#DS7Unbalanced #InoCent #SMCouple #DaggerSeries

CHAPTER FORTY: PROJECT

TIARA'S POV

Domino turned off the engine, but none of us made a move to get out of the car. Nanatili lang akong nakatingin sa harapan ko kahit na wala naman akong nakikita ro'n dahil lumilipad sa ibang bagay ang utak ko.

I would have stared at the windshield for ages if my attention wasn't reverted by Domino's touch. Marahang pinisil niya ang kamay ko pero imbis na hawakan lang iyon ay bahagya niya akong hinila palapit sa kaniya.

I didn't fight back, and instead, I let him pull me over the driver seat. Umupo ako sa kandungan niya at kaagad na isinubsob ko ang mukha ko sa leeg niya. I felt his soft sigh against my skin while his hand moved in a soothing up-and-down motion along my back.

"How about we stop this, doll? He's not worth it. Kahit sila Damian hindi niya hinaharap. What he's doing doesn't reflect on you. He's—"

"He's a spineless coward! That's what he is." I straightened up, my face scrunching up in anger. It's the third time that we went to Camp Crame to pay Thomas Salazar a visit, but it's also been the third time that he turned us away. "I don't know why I'm even trying."

"Because you're a good person."

Pabagsak na sumubsob ako ulit sa kaniya. "That's not it. I just..."

To be honest, I'm really not sure myself. I don't know why I'm trying. Even Damian and Emeric don't want to visit him anymore. Lalong lalo na si Emeric na mas pinupuntahan pa si Harrison Radley na sa mahabang panahon ay inakalang totoong anak siya nito. Until now. Now the world knew the complicated stories of our births.

"Harrison Radley might have done a lot of questionable things, and he might not have been the kind of father that the child version of me wanted, but he never doubted that I was his, even if, in the end... I really wasn't. So if I get to choose between him and the president, I would rather be turned away by him because I am a reminder of his wife's infidelity than be turned away by a man who never wanted me."

That's what Emeric told me one time that he called. He visited the president once with Damian, but when the older man refused to see them, Emeric decided not to go anymore.

It was really messed up. Damian grew up with a father who wanted him to be exactly like the president. He said that it's like nothing he does is ever enough. Emeric, on the other hand, grew up with a father who wasn't really his father because the real one didn't want to acknowledge him. And then there's me. The one that has just fragments of memories of the father I thought I knew.

"You tried." Domino tugged my chin up so I wouldn't have a choice but to meet his eyes. "Even if he doesn't deserve it, you gave him chance after chance."

I didn't say anything. I don't think there's anything left to say, because he's right. I have tried, even if I didn't need to. I tried to reach out to him, when he never did. I tried to let him have a chance to explain, but until the end, he refused to give me any.

"It's his loss." With a small smile, he touched his lip to mine. "It's his loss not knowing someone like you. Someone as dedicated and passionate as you. Someone who has achieved a lot of things without hurting anybody. Someone who exists to bring beauty to this world. You are all that without his help, and if you ask me, maybe it's okay that he won't ever get to know you because he doesn't deserve you one bit."

I have tried. He's right. Damian and Emeric were right. It's time to stop now.

There was pain as the young version of me, the little girl who had lost her father, finally stepped off the carousel that had been left relentlessly spinning for years. The girl who no longer needs to try and mend the shattered doll house. The girl who no longer needs to look for the crown necklace.

It was time. It was time to finally let them all go.

As if reading my mind and as if he's seeing where my heart has gone to, he tilted my head a little, and this time the kiss he rewarded me with was deeper than just a brush of our lips.

If kissing is a talent, it would be his. Domino could give different kinds of kisses with different levels of intensity. And yet, like a precious collection, I want all of them.

A soft moan fell from me when his tongue slipped between my parted lips. His mouth tastes like an intoxicating combination of heaven and danger. There was a hint of tang from his cigarette, adding a raw edge to the sweetness of his kiss.

"You're still smoking," I murmured against his lips.

"When I want to strangle someone's neck, yes." He nipped my lower lip playfully. "I'll stop completely soon. I promise."

"I like it." I looked up at him behind my lashes. "But I want you healthy. So I would rather that you don't do it too much."

"I won't. It's not everyday that someone like your father makes me feel murderous."

