CHAPTER 7

CLOUD STOPPED sucking the lollipop in his mouth when he saw his lord walking towards him in the small pavilion inside the garden. Nang makapasok ito sa pavilion, hindi ito umupo, nanatili lang itong nakatayo habang pinagmamasdan siya.

"So..." his boss drawls before continuing with a teasing tone, "have you fantasized about him yet?"

Cloud took out the lollipop in his mouth and sighed. "It's getting worse. I wanna kiss him now." He looked at his boss before shaking his head in disbelief, "I don't think I can stop this. I'm trying, but I'm failing."

"Why do you wanna stop?"

Cloud at his boss incredulously. "You really have to ask, my lord?"

The Count shrugged. "I'm just curious." Then his lord explained. "I mean, this is your first time feeling this way, when I felt it with SM, I didn't hold back ... that's why I'm asking if you really wanna stop? You don't wanna know how it will go?"

Cloud's head hung low. "I don't know." Naaalala pa niya ang kaguluhang naramdaman ng magising ulit siya sa kuwarto ng Marquess ilang araw na ang nakakaraan. Only with his boxers on. Shock was an understatement of his life that morning. "I'm confused. I don't know what to do."

"Do you want advice from me?"

Napatitig siya sa boss niya. His lord might be crazy most of the times but he's the most earnest man he knows. "Yes, my Lord."

"You can't accept the fact that you like a man that's why you don't know what to do." Panimula ng boss niya. "That's the root of your problem and it confuses you because in your mind, you're only allowed to like women. All your life, you always prefer women, and now, fate played a trick on you. But it's your decision if you wanna accept the changes in you or not, but let me tell you this and listen to me very well— liking a man doesn't make you less of a person, Cloud. For me, whomever you like, you're still you and nothing can change that."

Napangiti si Cloud sa tinuran ng boss niya saka ipinasok ulit ang lollipop sa bibig. "I actually went to a gay club last night, after we got home from the Grocery and the Mall." Pagkuwento niya saka mahinang natawa. "I was investigating myself. I'm confused as fuck and I want answers."

"Did you get your answers?" Tanong ng Conde.

Cloud blows a loud breath. "There are a lot of good looking guys there, but, I didn't feel it. I mean, I'm not attracted to them, my Lord." Napailing ulit siya saka bumuga ng marahas na hininga. "Only one person can make me feel that way."

Bumuntong-hininga ang Conde saka lumapit sa kaniya para tapikin ang balikat niya. "As I told you before, don't overthink. Just let things unfold. Because the more you repressed it, the more it'll come out."

"I'm trying, but it's really hard wrapping my head around it."

The Count messed his hair, it was the first time The Count did that to him. "I'm just here, Cloud, not as your boss, but as a friend and a family and whatever you decide, I'll support you. Whatever your sexuality maybe, I don't give a fuck. You're Cloud, my Butler. Nothing in this world can change that."

He slightly bows his head. "Thank you, my Lord, for not judging me."

His lord snorted. "Who am I to judge? It's your feelings and there's nothing wrong with it anyway." Then the Count tapped his shoulder again. "Basta kapag gusto mo ng kausap, nandito lang ako. But make sure that I'm not in my crazy weird ass mood — which is," The Count frowned at himself, "most of the time, so ... beware."

Mahina siyang natawa sa baliw niyang boss. Kapagkuwan ay nagsalubong ang kilay niya ng makitang nakakunot ang nuo nito sa kaniya.

"What?" Cloud inquired at his boss.

Tinuro nito ang lollipop na nasa bibig niya. "You'd been eating that since last night. You practicing?"

Cloud's mind actually buffered for a couple of seconds before his boss' words sunk in. His eye widened and he felt his ears were on fire. "My Lord!" Hindi niya napigilang pagtaasan ito ng boses.

Tumawa lang ang baliw niyang boss. "What? Just asking."

"Fuck!" Nasapo ni Cloud ang ulo. "Fuck! This is all your fault, my Lord. Nuong una hindi pa ito ganito kalala, pero nang sabihin mong saka na ako mag-panic kapag gusto ko na siyang halikan, hindi na 'yon nawala sa isip ko. And every time I fucking look at him, I wanna kiss him because what you said got stuck in my mind! And now you're saying this kind of things again! What if I think of it when I see him? What am I gonna do, huh?!"

