Thea 

"Ay walanghiya, si Xerxes yan 'ah! Ang landi talaga ng isang yan! Bakit hindi pa mag-asawa yang damuho na 'yan!" Pinukpok pa ni Tash ang CCTV screen sa security office ng Temptation Island na para bang masasaktan nito si Xerxes Monasterio, ang isa sa mga kapatid nito na unang pumasok sa banyo kung saan niya natagpuan si Saint kagabi.

"Oh.. Si Lucifer? Bwisit! Kausap lang natin 'yan ah! Paano nangyari yon? Nakapambabae agad!" 

Halos pingutin ni Tash ang monitor ng pinapanooran nilang kaganapan sa Monasterio Palace noong nakaraang gabi. Si Lucifer kasi ay naglalakad sa corridor habang nakikipagmakeout na meron pang hawak ng bote ng beer sa kamay. Kung paano niya iniwanan sa cocktail table kagabi. He just vanished in the camera vision.

"Ate..." Kinalma ni Saint si Tash. Panay naman ang hagikgik ni Sloane na katabi siya. Sinuway niya ito kaya tumigil sa pagtawa.

'What?' Sloane mouthed, 'They are so funny!' dagdag pa nito.

"Oh, si Cross? Si Cross ito, Sloane! Bakit may kasama? Aba, extended ang sakit ng ulo ko ah! Pati mga pinsan ko tinutudyo ang peace of mind ko! Gusto pa ata akong mabaliw."

Tumuwid ng upo si Sloane at nanliit ang mata, pero bigla itong ngumisi. "That's his fiancee."

"Oh.. He's set to get married?" Tash asked, surprised.

Nagkibit-balikat si Sloane, "Aren't they all? Kaya nga akala mo ticking bomb na may hinahabol kung makipaglaro.."

She looked at Sloane with furrowed brows, "So he's playing on you?"

"Ano ka ba, Ate?! Of course! Sinabi ko na nga sa iyo kahapon!"

"We need to talk pagkabalik natin sa siyudad, Sloane." Pagsasabihan niya! It is wrong to be the other woman. Regardless. 

"Nakakatakot naman 'yan, Ate! Sabi mo nga kahapon, nasa isla tayo!" Umakto pang kinakabahan si Sloane.

"Yes, but you can't be cheating, or a part of it." Bulong niya. Ayaw niya namang pagsabihan sa harap ni Tash at Saint ang kanyang kapatid. Dapat sa harap ng marami, kakampihan ang kapatid pero kapag wala ng tao ay saka hahagupitin at kukurutin sa singit!

"Hindi nga, Ate. I just learned he's getting married last night so... Technically, ligtas ako sa impyerno, right?" Ngumuso si Sloane.

"Sloane.."

"I'm okay. I'll never marry a Monasterio, Ate." Bulong nito sa kanya at pinisil ang kanyang palad.

"Ay, eto na si Saint..." Hindi naririnig ni Tash ang bulungan nilang magkapatid. Napatutok din ang mata niya sa monitor.

Inilantad ng camera si Saint na lumapit sa may restroom. Pinanood niya kung paano hinubad ni Saint ang puting shirt nito bago pa man pumasok sa banyo. His muscle flexed and she swallowed hard just by watching him. Tengene, ang hot panoorin mag-alis ng t-shirt! Walang malay nitong itinulak ang common restroom at ilang sandali lang ay pumasok si Samantha. 

"Oy! Bakit nakabold ang pumasok? Saint ha! Huwag mo akong ipapahiya kay Doc Thea!"

"Wala naman talaga, Ate... Kaya nga tayo nandito. Lumabas ako agad kasi si X andon. I don't want to watch it..." Sagot ni Saint. He had to bring Tash at the security office because of her power to release secured tapes. Hindi ito basta-basta naaaccess kahit pa ito mismo na isa ring Monasterio.

Lumabas din agad si Saint at nakita na siya agad sa camera.

"Pakibalik nga.. I want to check the timestamp." Tinaasan niya ng kilay si Saint, nagkibit-balikat ito. Mukhang confident na wala siyang mahahanap na butas.

"You stayed a minute, Saint. Pwede pa yon ah." Giit ni Tash na minumuwestra pa ang thrusting. "One, two, three---" Malalim na nag-isip ito, "Hoy, pwede yon, Saint!"

