CHAPTER THREE

THE dinner went on and on. Paminsan-minsan lang ang ginagawa niyang pag sulyap kay Clane, kapag hindi lang ito nakatingin sa kanya.

Yesha sipped on her wine while absentmindedly staring at the man in front of her.

Clane's eyes felt familiar to her. His hair is a bit longer than a usual cut. She leer at herself when she realized that she found him very attractive in that man bun.

Okay, fine, he looks hot and a fucking bad boy in that hair style with that dark suit he's wearing.

Yumayakap sa katawan nito ang suot, humahapit sa braso na sigurado siyang matitigas. Matikas ang tindig ng pangangatawan, para bang hindi uurong kapag may suntukan. He don't even looks like a coward by the way, he looks like a fucking mysterious man who could kill a bad men with his bare hands.

And look at those protruded veins at the back of his hands... isa pang irap ulit sa hangin ang ginawa niya nang makaramdam ng pagkamangha at atraksyon sa lalaki.

Her dirty mind even think about on how many packs he have? How big he is? How many inches? Oh, boy, damn her and her dirty mind!

She really needs to stay away with her naughty friends. Nahahawa na siya sa kahalayan ng mga 'yon.

"My wife and my daughter were planning to live in America to pursue Yesha's dream job. Modeling, right, anak?"

Bago pa niya pa mailipat ang atensyon sa ama ay naabutan na siya ng mga itong nakatingin kay Clane.

The man smirk when he caught her staring at him. Ikinahihiya niya ang sarili sa mga sandaling 'yon!

Umayos siya ng upo, nagtaas noo pa na akala mo ay hindi siya naabutan sa paninitig sa lalaking kaharap.

"Uh, yes daddy, modeling." She smile cutely and lifted her wine glass for a cheers, then she sipped on it.

"Modeling, huh." Clane mocked.

"Yeah, is there any problem with that, Mr. Altaraza?"

Nakita niya ang sandaling pagdaan ng pagkaaliw sa mga mata nito bago maingat pero mayabang na sumimsim ng alak sa baso nang hindi inaalis ang mapanuyang tingin sa kanya.

What? Is he agains't with modeling?

"I wanna be a lingerie model." She added, chin up, showing them her dedication to her dream profession.

"I will support you with that, darling." It was her mother, smiling proudly at her.

"Ah, mga modelo rin ang mga babaeng nasasabit sa pangalan nito ni Clane." Ang daddy niya, medyo natatawa. "In and outside the Country. Wag sana itong mapikot."

Clane chuckled in a husk. Wait, did she heard the sexiness on it?

"Hindi kailanman mapipikot." Anito, sabay baling sa kanya.

Her one eyebrow arched.

Modelo ba ang tipo nitong babae? Bakit bigla siyang mas lalong naging gigil na maabot ang pangarap niyang 'yon?

It felt like she suddenly wanted to impress him.

"Mahilig ka sa mga modelo?" She made her tone casual, like as if she wasn't really interested. But damn, she wanted to hear from him what's his ideal girl.

"Not really."

"What's your ideal girl then?"

She heard her mommy laugh lightly. Nang sulyapan niya ay maarte na itong nagpunas ng bibig gamit ang malambot na puting tela.

"Anak, masyado naman yatang personal ang tanong mo." Ang daddy niya, nagpunas na rin ng bibig.

The dinner is almost over.

"I don't think Clane will answer you." Her mommy said, then glance at Clane, waiting for him to talk, but he remain silent.

"Answer me, it's just a simple question." It sounded like a command, she's getting impatient to know his answer.

"Dinner is over." Her father announced. "Thank you Clane for giving us time."

"It's my pleasure to meet your family, sir. Thank you for inviting me." Clane said respectfully, he even bow his head a bit to her mother as a sign of respect and gratitude.

"Wait." Awat niya nang akmang tatayo na ang mga ito.

"What is it, Ayesha?"

"Uh, dad, can I have a drink with Clane? Just a little." Itinaas niya pa ang hintuturo at hinlalaki, halos pagdikitin para ipakitang konti lang talaga ang iinumin niya. "I will just ask some questions, then, I will be back in our suite. Please, daddy?"

Imbes na sumagot ang daddy niya ay bumaling ito kay Clane.

"It was a long day, Clane, I will understand if you say No to my daughter."

Clane unexpressive eyes went on hers. Lihim siyang napalunok. Simpleng sulyap lang iyon pero pakiramdam niya ay nagbara ang kanyang lalamunan.

"It's okay, sir." Clane answered, making her heart celebrate inside her chest.

Kinuha niya ang chanel pouch at tumayo na rin. Lumapit siya sa magulang at humalik sa pisngi ng mga ito.

"Good night, mommy, dad."

Her mother went beside, she held her elbow.

