CHAPTER 9

HINDI alam ni SM kung anong iisipin niya— kung ano bang kailangan sa kaniya ng isang konde. She thought it was sex that he wanted— like a normal male— so she tested her theory of him only wanting sex from her but Knight stopped.

He stopped and he just hugged her... saying sorry for being weak.

Naiiling na napangiti siya ng maalala ang higpit ng yakap nito sa kaniya. It's been three days since it happened but she can still remember how he clung to her that night while apologizing for losing control.

Pero kahit ganun ito, hindi pa rin niya ito matatawag na 'nice guy'. He may have stopped himself that night but he's still a pervert most of the time.

Maraming pagkakataon na matatawag niyang maginoo ang binata pero mas marami ang pagkakataaon na matatawag niya itong bastos.

Maginoong bastos. It's actually a nice combination.

"...670 pesos po, Ma'am." Sabi niya sa costumer na katatapos lang umorder.

Siya ngayon ang nasa kahera dahil lunch break ni Monet. Pagkatapos suklian ang pera ng babae, nakita niyang naglalakad palapit sa counter si Knight.

"I'm tired." Wika nito saka nangalumbaba sa kabilang panig ng counter na nakaharap sa kaniya, "can I kiss you? I need my Sweet Monday vitamins."

Bilang sagot, kumuha siya ng isang slice ng chocolate cake sa cake display chiller at inilapag iyon sa harapan ni Knight. "Here. Your vitamin."

Malakas na bumuntong-hininga si Knight, "I guess this will do."

Napailing siya ng kunin ni Knight ang platito na may chocolate cake saka umikot ito papasok sa loob ng counter, palapit sa kaniya.

"Anong ginagawa—"

The ganache covering the cake was still a little soft and wet, so when Knight dipped his finger, the ganache immediately coated his fingertips.

And what he did next stunned her.

Ihinaplos nito ang daliri na nababalot ng ganache sa gilid ng leeg niya dahilan para lumipat doon ang ganache.

And what he did next was more than shocking than the first one.

Knight leaned into her neck and licked the ganache off of her.

Mabilis na nasapo ni SM ang parte ng leeg na dinilaan ni Knight at malalaki ang matang humarap rito. Nararamdaman niya ang pag-iinit ng pisngi niya, ang pagtibok ng malakas ng puso niya at ang kakaibang kiliti sa loob ng katawan niya.

It was a simple lick, but it took her back to the time when he was kissing her neck that night. It felt good... so good her inhibition flew through the window— so good that she felt like her body was engulfed in flame and she wanted more of that feeling.

"A-anong ginagawa mo?" Lihim na habol ang hininga na tanong niya kay Knight.

"Gusto ko lang malaman kung mas masarap ang ganache kapag nasa katawan mo— hmm... I was right... it's more delicious." Bumaba ang tingin ni Knight sa bahagyan niyang nakaawang na labi, "don't look at me like that, boss."

"Look at you like what?" Halos pabulong niyang tanong.

He leaned in and whispered over her ear, "like you want me... you're making it hard for me to control myself."

Kumuyom ang kamao niya at handa nang suntikin ang binata para makaiwas siya rito ng pumasok sa isip niya ang likod nitong puno ng pilat.

Pinigilan niya ang sarili. Ayaw niyang masaktan ito.

Kaya ang ginawa niya, humakbang siya palayo dito at hindi umimik habang pinapakalma niya ang epekto ng ginawa nito sa katawan niya.

This man! One lick on her neck and she felt so hot and bothered!

Pero si Knight... bumalik ito sa trabaho na parang wala lang. Nang magtama ang mga mata nila habang nagsi-serve ito ng pagkain, tiningnan niya ito ng masama na sinagot lang nito ng pagkindat.

Napailing na lang siya at nagpasalamat na nakabalik na si Monet.

Bumalik siya sa opisina niya saka tumingin sa kalendaryo na nasa likod ng pintuan.

It's today.

Kaagad siyang kumilos at lumapit sa mesa kung saan naroon ang spongecake na pinapalamig niya.

Bumukas ang pinto ng opisina niya. "Boss—"

"Huwag kang pumasok!" Sabi niya kay Knight habang abala sa pagdi-disenyo sa sponge cake. "Kumain ka na lang mag-isa. Hindi ako nagugutom."

"SM—"

"Go away, Knight." Pagtataboy niya rito habang nakatutok ang mata sa cake na nasa harapan.

