Children of Bridgetines I Nicole

Chapter 2

Hunter

IT WAS MY first time here in the Philippines and my best friend Richard was late! My Mom and Dad requested for this vacation and since Richard already made plans ahead of time, sumabay ako sa kaniya at naunang umuwi sa mga magulang ko. Nagulat ba kayo at marunong akong mag-Tagalog? My mother was a Filipina and she grew up here in Batangas. Dad on the other hand was a Fil-Am who grew up in New York. Tinuruan siyang mag-Tagalog ni Lola.

I’m 26 and an only child. Mom and Dad said they tried having another child but Mom miscarried at paglipas ng panahon ay hindi na rin nagbuntis. I dated a lot of women. New York was full of them. I just didn’t meet the one for me. The women I’ve met were either clingy—or gold diggers. Being an heir to the Pritzker Corp has its pros and cons.

As I entered Kings & Queens this evening, I noticed it was a little simpler than the clubs in New York. Richard reserved VIP seats for us. Kaibigan niya kasi ang may-ari ng club na ito. I sat down and ordered a drink. Someone caught my eye and my heart started hammering. I saw this petite girl walking towards her friend in another table. The attraction was real! She’s sporting a pixie haircut, white crop top with black leather jacket and ripped jeans. She’s very pretty but way too young for me. I wonder what she’s doing her—she looked what? 16? Fake ID maybe.

I shook my head and took my phone out from my pocket. I tried to keep my mind off her and calm my heartbeat. So when I saw her standing in front of me and asking for my help about a bet, I got curious. I should turn her away, right? But no, I didn’t. Her eyes are way too mesmerizing. I feel like I was under her spell. Soon enough, I found out we’re the same age. Talk about baby face! She’s a total babe and get this—she’s never been kissed! Am I lucky or what? I think I’ve met my match. I just might not let her go.

She was pissed when I told her what I wanted in return. Honestly, I was just kidding. Ang cute niya kasing tingnan kapag naiinis. But she held her end of the bargain and I admire her for that. After saving her name and number on my phone, she went back to her friend.

“What are you smiling at?” tanong ko kay Richard.

This was my second bottle of beer and I don’t plan on getting drunk tonight. Bukod sa jetlag ay ayokong sumakit ang ulo ko bukas.

“You.” He cleared his throat.

“What?”

“You looked like a schoolboy who just kissed his crush in school,” tatawa-tawang sabi nito.

“Psh. Don’t be ridiculous.”

“I am not being ridiculous. You looked smitten, by the way. She’s very pretty, huh? A little rugged in the edges but very pretty nonetheless.”

I smiled and an image of her flashed in my head. “She is.”

“She’s not your usual type though. The women you dated are all long legged, long hair and wild.”

He was right. Most of them were models and they all fell on my feet like I’m some kind of a God.

“She’s not even wearing a tight dress.”

I grinned. “I know, right? She doesn’t have to put so much effort and she’s got my attention. I don’t think I’m her type though.”

“What do you mean? Wasn’t she just here kissing you?” Richard looked confused.

I sighed. “She was here because she needed help with the bet she made with her friend. She needed me to kiss her for ten minutes she said.”

“What was at stake?” Rich looked amused.

“Her new GT,” sagot ko sa kaniya.

Napasipol si Richard. “That’s one sweet car! I’m sure you didn’t help her without asking anything in return, did you use the date me card?”

Alam na alam niya ang gagawin kong sunod kapag gusto ko ang babae. “You got that right, bud!” I grinned at him.

“For how long?” He asked.

“I asked for three months since I’ll be here that long—she can keep me company.” Or maybe longer, I don’t know. Kapag naaalala ko ang ginawa namin kanina ay parang ayaw ko na siyang pakawalan.

Tumango-tango ito. “Three months, huh? Do you want to know what I think?” Napangisi siya.

“Go on,” I encouraged him to elaborate more.

Nangalumbaba siya. “I think you’ll be hopelessly in love with her before the three months is up and you won’t be able to let her go. There’s something about you two and I can’t name it just yet.”

Rich sometimes makes sense and sometimes he doesn’t. And tonight he is in between, lalo lang niya akong nililito.

