CHAPTER 2

HINDI ALAM NI Cloud kung matatawa o maaawa siya kay Lord Jacques habang pinipilit nitong ubusin ang vegetable salad na gusto nitong matikman. The way Lord Jaques' eyebrow furrowed and his face contorted in confusion with a little hint of disgust were enough for Cloud to conclude that he's not enjoying the food.

"You okay, Jacq?" Tanong ni Lady SM sa malumanay na boses.

While his master, Knight, scoffed. "Why are you even eating a vegetable salad, you motherfucking Marquess? Look at your face. It's like someone's torturing you."

"Fuck you, you motherfucking Count." Itigadong sagot ng Marquess kay Knight. "Don't fucking talk to me."

Now Lady SM was worried. "Palitan nalang natin ang pagkain mo, gusto mo?"

Umiling ang Marques saka ngumiti kay Lady SM. Gone the hostile Marquess. "It's good, milady. Don't worry."

That's clearly a lie to appease Lady SM and Cloud knew that Lady SM was not buying it, but still, she let the topic go.

Napailing nalang si Cloud saka napatitig ulit sa Marquess. Lord Jacques was really having a hard time swallowing the vegetable without making a face. Sigurado siyang kung mag-isa lang ito, kanina pa nito isinuka ang kinain. He's just holding himself up for dignity.

And it's getting into Cloud's nerves!

He can't watch the Marquess trying to finish his vegetable salad. It's maddening seeing him turning green but not doing anything about it!

Where's the bossy Marquess who would surely push away the food if it didn't satisfy his tastebud? Where's that pompous ass? Where's that spoiled brat Marquess he knew that would cuss non-stop if it's not to his liking?

Is he trying to look good for Lady SM? Is that it?

Cloud was pissed even more.

Hanggang sa matapos nalang silang maghapunan, hindi talaga tinulak ng Marquess ang pinggan nito. He endured the vegetable salad, even though Cloud was sure that it tasted horrible for the Marquess.

And when his master and Lady SM excused themselves after dinner, the Marquess followed and left the dining table.

Napailing nalang si Cloud ng mag-isa nalang siya sa kusina. Ilang segundo ang pinalipas niya bago tumayo sa kinauupuan at nag-umpisang magligpit ng pinagkainan.

Habang naghuhugas ng pinggan, hindi mawala sa isip niya ang hitsura kanina ng Marquess habang kumakain. Lord Jacques looked really uncomfortable while eating and Cloud was sure as hell that the vegetable salad didn't appeased the Marquess' hunger.

Tiyak na gutom ito ngayon.

Napabuntong-hininga nalang siya saka napailing dahil sa hindi malamang kadahilanan nag-aalala siya sa kalagayan nito. And it's rare for him because he only worries about one person, and that's his crazy boss.

Tinapos ni Cloud ang paghuhugas, kapagkuwan ay natagpuan niya ang sarili na nagluluto.

Maybe because he's supposed to guide him, as his boss' request.

Cloud air fried a chicken breast that was dipped into a mixture of egg and flour, then pressed it into a panko bread crumbs, parmesan, lemon zest, salt and pepper to coat. Then he drizzle some oregano on top of it after it's done.

He placed the food he made on a tray, together with a glass of water and a glass of fresh mango juice then he pulled his phone from his pocket to call the Marquess.

"Where are you?" Kaagad niyang tanong ng sagutin nito ang tawag. Ayaw niyang halughugin ang bahay para lang hanapin ito.

"Why the fuck are you asking?" The Marquess was hostile again.

He sighed. "Just tell me. I'm not in the mood to be nice to you."

Ilang segundo ang lumipas bago ito sumagot. "My room..."

Pinatay niya ang tawag saka binuhat ang tray gamit lang ang isang kamay. He'd been a butler for so many years that he already perfected carrying and balancing a tray full of food with only one hand.

Lumabas ng kusina si Cloud at umakyat sa ikalawang palapag ng bahay at tinungo ang kuwarto ng Marquess.

He didn't even know why he's worried or why he's doing this. Before he knew it earlier, he was already cooking for the Marquess.

Cloud shook his head and stopped in front of Lord Jacques' room. Kumatok muna siya bago binuksan ang pinto at pumasok.

Kapagkuwan ay natigilan siya sa paghakbang ng mapasukan ang Marquess na nasa kalagitnaan ng pagsusuot ng pang-itaas na damit.

He had a great body. That's the first thing that enters Cloud's mind seeing the Marquess half naked. He has muscles in the right places, but not the bulky kind of muscles. Just enough to fill his arms, chest and abdomen.

Cloud immediately shook his head when the thought finally sunk in.

Since when did another man's body look great in his eyes?

