Montepalma Series 3: A Paradise Between Our Distance

Chapter 5

"Your second assignment would be…" Vivian trailed off. She was giving me an amused smirk. "You are now gonna be his student. Specifically, to his subject."

I am still silent. Dalawang araw na lumipas bago magbigay ng pangalawang assignment na gagawin namin ni Hansen. Hanggang ngayon hindi ko pa tinuturuan si Hansen ng combat fighting.

"We already prepared your papers and paid for your first semester. All you need to do is to seduce him in the university and know his deep secret," Dos explained. Nilapag niya iyong papeles ko. "There is a rumor that he is using his power to get all the money from the university. That will be your third assignment."

Hansen cleared his throat. "What is my role, then?"

"Your role is to save her if something happens," si Vivian habang nakangisi. "And also, it's your task to do the third assignment."

"How can I pretend to be a student there if my surname is known in this country?" Hansen asked.

Vivian smiles cheekily. "That's a great question! Of course… We prepared your fake identity. Your name is still Hansen but a different surname."

The Montepalma are known as the most private family around the world. We don't know their deepest secrets or whatsoever. Which is why it's easy for them to fake his identity. Nilapag din ni Vivian ang uniporme naming dalawa. Napabuntong hininga ako. Naalala ko na hindi pa pala ako nakapag tapos ng pag-aaral.

"Are you both ready?" ani Vivian.

I rolled my eyes. "Nope."

"Oh… so sad. Ikaw pa naman magpapayaman sa amin, Ivory."

Whatever. Napansin ko rin na wala si Uno rito sa armory. Siguro pinagbabawalan na naman siya na kausapin ako o lapitan. Matagal na iyon pinapagalitan ni Vivain dahil lang may gusto ito sa akin.

Yes, Uno likes me. I am not sure if he still likes me but Uno confessed his feelings years ago.

Another flow of memories is beginning to dance in my mind.

"Ivory!"

Hindi ko siya nililingon habang yakap-yakap ko ang mga libro ko. Naglalakad ako paalis na ng unibersidad kasi nanghiram ako ng libro sa library para sa homework ko sa Science. Naiinis ako kasi masyado akong mahina sa subject na iyon.

At si Uno naman masyadong makulit dahil desidido siyang tulungan ako sa homeworks ko. Syempre ayaw ko. Nahihirapan man ako pero hindi ko kaya lunukin ang pride ko para magpa tulong sa kaniya.

"Ivory! Wait for me!"

I scowled. "Leave me alone, Uno. You have a class."

Hinablot niya ang braso ko kaya napatigil ako sa paglalakad. Baka kasi pagalitan ako ni Papa kapag nalaman niya nagpapatulong ako ng assignments sa amo ni Papa.

"Why are you avoiding me, huh?" he asked.

"I am just busy!" I replied, annoyed. "Mauuna na ako. May assignment na naman ako."

"Let me help you!"

"Huwag na. Anak ka ni Raphael!"

His forehead creased with my ridiculous remark. "So what if I am the son of Raphael? As far as I remember, I am allowed to be close with somebody, especially to you."

"Basta! Just leave me alone, Uno!" I hissed. Tinanggal ko ang kamay niya na nakahawak sa braso ko. "I can answer my assignments without your help. Thanks but no thanks."

"I've heard from your father that you got D minus."

I shut my eyes in embarrassment. Doon ko na siya tinalikuran kasi naagaw na namin ang atensyon ng iba. Sinasabayan niya ang lakad ko habang yakap-yakap nang mahigpit ang dalawang makakapal na libro sa dibdib ko.

Tama nga si Uno na bagsak ako. Kailangan ko bumawi sa special assignments na binigay sa akin ng professor ko. Lalo na mga quizzes ko at ang exam scores ko ay ang baba. Kaya kailangan ko talaga mag-aral ngayon.

"Let me carry those books, Ivory," Uno offered. Mabilis niya kinuha ang mabibigat na libro sa akin. "It is heavy…"

I snorted. "Why are you even consistent in helping me? Naawa ka lang ba sa akin?"

"No…" Nakakunot ang noo niya. "Gusto lang talaga kita tulungan."

"Ayaw ko magpatulong sa'yo. Kaya akin na iyang mga libro!"

