Fact check. This was the second timehe kissed me. Wait, what? I instantly grabbed my opportunity as I pushed him back and kissed him. Nabitawan ni Zeus ang tanging nagbibigay ilaw sa madalim na stock room na ito. Which I am too thankful dahil kahit papaano ay naaninag ko siya.

Nahulog ang iilan na bagay mula sa rack when he started removing his coat. Hindi umaalis ang tingin niya sa mga mata ko. I did the same while putting my hair into bun. Goodness. It looked so freaking hot. Him staring at me like that habang naghuhubad. Holyshit! This is it pancit! Gumana rin ang lahat ng effort ko sakanya.

I helped him unbutton his polo then he grabbed me by my neck to kissed him again. I didn't stop unbuttoning while he was exploring my mouth again. When I reached the last one, si Zeus na ang kusa naghubad no'n. Shit. Nanginginig na napahawak ang kamay ko sa matipuno niyang dibdib. I'd been fantasizing his chest but never in my twenty four year of age would I'd ever imagine that this would happen. As in, never! This was heaven! Zeus turned me around harshly and started kissing the back of my neck. This could be hell! Pakshit!

Napahawak ako sa rail ng rack at napapikit sa libo-libong sensasyon na binibigay saakin ng labi niya. He held my throat while pushing his groin onto my back and bit my ear a little.

"You want this, don't you?" His manly voice giving me another sensation. "Say yes, baby girl."

Napalunok ako nang mas lalong humigpit ang pagkakahawak niya sa leeg ko. Shit this, Zeus! Hindi ko alam na ganito siya. I found it hot... I didn't have any idea why.

"Y-yes, Zeus..." napapaos na sagot ko.

Pinilit niya ako iharap sakanya then showered my throat with his kisses going downward.

Halos makalimutan ko na huminga nang mapadpad siya sa dibdib ko. Before I know it, my white dress tube was pushed down on my waist and his mouth was licking my nipple. Hindi ko napigilan hindi mapakapit sa buhok niya. I heard him moan nang hilahin ko siya papalapit lalo saakin.

"You taste so good, Alzera..." saad niya at lumipat sa kabila. "I wonder how are you single?"

Napakagat-labi na lamang ako sa ginagawa niya. Hindi ko siya masagot. What the heck was happening? Paano kami napunta sa ganito? Bago pa ako makapag-isip ng kung ano-ano mas lalong dumiin ang pagkakahalik niya sa dibdib ko. I think I just lost my sanity to him. Mas napadiin ako sa pagkapit sa buhok niya. He went back kissing my throat, I heard him laugh when I moaned. Shuta ka, Zeus Esqueza. How dare you do this to me?!

"You're always seducing me everyday. Do you know how hard that is?" he asked while smelling my shoulder and touching my collarbone using his nose. "I know your plan, Alzera... It's working."

Nagbalik ang kamay ni Zeus sa likod ng buhok ko at iginiya ito pataas hanggang sa mapatingin ako sakanya. Tila ba pumapanig saamin ang mundo dahil biglang nagbukas ang ilaw sa stockroom. May mga music nadin kaming naririnig mula sa labas. Hindi kami pareho nataranta even if I'm half naked infront of him.

We didn't do anything. We're out of breath as our eyes met, blazing into fire he started. I was hoping he would kiss me again and finish our business. But he gazed down on my half naked body, and pushed back my dress slowly hanggang sa matakpan na nito ang dibdib ko. Zeus bit his lip and looked away nang maayos niya ang damit ko.

Dinampot niya ang cellphone mula sa lapag na parang walang nangyari. Para naman nagpa-palpitate ako sa nangyari pero pilit ko parin pinapakalma ang sarili ko. He was texting something thrn collected his coat and polo on the floor when his phone beeped.

'They're coming to get us here, fix yourself."

____________

"Ladies and gents, I know I'm not the right person to introduce my brother's fiance but I insisted because I want to."

