Chapter Thirty Seven

His hands travelled from her thighs up at huminto iyon nang maramdaman ang lace underwear na suot ng dalaga. He impatiently tugged it down habang ang mga labi niya ay bumaba sa leeg ni Beatrix, kissing her wetly.

Beatrix's hands caught his hair and grabbed a handful, hindi nito malaman kung saan ibabaling ang ulo sa kanyang ginagawa. Sunod sunod ang mga daing na umalpas sa lalamunan ng dalaga.

His kisses trailed from her neck down, at ibinaba niya ang terante ng suot nitong blusa. He couldn't help but gasp when he found out she wasn't wearing any bra, natambad sa kanyang paningin ang dibdib ng dalaga. Those mounds  were not too small nor too big, they are just the perfect size, na para bang ginawa ang mga iyon to perfectly fit his palm.

Inihinto niya ang paghalik kay Beatrix at tinitigan ang mukha nito. Her eyes were closed, but she remained biting her lower lip.

"Look at me, princess" he commanded

Marahang nagmulat ng mga mata si Beatrix upang salubungin ang mga mata niya. He saw her cheeks turned red nang makita nitong nakatingin siya sa kahubaran nito. Ipinagkrus ng dalaga ang mga kamay sa tapat ng dibdib but he didn't let her.

"Don't hide from me, love... I want to see you...all of you"

"Xander..."

"You're so very beautiful...and you're mine..."

He placed one of his hands on her breasts and gently fondled it. Napaangat ang likod ni Beatrix mula sa kinahihigaan. He then took it to his mouth and like a baby gently sucked there. Halos mabaliw ang dalaga sa tindi ng sensasyon na nararamdaman. She held out her hands and with trembling fingers tried to reach for his belt to unbuckle it.

Napaungol si Xander when Beatrix succeeded in undoing his belt and she reached for what's underneath there. Her shy hands moved a little bit to touch him more, and Xander groaned in pleasure.

"Princess..." usal niya sa pagitan ng paghalik, making sure that she's ready for what's about to happen.

"G-go on..."

Lalong nabuhay ang bawat himaymay ng kanyang pagkalalaki nang marinig ang tugon ni Beatrix. He positioned himself with urgency. He could not wait any longer. Pakiramdam niya ay tila mamatay na siya sa paghihintay!

In the past 5 years, he remained chaste, kahit pa palagian naman ang kaliwa't kanan na pagpaparamdam sa kanya mga babae. Most of those women were just looking for a hot one night stand, and he'd be lying if he'll say he wasn't tempted at all. He's a healthy man after all, at para sa kanyang edad, ay tila baga hindi normal ang hindi maging active ang sex life. He's young, healthy and very much in need of a woman to warm him - the only problem is, after Beatrix, tila hindi na niya kaya ang makipag niig sa iba. Kung bakit ba para sa kanya, tila walang kahit na sinong babae ang maaaring pumawi ng pananabik na iyon, maliban sa dalaga.

His whole being is consumed by an invisible fire, that only Beatrix can both set ablaze and put out. He hungrily went back to her lips, tasting them once again, pagkatapos ay ipinusisyon niya ang sarili.

With one powerful thrust, he dove in and was almost surprised at how tight she is. She is wet as hell but she still feels almost like the first time they made love.

Nagsalubong ang kanyang mga kilay habang nakatitig sa magandang mukha ng asawa. Halos magsilabasan ang mga ugat niya sa leeg sa matinding pagpipigil na maghinay hinay. He could see the discomfort on her face. She opened her eyes, as if impatient to feel the rythm he'll make for them both.

"Wh-why are you not moving?" humihingal na anito sa kanya. Her hands were clinging on to his hips.

"Fuck!" habol hiningang mura niya. He knows she's not a virgin but why is he scared that he might hurt her?

Idinikit niya ang noo sa noo ni Beatrix "you're so...fucking...tight" bulong niya as he pushed himself in.

Isang mahinang ungol ang tumakas mula sa labi ng dalaga "I...I didn't have any... other man...all these years"

"Hell I know that now!"

"Why are you getting mad?"

"Me? princess, I'm not mad" he showered tiny kisses all over her face.

