Betrothed To Damon

Chapter 17

I was submerged by a combination of shock and a dizzying sensation. His fingers dug into my hair. In response, I raised my own hands. I couldn’t believe I was touching his chest and neck—weaving my hands behind his head to draw him closer. Cold chills sizzled against my body. It was still morning and we were doing nasty things here, so I couldn’t help but feel hot.

He kissed me breathtakingly as he started to undo my sleeves and toss them away. I found his shirt a hindrance to what we started to do. I started to hold its hem without breaking our kisses and helped him take his shirt off his body. The next thing I knew, we were both naked while sharing hot kisses. Bumaba ang labi niya sa leeg ko at nilapatan ako ng mainit na halik. It was too sensual and sexy. He bit my skin a little and swirled his tongue on it expertly while his hand found my left mound and massaged it.

“Oh!” I gasped when his mouth found my breast. I slid my fingers through his hair, feeling its softness on my fingers before I gripped it tighter. He suckled my n*****s until we were wet, stiff, and sensitive.

“I like the way your eyes glaze when I touch, lick, and kiss you. I like the way your delicate skin tastes and I like how your breast feels in my mouth,” he said. He then dropped his hand on one n****e and thumbed it in a lazy motion, making my thighs clench together. His lips caressed me, sipping and stroking as if I were a tender bud about to bloom. I was so swollen that I thought I was going to burst. I could barely breathe.

“Give it to me again, Katherine,” he coaxed. His voice was low. He touched me again. His tongue was tenderly persistent. His mouth was ruthlessly pleasure-giving. My blood rushed through my veins like it was propelled by a jet engine. My body arched, yelling his name. My entire body convulsed into an internal and external chain of spasms. One thing came to an end, and the next thing began.

When I wrapped my small but capable hand around him and stroked, he let out his breath in a long, uneven hiss. My thumb rubbed the tip, spreading a drop of his arousal and causing more. Just as he opened his mouth to tell me to stop, I gave him a kiss so erotic there wasn’t a rating for it. I slid my velvety tongue in and out of his mouth while I milked his throbbing shaft with my hand.

I see. It was too much for him. He couldn’t stop cursing and moaning. Right before he came, he held my hand away from his. His eyes got darker as he carried me through the bed. He laid me down and hooked his arms under my legs, pulling me off the edge of the bed, before he positioned himself between my thighs. I saw how his eyes glimmered. I could feel the admiration in his eyes while he was eyeing me, and it boosted my confidence.

Hindi ko maiwasang hindi umasa sa klase ng titig na binibigay niya sa akin. It was like I could see the reflection of the world in his eyes. It was like he was staring at the world right now.

“W-what?” I flushed.

“You’re beautiful. Your body screams perfection, and I can’t believe it’s all mine. Whether you like it or not, I will be the only man who can have you, touch you, and kiss you like this. I will be your first and last—dead or alive. Whoever dares to touch what is mine, I’ll promise I’ll be the one to dig his grave fifty feet under the ground and bury him there.” His eyes were as dark as his voice, but those words made my heart beat fast. I actually liked it.

He bent down, lowering his body to reach for my lips as he did his first thrust. I gasped and groaned when I felt a small pain.

“Ako rin ba?” I asked against his lips nervously.

He looked at me, still not moving. “What?”

“Ako rin ba? Akin ka lang ba? Hindi ka na ba hahanap ng babae na ikakama? Wala na bang ibang magmamay-ari sa ’yo? Wala na bang hahawak at magpapaligaya sa ’yo?” Naramdaman kong nangilid ang mga luha ko nang itinanong iyon. Nanatili kaming nakatitig sa isa’t isa. He gave me a kiss on my nose and lowered his face to kiss and lick my ear.

“I’m all yours. I promise you that,” he answered, before he started to move above me. We shouted each other’s name in ecstasy.

Napamulat ako nang makaramdam ng pangangalay. That’s when I felt an arm wrapped around my body too tight as if I would run away or something. My heart started to pound inside my chest. I could smell Damon’s manly scent. Naramdaman ko ang init ng hubad niyang katawan. It’s kind of comforting.

“Damon?” I woke him up. Hindi siya agad nagising, ngunit ilang segundo lang ay unti-unti na rin niyang minulat ang mga mata. His eyes settled on me for seconds. Magkasalubong ang kilay niya na nakatitig sa akin hanggang sa nawala iyon at bumalik sa pagiging blanko.

