CHAPTER 11

"HOW'S LADY SM doing?" Tanong ni Cloud kay Lord Jacques ng makabalik ito sa kusina galing sa paghahatid ng pagkain kay Lady SM. They don't want Lady SM moving around the house after she got shot. She needs to recover soon or else, Cloud's boss will lose his mind.

"She's recovering pretty fast." Sagot ng Marquess saka humilig ito sa island counter. "How's your lord doing?" Ito naman ang nagtanong kay Cloud.

"Working as usual." Sagot ni Cloud habang inihahanda ang pagkain ng Marquess sa lamesa. "Come here," pagkuwan ay aya niya rito sa mesa, "eat."

Lumapit naman kaagad ang Marquess sa mesa saka umupo. Pero sa halip na kumain, tumuon ang nagtatanong nitong mga mata sa plastic container na nilalagyan ni Cloud ng pagkain.

"You're gonna go to Dimitri's place again?" Jacques felt irritated for some reason.

Tumango naman si Cloud na hindi nakita ang iritasyon sa mukha ni Jacques dahil abala ito sa paglalagay ng pagkain sa plastic container. "Dimitri doesn't like take out, just like a son of a bitch I know."

Jacques scowled at Cloud. "Will it take you a while?"

Napatigil sa ginagawa si Cloud saka nag-angat ng tingin sa Marquess. Seeing Lord Jacques' face, if Cloud didn't know better, he'd say the Marquess doesn't want him meeting Dimitri. But it's as clear as day that Lord Jacques can only gave him friendship, so Cloud has to accept it, even though he wants more than that.

"Couple of hours." Sagot ni Cloud sa Marquess.

Now Jacques was pissed. "That long?"

"Yep."

"Can't you use courier to send it to him?"

"Nope. It's a secret place."

Hindi na nagsalita si Jacques. Nag-umpisa nalang siyang kumain at paminsan-minsan ay sumusulyap kay Cloud na ngayon ay kausap si Dimitri sa cellphone.

"Yeah? You want that? Okay." Cloud has this happy smile on his face that annoyed Jacques even more. "Sure. Dadaan ako sa grocery para mabili ko — no it's okay. 'Yon lang ba ipapabili mo sa 'kin? Wala nang iba?"

Hindi namalayan ni Jacques na tumigil na pala siya sa pagkain dahil nakatuon ang buong atensiyon niya kay Cloud na nakikipag-usap kay Dimitri sa cellphone.

Then Jacques heard Cloud laughed like he's enjoying the fucking conversation with Dimitri.

"Really, Dimitri?" Cloud was still laughing. "Fine, fine. I'll be their in 30."

Nang tapusin ni Cloud ang tawag, kaagad na ibinalik ni Jacques ang atensiyon sa pinggan niya.

"I have to go now." Imporma sa kaniya ni Cloud. "Take care of Lady SM. If you need anything while I'm away, text or call me."

Tumango lang siya habang nakatutok ang mga mata sa pinggan, pinapakiramdaman niya ang galaw ni Cloud, kaya naman ng umikot ito sa lamesa palapit sa kaniya, nakahanda siya sa sunod nitong gagawin.

Jacques was ready, he knew Cloud's gonna flirt again before he leaves. Jacques was sure that it's gonna be some flirty words again, Jacques was used to it by now, but he was taken aback because instead of flirty words, Cloud kissed the top of his head before tapping his shoulder.

"I'll be back soon, my lord." Cloud said then he left.

And Jacques was left in shock, his hand touched the place on the top of his head where Cloud kissed him.

Then Jacques tsked. "That motherfucker..." He scowled. "Cloud's becoming so touchy these days. I'll kick his ass later."

Naiiling na tinapos ni Jacques ang pagkain, saka hinugasan ang pinagkainan bago tinungo ang kuwarto ng Conde para tingnan ang kalagayan ni Lady SM.

Lady SM was sleeping peacefully and Jacques couldn't help but to stare. Looking at Lady SM peacefully sleeping face, he remembered what Kaius told him when he called him yesterday, when Jacques was finally able to talk without prying ears.

