Song: A Poem Called You- Taeyeon

Boyfriend

"What are you doing here, Axel?" I asked.

The smile on my face just grew bigger and bigger as time goes by. I can feel his breath on my ear. I bit my lip and hooked my arm around his neck.

Tiningala ko siya at tsaka hinanap ang kanyang mata. He's wearing a mask that covers only his eyes. Sapat na iyon para makilala ko siya. A ghost smile appeared on his lips.

He brushed some strand of my hair away from my face. Mayamos niyang hinawakan ang pisngi ko.

"And here I thought you're going to say welcome back."

My forehead creased. Naningkit ang mata ko at sinubukang intindihin mabuti ang sinabi niya.

"What do you mean welcome back? Kanina ka pa dito?"

"Yes, I was in the same convoy as you and it hurts that you didn't notice."

My mouth parted. He was there? I know he's such a sneaky man but this one... is beyond me! How did he manage to be in the same convoy as me?

"W-What? What do you mean by that?" I asked, a little bit confused of what was happening.

"Your father hired me back, Aria," he said. "I'm part of your security team again."

Hindi ko na naiwasan pang mabigla sa sinabi niya. His smile grew bigger when he saw how surprised I was.

"H-How? And when? Why didn't I see you anywhere inside the palace?"

"Let's just save this conversation when it's just the two of us. I don't like that your date is watching us right now."

Lumingon ako at hinanap si Matteo. I saw that he's now dancing with someone else but his eyes remained on us, specially to Axel.

May kung anong sinasabi sakanya ang kasayaw niya ngayon pero mukhang hindi naman siya nakikinig. His eyes remained fixed on us. Mukhang nagtataka kung sino itong kasayaw ko. I sigh.

Inalis ko ang tingin sakanya at tiningala muli si Axel.

"No, we'll talk about it now. I want to know."

"How are you going to do that then, baby?" may mapaglarong ngisi na lumandas sa kanyang labi.

I roamed my eyes around again. This party is packed with people. I wonder how we'll get out of here without anyone else noticing.

Nagpatuloy ako sa paghahanap ng lugar kung saan maaari kaming mag-usap ni Axel. My eyes landed on the woman who just went out of the comfort room.

Ah. I think I know where I can talk to him privately.

Agad kong kinuha ang kamay ni Axel at hinila siya patungo ng comfort room. Wala na akong pakealam pa kung makikita kaming pumasok ng women's comfort room.

This is my boyfriend I'm dragging along with me everyone!

Pagbukas ko ng pinto ay may iilang tao doon na inaayos ang kanilang make-up. Natigil ang tawa nila nang dahil sa akin. Their eyes went to who's behind me. Their mouths parted and they looked at each other awkwardly.

"Would you mind?" I asked nicely.

They quickly grabbed all their belongings and went out. Nagpabalik-balik pa ang tingin ng iba sa amin ni Axel bago sila lumabas. I immediately locked the door.

Axel scoffs.

"Now they're going to think we're going to do something here. Oh, baby, you should really learn how to make sure that no one's inside before doing something like this." He teased.

Umirap ako. "Shut up."

Sumandal si Axel sa isa sa mga cubicle habang ako naman ay nagtungo malapit sa sink, sa tapat ng salamin. Humarap ako doon at tiningnan si Axel na nakahalukipkip na ngayon.

"So... tell me. When did you start working for my father again?" tanong ko at tinaasan siya ng kilay.

"He called me right after I dropped you off to the palace. He asked me to come back."

"And I wonder how you managed to gain my father's trust again."

"Hmm... maybe because he saw how his daughter is hopelessly in love with me."

Ngumisi ako at umirap muli. "Oh, come on."

Inalis niya naman ang sarili mula sa pagkakasandal sa cubicle at lumapit sa akin. Nang makalapit na siya sa akin at hinarap ko na siya. He caged me between his arms. Parehas iyong namahinga sa sink kung saan ako nakasandal ngayon.

"Now, you tell me why out of all the place inside this hall, you brought me here? Hmm?"

I pouted. "Because it's the only place I know where we can talk probably."

He smirked. Kung pwede lang siguro siyang matawa sa mga nangyayari ngayon, malamang ginawa na niya.

"Now those people probably thinks we're doing something dirty inside huh?"

"That's not what's inside my mind, Axel. Napapaghalataan na iyan ang naiisip mo ah?"

