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CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

THE CHARMING and infamous owner of the Achilles Islands Resort sat in front of Laurentius. They are quite friends and associated with each other. He knows a few informations about him and vice versa.

"I see you brought Mister Alcanzare with you," Achilles said in an almost teasing manner of tone. He knows there's something going between them.

Ilang beses na niyang narinig mula sa bibig ni Laurentius na he despised Denryl greatly. Alam din niya ang dahilan kung bakit may pagkadisgusto ito sa sinasabing lalaki. He knows how to read people. He's great at it.

He can tell, Laurentius is heels over Denryl. The way he gaze at him, parang anumang oras ay dadambahin niya ito sa mismong sitwasyon, lugar at oras. He saw that one coming.

"And I see you aren't associated with any woman clinging by your side," balik na sabi roon ni Laurentius kaya natawa ang lalaki sa harapan nito.

"I prefer not to associate with one of them tonight."

"What do you want?" diritsahang tanong doon ni Laurentius na parang pinapa-alis ito sa harapan niya.

"Easy. I'm not gonna steal your man away from you." Hearing those words, Laurentius was joyed that he acknowledged Denryl as his partner. It means they are a thing in public's eyes. He loves that.

Wait . . . Does he swing that way, too? Well, knowing his younger brother, it wouldn't baffle me. But wait, Luziano's a big fucking homo, so that does mean it wouldn't be a shocker if I'm a homo, too? Damn . . .

"Whatever."

"You look good together," Achilles complimented him suddenly. Agad na napabaling si Laurentius sa kaniya.

Kanina pa siya nakatingin sa kinaruruonan ni Denryl at hindi niya gustong mawala ang paningin dito. It might be rude to his 'unwanted' companion pero ayaw niyang mawala ang atensyon sa lalaking nagpapatibok ng puso niya. Cliché and gay, I know.

"Thanks," pasalamat niya in a genuine tone.

"So, did you two already did the . . ." Achilles raised both of his hands, ang isa nakabuo ng 'o' habang ang isa ay patusok. Ang nakakagago pa, dalawang daliri ito to emphasize it is huge. ". . . already?" Achilles maliciously asks him while doing the sex finger signals.

He groaned because of this as he roll his eyes. If he could just rip off that grin on Achilles' face. Nakaka-inis din ito minsan, eh.

"Our sex life is none of your business, Roovers," mariin niyang pahayag doon. "We can fuck whatever and whenever we want, and it doesn't concerns you," aniya roon.

Nakangiti pa rin si Achilles doon at mas lalong lumaki dahil sa narinig. "Such a secretive man," Achilles said with a sly grin. "You know, akala ko open ka about your sex life? Did you not came here at Achilles Islands just to fuck any willing women you want?" tanong pa nito sa kaniya.

"I guess people change. . ." but is that an acceptable excuse? How does my past doesn't affect what Denryl and I have now?

"Are you toying with Mister Alcanzare? Wait, is this a scheme that you'll make him fall heels over you, and you will dump him and leave him broken afterwards?" May ngisi sa mukha ni Achilles nang tinanong niya iyon kay Laurentius.

Laurentius gritted his teeth from that. "Fuck you, I'm not like that."

"Are you sure?"

"Stop that, you asshole."

"Okay, okay. Feisty as usual," sabi roon ni Achilles while raising his hands in the air.

"Can you just leave me alone and go find some woman to fuck the night away? You're irritating me," inis doong sambit ni Laurentius at pinapa-alis si Achilles Roovers.

Instead of being offended, tumawa lang ito at tumayo na sa harapan niya. "Alright, alright."

"Leave already." Inikot niya ang mata rito.

"As a friend, I'll advice this to you," panimula roon ni Achilles sa kaniya at tumayo roong mariin siyang tinignan. "One heated night could lead to forever, but not all forever are happy endings. It could be a forever of separation."

What is he implying?

