INTENTIONS

"KUMUSTA na ang paa mo?" ani Kiefer pagpasok na pagpasok pa lang niya ng opisina niya.

I was lounging in one of his chairs while waiting for him. He usually comes early, pero na-late siya ngayon ng kalahating oras, and by the look of his unusually untidy hair, I'm guessing he pulled an all-nighter.

I look at my right shoe, wriggling my toes inside it. "I'm still alive, so it must be fine."

"Inapakan ka lang niya ng paa, malayo iyan sa bituka," aniya habang pinapagpag ang jacket niya bago iyon ipinatong sa coatrack sa tabi ng mesa.

"How'd you know? Naapakan ka na ba ng sapatos na kasing tulis ng kutsilyo?" I ask, watching him laugh and shake his head. "Why don't you try and stab yourself with it? Let's see if you don't bleed."

The brute laughs even louder. "Dinugo ka ba?"

Binato ko siya ng nadampot kong maliit na unan pero ibinalik lang sa akin. "Fuck you."

Ang bilis talaga ng balita. I can only imagine the faces of those fuckers when they heard I was manhandled by a woman—a wild cat at that.

She hurt me, alright, but I still can't help but smile every time I recall that night at the club. It's been three days since then, and I can still feel her heels carved on my skin.

"I told you, she's bad for you," he says as he took the chair next to mine. "She'll hurt you if you bother her, and I'm telling you this because you're my friend."

"Really? It's not because of our dear Cynthia?"

He makes a face. "Because I know her, dude. She's not someone you can harass."

"Who says I'm harassing her?" I say, trying my best to look offended.

"Tell me you didn't harass her the first time you met."

"I told you, wala akong ginawa sa kanya. Not yet, though," I add quickly, remembering that fancy Saturday morning. "Besides, she was the one who intruded. I'm innocent."

"Dude, you were sandwiched between two babes. There's nothing innocent about that."

"So, you're protecting her from me, huh?" I frown at the irritation I hear in my voice—when I only meant to tease him. Mabuti na lang at si Kiefer ang kausap ko, because if it were Keenan, he would catch that slight difference and analyze me for weeks.

"It's the other way around," Kiefer reasons, but ends up sighing when I still have that don't-fuck-with-me look. "I'm just saying, don't mess with that chic. Nananakit iyon. See what I mean?" Tinanguan niya pa ang paa ko.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah." I don't bother hiding my sarcasm. "She's off limits."

Umiling na lang siya. "You just don't know what's in front of you."

I ignore his pun and get down to why I'm here—besides the fact that I partly own this place. "Got a word from Denz?"

"What about him?"

"He's getting married," I remind him.

"And? Oh, wait! Nagbago na ba isip niya?" He never looked so thrilled until now.

I shake my head, aware that we have the same thoughts about our friend's forthcoming demise, but we know how much Denzel treasures Angel. I can't say if Angel is lucky to be tying the knot with Denzel, but I know for a fact that Denz is one lucky bastard.

"The stag party," paalala ko sa kanya.

"Oh, right." He grins and scratches his head. "He said he's free tomorrow. Ako na ang bahala sa venue at si Keenan na ang bahalang kumausap kay Denz."

Hmm...that's probably okay. Si Keenan lang ang makakapilit sa kanya. Knowing Denzel, hindi iyon susulpot oras na malaman niya ang plano. He's too protective of his fiancé.

"The girls? They know about it, too?"

His brows quickly meet. "Are you kidding? That's the only golden opportunity to change Denzel's—!"

He's promptly interrupted by the steady rap on the door. Bumukas iyon at pumasok ang isang babae. I instantly recognize her with that defiant unruly hair, thick-rimmed glasses, and her undeniably absurd fashion sense.

Zara Gonzales. The subject of my undivided amusement recently.

She's obviously startled to find me here that she almost stumbles on her feet, but she doesn't let that on. She tips her chin up and walks in. "Morning, boss," she greets Kiefer curtly, ignoring me.