The Triad, the organization his father was secretly part of, wanted him to eliminate Lady SM. They wanted her out of the way. Jacques said yes to end the conversation.

He's here because of this woman. He meet Cloud because of his mission. He told Cloud that he wanted to stay friends with him for a long time, but could they really stay friends after this? Cloud's very loyal to the Count, if Cloud finds out about his mission, he would treat him differently — no, Cloud would definitely hate him. I don't want that.

Jacques sighed and left the Count's room. He has all the chance to eliminate Lady SM but he doesn't want to. Lady SM was a very good person who treated him kindly and with respect. How could he hurt such an amazing woman?

Hindi ito ang unang misyon niya, maraming beses na siyang pinadala sa mga misyon para mag-ispeya pero hindi pa siya nagdalawang-isip ng ganito.

Dahil ba naging malapit na siya sa mga tao sa loob ng bahay na 'to? Jacques knew he got attached.

Lady SM was a very kind and genuine woman. The Count was irritating and annoying but Jacques learn one thing about the motherfucker that made him less irritating, The Count cares so much about everyone. Then there's Dimitri, for some reason, Jacques hates him even though he's a nice guy. And then there's Cloud — the guy who genuinely takes good care of him, the only person who could stand his bad temper — the philandering bastard who likes him, romantically.

Meeting these people, Jacques was having a hard time completing his mission. He doesn't want to hurt these people, but if he doesn't, he'll be punished severely.

Bumuntong-hininga si Jacques saka tinungo ang kuwarto niya. Tamang-tama naman na tumatawag si Kaius.

"Hey." Aniya ng sagutin ang tawag.

"How's it going?" Kaius asked.

Nahiga siya sa kama. "I'm good."

Kaius sighed. "You don't sound good to me. Something I need to know?"

This time, it was Jacques' turn to sighed. "Do I really need to kill Lady SM?"

"Yes."

"What if I don't want to?"

"The punishment is death, Jacq. Do you really wanna risk it?"

Nawalan ng imik si Jacques.

"Why are you hesitating?" Kaius asked, confused at Jacques' hesitation. "This is unlike you."

Napatitig si Jacques sa kisame. "I made a fucking friend."

"Who?" Kaius knew that Jacques would never consider someone a friend without a heavy reason.

"You don't need to fuckin' know that."

Natahimik si Kaius sa kabilang linya. Ilang segundo ang lumipas bago ito nagsalita. "A mission is a mission, Jacques. You know that."

"I know that, asshole."

"Then don't hesitate." Ani Kaius saka pinatayan siya ng tawag.

Nanatiling nakatitig si Jacques sa kisame saka bununtong-hininga. And here he thought it was a simple mission. Well, it was, but he met good people and a good friend. Now, it's getting hard.

Natigilan siya sa pag-iisip ng tumunog ang cellphone niya na nasa malapit pa rin sa tainga niya. Tinatamad na tiningnan niya kung bakit iyon tumunog.

It's a text. From Cloud.

From: Nube

How's my babe?

Napailing si Jacques saka mahinang natawa. Sanay na siya sa mga ganitong text ni Cloud. This doesn't bother him anymore. It's not like Cloud will stop being flirty after cursing him to no end — he did that already but Cloud's still flirty.

Jacques replied using one emoticon only. '😔'. He wants to say he's bored but too many words to type.

Mabilis na nag-reply si Cloud sa emoticon na senend niya.

From: Nube

OTW home.

Hindi na nag-reply si Jacques at ipinatong sa bedside table ang cellphone niya.

Habang naghihintay kay Cloud, ang daming pumapasok na katanungan sa isip ni Jacques — mga katanungan na wala siyang maisagot.

Like ... Cloud's confession and his kiss didn't repulsed him. Why? I'm a man, so is Cloud. Was it normal not to feel repulsed by it or was it because they're friends that's why his mind could accept it?

Friends.

Jacques imagined his best friend, Kaius, kissing him and he felt all the hair on his body rose. He felt disgusted and he gagged. He wanted to vomit at the thought.

Fuck!

Marahas siyang napailing kapagkuwan ay inalala ang nangyari sa kuwarto ni Cloud, nuong isang gabi.

