Chapter 18 - The Teasing Game

Steffanie was looking intently at her best friend. Kasalukuyang nag-aalmusal sila ni Sofia sa isang pribadong restaurant.

"Thanks, Steff. Pinagbigyan mo naman ako sa mga sumpong ko," she said while chewing her pancakes.

She just gave her friend a very understanding smile. Tinawagan kasi niya ito kaninang madaling araw. She sounded very distressed. Apparently, her best friend was having cold feet. Kinabukasan na kasi ay kasal na nito.

"No worries. Alam mo namang nandito lang ako para sa yo," wika niya.

"I just feel very... very... nervous." Nagbaba ito ng tingin.

She held her hand, empathizing with her friend. Nauunawaan niya ang nararamdaman nito. Tomorrow will not be an ordinary wedding. It will never be a simple union of two souls. Tomorrow's event will be etched on Pendragon's history. Tomorrow will be the beginning of Pendragon's future. Tomorrow, everyone will officially see the next monarch. Tomorrow, Sofia York will be the Crown Princess of the kingdom. She will be the future Queen of Pendragon.

She could just imagine the turmoil that she was experiencing. Sofia was a free soul. She was not the type of person that could be chained and shackled in one place. She was the walking definition of the word, adventure.

"But you know Steff?" tumimbre ito. But she did not continue her statement. Bumuntong hininga na lamang ito.

"What is it Sofia? You can tell it to me. Alam mo namang bukas lagi ang tainga ko para sa yo. I am always prepared to listen."

Muli itong bumuntong-hininga, "Actually Steff, wala naman sa akin kung maging Crown Princess ako or hindi. Kung ako nga ang tatanungin, I would rather be just a commoner. Alam mo yun? Just a simple person who lives a simple life. Not caring about statuses. No nobility ranks. No royal titles."

Her friend gave a sigh. This was one of the very rare times that Sofia got depressed and worried. Most of the time, masigla at aktibo ito. She was a person of thousand smiles. She was little miss sunshine. But this wedding was taking toll on her.

"Alam mo yun Steff, I should be excited. People are clamouring. Kay raming may gustong mapunta sa lugar ko. But..."

She could feel her hesitations.

"Sofia," she said.

Agad naman itong tumingin sa kanya. She could her watery eyes, waring nagbabadya ng tumulo ang mga luha nito.

"I know you can do it, Sofia. Kilala kita. Kapag ginusto mo, you can definitely excel. You'd be a great matriarch."

Naikuyom nito ang kanyang mga kamay.

"Yun na nga, Steff. Hindi ko naman ginusto ito."

Sofia was fuming. Kitang-kita niya ang alab sa mga mata nito. But she didn't budge. She knew her inside and out. Alam niyang defence mechanism lamang ito ng dalaga.

"Just like what I said. Kilala kita. You are my best friend. No need to put that façade in front of me. Alam kong kapag ayaw mo, ayaw mo talaga. Walang sinuman ang makakapilit sa yong gawin ang mga bagay na ayaw mo. Not me. Not your father. Not even King Rupert himself."

Nabigla ito sa sinabi niya. Agad itong naglayo ng tingin.

"And what do you mean by that?"

She kept the genuine smile on her face. "Sofie... I know na gusto mo rin ito. I see that genuine twinkle in your eyes whenever you are with Arthur. I know that you have fallen in love with him."

And that broke Sofia's silent tears. Bumagsak na ang mga luha nito.

"Steff..." she held her hand, squeezing it tightly. Waring kumukuha ito ng lakas ng loob sa kanya.

"Friend, ang hirap. Arthur is like an unreachable star. Ang hirap niyang abutin. He tends to be sweet but he can be the biggest ass. He can make me smile, but damn it! Siya rin naman ang nagpapaiyak sa akin," she said while wiping her tears off.

"Naiinis na ako. I am like a fool. Yes! I am head over heels with that man. Pero... Pero..."

Hinayaan lang niya itong magbuhos ng saloobin sa kanya.

"It's really difficult, Steff. I always wonder. Paano kung normal na tao na lang siya. That he is just a plain Arthur and not the Crown Prince. Siguro, hindi magiging ganito kakumplikado ang lahat. Siguro, I can just freely fall in love with him. Hold hands with him. Kiss in an amusement park. Eat together without any worries."

Finally, her friend admitted everything. Noon pa lang ay nakita na niya ang mga senyales. She had fallen in love with the Crown Prince. She had already given her heart to that man. Sa wakas may nagmamay-ari na rin ng komplikado at malikot na puso ni Sofia.