"Zara, come in. Have a seat." Kiefer gestures to the seat next to his, across mine.

Napangiti ako nang kumibot saglit ang kilay niya at tiningnan ang upuan sa tabi ko. She's looking at it like it's an electric chair that will fry her if she so much as touches it.

"Sit," I invite too, taking delight at her discomfort. Poor kitten.

Sa huli ay nag-decide din siyang tumuloy at umupo. And she does that with an annoyed huff that Kiefer doesn't hear or notice. "Since you're both here," he continues densely, "I would like to officially introduce you to each other..."

I don't bother listening to Kiefer. Heard it all. I just fill my senses with this woman who's looking at me with that unemotional face as if I were nothing more than a squashed rodent beneath her sensible shoes. Her eyes that are hidden behind those frames—they're her only feature that tells me she's not without emotion at all as they stare at me with the same hostility. No apology at all.

Nakalimutan niya yatang may kasalanan siyang ginawa sa 'kin.

"Zara here is a computer science graduate from the University of Oxford..."

Impressive.

And that mouth, too. She has a particular bee-stung lips—full and rosy pink without any tinge of lipstick. I wonder if it can kiss passionately and as intense as it looked. Well, with that fiery temper of hers and the kind of body she has, I know she's capable of it.

I wasn't kidding when I said I didn't recognize her at the club. She wore a tight fitted black dress that was enough to give me a hint of what was underneath that baggy shirt. She's hot.

When I came in with my cousins, all I wanted to do was grab a quick shot or two and leave. I was getting a bit tired of the club scenes, the wild parties, the scandals...it used to be so much fun. That night, I just wanted to get away from there.

But then I saw her hair sticking out from where I was standing. I found it strange how just by the sight of her hair, I felt...awakened. As if I had been asleep for quite some time and I didn't even notice it until she came barging on me, spitting fire.

But why the need to hide that beauty inside those drab clothes that are twice her size? As if she's deliberately downplaying her looks. Not judging, but is this how computer geeks usually dresses? Hope not.

I suddenly feel a tickle of intrigue stirring my interest as I move my gaze over her. Does she have a wild side behind that frosty facade?

"Well, I must welcome you then," I say in a deceivingly cool tone belying the sensual thoughts I have in mind when the unnecessary lengthy introduction was done. I hold out my right hand. "Nice to meet you, Zara Gonzales. It's an honor to have you on our humble ship."

"Thank you, sir. The pleasure is mine," she says in a clipped voice and takes my hand, but I sense it's only out of propriety rather than a desire to touch me.

I wrap my fingers around hers, almost swallowing her tiny hand and making me feel every millimeter of my height. I realize it's our first physical contact, noticing how her skin feels soft and silky smooth against mine. Her dainty fingers are rather strong, and her nails are clean and short.

She was about to take her hand away when I tighten my fingers around hers, causing her to tilt her head right back up to look at me, and I have the great pleasure to watch her violet-tinged eyes widen slightly before they flash like lightning behind those conservative glasses.

Deep blue eyes suddenly flash into my head.

I frown, but I don't have the time to ponder because I feel her hand fluttered against mine, sending shock waves of heat through my body like a lick of a fire.

Mabilis ko siyang binitawan. I have to physically stop myself from the urge of wriggling my fingers to get rid of the tingling electricity that's still lingering from her touch.

My brows deepen when she suddenly stands up. Nagtaka ako dahil mukha siyang galit. Why?

The fury in her eyes encourage me to believe that she's angry not because of me—but how she reacts to me.

Maybe she's not so unaffected after all.

Nagtatakang tiningnan siya ni Kiefer. "Yes, Zara?"

"I'm just here to drop off something." She shoves her hand inside the pocket of her jeans with her lips pursed and slams the object on the table. It's a wonder that USB didn't shatter.

Why so stiff, kitten?

"Okay," malumanay na sabi ni Kiefer, still wondering what's happening to his favorite employee.

I chuckle, and she sends me a death glare. Oh, fuck. I'm seriously crazy for even finding her violence such a turn on.

