He's My Ruined Luck

Chapter 5: Fall or Play?

Kailangan ko ba talaga sumama sa interview na ito, Lia?” nag-aalangang tanong ni Feliciano sa dalaga.

Ngumiti naman kaagad sa kaniya si Lianne bago naupo sa katabing espasiyo sa sofa na kinauupuan niya.

“You’re my boyfriend, Feli. At least, that's what the public knows." She sighed, looking intently at him. Kitang-kita niya sa mga mata ng binata ang pag-aalangan which was very unusual of his attitude. Sa kanilang dalawa, si Feliciano ang madalas na game sa mga bagay-bagay.

Nasa loob silang dalawa ng opisina ni Lianne. Hinihintay nila pareho ang architecture student na humiling ng interview kay Lianne, bilang isa sa mga kinikilalang interior designer sa bansa. At bilang boyfriend ng dalaga, napasama si Feliciano sa interview na ito.

"I'm just not so sure about this. I mean, paano kung mapahiya kita?"

"This is just a simple interview. At siguro naman, karamihan sa mga tanong ay tungkol sa akin. It was just that, the architecture student who will do the interview requested for your presence,” paliwanag ni Lianne na ikinabuntong hininga naman ng binata.

Tumango-tango si Feliciano bago hinawakan ang kamay ni Lianne. She was startled with the action. For the past two weeks, Lianne got accustomed with the fact that Feliciano was very expressive and touchy. She knew such gestures meant nothing but her heart still beat fast and her insides turn into a great turmoil every time. She could feel her cheeks burning because of the warmth coming from his hand.

"Feli... 'Yung kamay ko..."

"I like holding your hand." Feliciano intertwined their hands together, oblivious of his great effect to Lianne. "I like to keep it warm."

"Ha?" She bit her bottom lip, her heart beating even faster.

"Your hands are always cold, Lia. I find it quite concerning. So, expect me to always hold your hand when I have the chance."

Ilang beses napakurap ang mga mata ni Lianne dahil sa sinabing rason ni Feliciano kung bakit nito madalas hinahawakan ang kamay niya. She giggled, afterwards. "They say, when you have cold hands, that means you have a warm heart," Lianne reasoned out, taking Feliciano in daze.

"Talaga? So, I'm a cold-hearted man for having warm hands?" Feliciano asked— but his words came out as a murmur as if that question was for himself. He chuckled before averting his gaze back to Lianne. "Maybe you're right. Maybe that's the reason why my hands are warm."

Lianne gaped upon realizing what Feliciano said. Pakiramdam niya na-offend niya ang lalaki. "I mean... I didn't mean anything—"

“I'll do it," pagputol ni Feliciano sa sasabihin ni Lianne. He gave her a kiss on the back of her hand that he was holding. "I’ll do this interview for you, Sweetie.”

Napatango si Lianne at kaagad napangiti sa pagpayag ng binata. She was also glad that Feliciano didn't take what she said, offensively. Furthermore, she believed Feliciano was one of the very few warm-hearted person she met.

"Thank you, Feli."

"I don't think a simple thank you is enough for your boyfriend."

"A-Ano?"

Feliciano chuckled when he noticed Lianne's cheeks getting red again. Kaya hindi niya mapigilang asarin ang dalaga, kasi napakaganda nito sa tuwing nahihiya... At kinikilig.

"Your innocence is really driving me crazy," Feliciano murmured, leaning forward. His face inched closer but Lianne's hands were quick enough to stop him— her both hands pushed his wide chest.

"K-Kailangan mong magpalit ng formal attire for the... interview," Lianne said, avoiding his intense and melting gaze.

He grinned. "I see. Okay. I'll change. Wait for me, Sweetie."

Kaagad pinakawalan ni Lianne ang pinipigil na hininga nang tumayo si Feliciano at dumiretso papunta sa maliit na kwarto sa loob ng opisina niya. She left a business suit there for him.

"He's really driving me crazy," Lianne murmured, wiping the beads of sweat on her forehead. She counted her breaths to calm herself and when she finally did, she gave herself a small tap on her shoulder. "Get a grip, Lia. 'Wag kang maging marupok."

A few minutes passed before Lianne heard a cough. Nag-angat siya ng tingin at kaagad na napangiti nang makita si Feliciano na kalalabas lang ng kwarto at suot ang suit na siya mismo ang pumili.

His hair was in a neat brush up and the suit perfectly fit him.

“Pakiramdam ko hindi bagay sa akin ang business attire, Lia." Napakamot pa si Feliciano sa batok niya. He felt conscious that Lianne was checking her out. "I like leather jackets and tattered jeans more. Iyong bad boy look, kumbaga.” Biro pa ng binata bago kinindatan ang dalaga.