Thank God Knight listened.

SM used ganache as double filling— she made sure it's creamy and delicious— and used fondant to wrap the crown shape sponge cake and designed it.

Nang matapos niyang gawin ang cake, napangiti na lang siya habang tinitigan 'yon.

"Just finishing touches..." bulong niya saka gumamit ng food paint para kulayan ang paligid ng pabilog na cake.

SM poured all her skills and her heart into making the cake and when it was done, she felt proud.

"Sana magustuhan niya 'to." Nakangiting bulong niya sa sarili.

PABAGSAK NA NAUPO si Knight sa sofa ng bahay habang walang buhay na nakatingin sa kawalan. Hindi niya magawang ngumiti kahit peke 'yon. He just doesn't feel weak or lifeless— he felt scared as well.

Today— SM won't even look at him. Ni hindi ito kumain kasama siya na palagi naman nilang ginagawa.

Is it because of what he did? I couldn't help it. Her neck was sexy as hell.

He was out of line, he's sure of that.

But when he apologized earlier, she just brushed him off.

"—my Lord, are you listening to me?"

Tumingala siya saka nakita si Cloud sa harapan niya. "What?"

Bumuntong-hininga ito. "I'm asking why you look upset and down." Napailing ito, "you look depressed actually."

Knight sighed. "Cloud?"

"Yes, my Lord?"

"Is licking someone on the neck wrong?"

Napangiwi sa kaniya ang butler, "my Lord, a neck is a very intimate part of the body."

"So, if I lick your neck, would you be mad?"

His butler looked at him flatly, "how would I know? I don't swing that way."

Bumuntong-hininga siya saka tinulak niya patayo ang sarili, "you're useless. Don't talk to me."

Sumama ang mukha ni Cloud. "You're the one who asked, my Lord!"

Hindi niya pinansin si Cloud at naglakad siya palabas ng bahay kung saan nakasalubong niya ang kapatid sa pintuan.

"Night?"

Midnight blinked at him, "yes, Kuya?"

"If I lick your neck, would you be mad?" Walang buhay niyang tanong sa kapatid.

Tumaas ang dalawang kilay ni Midnight. "You gay? No worries, I will still accept you."

Knight sighed heavily. "I'm surrounded by idiots."

Nilampasan niya ang kapatid saka tinungo ang bahay ni Valerian. Habang naglalakad siya papunta dun, nagpadala siya ng mensahe sa group chat nilang magkakaibigan.

"Hi, Grace." Kaagad siyang ngumiti ng pagbuksan siya ng asawa ni Val.

"Knight!" Kaagad namang ngumiti ito sa kaniya. "It's nice to see you again. Pasok ka."

Kaagad naman siyang pumasok. "Si Val?"

"In his study." Sagot ni Grace, "puntahan mo na lang. Dadalhan kita ng meryenda."

Nalukob siya ng takot. "H-hindi mo naman niluto ang meryenda 'di ba?"

Tumawa lang si Grace saka iniwan siya sa salas.

Napailing siya saka ilang beses na huminga ng malalim. Val's wife can cook now but still— he has a trauma, thanks to her cupcakes before.

It was hell!

Nagtaasan ang balahibo niya ng maalala niya ang pinagdaanan niya dahil sa cupcake ni Grace. Napailing siya.

Never again! So traumatic!

Kumatok muna siya sa pinto ng study ni Valerian bago pumasok. "Best friend?"

"Wala akong best friend na Espanyol. Mga mananakop at mapanakit!"

Ngumiti lang siya saka umupo sa visitor's chair sa harap ng kinauupuang mesa ni Valerian. "Val, may problema ako."

Nag-angat ng tingin sa kaniya ang kaibigan mula sa binabasa nitong report. "Whose neck did you lick?"

Namilog ang mata niya. "Waah! How did you know?"

Pinakita nito sa kaniya ang group chat nila sa cellphone nito at malakas na binasa ang mensaheng pinadala niya dun. "If I lick your neck, would you be mad?" Tinignan siya nito ng masama. "You're such a fucking idiot. Kaninong tang'nang leeg ba ang dinilaan mo? Kinagat mo pa sana, nahiya ka pa!"

Nangalumbaba siya sa gilid ng mesa ni Valerian kapagkuwan ay isinubsob niya ang mukha sa mesa nito. "Ang sarap lang kasi ng leeg niya."