She's just so different from the girls that I know. There's no cleavage on show, no breathy whispers, no pouting of lips, and no batting of eyelashes. She's not doing anything compared to how women usually respond to me. She's like a soldier with a rifle ready to fire an enemy.

"What's the rush, Ms. Gonzales?" I ask. "You can stay for a few minutes and join us here."

Her lips compress again. I can tell she's working that smart little brain of hers for something appropriate to say. With a temper like hers, I'm sure she's being careful right now. She can't really tell her boss to go to hell, could she?

"Hayaan mo na siya, Blue," ani Kiefer, cutting off the fun. "Sige na, Zara. Pwede ka nang umalis."

She doesn't need to be told twice. Squaring her slim shoulders, she turns away and leaves the office with her stiff back and her head held high. So dignified. So regal.

What a pity. I would have loved to see that crown slip just a little bit.

***

ILANG minuto pa naming pinag-usapan ni Kiefer and tungkol sa stag party na ibibigay namin kay Denzel pati na rin ang tungkol sa trabaho bago siya magpaalam para sa isang meeting.

"I heard you're having an overnight?" tanong ko sa kanya habang inaayos niya ang laptop na dadalhin niya.

"We're chasing a deadline. There's also a scheduled maintenance for the system, kaya kailangan nilang magtagal dito—depende kung kaunti lang ang problema."

I just nod because I can't think of anything to say. I don't have the first clue about running or developing a program, least of all, a game app. I leave all those stuff to him because it's his specialty, while I read financial statements, numbers, percentage, stocks and marketing.

"You're staying?" Kiefer asks as he shrugs on his jacket.

"Of course," I say. "I have to review some reports in my office."

He looks at me suspiciously.

I sigh. "Ano na naman?"

He lifts his shoulder nonchalantly. "Nakakapagtaka lang. You usually do that at home."

I smile, hiding a secret beneath it. "Magulo sa bahay ngayon dahil sa mga bata." I love my nieces and nephews, don't get me wrong. But the kids' energy drains me so fast. I can't keep up if I spend a whole day with them.

"How about your apartment?" Kiefer picks up his laptop case.

"Nah," I answer. "I can focus better if I stay here." Iyon lang ang sinabi ko. I'm avoiding my apartments and my penthouse nowadays because of Anabelle. Not the doll. And she's not my girlfriend, too. She's a model whom I shared a bed with for a few times because she needed the boost in her career.

But she assumed we were more than what I could give. She didn't play by my rules, and that's where the problem started—she got too attached. And now, she's camping at every apartment I have and my penthouse too. I just have to wait it out until she gets tired of following and stalking me and get on with her life.

"Besides, I might also be pulling an all-nighter tonight."

Umiling-iling siya habang nakangiti. "Okay. Suit yourself. Just don't come running to me crying," pang-aasar niya. "Anyway, if you want to stay for lunch, just ring Aira for delivery. Madalas kasing nakakalimutan ni Zara na kumain kapag may trabaho."

"Aira who?" I scowl, feeling that slight irritation for his concern over his favorite employee.

"Cynthia's friend."

Napangisi na ulit ako. "She really has you wrapped around her bratty finger, huh?"

He flashes his middle finger at me and stalks to the door, but then stops and turns back around to face me. "You can just call me, you know."

I raise an eyebrow, confused. "What do you mean?"

"The Denzel thing."

A silly smile creeps on my lips. "I know."

He studies me for a while, unsettling me because I don't really like being scrutinized, especially when I'm present. And then he just nods, as if he had an understanding with himself, and waves before he's gone.

Fucker.

Tumayo ako. I need to move to shake off the nerves that suddenly settled on my body. I walk to glass panels, looking at the beautiful view of the city, and pride makes my chest swell.

It was only a dream to build a business that I can call mine, something that I reaped and worked hard on. There's nothing wrong with being given an inheritance. There's nothing wrong from receiving what is rightfully yours.

But I still felt like acquiring them by blood was somehow lacking.

