Chapter 46

We were both caught on the hop as we beheld each other's gaze. He was formally dressed with white long sleeves folded up to his elbows, revealing his taut veins and the silver watch on his wrist again. His black slacks emphasized his long legs, and his leather shoes were polished well. He got his hair in a neat slicked back.

Bumalik ang tingin ko sa mukha niya. His red lips were half-open, and his blue eyes were vulgar in scrutinizing my body. He closed his mouth and swallowed, still not removing his eyes from my body.

Kumunot ang noo ko. Ano bang tinitingnan niya sa katawan kong mukhang pang-dose anyos? Siguro mas may laman lang ang dibdib nang kaunti sa kanila. But aside from that, nothing was interesting to check on my body.

"Engineer Merrick?" I snapped for his attention.

"Oh, yeah?" Mabilis niyang itinuon sa akin ang mata, namumungay at guilty. "Sorry. I checked you out."

Hindi ako makapaniwalang tinitigan siya. Is this some kind of a miracle? Wala pa akong tinatanong, umaamin na siya?

"Miss Riri, okay na 'yong floater mo. Magdidilig lang ako sa garden, ha? Kapag may kailangan ka, tawagin mo lang ako," rinig kong paalam sa akin ni Ate Cara.

Tumango ako at nagpasalamat bago hinarap ulit ang bisita na mukhang tinubuaan na ng ugat sa kinatatayuan. I walked toward him, taking his immobility as an advantage to snatch Rio from his hold. I smiled when the cat even raised his arms to welcome me.

"Hi, Rio," bati ko at hinaplos siya. "Dinadalaw mo si Tart? Naliligo siya sa pool, e. Gusto mo rin bang maligo?"

He mewled as an answer. Nagtaas ako ng tingin kay Engineer Merrick. He licked his lips and held out the flowers to me.

"Para sa 'yo..."

Kinuha ko iyon at ngumiti. "Thank you. Hindi ko alam na tutuloy ka ngayon."

If only I could smell, these flowers must be pleasing to my nose. Tulad siguro niya.

"I texted. I guessed you were busy because you didn't reply," he said. "Nagpaalam na ako sa mga magulang mo na pupunta ako rito."

"Oh!" Bahagya akong umatras. "Sorry, I was trying to make a new design for our product and discussed it with Twyla. Hindi ka ba busy ngayon?"

Umiling siya at hinagod ako ulit ng tingin. Tumingin ako sa direksyon ng pintuan sa backyard namin.

"Uh, mag-s-swimming sana ako. It's okay if you stay for a bit so Rio and Tart can play. Does he like water?"

He sucked in a deep breath, drifting my eyes to his broad chest when it stressed out.

"Yup. Marunong din siyang lumangoy." He smirked boastfully.

Lumawak ang labi ko. "Great! Halika sa likod!"

I turned around and went back to the pool area. Binitiwan ko roon si Rio at natanaw kong umahon agad si Tart sa tubig. The two lovely cats running into each other broke a giggle from me. Niyakap ko ang bulaklak at tinalikuran sila. Only to tripped backward after my face crashed against Engineer Merrick's wall chest.

His abrupt response to hook his arm around my waist foiled my fall. His bare skin directly laid on the skin of my lower back which sent me a million needles pricking my skin altogether. I heard Onyx's bark behind me, so I immediately fixed myself and stayed away from Engineer Merrick. Inilingan ko si Onyx para warning-an.

"Sorry. Ilalagay ko lang 'tong bulaklak sa loob at kukuha ako ng extra towel para kay Rio. Puwede kang umupo roon sa lounger o kaya sa may gazebo kung ayaw mong mainitan," sabi ko at itinuro ang dawang puwesto na tinutukoy.

Hindi niya man lang nilingon iyon at nanatili ang mga mata sa akin. Sumiklab ang nagbabagang apoy sa pisngi ko at tainga. I excused myself to go back inside and get some towel. I requested Ate Hadia to prepare us some snacks.

Nang bumalik ako, naroon na siya sa lounger katabi ng crochet bag ko at towel namin. Ang maiit na table sa tabi niya ay may club sandwiches at dalawang baso ng orange juice.

"Ayos ka lang ba rito? Kain ka muna, oh. Mags-swimming muna kami," I told him with a smile.

The intense desire not to glance at his now three button free chest or at his veiny arms was tough. May distansya na kami nito pero parang nakikita ko na ang usok na lumalabas sa likod ng suot niyang long sleeve. And I had to keep myself away from him as soon as I can.

"Ayos lang ako rito," sagot niya na kung ako ay nahihirapang iwasan siyang tingnan, ganoon naman siya kalantad tumingin sa dibdib ko.

