Never Descending

Chapter 3

Hoe

Wala na kong sinayang na oras. Naglakad na rin ako papasok sa gym dala ang maliit na duffel bag. Binati ko ang nasa reception pati na si Rian na nakasalubong kong palabas mula sa changing room.

I headed straight towards the locker area to settle my things first. Nang matapos ayusin ang mga gamit ay hindi na rin ako nagtagal at umalis na roon. I was even stretching my arms while walking on my way.

My steps slowed down when I saw the familiar guy coming out of the men's locker room which is the door next to where I got from. He was pretty preoccupied while wearing something on his hand as he walk.

My limbs moved on instinct as if they have a mind of their own. The next thing I knew, I was already walking beside him. I hate that I still don't know his name by now. I better use my smooth communicability to know him already.

Ramdam ko ang bahagyang pagbagal din ng mga hakbang niya. Probably sensing my strange presence.

I casually cleared my throat.

"So... you're also a regular here?" I asked in a laid-back tone.

I'm used to starting small talks and being casual with people but I've never felt this edgy while waiting for a response. I suddenly felt worried that he might think I'm being too intrusive or something.  I mean.. what if he doesn't answer? Especially now when he actually looks like the kind who can just ignore anyone without even blinking.

I've always been the confident type so I don't  know where this subtle agitation is coming from. Hindi ko inalis ang pagkaka-baling sa kanya habang nag-aabang ng sagot. Bahagyang bumagal ang paggalaw ng kamay niya habang may ipinupulupot doon.

He didn't bother throwing me a glance so I almost hitched my breath when he opened his mouth.

"Yes,"

My palm automatically flew on my arm to lightly brush away the shivers that his deep voice gave me. He barely uttered a word yet its effect was emulsifying. I almost sighed in relief as I realized that he answered. He actually answered.

I tried to hide the small smile as I nodded.

"Didn't see you the past few days though.." I meaningfully muttered before taking a glimpse of him. "Busy with something?" I inquired.

My brow raised a bit as I waited for him to fill up my curiosity.

He simply gave off a single nod before his lips parted.

"Work," he said.

I puckered my lips at his short replies. He sounds so furtive and reserved. I want to know more. Nevertheless, I can't deny the fact that I'm glad cause he's accommodating my snooping ass. At least, he's pretty civil. He isn't unnecessarily snob or something.

That will do for now. Ang mahalaga ay pinapansin niya 'ko.

My lips curved into a smile. Huminto ako sa paglalakad at pinihit ang katawan paharap sa kanya. He already finished wearing his leather gym gloves on his left hand which only lasted on his mid-fingers so only his right hand is free right now. Sa pagbaling ko sa kanya ay nakita kong natigilan din siya.

"By the way, I'm Iris." I straightly said.

I even had the audacity to offer my hand as if I'm sure that he would permit some skinship. I don't care if this flops. It's the shot that counts anyway. Also, I know it would be worth it if ever that I'm lucky enough and he happens to accept my hand. It's just that.. I oddly want to know how his hand would feel. 

His body gradually turned sideways to face me. His entirety was overwhelming. Seeing his face this near makes it quite hard to breathe. Plus he's quite towering over me too. It's not that easy to find someone who's way taller than me given my physique. I like that we have this kind of height difference. 

It's nice to feel this sort of.. submissiveness sometimes.

I bit my lip when it took quite long for him to respond. I am almost internally crossing my fingers just so he would open his mouth already. Please say your name. Please say your name. Please say your name.

I stopped breathing when his gaze moved up from my hand until it reached my line of vision. His eyes. His eyes were.. beautiful.

"Ace," 

His voice was clear and sleek. A single name never sounded this good to my ears before. It's in the way it resonated and came out from his mouth that I think I just earned my favorite one-syllable word.

I was still in pleasant haze when I realized that he didn't take my hand. Sinabi niya lang ang pangalan niya ngunit hindi niya hinawakan ang kamay ko.

Ngunit hindi ako nagpatinag. Mas nilawakan ko ang ngiti habang hindi pa rin binabawi ang nakalahad na kamay. I even raised my hand a bit to put an emphasis.

"Nice to meet you, Ace."

He remained rigid in his form. Tumagal ang pagkakatitig niya sa akin. I was waiting for his lips to even slightly part in astonishment for my persistence but they didn't.

He just stared directly right into my eyes so deeply that I almost feel like drowning.

My heart began to race.

My eyes dropped to his hand and I gazed at it as if I was summoning it through my thoughts.

Come on. Just take my hand.  Not with the one wearing the gloves but with the bare one. Take it.

And he did. 

With no prior signal, hint, or sign. He really did.

I almost heard my insides sang in victory.

His hand.. it feels... hot.

My sight darted down to it. Some parts were even showing shades of red.

His colossal hand was properly wrapped around mine. I never realized how small my hand is until this moment. Our palms are in direct contact with each other. Our fingers are enfolded together. It was done in a decent and formal manner yet my mind won't stop flying elsewhere with the warmth his skin is giving me.

Damn... I want everything this hand can do.

I was so into it the whole time. I was fairly spacing out even during my workout session with Rian. Hindi pa nakatutulong na lagi ko siyang natatanaw mula sa kung nasaan ako naka-pwesto. It was as if he was scorching in my eyes in everything he does.