"Ate naman, that's ridiculous!"

"Bakit ba kasi nakahubad iyang empleyado mo?" Mataray na tanong ni Tash.

"She's having fun, Ate."

"Having fun! Ano siya, naliligo sa ulan? Nakahubad! She must've spread her legs and you sticked your pole---"

"Ate naman..." Nakikiusap na si Saint na tumigil ang kapatid nito, "Thea, do you want me to fire Samantha?"

"Aba, malay ko sa iyo! Empleyado mo yan!" She rolled her eyes. "On what grounds then?" She expelled a heavy breath. "And you are right, she's just having fun, wala naman siyang ginagawang masama..."

"Anong wala!" Singit ni Sloane pero agad niyang tinakpan ang bibig. 

"Okay.. Pero mag-iingat ka, Saint at baka bumalik ka na naman sa dating gawi kapag nabasted ka ni Thea." Nag-aalala ang mga mata ni Tash.

"Hindi ko na papakawalan 'to, Ate. Tagal ko hinintay."

"Ku.. ku.. ku... Mang-iinggit na naman ang dalawang ito!" Singit ni Sloane, "Mukhang busog talagang uuwi ang Ate ko."

"Sloane!"

"Mukhang may babahain.. Magegeneral cleaning.. Matatanggalan ng agiw.." Patuloy pa ni Sloane.

"Mukha naman may matatanggalan ng bara..." Siniko ni Tash si Saint sa tyan. "Ay, nakapagtanggal bara pala ito noong mga nakaraan.. Okay lang para malinis.."

"Ate!" Pulang-pula na si Saint at siya na rin. 

"Okay na ba? Pwede nang maglambingan?" Pormal na tanong ni Cristina sa kanila na siyang nag-ooperate ng security tapes, ito ang head ng security office.

"Yes, Ma'am. Pwede nang magyugyugan!" Pumapalakpak pa ng kapatid niya. Ang sarap itakwil ni Sloane, magpa-DNA test kaya sila kung related silang tunay?!

Lumabas silang apat sa security office. Lumanghap ng malinis na hangin si Tash at nag-inat. Natutuwa talaga siyang pagmasdan ito, her beauty is regal, kahit nakalongdress pa na kulay orange at braso lang ang kita, angat na angat ang kagandahan.

Her sister on the other hand is such a tease, maganda na, lagi pang nakastring bikini. Mukhang parehas pa nilang natanawan nila si Cross sa di kalayuan, tila may hinahanap. Napalunok si Sloane at bigla siyang hinalikan sa pisngi at si Tash.

"Bye everyone! Time to go!" 

"Saan ka pupunta?" She asked. 

"Magtatago!"

Tumakbo ito sa kung saan at bigla na lang nawala. Si Tash naman ang sumunod na nagpaalam.

"Okay, ang bilis niyang tumakbo. Ako ay magcocostume pa, maiwan ko na kayong dalawa."

"Costume?" Kumunot ang noo niya.

"Yes, comatose ang pasyente ko, at nakaposas sa kama namin.. Bilang butihing nurse, papakainin ko lang... If you know what I mean.." Kumindat-kindat pa si Tash sa kanya. 

Naiwanan na silang dalawa ni Saint tuloy. Hindi niya alam kung saan siya titingin kundi kay Cross na parang naghahanap pa rin. Saint blocked her vision.

"Saan ka tumitingin, Thea?"

"Kay Cross! Ayun 'o, may hinahanap."

Itinagilid ni Saint ang ulo, "You smelled my cock last night..."

Nagsalubong ang kilay niya, "I am just making sure!"

"It didn't make me sleep."

"So? Anong ginawa mo para makatulog? NagMaryang Palad ka? Anong kasunod sa imagination mo? Saan tayo nagtapos? Sagad ba? E 'di nasira ang matres ko."

"Do you want to know, Thea?" Tinaasan siya ni Saint ng kilay.

"Oo sana pero maliwanag pa, Saint, baka makita nila si Pempem.."

"Do you think I will let them see it?"

"Depende, kung mayabang ka."

