This is the last chapter of Reistre Series' third installment. I hope you guys have enjoyed reading Zian and Audrey's story so far. Still hoping for your support in my upcoming works! Thank you and I love you, peaches! ♥

Chapter 45: Tantalize

"Prepping, sketch, muslin, pinning, basting, trimming," I murmured.

"And that's for?" Zian asked me.

"Steps for draping!" I answered, pissed.

Umayos siya ng upo at tumitig sa 'kin. "Ba't ka galit?"

I rolled my eyes. "I was repeating this for almost a minute! Paulit-ulit!"

He chuckled and opened his arms. "Come here," he commanded.

I bit my lower lip and put down the folder I was holding and straddled on his lap.

"Are you hungry?" he asked, whispering.

I pushed off and looked at him. "No, we just finished eating."

"Then why are you so grumpy?"

"You're pressuring me kasi! P'wede pleasure naman?" I asked, wiggling my brows.

He frowned. "Iyan ka na naman, atupagin mo iyang inaaral mo para masimulan mo na."

"Yeah, pinch pleat drapery muna iyong gagawin ko. Gosh, ba't ba itong course iyong kinuha ko! Wala naman akong balak manahi!"

He chuckled. "But you can model your own designs."

I frowned and kissed his nose. "Imomodel ko iyong kurtina? Seryoso ka ba?"

He laughed. "Bakit, kurtina lang ba iyong gagawin mo?"

I shook my head. "Kapag gagawa na kami ng sa damit, you'll be my costumer ayaw ko ng mannequin."

He twisted his lips. "Does it mean I'll be modeling your designs too?"

My smile grew wider. "Of course, size mo iyon atsaka ikaw ang susukatan ko, e, 'di ikaw ang susuot."

After that happenings, Zian stayed with Kent. Nagkaproblema pa dahil nawawala si Allison noong mga oras na iyon.

I visited once when I had the free time, s'yempre kahit papaano Kent had been good to me ano pa naman iyong bisitahin siya kahit saglit.

"Kumusta na pala sila?" I asked, pertaining to Kent and Allison.

"Kakaalis lang nila kahapon."

"Saan naman sila pumunta?"

"States. Sumama sina Kent sa tita nina Allison, they need fresh start after all," he answered carressing my hair.

"Should we visit Lorraine?"

I heard they're blockmates, but then Lorraine's planning on quitting her studies for her surgery.

"I guess, baka magising na rin iyong mama niya. Let's go to Batanes after it, shall we?"

"Agad-agad? Oh my, sure! Break na rin naman!" I giggled as I clicked my neck, feeling pain there.

"Are you tired?"

"Body massage," I mumbled. I've been into many tasks these days kaya nakakapagod din.

"Let's go."

"Where?"

"You want a massage, right? Let's relax today."

I looked up at him. "Huwag na, you can massage me naman!"

He poked my nose. "What are you planning?"

My brows furrowed. "Plan? Wala!"

"Wala?" he asked, putting his hands on my shoulders.

"Masahe na!"

"Like this?" He then massaged it that earned a laughter from me.

"What the hell, Zian! Stop it!" I repeatedly hit him on his chest.

He continued tickling me by massaging my shoulders, so I had to slap him to make him stop... and he just did.

"Ouch," he groaned.

I pouted, feeling guilty. "Sorry na! Ikaw kasi, I said stop it, but you didn't listen!"

"Kakasabi mo lang kanina na gusto mo ng massage, ginawa ko lang naman!"

"But you're tickling me, I'm not enjoying it!"

"Because you're just having an autonomic emotional response," he said, rubbing his cheek.

"Alam mo naman pala, e!" I chuckled and cupped his face, carressing the side where I slapped him. "Sorry na..." I whispered and kissed his cheek.

He clicked his tongue. "Ayos na."

"Talaga?"

He nodded.

"You can massage me again, huwag sa shoulders, iyong likod ko lang."

"Okay, turn around."

"That's uncomfortable! I'll lay down." I left from straddling and fixed myself first.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

"Taking my clothes off?" I obviously answered and finally took my top off, only leaving my brassiere.

"Can you unclasp it?" tanong ko, nakatalikod sa kaniya.

"What the hell are you doing, Persian?" mariing aniya.

"Massage nga! Unclasp it now."

But he didn't.

I rolled my eyes and let out a breath before doing it myself. I threw my brassiere on the bed and covered my front using the duvet before facing him.