Ano bang ginagawa ni Zeno sa stage? Pulang-pula na ang pisngi niya at mukha narin itong lasing na lasing. Nag-aalala kaming nagkatinginan ni Zeus. Nasa gilid na kami ng stage at hinihintay nalang ang pag-announce sa pangalan namin nang agawin ni Zeno ang mic sa host ngayon gabi.

"Don't get me wrong, sis-in-law. I want you."

Natahimik ang lahat ng tao sa function room. Nanigas din ang kamay ni Zeus mula sa likod ko.

"...for Zeus," tila ba nakahinga ang lahat sa sunod na narinig. "Pero gusto ko lang sabihin na congratulations! Finally! My eldest brother is getting married to someone he didn't know personally but prettier enough for this family."

"Go, kuya!" sigaw ni Zand mula sa lamesa. "Make me proud!" pagchi-cheer pa nito sa kalokohan ng kapatid. 

Todo saway naman si Mrs. Esqueza sa anak dahil hindi na maipinta ang mukha ni Mr. Esqueza na katabi nito.

"Anong ginagawa ni Zeno, Zeus?"

Huminga ng malalim si Zeus. "Doing what he used to do in the past, pinapahiya ang sarili kapag sobrang lasing na."

"Then why he would do that?"

"Maybe something happened. Zeno has a low tolerance of alcohol. Hindi siya basta-basta umiinom kung walang mabigat na problema."

Hindi maalis ang pagkunot sa noo ko. Ilan araw ko hindi nakita sa bahay si Zeno, may nangyari nga ba sa mga lumipas na araw na 'yon? I was about to say something nang maalala ko nanaman iyong nangyari saamin ni Zeus. Napahawak ako sa coat niya na pinahiram saakin upang takpan iyong tapon ng orange juice at napabuntong-hininga nalang.

"Ladies and gents... I now introduce to you, my loving brother and his fiance Zeus Esqueza and Alzera soon to be an Esqueza. Give them a clap naman, guys! Come on, nagsayang ako ng laway dito. Just clap, okay, good good, louder!"

Si Zand lang ang tila natutuwa sa pinaggagagawa ng kapatid dahil nakatayo pa ito habang pumapalakpak. Hinila na ako ni Zeus sa stage para kuhanin ang mic kay Zeno. Nagulat pa kami pareho nang yakapin siya nito ng mahigpit at nangangalong mata. 

"I'm so fucking happy for you, kuya," saad nito.

Ako naman ang niyakap niya kasunod. "Iingatan mo kapatid ko, Alzera. He's a sensitive asshole who only wanted to please our parents. Kahit na kalimutan na niya 'yong kasiyahan niya. So make him happy, okay?"

Shit. Buti nalang at nilayo na ni Zeus iyong mic kay Zeno kaya hindi narinig ng mga taong nakatingin saamin. Zeus tapped his brother's back and pushed him out of the stage. Dumantay nanaman ang kamay niya sa likod ko, releasing the stress from Zeno's narrative. 

"What a show," he laughed awkwardly. "Forgive my brother's insobriety. He's going through something. But I would like to thank everyone who came to meet my lovely fiance, Alzera Maghinang. I felt overwhelm finding someone who will help me build up the company my father worked hard for." 

Tumingin si Zeus kay Zach habang nagsasalita. Hindi ako nakakakita ng kahit anong galit sa mukha niya. What I see was like a promise and he did something that would make them happy. Maybe he's asking for their contentment?

"And I'll make sure that it won't go to waste. And I'm glad you are all here today, and so does my fiance's family, thank you for trusting her to us, to me. Thank you. I promise to take good care of her and love her until the sun goes dark."

Napatingin ako bigla kay Zeus nang sabihin niya 'yon. Love me? Wow. Big word, Esqueza! After mo akong tikman kanina, you now decided to love me? Kahit na natatawa ako sa sinasabi niya, deep down my bone I hope it was true.

"I believe this will be our last gathering since we're planning to have a mini wedding wherein only our families and few closes friends are invited. I hope you guys can understand that when it comes to my personal life, I take privacy seriously."

"It's fine, kuya! They will understand!" sigaw nanaman ni Zand. "Kahit na hindi ako invited maiintindihan ko rin!"

