Bec I'm going out today. And I'm happy dahil tinanggal na nila mature rating ng AMTMB! So here's an update! Enjoy!

Jessica Brown

CHAPTER 5

May breasts was exposed. Dilat na dilat ang mata ni Gracia. Tinakpan ako ni Rake agad gamit ang katawan niya. Iniangat ko naman ng suot ko na swimsuit na ibinaba niya.

"Pasensya na talaga! Nako, Sir. Alicante!"

"What the hell are you doing here, Gracia? Hindi ba sinabihan ko kayo na bawal lumabas ng kwarto? Fuck!" bulyaw ni Rake at umakyat na kami patungo sa taas ng pool.

"K-kasi naghahanap ako ng CR tapos---"

"Wala bang restroom sa kwarto niyo? The fuck is wrong with you? Kung magtatanga-tangahan ka lang bakit ngayon pa." Mas lalong namula ang mukha ni Rake.

Dinampot nito 'yong seethrough ko at hinagis sakin. I was so quiet the whole time. I didn't know where should I react first, dahil ba sa nakita kami ni Gracia o dahil sa muntikan na may mangyari samin kanina?

"K-kasi Sir. Rake, a-ano eh, sira 'yong sa kwarto ko kaya naghahanap ako maintenance---"

"Get the fuck out here." natahimik si Gracia. Sobrang sama ng tingin na binibigay ni Rake dito. "Bago kita tuluyan tanggalin. Leave the fuck out here. Kapag sinabi ko doon lang kayo sa kwarto niyo. You stay fucking there. Kahit anong mangyari."

"S-sorry po talaga. Hindi na mauulit." tumakbo na si Gracia pabalik sa hotel room.

Hinawakan ko si Rake sa balikat. He looked at me irritably. "What?"

"Things don't go always as planned. And this is a public place, don't expect it like we are the only people in this planet. Kahit anong pigil mo may maglalakad at maglalakad padin dito---"

"This is my fucking hotel. I bought this. I built this. I fucking run this, Ericka. Either this is a public spot or not, when I commanded something they should follow it wether they like it or not." naiiritang nagpunas si Rake ng katawan. "Fuck. She just ruined my night."

Huminga ako ng malalim. "Maybe this is not the right time for that."

Rake's eyes flooded in fury. "I waited for this for a five fucking years. And still not the right time, huh?"

"I never said yes," sabi ko sa kanya. "Maybe... Nadala lang tayo."

"Did you just turned down my offer?" he asked in disbelief.

"I-I'm not, but I didn't answer your question either, right?"

"Quinn." The tone of his voice was threatening." You'll regret this in the morning. Go to sleep. I don't need you either."

And just like that he shut me out again. Why did he become a sensitive asshole man? Dahil lang doon? Was it all my fault? 'Di ba, it was his secretery not mine? Uggh.

"Idiot," I muttered under my breath while watching him walked away.

I couldn't sleep the whole night. Because his annoying face kept showing up to my dream. I felt I was the one at fault, dahil hindi ako nagiingat sa mga salitang binitawan ko. Of course, I think about Rebecka, too. Mas lalong ilalayo siya sakin ni Rake kapag hindi ko sinunod ang gusto niya.

I was now infront of his room. Kanina pa ako rito sa labas, actually. Pinagiisipan ko parin kung magso-sorry ba ako o hindi.

In the end, nagwagi parin ang pagiging magulang ko. So I gathered all my strenght to knock. But just when I about to do it, the door opened and I couldn't believe who was now standing infront of me, blocking my way.

"Jessica, wow. Goodmorning." bati ko sakanya pero hindi ako ngumingiti.

Isinara agad ni Jessica ang pinto. She crossed her arms. "Good na sana ang morning ko kaso nakita kita," pagtataray nito sakin.

"Same here, actually," I told her, raising my eyebrow.

"Ooh, bakit ka andito? Sorry pero tulog pa si Rake." lumapit sakin si Jessica para bumulong. "Pinagod ko kasi ngayon---"

Hinawakan ko ng mahigpit ang pisngi niya. Ah this woman. Always pushing my patience to its last drop.

"There's always a last time for everything, Jessica. Don't push your luck that much, huh? I was named Ericka Quinn for a reason."

Hinampas ni Jessica ang kamay ko. "Don't you ever touch me. Kung ayaw mo ipatapon kita sa kangkungan."

"Girl, don't ever block my way then. Kung ayaw mong matulog sa morgue habang buhay."

Jessica smirked at me. I cocked my face on the other side while raising my eyebrow.

"Do you think makukuha mo siya basta-basta? Nope. Gagawin ko ang lahat ng makakaya ko para lang mabura ka ng tuluyan sa mundong---"

"Jess, hey?"

Pareho kaming napalingon sa kabilang dulo kung saan nakatayo si Paul.

"I was looking for you. We're gonna be late. Halika na."

Mukhang hindi naman napansin ni Paul ang pagtatalo namin ni Jessica.

"Hey, Quinn!" ngiting bati niyo sakin. I forced a smile then waved my hand.

