Chapter 30 - The Offer

Steffanie did not know what to do. She was fully disoriented on the things that were happening around her.

It was dark, very, very dark. Wala siyang makitang kahit na ano. But she did not worry on her surroundings. Sanay na siya sa ganoon. She was legally blind after all. What worried her was the man who was dragging her out of the place.

Gareth was firmly holding her hand as he led her to only god knows where.

"Don't worry I'll bring you to safety," he softly said amidst the chaos.

Dumagundong ang dibdib niya sa kaba. His voice sent some unknown yet very familiar sensation in her body. Napapakit na lamang siya habang nagpapaubaya dito.

Sabi nito'y dadalhin niya ito sa isang ligtas na lugar. But could she believe him? After all of those things that had happened between them? After all the heartaches?

She was having an internal turmoil in her insides. Nagtatalo ang puso at ang utak niya. Part of her wanted to trust her, like she did before. But part of her reminded her of those hideous things that he had done.

But despite everything, heto siya't nagpapaubaya pa rin dito.

A fear like no other groped Gareth's heart. Nang mamatay ang ilaw kanina, he immediately went towards Steff. Hindi niya alam kung bakit but it seemed that his body got a mind of its own.

He immediately responded to the sudden shift of danger around them. When he heard the explosion, his feral instinct rose. He wanted to protect her. He wanted to save her.

Somehow a feeling of nostalgia beckoned on him. Naalala niya ang multo ng nakaraan, those days when he was still his knight in shining armor, those days when he was nothing but a fool to her.

He dragged her out of the place. All of their issues could wait. Ang mahalaga'y makalabas sila ng maayos sa lugar na iyon.

The whole place was cramped by evacuating people. Everyone screamed and panicked. It was pure chaos. Nahirapan siya sa paghahanap ng exit. His small flashlight was no help at all.

Nag-aalala siya kay Steffanie. He wanted to deny it but he simply couldn't ignore this anymore. There was still this small part in him that cared for her.

He felt a sudden confusion with this realization. Love was definitely out of the question. He did not love her anymore. Baka awa ang nararamdaman niya. Yup. Tama. Awa na lamang ang nadarama niya para dito. He pitied her and that's it.

Agad niyang naaninaw ang pinto palabas. A feeling of relief finally enveloped him. Sa wakas, wala na sila sa peligro.

"Please let go of my hand," came Steff's soft whisper.

He looked at her, she was looking down. Waring naaasiwa sa ayos nilang dalawa. He immediately examined her.

She was wearing the most hideous dress ever created. It showed more than it should cover. Ni wala nang iniwan sa imahinasyon ang tabas ng damit.

Nagtagis ang mga ngipin niya. He slowly let go of her hand. Their small proximity sent static in his system. He once again felt the softness of her skin. She was definitely more beautiful.

Agad niyang hinubad ang suot na coat. He gently put the coat over her shoulders.

"It's cold, sweetheart."

He still cannot prevent himself from saying that endearment to her.

He inhaled her scent. She smelled like the sweetest and freshest flowers. He was suddenly addicted to her smell. He wanted to more of her. He wanted to do more to her. His imagination began to run wild. He pictured her naked body in his mind. He imagined the sound of her moans as he drove himself deeper inside her.

His body immediately reacted. His manhood was suddenly aroused in anticipation and longing. He was so fvcking hard, he wanted to ravish her right then and there.

He was suddenly faced with another terrifying fact. He might not love her anymore but his desire for her was overwhelming.

He immediately fished his phone from his pocket and dialled Clarence's number.

"Clarence, we are here at the entrance. Sunduin mo kami," he said when his Chevalier answered his call.

Steffanine should have run away already. Dapat ay kanina pa siyang umalis. But she just remained frozen as she watched him call his Chevalier.

A beautiful black sedan suddenly stopped in front of them.

"May I ask, my lady if she could accompany me for a late night coffee," Gareth said as he lead her through his car.

Nag-aalinlangan siya. Why would he invite her? He hated her. She could still that flicker of anger in his eyes he looked at her.

But this time, the anger mirrored in his amber eyes was coupled with lust. She knew how he looked at her every time they made love in the past. He looked at her like a precious and fragile porcelain. But now, he looked at her like she was somehow his prey and he wanted to completely devour her.

"C'mon now sweetheart. Don't you want to talk? For old time sakes?" he said.

