CHAPTER 9

FOR THE NEXT two days, Jacques stayed with Lady SM in the infirmary. The motherfucking Count haven't visited milady yet, not even once. Sila lang ni Dimitri ang nagsasalitan sa pagbabantay dahil masyado ring abala si Cloud. He's always running errands for the Count these past few days, Jacques knew Cloud was very busy, but Cloud still manages to cook for him.

"May I ask you something, Lord Jacques?" It was Dimitri. They're inside the infirmary at the moment, waiting for Lady SM to be conscious again.

"What is it?" Sagot niya habang nakahilig sa likod ng pang-isahang sofa na naroon sa infirmary na siyang kinauupuan niya.

"Are you and Cloud friends before you became Miss SM's butler?" Tanong ni Dimitri na puno ng kuryusidad ang boses.

Umiling si Jacques. "I know of him, but I don't know him. Same with Cloud."

Dimitri looked at him like he was trying to unravel something. "Then why are you two close?" There was a frown on Dimitri's voice. "Sorry for prying, it's just that, I know Cloud since he was 16 and ever since then, the only person who he allows to boss him around is The Count. And the only person he really genuinely cares about is The Count. But these past few days, he'd been taking really good care of you, even cooking for you when I know for a fact that he's very busy. That's why I'm curious. Cloud's not like that to other people than The Count."

Hindi alam ni Jacques ang isasagot sa tanong ni Dimitri. What's he supposed to answer anyway? That Cloud likes him even though he's a man? That that motherfucking asshole has been flirting with him?

Jacques shudders at the thought. Dimitri would definitely passed out in shock if he ever finds out.

And it's not for him to tell anyways. He doesn't have the right to tell others about Cloud's sexual preference. That's Cloud's right alone.

So Jacques lied. "We live in the same house, we got pretty close."

"Hmm-mm." Was all Dimitri said, clearly not convinced.

Well, even Jacques' was not convince. But it's not like he could tell Dimitri the truth.

Jacques pulled his cellphone from his front pocket to pass the time and also to make himself looked busy and avoid Dimitri's inquisitive eyes. Ayaw niyang makipag-usap kay Dimitri. He's too intimidating, especially how he looks at him like he's trying to unravel something that he was hiding.

Jacques was tensed, but then his posture slowly relaxed when his phone beeped and he received a message from Cloud.

From: Nube

How's Lady SM?

Jacques replied. 'Still unconscious.'

From: Nube

How about my babe? You doing okay?

Jacques frowned at the word 'babe'. Is he asking me? Was Cloud referring to him?

Jacques replied quickly.

'If the babe you're referring is me — here's for you 🖕🏻.'

From Nube:

'LOL. Always hot tempered. Is my babe sleeping well these past few days? I'm not around much and you're making this one hell of a butler worry.'

Iritadong napailing si Jacques. Cloud won't really stop this 'babe' thing. Jacques knew that Cloud was flirting with him again. The fucking guts of this man!

Binasa ulit ni Jacques ang huling mensahe ni Cloud. It's true though, Cloud has not been around much. Hindi niya alam kung anong ginagawa nito, ang alam lang niya ay sinusunod lang nito ang utos ng baliw nitong boss.

The last time he spoke to Cloud for more than a minute was when he gave Cloud the clothes he bought for him. After that, Cloud was always busy running errands for that motherfucking Count and only sees him when he's handing him his meals.

Jacques replied to Cloud's message.

'When are you gonna stop being busy, asshole?'

Jacques hit send. Nasisiguro niyang pagod ito. Unlike him, Cloud can feel exhaustion.

From: Nube

Miss me? 😉

Jacques rolled his eyes in irritation before replying.

'Can you stop flirting even for just one fucking second and fucking answer me?!'

From: Nube

'One second. Done. Okay, let's go back to me flirting with you — did you miss me, hmm?'

Jacques scowled. The audacity of this man! It's beyond him! So shameless!

Jacques replied. 'Fuck you 🖕🏻.'

From: Nube

'LOL. I'm at the hotel room. I'll rest for a bit.

Jacques frowned while quickly typing a reply. 'Which Hotel?'

Hindi na nag reply si Cloud.

Maybe he's upstairs.