"I thought you don't like him." Her mommy whispered.

"May itatanong lang ako." Pabalik na bulong niya. "Sige na, mommy, magpahinga na kayo. Ayaw mo ba niyon? I will give you and daddy a quality time- ouch." Arte niya nang mahina siyang kurutin nito sa tagiliran.

Humagikhik siya sa kapilyahang naisip.

"Take care of my daughter, Clane." Seryosong bilin ng mommy niya tapos ay pasimple siyang pinanlakihan ng mata na para bang sinasabing wag siyang gagawa ng kalokohan.

"Sure, Ma'am."

Their bodyguards are just meters away. Samuel is watching them, too.

"Samuel, magpahinga ka na rin. Wag ka nang sumama sa'min." Sabi niya, magsasalita sana ito kaya lang ay sinang-ayunan siya ng ama.

"Yes, have a break tonight, Samuel. Clane can surely take good care of Ayesha."

"Yes, Sir." Samul muttered quitely, then his gaze went to Clane, he bow a bit.

Pinanood niyang lumabas sa restaurant ang magulang at tatlong bodyguard. Nang mawala na sa paningin niya ay saka niya hinarap ang kasama.

Even she's wearing a four inches sandals, he's still towering her with his height and muscularity. Maybe he's six feet and two inches.

"Let's go to the night club!" She wiggled her eyebrows at him, smiling. "You know, night life in Paris."

"You're just sixteen. Let's stay here."

"Do I look like a sixteen year old?"

She showed him her figure and her dress. She's modeling in front of him shamelessly.

Bored na pinasadahan lang nito ng tingin ang katawan niya. Napanguso siya. Batang-bata talaga siya sa paningin ng lalaking 'to! Hindi man lang huminto ang mata sa medyo naka-expose niyang cleavage o kahit man lang sa hita niya!

"Sige na, Clane. I wanna dance." Lambing niya, humawak pa sa braso nito.

His gaze went down to her hand on his arm. Her red nail polish looks sexy on his dark suit. She gripped on it, telling him that she won't stop until he say Yes to her.

"I won't drink. I just wanna dance, I wanna party. Kung gusto mo, maghanap ka ng babae do'n para may kausap ka habang nagsasaya ako."

"I thought you're gonna ask something, what is it Miss Villamor?" His face and voice remain cold.

"Let's talk about it later. Let's just get out of here. Please?" She even used her cute begging eyes for her to convince him.

"I have no time for this. Don't give me a reason to bring you to your suit... right now."

Mabilis siyang lumayo rito. Huh, ang tigas, hindi man lang tinablahan ng paglalambing at paawa effect niya.

Yesha's crossed her arms under her boobs. His dark gaze went on her breast, it was quick but damn, she felt like her cheeks is burning! Wait, did he just finally notice her boobs?

Nagpanggap siyang hindi napansin ang pagtigil ng mata nito sa dibdib niya. Pasimple niyang inangat pa ang mga braso para mas lumitaw lalo ang cleavage niya. She's trying to tease him, to seduce him, maybe in that way, he would say Yes to her.

"If you don't want to go to Club with me, then, I will go there alone!"

Humakbang siya, sinusubukan kung hanggang saan siya nito kayang balewalain. She would be disappointed if ever he would let her go to the Club alone. But, she will be okay of course, lilipas din ang gabing ito na hindi niya nakuha ang gusto.

She took another step, and stopped beside him.

"Have a good night, Mr. Altaraza." She said lightly then took another stepped, but... a large palm held her elbow.

Lihim siyang napangiti. She even bit the side of her cheek to stop herself from smiling.

"I won't let you go there alone."

"Ayos lang, alam kong pagod ka at kailangan mo na rin matulog." Sabi niya pa pero lihim na nagdidiwang na dahil sa paraan ng pagkapit nito sa siko niya, halatang-halata na hindi siya papakawalan. "Let me enjoy this night, alone."

"I'll be with you."

"Okay." Gusto niya na talagang ngumiti at mapatili, pinipigil niya lang! "I know a place."

Deretso lang si Clane sa paglalakad, siya naman ay nakasunod lang dito. Para bang mainit ang ulo, napilitan lang na samahan siya.

"Ayoko ng kasamang hindi nakangiti." Maya-maya ay sabi niya. "Gwapo ka sana kaya lang... ang suplado mo."

They enter into a exclusive night club near their hotel. Marami ng tao at malikot na rin ang ikot ng mga ilaw. Everyone is dancing shamelessly. This is what she wants!

Clane took the VIP lounge. The waiter gave them a french brandy while hers was wine.

"Merci." She muttered.

"Avec plaisir." The waiter responds, smiling before he left.

Yesha sipped on her wine glass. She watch the dance floor, she was tempted to dance a while ago but now that she's with Clane, alone, she'd rather stay with him and talk.

