Chasing the Forbidden (SERIE FEROCI 3)

Chapter Three

“So, what happened? Ano'ng reaksyon nila nung pumunta ka?”

I continued putting my clothes in the huge closet while listening to Cadence through my AirPods. Tsismis kaagad ang bungad ng lalaking 'to imbis na kumustahin ako. Grabe talaga.

“Mom was shocked, maybe she didn't expect that I'll choose to stay here... and about his hot boyfriend, I called him daddy... and his reaction? Nothing.” Napaismid ako bago isinara ang closet nang marinig kong humagalpak ng tawa si Cad sa kabilang linya.

“Grabe, sino ba 'yon ha? Idol ko na 'yon, pinakamatatag na lalaki sa Pinas,” natatawang sabi nito.

“Damn him, wala ba siyang pakiramdam?!” naiinis na tanong ko saka umupo sa kama.

“Baka naman he's really into older women kaya wala kang epekto sa kanya o baka naman he finds your mother hotter than you, I mean, to be honest, Tita Akira is beautiful. Akala ko nga nasa 30s lang siya noong una ko siyang nakita.”

I just let out a heavy sigh and closed my eyes. Paano ko pa masisira ang relasyon nila kung ganoong ka-loyal ang Xanthos na 'yon?

“Ang hirap 'di ba? Sumuko ka na lang at hayaan sila.”

Napailing ako sa sinabi ni Cad kahit hindi niya ako nakikita.

“No, I know that man has his weak point,” I said and stood up. I heard Cadence sighed.

“Tigas talaga ng ulo mo 'no? Mas matigas pa sa ulo ko sa baba.”

I just rolled my eyes.

“Mas matigas pa rin ang ulo mo sa baba, 'yan lang pinapagana mo, e,” natatawang sabi ko na lang.

“Aw, grabe. Salamat na lang sa lahat ha, Kiara,” pagda-drama niya.

“Whatever. Sige, bye na. Bukas na lang ulit.”

“Bye, punta ka sa bar bukas ha.”

“Hmm,” sabi ko na lang saka tumango. Binaba ko na rin kaagad ang tawag saka tuluyang humiga sa kama.

Inabot na ako ng gabi sa pag-aayos ng bago kong kuwarto. My previous room is way better than this one, pero hindi na rin naman masama. There's a huge closet and TV. Wala nga lang sariling bathroom, but okay na rin.

Natigilan ako nang makarinig ng katok sa silid ko. I stood up and opened the door. Napapitlag na lang ako nang si Xanthos ang bumungad sa akin, as usual, there's no hint of emotion in his eyes again.

Ano ba ang nagustuhan ni Mom sa kanya bukod sa guwapo siya?

“Hey, what's up?”

I grinned at him and playfully traced my fingers on his hard chest. Natigilan lang ako nang hablutin niya ang kamay ko saka pabalyang inilayo sa dibdib niya.

What a rough man.

“It's time for dinner, Akira wants you to join us,” tipid na sabi niya saka agad din akong tinalikuran at iniwan ako.

Napailing na lang ako at sumunod sa kanya. This man is a living thrill, his actions just excites me even more.

“Kiara, take a sit,” Mom said while serving food on the table.

I just smiled at her and sat on the chair. Si Xanthos naman ay umupo na sa tapat ko, si Mom ang nasa pagitan naming dalawa.

“Inabot ka na ng gabi sa kuwarto mo, malamang napagod ka. Take a rest after this. H'wag ka munang pumasok bukas sa trabaho,” sabi ni Mom. Napatango na lang ako.

“Actually, I'm on a vacation leave and--”

Natigilan ako nang mapansing ipinaghahain pa ni Mom si Xanthos. My eyebrow instantly raised. I just smiled bitterly and shook my head.

“Bakit ipinaghahain mo pa 'yan? He has his own hands,” I muttered and rolled my eyes.

“Kiara,” tila nananaway na sabi ni Mom. Napaismid na lang ako at nagsimula ng kumain.

Kung alam ko lang na ganito ang makikita ko, hindi na lang sana ako sumabay sa kanila kumain.

“Kiara, matagal mo ng kilala si Xanthos, 'di ba?” Mom asked and smiled at me. I gave her a bitter smile and nodded. “Xanthos, kilala mo na ba si Kiara noon? Mataas ang posisyon n'ya sa NTC,” my Mom said proudly.