"Pasalamat ka may dumating," Jessica said. Naglakad na ito palayo. "Ahas," rinig kong bulong nito.

"Higad." sabi ko naman sakanya.

Dumeretsong pasok na ako sa kwarto ni Rake. His curtain window where you could see the pool was all down. Kaya medyo madilim. May mga pagkain ito sa mesa at sobrang ayos ng kwarto niya.

I walked to look for him and there he was casually wearing his gray shirt, na parang walang kababalaghan ginawa.

"Fun yet tiring morning, Alicante?" tanong ko.

Napahinto si Rake tila nagulat sa presensya ko. "Anong ginagawa mo dito?" Umupo ito sa harap ng mesa.

"Just checking, if ever you still need a fuck buddy. But I guess, you're not because someone already filled that position for you."

He ignored my statement. "Why are you here?"

Tumawa ako ng mapakla. "Really, Jessica and you, huh? After me and her, sino pa, Rake?"

"Bakit ka nga andito?" nauubos na ang pasensya ni Rake sakin.

Well, I am too. "Bakit hindi mo tanungin si Jessica?"

"Why should I ask her? Kung ikaw naman ang kausap ko?"

"Because you fuck her." deretsong sagot ko.

My face was in a poker mood. Pinag-aaralan ni Rake ang reaksyon ko. No, Alicante. Wala kang makukuha na kahit anong emosyon sakin.

"You made your choice. I made mine," he said while eating bread. Na para bang hindi seryoso ang usapan namin.

"Your choice, huh? Well, I want my daughter."

"Good. I want you."

He was being straight to the point. I didn't know if it's a good thing or not.

"Rake, could you please stop playing that game with me? Andyan naman si Jessica para pasayahin ka, so h'wag mo na ako guluhin at ibigay mo nalang sakin ang gusto ko!" naiinis na sigaw ko.

"How about me? What will I get in return? No more you, My Quinn?" prenteng-prente sa pagkain si Rake.

Napahinga ako ng malalim. Ayoko magpaapekto sa sinasabi niya. Lumapit ako sa gilid ni Rake. "I want my daughter back."

Uminom muna ito ng kape bago sumagot sakin. "Yes, I want you back."

"Rake! Stop andyan naman si---"

"Nagseselos kaba kay Jessica?"

I was frozen into place when he said that statement. "Are you being serious? Ako? Do I look like the jealous type of a woman? God, Rake, wala naman sa kalingkingan ko si Jessica."

"Then stop mentioning her name. Ikaw nga ang gusto ko hindi siya."

I let out a sharp breath. "Ako? Really? Dati si Laura tapos ngayon si Jessica. Anong meron ang babaeng 'yon?" There was a sudden humor in his eyes. "Do I look like freaking joking?"

"You're not, Ericka. Mas maganda ka lang panoorin kapag napupuno ka ng emosyon. I think I'm liking this version of you," he said still smiling.

"Stop annoying me! I was just stating the fact here. My emotions have nothing to do with that."

"Take a sit first, Quinn. Thne chill the fuck out. Bago mo ako gisahin sa mga tanong mo. Ang aga aga pinag-uusapan natin ang pinagseselosan mo. Bitin ka ba kagabi? Gusto mo ituloy natin?" he rested his arms on the chair while mocking me with those irritating smile.

"Not a freaking chance. Kung gusto mo kay Jessica ka magsabi ng mga ganyan bagay."

"Ericka, you only have to ask me what you need to do. H'wag mo na isama si Jessica sa usapan."

"Then what should I do, Alicante?" I gritted my teeth.

"Marry me. As simple as that." his damn gorgeous face was lighting up when he said that.

Huminga ako ng malalim. "Rake, it's not that easy to marry you that fast."

"Why? May nagmamay-ari na ba sayo, Ericka?" his face turned serious as he was waiting for my reaction.

I couldn't say it. I would only put ourselves altogether in danger if we continued this. If he knew about this. Wala siyang ititira sa lahi namin pareho. I didn't want any conflict anymore.

"W-wala," pagsisinungaling ko.

"Prepare yourself then. Because you have to marry me in one week."

I was in the terrace. I was trying to call my children. But no one was freaking answering again. Huminga ako ng malalim. Should I dial his number? Alam kong hindi niya papabayaan ang mga bata.

I was like that for a second. But I decided not to. Baka magkaroon lang siya ng ideya sa kung anong ginagawa ko ngayon.

Napatingin ako sa mga nagsi-swimming. Sa dami kong tattoo, they would be intrigue about the meaning. Ayoko makakuha ng mga tanong na galing sa nakaraan ko.

My mind was preoccupied. I was still thinking alot of things. I didn't notice Gracia was standing beside me already. Napatalon ako nang makita ko siya.

"Grabe ka, mukha ba akong multo?" nagtatakang tanong nito.

"Bigla ka naman kasi sumusulpot," I said. Bumalik nanaman ang mata ko kay Jessica at Rake na nag-uusap sa ibaba.

Huminga ng malalim si Gracia. "Gusto ko lang talaga manghingi ng pasensya sa nagawa ko kagabi."

