DS8Uncovered #LuMa #BearCouple #DaggerSeries

CHAPTER 48: KISS

LUNA'S POV

"Umm... pwede mo bang i-explain kung bakit nandito ka?"

Magnus blinked at me innocently from the passenger seat. Kapapasok ko lang kasi sa sasakyan na pag-arri ng Dagger at nagulat na lang ako na biglang bumukas ang pintuan at sumakay din siya.

"I'm going to work with you."

Kunot ang noo na tumuro ako sa labas. "I just said bye to you less than ten seconds ago." Katabi lang kasi ng sasakyan ko ang sa kaniya. "You even kissed me goodbye."

"I didn't." A grin spread on his lips, one that made him look like a mischievous teenage boy. "I just kissed you."

Naiiling na inabot ko ang seatbelt ko pero bago ko pa mahila iyon ay naunahan niya na ako at siya na ang nagkabit niyon. My nose wrinkled, which made him chuckle, and then he kissed the tip of it. Such a romance cliche. The seatbelt maneuver slash I-want-to-get-close-to-you-so-that-I-could-kiss-you move.

"What?" he asked, noticing the suspicious look I'm giving him.

"How many times have you done that move before?"

Kumunot ang noo niya sandali na para bang hindi niya maintindihan ang tanong ko pero pagkaraan ay umaliwalas ang mukha niya. "Once. Right now."

"Yeah, right. Wala pang babaeng pinagdrive ka noon?"

"Meron." I made a hmph sound which just made him smile more. "I don't make an effort to force myself into their cars, though, just because I don't want to miss them, and I would rather spend the drive to work with them. And I wasn't lying about the seatbelt."

"Eh anong ginagawa mo noon sa kanila?"

"Hinahayaan silang mag-seatbelt mag-isa nila. Malaki na sila."

Pinaningkitan ko siya ng mga mata. "Malaki na rin ako."

"Sinong may sabi?"

Napasinghap ako. "I'm taller than most women in this country!"

He chuckled, clearly enjoying my annoyance. Tatawa-tawa pa rin na inabot niya ang sarili niyang seatbelt at ikinabit iyon bago siya bumaling sa akin. "You know what's another first for me?"

"What?" I grumbled as I started the car.

"Not offering to drive for someone because I want to freely look at her as much as I want to."

I rolled my eyes even though his words were sending the butterflies in my stomach into a frenzy. "Naka romance hero mode ka na naman."

"I know, right? It's your fault. Imagine kapag nasulat na ni Lucienne ang libro natin at na-publish na ng Quetzal."

Siguradong pagpipiyestahan siya ng mga empleyado niya. "My fault?"

"For making me fall unbelievably hard for you."

Nakikisali na ang puso ko sa nagkakagulo kong sistema. Huminga ako ng malalim at napapabuntong-hininga na pinaandar ko ang sasakyan. Like he said he would do, I could feel him staring at me.

"You're right," I told him after awhile.

"Hmm?"

"Kasalanan ko talaga. Noong unang panahon halos araw-araw kong hinihiling na sana mabaliw ka rin sa pag-ibig katulad ko. Na-traffic lang pala ang mga wish ko at nagkadoble-doble 'yon dahil hindi ako tumigil kakahiling na mabighani ka sa kagandahan ko. Gusto na nga kitang gayumahin no'n eh. Ngayon tuloy parang ang intense ng balik sa akin."

Napatawa siya na ikinangiti ko rin. Minsan ang hirap pa rin paniwalaan kung ano na kami ngayon. It was just a wish before, then I gave up, and it became just a dream.

"I wasted so much time," he murmured after awhile.

Tinapunan ko siya ng tingin bago ko ibinalik sa daan ang atensyon ko. "No, you didn't."

"I did—"

"You didn't. I was rushing you because I fell first. I told you before that I wanted to bother you. Kasi gusto ko na lagi mo akong nakikita, at lagi akong sumusulpot sa buhay mo. Because in the normal way, not the Dawson's way, it takes time to fall in love, Mags. I can't expect you to have feelings for me just because I do. Hindi gano'n 'yon. Hindi ibig sabihin na may crush ka, automatic i-ka-crush back ka. Hindi ibig sabihin na mahal kita, mamahalin mo rin ako kaagad. So you didn't waste any time. Your heart is just flowing through its normal pace, taking a journey that will lead you to me." I didn't really mind. I never thought of our history and regret the early days. Kahit pa sa sitwasyon ko na pakiramdam ko ay nag-iintay na lang ako ng tuldok sa storya ko. I treasure every moment with him. Lalo na iyong mga panahon na sadiyang ginugulo ko ang mundo niya. Those were just pure and fun and easy. "Kahit na stress na stress ka sa akin noon kasi sobrang kulit ko, hindi ka nagagalit. Annoyed? Yes. But I've seen angry people and what they could do, and you were never like that to me. Kahit na tinatadtad kita ng messages na walang kakuwenta-kuwenta, binabasa mo pa rin. Kahit hindi ka sumasagot nakikita ko naman na tinitignan mo ang mga 'yon. And remember that one time that I asked you kung anong gagawin kapag na-flat ang gulong ng sasakyan ko? Noong mga panahon na iyon nagsesentir ka pa sa kabiguan mo kay Lucienne pero tinawagan mo pa rin ako para tanungin kung nasaan ako at kung may spare tire ba ako."