“I don't remember her,” tipid na sagot niya ni Xanthos. Agad na napataas ang kilay ko.

This man, how can he forget me just like that?! Ilang beses niya akong pinahiya kada may business proposal ako sa kanya. Wala siyang tinanggap na business proposal ko kahit isa. I hate how he doubted my capabilities every time he opens his shitty mouth. Xanthos Archante will be our best client if he just accepted even one of my proposals. Totoo talaga ang chismis na napaka-strikto at mapili ng Xanthos na iyan.

Natigilan ako nang masanggi ng paa ko ang binti n'ya. Halatang natigilan din siya. Napangisi na lang ako nang may kalokohang pumasok sa isip ko.

I ran my toe on his leg gently. My toe went higher until it reached his knee. I looked at him to see his reaction. Natigilan ako nang mapansing tila wala lang sa kanya ang ginagawa ko. He remained emotionless and unbothered.

“What do you want for dessert, Kiara? Cake or muffin?”

Natigilan lang ako sa ginagawa nang magtanong si Mom. Napatikhim na lang ako at umayos ng upo.

“I don't like sweets, Mom. Don't you know that?” I asked with a hint of resentment in my voice.

“Oh, sorry, honey. Nawala sa isip ko,” hinging-paumanhin ni Mom saka nilagay sa sink ang mga plato.

How can she forget that? Dumating lang ang Xanthos na 'to sa buhay n'ya parang kulang na lang makalimutan n'yang may anak siya. Xanthos is bad influence to my mother. Dapat mawala na siya sa buhay ni Mom.

Mom was about to wash the dishes but her phone rang.

“Xanthos, ikaw muna maghugas ng mga plato, pwede? Kakausapin ko lang ang investor,” sabi ni Mom habang pinupunasan ang kamay niya.

Xanthos nodded and stood up. Lumapit siya sa sink upang ituloy ang paghuhugas ng mga plato. Mom answered the call and left the dining room.

Under ba 'tong si Xanthos kay Mom? I can't believe it. He looks domineering and has authoritative aura at work but he's actually like this? Damn, it annoys me.

Tumayo ako at kumuha ng baso para uminom ng tubig. Pagkainom ko, inilagay ko ang baso sa sink.

“Pakisabay na rin 'to,” I said and smiled sweetly at him. Xanthos didn't react and just continued washing the dishes.

Xanthos is indeed a tall man, ngayong halos magkadikit kami, kitang kita ko ang difference ng height naming dalawa... and he smells awesomely good too.

His black curly hair caught my attention. His hair looks shiny and soft. Mukhang natural ding kulot ang mga 'yon.

Xanthos froze when I gently stroked his curly hair. Agad naman siyang kumilos at umatras nang kaunti sa akin. An evil smile plastered on my face when he finally looked at me.

“What are you doing?” he asked as his forehead creased.

“I'm curious, is your hair naturally curly?” I asked and smiled at him.

Muli na lang ibinaling ni Xanthos ang atensyon sa mga pinggan.

“I'm not obligated to answer that,” he muttered. I just rolled my eyes and hissed.

“Do you have plans to marry my mother?” I asked out of curiosity.

“I'm not obligated to--” agad kong pinutol ang sasabihin n'ya.

“Of course you are obligated to tell me. I'm asking you right now as your girlfriend's daughter... I think I'm obligated to know, right?” I asked and raised my eyebrow.

Xanthos looked at me, I almost taken aback when our eyes met. I think I won't be able to stare at his eyes longer than three seconds. His stare makes me weak for some unknown reason.

“Why do you want to know? You're against it anyway,” he said and continued washing the dishes again.

“Just answer me, do you really have plans on marrying my Mom?”

Xanthos sighed heavily. He looked at me before answering my question.

“Of course I do, young lady. I won't f**k everything up in my life for nothing. I'm serious about Akira, I don't give a s**t if you believe it or not, or if you don't want me for her.” He continued washing the dishes. “I don't play around so stop wasting your time on me.”

I remained silent and just stared at him. I was stunned, ito na yata ang pinakamahabang nasabi n'ya sa 'kin... his words are kinda harsh, but here I am, admiring the side view of his face, his pointed nose and sharp jaw are to die for.

“Wow, you two are getting close, huh.”

Agad akong napaatras kay Xanthos nang marinig ko ang boses ni Mom. I just looked at her and smiled. Tila pabirong hinampas ko ang braso ni Xanthos. Damn hard.

