Chapter 3

WARMTH

It was an early morning flight kaya maaga palang nakapagshower na ako. Ayokong malate sa flight namin at paghintayin si Peter.

He was early too and called me to inform me they were on their way. I didn't know where he got my number but it helped me relax ng marinig ko ang paos niyang boses.

Sobra talaga akong kinakabahan because this would be my first time going abroad without my parents or Kuya.

He guided me at the back seat while his driver put my luggage in the boot. He went round and sat on my left.

When we were settled, we cruised quietly along the highway. It was pretty cold so I tightened my hold onto my coat and leaned on the window. Bigla akong inantok sa mabangong amoy ng kotse niya. Para akong biglang napagod samantalang kagabi ay halos hindi ako makatulog sa excitement at anxiety.

I woke up startled when I heard a loud noise. Napadilat ako at naramdaman ko agad ang kamay na nakapulupot sa katawan ko at isa naman ay humahaplos ng marahan sa buhok ko. Napalayo ako kay Peter. Hindi ko namalayang nakatulog pala ako at ang nakakahiya pa, I ended up in his arms!

Did I embraced him while I was asleep? I bit my lower lip. I quickly moved to my right and looked at the window. We were in the airport now. Bigla akong kinabahan na parang masusuka. Suddenly I got nervous by thinking that we have missed our flight.

"Why didn't you wake me up? We might be late."i asked him while grabbing my sling bag.

He looked at his watch and just shrugged his shoulders.

"We still have 2 hours love."he then pulled my arm. Napasinghap ako when our thighs touched. He wrapped his arms around me and settled his chin on top of my head.

He sighed. I could hear his slow heart beats. Bigla na naman akong inantok.. I closed my eyes. And hugged him back. His warmth and scent were making me sleepy.

He sighed again and caressed my back in a circular motion. I loosened my arms around him and stared at him. I instantly caught his blue eyes looking at me intensely. Then he dipped his head.

I closed my eyes when I felt his minty breath fanning on my face and waited for my first kiss.

My heart was thumping like crazy. But I got disappointed when instead of my lips, he went for my nose.

I opened my eyes and blinked for a few seconds. Bigla akong nagising sa katangahan ko. So nag eexpect talaga akong mahalikan nya?

I tried to move a little bit but he steadied me on my seat. Holding both side of my hips. He was so close to me.

Halos maduling ako kaya sinubukan ko ulit umatras. Bigla din akong nahiya. I held his hand on my waist and tried to remove it. He let go and kissed me again on top of my nose.

"I can wait love." Napapikit ako nang dumampi ang kanyang labi sa aking ilong.

Napatagilid ako. Ramdam ang pag iinit ng mga pisngi. Masyado akong umasa.

Nakakahiya.

He then went out and opened my door. He offered his hand so I took it. I still felt my cheek hot from my embarrassment. But he didn't say anything and helped me with my luggage.

Dumiretso na kami sa check in counter and straight to the departure area.

Namalayan ko nalang na pababa na kami sa Incheon Airport.

I stretched my arms and stood up. When I was about to reach for my bag in the compartment above me, a strong arm encircled around my tummy and saw his other hand reached for my belongings.

I smiled. I felt like I am getting used to his nearness. He held my hand and his one hand on my bag and coat.

We were escorted by our hotel employees when we got out of the airport and drove us to the hotel. My eyes were just watching the road. We were quiet. But it was a comfortable one.

Napatingin ako sa mga kamay naming magkahawak habang pinipisil pisil niya ito at pinaglalaruan. He then checked my fingernails and smiled a little.

"What?"tanong ko sakanya. Nakataas ang isang kilay.

"Nothing love."he kissed the back of my hand and looked at me. His blue eyes sparkling. Gorgeous..

I just nodded. I took a deep breath again and looked at the road outside the window.

I insisted for a separate room for me and Peter kahit ang gusto nina Mommy ay magkasama kaming dalawa.

We have our rooms next to each other and had a connecting door na request nina Mommy naman. We just deposited our luggages then ate downstairs at the restaurant. When we finished, Peter went to the reception to ask for flyers about the tourist spots. Kahit may idea na ako ay hinayaan ko lang siya. Baka may mairecommend pa silang iba.