"Akala ko galit ka dahil -"

"I'm so relieved you didn't have any other man, Beatrix...because you're mine and I don't like sharing" aniya, pushing himself even more until he reached the peak.

"X-Xander..." ani Beatrix na tila nahihirapan. Her fingernails dug on his back.

He began to move, slowly and then more vigorously, habang ang mga labi niya ay pinagapang niya sa binti ng dalagang tangan niya sa kaliwang kamay.

"Xander...oh..." lalong humigpit ang mga kamay ni Beatrix sa kanyang likuran.

******

Akala ni Beatrix ay papanawan na siya ng ulirat dala ng sensasyong dulot ng ginagawa ni Xander sa kanya. She writhed beneath him, yearned for him. Pakiramdam niya ay para siyang mayroong nais marating na tuktok, ngunit hindi niya alam kung paano.

She followed Xander's move, mimicing how he's doing it. She met his every move with ecstacy and eagerness. Xander seemed to like it dahil sa tuwing gagawin niya iyon ay naririnig niyang napapaungol  ito.

"Princess" he said like he was in agony as he hungrily claimed her mouth once more. His movements became more frenzied and she had to bite her lower lip so hard to prevent herself from screaming in pleasure.

Xander expertly moved his body, kapwa sila umindayog sa tugtuging tanging sila lamang ang nakaririnig. Hindi nagtagal ay kapwa nila narating ang sukdulan. It was like the early morning sun bursting with its glorious rays. Xander once again took her to that special

place that belonged only to the two of them. Saksi ang mga bituin at buwan ng gabing iyon sa muli nilang pagiging isa.

Kapwa nila habol ang hininga. Isiniksik ng binata ang mukha nito sa kanyang leeg bago bumangon at iniayos ang sarili. Siya rin ay may pagmamadaling muling isinuot ang underwear niya at inayos ang suot na blusa.

"A-are you sure no one saw us here...?" Tanong niya kay Xander matapos maiyos ang sarili.

Muling naupo ito sa kanyang tabi and malambing na iniakbay ang braso sa kanya.

"Hayaan mo lang silang mainggit" nakatawang anito.

"Xander!" Kinurot niya ito sa tagiliran.

"May nakakita sa atin syempre" seryosong wika ni Xander.

Horror was reflected in her eyes. Will she have sex scandal photos circulating in the media tomorrow?

"You're kidding!"

"Nope."

"Seryoso?!" Her eyes were huge in shock.

"Oo." He replied "yung mga kuwago diyan saka paniki" he grinned from ear to ear.

"Ah ganon! Pilosopo ka talaga!" Kukurutin sana niya itong muli pero hinuli nito ang kanyang kamay at dinala iyon sa mga labi.

"Promise me you'll never leave me again"

She lovingly gazed at him "never.ever.again" matamis niya itong nginitian.

"No matter what?" Paniniguro ng binata.

"Yes. No matter what"

Kinabig siya nito palapit sa dibdib at ginawaran siya ng halik sa noo "Mahal kita Beatrix..."

She contentedly rested her head on his chest "I love you too, Xander..." she answered with a smile painted on her lips.

*******

3 months have gone by quickly and everyday felt like paradise for Beatrix. Silang tatlo nina Mico, just like how she saw them in her dreams countless times. Hindi pa rin siya makapaniwala na hindi siya nananaginip, na totoong narito nang muli si Xander sa kanyang piling, na isa na silang buong pamilya.

"Love, alam ko namang busy ka, magpapasundo na lang ako sa driver bukas ok?" Sinulyapan niya ang asawang kasalukuyang nagpapalit ng damit. Kadarating lamang nito mula Princess Luna.

Bukas kasi ay nakatakda siyang lumuwas ng Maynila to meet with the management company that's handling her at para na rin simulang tapusin ang ilang proyektong napirmahan na niya. Mabuti na nga lamang at hindi pa niya napirmahan ang ilang pelikula at dramang nakahilera at sa halip ay tanging mga product endorsements lamang ang natanggap niya. She and Xander agreed that they will both run Princess Luna together at nais na rin niyang simulan ang clothing line business na matagal na niyang balak. Sa tingin niya ay mabuti na rin ang malayo sa mata ng publiko nang sa ganoon ay mas simple ang buhay at mas mapagtuunan niya ng panahon ang pamilya nila.