His laughter filled the room. Napangiti ako. Ang kamay niyang nasa sink kanina ay lumipat na sa baywang ko.

"Did I already told you how amazing you look tonight?"

"Buti naman at napansin mo. Nag-effort ako para sa'yo."

"Para sa akin ba talaga? O para sa date mo?"

"Tss. Bakit naman para sakanya? Boyfriend ko ba 'yun?"

He shut his mouth for a while. Hindi naman nakatakas sa mga mata ko ang masayang ngiti na lumabas sa kanyang labi.

I was already used to seeing him serious. Swerte na kung makikita ko siyang nakangiti paminsan-minsan. Pero ngayon, nakakapanibago na hindi ko man lang siya nakitaan ng pagseseryoso ngayon at lagi lang nakangiti sa akin.

It feels good to know that I'm the reason behind that smile.

"Oh damn. You have no idea how much I've missed you."

"And here I thought I was the one hopelessly in love. Bakit parang ikaw ata 'yun?"

He scoffs. Tumawa na rin ako. Nang inangat niyang muli ang tingin sa akin ay agad niyang siniil ang labi ko ng marahan na halik. I smiled in between our kiss.

Napahawak ako sa kanyang pisngi ng mas nilaliman niya ang halik. I gave him access inside my mouth. Humigpit ang pagkakahawak niya sa baywang ko. Mamaya maya pa ay binuhat niya ako at pinaupo sa sink. Sumadal ako sa salamin habang nagpapatuloy kami Axel sa paghahalikan.

His mouth now travelled down my neck. I moaned. Tumigil si Axel sandali at bahagyang tumawa.

"You have to keep your voice low or else rumors will start spreading that you're really doing it inside a women's comfort room with an unknown man."

Umirap ako at hinuli muli ang kanyang labi. I swear, I will never get tired of tasting his lips. I've already became addicted to it the moment he made feel what it's like to be kissed by him.

He slid his hand underneath my gown. Marahan niyang pinapadausdos ang kanyang kamay sa hita ko habang patuloy na ninanamnam ang aking labi.

I heard him groaned when I bit his lip.

"Looks like you're the one who needs to keep it low." pang-aasar ko.

"Tss. Shut up or else I'm going to take you in here."

Ngumisi ako na parang nanghahamon pa. I could feel my cheeks flushing. I've never been with anyone my whole life that's why I wasn't exposed to this kind of world. At ngayon, hindi ko mapapagkaila na iyon ang tumatakbo sa utak ko ngayon.

Just thinking of him inside me now makes my insides churn with so much pleasure. Kung ganito na agad ako kapag iniisip iyon, paano ba kaya kung mangyayari na?

His hand touched my soft spot. Napaungol ako sa gulat. Si Axel naman ang tumawa ngayon. I glared at him.

"You need to stop doing that." I warned him.

"Oh, really? Why would I do that when I know you're enjoying it."

Napahawak ako sa balikat niya nang dumaan na naman ang daliri niya doon. Napapikit ako. I bit my lip. I arched my back because his finger didn't leave that spot.

"You're so wet for me, baby."

I gasp. He felt that? Dumilat ako. Ramdam na ramdam ko na ang pawis na tumutulo sa dibdib ko. Mas hinila niya ako palapit sakanya. Gumalaw ang kanyang kamay kaya mas napadiin ang pagkakakagat ko sa labi ko.

"You are so turned on." He whispered. "You like this huh?"

He flicked his finger on that soft spot. It's annoying that something's in between it. I'm surprised that his patience hasn't run out yet.

My heavy breathing filled the room. Gumalaw muli ang daliri niya doon hanggang sa naramdaman kong hinawi na niya na ang suot kong lingerie. I gasp when I felt his fingers on my folds.

Itinago ako ang mukha ko sakanya at sinandal ang aking noo sa kanyang balikat. I don't want him to see how pleasured I was with this.

He continued to tease me down there. He rubbed it and my body starting convulsing. I could hear my shallow breathing. Pinatakan ko siya ng halik sa kanyang leeg.

I think that's what pushed him to insert his finger inside of me. Napaungol akong muli.

"Easy there, baby. I haven't even started yet." His voice sounds dangerous but pleasurable at the same time.