"I am the most humble among my brothers." Ikinulong ni Saint ang pisngi niya sa palad nito, "I will not boast about having the most beautiful woman on this island and give them a chance to be curious." He dipped his head to level his lips to hers, she can smell his minty breath, in one moment she felt conscious but the next thing, Saint caught her lips and was kissing her roughly, his other hand at the back of her head keeping her still. Binugahan ng init ang buo niyang katawan but instead of melting, she froze.

"Thea..." Bumitiw si Saint sa halik pero hindi inilalayo ang mukha sa kanya. His face turned red, he froze too. Akala nito ito lang ang may panggulat ng ganon!

"Kinakabahan ako 'e! I don't know where to put my hand! Mas matangkad ka sa akin! Hindi ko abot ang batok mo!" Her hand was inside his swim shorts massaging his erect dick. 

"So you just decided to put it inside my shorts? Pwede naman kumapit sa bewang ko."

"Mas malapit dito sa loob ng shorts." Giit niya, hindi pa rin inaalis ang kamay. "Ikaw ha, ang bilis mo, tinitigasan ka sa halik.." Pinakawalan na rin niya ang birdie ni Saint at baka lalong magwala.

"Look who's talking."

Mabilis na naglakbay ang mga mata niya sa kanilang paligid. Nakakita siya agad ng lalaking may kadena sa leeg at sumusunod sa isang babaeng nakaleather bikini at may nipple clamp sa boobs. 

"Fck, may dominatrix dito?" Gulat na gulat siya. Mukhang marami siyang mapupulot na ideya sa susunod na blog niya. Maybe she can write something about the island after a few months. 

"Welcome to Temptation Island."

"Is it really your first time here?" 

"Sigurado ka bang hindi mo pa ako sasagutin?" Saint smiled, "Yung selosan natin parang pang-mag-asawa na."

"Look who's talking! Ikaw nga, binabawalan akong tumingin sa iba kahit wala namang malisya." Galit niyang baling. "I want to try the sunset cruise, Saint."

"Sure, Madam. What else?" He moved closer to her and rested his arms on her shoulders.

"I want to go to the falls..."

"What else?"

"I want to try BDSM..."

"Hindi kita sasaktan, Thea." Kumunot ang noo ni Saint nang lingunin siya.

"Siyempre, hindi! Subukan mo akong saktan at gaganti ako! Ako ang dominant, ikaw ang sub! Papalu-paluin kita sa pwet sa dami ng pepe na nakita mo! Ilang taon na ba iyon?"

"Thea.. That's just a job."

"And you treat your models as samplers?! Tama ba iyon?"

"Mali.. I'm sorry.."

Naku, ang bilis namang humingi ng tawad ni Saint. Hindi challenging ang away. Malapit na ring magtago ang araw kaya naman naglakad na sila patungo sa port ng isla. May limang yate na nakahilera doon. Saint talked to the one assigned to the yachts and asked if he can drive one. Nagwalkie-talkie pa ang bantay sa security office bago ito tumango at inalalayan sila papasok ng maliit na yate.

Although small, the yacht itself is impressive. It is an Azimut, a luxury brand yacht.

"Magsasagwan ba tayong dalawa, Saint?" Nagtataka niyang tanong nang iwanan sila ng tagapamahala.

Saint smirked and walked towards the bridge where the control panel of the yacht is located. Nasa ituktok iyon ng yate. 

"Damn it, you know how to sail this baby?" Halos mapanganga siya as soon as Saint maneuvered the steering wheel. Umandar sila at nawala ang kaba niya nang si Saint ang nagmamaneho na buong kumpyansa.

At least sabay silang mamamatay just in case. Pero sana masarapan muna rin... 

(Boko nomonnnn, Author. Char)

She watched how the Azimut yacht sliced the water. She on the other hand operated the sound system of the yacht. A wild erotic playlist was played. I See Red, Earned It, I'm on Fire.. Puro pampagana songs kahit hindi naman na kailangan dahil maganang magana naman siya sa landian talaga.

When they were safely afloat in the middle of nowhere, Saint removed his shirt in front of her, she swallowed hard as he walked slowly towards her. Feel It was playing in the background. 

He touched her shoulders and played with the strap of her dress on his finger, not leaving her eyes. She felt thirsty, anticipating what was next.

'Thea, manliligaw mo iyan!' She tried to stop herself from aching and wetting her bikini, 'Manliligaw ko rin' her pempem responded as if it has a different persona.

