GUILTY PLEASURE

CHAPTER 7

SEVEN

ELEO SEBASTIAN

It’s currently 3:30 in the morning, and I’m wide awake. I couldn’t shake off the image of Tala from my mine, lalo pa dahil nadamay pa sila sa gulong ginawa ni Channel. I got out of bed and made my way downstairs to grab a drink

Nakaupo ako sa high chair na upoan dito sa counter island. Nakatukod ang isang siko ko sa lamesa upang gawing supporta sa aking ulo habang hinihilot ang aking sintedo.

“How‘s things?”

“Things are good” I replied, not bothering to turn around to locate the source of the voice. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him pouring himself a drink

I heard him chuckle “I doubt that” My gaze shifted to my dad , and I caught the hint of doubt in his eyes

“Something’s bothering me, Dad” I admitted

I hesitated before speaking “M-maybe what happened a while ago is the reason?”

Nasa alak pa rin ang kaniyang atensyon, kunot noong ibinaling niya ang tingin sa akin “Alam mo noong na diagnosed ang kapatid mong si Eleiah, Eugene’s mim was the neurogeneon who operated on you sister” he paused a second “Sadly, hindi kinaya ng kapatid mo” may himig na lungkot ang boses ni Dad.

“How did that happened, Dad? Based on the information I received...his mom didn’t even graduate from college—”

Ang kaninang matang nagpapakita ng lungkot ay nasapawan ng lamig. Muling bumalik ang matapang tila walang kinakatakotan niyang ekspresyon.

I let out a deep sigh “Lucy is not his biological mother‚ pero siya ang kinikilala ni Tala na totoong ina. Lucy wanted a son, pero dahil nagka ovarian cyst siya—wala na siyang kakayahan pang magbuhay ng bata sakaniyang sinapupunan. Theodore decided to take Tala from his biological mother—” Dad paused, collecting his thoughts before continuing

“Wait...D-dad, how did you know all of this?” kunot noo at may himig ng pagtataka kung tanong sakaniya

My dad chuckled quietly, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes “And how did you know about Tala’s mother?” tanong niya pabalik na ikitigil ko

I hesitated, my lips parting slightly as I searched for a convincing excuse “I-I just researched the De Roma family. Gawa na din noong nangyareng gulo sa event”

My dad raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced by my explanation “You can’t fool me, Sebastian” aniya, shaking his head as a playful smirk spread across his lips

He walked closer to me...his footsteps quiet on the floor and gently nudged my shoulder “I’m not born yesterday” he added, may himig na panunudyo ang kaniyang mahinang boses tama lamang na marinig ko

How could I have lied to Dad, alam ko naman na malalaman pa rin niya ang katotohanan.

I let out a deep exasperated sigh. Umupo siya sa upoan sa aking tabi, habang dala dala ang kaniyang basong may laman ding alak

A few minutes of silence hung in the air between us two, the only sound the quiet ticking of the clock and the soft clinking of ice in Dad’s glass.

“Dad, hindi naman naging maayos ang pakikita namin ni Tala De Roma..pero bakit I mean—he’s always on my mind, haunting my thoughts” I confessed, seeking his guidance and wisdom

TALA EUGENE

BINAGBAGTAS ko ngayon ang daan na hindi ko alam san tutungo. Patuloy lang ako sa pagdadrive at halos binubusinahan na ako ng mga nakasunod sakin- kaka overtake.

—

Gusto mo man o hindi magpapakasal ka kay Devon Ventura!

Ayoko!

It's for your own good Tala!

For own good? How come Dad?

—

Pag nagpa-kasal ka na sa anak ni Ventura, you’ll get a share of their wealth.

Bakit hindi si Ate?

Ayaw ng Mom mo

Why is it okay pag ako? Dad..you made a decision behind my back, kahit alam niyong labag sa kalooban ko! How could you do this to your own son?

I just did what was best for you, Tala

That’s the most funny statement I’ve ever heard!

—

I couldn't prevent my tears from falling down. I was hurt. I wanted to be alone, find a place where I could cry out pain and disappointment

Simula bata pa ako ay hindi ko naramdaman ang pagmamahal na gusto kong maramadaman mula saking mga magulang.

.

.

.

Nabaling ang aking tingin sa dagat kung san tabi lamang ng karsada. White sand iyon at may mga kahoy na masisilungan, I rolled down the window of my car to let in the refreshing air.

Tanaw ko ang hindi kalayuang mga establishemento. I drove my car to the side of the road, mukhang puwede namang parking-an dahil malawak naman itong kalsada. Pagbaba ko pa lang ay tila nakaramdam ako ng kakaibang saya para bang may kung anong humihila ng aking mga binti papunta sa dagat.

