Chapter 18
1091 Words
Pagkapasok pa lang nila sa suite, agad na napahinto si Eloise. Laglag ang pangang pinasadahan ng tingin ang buong k’warto.
Parang nawala ang lahat ng iniisip niya nang bumungad ang tanawin.
As if the view earlier wasn’t enough to take her breath away.
A floor-to-ceiling glass window framed the ocean like a living painting. The sun was beginning to set, casting golden streaks across the smooth marble floor.
Ang buong silid ay parang sinadyang idinisenyo para sa mga taong ayaw maalala ang gulo ng mundo. The place was so quiet and squeaky clean. Halos parang hindi siya dapat huminga rito. It looked more like a high-end showroom than an actual place to sleep. It was almost too perfect to be real.
Sa isang sulok, may maliit na dining set—eleganteng gawa sa kahoy at salamin. Malapit dito ay may minibar na kumikislap sa ilalim ng banayad na gintong ilaw, puno ng mga boteng parang kristal at mga basong kumikislap sa liwanag. Sa kabilang banda naman ay ang banyo na tila isang private spa—makinis at makinang ang sahig na gawa sa bato, may banayad at malamlam na ilaw na tumatama rito. Ang dalawang tuwalya na naroon ay nakarolyo na parang mamahaling tinapay.
Sa labas, may private terrace na tanaw ang buong tanawin. May lounge chairs doon na nakaharap sa dagat. It was the kind you only see in luxury travel ads. She could already imagine herself sitting there, the salt air filling her lungs, forgetting—at least for a moment—why she was here in the first place.
Pero ang mas tumatak sa kan’ya ay ang fireplace sa gilid. Hindi naman naka-on, but its pale limestone frame gave it an almost sacred quality, like an altar. And above was a painting. It was an abstract painting in gray, ash, and rust. Walang malinaw na imahe pero mabigat sa pakiramdam, like it was trying to remember something it couldn’t.
“Ipinadala 'yan galing Italy,” sabi ng butler, napansin ang tingin niya. “It’s called Falling Memory.”
Of course it is, she thought bitterly. Kahit ang art dito ay may pinagdadaanan din.
At least there’s a single thing here that I can absolutely relate to, aniya sa kan’yang isipan.
Pero bago pa siya makapagtanong pa, napako ang tingin niya sa gitna ng suite.
There it was. A king-sized, neatly made bed. It has pristine white sheets and plump pillows arranged as if it were waiting to be ruined. Wala itong divider. Wala ring extra mattress na p’wede niyang gamitin. Just one luxurious bed.
She blinked and threw a sharp glance at Estevan. “Seriously?” Umirap siya at pinagkrus ang mga braso sa dibdib. “You couldn’t request a twin bed setup? Two beds at least?”
“There was no need,” sagot ni Estevan habang binubuksan ang isang bottled water fgaling sa minibar. His tone was casual, as if they weren’t about to share a room. “We’re supposed to look like we’re in love, remember?”
She gave him a glare. “Then you should sleep on the couch.”
“Sure,” he shrugged. “But I move when I sleep. The couch might not survive.”
Napapikit siya sa inis. Kinuha niya ang isang throw pillow mula sa armchair at walang pasabing itinapon sa kan’ya. “Nakakainis ka.”
He didn’t even flinch. Hinuli lang niya ang unan gamit ang isang kamay. Wala man lang ka-effort-effort ang pagsalo nito. Tapos ay inilapag ito nang marahan sa kama.
“You’ll be fine,” he said under his breath. “It’s a king-sized bed. You won’t even notice I’m there.”
Yeah, right.
A small, irritating smirk curled on his lips a few seconds later. It was barely there, but enough to annoy her even more.
“The welcome cocktail party’s in an hour,” he reminded her, heading to the terrace without waiting for a response. “Be ready.”
AS THE day faded, the resort shifted into something softer, almost magical.
From sunlit elegance to something soft and glowing. Lanterns hung inside glass orbs, glowing like tiny stars above the garden. Amber lights cast a soft, romantic glow across the tables and trimmed hedges. Gentle music played faintly in the air. It was a string instrument—or maybe a harp somewhere—blending with the sound of champagne glasses and polite laughter.
Tahimik na naglalakad si Eloise katabi ni Estevan, maririnig ang bawat tunog ng kan’yang takong sa batong daanan habang palapit sila sa dagat ng mga bisitang naroon.
She was wearing a deep red dress that hugged her curves in all the right places. The red lipstick defined her mouth even more, making it more captivating and inviting.
She wore it on purpose. Just enough to be remembered. Just enough to look untouchable.
Pero kahit anong confidence ang pinakita niya, hindi niya maikakailang may presensya si Estevan ngayong gabi. The kind that couldn’t be ignored.
He was wearing a classic black suit, his dark hair was slightly tousled by the breeze, and his gaze was sharp, calculating, and dangerous.
He walked with quiet power, a man used to being obeyed without ever raising his voice. At sa bawat galaw nito ay parang sinasadya. He would brush her hand, rest a palm on her back, and lean in close as if whispering sweet things to her.
To everyone watching, it looked natural, romantic, and real.
But to her, every touch carried weight. Sa bawat lapat ng mga kamay nito sa kan’yang balat ay nagbibigay iyon ng kilabot sa kan’yang buong sistema. May tensyon sa bawat hawak ng binata, like he was performing for an audience but also... something more.
“You don’t have to keep touching me,” bulong niya habang inaabot ang isang champagne flute mula sa isang passing server. Her voice was low and controlled but laced with irritation.
“I have to,” he replied smoothly, eyes still on the crowd. “They’re watching.”
She tilted her head, letting a smile play on her lips for show. “Then maybe I should kiss you. Para mas convincing,” biro niya.
That made Estevan pause. He then finally turned to her, and for a heartbeat, the mask slipped.
Nagtagpo ang kanilang mga mata, at doon bahagyang natigilan si Eloise nang makita ang mga titig nitong tila nakakalunod kung makatingin ng diretso sa kan’ya.
Then he leaned slightly closer, his voice was enough to make her tremble.
“Don’t tempt me, Eloise. We both know how that ends.”
- Writer