Marahang ibinaba ni Saint ang strap ng suot niyang sundress at malaya itong dumulas sa sahig. She revealed her white string bikini.

"Did you prepare for me, Thea?" Saint was panting as he whispered on her neck. 

"What? I dress for myself, Mister.." Mayabang niyang sagot.

"Then why I am so hard seeing you on this piece of fabric?" He pats a small kiss on her neck. "I've seen more, Thea. But this is more than enough for me to get hard."

Binuhat siya ni Saint. Her legs parted and clasped on his waist. She felt so drunk without anything being done yet. Bumaba sila patungo sa kanilang unang palapag ng yate. Saint's steps were big, rushing. It was an entertainment room, marahan siyang ibinaba ni Saint sa malapad na couch. 

"W-wala bang kuwarto..." Bulong niya kasi alam niya na ang susunod. 

"There's a view of the sunset here, Thea..." Itinuro ni Saint ang malapad na bintana sa likuran.

Napalunok siya, paglubog sana ng araw ang hiniling niyang makita, may iba yatang lulubog at babaon sa kanya.....

"Do you want to know what kept me awake last night, Thea?"

"Amuse me.." She whispered.

"You were in front of me, kneeling, you were licking the base of my cock slowly..." Titig na titig sa kanya si Saint.

"Filter please.." 

"I was cursing because you were teasing, I want you to suck my cock's head. I grabbed your hair and buried my cock inside your pretty mouth, you were deep-throating me---" Namamaos na bulong ni Saint na hindi inaalis ang tingin sa kanya.

She felt the electricity from her toes climbed to every tip of her fingers. Inabot niya ang strap ng string bikini niya at pinakawalan ang tali. It exposed her breasts. Saint did not move but looked at her intently, swallowing hard like what she did a while ago.

"I want to hear more..." Tudyo niya habang marahang minamasahe ang kanyang dibdib.

"You were moaning... and your eyes were lustful, looking at me... pleading me to fck you."

"Did we fck then?" Nakagat niya ang pang-ibabang labi.

"I wasn't able to hold it... I came before--"

She knelt in front of Saint, she sensually removed the tie of his shorts and pulled it down.

"T-thea..."

She put his cock in her mouth and licked the base as he told her. 

"Ganito ba?"

Tumingala si Saint at pumikit. His jaw was clenching, and his breathing halted. She grabbed his steely rod and tried to accommodate it inside her mouth. It was gentle at first but when she was able to adjust to his length, she bobbed her head up and down when she saw his enthusiasm with her strokes. 

 The erotic music Earned It by the Weekend was playing in the background. It helped her with the wild and senseless rhythm of the blow job.

Saint grabbed her hair with his two hands. He was moving his waist to her mouth and she can feel that it was reaching her throat more than she can do! His face was stoic and lecherous, sabik, ganid, nanggigigil. Parang bang nag-ibang tao at naglaho ang amo ng mukha nito. 

Pinanood niya si Saint kung paano ito malasing sa kanyang ginagawa, she was enjoying the view of the sunset, the sea, and Saint, when he carried her weight and slumped her to the couch. He parted her legs without care, knelt in front of her, and roughly licked her center with her bikini on, slowly, but his tongue was still, fully stuck out like he was hungry. Madali itong nakapwesto sa dibdib niya at iyon ang pinagtuunan ng pansin. He licked both of her hardened nipples and then gave attention to her lips. She can taste blood on her lips because he was kissing her too hard.

It was wild.. And she likes it.

She was so turned on and moaning in every touch her body received. She was such a great receiver. Umiindayog pa ang katawan niya kahit walang kinalaman ang alon. With Saint's thick muscular built, her legs was widely parted, his face was evidently hungry for her. Binalikan nito ang pagitan ng kanyang mga hita at inalis ang suot niyang bikini. He paid attention to her wet, creamy folds and tease it with his tongue. Mariin, basa, tinutudyo ang kanyang gitna gamit ang dila. Gumagalaw ang couch dahil sa laki ng mga kilos nila.

"Oh fck! I cannot hold it." She moaned and grabbed his hair, he flickered his tongue back and forth, and she panted with the release.

The erotic heights that she felt was beyond extraordinary. Alam niyang walang nakakarinig sa kanila kaya hindi na siya nagdalawang isip na umungol at mag-ingay kada nararating niya ang sukdulan. 

