FORBIDDEN SERIES 1: THE GOVERNOR'S WH0RE

Kabanata 8

SONJA made sure Demilyn would look gorgeous in her red body-hugging dress. Sinadya pa nila ang kilalang designer sa kabilang probinsya para lamang masigurong maganda ang isusuot niya.

Rimael paid for everything, though. He made sure she wouldn't spend a dime for her clothing and her makeup tonight. Kabilin-bilinan din nitong ito mismo ang susundo sa kanya upang sabay silang pumunta sa post-birthday celebration ni Rancho.

"There." Sonja flashed a proud smirk. "You look perfect."

Demi glanced at herself in the mirror. Talagang mahusay si Sonja pagdating sa paggamit ng make up. Hindi naman siya nagulat. Bata pa lamang sila ay talagang mahilig na ang kaibigan sa kolorete. Tuwing may sleepover sila ay pinagpa-practice-an nito ang kanyang mukha. Sonja does her own make ups most of the time, too now that she's doing modelling for a living.

"Hindi mo talaga ako pinahihirapan." Hinawakan siya nito sa magkabilang balikat habang may matamis na ngiti. "I really love doing your make up. Your features are to die for. I wish I have the same structure."

Demi smirked. "As if you're not prettier? You're not a high-class model for nothing."

Pabirong umirap si Sonja. "Girl, kung alam mo lang ang hirap kong patunayan ang sarili ko sa industriya. Iba ang mundo ng modelling, Demi. It's not enough to have just a pretty face. Your bone structures are very important. You see that jaw of yours? I wish I have that. Sobrang importante niyan sa camera."

Demi studied her face. She has a small face like Sonja but her jawlines are more defined. Probably because she has a diamond face shape while Sonja's a heart shape. Sonja has foxy eyes while hers are a pair of lighter brown in an almond shape.

"Should we keep your hair loose or should I style it in a different way so your neck will be more defined?" tanong ni Sonja.

"You can do a low, slightly messy bun. Just leave some strands to add details," aniya na nakapagpangisi kay Sonja.

"Someone's paying attention to my workshops, huh?"

Demi smirked. "Well, they're free, and I gotta make sure I always look good for that hottie governor."

"Kahit naman anong estilo ng buhok mo, he'd still ruin it once he f***s you. Magpahaba ka rin. Men love gripping on their women's hair during s*x," Sonja said as if it's a normal thing to say during conversations.

Well, they're both adults and their certainly not virgins anyway so she doesn't care. Umayos na lamang siya ng upo habang inaayos nito ang buhok niya.

They're both brunette but Demi has always been known for her textured shoulder-length hairstyle while Sonja changes from long straight hair to layered mid-length depending on her mood. Bagay naman sa kaibigan ang mahabang buhok nito dahil 'di hamak na matangkad ito sa kanya.

They chitchat more about her plans and all the rumors circling around San Marcelino regarding Rancho and Kathlyn's marriage. Nang dumating si Rimael ay nagpaalam na rin si Sonja na uuwi na.

Demi went out only to nearly trip when she saw Rimael. Damn, he looks so fine in his black tux and properly waxed hair. His stubbled beard made him look mature and serious, too like a villain in a book you were never supposed to fall in love with but his effortless charm is just too hard to resist. Idagdag pa ang paraan kung papaano nito dalhin ang sarili. God, his dominant aura is making her knees rubbery.

"Breathe," Sonja whispered.

Napatikhim siya't kaagad na iniwas ang tingin. She even had to bow her head low when Rimael got closer to her. Damn his manly perfume! Gusto niya itong singhutin dahil sa bangong hindi masakit sa ilong!

"You're not gonna attend Rancho's birthday?" tanong ni Rimael kay Sonja nang napansin ang suot nito.

Sonja lifted a brow. "May I remind you, Governor that the last time I had a conversation with your brother, I ended up slapping him on the face for hurting my best friend."

Napakunot ng noo si Demi. "When was that?"

"Right after you left San Marcelino." Sonja shrugged her shoulder when Demi's lips parted. "What? You think I'm the type of friend who wouldn't stand up for you when you're not around?"

Napangiti na lamang si Demi. She never doubted their friendship anyway. She just didn't expect Sonja to do such a bold move on her behalf.

Nagpaalam na sila rito. Rimael then opened the door for her and guided her in but before he shut the door, Demi swears she saw him tightened his jaw for an unknown reason.

"What's wrong? Didn't you like what I'm wearing?" tanong niya nang makasakay ito ng kotse.

Rimael sighed after putting his seatbelt on. "I loved it, but a few drinks at the party would surely make me wanna strip that dress off of you right at the parking lot." Seryoso siya nitong tinitigan. "We don't want a scandal, don't we?"

She smirked. "Why bring me to the party then if you're not prepared for what I can bring to the table?"

