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CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

THE CITY of San Dimartino. The home to many elite people and wealthy ones. A city of growth for people to live in luxury. A city for hard-working and innovative people. Oh, a metropolis of growth and harmony.

Sa syudad ng San Dimartino rin halos nakatayo ang ibang sikat na mga gusali, negosyo at mga kilalang pabrika. Isa na roon ay ang Niklaus Motors---a leading brand of vehicles and electronics trusted internationally. Sa San Dimartino rin nakatayo ang mga sikat na universities kagaya ng Hunsfield University, Saint Bernard University---an all boys boarding school, Wilde University and many prestigious campuses.

San Dimartino city is like the biggest cities of the Philippines such as Cebu, Metro Manila and Davao. San Dimartino was one of the most successful cities, the city was even mentioned to a lot of articles, blogs and magazines. Nakakatuwa pa ay dito nakatira ang ibang kilala at sought-after na mga personahe. There's a lot to mention.

Maybe their waters has something that makes the inhabitants rather attractive and dashing, and highly intelligent. Like, some SM Entertainment thing. UwU.

San Dimartino is also the home of Denryl Alcanzare and Laurentius Altarejos. They met, formed a friendship, started a feud, left as enemies to Achilles Islands Resort, and came back as lovers at San Dimartino city.

Since three weeks ang binigay ng boss niya as vacation time, may isang Linggo pang pahinga si Denryl bago pumasok sa trabaho. Dahil nga may mga pasalubong siya sa mga ka-trabaho niya sa kompanya at sa boss niya, pumaroon siya sa kompanya at binigyan ito ng mga pasalubong. Of course, he was thoughtful enough to give some for his whole team, although tingi-tingi lang dahil marami sila sa floor na iyon.

His boss was glad enough to see his secretary smiling freely now. He can see, tamang desisyon ang ipabakasyon muna ito.

"Are things good at home, mister Alcanzare? You look like beaming with sunshine today, which most of us missed," his boss, mister William Millers, said to him with a brief smile.

"Thank you for asking, boss," nakangiting saad ni Denryl sa boss. "It's great. I already moved on from Jeimson and---oh! Na-kuwento ko na ba sa inyo?"

"About what? Tell me about your vacation!" interesante'ng tanong ng boss sa kaniya.

"So, it starts like this . . ."

At ikuwenento nga niya ang nangyari sa bakasyon niya sa Achilles Resort. His boss was delighted about hearing they had ended the feud between him and the Laurentius Altarejos; not to mention, they're in a relationship now. He knew there was a sexual tension whenever they fight with each other. They look good together, as he observed.

"So, you both already had sex?" mapanuksong tanong ng boss niya habang tinaas-baba ang mga kilay nito in a teasing way.

Namula siya ng konti. "Uhm, er . . . kinda." Awkwardness is evident in his voice. "Pero tumigil nga po kayo, amin-amin lang iyon, boss. What happened on the island, should stay on the island. Though, nagkuwento na nga ako sa ibang nangyari roon," natatawang dagdag pa niya. They're close with his boss kaya ayos lang na informal ang usapan sa pagitan nila.

"Alright. I won't pry into your sex life with Altarejos," natatawang lahad ni William Millers. "But could you convince him to partner up with us? You know, proposed to him about being our business partner since it will bring us more customers and publicity. Malakas ka naman yata sa kaniya, eh."

Denryl is reluctant. Hindi nga kasi siya opportunity grabber kung saan pagperahan ang mga kakilala niya. He's independently earning money for a living. "Hm . . . lemme think about it first. Medyo nahihiya kasi akong humingi ng ganoong pabor sa kaniya. Ayoko kasing parang ginagamit ang isang tao dahil sa bagay o pera, but it would benefit both of us kung mag-partner up tayo sa kompanya nila."

"That is fine, don't sweat it," his boss assured him, and gave him a reassuring smile.

"Sige po, boss."

"By the way, you still have counting days to your vacation," paalala ng boss niya. "Just take your time and enjoy most of it. I'll be happy to welcome you back for work."

"Salamat po talaga, boss."

