Chapter 20

I shoved my sunglasses inside of my bag and carried it to the bed. Napatingin ako sa orasan. May isang oras pa ako bago ang call time namin.

Scrolling on my phone, I sat on the bed and let out a curse when the left side suddenly collapsed! Napatalon ako at kaagad na napatayo, binitawan ang cellphone at inalis ang bag sa kama.

I glanced at the bed and crouched to inspect it. The left leg of the bed is broken. Uminit ang pisngi ko habang nakatitig sa baling paa ng kama. Memories of last night flooded my mind.

By just staring at the broken leg of the bed, I shivered when the thought of him, touching me, caressing all the sensitive parts of my body, entered my mind.

Mabilis akong napailing at sinaway ang sarili. Tumayo ako at pinagpag ang pantalon na suot. Ibinulsa ko ang cellphone at lumabas ng kwarto. Ang usapan namin ni Alas ay ihahatid niya ako ngayon sa pagtatrabahuan ko. Might as well tell him that our bed needs to be repaired.

Nagtungo ako sa study ni Alas. Nadatnan ko si Ella na pinapakain ng agahan ang malikot na si Zeus sa kusina. I knocked twice before entering his premise.

"Alas—" my words died in my mouth when two heads snapped to my direction. Mula sa binabasang papel ay nag-angat ng tingin sa akin si Alas. Ang nakaupo namang si Architect Julius sa kaniyang harapan ay ginawaran ako ng isang malaking ngiti.

"Good morning, Mrs. Ferrer!" masigla niyang bati sa akin.

"Good morning..." I gave him a polite smile.

"What is it, Belle?" tanong ni Alas at sinulyapan ang kaniyang Rolex.

Iniling ko ang ulo ko. "Mamaya ko nalang sasabihin..."

"Go on. Tell me. Julius' presence is inconsequential. Huwag mo na itong pansinin."

I chuckled nervously as my cheeks heated up. "Uh... t-the bed..." I stuttered.

"What about the bed, Belle?" he asked sensually. I saw him licked his lower lips and gazed at me darkly, like a predator scrutinizing how to attack his next victim.

I squirmed on my feet. Nakakunot na ang noo ni Architect Julius na nakatitig sa akin, trying to figure out what we two are talking about.

Iniwas ko ang tingin ko at bahagyang ngumuso. I can't say it in front of Julius! Nakakahiya!

"Belle?" untag sa akin ni Alas.

Napasinghap ako at tuluyan nang namula. Ibinaba ko ang tingin ko, nahihiyang tingnan ang dalawang lalaki. Bakit ko pa kasi ito sinabi!

"Uh... nasira kasi." I could barely hear my voice.

"Oh." I could hear the playful tone in Alas' voice. "Nasira natin ang kama, huh?"

Malakas na umubo si Julius sa narinig at ininom bigla ang kapeng nasa harapan nito. Alas chuckled darkly. Ako nama'y gusto nang magpalamon sa lupa!

Alas leaned back on his swivel chair and crossed his arms, an amused smile playing on his lips. He's on his usual white button down shirt. I spotted his white hard hat on his desk. I'm guessing they'll probably go back to the site pagkatapos niya akong ihatid.

"Don't worry, Belle. I'll have it repaired while you're away. Or..." itinaas nito ang hintuturo, ang mapaglarong mga mata'y nakadirekta sa akin. "We could buy a new bed. An all-metal frame bed. Para hindi na masira sa susunod..." makahulugan niyang wika sa akin.

My cheeks flamed in embarrassment. Hindi na ako makagalaw sa kinatatayuan ko! Tumikhim ulit si Julius at awkward kaming tiningnang dalawa.

"Uh... do you guys need some time alone? Because, I could, you know... go out..." aniya.

Umiling si Alas, hindi pa rin inaalis ang tingin sa akin. "It's okay, Julius." He pulled himself up and grabbed the car keys sitting on his desk. "Ihahatid ko na ang asawa ko. Dito ka na. Magkita nalang tayo sa site mamaya..."

Julius nodded and stared at the two of us. Ramdam ko pa rin ang pamumula ng buong mukha ko! Alas smirked arrogantly at me as he lazily walked towards my direction. He held my elbows gently and led me outside of his study.

"I'm gonna get your bag... mauna ka na sa kotse." wika niya sa akin.

I nodded my head and approached my son who's now sitting at the sofa, watching nursery rhymes. Hinalikan ko siya sa noo at ipinaliwanag na dalawang gabi niya muna akong hindi makikita.