With that thought, Jacques got up quickly. He doesn't know what came over him. Basta nagpaalam siya kay Dimitri na may gagawin at kaagad na lumabas ng infirmary. He was already in the elevator going up to the 39th floor when he realized what he just did.

Why was he in a hurry to see that motherfucking asshole anyway?

Maybe because you haven't seen him fore more than a minute for the last two days? Anang boses sa likod ng isip niya na mas lalong ikinakunot ng nuo niya.

So? Still doesn't explain why he's in a hurry.

Jacques discarded the confusing thought and just went to their hotel room. Nang makapasok siya sa kuwarto, kaagad niyang hinanap si Cloud. He found him on the couch, sleeping, still with his dirty shoes on while holding his phone over his chest.

Bakas ang pagod sa mukha ni Cloud habang natutulog. Yes, Jacques couldn't feel exhaustion but he can tell when someone's tired. Lumaki siyang pinag-aaralan ang mga bagay na hindi niya nararamdaman para magaya niya para maging normal siya sa ibang tao.

His mother hates his abnormal body and she would do anything to make him act normal.

Bumuntong-hininga si Jacques bago maingat na inalis ang sapatos na suot ni Cloud. Kapagkuwan ay ang cellphone naman na hawak nito ang sunod niyang inaalis at inilapag iyon sa center table. Then he flopped himself on the floor, beside the couch where Cloud was sleeping, then he started playing games in his phone to pass the time.

Suddenly, there was a movement behind him — pretty sure it was Cloud — and then that someone behind him just buried his face on his neck, making him froze.

"Hmm ... you really smell so fucking good, Marquess." Cloud whispered in a low deep voice.

Jacques immediately shove Cloud's face away from his neck and then he quickly attacked the asshole.

"You motherfucking asshole!" He keeps on punching Cloud angrily who's just smiling teasingly. "You bastard! I told you not to flirt with me, I mean you can, but not like this! You fucking asshole! Fuck you! I will really kill you! How dare you bury that motherfucking face of yours in my neck! Who the fuck give you the right you fucking jerk! Asshole... motherfucker... shameless prick..." and his cusses goes on and on for a whole minute before he stops attacking the chuckling man on the couch. "Do that again and I'll beat you to death you motherfucker!"

"Ah," Cloud let out a contented breath, "that beating was worth it."

Jacques sent sharp glares at Cloud who's just looking at him with amusement in his eyes.

"You're a fucking guy!" Jacques shouted at Cloud with so much anger and frustration.

Cloud just shrugged nonchalantly. "Yeah, I know." Tiningnan nito ang sarili saka bumangon at ngayon ay nakaupo na sa couch. "What about it?"

"A guy doesn't go smelling another guy!" Jacques was still shouting.

Cloud was chuckling, clearly not taking him seriously. "But this guy," tinuro nito ang sarili bago siya tinuro, "likes this guy."

Jacques glared at Cloud. The kind of glare than could kill someone, then Jacques started cursing Cloud again. "Am I a fucking joke to you?!"

That's when Cloud lose his smile and sighed. "If I think you're a joke, I wouldn't be this serious." Cloud pushed himself to stand up and looked at him — his eyes held seriousness in their depths, "It's not my hobby to fool around with men, Lord Jacques. When I told you that I wanna kiss you senseless and make you breathless, I'm fucking serious." Pagkasabi nito niyon ay pinulot nito ang cellphone na nasa ibabaw ng round table at nag lakad ito papasok sa kuwarto.

Naiwan namang nakatulala sa gulat si Jacques. He keeps asking himself what Cloud sees in him that he's fucking serious about him? Cloud's eyes doesn't lie. He was dead serious and that confuses the Marquess.

What's so good about me that he likes me? Even, he, himself, knew how much of a prick he was. He's unlikable and hard to deal with. No one can stand him. His own parents doesn't even like him sometimes, so what's the deal with Cloud liking him? That's just absurd!

Jacques tsked and went to lie down on the couch, then he proceeded to staring at the ceiling.

He really doesn't understand Cloud at all. Is he nuts?

