His Personal Slave

CHAPTER 5

As usual, I woke up even before the sun was up. Everyone in the household was already busy—today, the young master's parents were finally coming home. They were originally supposed to return the same day they arrived back in the country, but something urgent came up at the company that needed their immediate attention. They've been staying there for the past two weeks, and now, at last, they're coming home.

Sunday mornings are always hectic, but today feels even more intense. The moment I stepped into the kitchen, it was already alive with movement—pots clanging, knives chopping, and the thick aroma of simmering broth wrapping around everything like a blanket. Everyone seemed to know exactly what they needed to do.

"Oh, gising ka na pala, Tahlia. Ang aga mo na namang bumangon eh linggo naman ngayon."

Napatingin ako kay ate Jona na abala sa paghuhugas ng mga babasaging vase.

"Gusto ko lang sanang tumulong, ate Jo."

Ate Mila was at the counter, her sleeves rolled up as she prepared trays of fresh fruits. Liza was moving swiftly between the stove and the table, her hands busy mixing something in a large bowl. May ilan na paulit ulit na pinupunasan ang sahig, probably wanting everything to be spotless for the young master's parents. I stood at the edge of the kitchen for a moment, quietly watching them. I didn't want to be in the way, but I also didn't want to just stand there. My fingers twitched a little, restless. I looked around for something—anything—that hadn't been done yet. Maybe the glasses needed polishing. Or maybe there were still vegetables to peel.

I stepped forward, careful not to interrupt anyone. "Ate, may kailangan pa po bang gawin?" I asked softly, hoping I could be of use.

Sasagot na sana si ate Mila nang pumasok sa kusina ang nagmamadaling si nanay Rose. Dumiretso agad ang mga mata nito sa 'kin at mahinang napabuntong hininga. Hindi ko talaga maintindihan kung bakit ayaw na ayaw nila akong tumulong dito sa kusina o kahit na sa anumang mga gawain. Magaling naman ako sa mga gawaing bahay at sanay na sanay akong kumilos, kahit nga gawaing naiaatas kadalasan sa mga lalaki ay kayang kaya kung gawin.

"Magandang umaga po, nay Rose." Nakangti kong bati sa kan'ya.

"Ang aga aga mong nagising eh wala ka namang pasok, hija." Sabi ni nanay Rose habang nagtitimpla ng gatas at hindi na nga ako nagulat nang iniabot niya iyon sa akin.

"Salamat po. Narinig ko kasi na uuwi na talaga ngayon dito sa mansion ang mga magulang ng señorito kaya gusto ko sanang tumulong sa mga gawain."

Napangiti na lang ako nang muling bumuntong hininga si nanay Rose bago lumapit sa akin.

"Napakabait mo talagang bata, Tahlia. Pero alam mo naman na ang sagot ko riyan, hija, hindi ka kasambahay dito." Istrekta ang kaniyang boses.

Muli akong napangiti sana ipinulupot ang aking mga braso sa kan'ya para sa isang magaang yakap bago idinantay ang ulo sa kaniyang balikat.

"Nay, sige na po. Alam n'yo namang hindi ako mapapakali nang walang ginagawa."

It was true—I really couldn't stay still when everyone around me was busy with something. I had nothing left to do. I already did the laundry yesterday; both mine and the young master's clothes were now in the laundry room, clean and neatly folded in their baskets. I was just waiting for the sun to rise so I could sun-dry them later. Until then, I felt like my hands had no purpose—and I didn't like that feeling.

"Jona, tapos ka na ba sa mga vase?" Biglang dumating si ate Tessa. She had gloves on both hands—thick, well-worn ones stained with soil and a bit of green. In her left hand, she held a couple of bunches of freshly cut flowers, their stems still dewy. In her right, a pair of sharp secateurs gleamed under the chandelier light.

Mabilis na nagningning ang mga mata ko nang mapagtanto ang ginagawa ni ate Tessa. Alas singko na ng umaga at sumisikat na ang araw.

"Nay, tutulong na lang ako kay ate Tessa sa mga bulaklak sa labas." Masigla kong sabi.

Napabuntong hininga na lang si nanay Rose bago dumapo ang mga mata kay ate Tessa. Wala man siyang sabihin ay alam ko na kung anong ibig sabihin ng mga tingin niyang 'yan.