"What fucking are you, a fucking vampire?" Valerian tsked. "Basahin mo ang reply ng mga malilibog nating kaibigan para malaman mo."

Umayos siya ng upo saka inagaw ang cellphone na hawak ni Val.

"Hey! That's my fucking phone!" Inis nitong sabi. "Gamitin mo ang cellphone mo!"

"Tinatamad akong kunin sa bulsa ko."

Napailing malang si Valerian at hinayaan siya. Siya naman ay binasa ang reply ng mga baliw niyang kaibigan.

GROUP CHAT NAME: Iuhence is Sexy and handsome

Nagtatakang tumingin siya kay Valerian. "Bakit palaging nag-iiba ang pangalan ng group chat natin? Last month it was 'Lust after me'."

"Kasi mga baliw ang mga kaibigan natin." Isinara nito ang folder na binabasa, "lahat may gustong ipangalan sa group chat kaya sabi ni Zapanta, magpapalit ng group chat name kada buwan. Next month is your turn to change the name."

Hinilot niya ang sumasakit sa sentido. "Woah... I forget about that. My head hurts."

Kinunotan siya ng noo ni Valerian. "Have you been sleeping these past few days?"

Tumango siya saka nangalumbaba na naman. "Two days ago... I think."

Valerian tsked. "Kaya naman pala para kang zombie. Why don't you take some sleeping pills? Kahit ngayon lang?"

Umiling siya saka binasa ang mga message sa group chat nila.

Iuhence Vergara: @Knight, who did you 👅?

Lash Coleman: What are you, a dog? @Iuhence that's a nasty tongue emoji you got.

Mandurugas🔪 : Pustahan tayo. Babae o lalaki ang dinilaan ni @Knight?

Lath Coleman: @Knight alam naming kulang-kulang ka pero para mangdila ka? Inatake ka na naman ba? @mandurugas🔪 I bet it's a male. Walang papatol na babae kay @Knight.

Mandurugas🔪: Why the fuck is there a knife besides my name?! And who change my nickname again?!!! 😡😡😡

Cali Sudalga: 🤣 mangtataga ka raw kasi. Bagay 'yan sa 'yo.

Mandurugas🔪: @Cali see this? 🖕🏻 it's called füćk you!

Cali Sudalga: 🤣🤣🤣

Train Wolkzbin: Hindi ako pupusta, mga gago. Hindi niyo nga ako mabayaran ng personal, dito pa kaya sa chat?

Lander Storm: Let's make an agreement.

Ymar Stroam: Like a form? Yong pipirmahan natin na magbabayad tayo? Deal. Let's make it official. Mga mandurugas ang mga tao sa group chat na 'to.

Tyron Zapanta: Magkano ang pustahan?

Calyx Vargaz: Five pesos.

Dark Montero: Five pesos tapos may agreement form pang nalalaman? Ano 'to, gaguhan?

Evren Yilmaz: Want me to notarize it? Come to think of it, mas mahal pa magpa-notarize keysa sa pustahan.

Khairro Sanford: @EvrenYilmaz Speaking of notarize, 'yong pina-notaryohan ko sa 'yo hindi kompleto ang detalye na nandun.

Evren Yilmaz: @Khairro, kalahati palang ang binayaran mo, kaya hinati ko rin ang detalye na inilagay ko 😏

Dark Montero: @Khairro, ang yaman-yaman mo tapos kalahati lang binayad mo sa notaryo? Fuck, Sanford, you're so cheap.

Khairro Sanford: 😒 friendly discount ang tawag dun. Dapat nga 20 pesos na lang 'yon, pero dahil kaibigan tayo, ginawa ko na lang na 25 pesos.

Napabuntong-hininga si Knight. Lunatics!

Nag-chat siya gamit ang cellphone ni Valerian.

Valerian Volkzki: Well? Would you be mad if I lick your neck? — Handsome and sexy Knight here using Val's phone.

Evren Yilmaz: Depende sa gender 'yan.

Lysander Callahan: If it's a woman...

Dark Montero: Kissing a woman on the neck means I want to have sex with you. Vulgarly speaking.

Valerian Volkzki: 😱😱😱😱

Evren Yilmaz: And if it's a man...

Lysander Callahan: It means you're gay.

Dark Montero: Sayang ang lahi mo @Valerian.

Calyx Vargaz: Pero tanggap ka pa rin naman namin kahit maging kasapi ka ng LGBT.