Akmang kukunin ko sa kaniya iyong mga libro nang i-angat niya iyon. He is so tall. I am 5'5 then his height is 6. Goddamn it.

"Let me help you, please?" he pleaded.

"Kapag nalaman ni Vivian na umabsent ka dahil sa akin ay ako ang pag-iinitan nun!"

"Hindi ko hahayaan na saktan niya."

I scoffed. "Just give me those freaking books, Uno!"

"No. I will only give these to you if you let me help you," he said with finality.

"Crush mo ba ako, ha?" I replied.

The corner of his lips rose in amusement. "I like you, Ivory. So… let me help you."

My cheeks burned profusely. I swallowed the lump in my throat while my heart was racing crazily. Iniwas ko ang tingin sa kaniya. Hindi ko man lang pinaghandaan ang pag-aamin niya.

Nakakainis.

"So…" he trailed off playfully. "Are you gonna let me help you or not?"

Mabilis ko iniling ang ulo ko. Medyo naiinis ako sa sarili ko dahil bumabalik ang memorya ko kasama si Uno. Sana hindi ko ulit maalala mga nakaraan, kung saan nasaktan ang pagkatao ko ng husto.

"You may go back to the dungeon," Vivian declared.

To my surprised, Hansen grabbed my hand then we both went out from the armory room. Siguro para hindi na magkulay pula ang bracelet namin dalawa. Pero napapansin ko kahit naglalakad na kami pabalik sa dungeon ay hawak niya pa rin ang kamay ko.

"Bitawan mo na ang kamay ko. Masyado ka na nasisiyahan…" I teased.

Mukhang narealize na rin na kanina pa kami magkahawak kamay. Ngumisi ako sa kaniya kahit ba malalim ang iniisip ko kanina.

"You are preoccupied a while ago. Kaya hinatak na kita."

My mouth formed 'O'. "Thank you."

"Kailangan mo na ako turuan ngayon. I'm serious. If you want to escape with me, help me to fight."

I heaved a heavy breath. "Looks like I don't have a choice."

Napanguso ako. His brooding eyes glimpsed at me whenever I am not looking in his direction. When we entered our dungeon, I immediately made a first attack to test him. Looks like he was shocked so I easily pinned him down on the ground.

"First thing first, be aware of your surroundings," I started. "Not necessarily means we are partners, I am not capable of killing you under my mercy. Be more alert with your environment. Use your senses."

"Damn it, woman!"

I heard him grunted. Humalakhak ako at tumayo na. Mukhang palya na siya kapag may nang atake sa kaniya. Baka ako pa ang sumagip sa kaniya kapag nasa peligro na kaming dalawa.

I crossed my arms. "Stand up, Hansen. I am now teaching you to fight."

He exhaled a sharp breath before he stood up from the ground. He is giving me his dark look with a hint of annoyance flickered through his eyes. His hand reached to the hem of his t-shirt and in one swift move, he removed it right in front of me. Showing his tight ripped body.

"Alright. You caught me off guard," he said.

"Why are you removing your shirt? Is it necessary?" I replied, exasperatedly.

He smirked. "If you are a good fighter, you will not get distracted with my body."

I rolled my eyes. I positioned myself in front of him. I hold my hands at the back to see his stance.

"Punch me," I urged.

Kumunot noo niya. "What?"

"I said punch me, Montepalma!"

Halatang ayaw niya gawin ang sinasabi ko. Paano kung may kalaban siyang babae? Hindi niya na ito lalabanan? Magandang example riyan ay pwede namin makalaban si Vivian kung sakali na makakatakas kaming dalawa. Nakita ko na umiling siya sa akin.

"You're a coward."

Ngumisi ako. Ito ang unang paraan para ma-trigger ang isang tao na saktan ka. It is to make them get offended. Alam kong maiksi rin naman ang pasensya niya katulad ng pinsan niya kaya hindi malabong gano'n din siya. Nakataas ang nuo ko habang sinusubukan siyang magalit.

"You're weak," I added. I saw how his expression changed in a split of seconds. "You are nothing like your cousins. You don't deserve their surnames and their powers."

He clenched his jaw. "I deserved to be a Montepa—"

"No, you don't. You're weak and cowardly," I interjected. I tilted my head to examine his emotions. "You're such a shame because you don't even know how to defend yourself."

"I know how to defend mys—"

"Prove me wrong, Hansen. Prove it to me."