Tawa lang ng tawa ang baliw niyang amo saka tumalilis ito ng alis. "Good luck, Cloud!" Pasigaw nitong sabi habang mabilis na naglalakad paalis. "You're gonna need it!"

Nasapo ni Cloud ang ulo niya. He was hoping and praying that it wouldn't be stuck in his head and then his tongue rolled around the lollipop inside his mouth.

And his mind just completely went in to the gutter.

Cloud squeezed his eyes shut. Fuck you, my lord! Fuck you!

Inalis lang ni Cloud ang pagkakasapo sa ulo niya ng marinig ang boses ng Marquess na tinatawag ang pangalan niya.

"Cloud! Come on! Let's go!"

Hinilot niya ang sentido dahil mapapalaban na naman siya para hindi makapagsalita o makagawa ng kahit na anong hindi maganda sa Marquess.

Tumayo si Cloud saka umalis ng pavilion at naglakad pasalubong sa Marquess na papasok ng hardin.

"Come on, asshole!" Lord Jacques glared at him. "Don't make me wait! Let's go to Divisoria now! I have to buy some fucking clothes!"

"Mmmm." Was all Cloud's response before going to the garage, the Marquess was trailing behind him.

The drive to divisoria was silent. Cloud was in his own personal bubble. He was trying to clear his mind and he's trying not to overthink.

"...you can drop me off here."

Napakurap-kurap si Cloud sa narinig saka nagtatakang bumaling sa nasa passenger seat. "What? Why?"

The Marquess scowled at him. "I'd been calling you for so many times already, but you're deep in fucking thoughts." The Marquess was irritated. "If you're not up for it, I can go alone."

"Sorry." Kaagad niyang sabi saka bumuga ng marahas na hininga. "May iniisip lang ako."

"What were you thinking that you can't even fucking hear me calling you and I'm just right here?" Puno ng iritasyon ang mukha ng Marquess.

"You're not gonna like it."

"You always say that." Lord Jacques tsked. "It's fucking annoying."

Humugot ng malalim na hininga si Cloud. "I don't want to make you uncomfortable, Lord Jacques."

The Marquess just scoffed.

Cloud just shook his head when he found the scoffing Marquess cute. It even made him smile.

"What are you smiling at?" Lord Jacques snapped at him angrily.

With a smile, he glanced at The Marquess, "nothing. Anyway, what do you want for lunch? I'll cook it for you."

"Really?" Kaagad na nag-iba ang emosyon sa mukha ng Marquess. From annoyed to happy and Cloud felt this twist and tingle in the pit of his stomach. Instead of questioning what that was, he ignored it.

"Last night, you came home so fucking late. I had to eat take out with that motherfucking Count and milady." The Marquess' face was twisting in annoyance again.

Cloud stifled a laugh. How Lord Jacques can turn from annoyed to happy and annoyed again was beyond him. But he's adorable so Cloud's not gonna complain.

"Why do you hate take-out anyway?" Tanong niya sa Marquess. "You can't even taste it."

Lord Jacques sneered at him. "Fuck you!"

"No, I'm not trying to offend you or anything, Lord Jacques." Kaagad niyang paliwanag. "I'm just curious. Why do you hate take out when you can't even taste it, same as you can't taste the food I make?"

Umingos ang Marquess. "Fuck you. Why the fuck would I answer you, hmm? You didn't even answer my fucking question earlier. Only fuckin' fair."

Napailing si Cloud. "You and your dirty mouth, my lord."

"So what if I have a dirty mouth?" The Marquess was irritated again. Pinagkrus nito ang mga braso sa harapan ng dibdib. "What's it to you?"

"I might kiss it clean." Sagot niya habang nakatutok ang tingin sa daan, kaya hindi niya nakita ang gulat sa mukha ng Marquess.

"You're talking bullshit again."

"I'm not." Ani Cloud sa seryosong boses.

"Don't pissed me off, Cloud."

Cloud showed a lopsided grin at the Marquess, his flirty self was trying to come out. "I'm a good kisser. Wanna try?"

The Marquess face darkened. "Cloud!"

Cloud chuckled at the Marquess' dark and scary looking face. Then he shook his head in defeat. How could a man look adorable when angry? It's just beyond me.

Pangiti-ngiti si Cloud habang nagmamaneho. Kanina lang ang bigat-bigat ng pakiramdam niya at naguguluhan siya, pero ngayon, magaan na ang pakiramdam niya at masaya siya.