I wanted something that I earned with my own hands, something that I can call proudly as mine. Though this company wasn't solely mine, but to be standing here overlooking the ground where we started from, I could almost say that I am someone. Not just the notorious son of Stanfield Steele. Or the Party Rogue, the Handsome Rake...or just Another Steele Heir.

I've lived trying to keep up with people's expectations. But there's only so much partying and sleeping around a man could do.

But could I really get out of this life without risking another just to have what Denzel has with Angel? Could I be that man who deserves to be...?

I close my eyes in angry frustration. I can't even say the damn word!

Suddenly, an image of a feisty pair of eyes intrudes in my head and just like that, it taps a smile on my face. I saw that smile on my reflection on the glass and I wonder if I can possibly really be that kind of man who could have what my brothers have?

Do I want that?

Or maybe it's just the challenge?

No woman has ever set me on my toes. No woman has ever looked at me without lust in their eyes. No one refused my charm and never did they stomp on my foot like that. But not Zara. She's a dark horse.

I would have left her alone when I saw her at the club, but her dismissal offended me. I know it's my ego talking here, but I wasn't really used to being rejected or turned down. I am Blue Steele. Women wanted to share my bed and this snobby little cat wouldn't give me even just a little of her attention.

I know she hates my guts. Her resentment towards me was so intense it's almost palpable. I also know it was supposed to keep me away, but I found her feistiness strangely endearing instead.

If I peel those layers, I know that somewhere inside that cool indifference, she's passion and fire. And yet she wanted to keep it hidden behind those glasses and huge clothes as if they were barrier. From what exactly?

It just only made me want to press her buttons to see if she would explode like a firecracker.

What would it take to get that tightly compressed mouth to give in to me?

Maybe I'm right. It's only the challenge. The chase.

Oh, but there's nothing I like better than riding a dark horse.

***

I DON'T dare glance at the glass panel because I just know he's watching me like a guard dog. I can feel it.

I thought having an office encased with glass walls was cool, but now, I just want to lift my table and move it some place where he can't see me. I don't mind that he's here, pero hindi ako maka-concentrate kung nakabantay siya nang ganyan. I feel like his eyes are laser beams cutting through that glass—and through me.

Paranoid much?

Ugh! I groan when I remember what happened this morning. That handshake...our first contact. It shouldn't be a big deal, but I just can't shake the feeling of his large hands wrapping around mine. How it made me feel small even though I'm probably the tallest girl around here.

I've never believed in electricity. Nico, my ex-boyfriend...we never shared that spark. Even during our first kiss.

Is that why he cheated on me? Because I was frigid?

Hindi lang iisang beses niyang sinabi sa akin iyon. He said that he thought Greek girls are hot and passionate. But when we're together, when we get intimate with each other, I shut off.

Kaya hindi ko maintindihan. Why Blue? What's in his touch that makes my skin tingle and turn my heartbeat chaotic with just a simple handshake?

Maybe because he mastered the art of seduction. Maybe it's part of his trick to lure girls to his bed...

I swear under my breath. Wala akong matatapos kung ganito ang mangyayari.

Sinipat ko ulit ang oras. I've been desperately looking at that huge clock plastered on the wall, counting hours. Pero hindi pa rin siya umuuwi o umaalis ng opisina niya. Wala din yata siyang balak na kumain. It's already past lunch.

Hindi ko akalaing papasok siya ngayon. I thought he would never show up because of what I did. I was positive that I injured him, and I thought it would take a week for his foot to heal. I was wrong.

No, I'm not even sorry about it because it's his fault. Kung hindi niya ako ginalit nang husto, sana maayos pa ang paa niya ngayon.

I groan again, covering my face with my hands. Gulong-gulo na ang buhok ko pero sinabunutan ko pa rin iyon. Focus, Zara. Utang na loob!

"Zara, 'di ka pa ba kakain?"

I peek between my fingers and see Ed and Tim, my co-workers. They're nice and I like them, kahit na akala nila once a week lang ako maligo. Iyon daw ang first impression nila sa akin.

