Chapter 6

"Happy Birthday, Stormie..."

I stared at Ylona. Nakangiti siya sa akin. She stepped gracefully and engulfed me in a hug. Hindi ko siya niyakap pabalik. Tumikhim siya at kaagad ding bumitiw.

"Your gown is pretty..." anito sa akin, sabay nginitian ako nang matamis. "Sana ikaw rin..."

Hilaw lang akong ngumiti sa kaniya at kaagad nang tumalikod. She whispered the last part of her sentence, probably assuming that I wouldn't hear it, but I did. On my way out, I grabbed a glass of wine from the serving waiter and proceeded towards the infinity pool.

Nang matapos ang sayawan ay nagsalita ulit ang MC. I don't know what he's saying, because I'm out of the door by then. I eyed the piles of gift on the table. I'm sure all of it are for Shantel. Sino namang magbibigay sa akin ng regalo?

Sighing to myself, I took a sip of the liquor and winced when it burned the back of my throat. I glanced at the faint yellowish liquid and then took a sip again. It tasted better the second time around but the burning sensation never left.

Sana ako din... maganda, Ylona?

I chuckled bitterly to myself. Yes, how I wish too. Sana kasing-ganda din ako ni Shantel. I bet life would be easier. Everyone will love me. Everyone would like to be my friend and to be seen with me... because I am pretty.

Pretty girls always have it easy, huh?

Walang tao sa infinity pool pagdating ko. Matapos akong isayaw ni Philodemus ay inanunsiyo ng MC na kakanta pa sila nang isang beses upang i-entertain ang mga bisita. Hindi na ako nakatiis sa loob at lumabas na matapos akong batiin ni Ylona.

Inilapag ko ang wineglass sa marbled tiles at naupo sa gilid ng pool. I let the water soak my dress, like blood spilled on the water. Lumutang ang kalahati ng ball gown ko sa tubig. The cold water soothed my sore feet from wearing heels since this afternoon.

Tumitig ako sa kawalan. No one would miss me inside, anyway. So why bother socializing with them? Tonight is Shantel's night, not mine. And I'm sure, with the glaring look of my mother when Philodemus danced with me, mapapagalitan na naman ako mamaya.

"What are you doing here, birthday girl?"

Napaigtad ako sa gulat nang biglang may magsalita. I squinted my eyes at the shadow, even though I know exactly who he is. Philodemus stepped out from the dark, a red apple in his hand. Seryoso itong nakatitig sa akin.

"What are you doing here?" pagbabalik tanong ko sa kaniya.

He shrugged and then took a bite from his apple. I watched his lips move, the juice of the fruit sensually dripped on his lower lips, which he wiped with the back of his hands. Philodemus' adams apple moved when chewed and swallowed the apple, all the while lazily walking towards my direction.

"Philodemus...?"

"Tapos na kaming mag-perform." Huminto siya sa tabi ko at naupo na rin. He placed his feet on the water, too, not caring if it would soak the lower part of his pants and his converse.

"So you're Memento Mori, huh?" I wondered out loud.

"Uh-huh."

I licked my lower lips, and remembered what my sister once told me about them. Nilingon ko si Philodemus. Tumutunog ang bawat kagat niya sa apple at sa hindi malamang kadahilanan ay naaakit ako sa tuwing naririnig ko iyon. I wondered, all of a sudden, how can eating a single apple be this sensual when it's Philodemus doing it?

"Gusto ka ng kapatid ko." I said, my chest aching with dull pain. inilipat ko ang tingin sa tubig sa harapan namin.

"So?"

"So?" nag-angat ako ng kilay sa kaniya.

He did the same to me. Only that he's sexier when he's doing it.

"So? To the hell I care, Shortie..."

"Philodemus—"

"I've only met your sister today. Tsaka... tinanong mo ba ako kung gusto ko siya? Hmm?"

Halos hindi ako makahinga nang bigla nalang niyang inilapit ang kaniyang mukha sa akin. My heart thumped painfully, prohibiting the entrance of air in my lungs. Sa sobrang gulat ko ay napaatras pa ako nang konti mula sa kaniya.

"Uh..."

He smirked at me, before pulling his face away (thank goodness), and then taking another bite from his apple again. Bumagsak ang tingin niya sa wineglass sa tabi ko.

"You're drinking?"

Ngumuso ako at muli'y nag-iwas ng tingin. "18 na ako... puwede na akong uminom."

He chuckled. "Do you even know how to drink?"

My cheeks flushed at what he said. Biting my lower lips, I averted my gaze away. With trembling fingers, I picked up the wineglass. Pikit-mata kong inubos ang inumin, completely aware that Philodemus is now staring at me.