"Ihahatid ko kayo ni Mico" he pulled the shirt over his head "bakit ba ayaw mong magpahatid huh?" Lumapit ito sa kanya at niyakap siya mula sa likuran. Hinalikan nito ang batok niya and she couldn't help giggling.

Humarap siya rito at ikinawit ang braso sa batok ng asawa " ayoko lang pong mapagod ka Mr. de Silva"

"I don't mind getting tired if it means I get to be with you and Mico a little longer." Hinapit nito ang baywang niya "hindi ba kasi maaaring i-postpone yang project mo na iyan? Saka akala ko ba magreretiro ka na sa showbiz?"

She sighed patiently "we talked about this already, di ba, love?" Hinimas niya ang mukha nito "tatapusin ko na lang itong mga huling contracts na napirmahan na. I don't want to put the agency in a bad position if I'll breach these last contracts..."

Tumango ito "yeah. I understand. But can't you really just leave Mico here with me habang wala ka? We can have a really nice father and son bonding"

"Busy ka din sa Princess Luna. Hindi mo magagawang asikasuhin si Mico sa isang buwang mawawala ako. Hayaan mo na siya muna kina Mama...miss na miss na rin ng mga 'yun ang bata"

"Sabagay. Tatlong buwan ding nalayo ang apo" nakakaunawang ani Xander. "What about us? Kailan natin sasabihin sa kanila?"

"I'll talk to them first when I get home. Next week pag dalaw mo sa amin sa Maynila, we can officially talk to my parents, ok?"

Lalo siyang hinapit nito sa baywang at dinampian ng halik sa labi "I can't wait to marry you again, Beatrix Luna Montecillo"

She sweetly smiled at Xander "me too, Mr. de Silva.

Kinabukasan ay maaga silang lumuwas pa Maynila dahil sa may meeting pa siya makapananghalian kay Andrea.

Mico threw a tantrum at hindi matigil tigil sa pag iyak dahil ayaw mapalayo sa ama. Mabuti na lamang at napakalma ito ni Xander matapos mangako na linggo linggo itong dadalaw hanggang sa matapos niya ang mga proyekto at muli silang makabalik sa San Gabriel.

*******

Binuksan ng kasambahay ang malaking gate na yari sa kahoy at bakal, upang papasukin ang sasakyan.

"Ma'am welcome home po!" Masayang salubong ni Emily, ang isa sa kanyang mga kasambahay. "Ma'am kanina pa po nag hahantay sa inyo si Sir Daniel" anito na tila nahiya ng matanaw si Xander na bumaba ng sasakyan.

"Ma'am sino po yung pogi?" Bulong ni Emily sa kanya na obvious kinikilig kay Xander, nakapako pa rin ang mga mata nito sa asawa niya.

"Mister ko." She said at tuloy tuloy pumasok sa kabahayan.

"H-ho?" Naiwang naguguluhan si Emily.

Sa living room ay naabutan niya si Daniel na nakaupo. Nasa harap nito ang isang malaking punpon ng rosas.

Nagliwanag ang mukha ng binata ng makita siya. Agad itong tumayo sa kinauupuan at sinaubong siya dala ang bouquet.

"Welcome home, Bea" anito at walang warning siyang niyakap.

Nagulat siya sa ginawa nito at hindi agad nakabawi. Isang tikhim mula sa hindi kalayuan ang naging dahilan upang marahan niyang itulak palayo si Daniel.

Tumingin si Daniel sa pinanggalingan ng tinig, at pagkatapos ay mataman siyang tinignan. She almost couldn't meet his eyes dahil sa guilt. She agreed to marry him, break off the engagement and run back to another man's arms all in the span of 3 short months. Sinikap niyang ipaliwanag kay Daniel sa telepono na hindi na siya maaaring magpakasal dito ngunit tila ayaw maniwala ng binata sa kanya.

"We need to talk..." she said. Her eyes were already apologetic.

"What's he doing here?"

"Daniel... I told you over the phone..."

"Na ano? Pinipili mo ang lalaking nanloko sa'yo?" May galit sa tinig nito "are you stupid, Bea?"