Biglang niyang naalala ang pangako sa sarili. She wanted to have a closure with him. She wanted to be finally free of the past. Ayaw na niya nang may dinadalang pait sa kanyang puso. Gareth had been a part of her life. And no matter how she tried to belittle it, their moments together was the best time of her life.

She needed to move on. And the way she saw it, Gareth needed to move on as well. At mangyayari lamang iyong kung pareho silang mag-uusap.

So with good faith, sumama siya dito.

Total silence engulfed the cramped space inside Gareth's car. Tahimik lamang si Steff at hindi nagsasalita. Pinagmamasdan niya ito the whole time. It seemed that he cannot took his eyes off her. She was simply ethereal and beautiful.

She was staring blankly outside, waring may malalim itong iniisip.

"After all this years, huh, we're finally face to face."

She gave her a look that could pass for an Ice Queen.

"We just met the other day, your highness." She reminded her.

His memories flew to that very moment. There he was at the Winter's Ball, flustered at the sight of her. She was very beautiful. The pictures in the magazine did not do her justice. Suddenly, he was rendered immobile and speechless. She was beyond anything he could ever imagine. But his fantasy came crumbling down when he saw her with Tristan. All of the things that had happened in the past came back to him.

So with a raging anger in his heart, he did something that he had regretted.

Ramdam pa rin niya ang magkabilang sampal na binigay nito. He admitted that his actions were uncalled for. But he couldn't prevent himself. He was jealous of seeing him with his brother. He was jealous that Steffanie chose Tristan over him.

"We are here, your highness," Clarence said. Doon naputol ang kanyang pag-iisip sa mga bagay-bagay ng nakaraan.

Apparently, they finally arrived at the Boreas Palace.

Steffanie was observing the whole place. She was inside a room grander than a hotel. It was the epitome of the word luxury.

"This is my bedroom," Gareth said.

Muli niyang iginala ang paningin sa paligid. Bedroom lang ang lugar na ito? The room was practically at least fifty square meters. Iba talaga ang mga royalty. Kahit sa kinikita niya ngayon, she still couldn't afford this type of lavishness.

But she kept her thoughts to herself. Ayaw na niyang magsalita pa. Unnecessary words would do no good to both of them.

She looked at the decadently sweet cookies in front her. It was very beautifully and artistically baked. She wanted to take a bite but the tension in the room made her lose appetite.

"So what do you want us to talk about, your higness," she said. She finally want this to be over with. Oras na para talagang masinsinan silang makapag-usap.

He just stood in front of her. Hawak-hawak nito ang isang kopita ng red wine. He took a sip.

"Basically, I want to hire you."

Napakunot ang noo niya sa sinabi nito. What?!

"Anong pong ibig nyong sabihin?"

"I wanted to promote Aphodel's tourism and I need a celebrity for that. I think you'll be fit for our tourism ad."

Huminga siya ng malalim. She actually expected something else.

"Okay, then. I'll give you the number of my agency, your highness. Sila ang mas nakakaalam ng schedule ko." She said as she grabbed her phone inside her purse.

Isinulat niya sa isang maliit na sticky notes ang numero ng kanyang agent.

"Here it is." Inabot niya ito dito.

Agad naman itong lumapit at kinuha ang papel.

"Is there anything else? Lumalalim na kasi ang gabi. I want to go to my hotel," she said.

"There is still something I have to talk to you," he silently said as he looked in her eyes.

"What?" she replied. She could see the flaming desire in his amber eyes.

"How much?"

"Ang agency na ang bahalang kumausap pos a inyo, kamahalan." Naglayo na siya ng tingin. She cannot bear his piercing stare anymore.

"I am not talking about that. How much will I pay you to have you in my bed?"

Nagpanting kanyang mga tenga sa narinig.

"I beg your pardon?" she asked. The anger contained inside her was now swirling like a raging magma. She was ready to explode any moment.

Lumapit ito sa kanya. Napasandal siya sa kanyang kinauupuan. He was leaning down on her. His hands were both holding her chair's handrail.

"I said. How much will I pay for me to have sex with you."

Napalunok siya. Their closeness had immediately sent jolts of flickering desire to her body. But those feelings were overridden with anger.

"Lumayo ka sa akin. Ngayon din." She said. Nagpupuyos na sa galit ang kanyang kalooban. He still saw her as a whore. Isang bayarang babaeng gagapang sa kama dito.

Nagtagis na ang kanyang mga bagang sa galit.

'You dare to command, me?" he challenged her.

Kung hindi lamang napakalapit nito'y baka nasampal na naman niya ito ng muli. She tried to push him but he didn't budge.