"Be careful with your actions, because it might reflect on the future. If you are indeed serious with him, be upfront about your emotions. Don't conceal things," dagdag nitong sabi habang tumalikod na upang umalis sa mesa nila. "Bye for now, my dear friend."

Nakatingin lang siya sa papalayong bulto ni Achilles Roovers habang ini-isip ang sinasabi nito. He pondered the things that Achilles said toward him.

He knows right from the start, his feelings are clear ngunit nadungisan lang ito dahil sa selos niya para sa relasyon nina Denryl at Jeimson. His pride is too high to even blame himself kaya binuntunan niya si Denryl sa kaniyang mga galit at frustrations. Now that there's no Jeimson in Denryl's life, maybe he can be true to himself. And then let himself fall into the comfort of not minding everyone's thoughts and perceptions.

A couple of moment passed, until he saw Denryl approaching their table with a paper plate on his hand. The moment na nagkatagpo ang mga mata nila ay biglang bumilis na naman ang tibok ng puso ni Laurentius. His heart is racing and he can feel the blood rushing to his cheeks. It felt like falling in love all over again.

Denryl smiled at him softly and he felt his heart hammering questioningly. His heart rate picked up at para na siyang sasabog sa hindi niya malamang dahilan. He couldn't help the gaze of affection he's giving towards Denryl. And he doesn't want to conceal it.

"Hi, who's that pala?" agad na tanong doon ni Denryl pagka-upo sa harapan niya. He's pertaining to Achilles Roovers.

"That's no one," ang sabi lang ni Laurentius. Hindi niya gustong mapunta sa ibang lalaki ang atensyon ni Denryl. He's the only guy that Denryl should speak to, gaze to, touch to, kiss to, have sex to. Fuck. that sounded manipulative and wrong in so many levels. But I can't help it.

"Really?" panigurado roon ni Denryl. "Bakit parang magkakikala na kayo?"

Laurentius groaned out and surrendered. "That's Achilles Roovers---the founder of the Achilles Islands Resort," he informed Denryl, at agad na nanlaki ang mata nito sa narinig.

"S-so that's him?" tanong pa ni Denryl habang may patakip sa bibig na parang hindi makapaniwala sa narinig. "Kaya naman pala. A-ang guwapo niya, to be honest. No wonder bakit nababasa ko sa most articles about this resort na sobrang guwapo raw ng mga Roovers brothers."

That irked Laurentius big time.

"Hey. I'm here."

"And?" Denryl raised his one brow at him. Lalo siyang na-inis dahil dito. Anong problema nito?

"I'm obviously more attractive than him. Plus, he's an allegedly playboy and a man whore," parang nagseselos na sambit doon niya. Kumunot naman ang mukha ni Denryl sa narinig.

"As if you're any different," balik na salita ni Denryl. Natigilan si Laurentius dahil dito.

Laurentius pursed his lips from that. That's his past, yes, but he can be a one-person man. He can be committed and loyal. To him. Yes. He can be committed to Denryl and cherish him for the rest of their lives.

Binalingan niya si Denryl doon na kumakain sa mga kinuha nitong mga pagkain sa table habang tinitignan nito ang direksyon ni Achilles. Achilles is busy entertaining a table with a couple, kaya he's oblivious about the pair of eyes gazing at his direction. Including Denryl's pair of eyes.

"Hey. Stop that," bigla na lang asik ni Laurentius kay Denryl. Agad nawala ang atensyon ni Denryl kay Achilles at napabaling siya sa lalaking nasa harapan niya.

"What?" clueless na tanong ni Denryl sa kaniya.

He huffs a frustrated breath. "You're staring at that asshole while I'm right in front of you." His tone of voice sounded jealous.

Does he have the rights to be jealous, though? They aren't even together, to begin with.

"And so?"

Is he being sarcastic tonight? "Are you doing this on purpose?" na-iinis na niyang tanong doon.

"Ang alin ba?"

"Fuck. Stop this already."