His arms tightened around my waist, crushing me to him. I sensed his fingers weaving into the strands of my hair, drawing me closer for another kiss. Kumapit ako sa mga balikat niya at bahagya kong inangat ang sarili ko para magawa kong itukod ang mga tuhod ko sa gilid ng magkabila niyang mga hita.

His hug loosened only so that he could run his hands on my thighs. A rumble echoed inside his chest when his palm touched my skin, sending a spark of warmth through me.

I have watched and read about intimacy between couples in a car. They have always made it sound thrilling and easy. And yet, even though the first one was right, the latter was debatable. Despite my stature, it doesn't help with Domino's huge build. It still feels cramped, making it hard to move.

I heard a mechanical hum followed by a whirring sound, and Domino and I both ignored it. We continue exploring each other's mouths as if we would die of thirst if we stopped.

He pulled me down, and I moaned in his mouth when I felt his hard bulge straining his pants. Halos bumaon ang mga kuko ko sa balikat niya pero imbis na lumayo ay mas lalo lang ako kumapit sa kaniya ng mahigpit.

"Toto Dom Dooom!"

Marahas na napapitlag ako at naitulak ko ng wala sa oras si Domino. I winced when my back hit the wheel, causing the car horn to blare abruptly. Kaagad na lumapat sa likod ko ang kamay ng binata at marahang itinaas-baba niya iyon na parang pinapawi niya ang sakit niyon.

I let out a small shriek when tiny hands started banging on the window that I now realized was already half opened. Hindi nagtagal iyon dahil mula sa kung saan ay nagsulputan ang mga kapatid ni Domino.

Heat spread on my cheeks while Domino just chuckled under his breath when he saw his nieces and nephews outside the car. Thankfully, they're too small to see what we're doing. But unfortunately, I can't say the same for the adults.

Nakangising sumandal si Trace sa sasakyan habang kinukuha ng iba pa nilang mga kapatid ang mga pamangkin nila para ilayo. "Nagtataka kami bakit hindi kayo lumalabas ng sasakyan. Kaya naman pala. The kids got impatient so they decided that they will go fetch you."

Nag-iwas ako ng tingin at mabilis na bumalik ako sa passenger seat. "M-May sinabi lang akong importante sa kaniya."

Lumawak ang ngisi ni Trace. "Ganiyan din ang asawa ko kapag may gustong sabihin sa akin na sobrang importante."

The heat on my cheeks intensified at his teasing, which made him cackle more. Naiiling na itinulak ni Domino ang mukha ng kapatid at pagkatapos ay inangat niya na ang bintana na hindi namin napansin kanina na bumaba na pala ng marahil ay natamaan ko iyon.

Domino turned to me. "You go down first."

Kumunot ang noo ko. "Pwede namang hintayin na kita."

"If you're around me, I don't think I'll be able to resolve the situation."

"Anong—" Hindi ko nagawang tapusin ang tanong ko nang mahagip ng mga mata ko ang harap ng pantalon niya. I swallowed involuntarily, and if I was red awhile ago, I probably look like a ripe tomato right now. "Oh."

"Yeah."

Inabot ko ang bag ko mula sa likod ng sasakyan. I grab my things and put them inside my bag, but my gaze keeps coming back to Domino's straining pants.

Domino chuckled. "Go."

Nilukutan ko siya ng ilong pero sumunod naman ako. I opened the door and stepped out, but before I closed it, I looked at him with the corner of my lips turned up into a smile. "You need to hurry up. Mireia told me that she bought a swimsuit for me. I want to know what you think of it."

His eyes narrowed. "You're not helping, doll."

"Especially what you think of it when I take it off."

Hindi ko na hinintay ang sasabihin niya at mabilis na isinarado ko na ang pintuan saktong kumilos siya para abutin ako. Giggling to myself, I walked towards Circe and Coal's beach house.

They're the ones that invited us this time to have dinner. Pero dahil sasama ang mga bata ay inagahan na nila para raw makapag-swimming pa ang mga iyon. Mireia then told us not to bring any swimsuits because she bought some for us. Which kind of scares me. I've seen Mireia's Instagram, and her taste for swimsuits makes mine look like they've been chosen by a nun. I don't have the right "package" to fill Mireia's area of swimwear, so I am highly curious what she has in store for us.