"Sofia. I know it can be difficult for you. But everything is just trivial. Give yourself a chance. Be happy."

Iyon na lamang ang mabibigay niyang payo sa kaibigan. She was no better than her because she, too, had fallen in love with a Prince.

"I know it's not easy. But you are Sofia York. Hindi duwag ang kilala kong ikaw. You could move mountains. You could touch the sky. That's how brave my friend is."

Walang patid na ang pagdaloy ng luha ni Sofia.

"Thank you, Steff. Thank you talaga," she said in between sobs.

"Ano pa ba ang role ng bestfriend?" she smiled at her friend. Hindi na rin kasi niya napigilan ang pagtulo ng sariling mga luha. She was genuinely happy for her friend. She will embark in a new chapter in her life. But despite that, hindi pa rin nito nakalimutang isama siya. She will always be her best friend.

"Basta Steff. Ako ang maid-of-honor mo sa Royal Wedding mo."

Nagulat siya sa sinabi nito. Just what did she say?

"Ano ba yang pinagsasabi mo, friend?"

"Kunwari ka pa. Painosente effect. Kilala rin kita Steff. You have that same twinkle in your eyes. Don't you deny that my friend. Alam kong in love ka rin at alam na alam ko kung sino," she said. This time wala na ang lungkot sa tinig nito. She was now mischievous.

"It's not what you think, Sofia. Gareth and I..."

"Oh, tingnan mo! Ni wala pa nga akong sinasabing pangalan. Nahuhuli ka sa sarili mong salita, Steff!"

I guessed her friend was back to her normal self. Siya naman kasi ang pinagtitripan nito.

"But seriously. I am happy, Steff. Masaya ako at natagpuan mo ang kaligayahang meron ka ngayon. I remember those times when you just cry yourself out because of your family. I am happy to see you happy."

Tama ito. Gareth was like a ray of sunshine that lightened her dark world. He made her happy. His small actions tickled her heart. Dati'y puno ng pait ang kanyang buhay. But now, she felt happy. She was contented. For her, Gareth was her knight in shining armor, he was her pillar of support, and he was the man that she fell in love with.

"So tell me Steff? Ano na ang status ng relationship niyo?"

She just answered with a smile. Hindi rin kasi niya alam ang isasagot dito. She knew it in herself that she loved the man. She was sure that her heart was only for him. But she was afraid to tell that to him. They both know that what they had was special. They were just simply cherishing their moments together. They didn't care about labels and other whatnots. But still a simple question always boiled in her thoughts, ano nga ba talaga sila ni Gareth?

Magsasalita pa sana siya pero nakita niyang wala sa kanya ng atensiyon ni Sofia. Sofia was looking at the door of the restaurant.

"I think nandiyan na ang sundo mo Steff," she said to her teasingly while she pointed out the door.

Agad naman niyang nilingon ang tinuran ng kaibigan. And right then and there, she saw the man who was occupying most of her sleepless nights and waking moring. Gaareth was there, standing tall and mighty as he surveyed the place. Nagtama ang tingin nila. He gave her a smile. She felt her heart skipped a beat. Oh my... that smile should be illegal.

Dahan-dahang itong lumapit sa kanila.

"Pre-wedding preps?" he said.

"Yep. Sofia called me early this morning."

"Good morning Prince Gareth. I hope you didn't mind borrowing Steff."

"It's okay. Don't worry about this sis—" natigilan ito.

"I mean, Her Royal Highness."

Sofia just gave a beaming smile to both of them. Tumayo na ito mula sa upan.

"O siya. I'd better go. You both enjoy yourselves today. And please don't be late at my wedding tomorrow."

She just gave her a nod.

"No worries, Soffie. I'll be there one hour before the ceremony."

Gareth had never seen someone as beautiful as Steffanie. Hindi niya maiwasang timitig sa magandang mukha nito habang nagpipinta ang dalaga. Every stroke that she made brought grace and beauty. Her every movement was fluid. She was definitely in her best place, she was in her element.

"Is there something the matter?" tanong nito sa kanya. She looked at him with shear wonder in her eyes. He golden locks were now running loose.

"Nothing, sweetheart. I am just amazed at how beautiful you are."

She blushed all over. This was one of the things that he liked about her. Napakatotoo nito sa sarili. She was very candid, no pretentions, no masks. She was just simply being herself.

There was a sudden rush of thought in his mind. Suddenly, he felt very excited.

