Charlie

My expression turned impassive when Stephen touched my arm as he was laughing incessantly at his own joke. Pasimpleng hinawi ko ang kamay niya at humakbang palayo sa kanya.

As much as I like Stephen for being funny, confident and an asset to the company, ako parin ang anak ng may ari ng kumpanya. And he should respect my boundaries. I don't want my other employees to think na naglulumandi ako. Lalu na't may boyfriend akong tao. Ang kikitid pa naman ng utak ng iba dyan. Makita lang na hinipo ka ni ganyan, ni ganito, iba na agad ang iniisip.

Everybody knows my relationship with Aramis Sobrevega. And what I mean by everybody, is EVERYBODY. Ram is a public figure, he's a f*cking celebrity. Being a champion car racer and all that. As for me, although our family is kind of private, marami pa rin ang nakakakilala samin, especially in the business world. At dahil nga dyan, akala ata ng ibang tao may karapatan na silang pagusapan kami porket public figure nga ang boyfriend ko. They would speculate alot of things. Nasty things. Kaya hindi narin namin maenjoy ang buhay namin sa labas ng opisina at ng bahay.

Kaya nga nagiingat ako. Ayoko nang maulit ang tsismis samin involving Jareth. Kesyo may relasyon daw kami, blah blah! At nung i-deny ni Ram yun on national television, kumalat naman na Ram has the permission on letting Jareth inside our relationship. Para daw may thrill. So, what does that mean? Na nakakathreesome namin si Jareth? P-tangina, patawarin sana 'ko, pero sobrang nakakadiri yun!

"You know, you should join us sometimes," he smiled at me. "Hang out with us, the other VPs would love to know you better."

I forced a smile, which I was hoping he didn't notice was a fake one. "Yeah.. That's a good idea!"

"Great!" lumapad ang ngiti niya. "Were going out later tonight, sama ka."

"Uhh.. You know what-" I bit my lower lip thinking of an excuse. Ang tanga mo kasing Charlize ka, pa-good idea good idea ka pang nalalaman!

"I'm afraid she's not available tonight."

Sabay kaming napalingon ni Stephen sa gawing pinto ng opisina ko. Standing there was my gorgeous boyfriend on his office attire which made him look so delectable right now. Awtomatiko akong napangiti na agad ding nabura nang mapansin kong kunot na kunot ang noo niya.

What the hell is his problem and what is he doing here? I watched him as he strut in my office like owns the place. Well, he owns me. And I kind of own the place, so, yeah. Pero ano nga kayang kinagagalit nitong lalaking 'to? I stared at his face and he was shooting daggers at Stephen.

If looks could kill. Baka kanina pa nagpantay ang paa ni Stephen.

Mukhang alam ko na kung anong problema niya. Uh-oh.

"Ram.." naglakas loob akong magsalita. Cmon, Charlie! You can do better than a 'Ram'!

Hindi kumibo si Ram bagkus ay tumabi siya sakin at agad na hinapit ako sa may bewang.

"Really? Why is that?" my head snapped to Stephen and he was grinning, like he was challenging Ram. Agad na kumunot ang noo ko. What the f*ck is he doing?!

Ram smirked as he looked at him. "We have a date, tonight."

"Oh." Stephen's brows shoot up. "Then I would just have to ask her out next time." there's this evil glint on his eyes, that made me want to punch him.

Ano bang problema nito? Kailangan ba talaga niyang asarin ang boyfriend ko?! I have to reprimand him sa susunod. I winced as Ram's fingers dig on the flesh of my waist. Crap! Sinamaan ko ng tingin si Stephen, he should stop doing this kung ayaw niyang matagpuang bangkay sa ilog Pasig!