Umirap ako at tinalikuran siya. Dinala ko ang floater sa gilid ng pool bago nag-dive sa tubig. Mamaya ko na gagamitin iyon. I need to get wet first!

"Wooh!" Humalakhak ako pagkaahon sa tubig habang nakataas ang dalawang kamay.

Ate Harley taught me how to float, dive, and swim. All basics, though, but it was better than not learning at all. I used to play with our dogs and cat in the water. Siyempre, hindì ako puwedeng magpatalo sa kanila! Kung kaya nila, kaya ko rin dapat!

I played their toys with them. When they began ignoring me and have their own animal business, I arose from the pool to get the inflatable floater. Nag-unahan sina Cookie, Donut, at Eclair sa pagpunta roon. Umahon sila sa gilid ng pool at tumalon sa floater. Hinawakan ko ang ulo ng ulo nito para hindi tuluyang matulak iyon palayo hanggang sa makaakyat sila.

I intended to crochet while on the floater like I usually do to refresh, but Engineer Merrick was here. My conscience was eating me while watching him only sitting on the lounger while I enjoy the water. Lumapit ako sa kaniya habang nag-iiwan ng mga patak at marka ang paa ko sa daang tinatahak.

His elbows were resting on his widely apart legs. Busy siya sa phone kanina pero nang lumapit ako ay tumunghay siya at nagmamadaling pinatay ang phone.

"Ayaw mo ba ng sandwich?" tanong ko dahil napansin kong hindi niya nagalaw iyon.

Umawang ang labi niya sa akin. I grabbed one of the towels behind him and wrapped it on me. His juice was half-empty. Kinuha ko ang aking baso at uminom nang kaunti bago inilapag ulit sa lamesita.

"Tapos ka nang mag-swimming?" he asked, completely ignoring my question.

Ngumiti ako. Binigyan ko ng mahigit isang dangkal na espasyo ang pagitan naming dalawa nang umupo ako sa parehong lounger kung nasaan siya. Kinuha ko ang sandwich nang hindi inaalis ang tissue nito bago iniabot sa kaniya. Tinanggap niya iyon bago ko kinuha ang isa pa.

"Hindi magandang tingnan na iwang mag-isa ang bisita," sabi ko at kinagatan ang sandwich. "If you can't join me, I'll join you."

I looked everywhere but in his direction. Even with my arms swathed with a towel, my leg facing his leg received the oozing heat from him that could dry my damp skin.

"Sorry. Hindi ko alam na may gagawin ka pala." His voice was husky. "Ituloy mo lang ang gagawin mo. Manonood lang ako sa inyo."

I gestured my chin to him. Bahagya siyang nakaharap sa akin at nakatukod ang kanang kamay sa pagitan naming dalawa.

"Manonood? Wala namang nakakatuwa sa panonood sa amin, Engineer Merrick," I said softly.

"Oh? I thought I was clear when I told you to call me by my name. At anong walang nakakatuwa sa panonood sa 'yo? Anything you do entertains me, Riri." The side of his lips upturned. "Kahit wala ka pang ginagawa, natutuwa na ako..."

Parang sinilihan ang mukha ko sa tono ng pananalita niya at paraan ng pagtitig. My fingers prodded the length of my sandwich tight that the fillings bulged a little. Kinagatan ko agad iyon nang nakita ang nangyari.

I was munching when my hand, with its own mind, carried itself to his hand where he was holding the sandwich. Inangat ko iyon para kumain din siya.

"Eat! You don't like sandwich?" sabi ko pagkatapos lumunok.

He was only watching me like what he said, I was an entertainment in whatever I do. Dumiretso ang likod ko at napasungkit ng dila sa gilid ng labi, naghahanap ng ano mang naiwang palaman dahil baka pinagtatawanan niya na pala ako dahil doon.

He chuckled when he saw me doing it. Dinala niya na rin sa wakas ang sandwich sa bibig at isang kagat ang ginawa habang nanatili ang tingin sa akin ng asul na mga mata. Nilapit ko ang sandwich ko sa kaniya para pagkumparahin.

"Your one bite is three times my mouthful," puna ko. "Tell me, are your eyes real blue, or you're only wearing contact lenses?"

His defined jaw stopped moving before swallowing. His hand on the lounger slinked to the spot behind me that I could now feel his heated arm on my back against the towel. His face ducked closer to mine, making both my hands flop on my lap.

In a jiffy, I drowned from diving into the vast and deep blue ocean of his eyes. My background blurred. My ears were plugged away from any noise. I could see anything but his eyes-like he was trying to suck me in to see the depth of his existence.

