BRYCE

My legs were still wobbly from the orgasm I just had as I hastily walked back to Dad's car. I still felt tingly between my thighs, where he had touched me. I slipped behind the wheels and suddenly erupted into tears as soon as I closed the door. My mother's lover just gave me an orgasm. It felt so wrong and disgusting. Gusto kong masuka habang iniisip ko na nagawa niya din iyon kay Mom.

I floored the gas and sped the car back to Lolo Jaime's house. I felt the urge to slam my head against the stirring wheel. Ang tanga-tanga ko. How could I let him do that to me? I wanted to tease him but I never planned on getting that far with him.

"Where have you been, Bryce?" Si Mom ang una kong nakasalubong. The last person I wanted to see now. This was her fault!

I didn't answer and continued walking in. I was scared something really bad might come out of my mouth if I talk to her. Something she wouldn't want to hear and I didn't want to say to my own mother.

"Bryce, honey!" I heard Mom calling me but I ignored her.

I ran to my room and took a shower. I had already taken a shower this morning but I felt like I needed another one. I felt dirty. I had let the very same man who Mom was cheating on with touch and kiss me. It played in my mind over and over. The way he kissed me. The way he touched me. The feel of his warmth against me. I couldn't help but feel hot when it flashed back in my mind but a bigger part of me was hot with anger.

Hindi ko naman ipagkakailang magandang lalaki at matipuno si Vito. That was probably what drew Mom to him. He was sex on legs, for Christ's sake! Given my somewhat naive understanding of sex, of course. I've had a boyfriend in college but we never went beyond kissing as I was afraid Dad would go nuts if he ever finds out. We lasted for a month or so before he got tired of me because I never let him go beyond simple kissing.

So yeah, I just received my first orgasm from the man my mother was probably fucking. I mean, that was an orgasm, right? It was something I had never felt before. It felt so overwhelming and good at the same time. I shivered at the thought of it and tried to swat it off my mind.

"Hon, kain na tayo." I quietly watched as Mom walked up to Dad and sat next to him on the chaise lounge chair in the garden. The helps were already taking out the food that Aunt Andi, Ate Anais and Mom had prepared for us.

Dad had been quiet and aloof today. Parang wala sa sarili. I noticed the dark circles under his eyes when I saw him earlier. It seemed as though he hadn't gotten any sleep.

Mom hugged him from behind, her hands snaking to the bottle of beer he was holding in one hand. She nuzzled her face into his neck. "Hon, tirik na tirik ang araw tapos umiinom ka. Hindi ka pa yata kumakain. I don't think you even had breakfast earlier."

"I did." Dad answered, turning his head to face him. "Val, I love you. Ayokong mawala ka sa akin."

Mom smiled and left a kiss on his jaw. "Aw. Why are you being sweet all of a sudden? Are you drunk already?"

"Come on, love birds. We're all hungry here. Baka mawalan pa kami ng gana." Uncle Tristan teased them.

"Halika na..." Mom pulled him up from his seat and to the table. 

I could see how affected Dad was about what I'd told him. As a huge Daddy's girl, it broke my heart seeing him this way. I could feel how hurt he when he tried denying it. I kind of wished I didn't tell him. Mom was acting as though nothing had happened. Like she didn't give some man a blowjob. And that's what angers me the most. How could she act sweet and cuddly with Dad like this after what she had done? 

We quietly ate our lunch together and Dad barely touched his food. 

"May bisita po kayo. Si Sir Vito po." One of the help came up to us. 

I stiffened when I heard his name. Memories of what had happened earlier started flooding me. At that moment, I wished I had amnesia. Sana pwede ko na lang kalimutan ang nangyari sa amin.

"Well, why don't you let him in?" Sabi naman ni Uncle Tristan.

The maid left and after awhile came back with Vito. I tried not to look at him. It just felt so awkward seeing the man who'd given you an orgasm just hours ago.

"Good afternoon." He politely greeted.

"Good afternoon, Vito." Aunt Andi greeted him. "Why don't you join us for lunch?"

"Thank you. I would love to." He gave Aunt Andi a charming smile. He was invited to our table and coincidentally, the only seat left was right in front of me. 

"Vito, what brought you here?" Agad na tanong ni Mom.

"Gusto ko lang kayong bisitahin. It's kind of been a habit of mine to stop by Señor Jaime when I pass by the hacienda or when I'm bored." He said.

"Aw, Vito. You're such a sweet heart." Sabi ni Aunt Andi.

"Man, thank you for keeping our father company while we were gone." Uncle Tristan warmly said.

My gaze lifted up at him and our eyes locked. I instantly blushed. One corner of his lips lifted into a knowing smirk as if he'd just read my mind. There was something in the way he looked at me that sent tingles down my spine throughout my whole body. 

"Wala ka bang ibang pinagkakaabalahan sa inyo?" There was an undertone of hostility in Dad's voice.

"I have at least a hundred workers at our plantation. Minsan tumutulong ako pero madalas ay nagagawa na nila ang mga dapat gawin. I get lonely here, too." He chuckled.