"Well I would have to take her into dinner every night then." Ram's jaw clenched as he eyed Stephen with so much despise. I stopped breathing, pakiramdam ko anytime they would jump at each other's throats. Hindi agad nakakibo yung isa, nagsukatan lamang sila ng tingin ni Ram, napakiramdam ko ay umabot ata ng ilang oras. Mas lalo akong natensyon. "Hon, I think Mr. Romero's waiting to be dismissed." Ram suddenly said through gritted teeth, it actually made me jump.

Right! Dapat kanina ko pa ginagawa 'to! "You may go, Mr. Romero." I squeezed Ram's hand that was still clutching my waist, hoping to calm him.

He just nodded curtly at me and went out of my office. I breathed a sigh of relief. "You can let go of me now, baby." napangiwi ako sa higpit ng pagkakahawak sakin ni Ram. Alam kong nagpupuyos na siya sa galit, natatakot nga 'kong tingnan siya ngayon eh.

"Bastard." he muttered and let go of me. Nagtungo sya sa personal ref ko at kumuha ng maiinom bago ko hinarap. "The next time I see him touching you, he would crawl out of this building on fours!" I can see that he's still seething with anger that I actually gulped, natatakot ako kay Ram pag ganitong galit siya. Na nangyayari lang naman pag nagseselos siya.

"Can you please calm down? You're scaring me." I said.

Tumingin siya ng masama sakin ngunit nang humakbang siya papalapit ay nakangiti na. "What? Mellowing down already? Asan na yung pagiging palaban mo ha? Akala ko wala kang kinatatakutan?"

I rolled my eyes at him. "Wag ka ngang tanga! Sinong di matatakot sayo, para kang asong ulol na mananakmal dyan?"

He smirked at me. "Panong hindi kukulo ang dugo ko sa animal na yun? Sumasagot pa eh, sinasagad ata ang pasensya ko." he perched his hip on my table. "I don't want to see him near you again, okay?"

"As if? Magkatrabaho kaya kami?"

"Kahit na!" pagtataas niya ng boses.

"Fine! Fine! Geez, wag ka ngang sumigaw, tumatalsik laway mo eh." tudyo ko.

"I'm serious, Charlie."

I almost laughed at his expression. Halos maging isang linya na lang ang mga labi niya at ang sama ng tingin niya sakin. "Alright, I'll try to steer clear from him. Happy?"

Napangiti ko naman sya ng konti. Maya maya ay lumapit na siya sakin at niyakap ako sa bewang. "I'm sorry for scaring you back there." he whispered softly in my ear. "You know how much I hate it when those assholes flirt with you, tapos pahawak hawak pa siya sayo."

"Stop acting like a whiny brat." I chuckled. Tiningnan ko siya at kinintalan ng mabilis na halik ang labi niya. "So, we really do have a date tonight?"

"No, but that could be arranged if you want." he winked at me. Natawa naman ako. "Kaya lang, it's Jareth's day today right?"

"Yeah." natatawa paring sagot ko.

"Bawal ba talaga sumingit si Ram?" he pouted which made burst out laughing.

"Oh cmon! Stop doing that face!" hinampas ko sya sa dibdib. "Bakit ka ba kasi nandito kung wala naman pala tayong date?"

He grinned at me and grabbed my hand. Ibinaba niya muna ang hawak na inumin at kinaladkad ako. "Let's go, I have something to show you."

Hindi na 'ko nakapagprotesta pa nang hilahin niya ko palabas ng opisina. My secretary greeted us pero hindi natinag si Ram. Nagpaalam na lang ako at sinabi kong babalik din ako. Alam na ni Kaye yun. Kadalasan kasi pag sinusundo ako ni Ram, kahit pa sabihin ko sa kanya na babalik kami, hindi na ko nakakabalik!

Kaya nga asar na asar si ate pag nandito si Ram eh! Hindi daw ako nakakapagtrabaho ng matino.

"Kinaladkad" ako ng magaling kong boyfriend papunta sa elevator. I looked at him and he had this ear splitting grin on his handsome face. Kala mo mauubusan ng ngiti si gago. He looked back at me and winked. It made my insides melt. I love seeing him this happy and excited. I wonder ano ba talagang ipapakita niya?