I sat down on a tree trunk like a child, savoring the gentle caress of the wind. Iyong hangin na hinding hindi mo malalasap sa syudad

After a while, I felt a pang of hunger and decided to buy some food from a nearby establishment. Tumayo ako sa aking pagkakaupo

“You okay?” I heard a familiar voice behind me. Nilingon ko iyon upang makumpirma kung sino. Toung-tied with eyes wide opened. I looked like I was splashed with very cold water.

“Why—”

“Don't go near me! Wait...what the hell are you doing here?—No, are stalking me?” I blurted out

He chuckled quietly “Why not? Can’t I be here? Do you own this place or something?” sarkastiko niyang tanong

I shook my head—he was right I didn’t own this place. But it was impossible that our meeting here was just a coincidence

“At ano naman kung ganon nga? Would you mind having a stalker?” he asked calmly, his words sending a flush of anger to my face

I glared at him sharply “You’re—” I began but he cut me off

“What?” He asked coldly

“You're...argh! Fvck you Lascano!” I spat out, my anger boiling over—before storming off and leaving him standing there

ELEO SEBASTIAN

He sat on the stool while sipping his wine and I couldn’t help but wonder where he’d go next. Kanina ko pa minamanmanan kung saan ang susunld niyang paroroonan.

His pale and fragile appearance caught my attention as he sat there. I found myself staring at him, kung gaano ka inosinti at kaganda ang kaniyang mukha ay ganon din kagaspang ang kaniyang ugali.

Hindi ko napigilan ang sarili saka tumabi sakaniyang kinauupoan, nabaling ang kaniyang tingin sakin at muling binaling sa bartender. Nang mapagtanto niyang ako nga ang kaniyang katabi ay muling dumapo sakin ang kaniyang tingin ngunit nanlaki na iyon at tila gulat na gulat.

“What the hell!” he exclaimed. Taas ang dalawang kilay ko lamang siyang tinigna

“Tsnginang buhay ’to. Talagang sinusubokan ako lagi” mahina niyang sabi tama lamang na marinig ko

I teased him “ Am I not allowed here?” he glared at me angrily “Leave! I have a friend coming at diyan siya pupwesto!”

“It’s hard to believe you have a friends” his gaze darkened. Pinangikotan niya ako ng mata

Hindi ko na narinig pang nagsalita siya at patuloy lang sa pag order ng maiinom. I took the opportunity to study him more closely. He looked stunning, and I couldn’t help but be drawn to him. He stoop up—carrying two bottles of lemon drop martini

I followed him without hesitation. Pasuray suray ang kaniyang lakad at kung hindi ako nagkakamali ay pupunta siya roon sa kinaroroonan namin kami, sa tabi ng dagat.

Hanggang sa dumating nga kami sa tabi ng dagat. I sat down beside him, expecting him to get angry—but instead. He seemed to accept my presence

“Need my help?” I asked, notice he was struggling to open the bottle of liquor

Inabot niya iyon sakin “Oh! Nang mag ka silbi ka naman” Sumilay ang malapad na ngiti ko sa labi

What was happening to me? Why was I letting this stunning stranger disrespect me?

When I finally opened the bottl, I handed it back to him “Jino-joketime mo ba ako, Lascnao?” Pagak akong napatawa sa kaniyang tanong

“Do you remember the first time we met?” he asked, his expression turning serious “I was so angry with you back then...and niw you’re following me! You’re just making me hate you more!” he paused. I waited for him to continue but instead, I heard his sobs.

Required ba talaga sakaniyang umiyak pag nalalasing?

My heart is pounding so fast. My whole body was freaking out.

His arm were wrapped around his torso, as if he was cold. I couldn’t help but hug him—trying to warm him up “What are you doing?” he stammered, his voice laced with fear

“I’m using my body heat to warm you” I replied, trying to sound calm. But then he did the unexpected—he pressed his lips to mine.

This was the second time he’d kissed me while drunk. Paano na lamang kung hindi ako ang kasama niya ngayon?

I pushed the thought aside, dahil nakaramdam ako ng inis. He broke off the kiss and I saw desire burning in his eyes. Tila wala na rin siya sa katinoan “T-take me please” he whispered, his voice low and soft—sending shivers down my spine. Ramdam na ramdam ko ang agad na pagtigas ng aking alaga sa baba

“I can’t do that—”

“Why not? Nandidiri ka din ba sa akin?” his voice cracked and his eyes welling up with tears again.

“I can’t do that here” I silenced him aith a kiss and my own desire stirred to life at the sound of his weak moan.