I was already panting while waiting for him to fully insert his fingers inside of me now. Namumugay ang mga mata niya akong tiningnan. His eyes went down to my lips. Kasabay ng paghalik niya sa akin ay ang pagpasok ng daliri niya sa akin.

I gasp at the pleasure that I felt. Napakapit ako sa kanyang leeg habang hinahalikan siya. He inserted his fingers inside of me faster.

"Ohhh... Ax... el..." I said when I stopped kissing him because I can already feel that I'm reaching the climax now.

I curled my toes when he's gone deeper and faster. I bit my lip to stop myself from moaning loud. I saw Axel bit his lips as well as he continued to give me pleasure down there.

Tumingala ako at hinabol ang hininga. Oh, god. I didn't know that it would feel this good!

One last push of his finger inside of me, he stopped. Dumilat ako at tiningnan siya na namumugay parin ang mga mata niya habang hinahabol rin ang hininga. He pressed a sweet kiss on my lips.

"I love you so damn much, Aria."

I ran my hands on his hair. I scanned his face, trying to memorize every detail. This man is mine only. At siya lang rin ang maaaring magparamdam ng ganito sa akin.

Nagpakawala ako ng malalim na hininga.

"I'm so glad that you're back. Tomorrow... I'll introduce you to my parents again. Not as my bodyguard anymore. But as my boyfriend."

Ngumiti siya at hinalikan akong muli. Natigil lang kami sa ginagawa nang may biglang kumatok. Sabay kaming napabaling ng tingin doon at nakitang may isang papel na nilusot mula sa maliit na butas sa ilalim ng pinto.

"Baka narinig nila tayo." nag-aalala kong sinabi.

Axel raised his index finger as he went towards the paper. Dahan-dahan niyang kinuha iyon. He read what's written on it.

His forehead creased. He crumbled the paper so I went down from the sink. Ramdam ko ang pamumuo ng galit niya.

"What does it say?" I asked curiously.

"You might not want to read it."

Kumunot ang noo ko. Hinawakan ko ang braso niya sa pag-aakalang mapapakalma siya nito. We were just enjoying our moment a while ago tapos biglang may susulpot na ganito?

"What is it? Please, Axel, can I see it?" paki-usap ko.

He shut his eyes and massaged his temple. His jaw clenched before he handed me the crumpled paper. Binuksan ko ito at binasa ang nakasulat doon.

Enjoy that little moment with your man while it lasts, princess. But don't forget... we still have our eyes on you. We're just everywhere in case you were wondering.

Napasinghap ako matapos kong mabasa iyon. Inangat ko ang tingin kay Axel na seryoso nang muli ngayon.

"They're here..." I whispered.

"Let's get you out of here."

Agad niyang binuksan ang pinto at hinala ako palabas doon. He instantly alerted all my bodyguards while we're getting out of here. Umangat naman ang tingin ko at nakita ang isang CCTV camera na malapit sa comfort room kung nasaan kami.

"There's a camera." I informed him.

Umangat rin ang tingin niya. He nods his head.

"I know. We'll worry about that tomorrow. Right now, all I need to do is to get you out of here."

Sa tingin ko ay nasabihan na rin ang bodyguards nila Mommy at Daddy dahil nakita kong ineescort na rin sila paalis dito. Nagkatinginan naman kami ni Matteo habang paalis ako.

"You're leaving now?" tanong niya nang makalapit.

Agad na napalingon si Axel sakanya at seryoso siyang tiningnan.

"A threat has been sent to her so she needs to leave now. Better shut your mouth for everyone's safety. You might not want this to spread don't you, boy?"

Kumunot ang noo ni Matteo at napakurap.

"Who are you?"

"None of your business."

Hindi na niya binigyan pa ng pagkakataon si Matteo na makapagsalita dahil hinila na ako ni Axel palayo sa lugar na iyon.

"You don't need to be so harsh to him." I said.

"Tss..."

Nakahanda na ang mga convoy nang lumabas kami.

"What is happening?" My father asked curiously.

Iniwan ako ni Axel saglit at pinaubaya kay Damon para magpaliwanag siya kay Daddy. Pinanood ko sila habang nag-uusap. My father glanced at me then his eyes went back to Axel. Tumango ito at tsaka tinapik ang balikat ni Axel nang matapos siya.

Agad namang bumalik si Axel sa tabi ko.

"You alright?" he asked.

