Chief Claimed My Virginity

Chapter Two

MABIGAT ang talukap ng mga mata ni Celeste nang magising siya. The first thing she felt was the heavy, muscular arm draped over her bare waist. Mabilis siyang napamulat. Memory flooded her brain—the tequila, whiskey, the red bikini, the breathless kisses, and the intense, passionate night with Leandro Co.

She carefully lifted the thick blanket. Napasinghap siya. There, on the pristine white sheets of the king-sized bed, was a small stain of dried blood. Proof. Inangkin ni Leandro ang pagkabirhen niya.

A sudden wave of panic washed over her. Oh my god. Anong ginawa ko?

Kahit ramdam ang kumikirot na sakit sa pagitan ng kanyang mga hita sa bawat galaw, pinilit niyang bumangon. Mabilis niyang isinuot ang kanyang pulang bikini at nanginginig na tumakas palabas ng villa ng binata.

Pagbalik niya sa nakatalagang kwarto, sinalubong agad siya ng mga kaibigan niya.

"Celeste Detiangco! Saan ka galing?! Buong gabi ka naming hinanap!" bungad ni Mia, bakas ang pag-aalala.

"I... I got too drunk," utal na palusot ni Celeste, pilit iniiwas ang tingin. "Nakahanap ako ng bakanteng private room kagabi, doon na ako nakatulog kasi hindi ko na kaya."

Nakahinga nang maluwag sina Sarah at Mia. "Gosh, mag-ayos ka na. Babalik na tayo sa siyudad."

KASALUKUYANG naglilinis si Celeste ng kanyang maliit na inuupahang apartment sa isang murang barangay sa Taguig. It was just a tricycle ride away from BGC, dahil imposibleng ma-afford niya ang rent sa mismong business district.

Habang nagwawalis, tumunog ang cellphone niya. Napabuntong-hininga siya nang makita ang caller.

"Hello, Lola?"

"Celeste, 'yung panggastos natin sa bahay para sa buwang ito? Pati kuryente, kailangan na bayaran," walang paligoy-ligoy na bungad ng matanda.

Sanay na siya. Her parents were separated, her younger sister started a family early, and her grandmother only ever called for money.

"Opo, Lola. Mag-o-online bank transfer po ako ngayon."

"Ate Celeste?" A different voice spoke. It was her cousin, Brent. "Ate, pasensya na po sa abala, pero kailangan ko po sana ng laptop at printer. May practical research subjects na po kami sa senior high. Wala po akong magamit."

Pumikit si Celeste, pinipigilan ang bigat sa dibdib. It would cost almost her entire savings. But hearing the hesitation in his voice broke her heart. Ayaw niyang matulad ito sa kanya na kinailangang magpaka-alipin sa dalawang part-time jobs—palipat lipat na trabaho sa restaurants at sa egg shop—maka-survive lang at matapos ang kanyang clerical office degree.

"Sige, Brent," malambot niyang sagot. "Ipapadala ko diyan bukas, okay? Mag-aral kang mabuti."

MAAGANG pumasok si Celeste sa Co Law Firm kinabukasan. Pagkatapos simulan ang workload niya, kinuha niya ang venti cup mula sa kanyang steel cabinet, hinugasan ito, at tinimpla ang paboritong kape ni Leandro. Naglakad siya papunta sa desk ng secretary nito.

"Garry, good morning. Eto na 'yung kape ni—"

"Naku, Celeste," mabilis na putol ni Garry, sabay ilag sa inaabot niyang kape. "Strict instructions galing kay Boss early this morning. Whoever has been making his coffee... must deliver it inside his office. Personally."

Parang binuhusan ng malamig na tubig si Celeste.

Wala na siyang magagawa kung hindi ang harapin ito.

Nanginginig ang mga binti niya nang tumapat siya sa double doors ng CFO's office. With a shaky breath, she knocked and entered.

Leandro was sitting behind his mahogany desk. When he looked up, his dark, piercing eyes locked onto hers, pinning her in place. Flashbacks of his sweat-slicked chest and deep groans instantly filled her mind, making it so hard to breathe.

She walked formally, placing the cup on his desk. "Your coffee, Sir Leandro. Excuse me po, babalik na ako sa trabaho ko."