"Get off of me!" she shouted. But Gareth still remained unmoving.

"You know what, sweetheart. Every time we talk, nag-aaway lang tayo. Why not let just our body decide on what they want."

Agad nitong sinakop ang kanyang mga labi. It evoked a flaming desire in her being. His kissed began to deepen and she cannot help herself but surrender in his sweet assault.

She was completely hypnotized. Her mind was lost inside this swirling frenzy of lust.

There was no time speak. He scoped her up. Tangan-tangan siya nito as he deposited her on his bed. Their lips were still tied up together.

All of her inhibitions were now thrown all the way out of the window. Wala na siyang maisip pa kundi ang ligayang nadarama nang mga oras na iyon.

She felt the warmth of his embrace as he hold her closely to her.

"Sweetheart, you are so sweet!" he said in between his kisses.

They immediately tore their clothing. It took them less than a minute to get completely naked.

His hand began to caress the sides of his breast, kneading and tantalising her nipple to life. It was indeed a glorious feeling for her.

His tongue then started to do wonders in between her valleys. She felt so hot and alive. His licks were sending trails of hot sensation in her body.

She felt her suck one of her peaks.

"Oh, Gareth!" she shouted as he softly bite it. He was definitely playing with her nipple as his tongue skilfully nibbled it while his hand knead her other breast.

She was in the verge of destruction. She felt the hot fluids flow on her most sensitive spot.

He then looked in her eyes. His stare was smoky and it was lingering all over her face.

"You are beautiful," he candidly said.

Gusto niyang maiyak sa sinabi nito. Somehow, in the middle of this chaotic whirlwind ride of lust, she could still fell his sincerity.

"I want you, sweetheart. Do you want me, too?" he asked.

She didn't answer.

He rubbed the tipped of his engorged manhood on the lips of her womanhood. Caressing it upward, downward and sideways.

"Answer me!" he shouted.

She couldn't take it anymore. She was in the brink of total surrender.

"I want you, Gareth!"

"Where, sweetheart? You want me where?"

He said as he continued his blissful torture. This time, the head of his c-o-c-k was now gently attacking her clit. It sent more and more waves of punishing sensation.

"Come inside me!"

It was all Gareth needed to hear. He immediately impaled his c-o-c-k inside her. His invasion was quick and hard. He immediately felt the familiar glorious sense of being inside her. He wanted to push deeper but a barrier was preventing him. She was so fvcking tight. It felt as if she was a virgin.

He paused for a moment. She suddenly stopped moaning. She looked at him as if asking why.

"Sweetheart, it's been so long. I'll just let you get used to my size again," he said.

Tumango-tango lang ito.

"Look at how beautiful we are together," he said as he looked down at the part where they were together. He suddenly felt himself grew harder. Damn! He was like a fvcking horndog.

Just like the old times, he still could help himself but to be in awe of her beauty. He was still beguiled by her innate sensuality.

He then began to pump in and out of her. His hand found his nub. His fingers played with it as she drowned in this state of delirium.

Those tiny little moans and gasps made him want her more. He began to increase his tempo. Her body was moving against him, meeting his thrusts with equal yet possessive motions. He was definitely in a haven of pleasure.

His hands began to clasp her hips. He held her firmly in place as he changed the angle of his penetration. He knew the spot where she ached the most and with that, he gave a swift and hard thrust.

"Aaaahhhh!!!" She shouted. Lalo lamang nabuhay ang kanyang dugo.

He withdrew his long hard c-o-c-k from her extremely wet pussy. He could already feel his climax but he wanted to prolong their love making. He wanted to cherish this moment. So without any warning, he drove his manhood in a fast, potent and hard assault. It was absolutely possessive and barbaric.

The pleasure brewing inside him was out of control. She felt her body shudder, and in one final thrust, she came.

This triggered more excitement to him. He rammed inside her like a maniac. He could feel his own climax, too. So with everything that was in him, he kissed her hard in the mouth. His tongue was now darting in and out of his mouth just as his c-o-c-k was impaling her velvety folds.

He savoured their union. They were so engrossed to the wantonly pleasure of this primate dance that in one swift motion, he came inside her. He could feel the warm potent seeds as it scatter in her womb.

It was so pleasurable that he felt complete. He felt satisfied but at the same time he wanted more of her. And just like in the past, his experience tonight will top anything that he had done before. This was simply precious.

Galit na galit si Steffanie sa kanyang sarili. Once again he fell for this man's seductive charm. She just jumped into his bed like a tramp.