"Ako na ho ang bahala kay Lia, nay." Nakangiting sabi ni ate Tessa.

May mga paalala si nanay Rose at nagtawanan pa nga sila pero hindi ko na narinig dahil mabilis akong bumalik sa kwarto para makapagpalit ng damit panlabas. Pagkatapos ay kinuha ko na ang mga nilabhan ko kahapon para maisampay na sa labas saka dumiretso sa garden kung saan naghihintay sa akin si ate Tessa at ang ibang mga naka-assign doon.

"Isuot mo 'to, Lia para hindi mangati at magasgas ang mga kamay mo." Sabay abot sa akin ng gloves na mabilis ko namang sinuot.

I was given the task of removing the leaves and thorns from the flowers. It's not really hard, just repetitive. But with the amount of flowers I'm working on, it kind of started to hurt my wrist—but that's it. It's not that bad.

Even out here, everyone is busy. From where I'm sitting, I can see Sebastian walking back and forth, checking everyone's work. His steps are quick, purposeful. I could even hear his voice, clear and commanding, instructing the people he hired—telling them where to place the bonsai flowers, how to angle them, reminding them to be careful with the fragile ones.

No one's standing still. Not even for a moment.

I was enjoying my work. There was something oddly calming about trimming the leaves and thorns, something familiar. It reminded me of those days back at the orphanage. It wasn't a rich one—far from it. To be honest, that orphanage was barely surviving. If it hadn't been for the church that was funding us, we probably wouldn't have made it at all.

Manpower was always short, so even we, the kids, had to help out wherever we could. I was always all around the place, doing different tasks every day. Most of the time, I ended up doing work people thought was impossible for someone like me—because of my frail body. But I did it anyway. I had to. There was no choice but to grow up a little faster in that place.

Wala sa sarili kong pinunasan ang pawis na tumulo sa gilid ng aking pisngi. Saka ko lang din namalayan na mainit na pala ang sikat ng araw. Napatingin ako sa aking relo at napabuntong hininga nang makitang alas nueve na pala ng umaga. Mabilis akong nagpaalam kay ate Tessa at sa iba saka patakbong pumasok sa loob.

Dumiretso ako sa kwarto at kaagad na nagpunas ng pawis. Naligo naman na ako kaning umaga at kung maliligo pa ako ulit ay kulang na sa oras. Nagpalit na lang ako ng damit saka mabilis na dumiretso sa kusina.

"Mukhang masyado mo na namang in-enjoy ang trabaho mo, Lia." Nakangiting sabi ni ate Mila bago inabot sa 'kin ang tray ng pagkain. "Gisingin mo na rin at mukhang tulog pa 'yong alaga mong tigre." Humahagikhik niyang sabi na tinawanan naman ng lahat.

"Ate talaga."

"Ewan ko ba riyan kay señorito! Ang sungit sungit! Parang isang maling galaw mo lang lalamunin ka na niya ng buhay!"

"Oo nga, tanging itong si Tahlia lang naman ang nakakapagpaamo riyan."

Napailing na lang ako sa mga sinasabi nila.

I don't know where they got the idea that I'm the only one who can "tame" the Creed's feral young master. Honestly, I'm not doing anything special. I just let him be—let him do whatever he wants. He'd lash out at me sometimes, throw harsh words like knives, but I'd just let them pass through one ear and out the other. Maybe that's it. Maybe it's because I don't fight back, or maybe it's because I don't flinch when he's angry. But really, I don't think I'm taming anyone. I'm just surviving him.

"Aakyat na po ako."

"Double 'yang servings niyan para makakain ka na rin."

Saka ko lang napansin na mas marami nga ito kumpara sa madakas na hinahanda nila. Siguro ay dahil madalas akong sumalo sa pagkain ni Saint kaya in-adjust na nila.

Tahimik ang kwato niya pagkarating ko at naka-lock pa rin ito kaya malamang ay tulog pa siya. Binuksan ko naman gamit ang spare key ko.

Hindi na ako nagulat nang makitang makalat na naman ang kwarto niya dahil ganito naman lagi. Nilapag ko muna ang tray ng pagkain sa bed side table bago lumapit sa glass doors that leads to his balcony. Maingat kong hinawi ang mga malalaking kurtina para pumasok ang sinag ng araw sa loob.