"Steff." He started.

"Yes?" she answered even without looking at him.

"Your exhibit, 'di ba next week na iyon?"

Tumango naman ito habang ipinagpapatuloy ang pagpipinta sa hawak na sketchpad.

"So kelan ang nude painting session natin?"

Nakita niya ang pagkabigla sa mukha nito. She glanced at him, her eyes mirroring her bewilderment. Lalo lamang naumala ito.

"What are you saying?" sinabi nito na waring nahihiya pa.

"I just remembered. Sinabi mo dati that we'll have a nude painting session. So when will that be?"

She was now red all throughout, blushing to the roots of her hair. Natutuwa siya sa nakikitang reaksyon nito. He wanted to tease her more.

"Ahmm... Medyo matagal pa. Are you OK with it?" mahinang wika nito.

"OK, with what?" He was now grinning from ear to ear.

"I mean, ayos lang ba sa yo na magmodel nang nakahubad?" she was stumbling with her words.

"I am fine with that but under one condition."

"Ano iyon?"

"You must be nude as well."

The thought of her nude body stirred his manhood. Fvck! He suddenly felt horny. He suddenly wanted to fully embed himself inside her. He suddenly wanted to love her body.

Hindi na ito umimik pa. Pinagpatuloy na lamang nito ang pagpipinta. But he wouldn't let her escape. Not now that he was enjoying teasing her. Suddenly, a naughty thought passed in his mind.

"Why don't you paint me now, Steff? In nude, that is."

Tumayo siya mula sa kinauupuan. He started removing his polo shirt. It was very easy to do. He exposed his hard and lean body to her. Kitang-kita niya ang panlalaki ng mga mata nito. But she did not speak. She just watched him in utter amazement.

He now removed his belt. She suddenly looked tensed, her eyes not leaving his body. He saw the flickering ember in her blue eyes. Her eyes were now gleaming with desire.

He continued to tease her. This time, he started stripping off his pants. He opened his fly, flimsily touching his reared c-o-c-k. He was intensely looking at her while he removed his pants. There was an unexplainable flow of desire in her eyes. She was definitely on fire like him.

He then removed his briefs, his c-o-c-k now sprang freely from its confinement. He was so hard and potent. His desire for the woman was overwhelming.

Nagbigay siya ng isang pilyong ngiti sa dalaga, "Liked what you see? Go ahead and paint me sweetheart."

Bumalik siya sa kaninang posisyon nito. Only this time, he was completely naked.

Nakita niya ang sunod-sunod na paglunok ng dalaga. She was intimidated. Naglayo ito ng tingin sa kanya, waring may malalim na iniisip.

Hindi ito kumibo ng ilang minuto. She just plainly looked at him. She eyed every part of his body. Her stare felt like a blazing fire, igniting a burning sensation around him. He felt himself grew an inch more. He needed her. He wanted her.

But what she did next surprised him. Steffanie stood up. Inilugay nito ang buhok na nakatali. She sexily combed her hands through her golden locks. She was like a goddess straight from the heavens. She was the mistress of seduction and he was just a willing slave of her beauty and ardour.

Isa-isa na rin nitong tinanggal ang mga saplot nito sa katawan. Next thing he knew, she was complety nude. Dumako ang mga mata niya sa pinaka maselang parte ng katawan nito. She was already dripping wet. And he knew that it was all for him.

He was literally drooling over her. At laking gulat niya sa ginawa nito. Despite the enveloping sexual tension between them, Steff chose to grab her sketch pad and sat down to her stool. She then continued her drawings. Kung kanina'y napakaganda nito. Ngayon, in her birthday suit, she was beyond marvellous. She looked ethereal, a personification of the ancient beauties. Every contour of her body was properly in-place.

"What are you doing, sweetheart?" he asked.

"I am doing what you asked," she calmly said.

But despite that, he could see that her body was responding to him. Her nipples were rock-hard. Her pussy was dripping wet. He could feel her desire for him. Pinagsawa niya ng tingin ang katawan nito. She was really freaking hot. He felt his manhood throbbed in anticipation.

"What do you mean?" He rose up from his sit, his d-i-c-k proudly protruding against his belly. Napailing siya. This was how he ached for her. Gusto na niyang daluhungin ito. He felt his primal nature rose. He wanted her right now.

"Please return to your seat. I am painting you," she said, stopping him midway.

Muli siyang umupo, his massive hard-on did him no good. Nagsisi tuloy siya sa ginawa. He provoked her too much. And now, he was the one suffering. His balls were aching with need and he couldn't do anything about it.

