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CHAPTER FOUR

LUZIANO KNOWS he can't leave his brother like that. His younger brother has been forced into marriage that their father orchestrated. He can't do much about it, and he can't stand there attending a marriage full of bullshit.

So before his younger brother's marriage, his circle of friends convinced him to have a vacation with them at the Achilles Islands Resort. He's been hearing about how amazing and breathtakingly the island is to Laurentius and Denryl. He also heard about the sex island of the resort. Iyan ang gustong puntahan ng mga kaibigan niya roon.

Technically, one of his ways to release stress is sex. What fun could it be to relieve his stress by going to that said island and experience what they said as a mind-blowing island?

"Look, mga p're, ang sexy at ang hot ng maggrupo na iyon, oh," tabig ni Olliver sa kanila.

"Ang black beauty no'ng isa, sobrang sexy," pag bigay punto ng isa sa kaibigan niyang si Cebastian.

"The woman in sundress kinda looks like my type," ani Storme doon.

Umiling lang si Luziano sa mga pinagsasabi ng mga kaibigan at hindi ito binigyan ng pansin. He adjusted his gladiators and checked for his phone. Apparently, the wedding of Laurentius and the heiress of Bourgeois' are trending online for article news. He read a lot of positive comments and some negative ones. He could do nothing but just scoffed.

If only Laurentius and Denryl fought hard for their homosexual relationship. Denryl is currently two months pregnant, it can prove a point that he can carry an off-spring for them. But with all the drama and stress, it is bad for Denryl and the baby's health to deal with all of these.

Someone suddenly leaned their elbow on him. "Pars, just forget muna the outside world at i-enjoy natin ang bakasyon nating ito," masuyong saad ng kaibigang Olliver nang makitang salubong ang mga kilay niya habang tinitignan ang kung anong nasa screen ng phone. "We're here to have fun, so let go of your problems temporarily. We have your back." Olliver shook him subtly.

His friend was right. Sighing, he pursed his phone and just smiled to him. Tama. Dapat i-enjoy niya itong moment at kalimutan muna ang mga problema na iniwan niya sa syudad. The important and rational thing to do right now is to have fun and relax. There's another day to face those problems. Mental health is very important for him.

All he heard was a chatter of excitement coming from his friends. None of them are afflicted or acquainted with the owner of the resort, Achilles Roovers. But they heard a lot of things about the infamous Hawaiian-Filipino owner of the said resort. They even heard that the islands was supposed to be a private vacation island for them, until he came with such an idea to make an attraction out of it. That was a smart choice as an entrepreneur and businessman.

Not minutes after, they saw the dock where the cruise ship will dock. They are greeted with the vibrant green of the island with white sands. It awe them and mesmerizes.

Pagkababa nila, may sumalubong sa kanilang tatlong pana-uhin. Two women and a man. They have megaphones in hand to be heard by all.

"Welcome, our lovely tourists," one woman in a floral maxi dress greeted them with a megaphone in hand.

He eyed the other woman in her casual clothes and the man in his shorts and tight shirt hugging his leaned body. Sunod niyang tinignan ang malaki-laking cabin na may signage na 'SECURITY OFFICE' in fancy, bold, blue letters. Sa likod nito ay may mga nakahilerang mga golf cart. Huh. A golf cart on a sandy beach?

"I am Regina Cabalquinto, your tour guide for the next two hours. It's a pleasure to welcome you all here, but before anything else, please proceed to our security office for a short inspection."

Agad silang sumunod at nakapilang magpa-inspeksyon doon. Their bags went to a high-tech scanner by the side, habang sila ay kinapkapan. When they seemed clean, iginiya silang lumabas ulit doon. Hinihintay na lang nilang matapos sa pag-inspection ang iba pang mga turista roon.

"I have a big gun in my pants," nagbibirong bulong ni Olliver sa kanila, so they chuckled by that.

"You meant a handgun, right? You call yours big?" tukso ni Storme dito.