Then I went back to the young master, who was now sleeping soundly on his bed. Nakadapa siya at walang damit pang itaas kaya lantad na lantad sa paningin ko ang mamasel niyang likod. Bahagyang nakalihis ang makapal na kumot na nasa kan'yang baywang kaya nakahinga ako ng maluwag nang makitang may suot naman siyang pang ibaba.

Sinimulan ko nang pagdadamputin ang mga unang nahulog sa lapag, maging ang kalahating parte ng kan'yang makapal na kumot.

Maingat akong sumampa sa kama at tinapik ang kaniyang balikat.

"Master, gising na."

I had to tap him several times before I finally heard a low groan escape his lips. He shifted slightly, his brows twitching, but he didn't really wake up—so I had to tap him again, a bit more firmly this time. Hindi ko alam kung gising na ba siya o hindi pa pero umusog siya ng bahagya palayo sa 'kin habang magkasalubong ang makakapal niyang kilay.

"Kailangan mo ng gumising." Mahina kong sabi kasabay ng bahagyang pagtapik sa kan'yang pisngi.

Muli lang siyang umungol pero hindi pa rin talaga tuluyang nagigising. I sighed heavily before scooting a bit closer. I was just about to tap lightly on his cheek when, out of nowhere, he suddenly grasped my wrist. I shrieked in surprise, completely caught off guard and before I could even process what happened, I found myself lying so close to him, trapped between his hard chest and strong arms.

I tried to wiggle free, but the more I moved, the tighter his hold on me became. Now my face was pressed against his neck, and I could feel the steady rise and fall of his breathing. I gulped. His upper body was bare and warm—no, hot. Not fever-hot, but the kind of heat that made him feel like a walking heater. It was overwhelming, and no matter how still I tried to stay, I couldn't stop my heart from racing.

Napapikit ako. Sobrang kumportable ng pakiramdam ko. Siguro dahil maaga akong nababad sa lamig kaya ang sarap ng pakiramdam ko ngayong damang dama ko ang init mula sa katawan niya. Nakagat ko na nga lang ang aking ibabang labi nang sa isang munting galaw ay dumikit ang tungki ng ilong ko sa makinis niyang leeg. I bit my lower lip a little harder when his scent tickled my nose—warm, heady, and unmistakably him. It was early in the morning, he hadn't even taken a bath yet, and still...he smelled so good. Too good.

There was something sinful about it—the mix of clean sweat, bath soap, and a deeper, musky undertone that clung to him like a second skin. It was raw, masculine, and intoxicating in a way that made my chest tighten. His scent wrapped around me, thick and slow like honey, luring me deeper into the heat of his bare body pressed against mine. Wala sa sarili akong napalunok nang lumapat ang labi ko sa kaniyang mainit na leeg.

It wasn't supposed to make me feel like this—but here I was, lips parted slightly, breath caught, heart stammering like it didn't know how to behave.

"You can lick me if you want."

My eyes widened when I heard his hoarse morning voice. The low rumble of it sent a vibration through his neck—and it felt so good against my lips, I almost forgot to breathe.

Sinubukan ko siyang itulak pero bumaba lang ang mga braso niya sa aking baywang but it was enough for me to move para makita ko ang kan'yang mukha. Nakapikit pa rin ang kan'yang mga mata at magkasalubong pa rin ang makakapal na kilay. Napanguso ako dahil sa bukas ng mukha niya ay mukha na naman siyang galit.

"Amoy araw ka. Where have you been?"

Napangiwi ako sa tanong niya at muling sinubukang kumawala pero ayaw niya naman akong bitawan.

"Sa labas lang, tumulong lang sa pag-aayos ng mga bulaklak."

His brows twitched, like he'd just heard something unpleasant, before his eyes slowly opened. A pair of sharp hazel eyes met mine—intense, unreadable—at hindi ko napigilan ang mapalunok.

"Ang pangit mo na nga sa umaga, amoy araw ka pa." Nakasimangot niyang sabi.

Bigla tuloy akong nakaramdam ng hiya. Ang aga aga pa pero amoy araw na kaaga ako. Nagpalit naman ako ng damit pero siguro'y nanuot na sa balat ko ang amoy ng pawis.