Nagtawanan ang audience. I tried to act normal and go with the flow nang hilahin ni Zeus ang ulo ko upang mapahiga sa balikat niya sa harap ng maraming tao. Ano ba naman ito, Zeus Esqueza. Ako? Ang dami-dami kong effort na ginawa upang mahulog lang siya sa patibong ko pero siya simpleng ganito lang, nahuhulog agad ako kahit walang balon.

"And to you, Alzera, my baby..." he whispered while staring to my eyes darkly.

The crowd went silent and so am I. Biglang bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko, ano bang nakain ni Zeus ngayon at bakit siya nagkakaganito? Oh right, ako nga pala nakain niya.

"Yes, baby?" I played too, he was taken aback a little when I touched his cheek.

"Thank you for coming into my life unexpectedly. I don't know what to do in a world without you in it." Zeus caressed my hair and tucked it behind my ear. "I'm the luckiest man alive for allowing me to be part of your world. Kahit na minsan, I'm really hard to please but you handle it perfectly, so thank you, my baby."

Nauubo akong tumingin sakanya. I bit my lip and moved closely to him. "You're welcome, baby. For you, I can do anything. Basta ipangako mo saakin na hindi mo ako iiwan--"

"I promise---"

"At hindi mo ako pagpapalit sa kahit na sinong babae," sabi ko nang biglang maalala kung anong ginawa saakin ng impakta niyang girlfriend. "At hinding-hindi mo ako hahayaan masaktan at umiyak ng dahil sa ibang tao."

"Hinding-hindi, Alzera," he smiled at me sweetly knowing what my game is this time. "Ikaw lang ang babaeng mamahalin at papakasalan ko, lagi mong tatandaan 'yan."

"I will definitely keep that in mind, Zeus Esqueza." I coughed. "My baby..."

"Good. Until the sun goes dark?" Kinuha ni Zeus ang wine glass na nasa tray sa tabi namin.

Ginaya ko siya and made a toast with him. "Until the sun goes dark."

"That's it for tonight, have a good night, everyone." he finished when we both gulped the wine.

Inalalayan ako ni Zeus pababa ng stage at hindi niya parin inaalis ang kamay sa bewang ko. Well, I'm gonna rate this one a ten since ang galing namin pareho. On my side, medyo totoo 'yong sinabi ko. Hindi ko lang alam kung totoo 'yong kanya.

"Ang galing mo naman umakting, sir," biro ko sakanya pagkababa namin. "Saan ka natuto? Star magic?"

"It came out naturally," he said habang papalapit kami sa table ng pamilya niya. "Thank you for riding it."

"Riding it?" I smirked. "May dapat pa tayong pag-usapan."

His family greeted us once again and my Papa Andy and Lucky ran on my side. Abot-tainga ang ngiti nila dahil mukhang nabusog na sa mga kinain ngayon gabi. Nakita ko pa na may nakauwang na plastic sa bulsa ng tatay ko mukhang nagbaon na ito ng pagkain pauwi ng bahay, ah?

"Am I like your flower girl?" tanong ni Zab, ang pinakabatang babae sa Esqueza. "Right, kuya? Paghahandaan ko na, I promise." 

Yumakap ito kay Zeus at saakin. Zab was the sweetest of them. 

"Whatever you want, Zab. Basta bawal ka mag-boyfriend hangga't hindi pa pumapasa sa standard ko," sabi naman ni Zeus dito.

"Am I not too young for that?"

"Pinapaalalahanan kalang namin, bratinella," singit ni Zand. "Just because you are everyone's favorite doesn't mean you can do what you want."

"Hello, I'm only twelve. What are you guys?"

"Your protective brothers," sagot ng tahimik na si Zane dito. 

"And sister," habol ni Zoey na ang gulo-gulo ng buhok. "Sorry got caught up with some problem but it's okay now. Hello there, sis-in-law, and hello there sa Papa at kapatid mo, nice meeting you po," nagmano si Zoey sa Papa Andy ko.