"Ayos ka lang?" Tim actually looks alarmed at my state of despair.

Tumikhim ako at sinubukang ayusin ang buhok ko kahit na wala ring nangyari. "Oo naman." I fix my glasses, too, and smile.

"Nag-lunch ka na? Sabay ka na sa amin kung hindi pa," Ed says. "Umalis na kasi ang iba."

I look around, at saka ko lang na-realize na kami lang tatlo pala ang tao sa floor na iyon—maliban sa boss naming nakatambay sa loob ng opisina niya.

Hindi ko pa nararamdaman ang gutom, but to refuse would be stupid. I don't want to be left alone with Blue. Not in a million years!

"Sure! Kunin ko lang muna—"

"Go ahead," a voice interrupts that has my heart lurching. My head turns to Blue. "Zara will be eating lunch with me."

"Sinong nagsabi?" I scowl, hating the way my skin prickles with heat at the way my name sounded on him. Not boring Zara, but seductive Zara.

Kaninang umaga Ms. Gonzales. Now, it's Zara, huh?

"I did. Kakasabi ko lang 'di ba?" he says, quirking an eyebrow.

I feign a smile. "I'm sorry, sir, pero—"

"Ayos lang, Zara. Samahan mo na si sir."

What?!

Mabilis kong hinawakan ang braso ni Ed. "Hindi—um—I mean, gusto kong lumabas din sandali. So, if you don't mind, sir," baling ko kay Blue na nakatingin sa kung nasaan ang kamay ko.

He lifts those unhappy eyes and my stomach flips. "I do mind. I already ordered for us. Nakahanda na iyon. If you refuse it, I'm afraid they'll go straight to the trash bin. And your friend, Aira, will be very upset when she finds out."

Dirty bastard!

Talagang gagamitin pa niya si Aira para lang makuha ang gusto niya.

"Sige na, Zara," ani Tim. "Sayang naman ang pagkain kung tatanggihan mo pa."

"Una na kami ha. Next time na lang." Tim waves at me and nods at Blue. "Sige po, sir."

"Teka, sandali!" sigaw ko sa kanila. It's not safe here. He's not safe! I want to shout too, but Blue is already standing in front of me, blocking them from my view.

I can't believe they just left me alone with this rogue!

"Let's go," he told me and walked ahead, expecting me to follow him.

Arrogant ass. I scoff and don't move. He may be my boss but there are orders that I refuse to follow.

Hindi nagtagal bago niya mapansing wala ako sa buntot niya. He pins me that irritated look that can make a girl swoon as he walks back to me. "Would you prefer to eat here? Ayos lang sa 'kin." He shrugs casually. "Either way, you're going to eat with me."

I cross my arms across my body and lifted my chin. "Don't you ever quit pestering me?"

He narrows his eyes on me, turning his lashes even thicker. "Listen, kitten," he starts with his molten chocolate deep voice. "As much as I enjoy pushing your buttons, this is just not one of them." Lumayo na siya at naglakad pabalik sa opisina niya. "Kiefer made the order," he says, not even glancing at me. "He wanted to make sure his favorite employee eats."

Akala ko ba siya ang umorder?

Refusing again was at the tip of my tongue, pero bigla ay naramdaman ko ang tiyan kong kumulo. Great. My stomach has its own timing, too.

I know Aira has been delivering food here, as per Cynthia's request. Minsan na niyang pinagalitan noon si Kiefer when I suddenly fainted and was ran to the nearest clinic. I had hypoglycemia and a mild dehydration because I've been skipping meals. Simula noon, sinisiguro na ni Cynthia na kumakain ako sa oras, lalo na kapag marami kaming trabaho.

So, if I dare refuse to eat, Aira will know. She's a chef and her food is her pride. Baka magalit pa iyon sa 'kin oras na malaman niyang sinayang ko ang pagkain niya.

I sigh. I don't really have a choice, do I?