My face scrunched in disgust when I placed the wineglass down. Bahagya pa akong nahilo sa ginawa. I turned to him, and tried to smile.

"See?"

Tumitig sa akin nang ilang segundo si Philodemus, dahilan upang mailing ako, bago siya umiling-iling at natawa.

"You're a hopeless case of distress, Shortie."

"I know."

We sat there in silence. I could hear the laughter and the clinking of glasses from the function hall. Then there was a pause, and it was followed by applause. People are now celebrating the birthday of my sister, while I'm here outside, drinking and being my pathetic self.

Nang maupos na ni Philodemus ang kinakain niyang mansanas ay binalingan niya ulit ako.

"Do you want to drink?"

"Huh?"

Nag-seryoso ang mukha niya. He licked his lower lips, before glancing at the closed doors of the function hall again.

"Drink with me."

It's not a question. Not a statement, either. It's a command from thy holy king, Philodemus.

"Pero—"

"C'mon."

Nagulat ako sa biglang paghila niya sa akin. When we rose, the water from my dress dripped all over the place and it suddenly felt heavy. Pero hindi na ako binigyan pa ni Philodemus ng oras para magreklamo. Hinawakan niya ang braso ko at mabilis na naglakad palabas.

"Saan tayo pupunta...?" tanong ko sa kaniya, bahagyang kinakabahan.

Paano kung maalala ng mga magulang ko na may isa pa pala silang anak? Tsaka hanapin nila ako? Eh di mapapagalitan na naman ako, having to escape from my own debut party?

Napailing ako. Hindi ko yun debut. It's Shantel's debut, not mine. Why bother?

Nagpatianod nalang ako sa hawak ni Philodemus hanggang sa marating na naming dalawa ang parking lot. Bumagsak kaagad ang tingin ko sa nakaparada niyang pulang Toyota, faithfully waiting for the arrival of its owner.

He fished for his car keys with his other free hand. Napalingon ako sa building. Hindi ko na matanaw ang function hall mula dito. I hesitantly followed him until we stopped in front of his car.

"Sakay na." aniya at pinagbuksan ako ng pinto.

"I'll wet your car." I told him.

He smirked at me. "Shortie, there are other things that you can wet aside from my car. And I prefer you do it with your mouth..."

Uminit ang mga pisngi ko sa sinabi niya. A throaty laugh vibrated on his chest as he circled on his car, while I am fuming red!

Suminghap ako at kinalma ang sarili bago ko binuksan ang pintuan at pumasok. Tulo pa rin nang tulo ang tubig mula sa nabasa kong ball gown pagkapasok ko.

I glanced at Philodemus. Seryoso na ito ngayon at nawala ang pilyong ngiti sa labi nang paandarin ang kotse.

"Saan tayo pupunta, Philodemus?" tanong ko sa kaniya.

"Any place where you never have to see those assholes."

The car pulled from the parking lot and then in just a few seconds, we were driving by the highway. I chewed my lower lips and then rolled down the window, letting the fresh night air come in.

"Uhm... do you mind?" tanong ko sa kaniya.

Umiling siya sa akin at nagpatuloy sa pagmamaneho.

I leaned against the window and glanced at the dark waters of the sea as we continue to drove. Halos wala nang tao. One glance at his dashboard and the digital clock says it's half past 10 in the evening.

Tahimik lang ako habang nagmamaneho si Philodemus to God knows where. He's right. I need to be in a place right now where I could never see my parents. Or sister. Otherwise, I'd go crazy tonight. At hindi rin nakakatulong na kumakati pa rin ang lalamunan ko at medyo masama pa ang pakiramdam.

I am drained physically and emotionally.

The car slowed down when the blinking lights of Le Point Bar pulsated from a distance. Tatlong beses na akong nakakapunta sa bar na ito. I turned to Philodeumus when he parked the car and killed the engine.

"Dito tayo iinom?"

"Why? Do you prefer somewhere else?" tanong nito sa akin.

Iling ang naging sagot ko sa kaniya. Then I glanced at my wet dress. "Uhm..."

"Don't worry. People inside are too drunk to notice." His tongue ran across his lower lips before he opened the door for me. I froze when his arms lightly brushed against my chest in the process. Mukhang hindi naman iyon napansin ni Philodemus na kaagad ding inalis ang braso niya nang mabuksan ang pintuan.

"Come on..." he said in his baritone voice.

I nodded my head and stepped out of the car. The cold breeze greeted me as I waited for him to lock his vehicle. Nauna siyang naglakad kesa sa akin. Sumunod lang ako, medyo giniginaw na dahil sa basa kong gown.