Frown made its way on my face when I saw Zian covering his face with his hands. "Damn it, Persian. You're such a torture."

"Why? I'm now covered, Zian."

He didn't answer and just let out a groan. "God, why is she giving me such a hard time?" he murmured.

I smirked when my eyes went down. "Is it really a hard time or hard on?" I teased.

Baka sumabog siya o baka magwalk-out kapag iinisin ko pa kaya dumapa na ako at pumuwesto.

"Zian, you can now open your eyes! Don't forget to put sweet almond oil, I love the scent of it kasi!"

"We only have an olive oil here," he answered in his low voice.

"Okay, that will do," I said as I closed my eyes.

Later on, I felt his hands rubbing an oil on my back and started massaging it. This feels relaxing.

"Huwag kang umabot sa balikat at leeg ko, Zian. That's my ticklish parts, I'm warning you," I mumbled, my face against the pillow.

He continued massaging my back when I felt the crunching feeling. It was a good pain to be felt that I couldn't help but to let out a satisfying sound. "Hmm."

I was feeling sleepy, but I held it back and just thought of some things when I felt that crunchy again.

I moaned.

He stopped.

My forehead creased.

"Persian, wala pa akong malaswang ginagawa, umuungol ka na..."

That made my eyes open.

I was about to turn around to face him when he stopped me by pushing my back.

"Zian!" I complained.

"Huwag mo sabihing haharap ka, e, 'di makikita ko iyong dibdib mo!"

I chuckled and brought the duvet with me, he then let me go. I got off and looked at him. "That felt relaxing, thank you."

He put his lips into thin line before pouting. "I love you so much," he whisped planting a kiss on my head.

Tommorow came, we straightly headed to the hospital where Lorraine's mom being admitted.

We bought a basket of fruits before Zian knocked on the private room's door. When it opened, Lorraine looked at us in shock.

"Good afternoon," Zian greeted.

"Zian... Audrey... pasok kayo," she said and opened the door widely.

My lips parted when I saw a woman laying on the bed... she's now awake.

"My, si Audrey at Zian po... mga kaibigan ko."

Her mother kept a small smile, and I saw her teared up when her gaze landed on Zian.

I smiled.

Nilapag muna ni Zian ang basket sa gilid bago nilapitan ang babae. "How are you feeling, ma'am?"

I looked at Lorraine instead to give them some privacy first, she offered me a seat and I obliged.

"Is your mom gonna be okay?" I asked her.

"Oo, maayos na rin siya, siguro kaunting pahinga na lang babalik na ulit ang lakas niya..."

"Good to know. How 'bout you? When's the schedule of your surgery?"

"Hindi ko pa alam... siguro kapag magaling na si Mommy, may aasikasuhin pa kami para sa hearing bukas ng kaso ni Daddy."

"Do you want him to be imprisoned?"

She looked at me and slowly nodded. "Mahal ko si Daddy... pero ayaw ko namang makitang nasasaktan si Mommy... nananakit siya at hindi iyon maganda para sa 'min... atsaka may mga kasalanan din siya na dapat pagbayaran, kailangan niyang makulong."

I nodded.

"Keep on fighting, Lorraine. The best is yet to come."

JUST like what he promised, we went to Batanes and we're now on our way to the dead end. It is where the Philippine road ends.

We got out of the car just to be blinded by the ray of sun. It was a breathtaking view that you wouldn't want to miss.

Zian wrapped his arm around me and we walked together on the road to see the body of water in the end of this island.

"This feels so wonderful!" I exclaimed while smiling from ear to ear.

I was watching the setting of the sun when I noticed Zian's just looking at me and I even caught him taking pictures of me.

I smiled. "Thank you for bringing me here!" I ran our distance and immediately wrapped my arms around his neck.

"My pleasure," he answered between his chuckles and fiddled with his phone.

"What's that?"

"I posted a picture of you," he replied.

I took a peek on his phone and saw him posted a photo of me laughing with the scenery with a caption 'innamorata'.

"Innamorata?"

"My love."

We stayed there until the sun had set and the moon shone. We sat on a mat with beer on our hand, we're just talking about random stuff while feeling the cold breeze and watching the view in front of us.

"Didn't think we'd go this far..."

I glanced at him who was looking straight in front.

"We're really not compatible before, we used to argue in such a petty things," he said.