Bago pa siya makatalikod nang tuluyan, mabilis na tumayo si Leandro. He closed their distance in seconds. Nang marating niya ang pinto, Leandro's large hand caught her waist. He spun her around and forcefully but carefully slammed her back against the luxurious leather couch, caging her between his muscular arms.

"Sir—"

"Did you really think you could just run away?" Leandro's voice was a low, dangerous growl. "Nagising ako nang wala ka na sa tabi ko, at ang tanging iniwan mo lang ay dugo sa kama. You think I'd just let that slide, Detiangco?"

"S-Sir, please... we were drunk. It was a mistake—"

"Mistake?" Leandro's jaw tightened. "Two years, Celeste. Two years mo akong palihim na inaalagaan. Then you gave me your virginity, tapos tatakasan mo ako na parang walang nangyari?"

"You're the CFO... I'm just a clerk," she whispered, desperately trying to push his chest to escape. "Isa lang naman akong kalokohan para sa'yo—"

"Shut up," Leandro groaned, his confused and suppressed feelings finally breaking free.

He crashed his lips onto hers, swallowing the rest of her words. It wasn't a gentle kiss; it was hungry, desperate, and demanding. Celeste tried to push him away, but Leandro caught both her wrists, pinning them against the couch. Her resistance melted instantly. As his tongue demanded entrance, tasting her deeply, Celeste let out a soft whimper, kissing the untouchable CFO back with the same reckless passion.

Halos mag-apoy na ang leather couch sa loob ng opisina ng CFO.

Ang kaninang pagpipigil ni Leandro ay tuluyan nang gumuho. His large hands were now tangled in Celeste's wavy hair, while Celeste's arms were wrapped tightly around his neck. Hiningal sila sa pagitan ng malalalim na halik, tuluyang nakalimutan na nasa loob sila ng kumpanya at oras pa ng trabaho.

"Leandro... wait," ungol ni Celeste nang lumipat ang mga labi nito sa kanyang leeg.

"You've waited two years, Celeste. I'm not letting you wait another minute," paos na sagot ng binata, tuluyan nang ibinababa ang zipper ng palda ng dalaga.

Pero bago pa man umabot sa pagtatalik ang eksena, isang malakas na katok ang nagpatigil sa mundo nila.

"Sir Leandro? Nandito po si Attorney Carson, bibisita po sa inyo saglit!" boses iyon ni Garry mula sa labas.

Parang binuhusan ng nagyeyelong tubig ang dalawa. Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Celeste, at ganoon din si Leandro.

"Oh, sh*t. My brother," pabulong na mura ni Leandro. Mabilis pa sa alas-kuwatro siyang tumayo, inayos ang gusot niyang polo, at hinatak si Celeste.

"Sir, anong gagawin ko?! Kapag nakita ako ni Attorney Carson dito, baka ipatanggal niya ako kahit clerk lang ako!" natataranta at halos maiyak na bulong ni Celeste habang nagmamadaling ayusin ang palda niya.

"Shh, under the desk. Bilis!"

Walang pasabi ay itinulak siya ni Leandro pababa at pinasiksik sa ilalim ng malaking mahogany desk nito. Sakto namang pagkaupo ni Leandro sa kanyang swivel chair at pagbuklat niya ng random na folder, bumukas ang pinto.

Pumasok si Carson Co, ang kilalang ace lawyer at may-ari ng law firm. Nakasuot ito ng pormal na three-piece suit, mukhang bagong salta mula sa isang matagumpay na court hearing.

Napakunot ang noo ni Carson nang mapansin ang kapatid. "Leandro? Are you alright? Bakit namumula ka? At bakit parang hinihingal ka? Sira ba ang aircon mo?"

Napalunok si Leandro, pilit na inaayos ang boses. "I'm... fine, Kuya. Just... reading some very intense financial reports. The numbers are... very hot. I mean, hard. Mahirap 'yung numbers."

Sa ilalim ng mesa, halos hindi huminga si Celeste. Nakabaluktot siya nang matindi, pero ang pinakamalaking problema niya ay ang posisyon niya. Sobrang liit ng espasyo sa ilalim ng desk kaya ang mukha niya ay halos isang pulgada lang ang layo sa mismong hita at singit ni Leandro.