Now, I'm being weird. Kulang ba siya sa tulog? Must be.

Tumikhim si Cloud bago naglakad patungo sa mahabang bench na nasa paanan ng kama.

Cloud carefully placed the tray on the bench made of wood before standing straight, then he stilled when he looked at Lord Jacques and their eyes met.

Nagsalubong ang kilay niya ng mapansing parang may kakaiba sa hitsura nito. For some reason, he looked pale. At mukhang napansin nito ang pagtataka sa mukha niya dahil nagpaliwanag ito kaagad.

"I vomited a little." The Marquess tsked irritatedly. "Fucking vegetable."

Because of the salad? "Bakit kasi pinilit mong kainin 'yon kung hindi mo naman gusto? You should have push the plate away."

"You made it. I don't want to make you feel bad."

So that's why he forced himself to finish it? Napailing siya saka iminuwestra ang kamay sa tray. "I know you didn't enjoy the vegetable salad so I cooked you something. Eat up."

Bumaba ang tingin ng Marquess sa tray na nasa bench. "Looks good..."

"Tastes good as well." Cloud's not bragging, but he really was a good cook.

"So fucking cocky... " naiiling na komento ni Lord Jacques pero kapagkuwan ay umupo ito sa bench at nagumpisang kumain.

Nakamasid lang naman dito si Cloud. Good thing the Marquess looked like he's enjoying the food he prepared for him.

Tumikhim siya, "anyways, is there any food allergies I need to know about?" Tanong niya para basagin ang katahimikan sa kuwarto. "I'm the cook, so I need to know what you can and can't eat."

Umiling ang Marquess. "No allergies." Then he sighed, "but no fucking grass anymore."

Nagsalubong ang kilay niya. "Vegetables are not grass."

"They are to me." Lord Jacques tsked. "I am not eating that again! But some say it's delicious though," nag-angat ito ng tingin sa kaniya, "maybe you made it wrong?"

Cloud looked at the Marquess flatly. "Maybe I shouldn't have cooked you another meal."

"I'm kidding." Mahina itong natawa. "By the way, do you have another set of biddings? This one is giving me rashes." Anito na ang tinutukoy ay ang kasalukuyang bedsheet ng higaan nito.

Tumaas ang dalawa niyang kilay sa narinig, "rashes?"

"Yeah, the fabric is giving rashes. I don't like it." Yep. He's back to being bossy again. "Change it for me. I don't know how."

Pasimpleng hinilot ni Cloud ang sentido.

"I want a Gucci bedsheet." Dagdag pa nito na ikinasakit ng ulo niya. "And Gucci pillowcase as well."

This is what he gets for worrying that this ass Marquess might get hungry at night. Now, he's bossing him around. This motherfucker!

Cloud took a very deep breath to calm down. "First of all, Lord Jacques, I'm not your butler for you to boss me around. Second, we don't have a Gucci bedsheet and pillow case. So just suck it up. You'll get used to it."

"No, I won't." Lord Jacques mumbled and didn't say anything more than that.

Akala niya magmumura ito o mumurahin siya tulad ng palaging ginagawa nito kapag kaharap ang amo niya o kapag may gusto itong hindi nakukuha, pero nanatili itong tahimik.

Napailing siya saka pinalipas niya ang oras sa paglilinis ng kuwarto ng Marquess, kasama na ang banyo habang kumakain ito.

And after Lord Jacques finished eating, Cloud carefully picked the tray up and glanced at the Marquess.

"I already ready your toothbrush in the bathroom." Imporma niya rito, "and if you want to bathe, I already ready the bath and the towel for you, but give it a little time since you just finished eating." Then he slightly bowed down his head to show respect, he was used to doing it that it has now become a part of him. "Goodnight, Lord Jacques." He said before leaving.

Hindi pa siya nakakalabas ng kuwarto nito, akmang bubuksan palang niya ang pinto ng marinig niyang nagsalita ang Marques.

"Gracias."

A small smile made it's way to Cloud's lips. So the pompous ass knows how to say thank you.

"De nada." Cloud replied before leaving the room.

Bumalik siya sa kusina para hugasan ang pinagkainan ng Marquess, pagkatapos ay umikot muna siya sa buong bahay para siguraduhing naka-lock lahat ng pintuan at bintana bago tinungo ang kuwarto niya.

As Cloud lay on the bed and stared at the ceiling, the Marquess entered his mind.

As per his observation, the Marquess was a pompous brat. Bossing around people looks so natural for him, maybe because of his standing in life. But even though he's a pompous ass, he does know how to say thank you and appreciate someone's effort.

He actually ate the salad, even though he doesn't like it, because I made it for him.

Dahan-dahang gumuhit ang ngiti sa labi niya, Kapagkuwan ay napailing siya ng mahuli ang sariling nakangiti.

