Love Bites

Daddy's Boss 02

Warning: Unedited

Gale's POV

"I know you're teasing me. Stop licking your lips." He demanded with his eyes closed and his head resting on my lap.

Nakaupo ako sa sahig ng rooftop habang nakahiga naman siya sa mga binti ko at kunwari'y natutulog.

"Whaaaat? No, I'm not!" Pakunwari ko pa pero halatang guilty ang tono.

"My eyes are close but I can hear 'em smacking." Aniya sabay dilat ng magaganda niyang mga mata.

I smile widely. I can't even lie effectively.

"Is it working?" I giggled like a teenage-brainer that I am.

He's not smiling but I know he likes it.

He groans then began to raise his head towards mine. Agad ko namang sinalubong ang mga labi niya.

"That's all for today." Aniya na parang ako pa ang ginagawan niya ng pabor!

It lasted for not more than five seconds but his kiss made me feel alive so I guess there's truth to that.

I pout, seeing that he's standing up and preparing his things.

"I better get back to work or else magagalit nanaman si Ms. Mercer." Tukoy niya sa head personel ng cafeteria na pinagtatrabahuan niya dito sa Uni.

He kisses my forehead, grabs my hand and helps me stand up.

"Let's go?" He smiles atlast.

End of Flashback

"Huy, Gale! Yoohoo?" Ani May-May habang pinipitik-pitik pa ang mga daliri sa harapan ko. " Earth to Gale? Earth to Gale! Please respond!"

Rinig ko nalang na humagikgik rin sina Roy at Tessa sa tabi ko. Bigla akong napabalik sa kasalukuyan. Nasa cafeteria nga pala kami at nagmimirienda bago ang susunod naming klase.

"Type mo?" Kalabit ni Tessa sakin sabay nguso sa lalaking naglilinis ng kabilang table.

Di ko namamalayan tinititigan ko na pala ito dahil sa mga naalala ko.

"H-hindi! May naaalala lang ako." Kako naman. "Wala pa rin pala si Leo? Sabi niya susunod siya?" Pag-iiba ko ng usapan.

"Malay ko ba dun! Hinila na naman ng haliparot niyang syota! May ipapakita raw eh palagay ko nakita na ni Leo lahat ng meron siya e!" Halos maidura ni May-May ang juice na iniinom niya sa biglaan niyang pagtawa.

Maya-maya pa ay nakita namin si Leo na mabilis ang lakad patungo sa table naming magbabarkada. Nakapagtatakang sa akin siya nakatingin at parang nag-aalala ang itsura.

"Psst! Ako diyan dali!" Aniya kay Roy na nakaupo sa bandang kaliwa ko.

Pagka-upo pa lang ay agad siyang may ibinulong sa akin.

"You need to see this." He takes out his phone and opened one particular video clip. He is even reluctant to show the others at sinigurong kami lang dalawa ang nakakanuod.

What's showing is a video of me... and two other guys I knew during my early years in my previous school. Their faces were blurred but mine was very clear.

I didn't even finish the video because I know what will happen next.

My eyes widened, shocked and in distress. I immediately stood up. Kita ko ang mga nag-aalalang mukha ng mga kaibigan ko.

Pakiramdam ko ay lahat ng tao rito ay nakatingin sa akin, nagbubulungan at pinagtatawanan ako... my greatest fear just came true.

They know!

Without much to say, I ran away.

Two days later, the video started to spread. I was called to the Dean's office twice already but I refused to attend school.

My friends were calling and texting me non-stop, they even come to our house but I refused nonetheless.

Ayaw ko na munang may makitang ibang tao.

Nakakulong na lamang ako rito sa kwarto at magdamag na umiiyak. Nakabalot sa kumot at walang balak na bumangon.

I hear a knock on my door, there's no need to guess who it was.

"Princess? Can I come in, honey?" Sweet and calming, my dad's voice soothes my mood a little.

I didn't even answer.

I just heard my door opening and footsteps starts coming closer. I feel a sudden weight on the edge of my bed.

"Honey? Wanna come down and eat? I cooked your favorite chop suey!" Paanyaya niya habang hinihimas ang likuran ko.

I groan weakly, meaning I don't want to. I heard him sigh heavily. A few seconds passed before he talks again.

"We can leave for another place again, Princess. Your auntie Belen can help us-"

At this moment I uncurled myself and shot right up.

"And then what, Dad?!" My frustration is clearly painted on my teary eyes. "Pagmay nakaalam na naman ng nakaraan ko ay lilipat na naman tayo? Nakakasawa na ang maghanap ng bagong tirahan, bagong mga kaibigan!"