"San ba tayo pupunta, Sobrevega?" takang tanong ko nang lumabas na kame ng building.

"Patience, hon." he just said. "Wag atat."

Hanggang sa humantong na kami sa parking lot, wala pa din siyang sinasabi. Maya maya ay huminto narin kami sa paglalakad at binitawan niya ang kamay ko.

"What now?" naguguluhang tanong ko.

He grinned. "Dyaran! I bought you a new truck!"

"A truck? Where?"

Inirapan nya ko at inilahad ang kamay niya sa Ford pickup sa harap namin. What the hell? I stared open mouthed at the brand new car in front of me. "You bought me this?" nagawa ko pa talagang ituro yun.

He nodded eagerly.

I took a step and touched the black shiny car. Hindi parin ako makapaniwala. It was the latest model of Ford. It's a f*ckin' luxury car! Tapos ay tumingin akong muli kay Ram, he nodded at me encouragingly. He bought me a freakin car! A freakin' luxury car!

"But, Ram.."

His face fell. "What? You don't like it? We can call Caleb and I can take you to him para makapili ka ng gusto mo." he said warily.

"No! It's just that.."

Lumapit siya sakin at hinawakan ang magkabila kong balikat. "Charlie, I know that you love your truck. But.. Karag karag na yun eh." natawa siya at napakamot sa ulo nang samaan ko siya ng tingin. "Don't get offended, hon. I know, may sentimental value yun sayo. Pero intindihin mo naman ako. Papatayin ako sa nerbyos ng sasakyan mo eh."

Tumango lang ako at tiningnan muli ang sasakyang binili nya para sakin. "Don't get me wrong, baby, this so freakin sweet of you. But.. It's, it's too much." muli ko siyang binalingan just in time to see him rolling his eyes at me. "What?"

"It's nothing alright? Ano bang masama kung bilhan ko ng regalo ang girlfriend ko dahil sobrang kuripot niya at hindi man lang makabili ng matinong sasakyan at pinagtatyagaan ang bulok niyang sasakyan?" bahagya nang naiinis na turan niya.

Natawa na lang ako. "Walang masama, kaya lang.."

"Kaya lang, ano?" he was a little exasperated.

"Sobra na nga kasi 'to!" you might think that because I belong to one of the richest family in the Philippines, I am materialistic. Hindi ako ganun. I was never a spoiled brat. Masaya na 'ko sa simpleng bagay na meron ako. That's why I kept my truck. If I don't feel a need to replace or buy an expensive thing. I won't do it. Naranasan ko noon kung paanong walang pera sa bulsa at walang makain noong naglayas ako. Kaya alam ko kung gaano kaimportante ang pera at ang pamumuhay ng simple lang. "We can just buy a less expensive car if you really want to-"

"Will you shut up, Charlize Rose Tuazon?" he pinched my lips together, agad ko namang pinalis ang kamay niya, na ikinatawa niya. "This is nothing alright? I earn millions, billions even! Walang halaga 'tong bagay na 'to kumpara sa kaligtasan mo. Kaya pwede, tingnan mo muna? Try it, at kung hindi mo magustuhan we can go to Caleb's now so you could look for something you like."

He opened the door in the driver's side and let me in. He had to actually push me inside dahil hindi ako makakilos sa kinatatayuan ko. After I was inside, he climbed on the passenger seat and grinned at me again.

"Here's the key, try it!" he said eagerly. Mas excited pa siya sakin.

Napailing na lang ako bago ko sinuksok sa ignition ang susi. It purred to life. Wow! Di hamak na mas tahimik ang pagstart nito kesa sa lumang truck ko. I'm beginning to like it.

We decided to drive it around the parking area. Infairness, okay siya- Who the hell am I kidding?! Okay na okay siya!

