Struggle

PINATONG niya sa mesa ang kanyang kaliwang siko. Naguguluhan sa kanyang narinig. "Boy?"

He didn't react as if he is impatient for her explanation. He kept his eye contact with her until his eyes suddenly followed her huge t-shirt lose its balance when it fell on her left shoulder. The neckline is literally big that it showed her left shoulder blades along with her dreamcatcher tattoo, which was printed on the backside.

Binalik niya iyon sa ayos bago nagkibit-balikat. "You mean, Ken?"

He is watching her movements that he was distracted when he sees something. He looked away and closed his eyes as if he is struggling really hard.

She can't understand his reaction but she immediately remembered that he always remember anything. Maybe he is accusing her to kiss Ken. "Goodness. Iniisip mo bang may something sa amin ni Ken?" Pinandilatan niya ito ng mata.

"Why he can touch you while I can't. I am your boyfriend. You are cheating." He exploded like a bomb.

"Cheating? Excuse me, ikaw nga itong payakap-yakap pa kay Dorothy. Like hello, you cannot hide it. I saw your picture all over her Instagram Account. She even tagged you as her boyfriend. Now tell me who the cheater between us." Hinihingal niyang inirapan ito. Para siyang sumabog na bulkan dahil sa mga nakita niya lately. "Ang lakas magalit. Ikaw nga itong pinapahawakan pa sa mga Brazilian woman ang abs mo. Kahit pa nagalit ka base on the video, you shouldn't let them touch you. Malay ko ba kung kunwari nagalit ka pero ang totoo ay gusto mo."

"I got angry. I didn't know that those girls are behind me. I was the victim. Someone took the video, uploaded on Facebook, and even tag me."

Gusto niyang matawa dahil mukha talaga itong nagpapaawa na wala itong kamuwang-muwang nang manyari iyon. He is explaining himself. Trying to save his ass but it will be hard for her to believe. He might not like it but he can fell on temptation. "Now how can you explain about Dorothy?"

"Baby, she is my finest architect for almost five years. One of the major stockholder on my company. But—"

"What?" She is pushing his limits.

How long can a Zedrick Hetch sacrifice anything for the love of his life? She actually wanted him to choose Dorothy so she will be not guilty for her revenge. That she is actually using him now. That he should see or feel her true purpose.

"I'll drop her to any of my connections," he said with finality.

Hindi siya nakaimik. She felt weird. Her heart does believe that he is doing it because he is in love with her. That he is sincere with her. He can sacrifice everything just to please her. But her mind told her to collect her senses that he is doing this act for a purpose. Seven years might lead him to think that his love for her already gone. That he is just pushing her to death in a very natural way. By giving all her whims.

Lumapit siya rito upang halikan saglit sa labi. "Thanks for the food. Good night, Zedrick." Tinalikuran niya ito at umakyat na para matulog.

Saturday morning, she doesn't have work but she wakes up early. It is her morning habit now. And since she slept with someone else's bed she hurriedly cleaned up. Nakita niya ang pinaghubaran kagabi na damit sa side table. Mabango iyon. Halatang bago laba pero hindi niya naman maisusuot. Perhaps the clean brassiere and panty are useful now.

She burrowed his white button-down shirt. That's all. She is set to go back home now. But she got nervous when she saw the other room's door ajar. Curiosity pulled her to survey it. It was a guest room but not as big as the master's bedroom. It doesn't have a walk-in closet, only an attached bathroom, one abstract portrait, and a side table with a modern lamp and a wristwatch.

He is wearing that from yesterday.

Lumabas na siya roon upang hanapin ang binata. Mula sa hagdan ay naaninaw niya sa glass panel ang reflection nito. He is holding a piece of long wood. If she does not mistake it's a Bo Staff used for martial arts.