We entered the bar. Hindi katulad nung huli kong punta dito, kakaunti nalang ang tao ngayon. And he's right. Most of the people are already drunk. Some have passed out in the tables and have started snoring.

"Oh? Bakit ganyan ang suot niyan, Elton? Runaway bride?"

A chuckle came from the counter. Lumabas ang anino ng nakangiting si Gwen sa amin. She's wearing the staff uniform with a black apron draped across her waist.

"Hello, there." She winked at me. "It's you again..."

"Uh..." lumapit ako sa kaniya at inilahad ang kamay. "I haven't introduced myself the last time we've seen each other. Pasensiya na kung bigla nalang akong nawala. I am Stormie Iona Roman..."

Ang ngiting nakapaskil sa mukha ni Gwen ay biglang nawala nang marinig niya ang sinabi ko.

"Isa kang Roman...?"

"Gwen..." may pagbabanta sa boses ni Philodemus. Naguluhan ako sa inakto niya kaya't binalingan ko si Philodemus na seryosong nakatitig kay Gwen.

"Bakit?"

Gwen's lips pursed, before she shook her head. "Wala." Was her cold reply.

"Gwen!" Philodemus barked.

"Tapos na pala ang duty ko. Tanya, ikaw na dito..." aniya at dali-daling umalis sa bar.

With my heart sinking, I turned to Philodemus.

"Did I do something wrong?" I asked in a small voice.

He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair, before blowing out an air of frustration.

"We'll talk about it outside." Then he turned to the waitress. "Tanya, two glasses of beers."

Mabilis na inihanda ng waitress ang in-order ni Philodemus. Nanatili lang akong nakatayo. Basa na ang parting kinatatayuan ko dahil sa ball gown. Pati din ang kay Philodemus. After a few minutes, the girl handed two tall glasses of beer. Kinuha ito ni Philodemus at prenteng lumabas ng bar.

I followed him.

"She was really nice to me last time..." I cleared my throat when we stopped on a wooden chair and table in the porch. "I wonder what happened?"

Philodemus set down the two glasses of beer and then glanced at me.

"It's your father she hates, not you."

"Huh?"

"Take a seat."

I followed what he said but never tore my gaze from him. Naupo din si Philodemus sa harapan ko at seryoso akong tinitigan.

"Your father stole her family's land in Sta. Rosa. Her mother got sick and eventually died. Sinamantala iyon ni Governor Roman at kinamkam ang lupang dapat sana ay para kay Gwendolline."

I gasped. "I didn't know that."

Philodemus stared darkly at me. Tapos bumaba ang tingin niya sa kwintas na nakahimlay sa aking leeg bago niya ininuman ang kaniyang beer. "You don't know your father."

I was taken aback by his words. Ilang minuto din akong nakatitig sa kaniya, hindi alam kung anong sasabihin.

Philodemus gestured towards my beer with his half-empty glass.

"You should drink your beer. It's getting warm."

"R-Right..."

I've felt worse with what I had discovered just now. Iniinom ko ang mapait na beer at tiniis ang lasa nito hanggang sa mangalahati saka ko inilapag ulit ang baso.

"Do you think... Do you think I can do anything to help her?" tanong ko pagkatapos nang ilang segundong katahimikan.

Itinukod ni Philodemus ang kaniyang isang braso sa sandalan ng upuan at tinaasan ako ng kilay. Seryoso pa rin ang naging titig niya sa akin.

"You can't even help yourself, Shortie. Why bother helping others?"

I shut my mouth tight. His words stung...

Napayuko ako sa kahihiyan. It stings but it is true. Oo nga naman, Stormie. Why play hero if you're the fucking damsel in distress in the first place?

"Focus on getting better first. All of us are fighting a silent battle within ourselves. It just so happened that your father is involved in Gwen's dilemma."

I felt silly all of a sudden. Gwendolline must've suffered a lot because of what my father did. And yet, she's still trying to survive and being her usual cheerful self.

I actually have a habit of observing other people's wrist, just to see if there's any sign of scars like mine. I've seen a few. Pero kay Gwen, wala.

I know that it's not the basis to know if she's as stupid as me who tried to harm herself. But at least she's fighting. Samantalang ako...

Maybe I'm just overreacting. Maybe I've mistaken my sadness to depression. Maybe it's just normal for me to feel this way and my silly self couldn't handle it that I resort to harming myself to get the attention of everyone. Gwen has her own battles, heavier than mine. Philodemus must be going through something, too. Everyone is fighting a silent battle.

And I'm just a weakling who can't handle it by herself.

