CHAPTER 5

CLOUD WOKE up groggy. Medyo mahapdi pa ang mga mata niya at nagmamakaawa ang mga 'yon sa kaniya na bumalik ulit sa pagtulog pero naaninag niya ang liwanag na sumisilip sa kurtina ng bintana kaya pinilit niya ang sarili na bumangon.

He yawned and stretched his arms out and was about to go to the bathroom when he realized something.

This is not my room.

Then the memory from last night came crashing in his mind. He whipped his head back to the bed and he stilled when he saw the Marquess peacefully sleeping on the other side of the bed.

His eyes widened. Holy. Fucking. Fuck.

Cloud immediately distanced himself from the bed but couldn't drag his gaze away from the sleeping Marquess. He looks so peaceful and innocent with his sleeping face that he felt himself softening for the pompous ass. So different when he's awake — bossy and foul mouthed.

Cloud was just staring at the Marquess' face and the next thing he knew, he was standing beside the bed, next to Lord Jacques and his hand was reaching towards Lord Jacques' face to touch him.

Cloud didn't know how or when he moved, but he was relieved that he caught himself doing what he was about to do midway.

Mabilis niyang hinila pabalik ang kamay saka marahas na umiling para magising na siya. Maybe it's just my sleepy head. Maybe.

Quickly yet carefully, Cloud left Lord Jacques' room and went to his room to take a bath and change clothes. After that, he went to the kitchen to prepare for breakfast.

Cloud slept late, maybe nearing 2AM and he woke up at 5AM. Cloud was used to this sleeping pattern that it didn't bother him anymore. He was quick to make breakfast for everybody.

While in the middle of making garlic rice, someone entered the kitchen. Nang lingunin niya kung sino 'yon, kaagad na nagsalubong ang kilay niya.

"Why the fuck are you walking?!" Early in the morning and the Marquess was already pissing him off.

Alam niyang malalim ang sugat nito na hindi niya alam kung saan nito nakuha. Siguradong bubukas na naman ang sugat nito at dudugo.

The sleepy Marquess just grunted and walked towards him. Kapagkuwan ay patagilid itong humilig sa refrigerator paharap sa kaniya. Nakahilig din ang gilid ng ulo nito habang inaantok na nakatingin sa kaniya.

"I want my coffee warm, not hot, Cloud."

Cloud just sighed heavily. He should be pissed because the Marquess was so bossy, but he can't even get mad at him.

He wanted to ask himself 'what the fuck is wrong' but opt not to. What's the use? Wala rin naman siyang maisasagot sa sariling tanong.

If The Marquess were a girl, Cloud would have understood why he felt that way — but The Marquess was a man! A man for fuck sake!

When he went on a mission yesterday, all it did was get his mind off of this mess in his head, but it didn't clear his mind. One text from this pompous ass Marquess and the chaos in his head came crashing back in a jiffy.

And it made him realize one thing — whatever this was, it's not going away anytime soon.

Marahas na ipinilig ni Cloud ang ulo. "Go, sit. I'll prepare your breakfast."

Tumalima naman ang Marquess saka umupo sa isa ng stool ng island counter. Siya naman ay tinapos ang ginagawang garlic rice, nagdarasal na sana gumising na ang baliw niyang boss at si Lady SM. He doesn't want to be alone with the Marquess because he does weird things when they're alone.

"Cloud?" Kuha ng Marquess sa atensiyon niya.

"Hmm?"

"When are you gonna teach me how to be a good butler like you?" Tanong nito. "I wanna help milady as much as I can."

Gustong matawa ni Cloud ng maramdamang umasim ang mukha niya sa narinig. Naiiling na inayos niya ang sarili bago humarap sa Marquess at inilapag sa island counter ang agahan nito.

"Pareho tayong abala nitong nakaraang linggo." Wika niya. "I'll teach you if we're not as busy anymore. And," sinilip niya ang paa nito, "how's your wound?"

Nagkibit-balikat lang ito habang kumakain.

"Masakit ba?" Tanong niya.

Kibit-balikat lang ulit ang sagot nito sa kaniya.

"Have you clean your wound?"

Umiling ito. "Do it for me." Utos na naman nito.

Cloud should be angry because Lord Jacques was bossing him around again, but know what he did? He fucking complied.

He went to get the first aid kit and started cleaning Marquess' wound while the latter eats his breakfast.