Valerian Volkzki: 😑😑😑😑

Pinakita niya kay Valerian ang chat-chat nilang magkakaibigan. "Val, look, they're bullying me."

Then, Phoenix Martinez sent a message.

Phoenix Martinez: @Valerian what the fuck?! 😱 you're gay? Since when?! What did Grace say? Fuck!

Nagtatagis ang bagang na nag-reply si Valerian na lihim niyang ikinatawa.

Valerian Volkzki: @Phoenix you imbecile! 🤬 mag back read kang tang'na ka! ⚰️ do you see this fucking emoji?! That's a fucking coffin and I will put you there if you don't back read right fucking now!

Tamang-tama naman na pumasok si Grace sa Study na may dalang tray na may cake at beer para sa kaniya.

"Mooncake!" Kaagad na niyakap ni Valerian si Grace ng mailapag nito ang tray sa lamesa. "Look! Read this!" Pinabasa talaga ni Val ang chat-chat nila. "How could he think that I'm a fucking gay?! Binuntis na nga kita e!"

Pigil ni Knight ang matawa ng malakas ng tumawa si Grace pagkatapos nitong basahin ang convo nilang magkakaibigan.

"Oh, my poor husband," hinaplos ni Grace ang pisngi ni Valerian na masama pa rin ang mukha, "don't mind them. Binibiro ka lang ng mga 'yon. Kilala mo naman ang mga kaibigan mo." Kapagkuwan ay tumingin sa kaniya si Grace. "There are three kind of women so it depends on who she is. First is the wild woman who will kiss you if you lick her neck, second is the in between woman who would punch you or run away and third is the innocent woman who will blush."

Tumaas ang dalawa niyang kilay. "At saan mo naman nalaman ang mga 'yon?"

Grace grinned. "Kay Czarina."

"Ymar's weird wife?" Sabay nilang tanong ni Valerian.

Tumango si Grace. "Mabait naman si Czarina ah. She's just a little weird but she's nice." Hinaplos nito ang buhok ni Valerian, "siya pa nga ang nagturo sa 'kin sa mga sex position na nagustuhan mo."

Na-i-ubo ni Valerian ang kapeng sinisimsim nito at siya naman ay muntik nang mabilaukan ng beer na iniinom.

Grace is still innocent sometimes.

Knight grunted. "I always said that there's no such thing as too much information but this— this is fucking too much. I'm out of here! Thanks for the cake, Gracey."

"Don't call my wife with cute nicknames!" Singhal sa kaniya ni Val.

"Knight, yong cake!" Tawag sa kaniya ni Grace. "Di mo kinain—"

"Baka sumakit ang tiyan ko." Tumatawang sabi niya.

"Knight!" Tiningnan siya ng masama ni Grace. "Come back here!"

Tumawa lang siya saka tumakbong palabas ng bahay ni Valerian. Nang naglalakad na siya pabalik sa bahay niya, naalala niya ang reaksiyon ni SM kanina dahil sa ginawa niya.

She took a step back— away from him.

Is it because she knew the meaning of that kiss on the neck? But it wasn't a kiss... it was a lick!

Holy fuck! If kissing on the neck means 'I want to have sex with you' then the lick on the neck is much more severe than that?!

Masyado siyang focus sa trabaho niya at ibang personal na bagay para pagtuunan ng pansin ang mga bagay na 'to. It's not like he's a womanizer. He doesn't date either. When was the last time he had been with a woman? He can't remember.

He avoids women all together because his mind is already jaded. So many what if.

What if the woman was sent by the Triad? What if she's a spy? What if she's an assassin paid to kill him?

Si SM lang ang babaeng nakapasok sa mundo niya. She entered his life unknowingly and invaded his heart effortlessly.

Parang binuhusan ng malamig na tubig ang dibdib niya at nanigas ang buo niyang katawan ng maalala na naman ang paglayo nito sa kaniya kanina at ang pagtataboy nito sa kaniya. So, she's the woman in between that Grave was talking about.

I bet she's mad. Fuck! He should say sorry again tomorrow— or tonight?

Tumigil siya sa paglalakad saka kinuha ang cellphone sa bulsa.

There's a lot of chat from their group chat.

*Evren Yilmaz sent an attachment*

Binuksan iyon ni Knight.

Napailing siya ng makitang agreement form 'yon tungkol sa pustahan ng mga ito.

He tsked. These lunatics.