This always happens when he's with the Marquess. Kapag hindi niya ito nakikita, naguguluhan siya at hindi alam ang gagawin, pero kapag kasama naman niya ito, may kaguluhan pa rin sa isip niya pero masaya siya. He likes feeling this kind of happiness. He never felt like this before.

With his previous lovers, sex was only the good part. Talking to them was boring, he never paid attention to them, he never cared about their likes and dislikes and he never went out of his way just to please them. Yes. I'm an asshole.

But with the Marquess, he's doing everything he never did before. He's feeling things he never felt before.

And he doesn't want to let it go. He wants that feeling to stay. Now he understood what his boss was trying to say earlier when he asked him if he really wanna stop.

After the realization he just had, Cloud already has an answer to his confusion.

"I want something with Chicken for lunch." Biglang sabi ng Marquess pagkatapos ng mahabang katahimikan.

"Mmm..." was his reply but he's already preparing in his mind.

He had been researching about spices that can add extreme flavor but won't endanger anyone's health. This is what I'm talking about — getting out of my way to please this adorable son of a bitch.

"Are we there yet?" Tanong ng Marquess.

"We'll arrive in three." Sagot niya.

Cloud manoeuvred the car towards the nearest parking space. As usual, there were so many people running around and doing their business.

"We're here." Anunsiyo niya.

Kaagad namang kumunot ang nuo ng Marquess. "Really?" He has this doubtful look on his face, "doesn't look high end to me."

Bago pa makasagot si Cloud, nakalabas na ang Marquess sa sasakyan. Cloud left his wallet and watch inside the car, before stepping out and following Lord Jacques.

Palinga-linga ang Marquess, siguradong naghahanap ito ng boutique, kapagkuwan ay umikot ito paharap sa kaniya. "Cloud... are you sure we're in the right place?"

Cloud smiled and nodded. He's staring at the furrowed eyebrows of the Marquess. His doubtful expression and confused face were so amusing to see.

"Are you sure?" Ulit nito.

Tumango siya. "Ito ang Divisoria."

The Marquess looked around again and before his furrowed eyebrows deepened. Lord Jacques looked at him again. "You're not fucking playing me?"

Umiling siya. "Nope." Iminuwestra niya ang kamay sa unahan nito. "After you, my lord."

The Marquess scowled before walking. Kaagad naman siyang sumunod sa Marquess habang pinapakiramdaman at pinagmamasdan ang paligid nila. Divisoria was really not known as the safest place to shop, so he has to keep an eye on the Marquess since he's a walking temptation.

Of course he's a walking temptation, he has a sexy body after all.

Cloud face palmed hearing the voice behind the back of his mind. What he meant was walking temptation to thieves!

But, he really is sexy.

Cloud shook his head. Who would have thought that his definition of sexy will change? Before, for him, sexy was soft skin, soft body, slim waist, big booty and breast.

But now, for him, sexy has a name. And that's Marquess Jacques Sotelo.

Who would have thought that a time would come that he, Cloud Sebastian Beaumont, will find a six pack abs sexy?

Napailing siya ulit saka mabilis na sinundan ang Marquess na medyo malayo na sa kaniya. While tailing behind the Marquess, he saw three men following their every movement.

Lord Knight's men.

Lihim na napangiti si Cloud. His crazy boss really cares, he's just really weird most of the time.

Nang makalapit siya sa Marquess, may sinusuri itong damit. He has this stupefy, horrified and doubtful expression on his face as he check the shirt.

It was a Gucci shirt. Well, a fake one.

Bumaling sa kaniya ang Marquess habang hawak nito ang damit. Gulong-gulo ang mukha nito at pigil niya ang matawa.

"Cloud," the Marquess actually leaned in to him, making him smell The Marquess' sandalwood scent, then The Marquess whispered on his ear, his hot breath fanning his earlobe. "It's fake."

Cloud blinked in daze as The Marquess pull away. Cloud has to clear his throat — five times— to come back to his senses and to control the raging fire that The Marquess unknowingly stirred inside him.

Cloud cleared his throat for the sixth time. "Well..." good thing his voice was not quivering for fuck sake, "I think that's what they called Class A."