At habang nililinis niya ang sugat nito, may napapansin siyang kakaiba. He cleaned Lord Jacques wound, he put some pressure on it to thoroughly cleaned it, he also put a good amount of antiseptics on his wound ... but he didn't even flinch. Nothing. Not even a toe or a muscle movement that'll indicate that it stung.

That's just impossible.

Hindi normal na hindi man lang gumalaw ng kahit kaunti ang mga daliri nito sa paa o ang paa nito mismo. Alam niyang mahapdi ang antiseptic. It could make anyone flinch a little, but there's no reaction from Lord Jacques.

Pasimple siyang napatitig sa Marquess. Does he had high pain tolerance like his boss?

But even his Lord would hissed or cursed or flinched every time he clean his wounds before and he has a high pain tolerance.

"Done." Sabi ni Cloud saka ibinaba ang paa ng Marquess na nakapatong sa stool. "Sabihan mo si Lady SM na hindi ka makakatulong sa café ngayon. Bubukas na naman 'yang sugat mo. Rest for a few days."

"Don't want to." Lord Jacques groaned. "I don't want to be alone in this fucking house."

"You have me. I'm not going anywhere." As Cloud said that, he stilled. He sounded like a boyfriend saying that to someone special. Fuck. This is bad. Tumikhim siya. "Tapusin mo na 'yang agahan mo at ipahinga mo yang paa mo sa kuwarto mo. I'll talk to Lady SM for you."

Tumango ang Marquess at pinagpatuloy ang pagkain, samantalang siya naman ay inabala ang sarili sa kahit na ano lang na magawa niya sa kusina. Ayaw niyang tumuon na naman ang mga mata niya sa Marquess. He might end up liking his handsome face again.

Fuck!

But what's the point of overthinking this anyway? E lahat ng tanong niya sa sarili niya, wala siyang kasagutan. And he wants answers, dammit!

He doesn't know why he likes the Marquess' scent. He doesn't know why the Marquess' amuses him and he sometimes find his antics cute. He doesn't know why he can't stay mad at the pompous ass. He doesn't know why he just let the Marquess cussed at him when the only person he allowed to cussed at him was his Lord. He doesn't know why he just let the Marquess boss him around. He doesn't know why he does things the Marquess would like — example driving around without destination until the latter wants to go back. Cooking him food. Cleaning his wound. He doesn't know why he's worried of him. And above all, he doesn't know why he likes seeing the Marquess' face.

These were all new to him. Never in his life did he found a man handsome, other than himself. Never! Just now, and its confusing his fucking brains out.

He know he's not gay. He likes women for fuck sake. He couldn't be bisexual either because he doesn't like men in general.

So what's the deal with Lord Jacques? Am I turning bi? 'Yon ang gusto niyang malaman. Gusto niya ng kasagutan.

And he will only get his answer if he stopped overthinking, overly cautious and just let things unfold.

He might or might not like the answers to these questions but it'll be the truth.

The truth wasn't always pretty. He has to deal with it instead of running around in circle, confused as fuck.

Cloud took a deep breath. That's it. That's what he's gonna do. He's gonna face this head on.

No more overthinking. No more questioning himself. No more confusion.

He'll just let things unfold on its own.

Come what may.

Huminga ulit siya ng malalim saka humarap sa Marquess. He's now getting up from the stool and trying to carry the dishes to the sink.

"Leave it." Aniya. "Ako na. Doon ka na sa kuwarto mo. Ipahinga mo 'yang paa mo."

"I'm fucking fine." Lord Jacques scowled at him before putting the dishes on the sink then he crossed his arms over his chest. "If I'm gonna stay home, I have to do something to not die in boredom."

"Hmm..." Cloud crossed his arms over his chest as well while leaning on his side on the long counter top. "Movie?"

"Sure. Anything but chick flicks." Lord Jacques grimaced in disgust. "Can't fucking stand it."

Mahina siyang natawa. "How about Saw, Conjuring, Insidious and A Quiet Place? All horror."

"Is it good?"

He shrugged. "My Lord said it is, but he's weird so, I'm not sure."

"Hmm..." then Lord Jacques murmured. "Must be fun to watch it in the cinema."

Nagulat siya sa sinabi nito. "You... haven't been into a cinema?"

Lord Jacques scoffed. "I'm not allowed to leave the house for useless reason."

Napatitig si Cloud sa Marquess. How strict was his parents? Kasing istrikto ba ng mga ito ang ama ng boss niya? But Lord Jacques looks like a spoiled brat with his bossy attitude and his obsession to anything luxurious and branded.