Gumalaw ang panga nito kasabay ng pag-iwas ng tingin. "Stay close to me while we're at the party. Rancho might try to talk to you."

"Does he know I'm coming?"

"No, but he might take the opportunity to get close to you."

She rolled her eyes. "Then don't let go of me while we're at the party. Make sure he wouldn't get the chance to talk to me."

Umismid ito. "Don't worry. I know exactly what I have to do. It's you I'm worried about. I heard he sent you flowers this morning," he said with a hint of anger underneath his calm voice.

Tumaas ang kilay ni Demi. "Wow. I didn't know you're nosy."

"You are my business now so I gotta keep an eye on you."

"Oh, don't worry, Governor. I dumped his flowers straight to the trash as soon as I found out it was from him."

Tinaasan siya nito ng kilay habang nasa manibela ang isang palad. "And what about my flowers, hmm? What did you do with it?"

"I kept it. It's in my clinic."

Demi swears she saw a ghost of a smile on his face. Maya-maya ay ipinatong nito ang isang palad sa kanyang hita saka nito marahang hinaplos ang kanyang tuhod gamit ang hinlalaki nito.

She had to purse her lips and hold her breath for a moment when she felt the sudden surge of sultry electric waves under her skin. Bakit ba ganito kalakas ang epekto ng haplos ni Rimael sa kanyang sistema? Tila ba kahit simpleng galaw lamang ng palad nito ay para na siyang sinisilaban.

Hindi na lamang niya ipinahalata ang epekto nito sa kanya. She became silent the entire ride. Nang marating ang mansyon ng mga Santi Vlanco ay sandali niyang pinakalma ang sarili habang naglalakad si Rimael patungo sa pinto ng shotgun seat. She reminded herself to be tough now that she's about to enter the enemy's territory.

"Come on, Demi," yaya ni Rimael.

Tinanggap niya ang kamay nito saka siya bumaba ng sasakyan. He put her hand on his toned arm as he guided her to walk. Demi's chest begin to tighten as they approached a familiar spot, and when Rimael noticed the part she was staring at, he entwined their fingers instead then gently squeezed her hand.

"Focus," he reminded.

Lumunok si Demi saka niya inalis ang tingin sa mismong parte ng lugar kung saan siya dinugo noong nagmakaawa siya kay Rancho. Her memories suffocated her so before she even teared up because of the familiar pain, she finally looked away and pursed her lips.

They walked towards the garden area where the tables were setup. Ilang mga bisita ang napataas ng kilay nang makitang magkasama sila ni Rimael. Some even gasped while Rancho clenched his jaw while staring at their clasped hands. Halatang nakainom na kaya bukas na ang unang dalawang butones ng puti nitong pala. His hair was a bit messy, too as if he'd run his fingers onto its strands quite a few times.

"Kuya . . ." tawag ni Rancho sa seryosong tinig bago siya tinitigan. "Demi." His expression darkened. "Care to share something?"

Rimael inhaled a silent breath. "Rafaela said bring a date so I brought a date. You don't mind . . . do you?"

Lalong dumilim ang ekspresyon ni Rancho. Pakiramdam ni Demi ay ano mang oras ay bigla na lamang nitong masusuntok ang kapatid kaya tumikhim na si Demi saka siya pilit na ngumiti.

"I can walk myself out if I am not welcome here." She faked a scoff. "Kailan nga naman ako naging welcome dito?"

Lumamlam ang mga mata ni Rancho. "We're gonna need to talk--"

"Actually, you're right. We do." She spotted Kathlyn near the buffet table, staring at them with pain in her eyes. Lumawak naman ang kurba sa mga labi ni Demi nang haplusin niya ang braso ni Rimael. "Please tell your wife that I do not entertain guests in my clinic so she should not drop by unless she's got a kid she's gonna need me to check . . . kaso wala naman kayong anak . . . hindi ba?" Tinaasan niya ito ng kilay. "So I see no reason for her to pay me a visit again. Hindi rin naman ako lost and found area para sa mga asawang . . . hindi napapakali sa bahay."

Rimael cleared his throat after pain registered in Rancho's eyes. "You have other guests to take care of. Unahin mo na ang mga bisita mo."

Tinapik nito si Rancho sa balikat saka na siya idinala sa isa sa mga mesa. Halos manlisik naman ang mga mata ni Rancho habang nakatitig sa kanila, lalo na nang sa pag-upo nila ni Rimael ay kaagad nitong ipinirmi ang isang palad sa kanyang kandungan. Sa kabilang banda naman ay kitang-kita niya ang lungkot sa mga mata ni Kathlyn habang nakatitig sa kanila ni Rimael.

Demi smirked after receiving the glass of champagne given to her. Looks like she's going to have a lot of fun tonight