“Don’t be silly.”Ngumisi ako sa kaniya at umiling-iling. Is that even possible? Ang ma-inlove ako sa babaeng iyon sa loob ng tatlong buwan? Napakaiksing panahon para paibigin ako.

“Seriously, though, I think I saw her before. I just can’t remember where.” Pilit niyang iniisip kung saan niya unang nakilala si Nicole.

“Just remember, she’s mine.”

I know he was not going to steal her from me but still—lalaki pa rin si Rich. At napakaganda ni Nicole. Humalakhak siya nang malakas.

“Sounds like a jealous boyfriend already, are we?”

Binato ko ng mani si Richard at nakaiwas siya. T*rantado talaga ito, remind me again why we became best friends?

Nikki 

ALA-UNA PASADO NA ako nakarating sa condo. It has 20 floors and I live in the penthouse. I like natural light and these glass windows are what attracted me to buy this place. It’s overlooking the city. For the interior, I like blue—I don’t like pink. You can ask my father about it. He’d tell you my cup when I was a kid was blue too. So when I decorated my place, it’s all different shades of blue.

I went upstairs to my bedroom and stripped all my clothes. A nice hot shower would be nice right now; I had three margaritas earlier with Hailey. That kiss sent fire between my thighs. I don’t know where it would lead to if his friend didn’t come. As the water cascades in my body, his face flashed in my head. There’s this ache that need to be fulfilled. I am no pro and I may not have a boyfriend before but I’ve seen a dirty movie once or twice plus the few romantic movies with bed scenes. I also did anatomy in med school so I know a little bit about pleasuring myself. I have to get this out then I can flush him out of my system.

I imagined his face. My right hand reached for my cl*t and I used my finger to massage the pearl-sized nub in between my folds. I rubbed and stroked through the hood while using my middle finger. It felt so nice. I found a rhythm that makes me feel good. I remembered how he kissed me. I moved my finger faster and harder until I reached my climax. That was intense. I cleaned myself after and finished my shower. I reached for the towel and dried my hair and the rest of my body. I am butt naked while drying my short hair. That didn’t take long. I brushed my teeth then I went to my walk in closet to grab an underwear and a white sando—my usual sleepwear.

Oh, cr*p! I almost forgot to text Dom. I told him I will message him once I get in. I reached for my phone on the night table and sat down in bed. I started typing. 

I’m home safe little brother. Good mornight! Message sent. He’s either asleep now or still out with his friends. I went to bed and closed my eyes but Hunter’s face keeps popping up in my head. Tumagilid ako ng higa pakaliwa. Tumagilid pakanan. Dumapa. Tumihaya ulit. D*mn it! Kinuha ko ang isang unan at itinaklob ko sa mukha ko na para bang sa ginawa kong ito ay hindi ko na maiisip ang lalaking iyon. I hoped he gets very drunk and forgot what he wanted in exchange for the kiss. Natawa ako sa naisip ko. Men like him are used to women falling on his feet. Sure, he was good looking but I don’t know much about him. I will forget about him in no time. He probably just wants some company and not really serious about the boyfriend-girlfriend proposition he asked for earlier.

I was drowning in my own thoughts that it made me fell asleep. Nagising ako nang mag-ring ang cellphone ko. I looked at the time—two in the morning. Akala ko ay mahaba na ang naitulog ko pero wala pa palang kalahating oras. At sino naman itong nambubulahaw na ito. Unknown number? Forget it, I am not answering that. Probably a telemarketer or some asshole na walang magawa sa buhay. It stopped ringing. Good. After a minute, it rang again.

God d*mn it! Inis akong sinagot ang tawag.“Who the f*ck is this? Don’t you know what time it is?” I am so sleepy. Ang bigat na rin ng ulo ko dahil sa nainom ko plus I am tired too.

“Good morning to you too, babe.”

I knew that voice. Bedroom voice was the best description I can give. I wondered how he sounds like when we finally sleep together. Oh f*ck! Stop it Nikki, you are not sleeping with him—three months then he is leaving remember? Note to self. Check.

“Hunter?” I asked.

“I’m glad you remembered my name.”I heard him chuckle.

I sighed. “What do you want? It’s wee hours of the morning.” Talagang antok pa ako. At kahit pa bedroom voice ang taglay niya, gusto ko ng matulog ng walang istorbo.