He laughed under his breath. "Then you told me that you were just asking, and you're okay. Tinitignan mo lang kamo kung magiging concern ako.

Kahit tawag lang at hindi ko siya nakikita ay parang na-i-imagine ko na ng mga panahon na iyon kung paanong unti-unting umaakyat ang dugo niya sa pagkakunsumi sa akin. "Then there was also that one time that I congratulated you kasi sinakop ng Quetzal ang top one to ten sa National Bookstore at Fullybooked. Then I jokingly asked kung pwedeng pautang kasi kako wala na akong pang-shopping. You gave me your credit card details in less than a minute."

Tawang-tawa ako noon kasi kung ibang tao siguro kinabahan na. Mamaya i-max pa iyon. But he gave it to me as if it was nothing. Sinave ko pa nga 'yon kasi proud na proud ako dahil kahit si Lucienne hindi alam ang credit card niya.

"I might be your biggest disturbance, but over the years, not once have you been absent from my life. During those times, we might not be together, we might not be friends, but you were always there." I slowed the car down when the others did as well. The normal everyday traffic. "We didn't waste any time, Mags. Those are just part of our story, and I'm happy I got the chance to have them with you."

Nang hindi siya sumagot ay kumilos ako para tumingin sa kaniya. Only to be surprised when his lips greeted me.

"Ilang traffic light ang dadaanan pa natin?" tanong niya na ipinagtaka ko.

"Ha? Marami pa."

"And the traffic?"

"It's Monday, so we're probably going through a lot of those too."

"Good." Nang mapakurap ako ay kumurba ang ngiti sa mga labi niya. "Another first. I plan to kiss you every time this car stops."

Magnus wasn't kidding. By the time we reached our twin buildings, I needed to apply my lipstick again, and he needed to wipe his lips because of the bright red stain on them. Ilang beses na rin kaming nabusinahan kasi hindi iisang beses na nakakalimot kami kung nasaan kami.

"Sigurado kang hindi ka magpapababa sa Quetzal?" tanong ko sa lalaki. Nasa basement parking kasi kami ng Maven.

"LA, our offices are within walking distance."

"Kaya nga. Boss ka tapos paglalakarin kita?"

"Hindi ibig sabihin na may-ari ako ng kompanya ay may pakpak na ako at lumilipad na lang ako kung saan-saan kesa maglakad."

Napabunghalit ako ng tawa. Hindi bagay sa kaniya ang na-imagine ko. He looks more like a Greek god than a cupid with its wings and small bow and arrow.

I was still snickering when we stepped out of the car and walked towards the elevator. Natigil nga lang ako sa pagtawa nang kasabay nang pagkuha ni Magnus ng susi na nasa kamay ko ay ang siyang pagkakita ko sa isang pulang sasakyan di kalayuan sa amin. It wouldn't have been as strange if not for the big yellow bow attached to one of its wipers.

"I'll drive Dagger's car later."

Nanlalaki ang mga matang nilingon ko siya. "That's a Maserati."

"Yup. MC20."

"It's red."

He fished a different set of keys from his pocket, and he clasped them on the handle of my bag. "Ahuh."

"Mags!"

He grinned. "Happy birthday."

Pinandilatan ko siya. "Ang layo pa ng birthday ko."

"Merry Christmas?"

"Mas malayo ang Pasko."

He leaned down to whisper in my ear. "How about it's just a normal day that I want to spoil my wife, and I really wish she'd thank me instead of being stressed about a sexy red car?"

I pouted, feeling chastised. "Thank you. I love it, really. It's just too expensive, and you didn't need to buy one for me."

"Your old car is probably in the junk shop, or your brothers might have set it on fire already, so you need a new car."

"That's true—wait. Did I mishear you, or did you really say that it's a sexy red car?"

"It is a sexy red car." Kinindatan niya ako. "You have no idea what I imagined doing to you with it."

My cheeks flushed but I ignored it. "Puro ka naman teaser pero wala pa rin ang full movie. Puro synopsis lang, wala iyong buong nobela."

"Pakasalan mo muna ako. Remember? I'm your virginal husband."

My eyes narrowed into a slit. "Hello? We're already married."

"Pakasalan mo muna ako ulit."

"Is that a proposal?"

He grinned. "Not yet."

Nagpakawala ako ng malalim na hininga. I'm a Dawson. I'm my own brand of headache. But life hasn't prepared me for the storm that is Magnus Aquillan. Get used to it, Luna. He now knows how to be loved by a Dawson. It's time you understood how to be loved by an Aquillan.

"Hubby bear?"

"Hmm?"