Tila nagulat naman si Zeus at ginaya ang ginawa ni Zoey, nagulat din ang buong magkakapatid na Esqueza at sunod-sunod na sila na nagmano sa Papa ko. Mr. and Mrs. Esqueza looked so please kahit na may nagawa si Zeno kanina. OMG. Nasaan nga ba si Zeno? 

"Bro, do you play Mobile Legend? Bisita ka sa bahay, we can play there the whole day," aya ni Zand sa kapatid ko.

Mas lalong lumawak ang ngiti nito. "Sige, sige, chat ko si ate kapag pupunta ako sainyo, bro ah. Pakain nadin."

Naubo ako sagot niya pero hinimas ni Zeus ang likod ko saying it's okay. Kahit na hindi totoo ang lahat, kahit na muntikan may mangyari kanina, I think I'll never get use talking with all of his family around. Sobrang bigat kasi ang pangalan na Esqueza, it was a super privilege if one of them notice you. Tapos ngayon, mga magulang niya pa ang kumausap saakin? How lucky am I?

"Thank you for coming, Mr. Maghinang, Lucky and of course, Alzera," saad ni Mr. Esqueza. "It was a pleasure meeting you once again."

"Ay, walang anuman 'yon, sir!" sagot ni Papa. "Basta para sainyo, kahit ano, gagawin namin."

"Pwede kayo mag-dinner sa bahay minsan, we should plan it," singit naman ni Ma'am Iris. "Para mas lalo pa natin makilala ang isa't isa.

"Couldn't agree more," sagot ni Mr. Esqueza. "Until then."

Hindi ko mahanap ang pajama ko sa cabinet. Ang lamig-lamig dito sa kwarto kasi tuwing gabi tapos mas lalong lumalamig kapag madaling araw. Mukhang naubos ko lahat ng pajama ko at hindi ko pa napapalaba sa baba. I had no choice but ended up wearing a silky red short night gown. It had a lace on top and on its edge. Okay? Hindi ko sinasadya magsuot ng ganito, wala lang talaga akong pajama.

Nagmumog muna ako ng mouthwash at naglagay ng kaunting liptint bago kumatok sa pinto ni Zeus. Ilan beses na akong kumakatok ngunit wala parin bumubukas kaya I welcome myself nalang at nagkusang pumasok sa loob. But then, it was empty.

"Nasaan na kaya 'yong moody na 'yon?"

Nagpaikot-ikot ako sa loob ng kwarto niya. Puro libro at mga papeles lamang ang laman nito. His giant bed was in the middle and the top of that was a black and white portrait. His black, white and gray room was too satisfying to look at. I could sleep here better than in my room.

My fingertips played on his heavy duvet. Does he think of me too kapag nakahiga siya rito? I lay down and feel the softness of the fabric. Why am I such in a complicated situation? Pwede naman nasa labas lang ako ng bahay namin at kumakain ng kwek-kwek. Bakit pakiramdam ko kailangan kong makipagpatayan para panalo sa isang bagay na wala naman kasiguruduhan?

Ipinaikot ko ang katawan ko at inilaylay ang alon-alon kong buhok sa dulo ng kama. I was staring on his vintage light above acting like a star on the dark ceiling. Nang bigla ako makaaninag ng paggalaw sa paanan ko.

"Ay puta!" mura ko nang makita ko si Zeus sa paanan ko.

His body was half naked, tanging ang towel lang ang nagtatakip sa hubad nitong katawan. Goodness. His hair was still wet from the shower and his abs.... Shit. Bumaba pa lalo ang tingin ko sa parte na natatakpan ng twalya. Napalunok ako. 

"Enjoying the view, baby girl?"

Umirap ako at umusog palayo sakanya. I sat on the other side of the bed, crossing my leg. "Nah, you wish, Zeus."

"Bakit ka nandito?" seryosong tanong nito at umikot sa kama.

He was now drying his hair using another towel. Nakataas lamang ang kilay nito habang naghihintay ng sagot.

"Because, we need to talk," matapang na sagot ko.

"Okay," he proudly answered and lowered down himself infront of me. He put his hands on my both side, resting it on the bed. His face, god his face was too close for privacy. 

"Let's talk, baby."

____________________

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