By the time we halted to stop sa pinagpapark-an namin kanina, I'm already wearing a huge grin that could match Ram's. Nakangiting inilapit niya ang kamay niya sa mukha ko at sinapo ang pisngi ko.

"I don't have to ask if you liked it," he said. "It's pretty much obvious now."

I shifted on my seat so I could give him a hug. "Thank you baby! Thank you so much!" I said.

He hugged me back and he whispered huskily.

"Anytime, hon." He said. "Anything for you."

Alam ko na ang ibig sabihin nun. I wriggled out of his embrace and grabbed his nape and kissed him torridly. I invaded his oral cavity almost immediately. He tasted so damn good! I massaged his tongue with mine and he groaned at the back of his throat, turning me on.

Mabuti na lang heavily tinted ang salamin nito kaya malaya naming magagawa ang gusto namin dito.

I scrambled to get into his lap without even breaking the kiss. Sh*t! This is so freaking hot! Hindi pa namin nasusubukan na magsex sa loob ng sasakyan. Now might be the perfect time!

Just when he was already cupping my ass and kissing my neck hungrily, we heard angry taps on the window. I groaned as I saw my sister standing outside.

"Sh*t! What does she want?!" I can see how annoyed Ram is with my sister, it almost made me laugh.

"I don't know," glancing nervously at my sister. Pero nanatili ako sa kandungan ni Ram.

He suddenly continued kissing me, squeezing my ass and grinding his already hard member on my throbbing pussy. Damn! Ang lib*g talaga nitong lalaking to! "Ram!" I hissed. "Si ate!"

"Don't mind her!" pinapatuloy niya ang paghalik sa leeg ko, agad naman akong nanghina. All my protests got stuck on my throat when he licked and grazed his teeth on that sensitive part of my neck.

Pero sadyang makulit si ate. "Okay, that's it both of you. If you don't get out of there, I'm calling the security." she said, naririnig namin ang boses niya sa loob, medyo muffled nga lang.

Now, I really had to get off Ram. Inayos ko ang sarili ko bago ko napatingin kay Ram. Oh God! I have to laugh at this. He was clearly disgruntled. He was frowning at halatang badtrip na badtrip. Tumingin sya sakin ng masama. "What?" sikmat niya.

I pursed my lips and shook my head. "Wala, ayusin mo na yang sarili mo."

"I would assassinate that woman, believe me. I don't care if she's your sister or not. I'm really gonna kill her." he growled.

I tried hard not to laugh, kahit parang feeling ko sasabog na yung utak ko. Alam ko kasing bad mood na talaga siya. Ganyan siya pag nabibitin siya, sumasakit daw kasi ang puson niya. And this sour mood would go on for hours. Damn Cassandra!

After a few seconds lumabas kaming dalawa ng kotse. I was smiling sheepishly at nakasimangot parin si Ram while Cassandra glared at us.

"Mga bwisit kayo, dito pa kayo naglalampungan." Maasim ang mukhang sabi ng ate ko..

"Oh c'mon, ate! Shut up!" tumawa ako at umabrisyete sa kanya. We began walking back to the building. "How did you find us here?"

"Pinagtitsismisan lang naman kayo ng mga empleyado ko. Apparently, the champion racer bought his girlfriend a luxury car. Psh." Tinapunan niya ng tingin ang bago kong sasakyan then she glared again at Ram, who in return scowled at her.

Will this two ever make up? Napailing na lang ako. I reached for Ram and began rubbing his back to calm him. Para siyang bomba na ready nang sumabog any minute, by the looks of him. Di bale, babawi na lang ako pag-uwi ko mamaya, hopefully, Jareth and I would just be sitting around in a cafe or something and do nothing very physical so I won't be tired when I get home. Para makapagpasalamat ako ng maayos sa napakasweet kong boyfriend.

"Magmerienda na tayo at baka ipahuli ko pa kayo sa pulis, mga eskandaloso kayo." nakairap na sabi ni ate na nakapagpatawa ulit sakin.