"P-pasensya na. Hindi na kasi ako nakaligo ulit kasi nagmamadali akong pumunta rito." Nahihiya kong sabi at 'di na magawang salubungin ang mga mata niya.

He didn't say anything—I just heard him sigh deeply before suddenly pulling me in. It was so abrupt that I gasped when I crashed against his hard chest. His arms and legs wrapped tightly around me, locking me in place, and I was too shocked to even say a word. He was completely trapping me against his body, and I could feel his warm breath brushing the top of my head. Tulala ako at napakurap kurap na lang.

Nararamdaman kong may kung ano siyang ginagawa sa ulo ko pero hindi ko alam kung ano ba talaga, basta ay naririnig ko lang na parang paulit ulit siyang humihinga ng malalim at nahihibang na siguro ako dahil may parte ng utak ko na sinasabing inaamoy niya ng paulit ulit ang ulo ko.

"Master?" Mahina kong tawag.

Narinig ko ulit ang pagsinghot niya bago siya sumagot, "What?"

"Inaamoy mo ba ang ulo ko?"

Naramdaman ko ang mabilis na pag atras ng ulo niya.

"W-what the hell?! O-of course not! Why would I do that eh ang baho nga ng ulo mo!" Singhal niya.

Napakurap naman ulit ako ng ilang beses. Oo nga naman, amoy araw nga naman ako kaya bakit ko ba naisip na inaamoy niya ang ulo ko?

"Kaya nga bitawan mo na ako para makaligo na 'ko ulit." Sabi ko sabay tulak ulit sa kan'ya pero hindi man lang lumuwag ang pagkakapulupot ng mga braso niya sa 'kin.

Napasinghap na nga lang ako nang dumantay ang binti niya sa 'kin at muli akong hinila kaya napasubsob na naman ang mukha ko sa dibdib niya. Once again, I found myself trapped in his tight embrace, wrapped in the familiar heat of his body. For someone who always complains that I smell like sweat, he sure doesn't seem to mind holding me this close. Napabuntong hininga na lang ako. Wala namang silbi kung magtatanong o magku-komento pa ako dahil sigurado naman bubulyawan niya lang ako ulit.

"Master, malamig na 'yong agahan mo." Sabi ko habang nakasubsob pa rin ang mukha sa kan'yang matigas na dibdib.

He didn't say anything. Minutes passed, and we stayed in that position—completely still, completely tangled. I had no complaints, even though the rough hairs on his legs were tickling my skin, and the fact that he was only wearing his tight boxers made it impossible to ignore his hard on pressed against my stomach. Mas inaalala ko pa ngayon ang agahan niyang siguradong malamig na.

Iisipin ko na ngang baka nakatulog siya ulit kung 'di lang siya umungol at bumangon. Naiwan naman akong nakahiga habang pinapanood siyang inis na ginugulo ang buhok niya.

"Go down and heat my food while I take a quick shower." He said, his voice low and clearly laced with annoyance.

Pinanood ko siyang tumayo. Napasinghap pa ako at namilog ang mga mata nang bigla niya na lang hinubad ang boxers niya at dahil nakatalikod siya ay bumungad sa akin ang matambok niyang pwet. Napalakas yata ang pagsinghap ko dahil lumingon siya sa 'kin habang nakataas ang isang kilay. Umirap lang siya sa 'kin bago naglakad papunta sa kan'yang banyo.

Napabuntong hininga na lang ako bago bumangon. Nagtaka pa sila ang makita akong dala ang tray ng pagkain na hindi man lang nabawasan. Kinailangan ko pang magpaliwanag bago mabuo ang kung ano mang maling analisation sa kanilang mga isip.

Ate Mila volunteered to heat the food, so I quickly excused myself to take a quick shower. It was fast—I'd already bathed earlier, and I just needed to rinse off the sweat. I threw on a plain white shirt and a pink cotton shorts. My hair was still dripping when I heard Ate Mila calling me, so I didn't even have time to dry it or wrap a towel around my head.

Naririnig ko pa ang lagaslas ng tubig sa banyo kaya alam kong hndi pa siya tapos. Ipinatong ko na lang ang tray ng pagkain sa higaan saka naghanda ng masusuot niya at sakto namang bumukas ang pinto. My eyes widened the moment I saw him walk out of the bathroom—completely naked. Not a single towel, not even a shred of clothing to hide anything. Just bare, unapologetic skin glistening with water droplets.