He sighed. You can't really judge a book by its cover.

"Kapag magaling na ang paa mo, I'll take you to the cinema." Aniya.

"Mmm." Tumango lang ito saka naglakad na palabas ng kusina.

Si Cloud naman ay titig na titig sa paa ng Marquess habang naglalakad.

Lord Jacques was just walking normally. He's not even flinching from the pain as he put all his weight into his wounded feet as he walk. It's like he has no wound at all. Normal people would be wincing or angling their feet so their wound would not touch the ground.

But the Marquess ... he's just waking leisurely.

Can't he fell the pain at all? Or he's just pretending to be tough? But why would he pretend?

Cloud shook his head and let out a deep heavy sigh. It's a good thing that few minutes later, his boss and Lady SM entered the kitchen to have breakfast.

Taking care of the two made him forget his confusion for the time being.

NANG MAKAALIS NG bahay ang boss niya saka si Lady SM, naglinis muna ng buong kabahayan si Cloud. From the living room, to the second floor, to the garden up to the backyard. After he was done, he went to the library inside the house to check on some papers.

He's not just the Count's butler, he's also the Secretary. Sa kaniya dumadaan lahat ng Business transaction na para sa boss niya. At dahil abala ang boss niya sa Orgánosi, halos siya na ang nagpapatakbo sa mga negosyo nito sa Spain.

Cloud was too focused on reading the reports sent by the CEO of the Bank that his boss owned in Spain when his phone beeped.

Looking at the screen, he saw that it was a text from Lord Jacques.

And then he saw the time.

1:57 PM.

"Fuck!" Cloud hissed before opening Lord Jacques' text.

From: Marquess

Hey, asshole. You still alive?

Napangiwi si Cloud. Fuck! Why did I forget the fucking time?! Siya pa naman ang nagsabi ritong manood sila ng pelikula. Hindi lang 'yon, siguradong nagugutom na ito ngayon.

Cloud replied in caution.

'What do you want for lunch?'

Few seconds later, his phone beeped.

From: Marquess

'Fuck you. Go die.'

Yep. He's mad. Mahinang natawa si Cloud. Nakikinita na niya ang galit na mukha ng Marquess ngayon.

Hindi na nag reply si Cloud. Ang ginawa niya, pumunta siya ng kusina at naghanda ng pagkain, pagkatapos ay inilagay iyon sa silver tray bago tinungo ang kuwarto ng Marquess.

He knocked first, then he entered after thirty seconds of waiting outside.

The Marquess was sprawled on the bed, and when the Marquess saw him, there was a killing intent in his eyes as he glared at him.

Hindi nagpaapekto si Cloud sa nakakamatay na tingin ng Marquess. Sa halip ay maingat niyang inilapag ang silver tray sa mahabang bench na nasa paanan ng kama bago humarap sa Marquess.

"You mad?" Kalmado niyang tanong dito. "Sorry, I got busy with work. I forgot—"

The clock on the bedside table that the Marquess picked up flew towards Cloud. Thanks to his fast reflexes, Cloud was able to caught the clock before it hits his face.

"That's for making me wait, you motherfucker." Anang Marquess habang kalmado itong nakahilig sa headboard ng kama. "I was bored to death. I should've just help milady in her café."

Maingat na ibinalik ni Cloud ang relo sa bedside table bago nagtanong sa Marquess. "Still wanna watch?"

Lord Jacques scoffed. "Don't fucking bother. Just go back to your fucking work. I'll just sleep."

Of course, Cloud didn't listen. He left Lord Jacques' room to go to his own room to get the DVD, then he went back to the Marquess' room, used the DVD player just below the 72inches TV and moments later, 'Saw' was playing on the screen.

Then, Cloud, carefully picked up the silver tray, put it on the bed, next to the Marquess. "Eat while watching."

Lord Jacques scowled, but seconds later, he started eating. Lihim na napailing at natawa si Cloud sa inakto ng Marquess. Kapagkuwan ay sa sarili naman niya siya napailing.

To actually find a man adorable when angry was just out of this world for Cloud. But here he was, finding the Marquess rather sightly for throwing the clock at him.

Jesus Christ ... I am really going to that path?

Marahas siyang napailing saka naglakad paikot sa kama para maupo sa kabilang gilid niyon.

Cloud immediately leaned on the headboard, mimicking Lord Jacques' position, and watched the horror film playing on the television.