Tinungga ko ulit ang laman ng beer sa lalim ng iniisip ko. A waiter passed by and Philodemus ordered another batch of beer.

"Ikaw ba... may pinagdadaanan rin?" tanong ko sa kaniya. Tinamaan lang ako ng hiya nang mag-angat siya ng tingin sa akin at tinitigan ako nang mabuti. I swallowed. The question sounded so nosy. Para bang nanghihimasok ako sa buhay niya.

"My parents were killed." He said in an icy tone. My eyes widened in fear and horror. Umawang ang bibig ko. He said it nonchalantly, as if we're just talking about the weather today.

"P-Philodemus..."

Suminghap siya at humalukipkip, sabay titig sa akin sa namumungay na mga mata. "Are we really going to talk about depressing topics tonight, Shortie? It's still your birthday...."

Mapait akong ngumiti. He averted the subject. I understand. Hindi na ako mangungulit. I can tell that he's still not ready to talk about it.

"It's actually not my birthday today..."

"Oh?" he lifted a brow as he took a sip from his beer again.

Inilahad ko ang kamay ko sa kaniya. Tinitigan niya iyon. "Give me your phone."

"My phone?"

My cheeks flushed. "I-I mean... kung ayos lang na... hiramin..."

He smirked and then nodded, before putting down his glass. Kinuhya niya ang kulay itim na iPhone at ipinadulas ito sa lamesa.

I pressed the home button. It's 11:57 pm. Three more minutes and it'll be my birthday.

Ibinalik ko sa kaniya ang cellphone. "Pwede ka bang mag-set ng alarm this 12 am?"

He pressed his finger against the home button to unlock the phone and nodded his head. Kinalikot niya saglit ang cellphone bago ito inilapag ulit.

"And?"

"Just wait..." I giggled a little. Tinamaan na ata ako ng alak. Medyo nahihilo na ako at mas lalo pa atang sumama ang pakiramdam ko. Ang sakit-sakit na din ng lalamunan ko.

After a few minutes, his phone rang with Apple's default ringtone. I cleared my throat and then started clapping my hands slowly.

"Happy birthday to me... happy birthday to me... happy birthday, happy birthday... happy birthday to me..." I sang with a broken voice. Nginitian ko siya.

"I see." He nodded his head. "Today's your birthday, then? Not the 14th of February?"

Tumango ako at suminghot. Umiinit ang sulok ng mga mata ko. But I shouldn't cry. Not when he just told me that his parents were slayed. I didn't know how it happened but it must've broke his heart. So how dare me cry in front of a man who had been through hell and back?

I swallowed heart. Nanghahapdi ang dibdib at lalamunan ko. Ang emosyonal at pisikal na sakit ay nanunuot hanggang buto at hindi papayag na hindi mapansin. Kinakalabit ulit ako ng mga hinanakit ko, mula kaninang umaga hanggang sa party na tinakasan ko na rin.

"Do you want to drink more?"

I nodded my head sadly.

"Alright."

Tumayo siya at iniwan ako sa porch. Doon pa tumulo ang mga luha ko. Mabilis ko itong pinalis pero tulo pa rin nang tulo ang mga luha ko. I sobbed silently. Ang sakit-sakit na talaga ng dibdib ko.

Taking a deep breath, I calmed myself and wiped my tears away. Nang makabalik si Philodemus ay umigting ang panga nitong nakatitig sa bahagya kong namamaga na mga mata.

"Here..." inilapag niya ang inumin, his intense gaze never leaving my eyes.

I muttered a thank you as he took the seat in front of me. He licked his lower lips again before lifting our third tall glass of beer.

"Cheers to you being 18, Stormie..." aniya at itinaas ang kaniyang baso.

I giggled, despite the tears, and then lifted my glass too.

"And cheers to me, having the most fucked up birthday ever..."

Our glasses clinked. I downed the beer in just one gulp. By the time I slammed the glass on the table, hilong-hilo na talaga ako at mukhang maduduwal na.

"Are you okay?"

I nodded my head weakly.

"It's a stupid question. I know you're not." He groaned. "Shall I take you home?"

Mariin akong umiling. Ipinikit ko ang mata ko at isinandal ang likod sa kahoy na upuan.

"I don't want to go home..." I moaned.

"Stormie, come on..."

Narinig ko ang pag-usog ng upuan niya at maikling hakbang patungo sa akin. His scent came stronger on my nose, despite the cold. Then I felt his hands on my arms.

"Can you stand?"

"Iwan mo nalang ako dito kung iuuwi mo pa ako sa bahay..." parang bata kong wika sa kaniya.

"Who said I'm going to take you home?"

Idinilat ko ang mga mata ko, gulat na napatingin sa kaniya.