"No problem."

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DENRYL ALREADY came to his best friend's home dahil doon siya panandaliang tumira pagkatapos ng break up nila ni Jeimson. Masaya ang pamilya ni Kelly dahil sa pagbalik niya, at may marami pa silang pasalubong.

"OMG! Sabihin mo lahat ng nangyari sa isla! Nakita ko ang photos na mga kuha mo, at ang ganda nga naman ng lugar, beshie!" halos patili nang sambit ni Kelly roon. Natawa naman si Denryl sa asal ng kaibigan.

"Iyon na nga . . ."

After telling her what happened to his vacation, it took her a moment to consume what she heard.

"K-kayo ni Laurentius ay nag-chug-chug ugh-ugh sa isla? Tapos ngayon nasa relasyon kayo?" hindi makapaniwalang tanong ni Kelly sa kaniya. Hindi mabasa ni Denryl ang ekspresyon sa mukha nito.

"Yeah," he shamefully admitted.

Ikaw ba naman na malalaman mo na lang na ang kaibigan at ang public enemy nito ay nasa isang relasyon, hindi ka ba malilito at mabibigla? Tapos gano'n-gano'n na lang iyon? Paano iyong times na ang tabil ng dila ni Laurentius kaya kita mong nasasaktan siya sa pinagsasabi nito?

"That's unbelievable, beshie!" sigaw doon ni Kelly. "Paano kung he's plotting something? Paano kung pinapa-ibig ka lang niya tapos sa huli, plano niya lang pala iyon upang bigyan ka ng pinakamasakit na break-up na mararanasan mo? He's an asshole and a notorious fuckboy bachelor for a reason."

Natawa ng mahina si Denryl sa sinabi ng kaibigan.

"Bakit tumatawa ka? Seryoso ako!" parang offended na anas ni Kelly roon.

"He won't do that," Denryl started. "I may not be good at reading people, pero my intuitions are strong. I can sense that he's genuine to me, and one thing I know personally about him is that he's not a liar. He's a man of his words, so kampante na ako roon."

Kelly's lips was pressed together sa narinig sa kaibigan. "We do not know what the future may holds, pero sana nga seryoso siya sa iyo. Tama na iyong pinagtaksilan ka dahil sa kalibogan ni Jeimson. At least, you're both free from each other now," seryosong sabi nito sa kaibigan na may sinseridad sa boses.

"Yeah, I hope he is," sabi niya at nagbuntong-hininga. "I know he is," he corrected himself.

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"PLEASE, JUST please move here in my penthouse. I have everything you need here, and it will make you even safer since the security is very tight around here. You don't have to stay at your friend's house anymore, since you think that you're a burden to them," Laurentius convinced Denryl again for the nth time. "Just please, move here with me."

"Ilang beses ko bang sabihin na mas lalong hindi ko tatanggapin ang offer mo?" inis na tanong ni Denryl sa lalaki.

"But what should I do? My partner is out there living in an unsafe subdivision, sharing a room with his friend since it was the only room available---not to mention, a woman!" Laurentius exaggerates, and motions to the outside of the building---the breathtaking view of the metropolis can be seen by them. "How am I supposed to sleep peacefully at night with that?"

"Really? Pati si Kelly pag-isipan mo ng ganoon? I'm gay and attracted to men only, for a reason."

"Okay, but why? Come live here with me," he urged again.

"Law, I don't think you understand." Lumapit siya sa kasintahan and cupped his handsome face. Gusto niya itong halikan ora mismo, pero may mga bagay na dapat muna nilang pag-usapan. "Don't get me started, your penthouse is huge and amazing, pero I can't live in a place like this without me earning for it. Hindi mo na dapat gawin itong ipapatira mo ako sa penthouse mo dahil lang sa may relasyon tayo. I can do on my own. I'm an adult."