I froze, breath caught in my throat, but my eyes...they betrayed me. They moved on their own, tracing every sinful detail. I watched a single drop of water slide from his damp hair, roll down the curve of his shoulder blade, then glide smoothly across his firm chest. From there, it followed the ridges of his perfectly sculpted abs—taut, defined, every muscle catching the light like it was carved from marble.

And then lower.

To that sharp, tempting V-line that framed his hips like it was sculpted for sin. My gaze kept falling, dragged down by some wicked gravity, until I caught sight of—

I snapped my eyes away, heat rushing to my cheeks, my heart pounding so loudly I was sure he could hear it. Paulit ulit akong napalunok at mariing pumikit bago huminga ng malalim. Kumuha ako ng isa pang tuwalya at lumapit sa kan'ya. He was busy drying his hair, running the towel through the damp strands with slow, lazy movements—but I could feel his eyes on me. Watching. My brows furrowed in disbelief. He had a towel—one he was using for his hair—yet not even a single thought to use one to cover his naked body.

Walang salita kong pinunasan ang katawan niya. At napabuntong hininga na lang nang ang bagay na 'yon na ang maingat kong pinupunasan. Hanggang ngayon ay naa-amaze pa rin ako kung gaano siya ka kumportableng lumabas na wala man lang kahit isang saplot. Sabagay, sobrang perpekto ng katawan niya at kahit anong suri pa ang gawin, wala ka talagang makikitang kapintas pintas. Isa pa, maliban kina nanay Rose at Sebastian, lahat ay takot na masigawan niya kaya kapag alam nilang narito siya sa silid niya ay hindi sila basta bastang pumapasok.

Mga balikat at leeg niya naman ngayon ang pinupunasan ko. Nakita ko pa ang ilang ulit na pag alon ng buto sa makinis niyang leeg kaya nagtataka akong tumingin sa kan'yang mukha. Halos magbuhol na ang mga kilay niya at madilim ang mga mata habang umiigting ang panga. Ano na namang kinagagalit niya? Amoy pawis pa rin ba ako?

"You took a shower?" May galit sa boses niyang tanong.

"Ah, oo pero mabilisan lang. Amoy pawis pa rin ba ako?" Nakangiwi kong tanong.

Pinasadahan niya ako ng tingin at nagtagal ang mga mata niya sa bandang dibdib ko kaya pati ako ay napatingin din do'n. Napangiwi na nga lang ako nang makitang basa na ang puti kong shirt kaya halos naging see-through na ito at aninag na aninag na ang suot kong puting bra.

"S-sorry! Nagmamadali kasi ako." Sabi ko saka ibinalot a buhok ko ang ginamit kong tuwalya sa kan'ya.

"Tss!"

Nilampasan niya lang ako at saka nagsimulang isuot 'yong hinanda kong damit niya. Naupo na rin siya sa kama at nagsimulang kumain. Kinuha ko naman sa kan'ya ang tuwalya at ako na ang nagtuyo ng buhok niya.

"Bakit ang dami ng mga 'to?" Tanong niya na ang tinutuloy ay ang mga pagkain.

"Ah, hindi pa kasi ako kumakain. Tirhan mo na lang ako."

Muli na naman siyang pumalatak sabay tingin ng masama sa 'kin kaya napangiwi ulit ako.

"You really have the audacity to do s**t in the garden without even having breakfast, huh? I thought you were smart—but you're really making me think you're f*****g dumb. Do you want to be a maid that badly?"

I winced at his harsh words. If it had been anyone else on the receiving end, they'd probably storm off in tears or snap back in anger. It's the kind of tone that bruises more than just pride—it cuts deep, sharp and deliberate. But not with me. I don't know if I've just gotten too used to it—too used to the way he talks, how easily venom drips from his mouth like it's second nature, but somehow, it doesn't sting the way it should.

It's strange. Alam ko, dapat makaramdam ako ng hiya at ng pagka-insulto. But instead, a dull weight settled in my chest, not from his words...but from the nagging thought that maybe he was right. That maybe I really did something wrong.