“I need a place to crash for the night.”

Ano naman ang drama nito? Mukha namang may pera siya? Bakit kailangan pang makitulog? “Get a hotel,” suhestiyon ko sa kaniya. He can’t sleep here. Iisa ang kuwarto ko. Pero may iba pa pala siyang naiisip na dahilan.

“I think it’s better if I stay at my girlfriend’s place, don’t you think so?”

I scoffed. “I thought it’s not starting until tomorrow?” Advanced din mag-isip itong si Hunter.

“Tomorrow is now, it’s past midnight,” parang nakakaloko nitong sabi. Narinig ko pa ang mahina niyang tawa. Tahimik akong napamura sa isip ko. Oh for f*ck’s sake! It’s just for tonight, Nikki. Be strong. Huwag kang marupok. Papatulugin mo lang sa couch at aalis na siya sa umaga pag gising.

“2717 San Isidro Towers, Penthouse. I’ll ask the guard to let you in.”

“Thanks, babe. I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.” He hanged up.

I called the reception and told them the name of my visitor. Reminder to self: Visit the office tomorrow and add Hunter’s name on the list for three months. I have a feeling this won’t be his last visit but it will be his last sleep over. I put on a silk pajama and robe. Not bothering with a bra. May robe nama, e. At saka hindi naman malaki ang boobs ko kaya carry na. Nang magawi ang tingin ko sa kama ay napangiwi ako.

Problem: I only have one bedroom and one big bed. Sa salas na lang siya matulog. I grabbed one pillow and a blanket. Saktong may nag-doorbell. It’s probably him. I headed downstairs at inilagak ang blanket at unan sa sofa. I heard another chime.

“I’m coming!”Atat lang ang peg? I opened the door and there he was—smiling.

“Hey,” bati niya sa akin.

“Come in.” Niluwagan ko ang pinto at tumabi sa gilid para makadaan siya pagkuwa’y isinara ko ang pinto. When I turned around, nasa likod ko lang pala siya at bumangga ako sa dibdib niya kaya napayakap siya sa akin.

“Ano ba?” gulat kong sabi sa kaniya.

Natawa naman siya. “Are you okay?” He held me steady.

Nakakapaso ang kamay niya. Pakiramdam ko ay sinisilaban na naman ako. “I’m fine.” Siniringan ko siya. “Akala ko kasi umupo ka na, hindi ko alam na nasa likod pa pala kita. Do you need anything?” tanong ko sa kaniya.

“A spare toothbrush?” Parehas na tumaas-baba ang kilay niya. Kulit din.

“I have a spare one,” I said dryly.

“Okay, thanks,” nakangiting sabi niya. His teeth are even perfect! D*mn it! Wala yata kapuna-puna sa lalaking ito. I pointed where the necessities were instead para mawala ang nararamdaman kong arousal sa kaniya. At para makatulog na rin ako. “Bathroom’s there on the left, kitchen on the right. Here’s your pillow and blanket— and this couch will be your bed,” sabi ko sa kaniya. He was looking at me like I’m from outer space. “What? Did I miss anything else?” tanong ko sa kaniya. Parang wala naman akong nakalimuta, a.

“I won’t fit in the couch.”

He’s right. He’s about 6ft. But that’s not my problem now was it? Puwede naman kasing mag-hotel, nagpumilit pang matulog dito. Tsk!

“But I only have one bedroom and one bed. I don’t have a spare bedroom.” katwiran ko sa kaniya.

Parang nakakaloko ang ngiti niya at dinampot ang unan at blanket na inihanda ko sa kaniya. “Well, I guess I am sleeping on your bed.”And he headed upstairs. Sumipol-sipol pa.

Aba at feeling niya sobrang close kami. He walked like he owned the place! D*mn it! Napabuga ako ng hangin.

“Hunter!” nanggigigil kong tawag sa kaniya. Hindi niya ako pinansin at tuloy tuloy sa pagpunta sa kuwarto. Sinundan ko siya at nakita kong binuksan na niya ang pinto. Nang maabutan ko siya ay naibaba na niya ang unan at blanket sa kama at ngayon ay nakatanaw siya sa labas.