Ibinaba ko ang bitbit kong bag at dinala na lang ay ang cellphone ko bago sumunod sa opisina ni Blue. I plan on taking my share of food and eat in my cubicle alone, but it's quickly flushed down the drain when I see the delicious cuisines were already laid out neatly on the table.

Jeez, did he prepare all these by himself?

"Go on. Grab a seat," Blue invites while he's making himself a quick cup of coffee.

Nagtataka kong binalingan ang mga pagkain sa mesa, and I notice there's only a single plate sitting there.

Tiningnan ko siya. "Akala ko ba dalawa?"

"I'm already done," he confesses. He crosses the room, holding his cup while stirring his coffee with its tiny spoon.

And I'm supposed to eat here while he watches me? Not a chance!

Mabilis kong tinungo ang plato at nilagyan iyon ng laman, but he's quicker than I am. He closes the door, as if knowing what I was planning to do, and locks it with a resounding click.

"What are you doing?"

"Sit down, Zara. I'll try to behave myself impeccably," he even assures me. He sits on one of the vacant seats across me and crosses his legs while he drinks his coffee comfortably. "Eat," utos niya pa habang nakamaang ako sa kanya. "Walang lason iyan. I've already ate portions of them."

Ikaw kaya ang lason, I think dryly. His mere existence is already a toxin to all the girls.

I take one last longing look at the door before I sit my ass down and start to eat. It's the most uncomfortable lunch I've had ever since I left home, but this isn't straining and painful discomfort like I always had with my father. It's more of an uneasy and self-conscious type. Fuck. I can't even look at his face properly now that we're alone.

I can only stare at his dangling foot and study his expensive shoe. Kumunot ang noo ko. His right foot looked fine to me. Kanina rin habang naglalakad siya, he didn't seem to be in pain.

"It's fine, in case you're wondering," he suddenly says, forcing me look up at him, and I'm greeted with his mocking gaze.

Mabilis na sumama ang tingin ko sa kanya. "I was not." Maybe I should've kicked him in his balls.

"And you're not sorry, either."

"No, I'm not."

He shakes his head as he keeps studying me with an expression of bemusement on his face, and chuckles suddenly.

I drop my spoon and scowls at him. "What's so funny?"

He sips his coffee leisurely and shruggs. "I'm actually thinking of words to say that won't offend you—which is new to me."

I scoff. "Kahit ano pang salita ang maisip mo, it would still piss me off."

Ngumiti ang mga mata niya. "How can we possibly get to know each other if you keep getting angry every time I ask you a question?"

"We don't need to know each other, sir. Kaya hindi mo na kailangang makipag-usap sa 'kin."

"Why not? I'm sure there's a lot to know about you."

"Bakit ba ang dami mong gustong malaman?"

He puts down his cup and rests his arm on top of his seat before giving me another long, penetrating look, and stays there. "I'm curious about you. I can't seem to read you."

Ako ang unang bumawi ng titig at pinagtripan ang mousse cake sa harap ko. "Well, that's because I'm not a book."

I hear him chuckle. "Is it men in general or...wait." He moves. Tiningnan ko siya at nagulat ako nang makitang napakalapit na niya sa akin. He's leaning over to me as he runs his eyes all over my face. "Have we met before?"

Kinabahan ako bigla kaya mabilis akong lumayo sa kanya. Even though I don't think it's possible, I still feel the dread pushing my insides. Does he recognize me?

Unti-unti siyang bumalik sa dati niyang posisyon. The corner of his mouth lifts in a wry smile. "Because if we did, I would definitely remember you."

That makes me snort. Biglang nawala ang kaba ko dahil sa sinabi niya. "Don't play with me. Alam ko na ang mga tipo mo. You're all for the looks. Ako? Maaalala mo?" I scoff. Yeah, right.

Oh, he would remember Chryxanthe—the blonde and blue-eyed girl. That's unquestionable. But plain jane version of me won't stay long in his mind. He would forget me sooner than he blinks.