"Why did you agree with daddy?" She asked out of nowhere.

Clane rested his back on the sofa. Sumimsim ito sa alak, hindi winawala ang mata sa kanya. Umayos siya ng upo, hindi mapakali sa tuwing titignan siya nito ng deretso.

"With what?"

"In marrying me in the future. Wala ka bang girlfriend?"

"I don't have."

"Sabi ko naman sayo, iba ang gusto kong pakasalan." Nagkibit siya ng balikat. "I wish you and daddy will not force me to marry you in the future."

"I don't force women to marry me. I will never do that, especially to you."

He crouched his head on the side. Ang mga mata nito ay namumungay na kaagad. The dim lights is mysteriously kissing his face down to his chest. Sa tanglaw na iyon ay nadepina kung paano nagkaro'n ng ganda kahit na maliit na liwanag lang.

"Daddy wanted you because you could run our business when he retired, because I don't like to manage it."

"You're still young, pwede pang magbago ang isip mo tungkol sa bagay na 'yan."

"How did you say that? Bakit? Nagbago na rin ba ang isip mo noon? Naipagpalit mo na rin ba 'yung pangarap mong trabaho para sa isang bagay na hindi mo naman gusto?"

Maingat itong napapikit, mas lalo lang siyang binigyan ng laya na pagmasdan ito. Maybe his growing whiskers was one of the reason why he looks hot. His nose is pointed and he has divided chin that she used to see in most of the hollywood actors. Not to mention the sexy jaw and... Clane licked his lower lip after he sipped on his brandy.

Nang mag angat siya ng tingin sa mata nito ay madilim at madiin na ang titig sa kanya. Kinabahan siya, malikot ang pintig ng puso.

"Yes. Eventually, I have accepted the things that weren't really meant for me, for me to do, including my dream job. So, yes, Miss Villamor, you could still change your mind anytime."

"No, I don't think so. Ipaglalaban ko ang pangarap kong trabaho lalo at do'n ako magiging masaya talaga."

"If you're that hardheaded, then, your daddy might force you to marry a man who he thinks could help him manage his business in the future."

"And that is you!" She pointed out. "Paano kung may mahal kang iba? Are you willing to leave her and marry me?"

"For business, yes." He heartlessly muttered.

Something kicked inside of her. Parang may sumugat sa bandang dibdib niya. For business? She's just a business to him?

"Tss. Then, you don't really love her."

"Love cannot feed me and our employees. Business is business, Miss Villamor. Don't be too blind with love."

"You shouldn't just give her up like that. Masasaktan siya."

"Because that's part of love, it will hurt you no matter how much you avoid being hurt."

Bakit ba pakiramdam niya ay hindi siya manalo-nalo sa lalaking 'to? Nagsasalubong na ang kilay niya.

Inubos niya ang inumin at tumayo na. Tahimik na sinundan ni Clane ang galaw niya, naghihintay ng iba niya pang gagawin.

"I... I wanna dance."

"Yeah, that's why we are here."

"Don't you wanna dance? Like, enjoy this night?"

Though, he don't looks like someone who dance, he's too formal for that thing. Malay niya ba? Baka magsayaw din ito kapag inaya niya?

"I can enjoy myself without dancing."

"Okay. Ikaw ang bahala." Kinindatan niya ito pero suplado lang na ibinaling sa iba ang tingin at hinayaan siyang umalis.

Sumali siya sa maraming tao, isinabay ang indak ng katawan sa malikot na ilaw at maingay na tugtog.

She sway her hips in a naughty way when a two men approached her. Pinag-gitnaan siya ng mga ito, mga mistiso at talaga namang ang ga-gwapo.

Maya-maya lang ay naramdaman niya na ang paghawak ng mga palad nito sa bewang niya, pababa sa balakang at ang isa ay sa kanyang tiyan. She's not drunk but she won't let anyone especially strangers to caress her like that in the party. They can dance with her but no fucking touching her and her body.

Pasimple niyang inalis ang mga kamay ng mga ito sa katawan niya, pero parang nanadya.

"Get off your hands, gentlemen." She hissed.

"Are you up tonight?" The man asked from behind, she could feel his breath on her nape.

She felt uneasy. It's gross!

"No. I am with someone. Go and find another girl to fuck tonight."

"Why not you? Maybe your friend is up too. Four way?" The man in front of him muttered playfully.

Pinilit niya nang umalis sa pagkakakulong niya sa dalawang lalaki, pero patuloy lang ang mga ito sa pagsasayaw na para bang hindi pansin ang kagustuhan niyang kumawala.

"Let go of me!" She pushed the chest of the man in front, he just laughed at her.

"Come on, you are no fun."