Tumango naman ang bata. With one last kiss at his chubby cheeks, lumabas na ako tuluyan ng bahay at nakasalubong si Krista. I greeted her back and climbed inside the car.

After a few minutes, Alas stepped out of his house as well, carrying my black travelling bag. Mabilis siyang naglakad papunta sa kotse at pumasok. Nakatingin ko sa kaniya habang inilalagay niya ang bag sa back seat ng sasakyan.

When he caught me staring at him, I immediately averted my gaze. But he was quick to catch my chin and made me look at him again. The darkness pooling in his eyes is haunting me. Alas cradled my small face in his large, rough hands and leaned closer for an open-mouth kiss.

I gasped at his bold move inside the car. Inilapit niya ang mukha ko sa kaniya at mas lalo akong siniil ng halik. Iginapang niya ang isang kamay sa nakalugay kong buhok at bahagya itong sinabunutan.

My insides are squirming when his expert tongue marked its territory again! I responded to his kisses with the same burning passion until we pulled away, slightly panting.

"You're really going away for two days?" he asked breathlessly.

Inirapan ko siya at bahagyang ngumisi. "It's just two days..."

He grunted and completely pulled away. My lips suddenly craved for his! Inipit ko ng ngipin ang pang-ibabang labi at kinontrol ang sarili. Humigit ako ng isang malalim na hininga.

"Alright. Just keep me updated." Pinaandar na niya ang sasakyan at sinulyapan ako. Nang tuluyan nang makaatras mula sa mabuhanging daan at nakarating na kami sa highway ay kusang gumapang ang kaniyang mga kamay sa aking hita.

Nagtaas ako ng kilay pero walang sinabi. I let his warm hands squeezed my jean-clad thighs every now and then.

Dahil mabilis magpatakbo si Alas ay mabilis din kaming nakarating sa opisina. The van is already parked outside. Nilingon ko ang bag kong nasa backseat bago kinalas ang seatbelt.

Kukunin ko na sana iyon nang biglang hawakan ni Alas ang beywang ko, dahilan upang mapatingin ako sa kaniya.

Without even thinking about it, he lifted me up and I ended up straddling him! Inilapit niya ang mukha sa akin at hinalikan na naman ako.

"Alas!" I protested and fought against him. Biglang umuga ang kotse sa ginawa ko!

My cheeks flushed. Napatingin ako sa bintana at nakitang kuryusong nakatanaw dito ang mga katrabaho ko, lalo na sina Ayesha at Vienna. Alas noticed what I'm seeing and moved again, making the car bounce by purpose!

Nanlaki ang mga mata ng katrabaho ko at kaagad nagsi-iwas ng tingin. Hinampas ko ang dibdib ni Alas. He chuckled and awarded my lips with a brief kiss again before he finally let go of me. He let me retrieve my bag in peace.

"I'll miss you..." he murmured and kissed me again. Naliliyo na ako sa mga halik niya! I feel like I'm going to get addicted to it if I let him with work his magic on me!

Nang lumabas ako ay sumunod si Alas sa akin. Lumipad ulit sa akin ang tingin ng mga katrabaho ko at hindi na nila naitago ang pananabik at makahulugang ngiti sa mukha. I groaned inwardly. Panigurado akong tatadtarin na naman ako ng mga tanong nito pagkasakay ko mamaya sa van!

Nagsimula na akong maglakad. I could feel his presence behind me. Ngumuso ako at nilingon siya. Bakit ba ako sinunsundan ng isang ito?

Huminto siya nang marating na namin ang van. Ms. Patricia and her boyfriend glanced at the two of us when we arrived. Si Alas na mismo ang kumuha sa bag mula sa likod ko at naglagay nito sa loob ng van.

Nakamasid silang lahat sa amin, naghihintay ng susunod kong gagawin. Bigla akong na-conscious sa mapanuri nilang mga tingin at tumikhim, saka hinarap si Alas.

"Alis na ako..." mahina kong sambit sa kaniya.

He nodded his head before he turned to Patrick. "Take care of my wife, okay? You're stealing her from me for two days..."

I heard the dreamy sighs of my workmates. Binalingan ko silang lahat at sinamaan ng tingin!

Ngumisi si Sir Patrick sa sinabi ni Alas at napailing.

"Mag-iingat ka..." ani Alas at hinalikan ako sa noo. My heart melted again.