"Yeah. You?"

He nods his head. Pinabukas na niya ang pinto ng convoy para sa akin at tsaka ako inalalayan papasok doon.

Gabi na pero hindi parin mawala sa isip ko ang nangyari kanina. Nakatanaw ako sa labas ng bintana habang iniisip ang nangyari.

They just can't leave me alone huh? Gusto talaga nilang sirain ang buhay ko. I don't understand why they won't stop on chasing me.

For all I know, Hero is just a member of their syndicate. I don't understand how a member would be so important to them that they need to do this to me.

Lumalalim na ang iniisip ko nang narinig ko ang pagtunog ng telepono ko. Lumapit ako sa dresser at kinuha iyon. I answered Axel's call.

"Hello?"

"Are you okay?"

I sighed. "Yeah. I just have a lot of things in mind."

"Look outside."

Kumunot ang noo ko. Kahit na nagugulohan pa ay nagtungo parin ako sa aking bintana at sumilip sa labas.

"Anong meron?"

Sa halip na sumagot ay nakita ko ang pagkaway niya sa dilim. He's holding a flashlight and he's using it to catch my attention. My mouth parted.

"I'm outside and I was watching you. You sure you're okay?"

"Yeah. I'm just surprised about what happened. Ilang linggo rin silang hindi nagparamdam kaya akala ko tapos na."

I heard him sigh heavily. Sa labas naman ay nakita ko ang pagsandal niya sa puno habang nakatanaw sa akin. I rest my head against the window.

"Just don't worry about it, okay? I'll handle this and everything will be alright soon."

"I hope so."

"Nothing bad will ever happen to you as long as I am here... breathing."

I clenched my jaw and shut my eyes.

"I don't want you hurt because of me, Axel."

"But it's my job. No matter what I do to keep you safe, I'll still get hurt."

Hindi agad ako nakasagot. I pursed my lips. I took a deep breath.

"I don't want to lose you."

"You won't. I promise."

Kahit na hindi mapanatag ay nagawa ko paring tumango. I look at him from outside my window again.

"I love you." I said.

"I love you, too, Aria."

Maaga akong nagising kinabukasan. I was putting my hair up in a bun when I went out of my room. Halos mapatalon ako nang makita ko si Axel sa labas ng kwarto ko.

"You scared me!"

Ngumisi siya at sinalubong ako ng yakap at halik sa pisngi.

"I'm sorry. Did you sleep well?" he asked.

Tinapos ko ang pagtatali ng buhok ko at tumango. Sinabayan na niya akong maglakad papuntang dining. Nasanay na ako na wala nang bodyguard sa labas ng kwarto ko kaya nabigla talaga ako nang makita ko si Axel sa labas.

"Kumain ka na ba?" tanong ko.

"Yes, at the headquarters."

Ngumuso ako. Balak ko pa naman sana siyang isabay sa amin.

"Would you like to eat again?"

"Sorry, but I'm full."

"How about coffee?"

He chuckled because I'm starting to become pushy. Ipapakilala ko siya sa mga magulang ko ngayon bilang boyfriend ko kaya kailangan na nandoon lang siya sa tabi ko.

"I'll stay. Don't worry."

I nod my head. Nang papalapit na kami sa dining ay nilingon ko siya.

"Are you ready?"

"Never been more ready."

I smiled. Pagpasok ko ng dining ay nagaabang na ang mga magulang ko doon. Sabay silang napaangat ng tingin sa amin.

Binaba ni Daddy ang dyaryo na hawak at inilahad ang upuan sa akin.

"Good morning, Mr. President," bati ni Axel. "Good morning, Madame."

Ngumiti si Mommy sakanya habang tinanguan naman siya ni Daddy. A ghost smile appeared on my lips when I realized that my parents are acting to light around him now.

While putting foods on my plate, my father spoke.

"Why don't you join us, son? I don't want you to just stand there while we're eating here."

Umangat ang mga kilay ko nang dahil sa pagkabigla. Napansin siguro ni Mommy ang reaksyon ko kaya siya natawa.

Yup. Something's really changed about him and my parents.

"It's okay, Sir. I'm fine here."

Sa tinagal-tagal na niyang ginagawa iyan noon, ngayon lang talaga siya naisipan ni Daddy na ayain na sumabay sa amin. It's really surprising. My father is a changed man.