I know it's not his fault but... it isn't mine either! I didn't want what happened back then!

His sad and troubled face made me stop my whining. I didn't want to see him like this more than anyone else.

Madali ko siyang niyakap at humingi ng tawad.

"I'm sorry, daddy. I'm so so sorry." Paghingi ko ng tawad sa gitna ng aking mga hikbi.

Saka ko lang napansin si mama na nasa pintuan at nagpupunas na rin ng luha. I know this is not my fault. I battled myself over and over- saying that none of what happened was my fault.

But seeing them like this makes me walk that guilt-road once again.

"There's no need for you to worry, princess. For as long as I and your mother are here, poprotektahan ka namin. We will do this for a thousand times if need be until you can move on. I promise you that." Ever so sweet and gentle, he kisses my cheek.

"B-but how about your business? Ngayon pang gumaganda at lumalaki na ang pinaghirapan mo, dad, saka pa tayo aalis ulit?" Panghihinayang ko.

They both look at each other like there's something they're not yet telling me.

My dad let out a weak cough and my mom comes closer to me.

"Mr. Mendez suddenly refused to... invest in us. And without his backing, I can't see a way to move on in this. So I'm planning to sell all our-"

"W-what?! Why?" Paputol ko sa mga sasabihin pa ni dad.

Hindi sila umiimik kaya mas lalong lumakas ang hinala ko.

"Is this about me?" I need not to be answered by them. Kita ko sa pangangamba at pagtahimik nila ang sagot.

So I was right... he planned all of this. It must due to that scandal, claiming it's about reputation and putting up face.

It was suspicious that that video immerged the next few days after I see him again! He made it clear that night that he wants his revenge for what happened to us then.

Napaluhod ako sa kama. My head goes blank and my body went cold.

My family is suffering because of me?

A day went by, my dad starts to make calls- trying to find stock buyers and bargaining for potential buyers.

Me on the other hand, refused to believe this reality.

A night of thorough thinking made me desperate. Hindi ako papayag ng ganito lamang palagi ang sasapitin ng pamilya ko.

He found me. And he will find me again and possibly harass us even more.

6:00 pm marks my final conclusion.

I have to face him or I'll never know peace.

I'm now standing in front of the the building he owns- one of them. Papasok palang ako ng building ay agad na akong hinarang ng mga guards.

"Can you please show us your ID maam?" It's more of a demand than a request.

"I want to talk to Mr. Faust Mendez. He knows me." I tried to sound confident but what I'm doing could get me into more trouble.

"I'm sorry maam, but we can't allow you to enter without-"

"Let her in." A man's voice came out of nowhere.

A guy in corporate suit is now walking towards us. Agad namang tumabi ang mga guards at nag-bow.

I think he's the guy who verified our invitation during that party! I didn't know he's this important.

"Do you really want to see him?" His face remained stoic and his tone turn out calm.

I simply nod my head.

"Then follow me." He starts walking without waiting for me. Agad naman akong humabol at hindi na ako pinigilan pa ng mga gwardya.

We entered the nearest but classy looking elevator. It's quite big as well.

"This is Mr. Mendez's private elevator. This is the only elevator that goes upto his penthouse. Access into this requires VIP credentials." As if answering my untold questions.

He remains in front of me while I'm trying to figure who he might be.

"I'm Agustus Redelen, Mr. Mendez's guardian." Muli na naman niayng sinagot ang tanong sa isipan ko.

"I am Gale Veloso. Th-Thank you for letting me meet him, sir. I just want to talk-"

"Yes, yes. You want to talk to him about your father's support and investment revocation. That much I understand. But you're quite mistaken if you think I'm helping you with this." Nanatiling kalmado ang boses niya sa gitna ng kanyang mga sinasabi. "Seeing him might be a mistake on your part... and you might regret it later."

His cryptic words is interrupted by a melodious ringing coming from the elevator- signalling out arrival.

The door opens and Mr. Agustus gestured me to go in.

"W-wait, you're not coming with me?" Panic laced on my voice.

"His instructions." He simply answered as the door immediately closed.

Here I am... standing still and looking around his place for a few minutes.

There's even more gold in this place compared to his mansion where his welcome party was held.

I breath in and out deeply.

Nag-umpisa na akong maglakad patungo sa gitna ng malawak niyang sala. Everythig is sparkling and shining. From his gold-traced minibar up to his jewel engraved door knobs.