“Are you hungry? You didn’t eat breakfast, right?” tanong niya. Iba kasi ang agahan natin.

“Hmm.” Tumango ako, and he just lifted his body off the bed. He took his shirt to put it on again. Napaiwas ako ng tingin nang magsimula siyang suotin ang boxer at pantalon. He took his sleeves na sinuot ko kanina. Kinuha niya na rin ang bra, panty, at shorts ko na nagkalat sa sahig saka iyon inabot sa akin.

“Stay here, I’ll get you breakfast,” saad niya.

Tulala akong nagbihis at inayos ang sarili. Hinintay ko na bumalik si Damon. I waited for minutes, hanggang sa ang minuto ay naging oras. Kumunot ang noo ko dala ng inip, kaya lumabas ako para tingnan kung bakit hindi na ito nakabalik. Pumasok ako ng kusina only to see Manang Josie and Ate Tess preparing a set of breakfast.

“Nasaan po si Damon?” malumanay na tanong ko na pareho nilang kinaharap sa akin.

“Ay, naku! Nagmamadaling umalis si Master. Sasabihin ko pa lang sana sa ’yo, Miss, paghatid ko nitong breakfast mo, e,” sagot ni Manang Josie.

“Saan daw po pupunta?” tanong ko pa.

“Wala sa aming nabanggit pero mukha kasing emergency. May tumawag kasi sa kaniya,” sagot ni Ate Tess.

May lumukob na inis sa dibdib ko. Umasa kasi ako na babalik siya, but he didn’t. I should understand him, right? Nakakainis lang kasi. Umasa talaga ako.

Tahimik akong naupo sa mesa na nandoon sa kusina kaya napatingin sila sa akin nang may pagtataka. Now, how should I tell them?

“Alam mo, may kamukha ka—Sorry po, Miss! Sorry po!” Biglang pag-sorry ni Ate Tess na tila may na-realize.

“Okay lang, Ate. You can talk to me as casual as you can. Mas gusto ko ’yon.”

“Hala, talaga?”

“Hmm, and please drop the ‘po’. I should be the one to use that.”

“Sana ikasal na kayo ni Master. Hinding-hindi ako magsasawang magtrabaho rito sa mansion kung katulad mo ang isa sa mga magiging amo ko,” sambit ni Ate Tess. Ngumiti naman ako sa kanilang dalawa ni Manang Josie.

***

Pagkatapos kong kumain ay nagpasiya akong bumalik sa kuwarto ni Damon para magpalit ng puting dress. May plano akong umalis saglit. Kakatapak ko pa lang sa labas ng mansion ay humarang na sa akin si Kuya Rommel.

“Miss Katherine, mahigpit pong ibinilin ni Master na huwag kayong hayaang umalis habang wala siya.”

Pinigilan kong mag-angat ng kilay sa kaniya. “Sandali lang ako. I will just visit a friend. Babalik din ako.”

“Ako po ang malalagot kay Master, Miss.” Napamasahe ito sa batok at nakita kong bumakas ang takot sa mga mata niya. Parang gusto na niyang magmakaawa sa akin.

“Promise, madali lang ako. Marunong naman akong tumupad sa salita ko unlike your boss.” Lalampasan ko na sana ito nang muli niya akong hinarangan na kinabagsak ng balikat ko. Mayroon na rin kasing mga tauhan ni Damon ang nakaharang sa kotse.

“Miss Katherine, hindi po talaga puwede.”

“Then call him! Call Damon at ako mismo ang magpapaalam sa kaniya.”

Namutla si Kuya Rommel habang ang ilang tauhan naman ni Damon ay nagkatinginan.

“M-Miss?”

“Call him. Ako ang kakausap sa kaniya.”

“P-pero Miss—”

“Call him!” naiinis nang utos ko.

Wala itong nagawa kung hindi ilabas ang kaniyang phone. Nanginig pa ang kamay niyang nagtipa para tawagan si Damon. Ilang ring lang ay mas lalo itong namutla kaya mabilis kong inagaw ang phone niya at tinapat sa tainga ko.

“Better tell me what the f**k your reason is for calling me this time, Rommel. Make sure it’s important or I will kill you!”

Uminit ang ulo ko nang marinig ang galit na boses ni Damon, lalo na nang maalalang umalis na lang siya bigla kanina.

“It’s me, squid face.” I frowned.

Ilang segundong natahimik sa kabilang linya bago siya nagsalita ulit.