Siguro nga ay tama ito. She was a whore when it came to him. She just cannot get a hold of her desire for him.

"Regrets?" Gareth said.

Katatpos lamang ng kanilang pagniniig. They didn't made love once. Not even twice. She actually gave herself three times to this man tonight.

She just remained motionless as she stared at him. She was physically and mentally exhausted. Nanitili lamang siyang nakaupo sa kama nito habang nakatabing ang kumot sa kanyang hubad na katawan

Tumayo ito mula sa pagkakaupo. He didn't have anything on but he didn't care. Kumuha ito ng isang papel mula sa desk nito. He wrote something in there saka muling bumalik sa kama.

Inabot nito sa kanya nga dalang papel.

It was a check under her name. Muntik nang lumuwa ang kanyang mga mata sa nakitang halagang naroroon. Twenty million.

"That's for tonight."

Gusto na namang pumatak ng kanyang luha. He really thought of here like a common whore.

She steeled herself. Hindi na siya ang Steffanie na kaya nitong tapak-tapakan. She's now a woman of substance.

She will not let him hurt her anymore. Two can definitely play on that game.

Inilagay niya ang check sa side table. She then flashed him a very seductive smile.

"Thank you for your generosity, your highness." She said to him.

Nagtagis ang bagang nito.

It was no use explaining herself. Ilang beses na niyang sinubukan but he just wouldn't listen. If he thought of her as a slut, then so be it. Wala na siyang pakiaalam pa.

She was a cosmopolitan woman now. Sex is just sex. At kahit anong gawin niyang pagtanngi, she still desired this man. Love or not. She wanted him also just as he wanted her.

"So I presume that you'll accept my offer," he said.

Tumaas ang isa niyang kilay. "Who wouldn't resist this hefty amount of case, definitely not me."

"Just as I thought."

Siguro nnga'y tuluyan na siyang nababaliw sa pagpatol sa gusto nito. But she also craved for his touch and kisses.

"But I do have a slight condition, your highness."

Nanatiling tahimik ito.

"I will call the shots here. We'll fvck when I feel like fvcking. No forcing, no blackmailing. That's simple."

"And why should I allow that, I pay for your pussy. And might I not say, it's very expensive."

His words hurt like a dagger. But her heart was now made of stone.

Muli niyang kinuha ang checke sa tabi niya saka inabot dito.

"That's it. If you do not want my terms then, fine. You can have this back. Total naman nasiyahan din ako ngayong gabi."

She saw anger flashed in his eyes.

"Fine then!"

She smiled at him, the smile that she always showed at the end of the runway.

"Thank you then."

"I too have a condition."

"Fire away."

"Don't be delusional we'll just be fvcking buddies, friends with benefits, no strings attached. We'll just doing it for the sake of sex. Nothing more nothing less. We should not meddle in each other's life."

Natuyo na ang kanyang lalamunan. How can this man be so cruel.

"Fine by me. Just a little bit corrections. Sofia and I, we are friends. But you and me? Nope, we are not. So quit calling us fvck buddies or friends with benefits, 'cos we are not. We are just both consenting adult who like to play with fire."

It took her almost all of her courage just to say her piece.

"Okay," malamig na sabi nito.

"Then let me make the best out of my money."

He then started to kiss her again. They made love for the fourth and fifth time that night.

Gareth woke up that morning feeling complete. No nightmares. No worries. All but good night rest. It had been a while since he felt this good.

Napangiti siya nang maalala ang mga naganap nang nagdaang gabi. Steff was with him.

Kinapa niya ang babae sa kanyang tabi but her spot was vacant.

He suddenly felt distressed. Nasaan na ito?

Nataranta siya. Agad na nilibot ng kanyang paningin ang paligid. He checked the bathroom and his mini-kitchen ngunit wala ito.

Instead, a toast and egg was at the counter along with a note.

Prince Gareth,

Need to leave early. I have a photo shoot today.

I made you breakfast. Hope you'll eat it.

Thanks for last night by the way.

Enjoy the rest of your day.

Hindi siya maaaring magkamali. Sulat iyon ni Steffanie.

His happiness was suddenly replaced by a hollow feeling. Somehow, Steffanie's reappearance in his life raised so many of his buried emotions. Nasapo na lang niya ang mukha. This shouldn't happen. She was nothing for him. She's just a whore. She's a gold digging slut. But no matter what ugly words he painted her, he still couldn't get his mind off her beautiful and honest smile.

He was so fvcking damned.