Umusog ako papalapit sa kaniya at isinandal ang ulo sa kaniyang balikat. We tossed before he continued. "Many things had happened, I realized..."

He drank on his beer before looking down at me. "I didn't like the aura you had before," he confessed with a smile on lips.

I snorted. "We're mutual!"

He shook his head and poked my nose. "At first, pero kalaunan nagbago kaya pakikitungo mo sa 'kin."

I nodded. "It was because I already had affection towards you that time!"

He chuckled. "I could see that," he said like he was so sure of it.

I frowned and downed the liquid on my throat. "Remember when I accidentally kissed you?"

We started reminiscing our memories before.

He nodded and wrapped his one arm around me. "I really think you did it on purpose."

"No! That was really an accident! Sa cheek lang naman dapat talaga iyon, e, kaso gumalaw ka nga!"

He let out a series of laughter. "Okay, I'm giving up!"

I made a face and stole a kiss on his cheek.

We're now heading back to his car, we planned to sleep inside his car so he brought some things that will make us sleep comfortable.

He fixed the back of his car and made a soft bed, he brought laptop and such.

It was really fulfilling. Just Zian and me laying on the small bed in his car, the door was open while we're watching a movie.

Already dark outside, but twinkling stars were spread in the nightsky. I locked my legs with his and laid my head on his chest while eating snacks.

We stayed like that for a moment until the movie ended, we decided to close the door to sleep.

"Love..." I called.

"Hmm?" He covered our body with a blanket before he craned his neck to look at me.

"When will you marry me?" I suddenly asked out of the blue.

His lips parted.

"Don't tell me you don't wanna marry me?" I added when he didn't reply.

He shook his head attentively. "I want, of course."

"When's your plan?"

"I prefer planning it in the right time, darating naman tayo roon kung tayo talaga, 'di ba?"

"Tayo naman talaga," I replied with a level of confidence.

"Oo nga, tayo nga. Sa ngayon, let's just focus on our goals. Let's start stepping on the stairs to success first... until we reach the top. Doon ko lang masasabi na successful na rin ako sa buhay."

He looked down at me and planted a kiss on my forehead. "Let's succeed together."

I bit the inside of my cheeks and rolled up until I was already on top. "We'll be, wala ka naman nang papakasalan maliban sa 'kin, 'di ba?"

He nodded. "Wala naman talaga."

"Sure?"

"Sure ako sa 'yo, brat."

I rolled my eyes when I felt my cheeks flushed.

"You even forget something," I changed the subject.

"Huh?"

"Your birthday, dimwit."

"Birthday? You mean— oh, heaven! I totally forgot about it, ngayon ba 'yon?"

I shook my head and got off. "Tomorrow, stupid. I have something to give, anyway," I confessed and reached for my bag to get something.

I showed him the dog tag necklace. I made it personalized, and there was something engraved on the tag.

When the serenity and chaos learned to reconcile. That was when love and peace happened.

He clicked his tongue and looked away. "I'm a bit embarassed..."

I tried to suppress my grin, but seeing Zian reddened made me smile.

"Did I just make you blush, Zirdy Ivan?"

He groaned, looking away, but I grabbed his chin and made him look at me.

"Magiging asawa mo na lang ako mahihiya ka pa. FYI, masasanay ka rin na kasama ako sa iisang bahay, Zian," I reminded.

He clenched his jaw and looked up before looking down at me again. "Sabagay."

Isinuot ko sa kaniya iyong kuwintas at ngumisi sa kaniya.

He looked down and read what's engraved on it after reading it a smile crept on his lips.

He raised a brow. "Shall we spread love then?"

"I prefer make love, but let's save it in the future. Free taste muna sa ngayon," I mischievously replied and pulled him closer to me.

"Hmm, let's go for a dessert first," nakangising pakikisabay niya.

"You're challenging me, huh?"

I stared straight in his eyes before looking down on his lips. "I should start to devour this one," I seductively whispered and immediately locked our lips together.

I closed my eyes while kissing him gently.

My hand started to roam on his body until it reached under his shirt... my hand's now touching his flat stomach... but he grabbed my hand underneath and intertwined it with his instead.

His one hand was supporting my back when the kiss deepened. Using my another hand, I grabbed a handful of his hair and pushed him against the wall of his car.

"Come on, looking up a bit won't hurt," I whispered on his ear, trying to kiss him on his jaw down to his neck.