Mahabaging, Lord. Kunin niyo na po ako, naiiyak na dasal ni Celeste sa isip niya habang pilit na inilalayo ang ilong sa zipper ng pantalon ni Leandro.

Napailing na lang si Carson, piniling isantabi ang weirdness ng kapatid, at naupo sa visitor's chair sa tapat ng desk. "Right. Anyway, I'm here to discuss the intern hiring. Nag-usap kami ng HR kanina."

"Interns? A-Ah, yes. The interns," sagot ni Leandro. Bigla siyang napahawak nang mahigpit sa armrest ng silya niya. Gumalaw kasi si Celeste sa ilalim, at ang mainit na hininga nito ay tumama mismo sa sensitibong parte niya.

Napapikit nang mariin si Leandro. F*ck.

"Yes," patuloy ni Carson, hindi napapansin ang panginginig ng panga ng kapatid. "We need to hire more legal interns. I want the experienced senior lawyers to train them strictly. Kailangan bugbugin sa training. So that when the seniors start retiring, we have highly calibrated, smart lawyers ready to take over the firm. What's your budget allocation for this?"

"M-Malaki," utal na sagot ni Leandro, pilit na umuusad paatras, pero sumabit ang tuhod niya sa balikat ni Celeste. Narinig niya ang mahinang 'ouch' ng dalaga kaya napilitan siyang bumalik sa puwesto. "I mean... we have a huge budget for that. P-Proceed with the strict training. Push it... I mean, push through with it."

Tinitigan ni Carson si Leandro. "Are you sure you're okay? Pinagpapawisan ka."

"I'm perfectly fine, Carson. Just... very passionate about the firm's future," Leandro choked out, desperately trying to keep his face completely neutral while his lower half was going through absolute torture. Celeste, trying to adjust her stiff neck, accidentally brushed her cheek against his thigh. Leandro let out a squeaky cough to cover up a groan.

"Okay..." nag-aalangang sabi ni Carson. "Aside from that, family dinner on Sunday, remember? Mom and Dad are expecting you. Pati si Lola, nag-pareserve na agad ng paborito mong lechon, eager for you to attend this time."

Nang marinig ni Celeste ang salitang 'family', bigla siyang napaisip. Napaka-perpekto ng pamilya ng mga Co. Mayayaman, kilala, pero punong-puno ng pagmamahal. Ang layo sa sarili niyang pamilya na puro pera lang ang habol sa kanya.

"Yeah, I'll be there," sagot ni Leandro, medyo nakakahinga na nang kaunti dahil huminto sa paggalaw si Celeste.

"Good. You know our baby sister is graduating this year, right?" masayang kwento ni Carson, bakas ang pride sa boses. "PolSci. She's seriously aspiring to enter politics soon. Maybe start as a councilor. Imagine, a Co in public service. Mom and Dad are so supportive. Lola even wants to fund her campaign already."

"That's... ah! That's great!" Leandro abruptly grabbed the edge of his desk. Celeste had just sneezed silently, her nose bumping directly against his zipper.

Carson frowned, finally standing up. "You know what, I'm going to send the clinic nurse here. You're acting bizarre, Leandro. Mukha kang natatae na ewan."

"No need!" Leandro immediately shot up, keeping his lower half safely blocked by the desk. "I'll just... drink water. See you on Sunday, Kuya."

Bumuntong-hininga si Carson. "Fine. Don't overwork yourself with those 'hot numbers', bro."

Pagkasarang-pagkasara ng pinto, mabilis na ni-lock ni Leandro ang opisina niya. Hinihingal siyang sumandal sa desk niya habang gumagapang palabas si Celeste mula sa ilalim, gulo-gulo ang buhok, pulang-pula ang mukha, at parang nawalan ng kaluluwa.

"I am so sorry, Sir Leandro! H-Hindi ko sinasadya, ang sikip lang talaga diyan sa ilalim at nangalay 'yung leeg ko—"

Bago pa matapos ni Celeste ang pag-e-explain niya, hinila siya ni Leandro patayo, isinandal sa desk, at hinalikan siya nang mas malalim at mas mapusok kaysa kanina.

"Don't call me Sir, Celeste," he growled against her lips, his eyes dark with unleashed frustration. "And remind me to lock the door properly next time."