Saint flipped her body and took her from behind, abruptly. Idiniin ang kanyang ulo sa couch. Like she was a captive, cornered.

"Tngina." Umungol si Saint habang mabilis na kumikilos sa kanyang likuran ng walang ingat. 

She felt his warm thick groin inside her and it was hard but she was wet enough to enjoy the rough sex. 

"Ahhh..." She let out a soft disgruntled breath when she orgasmed for the second time.

Saint flipped her like a doll. He pulled her legs up, resting them on his shoulders, clasping her knees together to make her entrance more confined despite his length and hardness. Naging mas mabagal ang pag-ulos nito sa kanyang ibabaw pero hindi iniaalis ang tingin sa kanya. He was lip biting, groaning like a wild animal. She couldn't recognize his face right now but she likes being controlled like that.

Tengene akala niya siya ang mamalo sa pwet ngayong araw. Siya pa pala ang na-under.

He was forcing his maleness inside her narrow entrance, "Where, Thea?" He queried, almost mad.

"Where? Anong where?"

"Where do you want me to cum?"

"Luh, you know where, I am not on pills ye---" Hindi pa siya tapos magsalita when Saint pulled out and released his pool of juices on her tummy. 

"Good job.." Her toes were still curling from that delicious release. 

Saint cleaned her up only to mess with her again and again and again in all corners of the yacht.

"Iuwi mo na ako..." Her eyes were half opened. Madilim na sa paligid at may malamlam lang na ilaw sa yate dahil parehas silang walang damit. They were naked, watched the stars at the view deck of the yacht and enjoyed the silent reverie.

"Sinasagot mo na ba ako?"

Saint played with her fingers. 

"No..." Napangisi siya, "Kapag jowa na daw hindi na ginagalingan ng mga lalaki."

Nag-angat ng ulo si Saint, only to reach for her lips to give her a hot kiss. 

"Saint.. Kapag umisa ka pa, magwiwheelchair na talaga ako sa susunod na mga araw."

"Akin ka lang, Thea."

"Narinig ko na 'yan! Pero ikaw naman ay hindi sa akin." Umirap siya sa sarili niyang linya. 

"I've always been yours. But you only see me as your best friend." 

Tumagilid siya kay Saint. "Are you sure you are not playing with my feelings, Saint?"

"I am sure. Gusto kita, Thea. Kahit noon pa."

"Kahit nagbago na ang lahat sa iyo? Malayong malayo na tayo, Saint. Kahit pa nabubuhay si Daddy, my then life will be ordinary compared to you."

"Hindi naman ako naghahanap ng mayaman na babae, Thea. Basta hindi kagaya ni Mama."

Nabitin ang pagngiti niya, "Si Mama Jane?" Napalunok siya.

"Huwag kang mag-alala, Thea. Malayong malayo ka kay Mama. Bumalik ka. Nandito ka sa akin ngayon." 

Patay kang bata ka... 

Now she's the one who's holding a secret. Paano niya kaya pagbabatiin ang mag-ina? Nangako pa naman siya kay Jane.

"Si Mama Jane pala Saint..."

"I don't want to talk about her, Thea. She chose a life away from us. Let's get dressed. I am sure you are hungry."

Tinulungan siya ni Saint na tumayo mula roon sa pagkakahiga niya sa view deck. Mabilis lang silang nagshower at nagbihis pagkatapos ay bumalik na sila sa tabing-dagat.

"Nakakalakad ka pa, Thea?" Concerned ang tanong ni Saint sa kanya nang umapak sila sa buhangin.

"Grabe naman 'yung hindi na makalakad, Kapatid. May bukas pa naman..." Nag-angat sila ng tingin kay Lucifer na sinalubong sila. He was walking topless with a bottle of beer on his hand. He stretched his neck left and right then chugged his beer when he remembered something.

"Oh, I know someone who cannot walk... Samantha. She was brought to the hospital."

Kumunot ang noo ni Saint, "Why?"

"Napulikat yata, buti nakita ng mga lifeguards. But she said she can't move her legs. Karev is on it."

Nagkatinginan sila ni Saint, nakakaunawa siyang tumango, "Check her. She's your responsibility."

"Yeah, check her, ako na ang bahala rito sa number 2 mo.." Lucifer pushed Saint away.