“What did you call me?”

“Squid face. You are a freaking squid face who left without telling me! f**k you!”

“Harder, Katherine. f**k me harde—”

“Mukha kang pusit! Pinaasa mo ako kanina na babalik ka, hayop ka! Huwag na huwag kang tatabi sa akin mamaya!”

Hindi ko alam kung saan ako kumuha ng lakas ng loob para ganunin si Damon. Narinig ko pa ang pagbungisngis ng tawa ng mga tauhan ni Damon. Nang tingnan ko sila ay kaagad silang nagpigil ng tawa pero umuuga pa rin ang balikat nila. Kahit si Kuya Rommel ay napatakip ng kamay sa bibig niya.

“It was emergency. I have to leave—”

“Don’t reason out! Umalis ka pa rin!”

“Okay, I know. Now, what do you want?”

Ngumisi ako. “Aalis ako saglit. Bibisitahin ko si Bonie.”

Bigla siyang natahimik sa kabilang linya.

“Damon . . .”

“Bring Rommel with you.”

“I won’t escape. Sandali lang naman ako.”

“I will let you leave if you bring Rommel with you.”

“Damon, babalik naman ako. I won’t escape! I am true to my words!”

“Bring him or you’ll stay,” mariin na sabi niya. I could hear finality in his voice. Naiinis ako sa kaniya. Handa ko na sana siyang sigawan nang may marinig akong boses ng babae. Kaagad na umakyat ang dugo sa ulo ko kaya pinatay ko ang tawag.

Marahas kong nilingon si Kuya Rommel. “Aalis ako nang hindi ka kasama o isa man sa inyo. Let me leave or hindi ko kayo patatahimikin buong araw!”

“Pero, Miss—”

“Ako na ang bahala kay Damon!” galit na sabi ko kaya wala na silang nagawa.

Galit akong nagmaneho patungo sa bahay ni Bonie. Emergency pala, a? Emergency pero may babae? f**k you, Damon! Sabi mo, hindi ka na hahanap ng ibang babae! Kasasabi mo lang kanina!

***

“Oh, buhay ka pa pala, Baks?” bungad ni Bonie nang pumasok ako sa bahay niya. Pinasadahan ko siya saglit ng tingin and she’s only wearing big plain smoky gray shirt na pinaresan niya ng putting board short. Mukhang walang balak lumabas.

“Shut up, Bonie. Wala ako sa mood.”

“Bakit? Ano’ng nangyari?”

Sinundan niya ako hanggang sa makahiga ako sa couch niya. Umupo siya sa single couch at pinag-cross ang kaniyang binti.

“Damon knew who I was, no’ng una pa lang.”

She gasped. “What? So useless ang pagpapanggap mo? Pero paano? Unless kilala ka niya?”

“Of course, he has connections. Hindi ko naman alam na . . . Argh! How did he really freaking find out? Alam niya na pupunta ako sa kaniya, na magpapanggap ako. I don’t really know how.”

Napatitig sa akin si Bonie bago napailing. “So, ano nang plano mo? Ready ako mag-book ng flight mo paalis. I will help you.”

Natigilan ako sa sinabi niya. “I can’t leave.”

“Why? Did he threaten you?”

I shook my head. “I can’t leave . . . him.”

Mas lalong nanlaki ang mga mata niya. Tiningnan niya ako na para bang ibang tao ako at hindi si Katherine Reiss na kilala niya.

“f**k! Don’t tell me . . . Oh no, Baks.”

“I’m doomed, Bonie. I know.”

Hindi pa lang kami nagtatagal ni Bonie sa pag-uusap ay may nag-doorbell na. Tumungo siya sandali sa pintuan. Naiwan naman akong nakapikit at nakahiga roon.

“I knew it. Dito kita mahahanap.”

Kaagad akong napabalikwas ng bangon.

“K-Kuya Kael?” tinitigan ko siya saglit. He looked stressed. Simpleng black bermuda short at white v-neck shirt lamang ang suot niya. His hair was styled with a side part. His ebony eyes settled on me.

“Pack your things. Uuwi ka na.”

“No!”

“Huwag makulit, Katherine, or else kakaladkarin kita pauwi!”

“No way! Hindi pa ako uuwi!”

“What? Tataguan mo na naman ulit kami? Tatakbuhan mo na naman at hindi sisiputin si Damon?”

“I am in Damon’s mansion, Kuya Kael.”

Bumakas ang gulat sa mukha niya. “What?”