"Kaya  ba humahanap ka ng aaliw sa'yo dito?" Dad's voice was strained. 

"Not exactly. Maybe just someone to keep me company. Hindi kasi ako sanay sa ganitong buhay. I'm used to hustle and bustle of the city until I was forced to stay here to manage our plantation." He answered.

"So I guess you're not getting any action, huh?" Uncle Tristan joked. 

"Tristan." Aunt Andi jabbed his side.

"Oh, I'm getting it alright." He chuckled. From my Mom, of course.

He looked at me again and gave me a subtle wink. I almost choked on the food in my mouth at what he did. I quickly looked away, embarrassed. Damn him! Vito knew how to play his game well. How could he tease me like this in front of my mother who he'd been fooling around with? 

"Vito..." I caught the small scolding tone in Mom's voice. "It's not a busy day, I guess?"

"No, ma'am." He let out another one of those charming smile. "We'd already finished packing all the rice we'd harvested. We'd exported all the fruits and vegetables for this season. All we have to do now is wait for the next harvest."

"Why don't you have a little drink with us later? Wala ka naman gagawin, hindi ba?" Said Kuya Coco. Even though Lolo Jaime had passed away, we tried to keep the spirit of this whole house alive. Whenever we're at the hacienda, every day was a celebration. Si Lolo Jaime, he was happy seeing us happy. Pag kumpleto kaming pamilya, halos every night ay barbecue night. Dad and Uncle Tristan would drink and chat. Naglalaro ang mga bata sa hardin. Nagkukuwentuhan sina Mommy at Aunt Anais. The whole house was always alive and happy. 

"I can't pass on to that. Señor Jaime used to always invite me to have a drink with him." He chuckled. 

When the cat is away, the mice will play. They didn't know it but I was observing them. Dad had just stood up from his seat and went inside when Vito came up to Mom. Lumayo sila nang konti mula sa mga tao at nag-usap. I couldn't hear what they were talking about as they were pretty far from me but it looked serious.

Mom was unsmiling, her arms crossed over her chest and Vito stood in front of her with a can of beer in his hand. It took a couple of minutes before Dad got out from the house. He paused right next to me as soon as his eyes caught them.

"Look at them, Dad." I told him, my face twisted into a disgusted grimace.

"Stop putting malice on everything your mother does. Nag-uusap lang sila." He said.

"Bakit kailangan nilang mag-solo? Can't they talk around the others?" I cocked a brow. 

Dad just shrugged and walked up to Mom. I followed behind him. He wrapped his arm around the small of her back and pulled Mom against his side, as if telling Vito that he owned her. 

"What are you talking about?" Dad asked, unsmiling. His gaze never left Vito.

"Um... business." Nag-iwas ng tingin si Mom.

I could feel the tension rising in the air as we stood there in silence. Nagtama ang mga mata namin ni Vito. There was an unmistakenly naughty glint playing in his eyes as if he was taunting me. I swallowed, feeling my throat dry. 

I had to put on an act. I was now successfully getting Vito's attention. Inisip ko na lang si Daddy. Ayoko nang masaktan pa siya. Kung hindi niya kayang maniwala sa mga sinasabi ko, ako na lang ang gagawa ng paraan para hindi sila maglapit. Gusto kong putulin kung anuman ang namamagitan sa kanila if I had to use myself to do that then I will. 

I gave Vito a meaningful smile, one corner of my lips naughtily lifting up. I had to act like a vixen starving for a man. If he wanted someone like Mom then I'd give it to him. Dad dragged Mom away and I was left here alone with Vito.

"So, what's your business here? Ano'ng business ang pinag-uusapan niyo ni Mom?" I tried hard not to sound accusing.

Vito just gave me a sexy smile. "It's none of your concern. Do your parents know how much of a tease you are?"

I put my finger over my lips. "Shh... It's our dirty little secret." 

"You're what surprised me the most, Bryce. I never thought there'd be a sexy temptress under your stuck-up facade."

"Don't you like surprises?" I teasingly asked.

"I do... but I'll still haven't forgiven you. You're a selfish lover, Bryce. After I got you off, you're just going to run away like that?"

I tried hard not to let my shame surface. I was supposed to be a vixen. A well-experienced woman. I walked up to him, running my fingers against his sharp jaw. "Oh, poor thing. Did you get off to the thought of me?"

"You bet, I did." He said, his voice husk and quiet. "I imagined how wet I made you. I bet your panties were soaking with your cum, aren't they?"

"My panties were damp, Vito. From front to back." I was legit feeling the familiar burn in my stomach, the same feeling I felt earlier when we were on top of the horse. 

"Don't make me imagine it." He groaned in frustration. 

"You can only imagine what I'm capable of doing in bed." I smiled a little, feeling proud of myself. He was turned on and I hated admit it but I was turned on as well. Suddenly, the temperature seemed to have dropped. My family was just a few feet away from us and here I was, getting turned on by dirty talking with this guy.