Shit. He's definitely my cup of tea.

If I were to have a hook-up anytime soon, that has to be him. Now let's just hope that he's up and cool with something like that.

"Cable row ka muna for ten minutes, Iris. I'll just attend to another member then be back shortly," paalam sakin ni Rian.

Sinuklian ko ang ngiti niya at tumango. Pagtalikod niya ay tinahak ko na rin ang daan patungo sa machine na tinutukoy niya.

I halted on my steps when I saw Ace occupying one of the cable row machines. Bakante ang isa pang ganoon sa tabi niya at dahan-dahang gumuhit ang ngiti sa labi ko.

I started taking my stride towards his direction. My every move was leisurely done as if I was in daze. Gumuhit lang ang kunot sa noo ko nang maharangan ang paningin ko.

"Hi.." a low-toned voice greeted.

Inangat ko ang tingin sa lalaki sa harapan. He was obviously a body-builder and he got this weird sly smile on his face as he look intently at me.

"Are you lost, baby girl?"

My jaw dropped at his sensual voice. Nakakakilabot putangina.

"No." I tightly said with a grim expression. "Get the hell out of my way,"

Hindi ko na hinintay na tumabi siya at bagkus ay humakbang na pagilid para malagpasan siya. I briefly shook my head to brush off that awful scene from my mind. 

It didn't take me long enough to forget about it since the view of Ace greeted me once more. A curve slowly formed on my lips again.

"Hi," I didn't hesitate to greet him as soon as I got by his side.

I didn't expect to hear much from him so I just positioned myself on the machine. Para na rin hindi niya masyadong mahalata ang interes ko sa kanya. I figured that prying on him so much may be a nuisance so might as well just avoid it.

Nagawi ang tingin ko sa kabilang dako at napanganga nang matanaw ang lalaki kanina na papalapit na ngayon sa pwesto ko. Salubong ang kilay na tinanggal ko ang tingin sa kanya at binalik na lang sa makina sa harap.

Nahirapan nga lang akong hilahin ang handle kaya napasimangot ako. It was hard to pull like it was stuck or something.

"Hey.. do you need help?" the body builder asked. Now he's even hovering beside me.

I rolled my eyes. I don't want to judge too soon but situations like this are just too familiar and I prefer staying out of it as much as I can.

"No." I firmly said in a controlled tone.

He didn't budge away. He even went near the chain instead.

"But it looks like you're having trouble-" his uncalled-for proximity is already bothering me so I cut him off with the most convenient excuse I can think of.

"You see.." I started. "I'm actually with someone so I don't need your help."

I even glanced at Ace for the body-builder to get the point.

The latter's mouth gradually formed a circle as he nodded.

"Oh.. I didn't know you're with your boyfriend." aniya at bumaling nang maayos kay Ace. "I'm sorry, dude." he courteously said.

Ngumiti pa siya bago nagpaalam papaalis.

Nagparte ang labi ko sa bilis ng pagtanggap niya sa pagtanggi ko dahil sa palusot na ginamit ko. Ilang beses akong humindi sa kanya kanina ngunit hindi siya nakinig. Pero nang malaman niyang may kasama akong lalaki ay tila saka lang niya naisip sumunod.

I shook my head in dismay. Saglit na binalingan  ko si Ace.

"Sorry about that.." I said before returning my gaze in front of me.

My forehead was still slightly knotted because of what happened. I sighed in irritation.

"I already said 'no' to that guy repeatedly but he never stopped disturbing me until I used the strongest card I know. I hate how it takes a man for other men to respect a woman. They wouldn't stop harassing unless they find out that the girl has a boyfriend. It's because they will respect a man they don't know before they respect the woman in front of them and it sucks."

It's infuriating. My insides couldn't get over the thought. I f*****g despise the fact that men wouldn't give respect to a girl 'alone'. Literally and figuratively. 

So ano? Kapag single wala nang karapatang respetuhin? Igagalang lang kapag may syota? Kasi sa mga kapwa lang nila lalaki mataas ang tingin nila? Ganyan talaga kababa ang tingin nila sa mga babae? Nakakagalit. Sobrang nakakagalit.

Nakabusangot pa ako nang maligaw ang tingin ko kay Ace.

My lips slowly parted when I caught him staring profoundly at me. Unti-unting nabura ang pagkakakunot ng noo ko. Sa postura niya ay tila kanina pa siya nakatingin. Tila nakalimutan ko kung paano huminga dahil sa lalim at bigat ng mga titig niya.

I mentally gasped when he stood up. My mouth turned agape when he positioned himself right beside me. Mababa ang upuan ko at matangkad siya kaya't ngayong nakatayo siya nang ganito sa harap ko ay halos nakalebel na ako sa... gitna niya.

"W-what are you doing?" I asked almost out of breathe.

Ni hindi ko maiangat ang tingin sa mukha niya dahil tila napako na iyon sa nasa harap ko.

I heard his stable breathing.

"You said that you're with me.." he started without looking at me. "Then.. I'll have to fix this," he said in a monotone before turning to the damper to check the glitch on the machine.

Shit. I'm one thirsty hoe.