"You're my boyfriend, er, so you're my obligation. Your safety is my priority now. Please understand me." There's a glint on his eyes na parang nagsusumamo kay na pumayag. He's still not used to calling someone his boyfriend. He's new to this homosexual relationship, kaya hindi pa siya sanay na may tinatawag na boyfriend. "I just want to know you're safe every passing hours. It would be better if you come home with me. Fuck, I could even file something just so I could get you for my company and myself and make you my own secretary. You would be the luckiest secretary to ever walk on land," mahabang pahayag pa nito.

"Law, thank you for thinking about my well-being," Denryl said, before leaning in for a short, chaste kiss they shared. Ipinutol niya ang panandaliang halik at agad na nagtagpo ang kanilang mga mata. "It's alright. Maghahanap na lang ako ng apartment gamit ang natitira kong pera sa bank account ko."

"No," tutol agad ni Laurentius. "You can just live with me to lessen your expenses. Please, just please. Let's live together."

Sobrang aga pa upang mag-live in partners silang dalawa. Sure, Jeimson and him became live-in partners for more than five years, pero dahil lang sa siya ang nagbabayad ng upa nila. Their arrangement was siya sa bayarin ng upa, si Jeimson naman sa mga other expenses such as foods, necessities, bills and etc. kaya ayos lang kay Denryl ang ganoong set-up. Tsaka ayaw talagang uma-asa si Denryl sa ibang tao dahil sa nakasanayan niya. It even took Jeimson years bago nito nalilibre at ginagastohan si Denryl.

"Pag-iisipan ko." Sumuko na lang siya, but it doesn't mean 100% na payag siyang lumipat dito sa penthouse ni Laurentius.

"Thank you. Please consider my offer," hopeful na salita ni Laurentius, relieved na pag-iisipan ng kasintahan na tumira kasama niya.

Inilayo na si Denryl ang sarili kay Laurentius at nginitian ito. He's really reluctant to accept his offer.

"You are cooking for dinner tonight, right?" pag iba ng topiko ni Laurentius. Napangiti naman si Denryl sa narinig.

"Oo nga pala." He bite his bottom lip to think as he stares at Laurentius. "I was thinking na magluto ng lutong bahay. Are you down with that?"

"More than anything, as long as it is your cooking," nakangiting saad ni Laurentius.

Natuwa naman siya sa narinig.

"Are your pantry stocked? Magluluto ako kung anong nasa kusina mo."

"Yes. Right this way, please." At iginiya siya ni Laurentius sa malaking kusina nito.

Ang laki ba naman ng penthouse ni Laurentius. He's been living here to avoid the drama sa mansion nila, kaya he's been ordering takeouts or he'd just eat out dahil wala siyang kinuhang cook for safety reasons. Isang buong floor ang penthouse niya kaya kompleto na talaga rito. Kung pwede lang talagang dito na tumira kasama niya si Denryl.

Naghanap ng apron si Denryl upang suotin for health precaution reasons, at agad na itinuro ni Laurentius kung nasaan ang mga aprons and mittens. Isinuot niya ito at ngayon ay ready nang magluto.

"Damn. I don't have a fetish about cooks, and I don't have an ex that is a cook, but you look so sexy in that," Laurentius suddenly complimented him.

"Sira," natatawang saway niya rito at binuksan na ang pantry para sa mga sangkap.

Thankfully, may mga laman nga naman ang pantry at drawers nito ng mga pagkain. Puno rin ng mga groceries ang refrigerator nito, kaya he's guessing someone did a grocery for him.

"I asked my secretary to buy me some groceries, because you said you would cook for our dinner tonight," biglang bigay alam ni Laurentius sa kaniyang tabi.

"That's nice," aniya.

Taking out the ingredients to the dishes he would make, agad niyang hinugasan ang iba sa lababo ng kusina ni Laurentius. Ramdam naman niya ang matang nakamatyag sa mga galaw niya. Not that he's uncomfortable with it.

"Would you like my help?" biglang alok ni Laurentius doon.

Hinarap niya ito. "Alam mo ba ang mga gagawin sa kusina?" tanong niya rito.

Laurentius pressed shut his lips from the question. He's a spoiled child, of course he wouldn't know what to do around the kitchen. Damn it. "Uhm, no. I don't know shit, actually. Fuck, now I feel like a useless boyfriend when it comes to cooking," lintaya nito. Natawa naman si Denryl sa lalaki.