"I doubt that," nakakunot-noong sabi niya. He looks so serious, even thoughtful. "It's human's nature to be drawn to something beautiful. Particularly men. We know how to appreciate things that deserve praises. Including personality. And personality like yours...trust me, it lasts."

Isinubo ko ang mousse cake ko. "Now you're feeding my ego."

Ngumiti siya. Suddenly, his eyes aren't playful anymore as he looks at my spoon up to my mouth. They look darker now and dangerous. "Can't handle compliments, can you, Zara?"

Again with my name.

I don't know if it's how he says it, of just the thick air around us, but I can feel the prickle of awareness skimming along my nerve endings.

"I can. And I can take care of my own ego, thank you very much."

This time, he laughs, more than a chuckle, and its richness vibrated through me. "Ganyan ka ba talaga kasungit sa lahat ng nakikilala mo? Because I have a feeling it's me that you hate."

Duh. Isn't it pretty obvious?

"Careful, kitten. You know what they say, the deeper the hate, the deeper the love," he says, his voice was dripping with sarcasm.

"Hate is a strong word. And why would I? I don't even know you." Liar.

"But you don't like me, too, though." His dark eyes glint, his mouth lifting in a slant of a smile. "I wonder why."

Napatitig ako sa kanya. And I wonder why, too.

Blue Steele. I know his name is a brand. He can build a fashion house and sell underwear with his name carved on it and even men would buy them. He could be a model of an alcohol brand and everyone would buy it just to have a taste of it. Everyone just wants him.

He moves in circles most people can only dream about. Celebrities, rock stars, film directors—you name it. He's a party boy, he's been at every high-profile party both nationally and internationally. He's famous among the famous. He's popular among the popular. He's that man.

So why don't I like him?

Because he's an unapologetic womanizer. Because of the way he is. You hate unstable people.

"Is it because I remind you of your ex?"

The food that I was eating suddenly dislodges somewhere it shouldn't be, and I start to cough. Mabilis niyang inabot ang bottled water at tinanggal ang takip bago iyon ibinigay sa akin.

Dekára! Muntik na akong mabilaukan dahil sa sinabi niya.

"Hmm..." he hums in satisfaction when I calm down. "I scored that, didn't I?"

I gingerly wipe the water from the top of my lip. "'Wag kang mag-assume."

"I'm not assuming. Your pretty face already confesses for you," he says as he gestured on his face.

Fuck this face.

"Did he cheat on you?" he prods.

I'm suddenly reminded of how I found my ex with the other woman. She was my friend from work, and they've been banging each other behind my back for five months.

I swallow my tongue as bitter acid scours my throat. "It's not your goddamn business."

"That's why you've pushed everyone away ever since?" he pushes even further.

I thrust my chin out, glaring at him. It's bad enough that I have to endure this lunch with him, but for him to scrutinize my emotions? To analyze me? To poke into my past? This playboy who's done nothing but to pester me and mock me?

"Don't project your anger on every man just because one screwed you up. Some of us are nicer, you know," he says, a line of tension rippling through his jaw, but his smile is all teasing and charming. "Just look at me. Sinaktan na ako ng babae at inapakan pa ang paa ko, but I don't say I hate women in general. I still adore them."

Kung hindi ko lang iniisip na nasa opisina kami at maya-maya ay pwedeng may dumating, if I weren't a dignified person, I could've just wrapped my hands around this intolerable man's neck and strangled him to death.

Pero pinili kong kumalma. Grace under fire, I remind myself. He's just goading me to flare me up and make me stab him with this fork. Besides, he doesn't know anything about me. Not a single thing.

"I'm not projecting anything on anyone. Hindi lang ako marunong magkunwari," I say, stabbing on my food imagining it's his liver on my pate. "You see it when I don't like you. I can't fake what I feel."

"And you're not being subtle about it, either." He watches me stab.

Huh. "It's better than playing with someone's feelings, don't you think?"

The corner of his mouth turna up in a mocking grin. "Playing and cheating are two different things, kitten," he says in a dangerously low voice. "I play and I won't deny that, but I don't cheat. I've never cheated."