What's so likeable about me anyways? First, I'm not a woman. Jacques knew he doesn't have a supple and soft body. Yes, his built was smaller than Cloud, and Cloud was maybe one or two inches higher than him, but still, I'm a man. His body was of a man for fuck's sake. He's not soft. He doesn't have boobs, slim waist and big butts — wait, he does have a round ass, but that's it.

So he's really having a hard time believing a womanizer's words. Cloud was still confused so maybe it will not continue and he'll be back to his old self.

Well, he can hope. He really doesn't want to lose a good friend and Cloud's a good friend. He doesn't think that he could take Cloud flirting with him — well, he could always beat him up, but, even that wouldn't stop Cloud.

Natigilan sa pag-iisip si Jacques ng marinig niyang bumukas ang pinto ng kuwarto na pinasukan ni Cloud kanina. Kapagkuwan ay nakarinig siya ng papalapit sa yabag.

When Cloud came into Jacques' peripheral view, Jacques' eyes followed Cloud until he sat on the floor, beside the couch, in the same place Jacques was sitting on earlier when Cloud was sleeping on the couch.

Hindi na nagulat si Jacques sa sunod na ginawa ni Cloud.

Cloud leaned in on the couch, the back of his head was resting on Jacques' stomach.

"Move before I hit you, asshole." Puno ng pagbabanta ang boses ni Jacques.

Cloud tilted his head to the side to look at him while Cloud's head was still resting on Jacques' stomach. "Let me rest for a little while, please?"

Cloud looks really tired, for some reason, Jacques couldn't hit the son of a bitch. "Go to the bedroom and sleep."

"Can't sleep." Cloud mumbled, his eyes closing.

"Cloud!" Jacques hissed at the man whose head was resting on his stomach. "Get off!"

"Push me away and I'll leave."

Of course, Jacques didn't. He has a bad temper, but he could see that Cloud's really tired. Fuck this! Why do I always end up letting this fucker do whatever he wants?! Jacques should be pushing the asshole away, but no, he didn't. Jacques let the bastard rest the back of his head on his stomach like he's some kind of a soft pillow!

"Cloud?"

"Hmm?"

"Fuck you."

Cloud chuckled. "Can I at least get a kiss first, Lord Jacques?"

Jacques scowled in annoyance. "Can you stop with calling me 'Lord' Jacques. It's really annoying. Jacques will do."

Ilang minuto na walang imik si Cloud kaya akala niya nakatulog na ito pero kapagkuwan ay narinig niyang binanggit nito ang pangalan niya.

"Jacques." Cloud spoke his name like he's testing what it would sound like, then one of Cloud's closed eyes opened to peek at Jacques, who didn't realize that he had stopped breathing when Cloud called his name without honorific. "My lord, breathe."

Jacques' hand raised to smack Cloud's head, but Cloud caught his hand in a tight grip. "Jacques, I'm really tired. Can you beat me up tomorrow?"

Mabilis na hinablot niya ang kamay para makawala sa hawak nito saka pinag-krus ang mga braso sa dibdib at inabala ang sarili sa pagtitig sa kisame.

Thankfully, he's back to breathing normally.

"Fuck you, Cloud." Jacques hissed.

Cloud chuckled, clearly unaffected. "Don't threaten me with a good time, my lord."

Mariing ipinikit nalang ni Jacques ang mga mata ng maramdamang parang uminit ang tainga niya sa sagot ni Cloud sa pagmumura niya rito.

This man was really a shameless fucking asshole! The audacity Cloud has to flirt with a man. It's beyond him!

Jacques was fuming mad again. He was huffing in anger while grinding his teeth to stop himself from killing the man whose leisurely leaning on his stomach.

Yes, Jacques was still forcing himself to calm his anger down because he doesn't want to hit Cloud for the reason that Cloud was tired. I'm trying to be understanding here, but this shameless prick is not helping—

"Thank you, Lord Jacques."

Jacques gritted his teeth harder. Cloud's back to calling him 'lord' Jacques again.

"For what?" Jacques spat the words in annoyance.

"For letting me rest and lean on you. I'm sorry for making you feel uncomfortable." Cloud was now getting ready to lean forward and stand up, "I'll rest in the bedroom—"

Jacques' hand raised to hold Cloud's forehead and then he forced Cloud's head to lean back on his stomach. "Shut the fuck up and just fucking rest."