Lumipas ang apat na oras. Four long hours of pure torture. He actually lauded himself for being so tamed. He really wanted to devour her. He wanted to eat her whole. But for the sake of her fvcking art, he behaved.

Tumayo na ito, mula sa pagkaka-upo. She was about to leave the room when he suddenly ran to her. He hugged her from behind, his engorged manhood sensually touching her back.

"Where do you think, you're going right now?" he whispered in her ear. He felt her whimper.

"Itatapon ko lang ang mga pintura," she weakly said.

"You can do that, later. I just want to be inside you now, sweetheart."

Ipiniling niya ito paharap sa kanya. And without any more preliminaries, he caught her lips with his. He kissed like crazy, completely tasting her sweetness and succulence. Hindi na siya nagpatumpik-tumpik pa. There was no time for foreplay. He had been tempted long enough. He was engulfed with this burning desire for this woman. He needed to extinguish that fire. And it can be only done by joining with her, feeling her tight passage envelope his c-o-c-k.

"Do you want me, sweetheart?"

She dug her nails into his back. "I want you..." her voice was now drowned in twirls of burning desire.

Inihiga niya ito, her back touching the wooden floor. He was on top of her. Pinagsawa niya ng tingin ang buong katawan nito. Her body was definitely a piece of art. She would be a subject of envy to every woman. She had the curves at the proper places. Her skin was light as milk and clear as porcelain. Her body was the epitome of perfection.

"Where do you want me to be, sweetheart?"

Inangkla nito ang mga kamay sa kanyang batok, and with pleading eyes, she expressed how much she ached for him. "I want you right inside me, Gareth."

That was the only thing he needed. Like a savage beast, he went inside her. Her v-a-g-i-n-a-l muscle tightly quenched his c-o-c-k upon entry, surrounding him completely with her feminine essence. He started pounding into her, hard and fast, in and out. Their mating was far from gentle. It was rough. It was barbaric. It was catatonic.

She screamed his name over and over with every thrust. He loved the sound of her delicious moans. It aroused a primate instinct within him, like a fvcking caveman who saw a fire for the first time.

He continued to ram inside her. He felt like he was freefalling in a never ending abyss of sensation. It was pure bliss, he felt like exploding. But he kept himself intact. He was not a selfish lover. He wanted her to be also drawn inside this oblivion of wanton pleasure.

"This is only mine, Steff. Remember that." The possessive nature within him suddenly rose. Pagdating sa babaeng ito, he cannot help himself but to be selfish. She's already his and that's that. No other man could ever give this pleasure. Only him.

The thought of other men doing these things for her sent blood in her eyes.

"Tell me, Steffanie. Who could only do this to you?" he pulled out from her. He rubbed the tip of his manhood to her throbbing clit.

She moaned in agony. "Answer me, sweetheart? Sino lang ang makakagawa nito sa 'yo?"

He thrust back in. This time, it was harder. This time, it was deeper.

"Only you." She was delirious, totally foreboding in this sweet surrender.

Then in a spur of the moment, in between his thrusts and kisses, she said the words that caught him off guard. "I love you, Gareth. I love you..." then she came.

He kept pumping in and out of her even after she climaxed. He sought his own completion, a feeling of satisfaction that Steff could only give. Lalo lamang nagningas ang pagnanasang nararamdaman nang marinig nito ang mga salitang ito mula kay Steff.

In moments, he started coming, bursting his potent seeds inside her. He felt complete. He felt sated but he wanted more of her.

She looked at him in the eyes. "I love you."

Once again, she said those words. It should have sounded the warning bells to him. These words meant commitment. These words meant shackles. These words meant hurt. He should have already left at the sound of it. But he kept himself intact. Kinapa niya ang sarili. Was he in love with her? He cared for her, yes. But did he love her?

He was never good with commitment. He will only hurt her. He doesn't know how to love. Ang tanging alam lang niya ay makipaglaro. He knew every fvcking way to please a woman in bed, but when it came down to love, he was completely clueless. He looked at her eyes. She saw dreams and expectations.

He slowly removed himself from her. Kinapa niya ang sariling nararamdaman. Steff did not deserve a man like him. She was a woman of a thousand smiles. And he... He will be just the grim reaper who'll take that smile away from her. He will not be good to her.

Suddenly, he knew what to do. He kissed her forehead.

"It was amazing, sweetheart. See you at tomorrow's wedding."