The Billionaire's Sin

C15

Wala sa sariling pinanuod ko ang pagbaligtad ni Kraige sa hourglass na naka-display sa gilid ng medyo malawak at parisukat niyang working table rito sa study. When he cleared his throat that garnered my full atention, his position has changed already for both of his elbow are on the edge of the table and his corded vein hands are overlapping.

He look at me earnestly. "I don't have something that's on your level, Esquivar dela Torre. I'm sure you'll find these job facile—easily accomplish mission are not your thing, if my memory serves me right." Kraige Artazer mark a prudent arc on his lips.

I stopped playing with my ring and redeemed my proper posture. "Bakit ba atat ka nang gumawa ng bagong misyon? Akala ko ba tutukan mo yung mga training ngayon? Mayroon bang problema, dela Torre?"

"No, Sire." I shook my head. Kraige flashed a warm smile, something that's fatherly. "Then stay here for a while and train our newly-acquired pawns to become the best Knight, like your promise, dela Torre." Iniangat ni Kraige ang kanang kamay at ginalaw 'yon nang kaonti para iparating sa 'kin na gusto niya na 'kong umalis.

I stood up from his leather chair and was about to rose on my feet when I remembered something. Nang binalikan ko 'to nang tingin ay muli niyang inalis ang mga mata sa screen ng laptap. "Mmm?"

"I suggest you keep an eye to your young wife, Sire. I'm saying this as your friend and Ryu's," I said. With a pursing lip, he once move his head. Ginawa ko ang kaparehong bagay saka 'to tuluyang tinalikuran at nagsimula nang tahakin ang daan palabas ng study.

As I walk pass by the main house's hallway, my eyes shifted to my wrist watch to do a time check. "12:11 am," I murmured. Sinarado ko ang aking palad saka tuluyang binaba ang aking kamay at patakbong tumungo sa extension ng main house kung nasaan ang aking kuwarto. Ang mabibilis kong paghakbang ay mas lalo ko pang dinoble nang makita ko kung sino ang nag-aabang sa 'kin sa may pinto.

Nang nasa dalawa o tatlong hakbang na lang ang layo ko sa pinto at kay Kylué ay lumingon 'to sa 'king direksyon. Nagtama ang aming mga mata at kasabay nang pag-ayos niya nang tayo ay ang pagngiti nitong matagal ko ring ginustong makita pero ngayon, kinabubwisitan ko na lang. Kahit na ayaw kong lumapit sa kaniya, wala akong ibang choice kung hindi 'yon dahil hindi ko rin naman gugustuhing magpalipas ng magdamag dito sa 'king kinatatayuan.

"Ivar—"

"It's gotta be Sire, Mr. Cruorem. Matter of fact, my rank is way higher than your. Move away," I reprimand but he stood still and base on the way he stood firmly against the door. I don't think he'll do as I say.

Nang tumingin si Kylué sa bulsa ng hoodie na suot niya ay saka ko lang din napansin na nandoon pala iyong kuting. What's its name again?

"Daddy's mad at me for real," anitong ikinangiwi ko na lamang. Seriously though? Who the hell would talk to a cat as if it's a thinking-living thing?

Hahawakan ko na sana si Kylué sa balikat para tabigin kaya lang ay bigla 'tong nag-angat ng ulo. Our eyes collided and the sparkle and innocence on his eyes made me froze. I missed seeing those.

"H-Hindi mo ba 'ko narinig?"

"Sasapakin mo ba 'ko kung hindi ako tatabi?" Kylué asked with his soft voice. Mindlessly, I swallowed a lump on his throat as my eyes kept coming back to his face as if I'm trying to familiarize myself with his beguiling almond eyes, freckles and plumpy heart-shaped lips.

"I seriously wouldn't mind if you just grab my face and kiss me hungrily, Sire." Siguradong-sigurado ako na sinadyang bigyan diin ni Kylué ang salitang Sire na nasa dulo nang pang-bubwisit niya sa 'kin.

I shook my head and while I still can, I grab his shoulder and push him away from the door. "I'm sorry," anito. Natigilan ako sa paglalagay ng susi sa pinto para mabuksan 'to dahil sa narinig.

"I didn't mean to make you feel whatever it is that you feel during those days that I'm not around." I turned to him harshly, triggered at his choices of word.

"Those days? Kylué you went missing for six weeks right after we f**k, after you told me that... just leave, be gone again, don't you ever show yourself to me—"

"Oh baby, I missed you too."

"Gago!" Nanlalaki ang mga matang hiyaw ko rito bago tuluyang binuksan ang pinto at pumasok na sa loob. Malalim na lang akong napabuntong-hininga habang inilalagay ko ang susi sa ibabaw ng maliit na mesang malapit sa pintuan.

"I'm here," he said from the other side of the door. "You can talk to me or not talk to me and I'll just stay, Ivar." The drastic beating of my heart made me clutched on my chest. It's as if I'm trying to keep my heart from breaking my ribcage, stopping it to suddenly run away from me.

"I think you should know too that I'm three times sure of you now and well, I told Mom about you." I heard him chuckled. "Hindi naman siya nagparamdam kaya sa tingin ko'y ayos lang sa kaniya na mayroong tayo."

Dali-daling tumayo si Kylué mula sa kaniyang kinauupuan at humarap sa 'kin nang unti-unti kong binuksan ang pinto. Napangisi na lang din ako nang magkatinginan pa muna kaming dalawa bago kami pumasok sa loob. The silence that follows Kylué and us as we got on the small living area of my room gave me comfort. It's far from the silence that kills me every night for the past weeks.

Everything's just better and fine when he's around and I couldn't think of any reason why it's possible.

"Can he?" panghihingi niya ng permiso bago ilapag sa upuan ang kuting na dala-dala. "Behave, Prii. No scratching on your Dad's leather couch," sabi ni Kylué sa kuting na para bang naiintindihan siya nito at susundin.

"Siraulo," I whispered and he looks to me. "And please, I am not his Daddy," I added.

"Then mine?" he bounced back mischievously.

"Ang kalat mo, Mr. Cruorem."

"As if you don't like messy, Mr. dela Torre." Kylue then inch our distance by taking small steps with his arms wide open. "I miss you," nanlalambing niyang saad na sinimangutan ko lang kahit na ang totoo'y gusto ko ring bitawan ang kaparehong mga salita.

"Come on, a warm hug will make everything alright, Ivar." Right after he finished his sentence, he hugged me, tightly that it made me close my eyes. "Wait, is that?" kumalas si Kylué sa pagkakayakap sa 'kin para kunin ang notebook na nasa center table at ipakita sa 'kin habang malapad at proud itong ngumingiti.

"You're doing art again?" I shook my head and it confused him. Inalis ko ang suot na pang-itaas na damit at sinabit 'to sa sandalan ng sofa bago ko siya muling binalingan. "No. Just a sketch for my tattoo. I want to have one on the back of my palm."

"Sun?" he asked again.

"Yes."

"Then should I get moon on the back of my palm too? It'll be cool, don't you think?"

"Bahala ka, Kylué."