Yumakap ako sa bewang niya at tiningala ko siya. "Thank you. I love it so much. I never had a Maserati before, and I've been thinking of having one."

"I know. I saw you staring at one during Kaise's sports fest. I bought you the red one because you like the color."

Nagkibit-balikat ako. "It's a power color."

"I know, my little badass."

I was smiling so wide when we stepped out of the elevator. Nakayakap pa rin ako sa kaniya kaya hindi nakakapagtakang automatic na napunta sa amin ang atensyon ng mga empleyado kong napapadaan.

"See you at home?" I asked.

"May lunch pa, LA. Don't make me miss you that long."

I heard a couple of aww but I ignored them. "Fine. I'm buying lunch."

Hindi na siya nakipagtalo sa akin at wala rin akong balak magpatalo kung sakali. He just gave me a car, for heaven's sake.

Hinigpitan ko ang pagkakayakap ko sa kaniya at ganoon din ang ginawa niya bago kami tuluyang kumawala sa isa't isa. I gave him a wave as I backed away from him, which he returned with a smile.

Naglakad ako pabalik sa elevator para umakyat na sa opisina ko. Bumaba lang talaga ako kanina kasi alam kong dadaan siya sa nakakonektang bridge mula rito sa Maven papunta sa Quetzal.

I still had a smile on my face while I was waiting for the lift to reach the highest floor that would take me to my office. I've been smiling since this morning, something I wasn't expecting, and he was the one I should thank for that.

Mula kasi nang mangyari ang gabi na iyon kung saan hindi ko nagawang sumabay sa pamilya ko na mag-dinner dahil hindi ko kayang manatili kasama sila at... at si Papa ay pakiramdam ko sinusundan ako ng madilim na ulap kahit saan ako pumunta.

I've been ignoring them for days. I just wasn't ready to talk to them yet. It was immature, but I just want to get my feelings straight first. Hindi naman nila kasalanan na sa aming walong magkakapatid ay ako lang ang nakalimutan ng ama namin.

Ipinilig ko ang ulo ko at huminga ako ng malalim. Ibinalik ko ang ngiti sa mga labi ko na nagsisimula na namang matunaw. This is a happy day. Something that Magnus made sure that I would have. I'm not going to waste it because I want to sulk about my father.

Nang bumukas ang elevator ay bumuka ang bibig ko para batiin ang mga empleyado ko pero hindi ko nagawang gawin iyon nang kasabay nang panlalaki ng mga mata nila ay ang paghawak ng kung sino sa akin.

My gasp was swallowed by a familiar set of lips.

It wasn't just a simple touch. It was a damn good kiss. Wet, hot, long, and literally breathtaking. Mukhang wala pa siyang balak pakawalan ako kung hindi pa namin naririnig ang mga empleyado ko na nagpapalakpakan at imbit na nagtitilian.

"What... what was that?" hinihingal na tanong ko sa kaniya nang maghiwalay ang mga labi namin.

Light danced in his eyes. "I forgot to kiss you goodbye."

Lalong lumakas ang tilian sa paligid sa sinabi niya pero hindi no'n matatalo ang pag-iingay ng puso ko na bumalik na ata sa pagka-teenager at hindi magkamayaw sa loob ng dibdib ko.

"See you at lunch?" he asked. "So that I could renew that kiss."

Kalma heart, asawa mo na 'yan. Ay, hindi pala. Asawa mo 'yan kaya okay lang huwag kumalma. "I'll buy you lunch, but I'm not sure if I'm free when you are. Kapag hindi, pwedeng video call na lang?"

"No. I can't kiss you through a call. Not the kind I prefer."

"But I might have a scheduled meeting—"

"May schedule po kayo ng lunch, Ma'am," singit ni Gracie sa usapan na hawak ang tablet niya.

I turned to Magnus. "See?"

Nagsalita ulit si Gracie. "Meeting with Quetzal's CEO and EIC, Magnus Aquillan."

Parang hindi lang ako ang bumalik sa pagiging teenager dahil maging ang mga empleyado ko ay ganoon din base sa malakas na hiyawan nila.

I shook my head. "You're really something, hubby bear."

Kinintalan niya ako ng mabilis na halik bago siya umatras papasok sa elevator na muling bumukas. "See you at eleven, LA." I pressed the button so it wouldn't close, and his eyebrow rose a bit. "What? Did you want to kiss me goodbye too?"

Yes. But my heart needs to rest for now. We can do that later. "I just want to tell you that I love you, gramps."

His eyes crinkled at the corners. "I love you too, brat," he said as the doors started to close again.

Nang humarap ako sa mga empleyado ko ay napailing na lang ako sa kanila. Well, they better get used to it. I doubt this will be the only time Magnus will do this. And he's not the only one who could do it.

"Gracie?"

"Yes, Ma'am?"

"Can you call Liam at Quetzal and tell him to pencil me on Magnus' schedule for tomorrow? I want to have lunch with my husband."

____________________________End of Chapter 48.