Denryl chuckled because of this. Laurentius is fun to play with lalo na't inis na inis ito. He didn't know this is how he would react. "Charot lang, ito naman. I'm just teasing you. Ang seryoso mo kasi, para kang tanga," mahabang salaysay ni Denryl habang tumatawa ng mahina sa ginawa.

"Because of that, I'm gonna pound your man pussy hard until you will only think of me all night." Sa sinabi niya, namula ang mukha ni Denryl. Hindi pa rin ito sanay sa mga ganitong bagay, lalo na at nasa public place sila.

"Ano ka ba, baka may makarinig sa pinagsasabi mo. Wala talagang filter ang bibig mo patungkol sa mga talik, naku," nahihiyang suway ni Denryl sa kaniya.

"Don't be such a virgin."

"Fuck you, Laurentius Ezequiel Altarejos."

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"COME ON, let's dance."

Inilahad ni Laurentius ang kamay nito kay Denryl. He eyed it with reluctance. Nahihiya siyang makisayaw sa maraming tao.

"I-I'm fine. Besides, I don't know how to dance." A lie from him. We all know he can dance, especially if he had a drink or alcohol all throughout his system. Remember that first time he and Luziano Altarejos met?

"I can guide you. It's easy. Just swaying while you put your arms on me," pamilit pa nito. Laurentius is really persistent and eager to dance with him.

The mood of the night matches their moment. The music in the background is such a masterpiece. It could hull you into sleep or into a state of mind that can make you calm. It makes you want to slow dance.

Sumuko na lang siya since kanina pa nakalahad ang kamay ni Laurentius sa kaniya. "Okay," he said before accepting Laurentius' awaiting hand.

Laurentius dragged him by the bonfire. May mga magkasintahan din doong sumasayaw at ninanamnam ang sandali.

Nang makahanap ng pwesto, agad na inigiya ni Laurentius ang kamay niya at inilagay sa tamang lugar---ang mga maskuladong balikat niya. Habang si Laurentius ay inilagay ang mga kamay sa beywang niya. Kaya ngayon, ang lapit nila sa isa't-isa at nararamdaman ang init ng bawat dikit ng katawan nila. It's warm and fuzzy. It kinda wants him to snuggle into him and stay like that for a while.

Both of them stares at each other's eyes with either amusement, admiration, curiosity, heat and perhaps, love gaze.

"You're really beautiful, did I ever told you that?" The sudden compliment from Laurentius makes Denryl's face heat up for the nth time tonight.

"I guess thank you," ang sabi lang ni Denryl doon, out of breath.

There it is again, butterflies fluttering inside his stomach. Those tingling and comfortable feeling whenever he and Jeimson did something cheesy and romantic together. He felt those just now. Is he . . . no way. Is he really falling for this guy? Is he really ready to commit to another relationship?

Ramdam niyang nakatitig sa kaniya si Laurentius. Hindi niya kayang titigan si Laurentius kasi ang weird para sa kaniya ang mga titig na binibigay nito sa kaniya. There's just something in there that he's not yet ready to face.

The bonfire crackles in the distance, people enjoying their dance with their respective partners, the light of the moon and stars bringing a magical moment, the music playing in the background, and there's Laurentius and him. Laurentius would trade anything in this world just for this moment to repeat.

As the music, From This Moment On by Shania Twain plays in the background, he can't help but feel himself slowly falling with the guy he's dancing with. And it kinda scares him.

"You're perfect and flawless, Denryl," salita ulit doon ni Laurentius in an amusement manner. "You're so perfect, I want to worship you. I would even build a temple dedicated to you. I will commit blasphemy or some shit just for you."

Napaharap siya rito. "I am not a perfect nor a flawless person, L-Laurentius. I am a sinner, a person with bruises and wounds, left by his parents by a young age, cheated on by some asshole he loved for years and things you didn't know."