"You need to rest. I don't think the bar owner will appreciate the Roman daughter passing out on his porch after escaping her debut party."

Ipinikit ko ulit ang mga mata ko. Ramdam ko na ang unti-unting pagkawala sa sarili. Philodemus sighed and then I suddenly felt my weight being carried. Idinilat ko ang mga mata ko pero dahil sa sobrang hilo ay wala din akong naintindihan sa nakita.

Nagising nalang ako sa umaandar na sasakyan. I occupied the entire backseat and I feel like puking. Pinigilan ko ang sarili ko at bumalik sa pagkakatulog. It must be him singing, or it must be a song from the stereo, but We the King's Find You There lulled me to sleep.

Nang magising ako sa pangalawang beses ay una kong nakita ang baba ni Philodemus. Then my gaze traveled to face, a stoic expression pasted on it. I took in recognition with the warmth of his two large hands, carrying me like a fragile doll as he took two flights of the stairs at a time.

The place is dark, but I could hear the waves from a distance so I suppose we are just near the beach. It reminded me of our mansion but it quickly evaporated from my mind when I heard a door being kicked open.

"Philodemus...?"

"Huwag kang malikot." Aniya at pumasok na sa madilim na silid.

I scanned the surroundings and instantly spotted a floor-to-ceiling window with a white mesh curtain dancing with the wind. He walked towards the middle of the room and then turned left, before opening another door again.

"Saan tayo..." I squeaked, hiccupped, then giggled.

I heard him groan again as he gently laid me on something soft. My body sighed in pleasure as I came in contact with the bed. Tumama ang tingin ko sa neon sign sa loob ng kwarto.

Go ahead and try little girl.

Kumunot ang noo ko. Tama ba ang pagkakabasa ko sa teksto o pinaglalaruan lang talaga ako ng imahinasyon ko?

I stared at Philodemus, who's now glowering down at me.

In pulsing neon light, he looked like death. And death, at its most peculiar form, looked so magnificently beautiful.

"Ikukuha kita ng mainit na tubig..."

"Philodemus..." tawag ko sa kaniya.

He turned to me. I sat up in bed and continued staring at him. I blinked before I reached for his hands.

"Bakit?" umigting ang panga nitong nakatitig sa kamay kong hawak ang kaniya.

I smiled to him. I must be out of my mind.

Really, really out of my mind.

Itinukod ko ang isa kong tuhod upang makatayo nang konti at maabot ang balikat niya. I grabbed into his shoulders as he stared at me in shock. Before he could say something, I covered my mouth with his and wrapped my hands around his neck.

His lips tasted sweeter than I have ever imagined.

Must be the alcohol talking. I suddenly like the taste of beer coming from his mouth.

I didn't know how to kiss. And I had the audacity to kiss him! I could feel how tense his body is, so I run my tongue along his lower lips and gently bit it.

Bigla nalang siyang humawak sa beywang ko at itinulak ako sa kama. He pulled away, our breath mixing with each other. Pumikit siya nang mariin at isang malutong na mura ang lumabas sa bibig.

"Fuck."

I ignored his words and pressed my lips against him once more. I am now lying on the bed, with him on top of me. I could feel my heart pounding wildly inside of my chest when he finally responded. He nipped my lower lips, making me groan slightly before he forcefully opened my mouth with his dominating tongue.

I gasped at the new sensation. His every move is precise and full of confidence as he marked every inch of my mouth his. Naging mas malalim at mapusok ang halik niya habang tumatagal.

Closing my eyes, I let the foreign sensation took over my entirety. His large strong hand cupped my chin and tilted my face slightly to deepen the kiss.

I felt dizzy all of a sudden. Nahihilo ako sa sobrang kalasingan, sa sensasyong nararamdaman, at sa mga halik ni Philodemus.

Umarko ang katawan ko patungo sa kaniya nang bumaba ang isa nitong kamay sa dibdib ko. He left my thirsty mouth and sucked a sensitive part on my neck.

My fingers went to his hair. Sinabunutan ko siya at napapikit ulit. I am fighting to stay conscious but my excessive consumption of alcohol is mocking me and driving me to an endless slumber right now.

"You are one naughty girl, Shortie..." he whispered huskily when his hand slowly tugged the upper part of my gown, revealing my bare chest. Philodemus' eyes darkened with intense desire and lust, before he licked his lower lips.

I moaned silently. Antok na antok na talaga ako pero ang mga haplos at halik ni Philodemus ay binubuhay ang buong sistema ko.

He hovered on top of me and pressed his hot mouth against my ears again. I shivered at the contact.

"Naughty girls like you shall be punished..."