His Sweet Desire

Chapter 3

AFTER few minutes in the air, Bella touched down in Vigan. Sakay ng private chopper ng kompanyang pinagtatrabahuhan diretso siyang dinala nito sa isang malaki at private na vacation house ng pamilya Thomas. Mula doon ay dinala naman siya ng driver papunta sa lugar kung nasaan ang magiging meeting nila at ng supplier na sinasabi ng boss niya.

"Lucas is late." The stocky half Italian middle age man sitting opposite to Bella kept tapping at his watch and sighing out loud. He said some things in Italian some of which seemed fairly bad-tempered and she nervously smiled at him. He smiled back. He ordered her coffee and some snacks for his secretary. It seemed, even though her boss was annoying the hell out of him, he actually wanted to take care of Bella.

Both he and a colleague kept looking at Bella, glancing at her long legs beneath the wood table and staring at her bare neck. It was hot in Vigan and a tight, plunging top probably hadn't been the best choice of attire. Still, it distracted them.

Now she knew why Lucas brought her there. Looks don't hurt.

When Lucas finally arrived, he stormed into the room where they were waiting, shook the guy's hand, and immediately talked about business.

Bella desperately tried her best to take notes but it got fairly heated. Eventually the half Italian guy went a shade of crimson red and, hands waving around as he spoke, seemed to be apologizing. Lucas sat down, glaring at him. Then he looked over to Bella and flashed a little smile.

Bella felt her heart beat faster for a second and she looked back down to her notepad, full of incomprehensible scribblings that she would simply have to turn it into something remotely decipherable later on.

Eventually they shook hands, embraced, and all seemed well again. Lucas put his hand on Bella's shoulder and ushered her out. "What an absolutely bizarre meeting," Bella thought.

Bella felt angry inside. Had he really brought her there just as an eye candy? Or a flower vase, because that's what she really felt, five minutes ago.

"Mr. Thomas..." she looked up at Lucas. Even in her five-inch heels, he towered above her petite frame. "Why did you bring me here? I had virtually nothing to do in that meeting. I can't even speak a word of Italian. My notes are an absolute mess. Sinasabi ko sayo ngayon palang, wala akong masyadong naisulat. I was totally useless in that meeting."

He laughed. "I don't care about that. That was just for a show. Whatever notes you've taken, scrap them."

Nangunot ang noo niya sa sinabi nito "So I'm here because---"

"Because you're gorgeous," he interrupted her. "Italians love beautiful women and Alina... well she's good at her job, but could hardly be called beautiful," honest nitong turan. Si Alina na secretary nito ay mataba at totoong hindi rin kagandahan ngunit matalino ito ayon narin sa narinig niya sa mga katrabaho niya at sa lahat ng naging secretary nito ay si Alina lang ang nagtagal. Siguro dahil sa matalino ito at walang makitang dahilan si Lucas para palitan ito o baka dahil si Alina lang ang nakakatiis sa manipulative na ugali ng boss nila.

"All the rumors were true. He is a sexist pig after all," Bella thought. Though she felt flattered. But she didn't show it while she wanted to demonstrate some degree of anger. Kahit minsan sa buhay niya ay hindi niya ginamit ang physical na kagandahan para makuha ang isang bagay na gusto niya. Lahat ng mayroon siya ay nakuha niya sa tiyaga at sipag.

"That's outrageous," she said in her best attempt at being irate. "You wouldn't treat a man like that."

"Of course I wouldn't," he laughed, ignoring her anger. "Men aren't my type. But don't see it as an insult. See it as a compliment. I didn't say Alina was bad at her job, did I? Just because I don't find a woman attractive doesn't mean I don't respect them."

Bella raised an eyebrow. "That's a pretty flimsy excuse," she said with a smirk.

"Maybe," Lucas replied with a twinkle in his eye. Mukhang natutuwa pa itong makita siyang napipikon."But you can't help being beautiful," he said with a wink.

Bella blushed. Bakit mukhang pinapaliguan siya nito ng compliment? Pero ayaw niyang ipakitang naapektohan siya sa mga pasaring nito. "You shouldn't bring people to meetings just to butter people up."

"You're absolutely right, Maria Bella. I shouldn't. But I do. Competitive advantage, remember? I wasn't even late. I was outside the building for 15 minutes, knowing that he would be looking at your legs. The tight top didn't hurt, either, so thanks for that. Come on, let's get in the car."

So ginawa siya nitong pain na parang bulati para makahuli ng malaking isda? Ganoon ba?

"Paano kung---"

"He wouldn't do that," he said, cutting her off. "As I said I was just outside, I would wreak his neck if he attempted to take advantage of you."

