Montepalma Series 3: A Paradise Between Our Distance

Chapter 1

He revealed himself fully in front of me. He wasn't wearing any shirt, only his maong pants. My forehead creased when my eyes stared at his sculpted body. His v line is very defined from his abdomen down to his pelvic. Pero napansin ko na may sugat sa labi niya at sobrang lalim nang titig niya sa akin.

"You look familiar to me," I commented.

His skin tone is tanned, his biceps were flexing right in front of me and his parted hair was covering his right eye. Pawisan siya ngayon kaya iniwas ko na ang tingin. I really hate myself. I hope I don't look like I'm drooling over his gorgeous body.

He crossed his arms. "I am a Montepalma."

"Woah..." Halata ang mangha sa mukha ko. Hindi ko akalain na magiging partner ko ang pinakamayaman sa Pilipinas. "Now I understand why you look familiar."

"I guess you know my cousin named Damon Montepalma?"

"He is popular here in France."

"Well, that is how powerful he is," he said, velvety. "I was just waiting for Damon to take some action but I conclude that he hasn't realized that I was kidnapped by Vivian."

"You know Vivian?" I responded.

He looked at me in disbelief. "Of course, he wouldn't be kidnapped if she didn't know me."

I rolled my eyes at him. Sinubukan ko mag-ikot sa kabuuan na kwarto pero at nakita ko na sinusundan niya ako ng tingin. Kaya mas pinili ko na iwasan ang tingin ko sa kaniya. I've noticed that a small window from a canal outside the city is our only source of light. Damn it. I am really doomed.

"Do you know how to take our bracelet off?" I probed.

"No, I won't even try to remove it because I might explode," he answered. "And always remember not to cross over the ten feet between our distance. Please."

Napanguso ako. Dahil sa kuryuso ko ay lumayo ako sa kaniya at biglang nagbeeped iyong bracelet namin at namumula. Namilog ang mata niya kaya tumakbo siya papunta sa akin. Napangisi ako sa kaniyang reaksyon. Jesus... he might be hot but he looks scared.

"What the hell are you doing?! Do you want us to die!" he barked.

I shrugged my shoulders. "I was just trying to see if they are telling the truth."

"Don't ever go far away from me. If I have the power to tie you with me, I f*****g will!"

"Aww. That's so sweet of you..." I teased.

He gave me a sharp glare. Hindi ko siya pinansin kaya umupo na lang ako sa hinihigaan ko. Might as well to conserve my energy if ever Vivian went so I can punch her face. Mukhang maayos naman ang kwarto namin kasi more on a french anterior ang kwarto namin. Iisang kama lang ang meron kami. Tapos may have a fridge, bathroom, and sink. Okay na rin iyon para mabuhay ako. Ang aalamin ko lang kung papakainin ba kami ni Vivian.

"How long have you been here?" I inquired.

"I can't remember," he answered. Bigla siya nagpush-up sa harapan ko. " Doing exercise will make me sane here in this f*****g prison."

Now I know why he has a ripped body.

Pinapanood ko lang siya nagp-push up sa harapan ko. Talagang mangha ako na nakaabot siya ng isang daan. Siguro mahilig ito mag gym nung nasa Pilipinas siya. Ang ganda kasi talaga ng pangangatawan niya. He has the same body as Jacob Black from Twilight.

"Why are you here?"

Bigla siya nagsalita kasi nakaupo na siya sa sahig. Nakapatong ang dalawang kamay niya sa tuhod niya. Nakatingin siya sa akin at tumutulo pa rin ang pawis niya. Naiinis ako sa sarili ko kasi nad-distract ako sa pangangatawan niya. f**k myself.

"I can't tell." Ngumisi ako sa kaniya dahil mukhang nabigo siya alamin ang tungkol sa akin. Wala nakakakilala sa akin dahil bata pa lang ako sinabihan ako ni Papa na magtago at natuto ako mag combat fighting. "I just know how to fight and I want to bring their family down so bad. If only I have the power..."

"Too bad..."

"Yeah, you're wealthy because you can't relate."

He licked his lips. "I'm sorry if I was born rich."

"I bet you're spoiled brat," I concluded.