Jacques could still feel Cloud's lips. They were soft but firm. Thinking about it doesn't repulsed him, and it only means one thing, his tolerance to Cloud's kiss has nothing to do with being good friends with him.

So ... what does it mean?

Confused, he stood up and left the bed. Ayaw niyang mag-isip ng kung ano-ano kaya naman nagdesisyon siyang manood nalang ng pelikula.

Jacques opened the door to his room to get some DVDs in Cloud's room when he came face to face with Cloud himself. They both froze, especially when they both realized that they're body was only inches away from each other.

And Jacques didn't miss it when Cloud's eyes dropped to his lips and saw Cloud gulped. Jacques was not naïve to not recognize the glint in Cloud's eyes as he stared at his lips — it was desire.

But when Cloud blinked, the desire disappeared and was replaced by a friendly but slightly flirty smile. "Hey...miss me?"

Jacques stared at Cloud for a couple of seconds. He could tell that Cloud was trying his hardest not to cross the friendship line that Jacques drew for them.

Hindi gumalaw si Jacques. Nanatili siya sa kinatatayuan at ganun din si Cloud. They're body remained inches apart from one another.

"I was planning to watch a movie and was about to go to your room to get some DVDs." Jacques said and licked the corner of his lips.

Cloud's eyes dropped to his lips again while he was talking, and there it was, the desire in Cloud's eyes were back. And it looked stronger than the last one, Jacques could feel it.

Cloud gulped and tried to smile at the Marquess to discard the desire in his eyes. "Anong gusto mong pelikula?" Tanong ni Cloud sa Marquess. "Ako na ang kukuha."

"Anything but chick flicks."

Cloud chuckled. "I know that already." Cloud has to drag himself away from the Marquess to control the desire burning inside him.

Fuck! Cloud was never the kind of guy to control his urges. He was used to 'if I want you, I'll fuck you', but he couldn't do that with the Marquess.

Lord Jacques will really hate him and kill him. He's sure of that.

Inside his own room, Cloud calmed himself before going back to the Lord Jacques' room with five DVDs in hand. He let Lord Jacques choose, and of course, the Marquess chose another horror film.

Pagkatapos ipasok ni Cloud ang DVD sa DVD player, tinungo niya ang sofa at doon umupo. Habang ang Marquess naman ay nakaupo sa kama nito at nakahilig sa headboard.

"Calming yourself?" Jacques asked when Cloud sat down on the sofa. Jacques instantly knew what's happening when Cloud distanced himself from him.

Cloud nodded at the Marquess. He's sure that he will be beaten up if the Marquess saw the bulged in between his thighs. Thanks to his crazy boss — note the sarcasm— and to a lot of articles he read about how men do it, his mind was always in the gutter when Lord Jacques' was around.

Kaya nga iniwasan niya ito ng ilang araw. And looked what happened — it resulted in him kissing the Marquess because Cloud's mind was driving him crazy and he couldn't repress it anymore.

Of course, that kiss caused a loud argument but it was worth it. He get to prove that Lord Jacques' lips were soft, luscious and sensual just like in his imagination. And yes, Cloud got that from a couple of seconds peck on the lips.

What? I'm talented like that.

Huminga ng malalim si Cloud saka tinuon ang buong atensiyon sa pelikula na pinapanood.

It's a horror film, it was supposed to scare the fuck out of Cloud and scare his boner away, but nope, he's getting harder and harder because his mind was a fucking tease — the memory of Lord Jacques' licking the corner of his own lips earlier keeps repeating in his mind like a broken record.

Biglang tumayo si Cloud. He can't take this anymore! He needs to calm down.

"I'm just going to take a bath." Aniya saka naglakad patungo sa pinto.

Bago pa niya mapihit ang pinto pabukas, narinig niya ang nanunudyong boses ng Marquess.

"Cold shower?"

Cloud didn't answer, he just left the Marquess' room silently and went straight to the bathroom in his room to take a very cold shower, which was now a normal thing for him ever since he read those articles.

"THAT MOTHERFUCKER..." Jacques muttered under his breath when Cloud left his room to have a cold shower. So Cloud couldn't control his desire after all. Well, he was a womanizer. Napailing nalang siya saka mag-isang nanood.