A driver ushered Bella into the rear of a black Alfa Romeo. Lucas got in the back of her, and she felt her throat go dry at being in such a confined space with him. Thinking about what he just said, Bella pulled her skirt down as far as she could, and she caught Lucas glancing a look at her cleavage.

"Now you're doing it too?" sikmat niya dito. E ano kung boss niya ito, wala parin itong karapatan na bastosin siya.

"Don't worry," he smiled. "I'm not about to jump on you. Maybe not just yet, anyway."

She looked at him, shocked.

"Don't look so shocked," he said, scrolling through the contacts on his phone. "You've got a great body, you're wearing sexy clothes, you have black stockings and high heels on. Show me a man who wouldn't look."

This is crazy. She is blushing like a red tomato. She brushed her shoulder-length hair behind her ears nervously.

Tama bang sumama siya sa boss niya? Baka tama si Jenny, paano kung may masama itong balak sa kanya?

Lucas leaned into her. "Does that make you feel uncomfortable?"

She swallowed hard, desperately trying to alleviate the dryness in her throat. "Yes. A little," sagot niya at bahagyang umusog kahit na ba halos isiksik na niya ang sarili niya sa may pinto ng sasakyan.

He leaned in farther, his lips close to hers. "Does this make you feel more uncomfortable?" nanadyang tanong nito na mukhang tuwang-tuwa sa nakikitang reaction ni Bella.

Tinapangan ni Bella ang sarili. "Do you want me to be?" she asked. "Is that what you enjoy? Making women squirm, Mr. Thomas?"

His face broke into a warm, beautiful smile that didn't seem to contain a hint of intimidation or malice. "You're impressive," he said. "Maybe I should be a little more honest."

He sat back in his seat. At nakahinga ng maluwag si Bella. "Honest?" she said, raising her eyebrows.

"I didn't just bring you here on business. Like I said, I think you're beautiful."

She felt herself blushing again. "Mr Thomas, I---"

"Do you have a boyfriend?" putol nito sa sasabihin niya.

Bella nodded. "Yes," diretso niyang sagot.

"Your child's father?" he asked casually.

"No," maikli niyang sagot.

"Do you live together?"

"I did not know that I would be in a hot seat, Mr. Thomas. Is that part of my job too?"

Lucas laughed. "Just trying to know my employee."

"Are you always like that to everybody?" nakataas ang isang kilay niyang tanong dito.

"No. Just to few--- and I'm interested," he said while looking at her intently.

Bella's heart beats faster. Did he just say he's interested in her? She did not know how to react---she pretended to be busy looking outside of the car window and did not hear what he just said.

"Do you like Ilocano food, Maria Bella?" he asked after a while.

"Not sure. It's my first time here actually..." she answered.

"Well then, I'm going to take you to lunch to find out..." Lucas leaned forward and spoke to the driver. Sinabi niya ang pangalan ng restaurant kung saan sila pupunta.

❤❤❤

QUARTER to twelve when they arrived at a restaurant with charming native interiors and a refreshing ambiance.

"Isn't it nice here? And their foods here are the best in Ilocos," said Lucas.

She nodded. "Yes," she replied. "This place is beautiful."

Lucas took her hand, leading her inside the restaurant. Kahit naiilang ay sinubukan niyang kumalma at nagkunwaring walang malisya ang mga ginagawa nito.

A man who seemed to be the restaurant owner approached them. "Lucas, so glad to have you back in Vigan, dude."

Lucas shook his hand. "Great to see you, Albert. How's your wife and kids?"

"They're good. My eldest just finish elementary school with flying colors " proud nitong kwento.

"Wow, congratulations!" said Lucas.

"Thank you, bruh. And who is this beautiful young woman? Your wife? I did not know you got married."

Lucas smiled and looked at Bella. "No, Albert. Not yet, but I'm working on it."

Bella blushed, thinking if her boss really meant what he just said.

"This is Maria Bella Hemenez, my assistant on this trip. Bella, meet Albert. He's the owner of this restaurant and a good friend of mine."

Nakangiting iniabot ni Albert ang kamay niya sa dalaga. "A pleasure to meet you," he said. "I hope you're not putting up with any of his bullshit," nagbibiro nitong turan.

Bella just gave a shy smile to Albert and looked up at her boss. He is smiling uncontrollably. He looks so damn gorgeous that it almost takes Bella's breath away. Was this the man everybody had claimed was such an insufferable prick? Such an absolute bastard with so little regard for people's feelings? If that was the case, she wasn't sure what was going on. He is either playing her for a fool, an amazing actor, or everybody has been mistaken. Either way, at this stage at least, she is willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.