Knight Velasquez: I licked a girl. Idiots.

Valerian Volkzki: 😒

Mandurugas🔪: 🥳

Lath Coleman: Binata na siya.

Calyx Vargaz: May manglilibre ng bbq at beer.

Iuhence Vergara: Binata ka na @Knight. Pautang nga.

Dark Montero: @Tryon pasok.

Tyron Zapanta: Welcome to UnderStanding Possessive Men's Club. You may rest in peace, fucker.

He sighed and shook his head. "I feel loved." Sarkastiko niyang sabi.

Ibubulsa sana niya ang cellphone ng makatanggap ng text mula kay SM.

Mabilis ang tibok ng puso niya na binuksan 'yon.

From: My Sweet Monday

Yep. He changed her name in his contact.

'Can you come over? Bring Cloud and Midnight with you. I'll leave the door unlock for you.'

Worry consumed him. Is she sick again?!

Mabilis niyang tinawagan si Cloud habang tumatakbo siya patungo sa bahay niya para ipahanda rito ang taxi niya. Nang makarating siya sa gate ng bahay, naghihintay na sa kaniya ang taxi niya.

Cloud was the driver, he was on the passenger seat and Midnight was on the back seat.

Halos paliparin ni Cloud ang taxi patungo sa bahay ni SM.

"Ano bang sabi niya?" Tanong sa kaniya ni Midnight na may pag-aalala. "Is she okay? Is she sick again?"

"I don't know." He was feeling anxious. "She just wants us to come over! The last time we were in her house, she was sick so I'll assume that maybe she's sick again! Fuck it! Bakit ba hindi siya nag-iingat?! Balak niya ba akong baliwin sa pag-aalala?!"

"Don't worry, my Lord, we're near." Pagpapakalma sa kaniya ni Cloud.

"Fuck..."

Halos mapasubsob silang tatlo ng iparada ni Cloud ang taxi sa labas ng bahay ni SM.

They didn't use the doorbell. They all climbed the gate and run towards the house door.

Mabilis silang pumasok at kaagad na hinanap ang dalaga.

"Boss!"

"My Lady!" It was Cloud.

"SM!" It was Night.

He was frantically looking when they heard a faint voice coming from the kitchen.

"In here..."

The three of them immediately run towards the kitchen only to be greeted by confetti poppers.

Natigilan silang tatlo saka gulat at nagtatakang napatitig kay SM na may masayang ngiti sa mga labi.

"What's this?"

SM smiled sweetly at him. "Happy Birthday, Count Knight Alastair Minrod Gutterez Velasquez!"

He froze as his eyes went to the dining table.

Home cooked meals. Beer. And his favourite— cake. Specially designed for him.

A crown shape cake with a man carrying a sword while riding a horse like a knight in medieval times.

And the 'Happy Birthday, Knight' was written on the side of the cake.

Tumingin siya kay SM. "How did you—"

SM was still smiling happily. "Your resume."

Tumingin ulit siya sa cake. He's happy, but at the same time guilty.

Lumapit sa kaniya si SM. "Hindi mo ba nagustuhan? Sorry... gusto lang kitang surpresahin. Ito yong ginagawa ko kanina kaya hindi ako nakapag-lunch kasama ka."

He was silent as he looked at the cake.

"Kung ayaw mo sa fondant cake, may ginawa rin akong triple Bavarian cake." Masayang balita sa kaniya ni SM. "Gusto mo ilabas ko sa Ref? Mas gusto mo ba 'yon—"

"Boss."

Napatitig ito sa kaniya. "Hmm?"

"I'm happy— I really am... but—"

"You don't like the cake?" Nakangiwing tanong sa kaniya ni SM.

Umiling siya. "... but it's not my birthday today."

Unti-unting nawala ang ngiti sa mga labi ni SM. "P-pero sa resume mo, sigurado akong ngayong araw 'yon. Binilogan ko pa ang kalendaryo sa opisina ko para hindi ako makalimot."

"My birthday in my resume," he feels ashamed and guilty as he looked at SM who made an effort to celebrate his 'fake' birthday. "I just... m-made it up."

Nakita ni Knight ang pagbagsak ng balikat nito.

"Oh," was all SM said.

"I'm sorry," aniya saka niyakap ang dalaga, "I lied."

After he confessed his lie, SM's silence was deafening. And thinking that she might be angry... there's nothing scarier than SM being mad at him.

Fuck! I messed up!