CHAPTER THREE

TILA ba'y nakahinga nang maluwag si Lyricca nang alalayan siya ng event organizers pababa ng stage.

She could not believe what she put herself into and what almost happened to her. Ano na lang ang mangyayari sa akin kung totoo nga akong nabili?

Napailing na lang si Lyricca saka hinanap ang pwesto niya kanina — kung saan siya iniwanan ni Yves. Baka kasi naroon na ang binata at tapos na itong maghanap.

Gusto ko rin i-kwento sa kaniya ang nangyari. Lyricca was deep in her thoughts that she did not see a man in front of her, blocking her path. Nalaman niya lang iyon nang bumangga na siya sa katawan nito. She quickly raised her head and apologized. "I-I'm so sorry."

"It's fine — Miss Dela Cruz," tawag sa kaniya ng lalakeng nabunggo niya. "It's a pleasure seeing you here."

Ilang beses napakurap si Lyricca. The man seems to know her even though she's wearing a mask. Hindi niya tuloy naitago ang pagkunit ng noo. "Pardon me, but do I know you?"

The man chuckled and slightly removed his silver mask, making Lyricca gasp. "I'm—"

"Mr. Devereaux," she said, almost in a whisper.

Thomas then smirked before putting back his mask. "I see you still remember me." He raised his head as if he was looking around. "Are you here alone?"

Lyricca automatically shook her head. "No, I'm with my boyfriend."

The man's eyebrow rose. "Where is he then?"

"He's... He's just looking for someone. He'll probably come back for me anytime soon." Saglit na bahagyang yumuko si Lyricca bago muling tumingin sa lalake. "I must get going now, Mr. Devereaux."

Lyricca thought that Thomas would leave her be but she was quite surprised to see him walking beside her as if he was keeping her company. "Mind if I tag along? I'll leave as soon as your boyfriend comes around. I don't think you're safe, now that everyone mistook you on the stage." Mas lumapit ang mukha ng lalake sa tenga niya saka bumulong. "A lot of men's eyes are still locked on you, especially those who bid."

Napalunok si Lyricca sa narinig niya. Oo nga naman, napagkamalan siyang i-au-auction, naisalang pa siya sa stage, marami tuloy ang makakakilala sa kaniya. Just where is Yves?

Lyricca finally stopped walking in the garden, far from most of the people inside the event. She finally thought of opening her purse and taking out her phone, only to panic once again. "Is there anything wrong, Ms. Dela Cruz?" tanong sa kaniya ni Thomas na nasa tabi pa rin pala niya.

Napatango naman siya ng ilang beses. "M-My phone. It was just here before we got inside the palace. I was sure I brought it with me." Mas lalong kinabahan si Lyricca. Sa sobrang laki kasi ng palasyo ay hindi niya malaman kung paano niya mahahanap muli si Yves.

"Calm down, Miss. I can ask the staff to search for it," pagpapakalma sa kaniya ng lalake. "I can also ask them to search for your boyfriend. May I know his name?"

Agad na nag-angat ng tingin si Lyricca. "Yves Cypriene Steele." Napatingin siya sa relo at nakitang malapit nang mag-alas dose. I need to get back home.

Thomas then signaled someone and talked to them. Probably telling them about her situation.

"Yves Steele, Sir? He already left about thirty minutes ago," she heard them say. Left? Thirty minutes ago? Why would he suddenly leave me?

"Thank you. But still, continue to look for a phone. Our guest here lost hers," imporma ng lalake sa mga staff. They bowed a little and left. Thomas then looked at her again. "Your boyfriend... left."

Para namang nahirapang huminga si Lyricca. Tons of thoughts and scenarios came rushing into her mind until she lost consciousness.

YVES, I left the place and went home to my parents. You don't have to worry and just continue what you're doing. Good luck. I love you.

Thomas turned off the phone he was holding after reading the message he asked his butler to construct and send.