"I'm not showing you my tool just so you could gawk at it, Madrigal," Olliver said with a smirk. "Keep dreaming."

"Ulol mo!" ani Storme na natatawa. "Siraulo ka talaga."

"Hindi na ako magtataka kung isang gabi ay makikita ko kayong nagtutukaan sa isa't-isa," sabat doon ni Cebastian na parang seryoso o nagbibiro. "Just make sure na I will be your best man, mga p're."

"I support you both, too," segunda niya roon.

Nagkasalubong ang mga kilay ng dalawa and grimaces their faces as they stare at each other. Si Olliver na ang lumayo kay Storme at lumapit kay Luziano.

"Kilabutan nga kayo sa mga pinagsasabi n'yo. We're both straight friends, pwede ba 'yong gano'n?" Although taken aback, there was no hint of disgust in his voice.

Before any of them can reply, the woman named Regina spoke.

"To those individuals who purchased a one-week vacation package, please be guided with Jonathan here," the woman announced with her megaphone and gestured to the guy with a tight shirt who waved after being introduced.

Most of the tourists goes to him.

"For those individuals who purchased our two-week vacation package, you will stick with me," patuloy na anunsyo no'ng babae'ng tour guide sa natitirang turista. "And those individuals with three weeks and up vacation package, go with Delilah. We will be your tour guide today, so enjoy your vacation, everyone."

The four of them stood still there. Ang mga mata ng mga kaibigan niya ay halos sinusundan ng tingin ang mga nagdadaang mga nakikita nilang sexy na mga babae. Luziano still has his shades on, and sometimes roam his eyes, when some particular individual caught his attention. They look like a group of friends of five having a vacation break. Four women and one man. Nawala lang ang atensyon niya sa kanila nang magsalita ang tour guide nila sa harap.

"Everyone, please follow me and so we can start our tour," anito.

"So, are we gonna walk? What about our baggages?" may nagtanong doon.

"Don't worry, Ma'am, we have golf carts to use for our tour. You can drive them or have our staff drive for you. Any damages to our golf carts during the tour, you will shoulder for the repair. Make sure not to hit anyone or a tree while driving, thank you."

Lahat sila ay may pinili nang golf cart. Sumakay na lang siya sa magmamanehong kaibigang si Storme, habang si Cebastian ay nakisakay sa magmamaneho na Olliver. And with that, they're set to do the tour.

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AFTER SETTING everything at their own cabins that are next to each other, lumabas silang bihis na bihis. Ang mga suot nila ay beach shorts with open buttoned shirt. Simple lang na kasuotan, but it is a head turner. Hindi mo mapagkaka-ilang may mga hitsura silang apat. They looked like a typical group of friends on a vacation that most fellow tourists either stared at or gawked at. They're that magnetizing to people's eyes.

Their cabins are under the shades of the coconut trees, with an exquisite sight of the vast blue waters farther ahead. Sa unahan ay may dock kung saan puwede ka roong maligo upang may plataporma kang malapitan. Mga nasa beynte o higit pa ang nakahilera na cabins doon sa kanila, at parang ka-onti lang ang mga nag-okupa sa iba.

"Let's have some late breakfast muna, mga p're," suhesyon ni Cebastian sa kanila. "I'm famished."

"Aight, let's go!"

Ang pinakamalapit lang na restaurant sa kanilang cabin ay ang Chillax Resto. Judging by the name, they must've serve alcoholic drinks too. So, they drove with their golf carts there.

They parked their golf carts at the designated parking lot before heading inside. The place was not really buzzing with people. It was past the breakfast hours and almost lunch, kaya walang gaanong mga customers na kumakain doon. Eyeing the place, they can say it was all right. Puwede na.

Dahil nga ka-onti lang ang mga tao roon, nakahanap sila agad ng lamesa for four people. Their tables and seats are pretty decent too.

Not long after, a waiter approached their table. It was a guy.