"Hey! Watch your mouth!" Tila kulog na ani Xander sa lalaki.

Tinignan niya ang asawa at sinenyasang iwan muna sila ni Daniel. Xander hesitantly left the room.

"Daniel, please... sana maintindihan mo. Our engagement was off since a few months ago, at hindi lingid sa iyo kung sino si Xander sa buhay ko"

"And yet I thought you are smarter now Bea! That man betrayed you and yet you're giving him another chance? Paano naman ako? What about me who stayed by your side all through the years?!" Mapait ang bawat salitang binitiwan ni Daniel.

She grabbed his hands "I am very thankful that I met you, and that you are my friend, Daniel. Pero..." she paused and inhaled "...pero mahal ko si Xander. I'm sorry. Please forgive me"

"Pera lang ang gusto sa iyo ng Xander na yan!"

Nakakaunawa niya itong tinignan "I'm sorry Daniel. But there's nothing you can say that would change the way I feel."

"Oh yeah?" Asik ni Daniel sa kanya at pagkatapos ay isang brown envelope ang padaskol na ihinagis sa lamesita. "Well take a look! Those documents will reveal the truth about Xander!"

"Daniel, please stop this-"

"Those papers will show you that Xander de Silva is on the verge of bankruptcy! At kaya ka niya nais makuhang muli ay para maisalba ang ang negosyo niya! Suit yourself and look!"

Dinampot nito ang envelope at inilagay sa kanyang mga kamay. "I did some digging. His major share holder is pulling out and he will be in deep shit. You think he loves you?" Daniel gave an insulting laugh "...he loves your money, your assets and what you could bring forth for him!"

She couldn't say anything and just stared at the envelope in her hands. She slowly opened it and took out the paper that's inside. It was an official letter from Arthur's company, stating that it intends to pull out the shares from Princess Luna. Ang ilang nakasaad pa doon ay hindi na rumehistro sa kanyang utak.

"W-where did you get this?"

"I have my ways. Naniniwala ka na? Niloloko ka na naman ng lalaking iyan!"

She gulped. Could it be true? Ito nga lang ba ang dahilan kung bakit desperado si Xander na magbalik siya? Will she doubt him again?

She shook her head. Minsan na siyang lumayo dala ng isang maling akala. Hindi niya hahayaang muling mangyari iyon. She will talk to Xander in time about this, ngunit hindi siya muling gagawa ng isang hakbang na magdudulot lamang ng sakit sa kanila dahil lamang sa isang impormasyong hindi niya alam kung totoo.

"Thank you for your concern, Daniel... please, I want to rest. We can talk again when I come back from my shoot in Singapore". She's bound for Singapore in 2 days and will stay there for a 3-day shoot for a skin care product.

Tiim bagang na tinitigan siya ni Daniel. She's never seen him so mad like this. Tumalikod ito at malalaki ang hakbang na nilisan ang silid.

She sighed heavily at muling itinuon ang mga mata sa hawak na sobre. Saan kaya nakuha ni Daniel and ganitong pribadong dokumento?

Maya maya ay sumungaw si Xander sa silid. Disimulado niyang itinago ang sobre upang hindi iyon makita ng binata.

Lumapit si Xander sa kanya. "Are you alright? You look pale" kumento nito "may ginawa bang masama sa iyo ang lalaking 'yon?!"

"N-no" she tried to smile. "Pagod lang siguro ako sa biyahe" kaila niya.

Inakbayan siya ni Xander "I'm always here okay? I love you" niyakap siya nito.

Lumunok siya, tila may invisible na bikig ang kanyang lalamunan. Pilit niyang inalis sa isip ang mga sinabi ni Daniel ganoon na rin ang papeles na nabasa. She will find out the truth somehow, sooner or later. Sa ngayon ay hindi niya nais na mabantuan ng alinlangan ang kanilang kaligayahan, gayon pa man ay hindi niya maitatangging nabagabag din siya sa kaalamang iyon kahit paano.

She silently studied Xander's face. Those eyes that could penetrate her very soul, and those lips that could take her to heaven and back...

It isn't possible that Xander doesn't really love her, right?