Hanggang sa matapos ang pelikula, walang Cloud na bumalik.

Napailing nalang si Jacques saka pinatay ang DVD at TV at bumalik ulit sa kama niya. Hindi siya inaantok, pero gusto niyang magpahinga kaya naman ipinikit niya ang mga mata. Jacques was trying to take a nap when he heard the door to his room opened.

Kaagad na nakilala ni Jacques ang may-ari ng yabag na papalapit sa kaniya.

"Lord Jacques?" It was Cloud calling his name softly.

Gising si Jacques pero hindi siya nagmulat ng mata. Gusto niyang malaman kung anong gagawin ng bagong dating sa isiping tulog siya. Jacques wanted to know if Cloud will be true to his words that he won't ask for more from him.

So Jacques waited... moments later, the space beside him dipped, it only means one thing, Cloud was now sitting beside him, close enough but not that close for their skin to touch.

Jacques waited again.

"Lord Jacques?" Cloud called his name softly, like it'll break if he calls his name with force. "Jacques?"

Jacques didn't move and Cloud became silent.

Minutes later, Jacques was about to give up and open his eyes when something touch his face — It's Cloud's fingertips if his observation was correct.

Jacques has to control himself not to frown when he felt Cloud fingertips softly caressing his face, leaving a tingling sensation in its wake. What's that? That's a first for him. Jacques had been touched by women before, but no one was able to make him feel the tingling sensations that he's feeling right now.

The control Jacques has to exercise not to tense under Cloud's touch was exhausting him, but Jacques remained unmoving. Gusto niyang malaman kung may gagawin pa si Cloud.

To Jacques' surprise, he felt disappointed when Cloud quickly pulled away his fingertips from caressing his face like he was burnt. Then Jacques heard Cloud sighed heavily.

"This sucks," Cloud whispered, "I can't even touch you freely. I never thought that liking a man could be this hard. If you were a girl, I would've court you already, maybe shared a kiss or two, but you are a man and its hard because I don't want to make you uncomfortable. I keep asking myself if what I feel for you is wrong, but if it's wrong, why does it feel so right for me?"

Cloud was silent for a long time before he spoke in a hush tone again.

"I'm really having a hard time, Lord Jacques. I'm sorry for flirting with you and touching you and kissing you — I just can't stop it. I'm trying. Really hard. But the more I repress it, the more it comes out. What am I gonna do, my lord?" Cloud's voice was begging, "I don't want you to hate me, but I really wanna touch you so bad its driving me crazy."

Then Jacques felt a hand that softly and carefully covered his closed eyes.

"Please," Cloud whispered softly, "don't wake up first."

Jacques was confused what Cloud meant by that and why Cloud covered his eyes when he felt a soft lips covered his — and that's when Jacques realized what Cloud meant.

Cloud. Fucking. Kissed. Him.

It's easy to stop this craziness, it's so easy that all Jacques needs to do was open his eyes and pushed Cloud away. That's it. No one could stop him from doing that. No one, not even Cloud. But Jacques didn't open his eyes nor pushed Cloud away — it's like he doesn't have the strength to do those things — it's like his body was cooperating with Cloud.

Jacques remained unmoving. He remained 'asleep' as Cloud nipped the bottom of his lips, tugging it softly before Cloud's tongue licked the seam and the upper part of his lips sending a tingling sensation throughout his body, awakening a heat from within him that he didn't know existed until that moment.

Subconsciously, Jacques' lips parted as Cloud kissed him softly, delicately, like a butterfly wings fluttering over his lips. No tongue. Just sweet soft kisses, but Jacques could feel the trembling of Cloud's lips.

Jacques could feel it, Cloud wants more.

But Cloud stunned him by pulling away while breathing heavily, not uttering a single word, Cloud left his room.

Slowly, Jacques opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling in shell shock.

Why? Why did he let that bastard do that to him?! Fucking why?! He's straight! He doesn't like men! He was never interested in men! So fucking why?!

Jacques ransacked his mind — he looked for answers in every corner of his brain, but to his shock, there was none.

The only answer his mind could come up with it was ... I don't know.