"Yeah. Mmm. Okay." I murmured, my head in the clouds again...

Pinapasok na kaming lahat sa van samantalang si Alas ay nakatanaw pa rin sa amin. I glanced at the window. Doon lamang siya umalis nang makitang pinaandar na ang van at paatras na ito.

I sighed. Now that he's doing these crazy things to me, I know that I'm going to miss him too.

Sa loob ng dalawang araw ay naging sobrang busy ang aming team. Sir Patrick yelled at me, at us, as per usual. Bagama't nasa Camiguin Island ay hindi kami nagkaroon ng pagkakataong makapamasyal o makapagpahinga man lang.

"Hmm. Are you sleepy?" his voice rung inside of my head. Ipinikit ko ang mga pagod na mata habang dinadama ang malamig na hangin sa aking mukha. Bukas ng hapon pa kami uuwi. Nasa duyan ako ngayon pagkatapos kong tumulong sa pagliligpit. In a short while, alam kong magtatawag na sila para a hapunan. I used this opportunity to call Alas.

"Not really. Just tired..." malambing kong sagot sa kaniya.

"I bought a new bed, Belle..." he chuckled darkly.

Twin spots of crimson appeared on my cheeks with what he said! Muntik na akong mahulog sa duyan nang marinig ang nakakaakit niyang tawa!

"So?" I tried to sound casual but failed. Rinig na rinig ko ang panginginig ng boses ko at alam kong hindi rin iyon nakaligtas sa pandinig ni Alas!

"I can't wait to use it with you when you go home..." anito.

I shut my eyes close and bit my lower lips. Even just his mere voice is turning me on! Hindi na ako mapakali ngayon dito sa duyan!

"Shut up, Ferrer..."

"Umuwi ka na, Mrs. Ferrer..." mapaglaro niyang wika. "Hindi lang si Zeus ang naghihintay sa iyo."

Tumawa ako. "Ewan ko sa iyo, Alas." Umirap ako pero sa totoo lang, hindi ko na mapigilan ang kilig na nararamdaman.

We wrapped it up on the last day of the event. Walang nagsasalita o nagbibiruan sa aming lahat habang pauwi na kami, lulan ng van na maghahatid ulit sa amin sa Governor Generoso.

I called Alas earlier and informed him of my arrival. Sinabi niya sa aking maghihintay siya sa labas ng building upang ihatid na ako pauwi.

Nakatulog ako sa buong biyahe. Tatlo o apat na oras lang ang naging tulog namin dahil sa sobrang busy. Isama mo pa na maya't-maya'y napapagalitan kami ni Sir Patrick sa tuwing nagkakamali!

"Belle, o... asawa mo..." ani Ayesha habang nakasilip sa bintana.

Tumanaw din ako. I saw Alas leaning against his car, sipping from his paper cup of coffee. Kumunot ang noo ko nang makitang naka-all black sweater lang siya ngayon at kaswal ang porma. Hindi ba ito nagtrabaho ngayong araw?

I tiredly got my bag and climbed out of the van. Inubos ni Alas ang iniinom na kape at itinapon sa basurahan bago ako nilapitan. Impit na tili ang narinig ko sa mga katrabaho nang kunin niya ang bag kong dala.

"Salamat, Sir Patrick... una na po kami..."

Sir Patrick nodded at me and thanked me for a job well done. I lazily followed Alas. Sinilip niya ako ng tingin.

"Tired?"

I sadly nodded my head and clung to his arms. Binawi niya din ang kaniyang braso at ipinulupot ito sa balikat ko, inilalapit ako sa matigas niyang katawan.

When I got inside his car, I immediately fell asleep before he could even start his engine. Pagod na pagod ako kaya hindi ko namalayan ang oras. Nagising nalang ako sa mahina niyang tapik sa aking pisngi.

"We're here..." he announced huskily, briefly kissing my lips.

I yawned and stretched. "Maliligo ako..."

"I'll prepare the tub for you..." presenta niya. Kinuha niya ulit ang aking bag at lumabas na kaming dalawa mula sa sasakyan.

Nakita kong natutulog si Zeus sa sofa nang makapasok kami habang nililigpit naman ni Ella ang platitong kanilang ginamit sa pag-kain ng watermelon.

"Hi Ma'am!" masigla niyang bati. "Gusto niyo po ng watermelon?"

I waved my hands at her and smiled tiredly. "Ayos lang... thank you, Ella."