"And that is not a flaw for me," agad na sabi roon ni Laurentius. "Those things made you a great person. I do not see those things a flaw just because my love for you blinded me. Maybe I sounded desperate, but my soul, body, heart and mind shouts for you. It just---you're my soulmate. We're soulmates," mahabang salaysay ni Laurentius doon.

"That's too early to call that love, Laurentius."

"But it isn't. I've been in love with you since the moment you showed me a genuine care as a friend in freshmen years."

"Hindi ko na alam sa panahon ngayon kung anong paniniwalaan. Words aren't enough to describe things," Denryl said as he frustratingly frown and scrunch up his face.

Inigiya ni Laurentius ang isang kamay at tinuro ang dibdib niya kung saan nandoon ang puso. Nakatingin siya sa ginawa nito at hinintay sa gagawin at sasabihin.

"What does your heart tell? Or even felt?" tanong ni Laurentius doon habang nakaduro pa rin sa kabilang dibdib niya.

"I . . . I don't know," Denryl whispered in the air.

"Do you want to know what my heart tells me?" Ngayon ay nakatanggal na ang daliri nito sa dibdib niya. Napa-angat naman ang tingin niya sa sinabi nito.

"Can I?" he reluctantly asks.

"My heart wants you. It yearns for you. It shouts your whole being. Fuck, I sounded so cheesy."

Denryl didn't know that to react to that. Should he say the same words to him? But what does he felt for the guy? It is like he's falling in love for the first time, but didn't know he was falling again. He's in the love game.

"Yes, you just sounded like those in love and cheesy guys," bigla na lang may pumagitna sa kanilang momentum. And that was Achilles Roovers.

Silang dalawa ay bumaling sa walang-hiyang bumasag ng kanilang sandali. Sobrang salubong ang mga kilay ni Laurentius at anumang oras ay baka mapatay niya ang culprit. Nandoon na sana sila sa climax ng pangyayari, eh. Epal naman talaga, oh. Parang kabute na biglang lumulusot sa kung saan.

"The fuck are you doing here?" inis na asik doon ni Laurentius sa kay Achilles.

"You two seems like having a moment. You should marry each other right on the spot," prenti'ng ani Achilles doon.

Nanggagago ba 'to? The heck?

Sa sinabi niya, it irked Laurentius big time. Achilles sounded like a nosy neighbor. He's poking his nose to their own business, which Laurentius doesn't appreciate.

"Do you have a death wish, Roovers?" If looks ccould kill, siguro kanina pa nakagulantang ang malamig na bangkay ni Achilles Roovers doon sa malamig na buhangin ng isla niya.

"Maybe I do have some," Achilles taunted.

Aamba na sana si Laurentius na suntokin ang lalaki, ngunit hinila siya ni Denryl upang manatili sa pumwesto nila.

"That's enough," pag tahan niya kay Laurentius. It worked, because kumalma naman ito.

Tinitigan din ni Denryl ang lalaking nagmamay-ari ng isla na may halong pagkalito. Ano ang sadya at pakay nito sa kanila?

"Nice to meet you, Mister Alcanzare," magalang na salaysay ni Achilles Roovers sa kaniya nang makita siyang nakatingin dito. "Well, I'll just wish you a great evening together. If you need anything, Altarejos here has my number. And, uh, good luck with your relationship with him." May pahabol pa itong kindat bago umalis doon kaya nanlilisik ang mata ni Laurentius sa ginawa nito.

"That fucking asshole. I can't believe he's an acquaintance. If it occurred that he's not the owner of this fucking resort, I'll let him drown by his own blood after commiting blood bathe," Laurentius muttered under his breathe. "Where were we again before that asshole suddenly appeared and interrupted us?"

"Na cheesy ka?" Denryl shyly blurted out.

"Right . . ."

Magsasalita pa sana si Laurentius nang inilagay Denryl ang kaniyang hintuturo sa mga malalambot na labi nito. Laurentius' mouth halted and stares at Denryl while wondering what this is. What's happening? Eh?