Imbis na pumasok sa loob ng bahay ay naglakad ako sa daan na nakita kong pinuntahan ni Trace kanina. Mukha rin kasing nasa labas silang lahat kaya doon na lang din ako dumiretso.

Si Lucienne ang unang nakapansin sa akin na kasalukuyang nasa swimming pool habang may suot na unicorn na salbabida. "Tiara!"

I waved back to her as I walked to where Mireia and Belaya were currently lying down on lounge chairs. Sa paanan nila ay may mga salbabida rin. A bunny and a cat. I looked around, and I noticed that all the women had their floaties. Bukod sa tatlo ay mayroon ding dragon, dog, and a shark. Tanging si Luna lang na nakaupo sa may hagdanan habang may kausap sa cellphone ang mukhang walang salbabida.

"You have one too." Napalingon ako kay Belaya na itinuro si Trace na may hinahanginan na floatie. What he's holding was a Minnie Mouse one. May malaki pa iyon na tenga at ribbon. "Adik sa Shopee 'yang si Lucienne kaya kung ano-ano ang naiisipan na bilhin."

"Shopee, Lazada, at Tiktok shop," Mireia corrected as she reclined into a sitting position. "Come with me, Tiara. I'll give you your swimsuit."

Ibinaba ko ang bag ko sa lamesa na nandoon bago ako sumunod sa kaniya. Nadaanan namin si Trace na nakangising kumaway. "Tapos na kayo ni Dom sa sasabihin niyo sa isa't isa?"

I flush but I pretended not to hear him. Tumawa siya na naudlot nang basta na lang siyang batukan ng katabi niya na si Pierce.

"Aray!" Nakangusong nilingon niya ang kapatid. "What was that for?"

"Alam kong mahihirapan pa si Domino na batukan ka dahil mas matanda ka kaya ako na ang gumawa."

Mireia pulled me inside the house with a shake of her head. "Dapat talaga huling pinanganak si Trace para huli siyang nagkaroon ng love life eh. Para naman makabawi ang mga kapatid niya sa kakulitan niya."

"Domino's not the youngest but Luna beat him to it."

Kumindat ang babae. "Mas malakas ang prayers ni Luna. Ikaw ba naman ang magkaroon ng pitong kapatid na lalaki, ewan ko na lang kung hindi pa maawa ang tadhana."

"Amen."

Sabay na napalingon kami sa pinasukan namin at nakita naming nandoon na ang babae na pinag-uusapan namin. Nag peace sign siya at inangat niya ang cellphone niya. "Dito ko na itutuloy at baka maibato ko pa ang cellphone ko sa tubig kapag nainis ako."

"Trabaho? Absent ka ngayon ah," sabi ni Mireia.

"Kahit ata magbakasyon ako hindi pa rin ako titigilan ng mga writer ko sa kakaiyak nila." Her cellphone rang, and she sighed. "May nagbebenta ba ng ticket papuntang Pluto?"

"You're sounding like your husband more and more every day."

She scoffed. "That man is on a different level. Hindi na naghahanap ng planeta 'yon. Libingan na lang daw para mas tipid."

Maging ako ay napatawa sa sinabi niya. Pagkaraan ay nagpaalam na siya kahit pa mukhang kung papipiliin siya ay hindi niya na sasagutin ang tawag ng kung sino man na tumatawag sa kaniya.

Mireia guided me towards a room, and when we entered, I saw that it didn't look occupied. Sa gitna ng nakaayos na kama ay may kulay itim na kahon.

"Maraming kuwarto rito sa bahay nila Coal." Lumapit siya sa kama at umupo siya roon. "Halos lahat naman ata ng mga bahay nilang magkakapatid. Ang laki kasi ng pamilya at normal na lang na biglang nagsusulputan ang lahat kapag natripan." She handed me the box. "Here. I'm an ambassador for that brand, and they offered to send me swimsuits from their unreleased line. I told them yours and the others' sizes. Ako na rin ang pumili ng designs."

"You know our sizes?"

Nagkibit siya ng balikat. "I've spent a long time being a model. Guessing someone's size was something I learned to do over the years." Inginuso niya ang kahon na binubuksan ko na. "Don't worry. They have more conservative swimsuits, and I chose one that I think you will like."