Nailing naman si Lianne sa sinabi nito. “Guwapo ka kahit anong suot mo,” Lianne said.

Pinasadahan niya ng tingin ang kabuuan ni Feliciano at ang suot nitong business suit.

Bagay na bagay sa kaniya ang suot niya, she thought, mentally giving herself a pat for choosing the right size.

“Ah really? Is that the reason why you're ogling at me now?"

Napaawang ang bibig ni Lianne bago nag-iwas ng tingin sa binata. "Hey! I'm not ogling at you. Ina-appreciate ko lang 'yung tamang pagpili ko ng suit for you."

"Weh? Maniwala ako?" Feliciano made his way back to the sofa and sat beside Lianne. The woman couldn't look at him and that made him laugh. "Pogi ko ba, Sweetie?"

"Napakamapang-asar mo talaga!"

"Pikon ka kasi."

"Hindi ako pikon. Masyado ka lang maharot," Lianne argued, taking up the courage to meet his gaze. Wrong move. His eyes were too intense, she could literally feel tingles on her toes just by looking at him.

"Believe me, Lia. Hindi pa kita hinaharot nito," he said, tucking a lose strand of her hair behind her ear.

Muling uniwas ng tingin si Lianne dahil hindi niya kinakaya ang mga ginagawa ng binata. She's not used to this kind of treatment. For an NBSB like her, it was hard for her to understand men and their antics.

"You're too cute," he said, closing the small distance between them.

Natigilan si Lianne nang dumampi ang labi ni Feliciano sa pisngi niya. His hand cupped her face and that peck lingered for a few seconds before he put a small gap between their faces. "Stop blushing now, Sweetie. You look so edible when you blush."

"Feli..." His thumb caressed her bottom lip as she felt his minty breath fanning her cheek. She could still feel his lips against her skin and that drives her crazy.

"This one-month contract will probably kill me," dagdag pa ng binata bago muling hinalikan ang pisngi ni Lianne.

Nanlalaki naman ang mga mata ni Lianne nang tagpuin niya ang tingin ni Feliciano. She was frozen when he gave her a kiss again.

This time, Feliciano kissed the side of her lips.

“Oh my gosh…” Lianne whispered before she closed her eyes. She should push him but... Her body couldn't move. Her heart was beating like crazy and it's so hard to breathe... And yet she enjoyed the lightweight and burning feeling inside her.

Feliciano’s face moved closer to her. She felt his hands making their way to her exposed shoulders, softly caressing them.

She couldn't understand herself why she was actually waiting for his lips...

To touch hers.

“Nakakabaliw ka, Lia. And I’m trying my hardest to control myself,” Feliciano said with so much restraint in his voice.

Napadilat si Lianne sa sinabing iyon ng binata. Hindi niya alam ang sasabihin sa pahayag ng lalaking nasa harapan niya. Ang malinaw lang sa kaniya ay ang mabilis na t***k ng kaniyang puso dahil sa mga ginagawa nito.

“Why... Why did you kiss me?” Lianned uttered, getting lost by the way his eyes were looking deep into her.

"I told you..." Feliciano sighed, closing his eyes. His hold to her shoulders tightened, feeling the softness of Lianne's skin. "Y-You look edible... You're ruining my control."

"But... This is just a game."

“I know. I know. Believe me, I know it." He kissed her shoulder which caught Lianne off-guard.

"This is... confusing me, Feli."

Unti-unting dumilat ang mga mata ni Feliciano. Sa pagkakataong 'to, tila bumalik na ang lohika at katinuan ng binata. Huminga siya nang malalim bago binitawan ang mga balikat ni Lianne. Umayos siya nang pagkakaupo upang bigyan ng distansya ang pagitan nilang dalawa. He gave her a smile... A nonchalant kind of smile. "Don't worry, Sweetie. You’re safe with me.”

Natulala si Lianne sa sinabi ni Feliciano habang marahang hinahaplos ng binata ang kaniyang buhok. Hindi niya maintindihan kung paano nagbagao nang gano'n kabilis ang pagtrato sa kaniya ni Feliciano. The emotions in his eyes changed completely— from that look of need and desperation— he was back again to that cocky and laid back version of him.

Lianne was confuse... She didn't know where to stand in their contract. One moment Feliciano would act as if he was so smitten of her and then the next moment, he would be back to that playful stranger she picked during the Lucky 9. Hindi alam ni Lianne kung sino ang paniniwalaan sa dalawang version na 'yon ni Feliciano.

"This is a game. Let's just enjoy this, Lia."

Ilang beses napakurap si Lianne bago napatango-tango. That's the answer to her fleeting confusion.

Feliciano was just playing this. She should do the same thing.