"Good morning, gentlemen. Welcome to Chillax Resto, what can I get you?" anito with his notepad and pen ready.

They picked up the menus on the table and search for something to eat. One them ordered an English Breakfast, si Luziano naman ay ayos na sa black coffee and a stack of pancakes. After wrapping everything up of their orders, umalis na roon ang waiter upang tumungo sa kusina dala ang notepad na may orders nila.

They conversed into inappropriate conversation on the table, and Luziano just solemnly listens to them. Hindi nagtagal dumating na ang waiter dala ang mga pagkain nilang apat. Dalawang beses na bumalik-balik ang waiter dahil sa marami silang order as four persons.

The food was placed in front of them. They look scrumptious and edible enough, so they digged in for a go.

"They said gabi lang bumubukas ang Desire Island. Mga hapon naman ang biyahe paparoon doon with ilang balik na yata," salita ni Storme sa kanila habang may nginunguya pa ito. "So, ano ang gagawin natin habang tirik pa ang araw?"

"I don't know, hunt some girls by the shore?" Cebastian said with a raised one brow at Storme.

"That sounds like a plan," ani Olliver doon.

". . ."

Luziano stayed quiet and enjoy his food in peace. He stuffed his face with pancakes until there was no left on his plate. He immediately down his coffee in one go, before eyeing his friends.

After finishing their breakfast at the said restaurant, they left after paying the bill. Dahil nakasanayan na ni Luziano noong nasa Amerika siya, he left a tip for the waiter.

Pumaroon sila sa dalampasigan at hindi naman sila nabigo, maraming mga turista roon. May mga foreigners in their swimwears that are scattering around. After finding some group of women, nilapitan nila ito. Sumunod na lang si Luziano sa kanila na parang wala sa mood na mangbabae. Tirik pa ang araw at gabi halos gumagalaw si Luziano. Hence, he goes to clubs and different gay clubs from time to time.

"I'm Kayla, nice to meet you," pakilala ng isa sa babae ng nilapitan nilang grupo.

"I'm Olliver Sandejas," pakilala ng kaibigan dito na may kasamang kindat. His friend gestured to the rest of the girls in the group. "How about you, girls?"

"I'm Catrina."

"Hi, Catrina," sabay na bati ng tatlo sa babae. Luziano just stayed quiet and solemn. He looks nonchalant if you look at his way.

"I'm Georgina."

"Hi, Georgina," sabay na naman nilang bati rito. It made the girls giggle in amusement.

"And I'm Abigail."

"Hi, Abigail." Lalong humahagikhik ng mahina ang mga babae.

Ang huling babae na ang nagpakilala. "Hello, boys. My name's Rebecca."

"Hi, Rebecca."

"How about you, boys? What are your names?" one of the girls curiously asks no one in particular at them. Palipat-lipat kasi ang mga tingin nila sa kanila.

"I'm Storme," pakilala ng isa sa kaibigan ni Luziano. He showed his boyish grin to them, that made the girls squealed inside their pretty heads. "Pleased to meet your acquaintances, girls."

"Storme. That's a unique and handsome name," one girl complimented while twirling her hair around her finger while batting her eyelashes multiple times in just one second.

He's her type, clearly.

"Thanks."

"My name's Cebastian." He waved a little while flashing his bright smile and dimples.

"Wow. Those dimples made your handsome face even dashing."

"I know, right?"

"How about him?" May babae'ng tinuro si Luziano. Napatitig naman si Luziano rito with his nonchalant expression. He looks guarded. "What's your name, handsome?" The girl bit her lip after eyeing Luziano like a sweet treat. He's totally her type---someone who immensely displays a daddy vibes.

"Luziano," malamig na sambit niya sa kanila.

Oh, a bad boy. I love me some bad boy.

"Such a unique name, too. I only met, like, I don't know, two Luizs in my entire life," one of the girls grumbles like a some kind of dense and dummy shell without a soul.

