of you . . ." basag ko sa katahimikan nang nasa tuktok kami. Napatingin siya sa akin at nagtaas ng kilay. "I think, it was the best choice for me. That day . . . when I chose to let go of you because of our family's problems. Kahit na ayaw nila sa 'yo... pinili pa rin kitang ipaglaban. Pero siguro nga, mas nakabuti sa atin pareho ang mga nangyari noon. And I think that was the best thing I ever did for you. To let you go." I smiled.

Yumuko siya nang bahagya bago inilapit ang mukha sa akin at inilapat nang marahan ang labi sa akin. I instantly closed my eyes, feeling the beat of my heart as I felt his lips on mine softly. It was a gentle and soft kiss, feels like a feather.

"One of these days . . . I'll get you back. I hope you're not married yet when I came back again." he kissed my lips again tenderly.

"Don't compromise. I don't want to hope too much." He chuckled lightly and buried his face on my neck.

"I missed this. I missed you. So much." Sambit niya bago ako niyakap nang mahigpit. Parang ayaw akong pakawalan.

"We have our own lives now. Own responsibilities. I'm still coping up with everything."

After riding that last rides, we went out of the arcade and have our dinner in a luxurious restaurant. It was his choice, by the way. He said it's his treat.

Hindi ko na namalayan ang oras. Natagpuan ko na lang ang sarili kong bumababa sa kaniyang sasakyan matapos niya akong ihatid sa hotel na tinutuluyan ko. Bumaba rin siya at pinagmasdan ako.

"It's nice to see and be with you again, Blade." I smiled at him gently.

"Likewise," his serious voice and menacing eyes told me that he loved it. He's not good at showing emotions but I know him better. I know him too well. "I guess, we'll call this a night. See you when I see you, Vea."

"See you when I see you, ex." I smirked playfully at him.

"Wait for me to get you back." Iling niya bago pumasok sa loob ng sasakyan.

Binusinahan niya ako bago tuluyang umalis. Napabuntong hininga naman ako at saglit pang natutulala roon. Kung hindi lang ako nakarinig ng pag-click ng camera ay hindi ako matatauhan. Hanggang sa may biglang sumulpot na reporter.

"Miss Veatrice, is that your boyfriend you're with?" a girl suddenly appeared in front of me, holding a recorder.

"Fvck," I hissed under my breath before walking away.

"Miss Veatrice!" tawag nito pero agad namang pumunta na roon ang aking mga bodyguard at guwardiya ng hotel para pigilan ang dumadami nang reporter.

My two bodyguards escorted me until I'm inside the elevator.

"Fvck reporters." bulong ko at napasandal sa dingding. "Boyfriend . . . he's my ex. Tss. Another issue." bulong ko at hinilot ang sentido. "What am I gonna do this time to stop the issue . . ."