"How's your wound?" Tanong niya sa Marquess habang nakatutok ang mga mata sa pinapanood.

"It's okay." Then the Marquess huffed a breath. "Is this movie supposed to fucking scare me?"

Natawa siya. "Well, it's a horror film."

The Marquess tsked. "I'm not even scared."

Marahan siyang napailing. "Manood ka nalang."

Unconsciously, Cloud found himself glancing at Lord Jacques from time to time while watching the film. There are times that his stares would linger on the Marquess' face and he would forcefully drag his gaze away from Lord Jacques' face.

Good thing the Marquess stays oblivious to his stares. Or if he did notice, he just didn't care.

Out of nowhere, Lord Jacques asked while still watching the film where someone was getting killed. "Do you really scream when you're in pain?"

That question made Cloud frown. "Normally. Don't you?"

For the first time since they watched the movie, Lord Jacques looked at him. "Do you scream when you're in pain?"

"I tried to muffle the scream." Then he joked. "Don't wanna be a bitch."

Mahina itong natawa saka ibinalik ang tingin sa pinapanood. Pagkalipas ng ilang minuto nagsalita ulit ito.

"I'm not really mad about you forgetting the movie. I was actually asleep the whole morning." Anito. "I was just being a mitch."

Cloud cocked his head at Lord Jacques in confusion. "Mitch?"

"A male bitch." Lord Jacques chuckled. "That's how the people working for my family call me behind my back. As you know, I don't really have a good attitude."

Natawa si Cloud. "That can't be far from the truth. You are a mitch. Proof? Binato mo lang naman ako ng orasan."

Lord Jacques laughed softly before he sobered up. "I probably won't change. You see, I was engaged twice. Both couldn't stand me so it didn't work."

Cloud frowned. "Why couldn't they stand you?" He was clearly baffled.

Lord Jacques gave him a look that says 'Really? You don't know?'.

"I really don't." Sabot niya sa binigay ng tingin sa kaniya ng Marquess.

"I'm moodier than they are. That's the reason."

Natawa siya. "'Yon lang?"

Lord Jacques scoffed. "You can only say that because you can stand me," the he stilled and looked at him, "actually, you're the only person who can stand me when I'm being a mitch. Even my parents and relatives couldn't. Maybe if you were a girl, I would've fuck you already."

The Marquess' last words stupefied Cloud for a couple of seconds, making his eyes widened, and when he recovered from the shock, without thinking, he said, "I would probably do the fucking."

Halatang hindi seneryoso ng Marquess ang sinabi niya dahil mahina itong tumawa. "Unfortunately, we're both males."

"I know for a fact that a man can fuck another man."

The Marquess froze, then he looked at him in shell shock, then he blinked. Repeatedly. His mouth kept opening and closing but it seems like he couldn't find the voice to speak because of shock, so the Marquess just went back to watching the movie.

At napansin niyang hindi makapali ang Marquess, hanggang sa bumaling ulit ito sa kaniya, halatang nakabawi na sa pagkabigla dahil sa sinabi niya.

The Marquess moved to face him and asked. "I-is it me ... the — the another man you're referring to?"

Cloud didn't break eye contact with the Marquess who looks bewildered and horrified at the same time. "I was just stating a fact, Lord Jacques."

"Still," Lord Jacques scowled. "If that other man is me ... that's a fucking big N-O. No. No way — wait! Why the fuck are we having this conversation anyway? This is just plain fucking weird."

Cloud chuckled then shrugged. "I was just stating a fact. No need to be so worked up."

The Marquess glared at him. "It's because you said you'll be the one doing the fucking while looking at me. Who wouldn't be so worked up? It's just the two of us here, Cloud." Napailing ito. "You're just as weird as your boss."

Indeed his boss was weird but Cloud was pretty sure that his boss would never say what he just said to his friends.

Naiiling na umalis si Cloud sa kama saka umikot patungo sa bahagi ni Lord Jacques para maingat na ligpitin ang kinainan nito at inilagay iyon sa silver tray.

Cloud was about to excuse himself when he remembered something.

So Cloud turned around and looked at the Marquess who was watching the movie. "By the way, Lord Jacques," the Marquess looked at him when he called his name, "if I wanna fuck you, you'd be naked and writhing by now." He smiled then playfully winked at the Marquess' shocked face before leaving the room.

When Cloud was already walking in the halfway, he shook his head in disbelief and chuckled to himself.

I can't believe I just said that to a guy. Fuck!