He nervously chuckled. "Persian..."

I hummed, still on his neck.

"Let's just sleep or else..." he trailed off.

"Or else? Hmm," I teased and gently bit his neck.

He shivered.

"You wouldn't want to go far."

I scoffed. "Ako? Ayaw? I've been doing mistakes in my whole existence, Zian. And this wouldn't be different, don't you think?"

Siya lang naman iyong conservative sa aming dalawa, at ayaw gumawa ng kasalanan.

He let out a sigh, giving in. "We shouldn't go far, okay?"

"If that's what you want, then fine. Let's continue," I dismissed and started kissing his neck.

"Persian..."

I was busy kissing his neck, making sure to leave marks there. Ibinalik ko ulit ang halik sa labi niya... but this time, he gently laid me down and kissed me with the same intensity. Later on, he stopped. "No, let's sleep now." At bumangon.

WE'RE on a trip on our way home when I fiddled with the FM radio until a familiar song played on the line.

"This one's my favorite!" I exclaimed and glanced at Zian who's now busy kissing my another hand.

"What's the title?"

"Heaven By Your Side by A1, I wanna dedicate this one to you!" I replied before clearing my throat, intending to sing along with the song.

He smirked. "I wanna hear you sing."

"You and I cannot hide
The love we feel inside
The words we need to say

I feel that I have always walked alone
But now that you're here with me
There'll always be a place that I can go
Suddenly our destiny has started to unfold

When you're next to me
I can see the greatest story love has ever told
Now my life is blessed with the love of an angel
How can it be true

Somebody to keep the dream alive
The dream I found in you
I always thought the love would be the strangest thing to me but when we touch
I realize that I found my place in heaven by your side..."

I was lonely before, I didn't have the care and attention from my parents, and I felt alone, but when he started to comfort me... making me feel that there's someone I could lean on, I finally wasn't feeling total lonely. Because I knew, I have someone to go to whenever I feel blue.

I was unwanted and feeling unloved before, and just like the song's lyrics 'when you're next to me, I can see the greatest story love has ever told', Zian made me feel that greatest love my parents hadn't gave me before.

I looked at him when I sang the line 'now my life is blessed with the love of an angel' because it's true. He was like an angel sent by the heaven to give me love.

He taught and made me realize things in this world. And I couldn't change the fact that he shared a big part of my life... kahit pa hindi naman kami magkakilala nang ganoon katagal.

I could fly when you smile
I'd walk a thousand miles
To hear you call my name

Now that I have finally found the one
Who will be there for me eternally
My everlasting sun
Suddenly our destiny has started to unfold
When you're next to me
I can see the greatest story love has ever told
Now my life is blessed with the love of an angel
How can it be true
Somebody to keep the dream alive
The dream I found in you
I always thought the love would be the strangest thing to me
But when we touch
I realize that I found my place in heaven by your side

"I always thought the love would be the strangest thing to me..." He pulled over and just rested on the steering wheel while his head was on my direction.

He stared at me intently, his nose started to redden.

"But when we touch, I realize that I found my place in heaven by your side..."

I don't believe in love before. My parents failed to give and make me feel that. And I really thought I'd just play around in my whole life, I was a party girl and didn't care whom to kiss. Just kissing some random guys and then leave was always what I do.

But it slowly changed when Daddy sent me at Archie's house. Nakatagpo ko iyong katapat ko.

Someone I didn't expect to be my serene place in my dull life.

"That was heart-warming..." he commented.

"Was my voice fine?"

"You had a sweet voice."

I opened my arms. "I want a hug, love."

He pushed off from resting and quickly pulled me for a tight hug. "God knows how much I am in love with you."

I sniffed. "I love you more."

"Mas minamahal pa tuloy kita," he said in his strained voice.

"I'M so proud of you, love! Congrats and happy birthday!" I announced excitedly and jumped out to hug him.

He licked his lower lip, fixing my hair before kissing my temple. "Thank you, I'm more than proud of you, though."

We finished our first year college, and he just made it on President's lister!

And as a double celebration for his birthday and achievement, his parents threw a party to send congratulations to them. Kent was also made his part on the Dean's lister as the third rank.

"Buti nga third siya, e, lagi niya nga lang akong hinaharot, hindi na kami nakakapag-aral minsan kasi napaka-clingy niya," Allison drunkly said.