Jacques was looking at the ceiling so he didn't see the triumphant smile that crept onto Cloud's lips as he closed his eyes and rest while making Jacques' stomach his pillow.

FOR THE LAST few days, Cloud has been busy running errands for his boss. Those errands were supposed to helped them keep Lady SM's identity from the Count's father hidden for at least a couple of weeks while the Count thinks of ways on how to keep Lady SM safe.

He was tired, it's already a given, but what he didn't expect to feel was missing the Marquess. Yes, I fucking miss him. And that piece of information stunned Cloud.

Nuong una, akala niya simpleng pagkagusto lang ang nararamdaman niya para sa Marquess. Paglaon ay gusto na niya itong halikan. Ngayon naman miss na niya ito at gusto niya itong palaging kasama.

In those days that he was busy, he didn't forget to cooked meals for the Marquess just to see him even for a couple of seconds, and that's some dedication on Cloud's part. Even he can't believe it himself.

Good thing Lady SM was now allowed to travel, that means they're now going back home where he could see the Marquess, 24/7.

Using the Marquess' private plane again, they went back to the Philippines. After nearly three hours, they entered his boss' house in Bachelor's Village.

Cloud immediately went to the kitchen to prepare food and was confused when Dimitri followed him there. The Marquess' was nowhere to be seen, he must've gone to his room upstairs.

"What?" Tanong niya kay Dimitri.

"I'm confused." Panimula nito.

"About what?" Tanong niya rito habang inihahanda niya ang ingredients na kakailanganin niya sa pagluluto.

"About your relationship with the Marquess."

Napatigil sa ginagawa si Cloud saka humarap kay Dimitri. "What do you mean?"

"You know what I mean." Makahulugang sabi ni Dimitri.

Fuck! He's still not ready for this. He's still figuring everything out. He only told his boss because they're really close.

"He's a friend." Cloud lied and scoffed at himself. A friend that I wanna kiss senseless.

Cloud knew Dimitri didn't bought his answer but Dimitri dropped the topic.

"If you say so." Ani Dimitri, "anyways, I'm heading to North's lair. He need help on something." Napailing ito. "Puwede mo ba kaming dalhan ng pagkain doon?"

"Sure." Mabilis na sagot ni Cloud.

"Thanks. Bye."

"Bye."

Nang makalabas si Dimitri ng kusina, ilang segundo lang ang lumipas ay pumasok ang Marquess. Masama na naman ang tabas ng mukha nito at syempre, masama ang tingin sa kaniya.

I wonder why. He didn't pester the Marquess in the plane though. He even chose to sit beside Dimitri on the way back because he keeps on thinking about lollipop and sucking and he didn't want the Marquess to see his pants tightening. What's his problem now?

Nang umupo ang Marquess sa stool ng island counter, lumapit siya sa kabilang panig ng island counter at ipinatong ang mga braso sa ibabaw niyon at kinausap ito.

"What's with the glaring eyes?" Tanong niya sa Marquess. "I'm pretty sure I didn't do anything wrong this time."

Masama lang ang tingin nito sa kaniya at ayaw umimik kaya hinayaan niya lang ito hanggang sa kumalma ito. Cloud just busied himself with cooking their meal.

Akala niya kakalma kaagad ang Marquess kapag hindi niya ito kinulit, pero hanggang sa matapos siyang magluto, masama pa rin ang tingin nito sa kaniya.

Something's up.

Humarap siya rito habang nakahilig siya sa lababo at nakapatong ang mga kamay niya sa magkabilang gilid ng kinahihiligan, kapagkuwan ay tumingin siya sa Marquess. "Okay, tell me, what did I do wrong for you to keep glaring at me for the last 55 minutes?"

Instead of answering him, the Marquess glowered in anger then he left the kitchen, leaving Cloud confused.

Is he being a mitch again? Probably.

Natatawang napailing nalang si Cloud bago inasikaso ang dadalhin niyang pagkain para kay North at Dimitri.

Nasa kalagitnaan siya nang paglalagay ng pagkain sa plastic container para kay Dimitri at North ng tumunog ang cellphone niya. Kinuha niya iyon sa bulsa para tingnan kung bakit iyon nag-ingay.

A text message from the Marquess.