I let Peter talk to them while I sat on the couch with my back at them. When I became impatient, I looked behind me and caught the receptionist flirting with him. Kaya naman pala ang tagal!

She then tucked her hair on her ear. My brow raised up.

I stood up quite annoyed now.

"Can't you stop flirting with each other and let me have my tour now?"i spat angrily.

The woman looked at me eyes wide. Napamaywang na ako. Peter had his lips lifted up a little bit. So he finds this amusing huh? I rolled my eyes on them.

"I'm sorry Miss Monteverde."her voice was shaking in a panic.

"You should!"i gritted my teeth.

"I need a driver to take us everywhere and preferably can speak english!"masungit kong utos.

"A-anything else Miss?"

"That's all Mei." Napataas ako ng kilay ng magsalita si Peter sa tabi ko.

So first name basis na sila? Ang bilis talaga nitong lalaking ito. Just awhile ago, ako iyong nilalandi. Ngayon bago naman agad!

I was fuming mad when I sat back on the couch. I took deep breaths to calm myself. Gusto kong mag enjoy sa bakasyon ko. I should stop making myself so worked up.

Bahala silang dalawa. Good thing I insisted on getting my own room! Kung hindi baka makita ko lang si Peter na kung sino sino ang katabi sa kama and God knows what they would do!

I felt his presence behind me. But I didn't look back. I was still angry so I rather keep quiet.

"Hey.."paos na tawag niya sa akin.

"Hey hey-in mo mukha mo. Pangit!"bubulong bulong kong sabi.

I heard him chuckle and sat beside me.

"I think I'm in trouble again?"tanong niya at hinila ako palapit sa kanya.

Agad akong pumiksi para makawala sa hawak niya.

"Tantanan mo ako kung gusto mo pang makauwi ng buo yang ano mo!" bulong ko na nanggigigil na.

He chuckled again. Enjoying my outburst. Ang sarap niyang sungalngalin.

Sa inis ko ay sinipa ko siya nang sinipa. But he just dodged my attacks easily. I stomped my feet when I couldn't hit him!

"You can't do that. I still want us to have kids.."he said huskily and grabbed me by the arms tightly. Napakagat ako ng labi at napaupo. Then I crunched up my nose.

"In your dreams!" I sneered. Napatingin ako sa kanya at hinampas siya sa hita.

"Always.." napakunot ang noo ko.

"You jealous?" He said teasingly. He was smirking.

"Kung gusto mong mambabae, mamaya nalang. Kapag tapos na ang tour natin! at anong pakialam ko kung mambabae ka dito"ingos ko.

"Okay then. Later."he nodded his head.

Bigla akong nainis! Abat! Anong klaseng sagot yon? Later? So gagawin talaga niya? Ang sarap hambalusin ang ulo!

Napatayo na ako nang may lumapit sa amin na lalaki. He introduced himself as our driver. I just nodded then walked out of the hotel.

Napatakbo ang driver namin at pinagbuksan ako sa pinto sa backseat.

"I want to sit at the front."i said stonily. Parang gusto ko na lang bumalik sa room ko!

The driver just scratched his head and opened the door at the front.

"Don't mind her Lee. "Peter said and he opened the door on my side and pushed me inside. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa gulat. How dare he!

When he got in, I hit him repeatedly.

"Stop it love. Can you calm down please."he imprisoned my hands and pushed me to sit properly. He buckled my seatbelt and his.

"I'm just kidding. I will never do that to you." Gusto kong burahin ang ngisi niya sa mga labi.

"Wala akong pakialam!"asik ko. Hindi ko na siya nilingon pa.

Naramdaman ko ang kamay niya na sinubukang hawakan ang kamay ko.

"Love please. Im telling you the truth. Please don't get upset with this. I want us to enjoy our vacation."paos na pakiusap ni Peter.

Napatingin ako sa kanyang mukha at seryoso na siyang nakatingin sa akin.

I looked away.

"Promise me not to show your women while I'm around." I said in my hard tone. I tasted something bitter in my mouth.

Parang gusto kong umiyak kapag naiisip na mamaya lang ay may kasama na siyang ibang babae sa kwarto niya.