I didn't notice it before but now, I can see that there's something dark and intense behind those eyes, no matter how much he flashed that charming, laid-back smile.

"You really want me to believe you've never cheated on anyone before?" Tumawa ako nang pagak habang nililinis ang mesa. "You're a cliché."

Really? It's Blue Steele we're talking about here. Siya lagi ang laman ng headlines. Every news. Kahit kaunting galaw niya, naroon siya agad sa lahat ng article. He's the National Playboy! And I know there was definitely a girl posted about a heartbreak because this guy just cheated on her over a new girl.

"Ah...I didn't take you for someone who easily falls for hearsays. I'm wounded," he mocks, falling back on his seat. Again, he may look like he was chilling there but nothing was relaxed in his muscles. Every line was vibrating with...anger? I'm not sure.

"You are what you do, sir." Tumayo ako para itapon ang ilang mga styrofoam sa basura. I don't know why we're arguing about this one. It's pretty clear, as in in-your-face obvious, that he's lying.

Oo nga naman. Paano ba niya aaminin ang kasalanan niya sa iba? He's just a man, after all, and men were fickle. Faithless. Volatile. And Blue Steele is not an exception.

Nang masiguro kong naitapon ko na lahat ay pinagpag ko ang kamay ko at saka umikot. But Blue is already standing behind me, clearly not done with our conversation.

I wish I could clean my hands now, but I stay there and wait for whatever he was going to say. Baka hindi pa siya makatuog kapag hindi niya nasabi. Humalukipkip na lang ako para ipitin ang mga kamay ko sa pagitan ng braso at katawan ko. "Not done yet?"

He walks slowly towards me, his gaze sliding down my body, and I could feel the heat trailing behind it. I'm covered from head to toe and my hair was sticking up, for Pete's sake! There's nothing sexy or hot about me at all, but the way he was looking at me right now, he's saying otherwise.

"So you're saying," he rasps, taking his time to meet my eyes, "that if I kiss someone, it's because I have feelings for her? Or that I like her...or that I want to do her?"

"Yes..." I can hear the question mark at the end of my voice as my brain is bombarded with wicked thoughts. Wanton thoughts. All that includes images of him naked with two women in bed. Fuck. Now I can't erase those dirty and tempting thoughts out of my head!

He takes another step, and I hold my breath looking at that space between us. It's only a foot away and my heart is starting to pick up its rhythm. Faster. Quicker. I can feel the palpable thrumming of my pulse on my neck.

I was bracing for impact, because I don't want him to assume that I am afraid of him. Because I am not, but my body is singing a whole different tune. My foot takes a careless step back, making me sway a little, and Blue takes advantage of it. Maagap niya akong hinawakan sa beywang at nanatili doon ang kamay niya.

His hand feels so strong on me and it suddenly makes me feel dainty and feminine. My mind is screaming at me to push him away, but I don't know what's possessing me to freeze up. Only I'm not really frozen. I feel like melting chocolate, making a mess of puddle beneath him.

He's unmistakably a man. I could feel his lethal strength, the way his hard-muscled thighs brushes against mine...

"Really?" he breathes as he leans even closer so he could whisper to my ear. "Then if I kiss you right now, would you say it's because I have those intentions for you?"

Heat coils tightly inside me. Is he going to kiss me?

My heart bangs against my ribcage and I'm suddenly feeling out of breath at the thought of that wicked sensual mouth touching me for real.

Pero lumayo siya bigla. He drops his hands, and I suddenly feel like I'm naked and he's not. I'm exposed.

"See?" His eyes glint in triumph. "You're wrong, kitten. Actions can deceive, too."

He was only making his point. And the bastard used me to teach me a lesson.

I can feel my whole body vibrating with anger, but I refuse to look indignant or to be violent. I just don't give any reaction. I draw in a deep long breath, filling my lungs—that was full of his scent—with air and walk past him, my head tilted at a proud height.

He may have peeled a tiny layer of my skin for now, but I swear I'll make him pay for that.

Wait until I'll skin you alive.