Iritado na hinanap ng mata niya kung nasaan si Clane, her heart boomed when she saw him walking towards her direction. The red lights around made his eyes looks darker and dangerous.

Itinulak niya ulit ang lalaki sa harap para makaalis at masalubong si Clane na para bang mananakit ng kung sino, pero masyadong pilyo at mapilit ang dalawa kaya hindi siya makalusot man lang.

Another hand snake her waist and she felt something hard poking behind her already!

"N-No! Let go of me!" Pinagtutulak niya ang dalawa, sa ingay at dami ng tao, hindi na siya napapansin ng mga nakapaligid sa kanila.

"Let go of her." Clane's baritone made her feel like she's now safe.

Nagpapaawa na tinignan niya ito. Nagsusumbong. His dark expression didn't change a bit, he's really not in the mood and she felt a trouble.

The men didn't listen. He keeps dancing from behind and Clane saw it, kahit ang kamay nitong pilit niyang tinatanggal.

"Help." She mouthed at him and it became his cue to pulled the man behind her and give him a punch in the face.

Yesha gasped at his moved. Hindi pa nakuntento at sinikmuraan pa nito ang lalaki na halos iluwa na ang mga ininom. The man in front of her tried to punch Clane but he's to quick to avoid it, instead Clane gave the man a hard punch in the jaw then in the chest.

"F-Fuck!"

"Goddamnit!"

The men hissed angrily.

Taranta na inawat niya si Clane nang parang hindi pa ito kuntento sa dalawang lalaking halos nakapaluhod na, iniinda ang mabilis at mabigat na suntok na natamo.

"T-Tara na."

Dalawang kamay ang gamit niya nang hinila niya sa braso ang binata palayo sa dance floor, pabalik sa lounge.

He looks really pissed. Matalim parin ang tingin sa pinanggalingan nila. It feels like punching the men didn't content him, he wanted more!

"Let's go back to the hotel." She said with a low voice.

Clane's sharp eyes darted on her, like as if she did a crime. Nag-iwas siya ng tingin at napanguso.

"They touched you." Anito, mainit ang ulo. "You let them touched you."

"We were dancing and..." napausli ulit ang labi niya, hindi na talaga makatingin ng deretso. "... they caressed me."

"You shouldn't have let them do that to you!"

He step forward, closing their little distance. His scent invaded her nose, she likes it for some reason.

"Ano? Sasayaw ka pa?" Nanunuya ang boses nito na nahalinhinan ng iritasyon sa kanya.

"Yes, but not here."

Clane hissed a curse because of her answer. She loves dancing, so why would she stop doing it just because of those men?

"Next time, don't let an asshole go near you. I hate seeing my future wife dancing with another man." His voice was territorial.

Mas lalo siyang nag-iwas ng tingin nang maramdaman ang pagbubunyi sa dibdib niya. Gustung-gustong kumawala sa labi ang tagumpay na ngiti.

Future wife? Uh, it's like a music on her ears.

"I love dancing, I love going to Clubs and dance."

"You can go to Clubs and fucking dance but not with boys."

"Girls lang?" She innocently asked, slightly batting her eyelashes on him like as if she's a good girl.

Clane leer at what she did, naramdaman yatang nagpapanggap lang siyang mabait.

"Just... avoid being with boys."

"I have a boyfriend." She honestly informed him.

Iritado na ito pero mas lalong nairita sa impormasyon niya. Gumalaw ang panga nito sa kontroladong paraan, naging malupit at mabigat ang bawat pagpasada ng mata sa kanya, para bang isa siyang kasalanan... na dapat nitong iwasan.

Clane took a step closer, towering her with his muscular built. She could almost feel the intensity and heat from his body. The wine made her feel hot, too. Tila nagsasanib ang init na inilalabas ng kanilang mga katawan, gustong mag-isa ngunit hindi magawa.

He gently caress her cheek using the back of his hand. Halos mapapikit siya sa sensasyon. She likes the way his skin touches hers.

"Break up with your boyfriend or else... I will turn down your father's proposal about marrying you and running your family business. You choose." He smirk at her ruthlessly.

It made her speechless for the first time. Was it a threat? A warning?

"I am not that ruthless, so, I will give you 24 hours to do that."

Pinanliitan niya ito ng mga mata, na kung umasta ay para bang kayang-kaya siyang hawakan sa leeg. No! Never!

"How dare you... your such a heartless!"

"Heartless?" He mocked. "Maybe, I am. So, you better break up with your boyfriend before I would do things that could ruin your father's future plans for you."

Clane place his forefinger under her chin and made her look up on him. Their eyes met and her heart went wild.

The loud music around and the dancing lights became blurred and everything is in a slow motion again.

"Just a reminder, my little brat. Clane Altaraza is a fucking selfish and I don't fucking share. If you couldn't handle it, then, you're free to run."