We were quiet the whole ride. When our driver dropped us off at Changgyeonggung Palace, my mind was still stuck with what we have talked about back in the car. After a while nang mapagod ako ay bumalik na rin kami agad sa hotel. Nawalan na ako ng gana. Peter remained quiet while playing with my hand. He never let go off my hand kahit noong nasa Palace kami.

I almost ran to the hotel and unfortunately nakita ko yong receptionist na kalandian ni Peter na parang may hinihintay. She was now on her casual clothes. Biglang nangati ang mga kamay ko at gusto ko siyang sabunutan. She quickly stood up and walked excitedly towards Peter. She smiled at me first. I looked away. Then nilagpasan ko siya. At dumiretso sa elevator.

When the elevator door opened, I went in and pressed my floor number. Napaharap ako sa pinto at bago sumara ay nakita ko silang nag uusap at nakahawak pa ang mga kamay nang babae sa braso niya. While Peter was looking at me.

Biglang sumakit ang loob ko at napaiwas ng tingin.

Our tour's finished for today so pwede mo nang gawin kung anuman ang gusto mo ngayong gabi... I whispered even though he couldn't hear me. Then the door closed.

Napahawak agad ako sa dibdib kong kumakabog sa sakit. When I got to my room, I prepared my bubble bath and quickly soaked myself.

I closed my eyes and the scene replayed in my head. I smiled bitterly. Hindi ko alam kong kailan nagsimula itong nararamdaman ko para sa kanya.. pero nasasaktan na ako sa tuwing may kasama siyang iba..and I'm too young for him..so he wouldn't even look at me like how he looked at his girls..

Maybe I was too exhausted that I suddenly woke up when I heard heavy knocks on my door. Napasinghap ako ng dumulas ang pang upo ko at lumubog ako sa tubig.

It happened so fast that I just felt a pair of strong hands pulled my head out of the water. Napasinghap ako sa paghabol ng hininga ko.

When I glanced up, I saw Peter who has an angry look on his face. He was clenching his jaw. Napalunok ako. I was naked..

"What are you doing Loveria?!"matigas na tanong niya. I crossed my arms to hide my small breast. But he didn't even paid attention. Instead he pulled me out of the tub completely like I weigh nothing and switched the shower on to rinsed me up. The warm water cascaded on my trembling body.

I opened my mouth to say something but I just bit my lower lip when he looked at me darkly.

"Save it." I lowered my head in embarrassment. I covered my chest and my lower body. He shampooed my hair gently, rinsed it and put some conditioner. Then when he was about to soap me, I stopped him.

I turned my back and started soaping myself. I could feel his heated stares on me.

When I heard him walked out of the shower room, I closed the glass door and rinsed myself quickly. My towel and bathrobe were on the lavatory when I got out.

Mabilisan kong isinuot ang bathrobe and tied the towel round my head.

At lumabas na. I saw him going through my luggage and putting away all my clothes in the wardrobe. Napalunok ako ng mahawakan niya ang panties ko.

Wala na akong maitatago sa kanya..

"A-ako na dyan P-Peter.." tutol ko at inagaw ang mga damit kong inaayos niya. He quietly backed away. Then sat on my bed. I noticed that he also changed his clothes and he had a shower too.

When I was finished, I took my pajama and went to the bathroom to change. I even dried my hair. Paglabas ko ay nakaupo pa rin si Peter sa bed ko. At naghihintay.

"I ordered food for us here love." He said darkly. Napatango na lang ako. Hindi ko matagalan ang mga titig niya. I went straight to my bag and checked my phone. I had twenty missed call from him. Napatingin ako sa kanya. Our eyes met. Without breaking the contact, he walked towards me and pulled me on the big bed to sit down.

"I don't really know what to do with you love.." he then swore.

"Wala naman akong ginagawa. I'm just having my bath when you barged.."

"I've been calling and knocking on your door for almost an hour! Then suddenly I found you under water. What do you expect me to do?"his voice laced with worry. He then knelt in between my legs and hugged me tight. Like he was so afraid and wanted comfort. His face was on my tummy and hands round my back. My heart beat quicken. With my shaking hands, I combed his soft dirty blonde hair..

"I didn't mean to make you worry.." i whispered. "Pero nakatulog lang ako kanina." He shook his head. I gasped when I felt his lips on my tummy.

"Never do that again love..if we have a problem, just tell me. Don't run away.."

Napabuntong hininga na lang ako.