"I am not like my f*****g brother," he grumbled. Biglang sumimangot ang mukha niya. "Do you hate me, huh?"

"Why would I hate you?"

"Women used to kneel when they saw me."

His voice became slow and husky at the same time like he was flirting with me. Halatang babaero siya. Mabuti na lang nasanay na ako kasi hindi ako mabilis mabilog ng isang lalaki. Tinalikuran ko na lang siya at pumikit. Wala naman kwenta iyong pinag-uusapan kasi baka landiin lang ako nito buong magdamag.

Inabot na ng takipsilim, nang may pumasok sa silid namin. Kasi si Hansen ay nakaupo sa sahig at nakatingala. Kaya nakikita ko kung paano umaalon iyong adam's apple niya. Pumasok si Vivian at nakangisi siya.

"Stand up," she commanded.

Narinig ko na bumuntong hininga si Hansen bago niya sundin ang sinabi ni Vivian. Pero ako nanatili na nakahiga dahil hindi naman ako takot kay Vivian. Sinamaan ako ng tingin ni Vivian.

"Hindi mo ba ako naririnig, Ivory?" Halata na ang inis sa kaniyang ekspresyon. "Do you want to taste some punishment, huh?"

I pouted sarcastically. "Punish me, then."

Tiningnan niya ang dalawa niyang kapatid na si Uno at Dos. Lumapit sa akin si Dos at hinawakan niya ako sa leeg. I kicked his private part which made him whimper and hurt. I twisted his arms and made him kneel in front of me while holding his wrist. Nilingon ko si Vivian habang nakangisi.

"I guess you forgot that my father is a gangster also..."

"Uno!" Vivian called. "What the f**k are you looking at? Get that little b***h!"

Mukhang natauhan si Uno kaya lumapit siya sa akin. Binitawan ko si Dos na nanghina sa ginawa ko. Akmang susuntukin niya ako ng nakailag ako at binoblock ko iyong attack niya. Pero hindi ko inaasahan na naka recover si Dos kaya sinakal niya naman ako patalikod gamit ang forearm niya.

"Is that all you've got?" I sneered.

"Take her out," ani Vivian.

Tinalikuran niya kaming lahat kasi nauna na siya. Binitawan ako ni Dos pero binantayan kami sa likod para hindi kami makatakas. I moved my neck because it also hurt the way Dos gripped my neck.

Lumapit sa akin si Hansen at nakikita ko sa mga mata niya na namamangha siya sa ginawa ko kanina. My father trained me on how to fight against people.

"You're so cool," he whispered.

I smirked. "Thanks."

"I really don't know how to fight. You're a monster, Ivory."

"I am. Don't ever make me angry..."

"I won't even dare. Women are dangerous when they're angry."

Nakarating kami sa isang secret room kung saan maraming mga baril at dagger. Nandoon na rin iyong may invention ng mga Marseille. I remember that my father told me that Raphael is a genius who invented some dangerous weapons. But it enrages me whenever I think about that asshole. He is the reason why my parents died. He took the most precious life from me.

"Here is your weapon. Both of you will have a mission," si Vivian at naglabas siya ng pistol. "This is your target. His name is Hubert Moulin. He is a multi-billionaire and he has some gold bars in a bank."

"I assume that we are gonna steal his wealth, don't we?" I concluded.

Vivian clicked her tongue. "You're damn right. It is easy for you because you're a thief."

I got pissed. Mukhang nagustuhan niya na nainis ako sa kaniyang sinabi. Tahimik lang kami pinagmamasdan ni Hansen parang nag-oobserve siya. Inexplain lang ni Vivian ang tungkol kay Hubert kasi gusto niya makuha namin ang handprint dahil ayun ang susi sa vault ni Hubet sa bangko.

"And before we proceed to our mission, Ivory should cut her hair into a bob cut."

I scoffed. "Are you insecure about my beauty, Vivian?"

Mapapagmalaki ko na maganda ako dahil kamukha ko lang naman si Mama. Her name is Ruby Ceretti and she has the same beauty as mine. We shared the same porcelain skin, doe eyes, bushy eyebrow, narrow nose, and cupid bow lips. Pinagkrus ni Vivian ang kamay niya at sinipat niya ako ng tingin.