Nilapitan ko si Zeus at hinalikan ang pawisang noo. Alas went inside our bedroom with my bag. Sumunod ako sa kaniya.

As soon as I saw the bed, I immediately collapsed on it, sighing in pleasure. Nakapikit na ang pagod kong mga mata. I could hear Alas moving quietly in the bathroom before the sounds of the water rushing followed.

My eyes are still closed when I felt his presence.

"The tub is ready, Belle..."

Ungol lang ang naisagot ko sa kaniya. Right now, the best thing that has ever happened to me is my contact with the soft mattress and the pillows. Parang gusto ko nalang habambuhay na matulog dito pagkatapos ng dalawang nakakapagod na araw.

"Belle..." masuyong tawag ulit ni Alas sa akin ngunit inignora ko siya.

Dumilat lamang ang mga mata ko nang maramdaman kong kinakarga na niya ako! He effortlessly carried me to the bathroom. Bubuksan ko pa sana ang bibig ko para magprotesta ngunit hindi ko nagawa. He made me sit on the corner of the tub as he lifted my shirt up!

"Alas!" I exclaimed, my cheeks burning. He smirked at me and swatted my protesting hands away. Sa sobrang pagod ay hinayaan ko nalang siya sa ginawa.

Itinapon niya sa kung saan ang shirt ko. His eyes darkened as he stared at my chest. Iniwas ko ang tingin ko. Alas leaned closer and expertly unclasped my bra. He let it fall to the bathroom floor.

The water smelled so nice of lavender and an essential oil I couldn't name. Tumayo ako at ako na mismo ang naghubad sa aking palda na suot. Nagkatinginan kaming dalawa ni Alas. I am completely naked except for my panties.

I stepped into the tub. Alas reached for the liquid bubble bath soap and poured it to the water. The warm water did wonders to my sore muscles and tired legs. I sighed in satisfaction as I let the fragrant water embraced my tiny body.

I gazed up at Alas. Nakatingin na siya sa akin ngayon.

Itinuro niya ang bukas na pinto ng bathroom. "I'm gonna go outside—"

"Don't." I surprised myself as much as I surprised him when I suddenly grabbed his strong lean arms. Uminit ang pisngi ko sa ginawa at nag-iwas ng tingin. "C-Can you stay here for a while?"

Alas stared darkly at me, contemplating for a while before he nodded his head.

"Read me a book." Sabi ko pa.

"Alright." Itinuro niya ulit ang pinto. "Kukuha lang ako ng upuan."

I nodded my head and let go of his arms. Alas disappeared outside. I let entire body sink in the water and sighed dreamily.

Mayamaya pa ay bumalik na siya, dala ang isang folding chair at isang libro. I grinned when I saw him.

Alas set the folding chair in front of the tub and sat on it. Dahil malaking lalaki siya at matataas ang mga binti ay pakiramdam ko masisira niya ang maliit na folding chair kapag naglikot siya. He gracefully crossed his legs over another and then glanced at the book at his lap.

Sinilip ko ang title at napangiti. As expected of him, he brought a classic novel.

"I assumed you have read this already?" bahagya niya itong itinaas upang masuri ko.

"Yeah. In our literature class once." It's one of the masterpieces of the great Charles Dickens—A Christmas Carol. Humalumbaba ako sa gilid ng tub at pinagmasdan ang seryoso niyang mukha na ngayo'y nakatitig sa libro. "Read it to me. I wanna hear the story again..."

"Hmm. Okay."

I stared at him. His long lashes casted a shadow on his strong, defined cheeks. His stubble is getting thicker as well. Alas is in a dire need of shave. I wonder if he's too busy with his work that he forgot to look after himself too? At eto siya ngayon, pinagbabasa ko ng libro sa loob ng banyo habang naliligo ako!

Binuklat niya ang libro. He licked his lower lips first before glancing at me. I smiled encouragingly at him when he started reading.

In a deep voice, Alas started narrating the story.

"Marley was dead, to begin with. There is no doubt whatever about that. The register of his burial was signed by the clergyman, the clerk, the undertaker, and the chief mourner. Scrooge signed it. And Scrooge's name was good upon 'Change, for anything he chose to put his hand to. Old Marley was as dead as a door-nail."

The dim lights of the bathroom made his features sharper. Imbes na makinig sa kuwento ay kung saan-saan nalang napapadpad ang tingin ko.