Inihatid sila ni Albert papunta sa mesa na nakareserve para sa kanila. Isa iyon sa mga native na kubo sa may parteng hardin ng restaurant. Pagkatapos ng ilang minutong paghihintay ay sinerve narin ang mga pagkain nila na advance nang pinahanda ni Lucas para sa pagdating nila.

"Tayong dalawa lang ang kakain ng lahat ng ito at magkakamay tayo?" tanong ni Bella ng matapos na ang dalawang waiter sa pagserve at pag-set-up ng mga pagkain sa mesa nila.

"Hindi mo pa ba naranasan kumain sa Boodle fight?" tanong ni Lucas habang naghuhugas ng kamay sa gripo sa may gilid ng kubo nila.

Ilang beses nang naranasan ni Bella ang kumain sa ganitong set-up kasama ang mga kaibigan niya sa Cebu. Ngunit mga simpleng tao lang ang mga iyon at hindi katulad ng boss niya na isang Bilyonaryo. Hindi siya makapaniwala na magkakamay talaga itong kumain sa harap niya.

"Nakaranas naman... hindi ko lang inaasahan na ganito tayo kakain ngayon," sagot niya dito.

"Albert and his wife opened this restaurant in 2007 introducing the concept of eating via Boodle to Ilocanos. The hope was that the food concept would strengthen the bond of families and friends over good food, all the while making good memories. So come-on, let's eat and start making good memories," he said smiling and sat back in his chair after washing his hands.

Tumayo si Bella para maghugas narin ng kamay pagkatapos ay bumalik sa kanyang upuan.

Lucas nodded. "Try this one, it's called empanada it contains longganisa as a filling, along with papaya and a raw egg-enveloped," he pointed to the pastry casing orange-hued dough.

Kinuha ni Bella ang empanada at kumagat. "Hmmm, masarap siya. Kakaiba sa empanada na alam ko." kumento niya.

Lucas smiled. "Ilocos have their own version of Filipino foods and added some twist on it. Just like this...," he pointed pinakbet. "Basically, it's the same as other regions Pinakbet, just that they seasoned it with the Ilocos signature bagoong or fish sauce, and lastly, pink shrimp paste. And added pork belly on top," he's describing the food like a chef. Bella gets amused by how this guy is different from what she has heard about and what she's seeing right now.

Noong mag-umpisa itong kumain gamit ang sariling kamay ay lalo siyang humanga dito. Para itong ordinaryong tao lang kung titingnan at walang kaartehan sa katawan.

"Why are you not eating?" puna nito ng makitang nakatingin lang si Bella dito at hindi kumakain. 

"Huh? A e..." napapahiya niyang turan sa pagkakahuli sa kanyang nakatingin lang dito.

"Huwag kang mailang sa akin. Isipin mo nalang na barkada tayo ngayon at hindi boss mo," nakangiti nitong turan sa kanya.

Kyeme nalang siyang tumango kahit sa loob-loob niya ay hindi niya alam kung paanong matatawid ang tanghalian ng hindi nabubulunan sa sobrang pagkailang dito.

Ngunit dahil gutom narin, sinikap niyang magconcentrate sa masasarap na pagkain sa harap niya. Mga pagkain na karamihan ay ngayon niya lang matitikman. Tulad nalang ng Igado, Insarabasab, Poqui-Poqui, Ilocano longganisa at iba pa.

"Ano 'to?" nahihiya niyang turo sa isang putahe na parang kakaiba.

Lucas smiled. "That's called Dinakdakan, a sisig-like dish that is made from not just grilled pieces of pork, but grilled pieces of the oftentimes discarded parts like pig face, ears, liver, tongue, and yes, brain. Tossed into a mixture of calamansi, red onions, and some ginger and red chili peppers."

"Uhh," tangi niyang naituran.

"It's delicious. You should try...," kumuha ito ng piraso ng nasabing putahi at nilagyan ng mainit-init pang kanin tapos ay inilapit sa bibig niya para isubo.

"Huh? A e..." hindi niya alam kung saan siya hindi komportable--- sa exotic na pagkain o sa ideya na susubuan siya nito gamit mismo ang kamay nito.

"Come on, my hands are clean..." may ngiti sa labi na udyok ni Lucas.

Ibinuka niya ang bibig matapos ang ilang sigundong pagdadalawang isip at tinanggap ang pagkain.

"And, how is it?" he asked, looking at her face reaction.

"M-Masarap..." Bella answered, blushing for the reason she can't explain.

Lucas laughed. "You do look cute, Bella. Especially when you're blushing."