Hearing that, the Marquess started checking every 'branded' clothes, bags and shoes. Patagal ng patagal, padilim naman ng padilim ang mukha nito. Sa sobrang galit siguro na nararamdaman nito, hindi nito napansin na may dumaang mandurukot sa likuran nito at kinuha ang pitaka sa bulsa nito.

Cloud didn't move. His lord's men would take care of it.

Kalmado lang si Cloud na nagmamasid sa Marquess na sinusuri pa rin ang nga panindan, at nang tumigil ito sa ginagawa saka humarap sa kaniya, narinig niya ang 'uh-oh' isip niya.

The Marquess was fuming mad, but he didn't make a scene. He just walked back to where they came from, silently, well, it was only silent until they reached the parking lot.

A string of profanities flew out from The Marquess' mouth, it's like Cloud was hearing a machine gun, but instead of bullets coming out, he hears cusses.

Humilig si Cloud sa hood ng sasakyan at balak na hintayin itong kumalma pero bigla nalang siyang inatake ng Marquess.

Lord Jacques was kicking and punching him, of course, he blocked and evaded them all. He didn't fight back though. He knew The Marquess was fuming mad for falling into his boss' prank, so he just let him.

"Fuck you!" The Marquess shouted at him while still throwing punches and kicks aimed at him. "You knew all along! You fucking knew they're fakes! You fucking knew but you still brought me here! You fucking knew, you son of a bitch! Fuck you and your boss!"

Another set of strings of cusses flew from The Marquess mouth while he attacked with his strong fist and flying kicks.

All Cloud did was block and evade. He didn't attack. Hinayaan lang niya itong ilabas ang galit nito kahit pinagtitinginan na sila ng mga tao na malapit sa kanila. All the cusses were now aimed at him, but Cloud doesn't really give a fuck.

Cloud just let The Marquess do whatever he wanted until the latter finally stopped.

"You okay now?" Hinihingal na tanong ni Cloud sa Marquess. His arms and legs felt so numb for blocking The Marquess' attacks.

"Fuck no!" Singhal nito sa kaniya saka bigla nalang nitong ipinasok sa bulsa ng pantalon niya ang kamay nito para kunin ang susi ng sasakyan, pagkatapos ay sumakay ito sa kotse niya at iniwan siya sa parking lot.

Napailing nalang si Cloud habang tinitingnan ang papalayo niyang sasakyan.

So that's a male bitch fit. So intense.

Fifteen minutes later, Cloud was still in the parking lot. Nag-iisip siya kung anong gagawin. Iniwan niya sa sasakyan ang wallet niya, tanging cellphone lang niya ang dala niya.

Should I call my lord? Nah. Baka ma-isturbo niya ito sa trabaho. That's the last thing he wants. Ang pinaka-magandang gawin sa sitwasyon niya ay mag-taxi nalang at magpahatid sa café ni Lady SM, at manghiram nalang siya doon ng pamasahe.

Yep. Good plan.

So Cloud left the parking lot to look for a vacant taxi.

Five minutes later, he's still looking.

"Fuck..." he cussed under his breath and was about to move from where he was standing when a very familiar car stopped in front of him.

Cloud frowned, until the window on the driver's seat rolled down, showing the Marquess.

"Hop in." Anang Marquess sa walang emosyong boses.

Walang imik na sumakay sa passenger seat si Cloud habang pigil ang ngiti. Nang makapag-seat belt siya, saka lang pinausad ng Marquess ang sasakyan.

Hanggang sa makabalik sila sa BV, walang umimik sa kanilang dalawa. Ayaw ni Cloud na magsalita, baka biglang sumabog na naman sa galit ang Marquess. Partly, he's at fault for not telling The Marquess what Divisoria really was. Cloud knew how bad The Marquess temper was, he's not gonna risk it.

When the Marquess parked the car in the garage, Cloud immediately steps out without saying anything and went inside the house. He doesn't want another 'mitch' fit. His arms and legs were still numb.

"Cloud!" Tawag ng Marquess sa pangalan niya na hinabol pala siya. "Hey, wait up!"

Tumigil siya sa paglalakad saka humarap dito. "Yeah?"

The Marquess looked at his face like he's looking for something before asking. "You mad?"

Lord Jacques' question stunned him. That was unexpected. Dahil sa pagkabigla, hindi kaagad siya nakasagot at mukhang binigyan ng kahuluhan ng Marquess ang katahimikan niya.