I thanked God when Ate Anais called me to help her with taking care of Pixie while she makes milk for her daughter. Vito went back to where the boys were and had a drink with them. I caught Vito silently staring at me when I looked at me. He raised his glass at me when our eyes me.

When Ate came out, that was when I decided to come inside the house. I still felt hot and bothered from the conversation I had with Vito. I went to the kitchen and got myself a glass of water.

"Bryce..." My heart seemed as though it had leaped out of my chest when I heard a man's voice speak behind me. 

I instantly knew who it was and I was having second thoughts whether I should turn and face him. After battling with myself, I slowly turned to him. 

"W-what are you doing here?" My voice shook a little. I wasn't prepared for this.

"Just seeing if you need any help." He shrugged.

"I don't." I answered him.

"Are you sure?" Suddenly I was caged in between his arms as his palms leaned against the edge of the counter top. He lowered his face to me until I could feel his breath. "You look thirsty. Are  you thirsty?"

"I... I just drank water..." I faltered. 

"Perhaps you need to drink a little more." He took my glass of water from the counter top and drank it. Then he lowered his head to mine. He crashed his lips against my lips and then I felt a surge of liquid enter my mouth. I gulped it down my throat and my arms encircled around his neck. There was just something irresistable about Vito, something that made me lose control and sanity. Was this how Mom felt when she was with him? 

I thought him and Mom doing the same thing and that was enough to turn me off and slap me back to reality. I pushed him away and he looked at me, confused. 

"Someone might walk in on us." Dahilan ko.

"Doesn't that make it more exciting? I like dirty, forbidden things, Bryce. It turns me on. This feels so wrong, it almost seems right. I know I shouldn't be having you but I can't get enough." He whispered sexily as he held me by my waist, pulling me to his body. I took in a sharp inhale when I felt something hard poking on my stomach. "Do you feel what you've awakened? You need to take responsibility for that. You can't tease me like this and leave me dry."

"This is not an appropriate place for this. Maybe we should just take it somewhere else." I said, my fingers playing on his nape. 

"Vito." I heard Mom's voice.

Agad humiwalay sa akin si Vito as if he'd touched something hot. Mom walked in and looked at the both of us.

"They said you're leaving already?" She asked.

"Oh, yes. I'm just saying goodbye to Bryce." He tried to keep his composure. 

"Thank you for stopping by to visit us." Mom wore a smile on her face. 

"It was an absolute pleasure, Senyorita." He charmingly said. 

"Hahatid na kita sa labas." Mom insisted.

"That would be great. There's something I need to talk with you about." Sabi naman ni Vito bago lumingon sa akin. "Have a lovely evening, Senyorita Bryce."

I didn't say anything nor did the muscles in my face move. Mom and Vito left the room. It took me awhile before I could think straight and followed after them. Vito and Mom were already outside. I hid from their view and listened to what they were talking about.

"I feel guilty, Vito. I don't know what to do. We can't hide this forever." Mom sounded as if she was about to cry.

"I know." Vito took Mom in his arms. "But in just a few days, you're going to go back to Manila and you just have to act like nothing happened."

"I don't know if I'm just being paranoid but I feel like my husband's starting suspect. He knows something's going on and I feel guilty for hiding this from him." 

I heard footprints right next to me. I turned and saw Dad standing there, his face void of any expression. But his eyes looked as though he was looking deep into a chasm only he could see. He gulped down the beer he had in one hand.

"Kanina ka pa nandito, Dad?" I asked, my brows furrowed.

He gave me a quiet nod.

"Tignan mo yan and tell me again that she's not cheating on you with another man." Tagis ang ngipin na sabi ko.

He didn't say anything, he just turned and started walking back in again. Nagmamadaling sumunod ako sa kanya.

"Dad, what are you doing? Hahayaan mo na lang iyon?" I asked as tears coated my eyes. I felt sorry for him. I grabbed him the arm and tried to pull him. "Don't walk out! Confront them!"

"Bryce, stop that." He said in a quiet growl.

"You know what you are? A coward cuckold!" My voice shook with tears.

I gasped when he lifted his palm up as I thought he was going to slap me. He paused as if he'd realize what he was doing and lowered his hand to his side. I had never had my Dad hurt me in anyway. I would be lying if I say it didn't scare me. 

"Be careful with your words, Bryce. Baka nakakalimutan mong ama mo pa rin ako." He said.

"Wala kang gagawin? Hahayaan mo lang silang gaguhin ka?" I tried to sound brave even though I was shaking inside. "Why can't you do something?"

His eyes lowered. "Because I don't want your mother to leave me."

"Dad..." I softened.

"Paano kung sumama sa lalaking iyon ang Mommy mo? He's much younger than I. Paano kung mas piliin siya ni Val? Ayaw kong masira ang pamilya natin. I love your mother and I want Toffie to grow up with a complete family."

"So, you're just going to let her sleep with him?" I couldn't hide the anger in my voice as tears began to spill from the corners of my eyes.

"We're going to go back to Manila first thing tomorrow and we're going to forget about this. Do you understand?"