Humalukipkip ako. “Yeah. Ayaw mong maniwala? Tawagan mo si Damon. Ask him.”

“Pumayag ka nang pakasalan si Damon?”

Walang pag-alinlangan akong tumango. “We talked earlier at pumayag na ako. Sa kaniya ako nakatira ngayon, so you don’t have to worry, Kuya Kael.”

He sighed. Para itong nakahinga nang maluwag sa sinabi ko.

“She’s telling the truth, Kuya Kael.”

Muntik ko nang makalimutan nandito si Bonie. Nakatulala ito sa kapatid ko na hindi siya pinansin.

“I guess I have to go. Ang paalam ko kay Damon ay babalik din ako.” Niyakap ko ang nakatatandang kapatid.

Tumango naman siya. “Take care always, Kath. You know I love you, right? You’re my only sister, and I will do everything to protect you.”

“I know, Kuya.”

***

Bumalik ako sa mansion ni Damon. Wala pa ito nang dumating ako kaya pinili kong matulog na lang muna. Nagising ako nang makarinig ng tunog ng pagbukas ng pintuan. Nang tingnan ko sa labas ay madilim na. Napahaba yata ang tulog ko at hindi rin ako nakakain ng lunch. Nang lumingon ako sa pintuan ay nakita ko roon si Damon. Nakatukod ang kamay niya sa gilid ng pintuan habang ang isa ay sapo ang bandang tagiliran niya. Kumunot ang noo ko kasi hindi siya kumikilos. What’s wrong with him?

“Damon?” Bumangon ako at nakapaang lumapit sa kaniya. “Damon, ayos ka lang?”

Hindi siya sumagot at tanging daing lang ang narinig ko, na mas kinabahala ko.

“Damon, what’s wro—” I gasped when his hand fell. Nakita kong puno iyon ng dugo. Nang hawiin ko ang suot niyang leather jacket ay roon ko nakita ang tila tama ng bala sa tagiliran niya. Patuloy na umaagos ang dugo niya mula rito.

“Damon! What the f**k?” Nanginig ang mga kamay ko na hinawakan ang balikat niya. Nakapikit siya at nakaawang ang labi. Namumutla na rin siya at halatang nahihirapan hanggang sa mapasandal siya sa akin. Dahil sa kaniyang bigat ay bahagya pa akong napaatras.

“K-Kath . . . erine.”

Nangilid ang mga luha ko at binalot ng kaba.

“D-Damon . . . Help! Ate Jess! Manang! Help, please!” My voice echoed.

“Damon . . . Damon, stay awake, okay? D-Damon . . .” I caressed his back and hugged him tightly.

Maya-maya lang ay nakarinig na ako ng mga yabag. Sunod-sunod na lumapit sina Ate Jess, Ate Miray, Manang, Kuya Rommel, at ilang tauhan ni Damon. Kaagad na kinuha ni Kuya Rommel si Damon mula sa akin habang si Ate Jess naman ay inalalayan ako. Damon’s blood stained my sleeves. Puti iyon kaya mas kitang-kita.

“I will go with them. Kayo na muna ang bahala rito, please?”

Tumango sina Ate Jess, Ate Miray, at Manang Josie sa sinabi ko. Tumakbo ako kasunod nina Kuya Rommel hanggang sa maisakay nila si Damon sa kotse.

“Miss, dito na lang muna po kayo,” sabi ng isa sa mga tauhan ni Damon.

“No! Sasama ako!”

“Pero—”

“Let her,” wika ni Kuya Rommel.

Nilingon ko siya na nasa loob ng kotse. Kaagad akong pumasok sa sasakyan at niyakap si Damon. Hindi tumitigil sa pag-agos ang mga luha ko.

“W-what happened? B-bakit siya nabaril?”

“Trinaydor kami ng ilan sa mga kasamahan namin, Miss. During the transaction, nalaman naming napapalibutan na pala si Boss. ’Yong isa naming kasamahan na kanang kamay ni Boss, hindi nakaligtas. Kahit kami, hindi namin akalain na makakaligtas si Boss. Mabuti na lang ay hindi siya masyadong napuruhan. Nagawa niyang makalaban,” paliwanag ni Kuya Rommel. “Well, he isn’t the boss for nothing.”

Para akong binuhusan ng malamig na tubig. Paano kung hindi niya nagawa? Hindi pa lang kami kasal ay patay na siya? Bullshit, Damon!