"Your eyes are so pretty," I mumbled.

"Mas maganda ang lahat ng sa 'yo," bulong niya pabalik.

Something tickled on my legs as my hand went empty. I closed my mouth with a silent chuckle. His eyes lowered to my lips, and he smirked. Nilingon niya si Donut na nilalantakan na ang sandwich ko.

"May nananalisi rito," untag ko habang umiiling sa aso bago ibinalik ang tingin kay Laigren. "Cookies or cupcake?"

His brow rose. "Cupcake."

I grinned. "I'll bake cupcakes, then. Marunong na akong mag-bake. Gusto mong sumama sa kitchen?"

Para siyang masunuring tuta na tumango. Nauna akong tumayo pero natiigilan nang naiwan ang tuwalya ko sa inupuan. He cursed under his breath upon realizing his hand was the culprit for unveiling my naked back. Pagkalapag niya ng pagkain sa plato ay tumayo siya dala ang tuwalya.

"Sorry," aniya habang nilalagay ulit sa balikat ko ang tuwaya.

"Thanks." Hinila ko ang magkabilang dulo ng towel para iyakap sa sarili.

Nag-iwas siya ng tingin kaya napansin ko ang pagkulay pink ng tainga niya. Pero nagtagal ang tingin ko roon nang mapansin ang tatlong itim na tintang nakaukit sa likod ng kaliwa niyang tainga. I only noticed it just now. Three little stars in different sizes. Nasa itaas ang pinakamalaki, pababa sa pinakamaliit, sinusundan ang kurba ng tainga sa gilid.

"You should change first. Paano itong mga alaga mo? Dito ba sila patutuyuin?"

Pinanood ko ang mga alaga na nagtatakbuhan na paikot sa pool pagkatapos iwan ang mga bituin sa likod ng tainga niya.

"Tatawagin ko si Ate Hadia para magpatulong. They're not allowed to go inside while they're wet. You can wait for me in the living room. Mabilis lang ako."

When I returned my eyes to him, I caught his eyes narrowing and his lips pouting to hide something.

"Uh, gusto mo isama ko na lang si Rio sa taas para mapatuyo ko siya agad?"

"Hindi na. Ako na ang bahala sa kanila. Pumasok ka na."

Tumango ako at pumasok na sa loob pagkatapos bigyan ng huling tingin ang mga alaga. Hindi naman ako nahirapan hanapin si Ate Hadia kaya nagpasuyo na ako.

I took a brief shower as soon as I got into my room. I abandoned it again after changing into a yellow halter-neck top and white shorts. I didn't blow dry my hair so it was damping and sticking on my bare back. I collected my hair with a hand and put them over my shoulder.

Sa isang sulok sa sala ay naabutan kong tahimik na ang dalawang pusa habang bino-blow dry sila ni Lairgren na naka-squat sa harapan nila. Ngumisi ako at lumihis ng lakad para i-check ang mga aso dahil naririnig ko ang sigaw ni Ate Hadia.

"Donut!" I yelled at my running dog who was giving Ate Hadia a hard time. "Baby, come to Momma!"

Sina Cookie, Eclair, at Onyx ay tuyo na at tahimik sa isang gilid ngunit pinaglalaruan naman ang isang tuwalya. I knew they enjoyed blow drying so much. When Donut started running to me, I lent out my hand to Ate Hadia for the towel. Lumuhod ako sa bermuda carpet at sinalubong si Donut. Pagkatapos siyang patuyuin ng tuwalya ay binigay ko na kay Ate Hadia para ma-blow dry.

"Ate, sa kusina lang po kami. Magbi-bake po," paalam ko.

"Sige, Miss. Tulungan ba kita..."

"Hindi po. Kaya ko na," sagot ko at ngumiti. "Kahit diyan na lang po sina Donut sa sala."

Nauna akong pumasok sa loob ng bahay. Onyx trotted after me. I perceived Tart and Rio hurdling on the stairs to the second floor. Nakapamulsang naglakad patungo sa akin si Lairgren.

"Ayos lang bang hayaan silang dalawa?"

Tumango ako. "Tama 'yan para hindi sila sa kusina manggulo. Tara?" I jerked my thumb toward the kitchen's direction.

Humilig ang ulo niya at bumaba ang tingin sa katawan ko. "Are you even wearing a bra, Riri?"

"Most of my crochet tops I made have pads, so I don't have to wear a bra," I apprised.

His lips thrust out.

Pareho sila ni Onyx na bumuntot sa akin. However, Onyx behaved in one corner while Lairgren was following me behind the counter. I yanked my minion apron from its rack, then went to him. His hip was leaning on the counter while crossing his arms and eyeing me like a hawk.