He was inside his room, watching over a woman in a green cocktail dress sleeping on his bed. The woman's smooth legs were exposed to him, making his erection harden.

Thomas slowly removed his coat and then his long sleeves, keeping his pants and mask on as his eyes never left the woman's body.

There was only one thing in his mind at that moment, and that was revenge. He wanted to get back at his cheating mother and his good-for-nothing half-brother. He already made his first move a month ago by investing in the business of his half-brother's girlfriend, and now, he plans to steal his woman.

Lyricca... An innocent-looking woman who will prove to Thomas that all women are cheaters. Just wait, little brother.

The woman groaned and moved on the bed, exposing more of her body. Then slowly, her eyes fluttered open until they opened widely as she stared at him in shock.

"W-Who are you?" The woman's voice trembled.

Thomas' eyes darkened in lust but he did his best to stay calm. "Calm down, Ms. Dela Cruz. I took off my clothes since someone accidentally spilled wine on them," he flawlessly lied.

Para namang naliwanagan ang babae saka medyo kumalma. "W-Where am I, Mr. Devereaux?"

Thomas sat at the edge of the bed, his eyes still on the woman. "You're still in the palace, in my room, specifically. You passed out due to too much panicking. Correct me if I'm wrong."

Dahan-dahang tumango ang babae saka iniwas ang tingin sa kaniya. Halata rito ang pagkailang sa itsura niya. He was topless for heaven's sake! His six-pack abs and god-like upper body was exposed!

"You can stay here if you want until we find your phone." In which you wouldn't since I have it.

Umiling naman si Lyricca. "No, it's fine. I-I have to go now. My parents are probably looking for me. Yves—" Bahagyang natigilan ang babae. "Y-Yves is probably worried too."

Tumayo naman na si Thomas saka lumapit sa pwesto ng babae at inilahad ang kamay. "Well then, I'll ask my driver to drive you home. For safety purposes."

Inangat ng babae ang tingin sa kaniya saka nag-aalangang tinanggap ang kamay niya. "I-I'll appreciate that. Thank you."

Nang mailapag ng babae ang mga paa sa lapag ay bahagya itong hinila ni Thomas patayo. Unfortunately, the force was a bit too much for Lyricca, making her crash once again on his sturdy chest.

Ilang beses napakurap ang babae. Her hands were unconsciously placed on his bare chest. Her brown eyes were glued on his hazel ones. It took a minute or two for Lyricca to pull herself from reverie and move her hands down. "I-I'm sorry."

Thomas tilted his head a little to the side, before leaning down to her ear. "It's fine, Lyricca. No one will know," he whispered, sending shivers down the woman's spine.

Bahagya lang inangat ni Thomas ang ulo niya saka agad na hinalikan ang babae.

LYRICCA froze on what was happening. Her mind couldn't keep up with what the man was doing to her until finally, she did.

She gathered the little strength inside her and pushed the man. Her eyes, still wide in shock, managed to land on the man who looked like a predator ready to pounce on its prey.

Yumuko na lamang si Lyricca dahil dama na niya ang panghihina ng katawan niya. "I-I'll take my leave," she softly said, eyes still on the floor.

She already bid goodbye but did not move in any way. It was because of the man, blocking her path. Thomas then reached for her chin and raised it, enough to make her look at him again. "Just one night, Lyricca. Let me treat you the way he couldn't. Let me kiss you the way you deserve to be kissed. Let me pleasure you the way he should be pleasuring a goddess like you." He whispered against her parted lips. "No one will know, Lyricca. Just you and me."

With those words smoothly spoken like the words of a devil, Lyricca was swayed. Her rational thoughts are all gone. And the only thing running through her mind was the man in front of her. The pleasure he's speaking about.

When Lyricca said and did nothing, Thomas took it as a go signal and kissed her in the most passionate way she has ever been kissed, sending her pleasure that Lyricca could no longer reject.

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