'After you give Dimitri his food, come back quick. I wanna watch a movie.'

Natigilan si Cloud sa nabasa. So the Marquess heard his conversations with Dimitri earlier? Was that why he's mad? Nah. Better not get his hopes up. He can still clearly remember how he was friendzoned by the Marquess.

To Lord Jacques, he's just a good friend.

That actually stung, but that's reality. Pasalamat nalang siya na hindi siya nito iniiwasan pagkatapos ng mga pinagtapat niya nuong nasa eroplano sila patungong Hong Kong.

Cloud replied with a smile.

'Miss me?'

Well, he might have been friendzoned but he could still tease the Marquess, so that's okay.

Lord Jacques replied.

From: Marquess

'Yeah. No time to hang out with you these past few days.'

Cloud blinked, froze, closed his phone and carefully place it on the island counter. Then one of his hand gripped the edge of the island counter tightly like he's about to fall, while the other was gripping his chest where his heart was located.

His heart ... his heart that's beating so fast and so loud that even he can hear it.

What the hell... fuck ...

Cloud gripped his heart again. Calm down. Why the fuck are you beating so fast and loud?! You sick or something?! Settle down, dammit!

Cloud knew its not a good sign. It shouts bad all over!

Cloud was still gripping his chest when his lord entered the kitchen. His boss immediately looked at him funny — well, even he looks funny to himself. The way he clutched his heart, like he was afraid it might fall from his chest.

"Your heart hurts?" May pag-aalalang tanong ng boss niya sa kaniya.

Umiling siya. "Beating faster."

"Palpitation?"

"Maybe — I don't know." Cloud was slightly panicking, still clutching his chest. "I received a text and then boom, my heart's a mess."

His boss looked at him incredulously before chuckling like something was funny. "Must be love."

It's now Cloud's turn to look at his boss incredulously. "What the fuck now?"

His boss looked at him, amused. "Man, it's gonna be hard for you from now on." Siyang-siya pa ang boss niya na makitang naguguluhan siya. "Get ready, Cloud. It's gonna be a rough ride."

"What do you mean, my lord?" Now he's getting nervous.

"Well," umaktong nag-iisip ang baliw niyang boss bago ibinalik ang tingin sa kaniya. "Where do you think it's leading you — this liking a man thing?"

"What?"

"Don't play dumb, Cloud. You must've known where it's leading you. You're not blind, are you? I mean, I think what you're feeling now is the same as what I'm feeling for my beautiful baby."

Wait — what?!

"Yep." Tumango-tango pa ang boss niya na walang pakialam sa nararamdaman niya sa mga sandaling 'yon. "I think it's the same, love is love after all." His boss shrugged nonchalantly. "Man," his boss looked at him, "good luck, you'll need it."

Cloud was frozen, still trying to process everything that his boss just dropped.

"So..."

Nagtatakang tumingin si Cloud sa boss niya, "what so?"

"Are you in that stage yet?"

Now he's confused. "What's stage?"

"You know ... sex?"

"No. No. No. No. No. No. No." Umatras siya palayo sa boss niya. "I will not let you put those things in my mind—"

Tumawa lang ang boss niya. "Ah, Cloud, you're so funny to tease." Tumawa na naman ito. "My ever so calm and levelheaded Butler is panicking." The Count laughed again. "Ah, what a beautiful day indeed."

Cloud glared at the Count. "Fuck you, my Lord! Fuck you! First the kiss, then the sucking and now sex?! You're not fucking helping! I'm still trying to figure things out! I'm always thinking of kissing and now sucking because of you! It's not normal anymore!"

Tawa lang ng tawa ang baliw niyang boss saka sumeryoso ito sabay sabing, "you're welcome, Cloud."

Cloud grunted in annoyance. He wanted to pull his hair out. Before the Marquess, he's a very calm person, nothing can rattle him, not even a gun that was aimed at him, but now, look at him. He's like a puddle of mess!

Tumigil na rin sa pagtawa ang boss niya sa kaniya saka sumeryoso ang mukha nito. "I'm sorry, Cloud."