"Your beauty is just average," she commented.

"You really sound insecure," I cackled. I really like to get into her nerves sometimes. "Huwag mo naman pahalata, Vivian."

She bared her teeth. "I am so itchy to kill you, bitch."

"Calm down," si Uno na ang gumitna sa amin dalawa ni Vivian. "Let us explain their mission. Go get some air for a while."

"Yeah, before I kill that b***h," she hissed.

She flipped her hair before she left the armor room. Nagkibit balikat ako dahil ako lang nanalo sa argumento namin dalawa. I saw Hansen was looking at me in a languid eyes. He was licking his lower lips while gazing at me. I smiled inwardly. The way he looked at me it was like he wanted to tear apart my clothes.

"Cut your hair, Ivory," Uno urged.

I rolled my eyes. "As if I have a choice..."

Kinuha ko iyong gunting at humarap ako sa salamin. Si Hansen ay nagpokus mamili ng mga baril. Mabuti na lang may suot na siyang damit ngayon baka kasi hindi ko kayanin hindi mahiwalay mata ko sa katawan niya. Gosh... he looks dreamy.

I was cutting my hair into a bob cut. Nakikita ko sa salamin na sinusulyapan ako ni Uno at Hansen. Masyado na ba akong maganda para sulyapan palagi? Kaya napansin tuloy ni Dos na nakatitig sa akin si Uno kaya hinampas niya ang braso nito. I was smirking. I really know how to manipulate men because I have the power since I am a woman. They will bend their knees for me.

"First assignment, flirt with Hubert Moulin. He loves sexy women who are fierce," Dos explained. "That is why you need to cut your hair, he loves to kiss the necks of his women."

I scrunch my nose. "Yuck..."

Napangisi si Uno sa reaksyon ko. Pero patuloy pa rin ang pag e-explain ni Dos. Palagi nasa isang club si Hubert dahil may inuuwi ito na babae para ikama. Ayun ang trabaho ko na makuha ang loob ni Hubert.

"Are you sure this is our first assignment? What is Mr. Moulin is a killer?" si Hansen na hindi sang-ayon sa plano. He really looks concerned for me. "Dapat hindi muna pumapayag si Ivory. You know our weaknesses."

I arched my eyebrow. "What weaknesses?"

"We love women who are not easy to get," Uno interjected.

"Make him crave..." Hansen suggested. "For your own safety, Ivory."

"Well, thanks for the concern, gentlemen but I don't need some savings. I can beat his ass in no time," I boasted. I raised my forehead because I am confident. "I can handle a man like him. Thanks."

"We already finished discussing the first assignment and your hair is done, both of you can sleep," si Dos na sobrang masungit. "Get back to your rooms!"

Umirap ako sa kaniya at nauna na lumabas ng armor room. Nakasunod lang si Uno sa likuran namin dahil hinahatid kami ni Hansen. Magaan na rin sa pakiramdam na maikli ang buhok ko para mas magawa ko ng maayos ang misyon ko. Napapansin ko na panay sulyap sa akin si Hansen.

Pinagbuksan ako ni Hansen ng pintuan at ginesture niya na mauna ako.

"Ladies first," he muttered.

Aww. He is being a gentleman to me, huh? Was he scared that I could beat a man? Maybe. Kaya nauna na talaga ako kasi gusto ko na matulog. Kailangan ko lang ulit ipunin ang lakas ko. Sinarado na ni Uno iyong pintuan kaya nauna na ako humiga sa kama.

"Are we gonna share the same bed?" he asked, hesitantly.

"It's your choice," I replied. Hinubad ko iyong hoodie ko kaya naka puting sando lang ako. "We are not gonna f**k, magpapahinga lang tayo. Don't be a pussy."

He bit his lower lip. "Stop it."

"Stop what?"

Hindi ko alam pero mukhang distracted na siya ngayon. Nakikita na ang cleavage at collar bone ko ngayon. I really know how to thirst for men because of my hourglass body. I tapped the space beside me— trying to tease him a little bit.

"Sleep beside me, Hansen," I purred.