Knowing Lord Jacques' temper, Cloud knew he's gonna be cussed at again for not answering right away, but to his shocked, the opposite happened.

"Sorry for leaving you in the parking lot." The Marques said, loud and clear.

Shock was an understatement.

Cloud cleared his throat to pull himself together after being stupefied. "You came back though..."

Tumango ang Marquess. "I'm not that heartless." Paused. "So, ahm," paused. "Forgive me?"

Namulsa si Cloud saka tumango. "Sure."

"You sure?" Paninigurado ng Marquess.

Tumango siya ulit. "Leaving me there is unforgivable, but I'm a nice guy, so," he winked at Lord Jacques, "you're forgiven."

And the Marquess responded by reaching the throw pillow in the sofa and throwing it at him. "Don't wink at me you bastard!"

Mahinang natawa lang si Cloud na nasalo ang binatong throw pillow ng Marquess. "Its my eyes, my lord, I can do anything I want with it." He has a lopsided grin on his lips, "Do you want another wink?"

"Fuck you!" Yep, the Marquess was back at being angry again.

Cloud just chuckled. "Yeah, yeah. Be thankful you looked cute while asking for forgiveness."

The Marquess throws another throw pillow at him. "I'm a man! I'm not cute!"

Amusement was dancing in Cloud's eyes as he looked at the Marquess while hugging the two throw pillows in his arms. "Nagsasabi lang ako ng totoo. You were cute while saying sorry as well."

And the Marquess just combusted in anger and was now walking towards him to attack. "You motherfucking asshole—"

"Come here, come closer," Cloud said in a challenging tone before throwing the pillows back to the sofa and stared intently at Lord Jacques, "so I can kiss that dirty mouth of yours clean."

Lord Jacques froze on his track. "You wouldn't dare..."

Cloud smirked. "Wanna try?" He asked, teasingly. "Come closer and I'll kiss you senseless."

The Marquess didn't move. He was just looking at him angrily, like he's about to ripped his head off.

Cloud let out a sexy chuckle. "Come over here ... just one kiss. I promise, I'm delicious."

Hindi napigilan ni Cloud ang matawa ng binato ulit siya ng Marquess ng throw pillow saka nag walk out ito.

Teasing The Marquess was really fun. But it was not an empty teasing. Talagang hahalikan niya ang Marquess kung lumapit ito sa kaniya para atakehin siya.

Napailing nalang si Cloud sa sarili. His flirty attitude was now showing, he knew he can't stop whatever this was anymore — no, he doesn't want to stop.

Whatever this is, he's gonna run with it.

Come what fucking may.

Naiiling na nangingiti na ibinalik ni Cloud ang throw pillow na ibinato sa kaniya ni Lord Jacques sa sofa saka nagtungo sa kusina.

Cloud focuses himself on creating a dish that The Marquess could taste. He used different herbs, spices and seasonings that could enhance the flavours tenfold.

More than an hour later, he was finally finished with 'Pita Pinwheel'. It's a homemade pita bread roll with herbed cream cheese, sliced ham, sliced bacon, sliced chicken breast and shredded cheese as filling. Addition to the ingredients were the herbs, spices and seasonings he used to enhance the flavour.

Cloud was in the middle of cutting the Pita Pinwheel into bite-size pieces when his phone rang. Tiningnan niya muna kung sino ang tumatawag bago sinagot 'yon.

It's the Marquess.

He answered the call and put it on loud speaker.

"Cloud—"

"Hey, babe." Cloud immediately teases the Marquess who instantly became silent.

After a few seconds, Lord Jacques finally spoke again with anger. "One flirty word and I will really kick your fucking ass!"

Mahina siyang natawa. "Ba't ka napatawag?"

"Let's go shopping with milady and Dimitri."

Tumaas ang dalawang kilay niya. "Sa Divisoria ulit?"

"Wanna die, asshole?!"

Cloud let out a soft laugh. "I'm just asking. Saan nga?"

"Hong Kong." Sagot nito na ikinaawang ng bibig niya. "Come to milady's café. Now."

The line died before Cloud could utter his response.

So bossy.

Cloud shook his head before putting the Pita Pinwheel he made in a clear plastic box, ready for take out. Then he change into a more comfortable clothes before heading out to Lady SM's café.

Hong Kong, huh?

This better be good.