Lumawak ang ngiti ko nang makalapit sa kaniya. "Wear this. Lower your head, Lairgren," I ordered him while my arms were up.

His lips parted but he obliged to my words. Pagkayuko niya, sinuot ko agad sa leeg niya ang apron at pumunta ako sa likod niya para buhulin ang tali nito. I clapped my hands upon seeing my tiny apron on him, but pouted when I realized it only reach his hips. Hanggang gitna ng hita ko 'to, ah?

"It looks so small on you," kumento ko at hinawakan ang gilid ng apron. Ang mga mata ni Dave ay nakadikit sa taas ng dibdib ni Lairgren.

Napaigtad ako nang kalabitin niya ang pisngi ko. His playful smirk showed off when my lips pulled apart.

"I guess I'll be your assistant patissier. How may I help you now, Chef?" he teased.

It knocked me off from staring at him and got back to my agenda. I instructed him to get the baking tools from the cupboard while I got the ingredients. I swirled my hair up to my head and locked them using the hair clamp I randomly found in the kitchen.

"Red velvet na lang gawin natin. Madali lang naman 'yon..." sabi ko at sinipat siya.

Naabutan ko siyang nakangangang nakatulala sa akin. I called his names twice but he was unmoving. I snapped my fingers across his face. Kumurap na siya at dinilaan ang labi. Nagkaroon ng tupi sa gitna ng mga kilay niya at napahhawak sa tainga.

"Huy! If you're my assistant, you should be attentive!"

"Oo, pasensiya na. Paano po ba ang gagawin natin?" He smirked.

I preheated the oven first. Sa dry ingredients kami nagsimula. Tinuruan ko siya sa pag-measure. Basic lang ang alam ko kaya iyon lang din ang gagawin namin.

"Dalawang dosena na ang magagawa nito. Iuwi mo ang iba, ha?"

Tumango siya sa sinabi ko. I watched him pour the dry mixture to the wet mixture in the bowl mixer with measuring cup. Ngumiti ako habang pinapanood siyang matapos. Kinagat ko ang labi. Hindi ko na alam kung ano ang mas gusto kong gawin. Titigan siya o tapusin itong cupcake? O puwede namang pareho.

Mariin siyang pumikit at huminga nang malalim. "May gusto ka ba sa akin?" tanong niya at tumingin sa akin.

Dumulas ang siko kong nakapatong sa counter sa tanong niya. I scoffed in disbelief. Humalukipkip ako at tinaasan siya ng kilay.

"Excuse me? Ako talaga ang tinatanong mo niyan? Ikaw ang dumalaw rito... baka ikaw ang may gusto sa akin!" paratang ko.

"Anong gusto? Tingin mo nandito ako ngayon dahil gusto kita? Ganoon talaga kababaw ang tingin mo sa akin?"

Namilog ang mga mata ko kasabay ng pag-angat ng dibdib sa mahabang pagpuno ng hangin sa baga. My nose twitched. I had to bite my lower lip to prevent it from shaking. I let my arms swing on my side as I faced the mixer turn it on. I watched how the dry ingredients mixed with the crimson wet ingredients to create the final batter.

"Manliligaw ako sa 'yo, Riri..." he said rather than asked permission. "Manliligaw ako dahil higit pa sa salitang gusto kita ang nararamdaman ko para sa 'yo."

A few strands of my hair fell to the side of my face. The proximity between us got closer when he moved. Mula sa batter, lumipat ang mata ko sa kamay niyang humawak sa katawan ng mixer bowl.

"Ri..." garalgal na boses niyang tawag. "Manlilligaw ako." ulit niya.

The whisk stopped twirling when the batter reached my satisfaction with its texture. He removed the bowl from the stand mixer. Tumingala ako sa kaniya nang hindi siya gumalaw at nanatili lang hawak ang bowl.

His deep-set eyes were evocative and tantalizing. He wasn't giving me options to choose because he was informing me. As though telling me that no matter if I allowed him or not, he would pursue me.

"Gusto mong manligaw," I said demonstratively, and he nodded. "Then... are you willing to go under tests?"

His head slanted. "I know how to pass my exams now, Ma'am. What type of test must I pass this time?"

I raised my closed fist in between us. Umarko ang kilay niya.

"CBC test or the Complete Blood Count test, urinalysis, fecalysis, and lastly, semen analysis," I enumerated, raising a finger one by one from pinky to forefinger. "I want to make sure that you are healthy through these four tests. Kapag nasigurado kong wala kang nakahahawa o nakamamatay na sakit—"

"Boyfriend mo na ako?"

"Ang bilis mo naman!"