I didn't feel angry. I didn't feel the need to defend myself. If anything, I felt small, like a child caught doing something foolish. It wasn't guilt he forced on me—it was this quiet, subtle shame that crept in all on its own. Like it wasn't him who offended me, but me who somehow offended him. Like I was the one who owed him an apology.

Napasinghap ako nang bigla niya na lang akong hinila kaya bumagsak ako sa kandungan niya. Pumulupot kaagad ang isa niyang braso sa aking baywang habang ang isa ay mariing humawak sa aking baba. Inangat niya ang aking mukha kaya nagsalubong ang mga mata namin.

"Do you know what I hate so much, Tahlia?" Mariin niyang tanong habang palipat lipat ang tingin sa mga mata ko. "It's when my personal slave doesn't listen to my commands."

Napalunok ako. Halos mabingi na rin sa lakas ng kabog ng dibdib ko.

"S-sorry, Master."

His jaw clenched, the muscles tightening with restrained fury, and I could still see the raging fire in his eyes. There was something about the way he looked in that moment, like a storm barely held back, all power and control teetering on the edge.

It should've terrified me.

But it didn't.

Instead, it pulled me in. The sharp lines of his face, the way his chest rose and fell with barely controlled breaths, the raw dominance in his gaze—it was all too much and not enough at the same time. Dangerous, yes. But there was something darkly alluring about it. Like standing too close to a fire you know will burn you...but not wanting to step away.

Umangat ang kamay ko at wala sa sariling humaplos sa panga niya.

"I just wanted to help everyone earlier...and maybe it was also because I was excited, knowing your parents are coming home. You know I don't like sitting around doing nothing—it makes me feel useless. Pero pramis, master, kakain na ako next time bago gumawa ng kahit ano."

Muling tumalim ang mga tingin niya sa 'kin saka hinuli ang aking kamay sa baba niya.

"Who told you you're useless? You're serving me, woman." His voice was firm, almost possessive, like the weight of his words alone should've been enough to make me understand my place.

Napanguso ako sabay iwas ng tingin. Narinig ko naman ang pagbuntog hininga niya.

"Let's just eat."

Akmang aalis na ako sa kandungan niya nang humigpit ang pagkakapulot ng braso niya sa 'kin.

"Just keep drying my hair." Sabi niya habang abala na sa pagkain. "I'll feed us."

At hinahayaan ko na nga siya sa gusto niya. Sinusubuan niya ako pagkatapos ang sarili naman ang susubuan at kahit no'ng tapos na akong tuyuin ang buhok niya ay ayaw niya pa rin akong pakawalan kaya hinayaan ko na lang talaga.

Umiinom siya ng tubig nang tumunog ang cellphone niyang nasa bedside table. Ako na ang kumuha dahil mukhang wala naman siyang pakialam kahit nakailang tunog na ito. May limang missed calls mula sa number na naka-save sa pangalang Erika. Walang pass code ang phone niya kaya madali kong nabuksan at dumiretso sa messages.

Erika: You canceled our date the other day, and it's already been three days since we last saw each other...I've missed you so much, Saint.

Napatingin ako sa kan'ya na seryosong nakatingin sa 'kin.

"Si Erika."

His brows furrowed even more before he exhaled sharply, then silently gestured for me to come to him. Dala ang phone ay lumapit ako sa kan'ya. Mabilis niya akong hinila kaya muli akong bumagsak paupo sa kandungan niya. Kinuha niya sa kamay ko ang phone niya at akala ko ay magri-reply siya sa babae pero basta niya na lang itong hinagis sa likod niya. Tumalbog ang phone sa kama bago pumailalim sa kan'yang unan.

"Hindi ka man lang ba magri-reply?"

Tinaasan niya ako ng kilay saka inayos ang pagkakaupo ko sa kandungan niya.

"I'm not in the mood for her."

"Pero—"

"Shut up. Let's just watch something."

Hindi na lang ako umangal pa at sumandal na lang sa katawan niya. Dinampot niya anf remote at binuhay ang TV. Noong una ay hindi ko pa maintindihan ang palabas. Basta ay nasa isang kwarto ang babae at lalaki hanggang sa unti unting namilog ang mga mata ko nang mapagtanto kung ano ang gusto niyang panoorin namin.

His Personal Slave

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