He hates dummy girls like the one he's facing. It's like ✨giving✨ and shouting misogyny to a certain group of pick-me girls. You can hate anyone with your general preference responsibly, but be prepared for the backlashes coming your way.

"Ate Yayang, pakawas ug pakaona sah ang mga bata, ate. mahutdan gyud naa sila'g pagkaon."

He heard a distinct voice from the crown of people. It's that accent he last heard from almost a decade ago. He's thinking a certain person who has that intriguing accent, but didn't get the best of him. Akala niya guni-guni niya lang iyon at nagkakamali siya ng rinig. Imposible naman yatang nasa iisang lugar lang sila after all those years. Yes, that mesmerizing guy of his past is from Mindanao, and he's standing on the land of Mindanao now. Maybe he just needs something to relieve his stress on this island.

"I gotta go somewhere," anunsyo na lang niya roon, pointing at no exact directions. "See you around."

He nods at his friends, and they understand him. He wants to be alone for the main time.

Not saying much, umalis na siya sa kumpol ng mga kaibigan at estranghera'ng mga babae. He wanders around the island with no destination in mind. Sa paglalakad niya, may mga stalls at establishemento siyang nakikita. May nagbebenta roong mga souvenirs at klase-klaseng lokal na mga bagay. Malumanay niyang tinatanggihan with his small smile and wave of hands ang kanilang alok kapag may Aleng bebentahan siya.

His feet led him to a spa and sauna salon. It's perfect. This is what he currently needs.

Without thinking any further, pumasok siya sa sinasabing gusali at nag-inquire. After receiving his robe and dressing himself into them, he was led to a room to start his male massage spa. He requested for a masseur instead of a masseuse. He prefers a male who massages instead of a female on his first try on a spa salon. If he gets comfortable enough, he goes with a masseuses mostly.

"Should we start with your back, Sir?" ani ng masseur niya pagkapasok pa lang niya sa nakatalagang silid nito.

"Yeah," was all he said.

He dropped his robe on the side and wraps a clean towel around his waist before laying on his stomach on their massage table. Ipinikit na lang niya ang kaniyang mata roon at naghihintay na simulan ng masseur na i-massage siya.

"Should we play a relaxing background music, Sir? Or do you prefer tranquility and soundless atmosphere?" tanong pa ng masseur.

He flicked his fingers as if saying, "Go ahead," kaya agad na tumalima ang masseur. Then, an instrumental and relaxing ambiance was played on the background.

Not long after, an aromatic oil was drizzled on his muscled back. Then, the masseur works his magic. Hindi nagtagal ay na-relax ang kaniyang mga stiff na muscles. The massages indeed helps increase the secretion of his cortisol---the primary stress hormone. The massages also helps relieve his anxiety and live a stress-free moment on the process of his massage.

Ilang oras siya roon, bago nagpasalamat sa masahista at tumungo sa private steam room nila. He ordered a steam room necessities such as sliced cucumbers to also exfoliate his eyes and eyelids.

He was dressed in his robes and sat at one of the wooden seats. Gawa sa kahoy ang interior ng steam room, kaya the steams are trapped inside it, with a ventilation at the ceiling. Sumandal siya sa sandalan doon habang ibinuka ang mga braso sa gilid, with closed eyes and sliced cucumbers on them. Gumagalaw lang siya kapag lalagyan ng ladle ng tubig ang sauna heater rocks to emit another smokes or steams.

In his five minutes in the steam room, he starts to sweats. It calmed his mind. With the quiet surroundings, he was relieved from stress and anxiety of the modern problems. His skin is exfoliating with the steam in the room.

Isa rin ang spa and wet sauna sa nagpapapawi ng mga stress niya sa buhay aside from casual sex. A good spa day makes him unwind and chill. He loves to bask in the comfort of a spa.

He was on the spa and sauna salon for hours, before deciding to pay and head out. It was going to a golden hour, so he better meet his friends by their cabins.

They are going to the Desire Island this evening. How fun could it be?

xALPHA_SYRICx | SYRICH