"You know... I also used to read you stories when you were still blind..." I confessed as I continued to listen to him.

Nag-angat ng tingin si Alas. Both of his brows shot up as he studied me.

"Really?"

I nodded my head. Tinusok ko ng dila ang aking pisngi at nginitian ulit siya.

"Yeah..." I squinted my eyes, trying to remember the title of the book I've read to him before. "Pero isang paragraph lang ata ang nabasa ko noon. I'm not much of a reader, you see..." humalakhak ako.

His hooded eyes darkened as he stared at me. Bahagya akong gumalaw sa tubig na sinundan naman ng tingin ni Alas.

"Really? What's the title of the book, then?"

"Hmm..." I scratched my head, trying so hard to think what it was. "The Taoism of... of..."

"The Taoism of Pooh." He corrected.

"Yes! Yes! That's it!" I grinned widely at him. "Wow. You actually remembered."

"I just know the books I've read, Belle..." aniya.

Humalumbaba ulit ako sa gilid ng tub at pinagmasdan siya. Alas tucked a strand of wet hair beneath my ears as he fixed his eyes on me.

"Continue reading, please..." malambing kong wika sa kaniya.

He nodded his head and went back to the book that he's reading. I watched his lips move sensually, my fingers itching to trace it. Not just my fingers, but my lips as well! I want to taste him in my tongue again...

Uminit ulit ang mga pisngi ko sa naisip. Why are you suddenly thinking of wordly thoughts about him, Isabelle? Napailing nalang ako sa naisip...

We spent nearly an hour inside the bathroom, me soaked in lavender in the bathtub while he read the book to me. nadi-distract ako sa kaniyang boses! It's too erotic... even if none of the paragraphs are suggesting any intimate scenes, bigla akong nag-iinit dahil sa boses niya!

Iniabot sa akin ni Alas ang roba ko at itiniklop ang librong binabasa. Pinauna niya ako ng labas at nakasunod naman siya, dala-dala ang upuang dinala niya sa loob ng banyo.

I quickly changed into my peach nighties. Naupo ako sa harap ng tukador. Alas went outside the room, probably to place the book back in his study.

Nang pumasok siya ay naabutan niya akong tamad na isinasaksak ang blow dryer sa outlet. Alas approached me, crouched, and started kissing my shoulders.

I bit my lips as I watched him in the mirror, placing small wet kisses at the skin where my neck and my shoulder meets. I sighed in satisfaction as his lips traveled to my earlobe. Nabitawan ko na ang blow dryer na hawak.

"Let me..." he said in a husky voice.

Kinuha niya ang blow dryer mula sa akin at siya na mismo ang nagsaksak. Inayos niya ang magulo at mahaba kong buhok. His brows furrowed in concentration nang itinapat na niya ang blow dryer sa buhok ko.

Hindi ko maiwasang hindi kagatin ulit ang labi ko.

Here's a hard, rough man holding a blow dryer to dry his girl's hair!

I couldn't imagine him holding a blow dryer. It doesn't match his aggressive attitude, truth be told. Hinayaan ko na lang siyang gawin iyon habang pinipigilan ang ngiti sa labi.

Alas worked in silence. He divided my hair into sections and took his time blow drying it. I giggled and teased him about it. Nag-angat lamang siya ng kilay, isang multo ng mapaglarong ngiti ang sumilay sa mga labi.

When he was finally done, I went to the bed. Hinubad ni Alas ang suot nitong sweatshirt at itinuro ang CR.

"Maliligo lang ako..." paalam niya.

I nodded my head and smiled at him. I feel a hundred times better now! A long warm bath and your husband blow-drying your hair truly do wonders.

As per usual, he left the bathroom door open, as if enticing me to barge in and see him in his full naked glory! I tossed and turn in the bed, waiting for him, until the tiredness kicked in again.

I closed my eyes, suddenly dozing off to sleep. Sa tagal niyang maligo ay tuluyan na talaga akong nakatulog.

Nagising lang ako nang maramdamang may humahalik na naman sa leeg ko. I fluttered my eyes open and saw him, hovering on top of me, with nothing but his boxers on.

"I'm really sleepy..." ngumuso ako.

He chuckled and then gently bit the skin on my neck before his eyes met mine.

"Oh no. Mrs. Ferrer, don't you fall asleep on me... we still haven't tried the durability of our new bed yet..." he whispered huskily in my ears before I felt his hands on my waist, squeezing it erotically.
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