Ngumisi siya at kinalaykay ang buhok mula noo papunta sa batok. Ngayon ay may iilang hibla ng buhok niya ang nalaglag sa noo. But oh, my, he looked even better and hotter with his messy hair.

"Fine." He turned serious now. "Kailan ba ang test na 'yan? Sana sa lalong madaling panahon."

Inagaw ko sa kaniya ang bowl at iniwan siya sa puwesto. I looked for the rubber spatula, ice cream scoop, and cupcake liners. He was following me like an obedient pet.

"Pakisuyo naman sa cupcake pan," utos ko at itinuro kung saan nakalagay.

He obliged at once. Ngumuso ako, nagpipigil ng ngiti habang inaabot niya na sa akin iyong pan.

"Ri, kailan ang test?" ulit niya habang nag-i-scoop na ako ng cupcake batter papunta sa cupcake pan na may liner na. "Puwede bang ngayon na?"

Sinulyapan ko siya at inirapan. His ironclad arm was on the counter while drumming his fingers impatiently.

"Nagbi-bake tayo ngayon."

"Bukas, kung ganoon?" he suggested.

"Wala ka bang trabaho?"

"Meron. Pero ibibigay ko lang naman ang samples, hindi ba? Hindi ko lang alam kung paano ako kukuha ng dugo. Are you going to inject me with your needle?"

Huminto ako sa pag-scoop at tumingala sa kaniya. Abang na abang siya sa magiging sagot ko.

"Bakit ka ba excited?" Kumunot ang noo ko. "Puwedeng mauna 'yong unang tatlong binanggit ko. But for the last test, your abstinence should be observed for at least forty-eight hours..."

His throat bobbed as he looked away with a fold on his forehead. Nagpatuloy ako sa pag-scoop hanggang sa natapos at nananahimik pa rin siya.

"You know, I don't really mind if you're sexually active..." mahinang wika ko.

"No, Skyricharm." Umiling siya nang sunod-sunod at hinawakan ang braso ko. "T-that's not the problem. I can assure you that I'm perfectly healthy. I've never had sex with anyone."

"Ah..." Tumango ako. "Then... why were you suddenly quiet when I told you—"

He avoided my gaze, and I saw how his ears and neck turned red. "Alright. Two days of sexual abstinence are enough, right?"

Napapantastikong tinitigan ko siya. His hand on my arm slid down to my wrist, getting my attention.

"Yup..." I answered after three seconds, chuckling.

Umigting ang panga niya at humarap ulit sa akin, tila hindi nagustuhan ang ginawa kong tawa kaya agad kong kinagat ang labi pero nangingiti pa rin.

"Ano? Pinagtatawanan mo 'ko?" Pinaningkitan niya ako ng mata. "Bakit? Lalaki lang ako... kailangan ko ring..." he trailed off, then his face fully resembled the color of our cupcake batter.

"Magparaos?" I continued for him, taking the pan with me toward the oven. "You don't have to be shy. I'm not that innocent. I caught my brother and cousin watching porn when they were inebriated. Pati nga ang asawa ni Ate Asia ay nahuli niyang nanonood n'on bago sila ikasal," kuwento ko na mukhang napasobra.

Sinarado ko ang oven at pagkatapos i-set iyon sa tamang temperatura at oras, dumiretso na ako sa fridge para kumuha ng unsalted butter para sa gagawing icing. Nang makuha ang kailangan ay may isang kamay ang tumulak doon sa pinto pasara. Nanatili iyon sa taas ko at naramdaman ang paglapit niya sa akin mula sa likod.

He cornered me on the fridge with his one arm on my side and his large frame blocking my front. The short distance between our bodies was making my neck hurt just to meet his gaze. Ang mga mata ni Dave sa suot niyang apron ay para bang nanunuya rin.

"Oh, yeah? What about you? Your lips spat some smutty stuff, chipmunk. Have you watched porn, too? Hmm?" he asked in the most erotic tone I've ever heard.

The flame started beneath my feet and rapidly spread through my body up to my face that I might detonate and set the whole house on fire. The gratification from my reaction-which I deemed absolutely mortifying-was evident in the smug smirk curving on his lips. I suddenly regret teasing him. I thought he would not say anything as a comeback, and now it boomeranged to me.

"H-hindi, 'no!"

My free hand garnered some strength to push his chest away, but his other hand captured mine before it could even land on him. His mouth found its way to my ear, making me freeze from my spot.

Where's Onyx?! Is my guard dog still alive?

"Humanda ka sa akin kapag sinagot mo na ako..." bulong niya sa punong-tainga ko na nagpatindig ng mga balahibo ko.