“The view is stunning with the city lights. Your place is great!” He admired the penthouse. He was right though, mura lang ang pagkakabili ko rito dahil pre-construction pa noon nang makita ko ito.

When I got bored, I also studied interior design as if I wasn’t busy enough with med school. It was a nice diversion and I quite enjoyed it. “Thank you.” Naglakad ako papuntang closet at kumuha ng bagong towel pagkatapos ay iniwan ko sa counter ng bathroom katabi ng toothbrush na sealed pa. Lumabas ako ng banyo at lumapit sa kaniya. “I have your towel and toothbrush in the bathroom. If you want to take a shower, feel free. I have a new shirt and boxers here. You and Dom are about the same size.”

Kumunot ang noo niya. “Ipapasuot mo sa akin ang damit na para sa ex-boyfriend mo? No thanks.” He crossed his arms on his chest and looked mad. Hindi ko napigilan mapabunghalit ng tawa. Advanced rin mag-isip ang taong ito. Hindi man lang magtanong kung sino ang tinukoy ko. Tsk! “What’s so funny?” Hindi na maipinta ang mukha niya at salubong ang kilay na halos magkadikit at mag-isang guhit na.

“Ikaw!” Mauutas ako sa pagtawa.

“And why is that?” He looked even more irritated. “Stop laughing.” He smirked.

“Dom is my little brother, you idiot!” I shook my head a few times.

I saw him formed an “oh” and swallowed. He mouthed “sorry”. “I’m just going to get some water in the kitchen. Go freshen up.”

Pagbalik ko sa kuwarto ay nakahiga na siya at mukhang tulog na. Nailing iling ako. I went to the other side of the bed and put a pillow in between us. Mabuti na ang sigurado. 

Sige, Nicole, paniwalain mo ang sarili mo na isang unan lang ang makakapigil para walang mangyaring senswal ngayong gabi. 

I noticed he turned off his lamp on his side, I turned off mine too. Ang ilaw ng buong syudad at pati ng buwan ang nagsilbing liwanag ng kuwarto. I can’t sleep so I faced him. Nakatihaya siya nang higa. Full lips, malantik na pilikmata, prominent cheekbones, matangos na ilong. What’s not to like?

“I know I’m gorgeous and I’m all yours, babe.”

Anak ng! May third eye ba ang lalaking ito? Nagulat ako nang magsalita siya at muntik na akong mahulog sa kama. Gising pa pala!

“At bakit naman magiging akin ka? Hindi naman kita inaangkin,” pabulong ko pang sabi. Gorgeous ka riyan.

He opened his eyes at tumagilid paharap sa akin. “I heard that. Wala kang kaagaw ang ibig kong sabihin.”

Tinanggal niya ang unan sa pagitan namin saka umusod palapit sa akin. Pinigilan ko siya.

“Don’t!” Inilagay ko na nga sa pagitan namin ay tinanggal pa. Nakakapaso kasi kapag nagdidikit ang balat namin. Iyong halik nga niya kanina ay darang na darang na ako, e, ano pa iyong magkadikit kami sa kama.

Tumawa siya. “Really, Nicole? You think this pillow is going to stop me from taking you?”

Napalunok ako. He sounded so freaking sexy and I am having carnal thoughts. Oh, my gosh! I composed myself. At nang bumagal na ang t***k ng puso ko ay nagsalita ako ulit.

“Shut up. I let you sleep here for the night because you needed a place to crash, now behave.” Inirapan ko siya. Inayos ko ang sarili ko at halos magkumot ako hanggang leeg.

Natawa naman siya. Tuluyan niyang kinuha ang unan at inilagay sa paanan. He took me in his arms without warning at pinaunan ako sa braso niya habang nakatihaya siya.

“Relax, I am not going to do anything. I will behave. I promise.”

I closed my eyes at piniling magtiwala sa kaniya. Ang sarap pa naman mahiga sa bisig niya. Ang rupok mo Nikki. 

“Scout’s honor?”

Itinaas niya ang kamay na parang nanunumpa bilang sagot sa akin.

“Okay.” Kinuha niya ang kamay ko at ipinatong sa dibdib niya at nang tumingin ako ay nagsalita siya.

“Mas komportable kung ganiyan. Now sleep. Goodnight, Nicole White.” He kissed me on my forehead and then he closed his eyes.