"Gago." Pagkasabi 'non ay binuhat siya ni Saint, mahina siyang napatili. "I'll carry you, Baby before I check in on Sam. For sure Anton is there. Papauwiin ko na lang sila bukas."

Hindi nakuntento si Saint sa paghatid sa kanyang cabin. He changed her to her sleepwear and waited for her food to arrive. 

"Goodnight, Baby..." Saint whispered to her while her eyes are glued to the TV. 

"Goodnight, Saint Betlog! Regards kay Sam." 

--

Hindi na namalayan ni Thea na nakatulugan niya ang pinapanood sa sobrang pagod. She just woke up to small knocks outside. And just like that.. It is her fourth day on the island.

Napangiti siya nang makita si Saint na naroon. Freshly showered with a bottled juice on his hand, iniabot sa kanya iyon.

"Kumusta si Sam?" Iyon ang una niyang itinanong. 

"Good morning, Baby." Saint kissed her on her forehead instead. 

"She's okay. They are leaving later this evening but we don't have to think about that because we'll go horseback riding today."

Saint planned out their day. Perpekto ang pagkaka-organize ng schedule. They were able to horseback ride at For Play Sports Club, and they'll have their massage at Bliss Spa after.

"Kasama ka ni Saint Monasterio?" Napaangat siya ng tingin sa kasama niya sa loob ng sauna room bago ang masahe.

The woman has a short bob cut and bangs. Everything on her face is sleek. Her hair and her nose is on point, smoldering eyes, and pouty lips. Inalis nito ang nakatapis na tuwalya sa katawan. She's tall, and sinfully sexy, big boobs, small waist, big bum..

"Don't look at me like that, I am just curious. I was the first model of Big Bad Boys Magazine." She smiled. "Saint was a good boy then, we did not fck. So really, don't look at me like that."

"Sure." She smiled, "I am with him." Sinagot niya ng maayos ang babae at umupo sa isang corner. Natatakpan sila ng makapal at mainit na usok.

"And Samantha is also here? That's weird."

"Yes. They are working."

"Working?" Mahinahong nagpakawala ng tawa ang babae. "That's not what I saw. They used to be a thing so..."

Kahit alam niyang hindi siya dapat maniwala ay nakaramdam siya ng kakaibang kaba sa puso. Akala niya ba ay love story ang binubuo nila ni Saint! Bakit siya kinakabahan!? Horror ba ito?

"They are not. Ang sabi ni Saint..."

"Ang sabi ni Saint?" Inulit iyon ng babae. "Ang sabi ni Saint sa kapatid ko ay hindi sila ni Samantha but when he fcked her like a whore three years ago, her supposed to be Magazine cover shoot was scrapped. Samantha was so mad at my little sis."

They fcked. Sure she knows that part and she's even willing to let it pass. Ganon talaga ang realidad. Puso ang nagmamahal hindi ang tite. May sariling buhay iyon 'e.

"Walang kinalaman si Saint sa sinasabi mo."

"Girl, hindi ko kaibigan si Sam, I hate that b*tch but she has this power over Saint to turn things around. They are like the modern Bonnie and Clyde of the Magazine industry, cunning and heartless. It's been working for them for years kaya nga walang tumalo sa kanila 'e. They are a very good tandem."

"Saint is my best friend for 10 years! I practically know all parts of him. Hindi niya ako niloloko."

"Yeah, yeah.. Ten years. Until you were out of the picture. Pinag-iingat lang naman kita, Miss. Monasterios aren't really the best kinds. Samahan pa ni Samantha, that bitch is a spoiled brat." Ibinalik ng babae ang tuwalya at binalot ang sarili. Mahina siyang tinapik nito at lumabas na ng sauna.

Wala tuloy siya sa mood nang lumabas siya at nagtungo sa massage room for a massage. Hindi siya nakalma ng masahe. Pakiramdam niya ay nanigas ang kalamnan niya at naisip na naman niyang nantitrip si Saint! 

Baka naman talagang change of plan lang kasi nabuking niya pero papabagsakin pa rin siya?

Wow, naisip na naman niya pagkatapos niyang bumukadkad ng maraming beses kagabi! Talaga ha, Thea! Napakacareful talaga ng choices mo! Dapat sa iyo ay awardan!