They laughed while I just let out a chuckle.  We, girls, were sitting on the couch and the boys were on the other side.

I was glad when after a month, they both came back and continued to study. Naghabol pa sila para hindi maiwan sa lessons, they're now looked genuinely happy.

"Huwag niyong painumin nang painumin si Allison, mababa ang alcohol tolerance niya!" Kent scolded.

"Tatlong shot pa nga lang, napaka mo naman!" Trisha shot back.

The others were doing their own business at the other side of the room. Just like Archie and Chesca, they were busy playing video game while eating.

"Si Kuya nga at Jace nakaka-top kahit may girlfriend, ganoon ba ka-clingy si Kent, Allison?" Ariane asked and giggled.

"I was flirting Zian everytime he study, but he's still made it on top... but sadly, he refused me to be on top," pakikisali ko. 

"Persian!" he called me on the other side.

"Sa acads gusto siya ang top pati ba naman sa ibang bagay?" Kent shook his head and tapped Zian's back. 

"Shut up," he annoyingly said.

Allison laughed, she's wasted. "Sumobra si Keiro Blint, halos gawin ko na nga siyang buntot, e, pero mahal ko iyan..."

"Darling, stop drinking. You're already drunk."

Zian shook his head in disappointment before drinking straight his shot. After he put down the cup, his gaze met mine.

We smiled at each other.

And then he winked. "I love you," he mouthed.

I bit my lower lip and looked away. Mas lalo tuloy akong nahilo sa presensiya niya.

Gosh, ganoon na ba karami ang nainom ko? I just had 8 shots!

Since I was sitting next to Allison, I spoke up. "Hey, nagkagusto sa iyo si Zian dati, 'di ba?"

She tilted her head. "Hmm..."

I arched a brow.

She blinked twice before looking away ang back to me again. "Hindi naman..."

I smirked. "He liked you before, Allison... but you don't have to deny it. Liked. Past na iyon, akin siya ngayon."

"Hindi ko naman... I mean, never naman akong nagkagusto sa kaniya."

I shrugged. "Zian's gorgeous..." I stated.

She nodded. "G'wapo naman talaga," she agreed, smiling a bit.

I hissed and glanced at her boyfriend's direction. "Hey, your girlfriend just complimented my boyfriend!"

"Ano sinabi?" si Archie na ngayon ay nakisali na.

I chuckled. "G'wapo naman daw talaga si Zian, malamang boyfriend ko iyon."

"Mas g'wapo ako!" si Kent.

I shook my head and pointed at him. "Back off, your girlfriend already said it."

"Lasing siya kaya hindi niya alam iyong sinasabi niya," giit niya pa.

I licked my lower lip and glanced at her again. "Tell me, no bias, okay? Sino'ng mas g'wapo si Zian o Kent?"

She looked at me with her sleepy eyes before wandering around. She then pointed her finger on their direction. "There."

"Oh my... you're pointing at Jace!" I exclaimed.

She smiled. "Mas g'wapo iyon sa dalawa," she mumbled before her body knocked out.

I don't know what just happened, but Ariane started to laugh and pat Allison's shoulder.

"Hindi nagbibiro ang lasing," pang-aasar ni Ariane kay Kent na ngayon ay mukhang handa nang sugurin si Jace na komportable lang na nakapandekuwatro habang pinapanood ang girlfriend.

"I just won without joining your competition." Jace smirked.

He stood and walked direct to his girlfriend—who's now nagging the sleeping Allison—and grabbed her by the waist. "You need to sleep, babe."

Kent also marched towards us to attend his sleeping girlfriend. Sam, Archie, Trisha, and Chesca were now busy on the video game, they looked having fun.

"Uwi na tayo."

I looked up to see Zian.

I grinned and stood to hug him on the waist. "Happy birthday, my love. Uuwi rin tayo sa iisang bahay."

He carressed my back and chuckled. "I should start consulting Jace to build our future house, then."

"It's Engineer Prama, Mr. Reistre," Jace corrected when he heard us.

"Uwi na kami, happy birthday, 'tol!" Kent butt in.

I clicked my tongue and turned my head to Zian again. "I'll address you as daddy instead of some titles."

"Why?"

"I just wanna be your wife and the father of my child."

He frowned.

I smiled as I realized everything that we've been through... and now, I have finally found my own peace.

After being tantalized by the serene for almost years... I reached what I've been desiring throughout.

I finally reached him.