"I totally get it," ang sabi ni Denryl. "Hindi mo na kailangang ulit-ulitin ang sasabihin mo." He removed his finger from his mouth.

Laurentius' face contorted into confusion. "And that means?"

"I accept your affection towards me, but I think I'm still not in a right state of mind to have a relationship with someone. You know, ilang Linggo lang ang nakalipas matapos akong nakihiwalay kay . . . erm, him. It is not right on my part upang sumugal ulit sa pag-ibig pagkatapos makipaghiwalay sa kaniya. Basta, hindi ko alam paano ipaliwanag," mahabang lintaya roon ni Denryl.

"I'm willing to wait, Denryl." The tone of Laurentius is soothing and reassuring. "We won't rush things, and we can do it in your pace."

Ngumiti si Denryl dahil dito.

"But I don't know if I won't do something irrational if some random guy hit with you," dagdag na sabi roon ni Laurentius, kaya nawala ang ngiti ni Denryl. He sounded like a possessive boyfriend, jeez.

"Stop, para kang timang. Walang tayo, so wala kang karapatang bakuran ako."

"Ouch. The truth really hurts, as they said," birong wika roon ni Laurentius sabay kumawala ng mahinang tawa. Tumawa rin naman ng mahina si Denryl dahil sa sinabi niya.

"I haven't imagined that we would be like this today. Like, you hate me for some reasons. Oh, yeah!" May naalala si Denryl. Nakatitig lang si Laurentius sa kasayaw. "Bakit mo nga ulit ako kinamumuhian noon---aside sa sekswalidad ko? Ang naalala ko wala akong ginawang ikakagalit mo sa buong pagkatao ko noong huli nating bonding no'ng freshman year, eh. Pagkabukas na lang no'n, bigla ka na lang lumalayo sa akin at hindi ako pinapansin. Hanggang sa may snarky remarks na akong naririnig mula sa sa'yo," ang mahabang pahayag niya kay Laurentius. Tumawa naman ito.

"I was jealous, okay?" It seems like Laurentius is pouting while saying that. Can you imagine, a grumpy Laurentius pouting?

"Nagseselos saan?"

"The relationship between you and that asshole," ang sagot ni Laurentius. "I'm was just so coward to decipher my feelings for you, and confess right on the spot. But guess what, it was a shocker to me that you're gay and dating that asshole."

Tumango-tango si Denryl sa narinig. "Ang babaw naman pala ng dahilan mo, hmpt," Denryl teased.

Denryl knows that sometimes, small things can be big for someone. Like, if someone loses their pen, that's the biggest tragic to happen. Their dearest keychain fell from their bag, never to be seen again. Your emotions are valid to any responses. Don't let anyone invalidate them.

"But now that-that asshole is out of the picture, I think I will let my heart decide now. I will let it follow what it wants," salaysay ni Laurentius doon. Tumango lang si Denryl in understanding.

"Time will come, Laurentius."

"But do we still . . . you know. The you know."

"Anong, you know? Words, please."

"Fuck around? Love making?"

"Fuck you."

"Is that a yes?"

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THEY BOTH woke up with a new, fresh start. A new beginning to their journey.

Not until . . .

"Stay right there. Ako na ang titingin kung sino ang kumatok," Denryl instructed to Laurentius nang may kumatok sa cabin niya.

It's a sudden na mayroong kumakatok sa kaniyang cabin. Even the girls seldomly visits his cabin kasi medyo malayo ito sa mga establishemento. Tsaka si Laurentius ang halos bumibisita sa kaniyang cabin---which is nasa room niya---still hazy from sleep from last night's rendezvous. Who could the unexpected guest be?

Narinig niya ulit ang katok nito sa labas, kaya sinigawan niya ito ng, "Teka lang, bubuksan na nga!"

He clutched the door's knob with something's off inside him. Nonetheless, he still opened the door. And then, the person in front of him left a big shock to him.

It couldn't be!

xALPHA_SYRICx | SYRICH