"How's your massage?" Nakangiti si Saint ng salubungin siya. 

"Magtapat ka nga sa akin.. What's with you and Samantha?" Matapang ang ferson na naninita na parang may karapatan.

Bakas ang gulat sa mukha ni Saint pero napalitan iyon ng pagiging offended.

"She's a friend, Thea. She's the consultant for my business. I can trust her with my magazine." Diretsong sagot sa kanya ni Saint.

"You never liked her?"

"Sinabi ko na sa iyo, Thea--"

"Sagot!"

"Never. Ikaw ang gusto ko. Why are we talking about this again?" Nagtatakang-tanong ni Saint.

"Because someone inside told me that you like Samantha--"

"Someone?" Malamig ang tono ni Saint, "Kailan mo nakilala, Thea? A while ago? Ilang taon mo na ba akong kilala?" 

"Ten! But there are another ten years that we lost touch!"

"Kaya maniniwala ka sa bagong kakilala mo lang? Kaysa sa akin?"

"Are you gaslighting me, Saint?" Nagpamewang siya. 

"Hindi, Thea. Tinatanong kita ng maayos. I know I lied, I fckd up in those 10 years that we were apart but I can change. I will change. Kaya lang sa mga akusasyon mo sa akin parang mahihirapan akong kumbinsehin ka."

Pumihit si Saint at naglakad na papalabas ng Bliss. Awtomatikong sumunod ang mga paa niya. 

"Hey, Saint! Akala ko ba nanliligaw ka?! Aren't you supposed to convince me to believe you?" Napatapik siya ng noo. Nilingon siya ni Saint at napaatras siya agad. 

"You fairly had a bad reputation, then, Thea. But I never believed once."

"You are gaslighting me again!"

"My goodness, Thea. Stop using the word, you are not even a Gen-Z."

"Hoy! Hayup ka! Iniinsulto mo ba ako?!" Loko 'to ah! Ito na naman sila sa matandang isyu! Hindi siya cougar! Medyo may edad pero masarap pa naman! Napailing si Saint at naglakad papalayo. 

"Fine! You go your way, I go my way! Iisipin ko talaga ang gusto kong isipin!" Tulak niya kay Saint. 

Lumapit si Saint sa isa sa mga golf cart driver at may sinabi rito pagkatapos ay nilingon siya ng driver at tumango. 

"Hindi ko sasabayan ang init ng ulo mo, Thea." Saint walked to the direction of the villas, leaving her behind. 

Aba't Maldito ang ferson!

"Wow, matured yarn!" Pagak siyang natawa nang hindi na sumagot si Saint. 

Inis siyang sumampa sa golf cart at nagpahatid sa cabin niya pero huminto muna ito sa tindahan ng fruitshake. Nainis pa siya dahil imbes dire-diretso ang pag-eemote niya at heto siya, naghihintay sa driver niyang nauuhaw. 

Nang sumakay na ang driver pagkatapos mamili ay nakahinga siya ng maluwag. 

Natanawan na niya ang harap ng cabin niya, 'saan niya ba inilagay ang pangulam niya nang lumiit ang tite ni Saint!'

Nagtaka siya nang iniangat ng driver ang mango shake na binili nito kanina at iniaabot sa kanya. 

"Salamat po, Kuya. Sa inyo na lang po yan." Tanggi niya. Napansin sigurong nabadtrip siya kanina nong huminto pa ito para bumili.

"Hindi po ito sa akin. Pinapabigay ni Ginoong Monasterio, Binibini." 

Tumaas ang kilay niya doon sa baso ng mango shake at sa isang pirasong bulaklak na kasama 'non.

"Pinapasabi po niya na ang ganda niyo raw po kahit galit kayo. Itulog niyo lang daw po ang selos niyo at bukas na lang daw niya kayo lalambingin.."

Namula ang buong pagkatao niya, puputok pa yata siya. 

Hayop na Santo Betlog, alam na alam paano siya pakikiligin!

---

Maki Says: Goodnight mga ferson! 

Keep streaming my podcast to support me in exchange of my sipag-sipagan updates! :)

Big thanks! I love all your comments, and engagements! Ang bongga at ang tiyaga! We will be picking the best and forda sipag commenter at the end of the story.

30-35 chapters po itong Broken Ties. Hihi