Because of that Marquess, he's being weird.

Maybe it's because it's his first time meeting such a person with nobility status. But his master was a Count — well, Lord Knight was crazy, so he's in a different league. He couldn't compare the two.

Cloud blows a loud breath. Instead of ransacking his mind and confusing his own self, he better get some sleep.

Akmang ipipikit sana niya ang mga mata ng bigla nalang may pumasok sa isip niya. Naiiritang bumangon siya saka may kinuha sa walk-in closet niya bago lumabas ng kuwarto niya at tinungo ang kuwarto ng Marquess.

Cloud knocked on the door, then he gave it twenty seconds before entering the room.

Pagkapasok niya, kaagad niyang nakita ang Marquess na nakahiga sa bench sa may paanan ng kama. He's awake alright, but didn't even made an effort to open the door for him. What an ass.

Kinunotan niya ito ng nuo. "Bakit diyan ka nakahiga?"

"The sheet is gonna give me more rashes." Sagot nito. "I don't like it."

Cloud sighed before showing Lord Jacques what he brought for him from his closet. It's a set of beddings. "I don't have Gucci, but ... is Versace okay?"

Kaagad na bumangon ang Marquess mula sa pagkakahiga sa bench saka gumuhit ang malapad na ngiti sa labi nito. "Fuck, yeah. I like Versace."

"Of course, you do." Cloud mumbled sarcastically before changing the beddings of the Marquess' bed.

"Should I help—"

"Don't bother." Kaagad niyang pigil sa Marquess na akmang tatayo mula sa pagkakaupo sa bench. "I'll do it. Just sit there and shut up."

"Who the fuck are you to tell me to shut up?" Iritadong tanong ng Marquess.

"The one changing the bedsheet so you can sleep better at night." Puno ng sarkasmo niyang sagot.

The Marquess didn't say anything anymore, but while Cloud was changing the bedsheet, he could feel Lord Jacques' eyes on him.

Bumuntong-hininga siya saka tumingin dito. "What is it?"

"Nothing." Sagot ng Marquess. "You just make it look so easy changing the beddings."

"That's because I'm a butler." Sagot niya saka bumalik sa pagaayos ng higaan nito.

"I have three butlers back home," pagkuwento ng Marquess, "but none of them put a toothpaste on my toothbrush for me like you did."

"Yeah?" He said nonchalantly while changing the pillowcase.

"Yeah."

"Then they are not one of hell of a butler like me." He playfully said before spreading the comforter on the bed and smoothing its edges. "There. Done." Aniya ng matapos saka niligpit ang beddings na pinalitan niya at dinala iyon palabas, patungo sa kuwarto niya.

He placed the beddings on the sofa inside his room before lying himself down on the bed.

This time, Cloud was able to sleep peacefully, without worry.

DONE WITH EVERYTHING in the house, Cloud was looking forward to resting. Pero dahil sa baliw niyang boss na pinapapunta siya sa café ni Lady SM, hindi siya nakapagpahinga.

From: Count Crazy

'Come to SM's Café. ASAP. Need alone time with my baby. You take care of the café.'

Napabuntong-hininga nalang si Cloud. So much for resting.

Cloud went to the garage and stepped inside his car— Mercedes-Maybach Exelero— a gift from his older brother for his birthday last year.

He drove it to Lady SM's café.

Habang minamaneho niya ang sasakyan palabas ng BV, nakasalubong niya ang baliw niyang boss sakay sa motorsiklo nito at nasa likod nito si Lady SM.

Cloud doesn't need to be a genius to figure out what's those two are gonna do.

Dumeretso siya sa Bitter Sweet Café at ipinarada ang sasakyan sa parking lot saka pumasok siya sa loob. Kaagad niyang nakita si Lord Jacques na nagsi-serve ng order sa mga costumer.

Tumaas ang sulok ng labi niya habang pinagmamasdan ito. He looked awkward serving people, but he's still doing it.

All for Lady SM.

The Marquess was really trying his hardest for the woman he likes.

Umupo sa bakanteng lamesa si Cloud saka hinintay na mapansin siya ng Marquess. Abala pa rin ito sa paghahatid ng order ng mga costumer. Habang tumatagal, napapansin niyang padilim ng padilim ang mukha nito, lalo na kapag may idinadagdag na pagkain ang costumer pagkatapos nitong ilapag ang unang inorder ng mga ito.

The Marques looks pissed making Cloud chuckle. It's fun to watch Lord Jacques trying to calm himself down to not explode in anger in front of the costumers.

Then accidentally, their eyes met.

Using his forefingers, Cloud draws a smiling lip near his own, motioning Lord Jacques to do the same.