He shook his head. I let out a laugh that could trigger him even more. Gusto kong magalit siya. I want him to punch me.

My lips twitched. "See? You're a coward."

"I can't punch a woman!"

"We'll die if we don't. We are not talking about hurting a woman here, Hansen. We are talking about defending ourselves against our enemies. A woman can easily kill you if that is your mindset," I explained calmly. "Prove to me that you are not weak."

His eyes are still staring at me intently. His stares can make a hole to my soul because it was so intense and a hint of anger. The edge of my lips lifted up even further. I need to provoke this man to help himself.

I raised my forehead confidently. "Punch me, Montepalma."

"I'd rather kiss you than punch you, Ivory."

My eyes grew bigger with his words. What the hell was that?!

He licked his lips. "But if my partner insists… fine."

Without a warning, he threw a fist at me. Since my father taught me to block their attack, I immediately blocked his first attack then I launched a strong punch to his left arm.

"You're too slow, Hansen."

Humakbang siya palapit sa akin kaya natunaw ang ngisi sa labi ko. Bigla ako napasandal sa pader. Ito na naman kaming dalawa, sobrang lapit sa isa't-isa.

"Hmm… looks like you prefer fast than slow," he whispered erotically. Iniwas ko tingin sa kaniya. "Your heartbeat is not normal, may I know why?"

I narrowed my eyes. "Lumayo ka sa akin."

"Nah… hindi ako pwede lumayo sa'yo. We are tied together, right?"

"It doesn't mean we have to be this close always!"

Both of my hands landed on his chiseled chest to push him away from me. I exerted all my effort to escape from his embrace. Where his biceps are too hard while locking me between his arms.

"Hindi mo ba gusto na ganito tayo kalapit?" his voice is deep and husky. "Are you nervous because I am this close to you, Ivory?"

I shut my eyes. "I swear to God, I'll use my energy to pin you down again."

"I will not let you do that again."

With his strong arms, he pulled me near our bed then pinned me down on the soft mattress. Tumalbog pa nga ako sabay patong niya sa ibabaw ko. Nanghihina ako ngayon. Bakit ba ganito si Hansen!

"Who's weak now?" he taunted.

Syempre ikaw! Dapat sisipain ko siya nang hawakan niya ang binti ko at diniinan iyon sa kama para hindi ako makatakas. Grabe rin pala ang lalaki na ito ha!

I groaned. "Let me go, Hansen!"

He lowered his face. I could feel how hot his breath was fanning against my skin. His musk and mint scent is lingering in my nostrils. And his hawk eyes are watching me closely so his prey would not even escape from his embrace. Nakatukod pa rin ang dalawang kamay niya kahit nasa kama kami.

"You think so low of me, huh?" he muttered. My eyes drifted on his luscious lips. "You can pin me down on the ground for a fight, but you will never win against me in bed. I'm good at it."

My eyes look at him into slits. Now I understand why his flings are so obsessed with him. How he sounds so disappointed when I am not trying to hover at him for a lust. He is just challenged because his charisma won't work for me.

"Kung hindi lang kita kailangan, pinatay na kita ngayon para makatakas ako," I hissed.

Actually, I can kill him so I could carry his bracelet with me and I can run away free from this shithole place. But I know that Vivian will do anything to chase me down.

Good thing he is a Montepalma. He is a good catch for escaping.

He grinned. "Good thing you are different. I might f**k you senselessly before we do our mission."

Manwhore.

I really hate it when men think highly about themselves. They think they could own the world. They think women love to be with them, there are still women that don't like Hansen. Kung iba ay nagugustuhan sila dahil sa title at pera, ako hindi. I prefer consistency and effort.

"Ano na? Buong araw ka na lang ba sa ibabaw ko?" I beamed.

He bit his lower lip. "You look beautiful at the bottom."

Nag-init ang pisnge ko dahil sa sinabi niya. Ngayon ko lang na realize kung gaano kabastos ang sinabi niya. Mabilis ko siya tinulak patayo sa akin. Gusto ko maligo para maalis ang germs ng isang babaero! Nakakadiri ang sinabi niya!

I stomped my feet before marching to the bathroom. Might as well sleep in a bathtub. I'd rather sleep in a bathroom than sleep with him in bed.

Baka kung ano ba ang mangyari sa amin dalawa!