Cloud frowned. "Why are you saying sorry—"

"Because I can't be of any help to you." Anito sa seryosong boses. His boss sounded so sincere. "You know I'll support you in everything, you know that I don't mind the changes in you. I wholly accept you, Cloud. Nothing can ever change that. But there's one thing I can't do for you."

"W-what, my lord?" Cloud felt anxious. His boss' support gives him courage to accept this changes in him, even when he's crazy most of the time and giving him crazy ideas, his boss actually helped him a lot. "What is it?" Cloud asked again when the Count remained silent.

Count Knight took a dramatic deep breath and while looking at him in the eyes, he said, "I can't watch gay porn with you—"

Mabilis na inabot ni Cloud ang pinakamalapit na kutsilyo sa kaniya saka galit na ibinato 'yon sa may sayad niyang boss pero madali itong naka-ilag. Akmang aabutin niya ulit ang isa pang kutsilyo ng kumaripas ng takbo ang baliw niyang amo palabas ng kusina.

Nanginginig ang kamay ni Cloud habang hawak ang ikalawang kutsilyo na hindi naibato sa boss niya.

But then his boss has the audacity to come back, but half of his body was hiding from the kitchen door frame.

"Don't be mad, Cloud. You have to know how to do it. Since I'm pretty sure you don't know how, you have to watch gay porn—"

Ibinato niya sa pintuan ng kusina ang kutsilyong hawak pero bumaon iyon sa hamba ng pintuan at tumawa lang ang boss niya.

"Good luck, Cloud! I have faith in you!" Sigaw ng baliw niyang boss bago nagmamadaling umalis sa kusina ng makitang hahabulin niya ito ng kutsilyo.

Cloud was huffing in anger as he went back to the island counter. He, then, picked up his phone and replied to the Marquess' text.

'I'll hang out with Dimitri and North for a couple of hours, so I can't watch a movie with you. Kumuha ka nalang ng DVD sa kuwarto ko. I'll ready your meal before I leave, so just come to the kitchen when you feel like eating.'

Then he hit send and blew out a loud breath.

Hindi niya kayang pakiharapan ngayon ang Marquess. Pagkatapos ng mga pinagsasasabi ng baliw niyang boss, siguradong doon lang pupunta ang isip niya.

Watching a movie, alone with Lord Jacques after his boss' craziness will be the death of him. He has to stay away for a couple of hours to clear his head and to take his mind off the gutter.

He doesn't want to scare Lord Jacques. Tanging pagkakaibigan lang ang kaya nitong ibigay sa kaniya at dapat niyang i-respeto 'yon. Though he flirts with the Marquess, he's still holding back. If he showed Lord Jacques that he's sexually attracted to him — though it's already a given but I doubt Lord Jacques' knowledge about this — the Marquess will really push him away and he doesn't like that.

Cloud's a sexual person, but he has to suppressed it so he'll be able to be around the Marquess calmly, without thinking with what's inside his pants.

Naiiling na inihanda niya ang pagkain ng Marquess saka umalis ng bahay para hatiran ng pagkain si Dimitri at North. Pilit niyang inaalis ang kabaliwan ng boss niya sa isip niya. Pero kahit anong gawin niya, ayaw talagang maalis sa isip niya.

Especially the sex part. Cloud admits, he's curious. He doesn't know how two men does it and his crazy boss suggested a fucking idiotic idea — but here he was, curious.

Thirty minutes later, Dimitri and North were now enjoying the food he made for them and Cloud was still trying to clear his mind, but it's not working.

"Alis na ako." Paalam niya habang kung saan-sana na napupunta ang utak niya. He lied to Lord Jacques, he wasn't planning on staying that long with Dimitri and North.

"Take care." Wika ni North.

"Thanks for the food." Wika naman no Dimitri.

Cloud just waved his hand in the air and left North's lair.

It was less than thirty minutes drive back to BV. When Cloud parked his car in the garage, he killed the engine but he didn't climbed out of the car. Ilang minuto lang siyang nakatitig sa kawalan, laman ng isip niya ang pinagsasasabi ng boss niya, bago napakurap-kurap at bumalik sa kasalukuyan.

Instead of climbing out of the car, he picked up his phone from the dashboard and went to the search engine.

Seconds later, Cloud was preoccupied by an article about men to men sex.

Yes, he has given in to temptation. And it's going to be the death of me.