Marahan siyang bumaba upang panoorin ito. He is like fighting in a handy form. His upper-body movements are quick and flexible. Just like how he used his footwork altogether. The way he rolled the stick through his neck going down on his back muscle then circling around on his thigh, she was impressed and got stuck in her position. Not minding that he is sweating, half-naked with a leaner body, and oozing with unspoken arrogant charm.

He wasn't satisfied by just that simple trick. There's a life-size of Batman in front of him. He put an empty can of soda on Batman's head and made a few distanced from it. Using his wooden stick he just repeated what he did earlier but with a twist of kicking the can. His strength when his foot touched the empty can was unbelievably powerful and scary.

Sa gulat ay tumili siya. Natulala nang kamuntik siyang matamaan nang dumaplis iyon sa kanyang suot. Sinulyapan niya ang ngayon ay butas ng manggas.

"Are you, okay?" he asked worriedly, reaching out for her arm if he broke it or a possible wound.

"I'm fine," she croaked, aware from their close distance. He is very warm and massive. His natural scent that immediately made her heart out of its ryhthm. When their skin touched bolts of electricity run all over her veins.

Dumistansiya siya rito. Kinakabahan sna baka naramdaman din nito. But with her horror, he pulled her and claimed her lips. She gave in and curled her fingers around his nape for support. Kissing him back with the same hunger and passion.

Is it not bad right? Everyone can kiss anyone else even if they don't like them. Even if he doesn't like her, she wanted to feel him.

They fell on the sofa while he is on her top. She moaned when his rain kisses go on her jawline, while his hands soothe on rubbing her fragile curves. A burning desire was arousing on her body. He is making her dizzy from it. She inhaled sensually when his hand found its way on her sensitive peak.

He immediately stopped and cussed.

Naliliyo at namumula niyang tinitigan itong tumatayo na. Marahil ay napagtanto nitong nawala rin sa sariling gaya niya. Bigla siyang namula nang makita ang ayos niya. The first three of the button is already unbutton revealing her brassier that covered her healthy boobs.

Tumayo siya at inayos iyon. Sinuklay din niya ng daliri ang buhok. "Uuwi na ako," bulong niya, natatakot itong muling harapin o tingnan manlang.

"You can't go home like that. Let's wait for Dante."

Tumango siya, walang kasiguraduhan kung nakita nito. Nahihiya siya sa kanyang inasal kanina. Para siyang uhaw sa mga halik at hawak nito. On the side of her eyes, she saw him enter the Kitchen. She slouched on the sofa and breathe out exaggeratedly. Well, if he wants to take her virginity. She will give it with him because she loved him. Only him.

Her back straightened when Zedrick appeared with a glass of orange juice on his hand and toast bread. "You haven't eaten yet," he said after he put those on the sofa table.

She can't look into his eyes. Her attention remained on his barefoot and the reddish heel.

"Thanks."

"I'll just take a shower."

Muli siyang tumango, ilag na ilag sa tiyak na paninitig nito. When she completely doesn't felt his presence she ate the toasted bread. Wala naman siyang ginawa pero nagutom siya. Few more moments someone came.

"Ako po si Dante. Pinabibigay po ni Sir. Zedrick."

Naalala nga niya. "Thanks for this."

Pagkakuha ay hindi rin nagtagal ang lalaki. Nagbihis na rin siya at natutuwang magaling pipili ng damit ang lalaki. Nagustuhan niya ang above the knee dress. Hindi naglaon ay handa na rin si Zedrick at lumakad na sila.

She is silent, lazy, and almost slouching on her seat until she saw the Pie and Pesto Corner Restaurant. Her craving for an apple pie boosted her system to sit up straight. Hindi niya iyon nilulubayan ng tingin hanggang sa tuluyang lumagpas.

"Do you want that?"

She glanced at him with a puppy eyes. She was really thankful for the concern question. "Yes, an apple pie please."

That was her last encounter with him. The next day Zedrick flew back to Dubai and will be away for a couple of weeks. She even heard that Brandon come along with him, while his wife left in the Owl City to attend her own family business.