Baka doorknob palang dito ay tuition ko na hanggang graduate ng ilang beses.

Now, where is he?

I keep walking hanggang sa umabot ako sa tingin ko ay pintuan ng pinakamalaking kwarto rito.

I ready myself, fortified my resolve as I prepare to knock.

"What do you think you're doing, woman." A deep and monotonous voice made me jump back away from the door!

Pagkaatras ko ay may nabagga akong matigas na bagay sa aking likuran. Agad nagkalat ang mabangong amoy na tila niyayakap ako.

This smell... It's the same as back then.

Like small animal cornered by it's greatest predator, I felt so scared and weak.

Marahan akong humarap sa kinaroroonan niya. His bulging pectoral muscles meet my eyes' level. His hard abs as obvious as the sun in mid-day.

I dare not to look down. How in hell did I get this unfortunate? He was in the middle of his shower when I came in? Really?!

I look up and his fierce dark eyes made me swallow hard multiple times. His hair looks streak of black threads while droplets of water come down from them. If it wasn't for my current predicament, I would consider this a sight for sore eyes.

He is far more dangerously handsome than he was years ago.

"I'm h-here to t-talk, Faust." My voice betrayed me.

What ever resolve I had couldn't remain strong amidst his ferocious build.

"Don't you dare say that name." His expression got even darker than before. He begins to walk nearer than he should.

Napaatras naman ako hanggang sa tama ang likuran ko sa pintuang balak kong katukin kanina.

Behind me is a door and a wall but in front of me is even bigger.

Both his huge arms blocked my side exits. His head goes down between my ear and my collar bone. My shoulder begins to wet as water falls down from his hair.

"I hate the way you say it. I'm warning you, don't ever say my name again."

Para akong kinukurot at sinasaksak sa aking dibdib sa paraan at tono ng pananalita niya. Never had I imagined him being like this towards me.

I muster all the courage that still left in me to speak.

"I j-just want to talk, s-sir." Pilit kong pinapahinto ang mga hikbi na pilit tumatakas sa aking bibig.

"Tsk! What a drama queen." He clearly uttered as hw moves away.

He goes and sit on the sofa just in front of us.

"I don't have all day." He said without much interest.

It took me a few seconds to calm my shaking knees. Pilit kong nilunok ang iyak na muntik nang mamuo.

He is sitting comfortably even though he's just wearing a towel below. It just shows how unwelcome I am to him.

Pagkaupo ko ay agad akong nagsalita habang nakatingin sa kung saan-saan maliban sa kanya.

"I'm here to beg for your h-help, sir. I know w-... we had conflict in the past but please, my father has nothing to do with it. He is a brilliant man, like you said. My father is-"

I was interrupted by his gloating and mocking laugh. I remain calm and composed while pinching my thigh just to feel physical pain and not this hot rod inside my heart.

I managed to endure almost a minute of it before he finally stops and heaves satisfyingly.

"It must be very easy for you, right? To beg and swallow that miniscule pride you still have. I knew you watched that video again, I made sure you did." His voice full of contempt.

I was right... He did it to me.

I bite on my lower lip, hoping it will be enough to keep me occupied. I must've bit it too much, a metallic taste starts to spread on my tongue.

He groans then grabs a few strips of napkin sitting on the table. He threw it on my lap as if handing them over to me could contaminate his hand.

"I don't have time for this crap, woman. What do you want? You don't even have anything that I want. I only want my revenge." His tone accusing.

I went down on my knees, lowered my head and begged again.

"My father... please help my father. Kahit yun lang. Maawa ka naman sa pamilya ko. Ako lang naman ang may kasalanan sayo. Ako lang naman..." Hindi ko na napigilan ang mga luha ko. "Please. Ako nalang ang paghigantihan mo."

Hindi ko alam kung gaano ako katagal na nakaluhod pero nag-uumpisa ko nang maramdaman ang unti-unting pagmamanhid ng aking mga paa.

He suddenly stood up then walks away.

"Fine. I'll leave your family out of this." Aniya bago pa siya makalayo.

Agad akong nabuhayan ng loob sa sinabi niya. Knowing him or who he used to be, he never lie!

Muntik pa akong matumba sa pilit kong pagtayo upang pasalamatan siya pero agad rin akong napahinto sa kinatatayuan ko.

"But as you said..." Marahan niyang binuksan ang pintuan ng isang silid at kita ko ang malaking kama at ilang mwebles sa loob nito.

It dawns on me what he's trying to say as he gestures me to follow him into his room.

"You will take all the heat on your own."

To be continued...