"You can just sit there and wait for the food to be ready. I got everything in control," nakangiting sabi niya sa lalaki. "You don't have to know everything just so you could be a useful boyfriend. And you're more useful on bed." He winks playfully to his boyfriend.

Biglang lumapit si Laurentius sa kaniya at idiniin ang sarili sa likod niya. The guy's huge frame hugged the average sized frame of Denryl. He can feel the warm heat of the guy's body and the fuzzy feeling he's been feeling whenever their bodies collide.

"You're right, I am. And I can fuck you anywhere, even in this kitchen," Laurentius sensually whispers and presses himself more behind him. Then he can feel the huge erection in Laurentius' pants pressing on his lower back.

"L-Law, ano ba. Hindi ngayon ang oras para sa mga kalibogan mo," nahihirapang sermon niya kay Laurentius. Bigla-bigla lang naman kasi itong diniin ang sarili sa kaniya, eh. Naramdaman pa niya ang matigas nitong pagkalalaki.

Agad nawala ang ma-init na kawatan ng lalaki sa likod niya. He was thankful dahil obedient ito ngayon.

"Okay, I'll keep my shit inside my pants for now," the guy surrendered with a malicious intent in his voice. Hindi niya alam wether to he scared or turned on by it.

Nang sa wakas ay hinayaan na siya ni Laurentius na mag-prepare ng dinner, agad niyang sinimulan ang mga gagawin. Tatlong putahe ang lulutoin niya, para na rin may pagpilian ang lalaki kung anong kakainin nito. It took him an hour and a minute bago siya natapos sa pagluluto.

Ang bango ng kusina ni Laurentius dahil sa niluluto ni Denryl. It made the guy's stomach growled in hunger. Hindi nito alam na ganoon pala ito ka-gutom galing sa trabaho hanggang sa malanghap ang niluluto ni Denryl. Well, he should enjoy and devour what his boyfriend prepared for their dinner.

Ang hindi nila alam, may panauhin ang sadyang pinindot ang floor kung nasaan ang penthouse ni Laurentius upang bisitahin ito. The elevator doors opened and welcomed the unexpected guest to Laurentius' penthouse, and the unexpected guest couldn't see a glimpse of whomever her purpose here.

Akala nito nasa penthouse na nito ang hinahanap dahil sabi ng secretary ni Laurentius ay umuwi na raw ito agad. Maybe he's out and clubbing again?

"Sweetheart, are you here?" biglang tawag nito sa lugar, kung saang sulok man ang hinahanap na lalaki.

Nang hindi makarinig ng response, ready na yata itong umalis when she caught a swig of very fragrant smell of food. Maybe someone is cooking.

Is he at the kitchen? Who's cooking for him?

Agad naman itong pumanhik at pumunta sa magarang kusina ng hinahanap na lalaki. And there he is, the one she's been looking for. Naka-upo ang lalaki habang tinitignan ang isa pang lalaking nakatalikod habang may niluluto sa stove ng penthouse. Maybe that's his newly hired cook.

"Sweetheart, there you are," ang sabi ng panauhin bago pinuntahan si Laurentius at niyakap ito agad. She missed him so much since he left to have a vacation at that popular resort at Mindanao.

Although shocked at hindi agad naka-react, napayakap si Laurentius pabalik sa babae'ng yumakap sa kaniya. The familiar scent of the woman hits his nose, and he didn't know whether to be relieved or scared dahil nasa unahan lang si Denryl.

Napalingon naman si Denryl sa kanila dahil sa narinig na kumosyon. He saw Laurentius being hugged by a woman in a sexy and expensive dress. He felt a pang in his chest.

Who is this woman?

xALPHA_SYRIC | SYRICH

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Enjoy! I'm gonna update this Saturday or Sunday! I'm gonna write muna the prologue of Sweetest Lust upang marami akong update this first week of July. WAHAHAHAHAHHA.

Overthinking muna kayo riyan! Love y'all! Muahx!

Why she think she Nicki M? She think she hot shit~