With Lord Jacques pissed expression, he mouthed 'Fuck you' in reply.

Cloud can't hold his laughter. The pissed face of the Marquess was really amusing to see.

The Marquess looks cute when he's pissed.

Cloud went still. His smile disappeared. Since when did I find a man cute? He's being weird again. Maybe Lord Knight's attitude was rubbing off of him. His boss was weird after all.

Napailing siya saka napatingin ulit kay Lord Jacques na ngayon ay naglalakad na patungo sa mesa niya.

"What are you doing here?" The Marquess asked him. He's pissed alright.

"My Lord asked me to be here." Sagot niya saka sumeryoso ang mukha niya. "It's a good thing that I'm here. How about we start our lesson?"

Kumunot ang nuo nito. "Here?"

"Yeah."

"How?"

"Serve them with a smile."

"I don't want to." Kaagad nitong sabi. "They're not milady."

"It's called practice."

"I can smile just fine at milady. I don't need practice for that."

Cloud sighed to release the irritation building inside him. "If you say so. Let's just forget about this teaching you how to be a butler then. It's no use." Tumayo siya at akmang aalis ng mahinang nagmura ang Marquess habang nagtatagis ang bagang nito.

"Fuck it! Fine!" Lord Jacques hissed in between his greeted teeth before leaving his table and turning back to the customers and serving them with a smile.

The Marquess was still pissed alright, but he's still smiling.

Bumalik sa pagkakaupo si Cloud at pinagmasdan ang Marquess. It's amusing really, but it's not all that. The Marquess really needs to learn how to be courteous with strangers if he wants to be a butler. He's Lady SM's butler — that means, Lady SM must be an important person somehow. Dapat ngayon palang, mahasa na itong makiharap ng maayos sa ibang tao kahit pa nga hindi nito gusto 'yon.

Courtesy is everything. And then followed by showing manners.

Ilang segundo pa niyang pinagmasdan ang Marquess bago siya tumayo at umorder ng pagkain sa counter.

Chicken Avocado Pita Sandwich and coffee.

Nang makabalik siya sa mesa, kinuha niya ang cellphone sa bulsa saka napabuntong-hininga ng makitang may mensahe galing sa ina niya.

He opened it.

From: Mamá

'Cloud Sebastian Beaumont, when are you planning to settle down? My friend's daughter is very beautiful. She'll suit your taste.'

Cloud sighed before turning off his phone without replying to his Mom's message.

Palagi nalang iyon ang tanong ng ina niya. Well, he's not getting younger, he knew that, but he's not ready to settle down yet. He's nearing thirty, but that doesn't really concern him.

His concern was ... who will take care of his master if he got married? He promised his lord that he will help him and stay by his side until he no longer needs him and he wants to keep that promise. He wants to support him in any way he can. Of all people, he's the one who knows best that his Lord doesn't like being left behind and abandoned and he will not do it to the Count.

Nasisiguro niyang kung mag-aasawa siya, tiyak na patitigilan siya nito na pagsilbihan ang amo niya na para na ring pamilya ang turing niya.

He will never leave his lord's side. For as long as he needs him.

Cloud was pulled out from his reverie when someone served him his order. When he looked up to see, it was Lord Jacques.

"Enjoy the fucking food." The Marquess said with a fake smile.

Hindi niya pinansin ang pagmumura nito saka iminuwestra lang ang kamay sa kaharap na upuan. "Sit."

"I'm fuckin' working."

"Just sit." Aniya. "This won't take long."

Napipilitan man, umupo ito sa kaharap niyang upuan. Siya naman ay kaagad na tinulak ang pinggang may lamang Chicken Avocado Pita Sandwich palapit sa Marquess.

"Pinaalis ko sa kanila ang gulay para makain mo." Aniya saka sumimsim ng kape.

Walang imik na kumain naman ang Marquess, at paminsan-minsan ay bumubuntong-hininga ito. The Marquess must be tired since he's not used to this.

Inilahad ni Cloud ang kamay sa Marquess. "Give me your apron."

Lord Jacques frowned at him while munching the sandwich. "Why?"

"Just give it."

Nagtataka man, hinubad nito ang apron na suot saka ibinigay sa kaniya. Mas lalong nagtaka ang Marquess ng makitang isinuot niya ang apron nito.

"What the fuck are you—"

"I'll take over." Inubos niya ang kape saka tumayo, "just rest. You must be tired."

Hindi na niya hinintay na makapagsalita pa ito, lumapit siya kay Monet at ipinaliwanag dito na siya muna ang papalit kay Lord Jacques at alam na 'yon ni Lady SM.

Lihim na napailing naman si Cloud ng mag-umpisa siyang magtrabaho.

So much for resting today.