"Oh, I insist. Kahit tabihan mo nalang ang anak ko. I'm sure she will like that."

Napabaling ako ng tingin kay Daddy na may mapaglaro nang ngisi ngayon. He scoffs when I gave him a meaningful look. Hindi naman nawala sa labi ni Mommy ang ngiti niya.

"Come here and join us, Axel." aya ni Mommy.

Naramdaman ko ang pagkakatigil ni Axel. Nilingon ko siya at tinaasan ng kilay. I pulled the chair out for him. Wala na siyang nagawa pa kaya tumabi na rin siya kalaunan sa akin.

I moved closer to him to whisper something on his ear.

"Starting today, you're always going to join us for breakfast."

"Aria!" he hissed.

"It's fine. They like you now."

Hindi na siya nagkaroon pa ng pagkakataon na makapagsalita dahil bumalik na ako sa pwesto at nagsimula nang kumain. Inutos ni Daddy sa butler na paghandaan ng kape si Axel.

Marami kaming pinag-usapan habang nasa hapag. Napag-usapan rin namin ang nangyari kagabi at nagagalak naman ako dahil nakikisali si Axel sa usapan. It feels like he's part of our family now.

Tuwing nagkakatuwaan ay napapabaling ako ng tingin kay Axel para makita ang ngiti niya sa kanyang labi. He rests his left hand on my thigh.

Kaya naman nang sandali kaming natahimik ay kinuha ko na iyong pagkakataon para ipakilala nang muli si Axel sakanila.

"Uh... Mom... Dad..." I started. "There's something that I've been meaning to tell you."

Nagkatinginan ang mga magulang ko sa isa't isa. Hindi ko alam kung may ibig sabihin ba ang tinginan nilang iyon o baka naman ay may inaasahan na talaga silang ibabalita ako ngayon.

I caught my mother trying to hide her smile. I cleared my throat.

I have a feeling my parents already knows.

"I know it's probably not the best time for this knowing that someone out there is after me. But..." I took a deep breath.

Nilingon ko namang muli si Axel. Walang bahid ng kaba sa kanyang mukha. He squeezed my thigh to assure me that it's okay.

"I know you know Axel already but... this time I don't want you to know him as my bodyguard anymore but... I want you to know him as someone your daughter loves and adore so much."

"And?" may mapaglarong tono sa boses ni Daddy.

"He's my boyfriend now and I know you think that people might-"

Hindi na ako pinatapos pa ni Daddy na magsalita dahil tumawa na siya. My forehead creased. What's so funny?

"It's okay, Aria," he said in between his laughter. Sandaling pinakalma ang sarili bago nagpatuloy muli. "We already know."

Namilog ang mga mata ko at agad na napabaling ng tingin kay Mommy na may malapad nang ngiti ngayon.

"It's wonderful that you thought about telling us, darling. But we already know it and it's fine." Si Mommy.

Si Axel naman ang nilingon ko ngayon. May mapaglaro nang ngisi sa kanyang labi kaya kinuha niya ang kamay ko at mahigpit itong hinawakan. I creased my forehead because this is starting to make me feel confused again.

"Did you tell them?" tanong ko.

Agad siyang umiling. Nagugulohan kong nilingon muli ang magulang ko.

"H-How did you know?"

"We have a source. Ask your friend. Damon is it?"

I gasp. Hindi ko inaasahan iyon. He's just as sneaky as this man beside me!!!

Nang dahil sa pagbubunyag ni Daddy ay hindi na rin napigilan ni Axel na mapahalakhak.

"Now I know that reason why he keeps on bugging me after I dropped you off." ani Axel.

Hindi ko na rin napigilan ang sarili at natawa na. That man! Kaya naman pala panay ang asar sa akin noong nakaraan!

And my parents! Isa pa sila! Kailan pa sila natutong maghanap ng source para lang makibalita sa kung anong namamagitan sa amin ni Axel? I can't believe them!

"We're happy for the both of you." my mother smiled genuinely at the both of us.

"And don't worry, Aria. I already talked to your boyfriend about what I'll do in case he breaks your heart."

"Dad!"

Hindi na siya sumagot pa at sumimsim na sa kanyang kape habang may makahulogang ngiti sa kanyang labi.

I scoff and shake my head. I turn to Axel again. He gave me a genuine smile before I continued eating my breakfast.