Bahagyang nakahinga ako ng maluwag sa sinabi niya. There's nothing wrong with wearing sexy swimwear, no matter what body size you have, as long as you're confident in it, but personally, it's not something that I like for me. I feel like a child trying too hard to fit into grown up clothing. There are those that could work revealing swimsuits despite having a petite figure, but it's something that I don't like that much for me. To each their own.

I opened the box, and I couldn't help but smile when I saw a two piece bikini inside in the color of light blue. I hate two-piece swimsuits, but what Mireia gave me was different. The bottom is a bit high-waisted, while the top ends on the midriff, and it appears corset-like.

"Do you mind changing here? I need to pee really bad. Nakaka-isang boteng wine na ata kami ni Belaya," natatawang sabi niya. "Ihanda mo na ang liver mo. Mukhang maghahamunan na naman ang mga iyon mamaya."

I snickered. "Go ahead."

Nang pumasok siya sa bathroom ay kaagad akong nagpalit ng damit. I was pulling down the top when I heard the door open.

"I give it a one hundred."

Napahagikhik ako nang maramdaman ko ang pamilyar na mga braso ni Domino na yumakap sa bewang ko. A thrill runs down my spine when his lips touch my neck. "Normally, they just say ten and not one hundred."

"Even if the highest point is ten, I'll still give you a hundred." His fingers trace the bared skin on my side. "Now that I've seen it on you, why don't you take it off so I can rate it again?"

I would have said yes in a heartbeat if I hadn't remembered that Mireia's just a few feet from us. "Dom—"

"Too bad that I made a promise, or I would have shredded this swimsuit off of you."

Sandaling nakalimutan ko si Mireia. "Promise? What promise?"

Nang hindi sumagot ay naniningkit ang mga matang nilingon ko siya. He looked guilty all of a sudden, which disappeared instantly when his eyes dropped to the V of my swimsuit.

"Damn it," he murmured.

Humalukipkip ako. "What promise?"

"Ha?" Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay at para bang noon niya lang naalala ang pinag-uusapan namin. Napakamot siya sa ulo niya. "I promised your mother that we... would take it slow."

I blinked at him, and for a moment I just stared at him. When he started growing uncomfortable, he pulled on the waistband of my bikini until there was only an inch left between us.

"My mother got pregnant with me because she had sex before marriage."

"Exactly why we shouldn't follow in their footsteps."

I blinked again. "Are you perhaps hiding a wife and a child?"

"What? Of course not—"

"So we wouldn't be following their footsteps."

"Let us not make her dislike me more."

I sighed. "She doesn't dislike you."

"She also isn't my number one fan," he countered.

Humalukipkip ako. "Why does it matter so much? It's not like we'll let her know. We can take off our clothes now, and she'll never know."

Nangingiting hinalikan niya ang noo ko. "Believe me, I want nothing more than to do that. But I'm the kind of person who keeps his promise. Besides, anticipation heightens pleasure." He touched his thumb on my lip. "So let's keep our clothes on for now, doll, hmm?"

I rolled my eyes. "Fine."

"I second the motion." Mireia took a peek from the bathroom door as if she's checking if we're both decent. She let out a sigh of relief when she saw us. "Akala ko lalabas na ako ng bintana dahil sa inyo."

When I'm with Domino, I tend to forget about the world. Kapag magkasama kami pakiramdam ko kasi ay may sarili kaming mundo. Like what he wanted, he has created a world for me where I can safely and freely be myself.

"Kailan ba ang kasal?" tanong ni Mireia.

"We haven't—"

"As soon as possible," Domino said, cutting me off. He winked in my direction. "I promised to wait until the wedding, but I didn't say that it would take a long time before Tiara would be walking down the aisle to take my name."

Mas magtataka pa ako kung patatagalin niya ang engagement namin. He's every bit a Dawson. If he wasn't hell bent on making everything in my life feel like a dream come true, we would have been married by now by the justice of the peace.

"Want help?" Mireia asked, her eyebrows raised in a challenge. Iginalaw niya ang mga daliri niya. "All I need is your card and your approval to not have a budget limit."

I opened my mouth to speak, but Domino beat me to it by fishing his wallet out of his back pocket. Napanganga na lang ako nang basta niyang abutan ng card si Mireia na lumawak ang pagkakangisi. Holding the card, she walked out of the room.

"Girls! We have a project!"