"Wala 'yon, nangyari na. We must move on." Wala sa kanya atensyon ko kundi na kay Jessica.

Sinundan din ng tingin ni Gracia ang mata ko. "Jessica at Rake noh? Ang higad. Bow."

"Do you know her?" I asked, seeking for more information about her.

"Oo," sagot nito. "Pero sagutin mo muna tanong ko, mag-ex ba kayo ni Sir. Alicante?"

"Hindi ko masasagot 'yan dahil hindi naman naging kami. Siguro may nakaraan na pangyayari lang samin na dapat na kalimutan."

Ngumiti si Gracia. "Ang hot kasi ni Sir. Alicante noh? Hindi ko nga akalain magiging ganyan 'yan ulit eh. Mabait na siya sa lagay na 'yan kasi nung naguumpisa palang ako sa kanya halos hindi ngumingiti 'yan."

"Really?" nagulat ako sa sinabi niya. Knowing Rake, he was a soft-hearted person when it comes to his employee. He values them alot. "I didn't know that."

"Really." Ginaya ni Gracia ang tono ng pananita ko. "Sus. Dati iba't iba babae dinadala niyan sa office niya, doon sila lagi nagha-ham haman. Lalo na kapag gabi, iba't iba talaga. May amerikana, may chinese, may african, mexikana... Basta halo-halo 'yong lahi."

Humarap na ako sa kanya. "That's something I didn't expect him to do."

"Ganon talaga kapag broken hearted 'daw'. Anyway, back to my story, so 'yon na nga. Iba't ibang babae tapos isang umaga. Kasama niya 'yan si Jessica papunta sa office." tumawa si Gracia. "Ang panget panget ng babaeng 'yan dati. Gusgusin."

"H'wag mong sabihin inampon ni Rake ang babaeng 'yan?"

"Inampon, binihisan at naging babae niya pa. Lupit ni ate girl, 'di ba? Simula non, siya na lang ang nakikita kong kasama ni Sir. Alicante. Hindi ko alam kung tama ba 'yon o mas mali."

"I think it's wrong..." I commented. "Pero bakit mo sinasabi sakin 'yan?"

"Kasi may nakita ako sayo na hindi ko nakita sa kanya kapag kasama si Sir. Alicante."

"And what is that?"

"Ngiti," sagot ni Gracia. "Tingnan mo kung gaano siya kaseryoso na kausap si Jessica ngayon. Pero kapag ikaw ang kasama niya, tablado ang lahat. Napapangiti mo siya."

Natahimik ako sa sinabi niya. Hindi ko napapansin na ganon ang naiidulot ko kay Rake. I mean, sabihin na natin napapangiti ko siya ngayon. Pero paano, kapag nagkaroon kami ng mabigat na problema dahil sa pinili namin ang isa't isa? I didn't want him to suffer like that again.

"Puta na kung puta. Kasi si Jessica, putang may ambisyon na yumaman. Eh ikaw, mukha ka naman puta na naligaw lang dito. So kung ako sayo, masaya ka naman din sakanya. Sundin mo ang gusto ng puso mo." ngumiti si Gracia.

Hindi na ako nakasagot pa sa kanya. Mas lalong lumalim ang pag-iisip ko sa offer ni Rake sakin. I was like her before. I'm only after his money. Including his son. Kaya nga nagkadaletche-letche ang lahat.

Ughh. Sumasakit ang ulo ko kapag naiisip ko ang nakaraan. Bumaba na lang ako at sinaluhan sila bago pa tuluyan maglakad ng malayo ang utak ko.

Tamang tama nagsi-swimming si Jessica nang lumapit ako kay Rake. His face was confuse.

"Can we talk. Alone?"

"Sure." ibinaba nito ang hawak na alak at sinundan siya sa paglalakad.

They were in the shore. The wind was blowing on their face. They were both quiet the whole time as I was thinking the consequence of this mistake, my desire.

Hindi naman niya malalaman ito. I kept convincing myself. We'll keep it a secret. This is the only way to get what I wanted.

Huminto ako nang medyo malayo na kami. The waves was angrily swooshing towards us. I didn't bother to move.

"Sobrang lalim ng iniisip mo, kinabahan ako, Ericka."

I laughed. "Isang Rake Alicante? Kakabahan dahil sa iniisip ko?"

"Tell me, what's bugging you?" nakakunot ang noo nito. "Is it what happened last night? Are you leaving again?"

"No," I told him truthfully. "Gusto ko lang sabihin na..." napalunok ako. "On this day, I'm risking my existence for you. Pero papayag lang ako sa isang kondisyon."

There was a moment of shocked on his face. Pero nawala rin 'yon. "Anything you want, Ericka."

"Gusto kong makita muna si Rebecka."

Umiling si Rake. "Not a chance, hindi ako tanga para maisahan mo ako. Ibang usapan na kapag si Rebecka. Kahit sabihin mo na pareho tayong magulang niya. You have to commit to me first."

I tucked my hair under my ear. "But that's my only condition, Rake. Kapag pumayag kana. Well then, I'll marry you. Anytime. Anywhere."