“I just want to know your boyfriend more, Mom.”

Umalis na lang ako ng dining room at agad na nagtungo sa silid ko. Wala sana akong balak magpunta sa bar ni Cad ngayon pero nagbago na ang isip ko. Xanthos is stressing me out. Why is he so difficult to deal with? Mukhang ni hindi siya naaapektuhan sa akin, talaga bang loyal siya kay Mom?

Nagbihis na ako ng pang-alis saka agad na lumabas ng kwarto ko. Tinext ko na rin si Abi na samahan ako sa bar ni Cad tutal palagi naman siyang may time.

My mind's still clouded on my way to Cad's bar. My mind is filled with thoughts about Xanthos and how I will break them apart. Kung katulad sana ni Cadence ang naging boyfriend ni Mom, hindi ako mahihirapang paghiwalayin sila.

Nauna na si Abi sa akin sa bar, naabutan ko siyang kakwentuhan si Cadence. Lumapit na lang ako sa table nila at umupo sa tabi ni Abi.

“Hey girl, mukha kang pinagsakluban ng heaven and hell,” Abi said and chuckled. I just rolled my eyes at her.

“Akala ko bukas ka pa pupunta, sis?” tanong ni Cad.

“I'm in a bad mood,” I mumbled and massaged my temple.

“Why? Failed ba ang mission mo na akitin yung future step-dad mo?” natatawang tanong ni Abi. Naiinis na hinampas ko na lang ang braso n'ya.

“Sino ba kasi 'yang future step-dad n'ya?” tanong ni Cad.

“Ah, he's Xan--” agad kong pinutol ang sasabihin ni Abi.

“Stop, I don't even wanna hear that name,” I muttered with gritting teeth. “Damn, why is he so hard to deal with? This s**t should be easy as pie, I'll seduce him, he'll give in, and then it's over... And f**k, he said he has plans to marry my Mom! Is he for real?!” Kulang na lang ay itaob ko ang mesa sa inis na ngayon ko lang nailabas.

“If he seems serious about his feelings for your Mom, why don't you just give up? May mga lalaki naman talagang tulad niya, e,” Abi remarked. I sighed and stroked my hair using my fingers.

“No, kailangan nilang maghiwalay ni Mom.”

I can't let them be, maybe Xanthos is just confused or what. Why my Mom of all people? I can't let them be together. Hindi ko maaatim.

“Hayaan mo na lang sila, maghihiwalay rin naman sila panigurado dahil walang forever,” sabi ni Cad.

“Correct ka riyan,” sabi naman ni Abi at nakipag-apir kay Cadence. Napairap na lang ako.

What should I do? Should I really just give up?

* * *

“Ganito na lang, Kiarabog. Tingnan mo na lang kung talagang sincere 'yang boyfriend ni Tita Akira. Kapag mukha namang sincere talaga, e 'di give up ka na lang.”

I let out a heavy sigh and looked at myself in the mirror. I'm wearing a terno sportswear, may mini gym dito si Mom. Baka kahit papa'no kumalma ang isip ko habang nagwo-workout.

“Honestly, I don't give a f**k if he's sincere or not. Ayaw ko pa rin sa kanya for Mom sincere man siya o hindi. I want my parents back together, it won't happen if that man is still in my Mom's life.”

Itinali ko ang buhok ko at lumabas na ng silid ko pagkatapos kong makipag-usap kay Cadence. Kagabi pa bumabagabag sa isip ko ang mga advice sa 'kin nina Cad at Abi.

Should I just give up and let them be? Xanthos seems serious about Mom. Hindi naman siguro niya papasukin ang ganitong sitwasyon kung hindi. He's handsome as hell, he's incredibly rich too, and he's undeniably intelligent... He has all the qualities of a perfect man. He doesn't even need Mom's money or connection. Kaya ano pa ba'ng dahilan kung bakit siya nasa tabi ni Mom?

It's pretty obvious... he's sincere.

I just sighed and put the towel on my nape. Nagtungo na ako sa mini gym, natigilan ako nang makita si Xanthos sa treadmill. He's just wearing a short, he's freakin' topless.

My lips parted when I saw his muscular and fully tattooed body. His arms and his bare back are fully tattooed. Nakatalikod siya sa puwesto ko kaya hindi ko nakikita ang harapan niya, but I bet he has tattoos there too... Hindi halata sa hitsura niya na marami siyang tattoos sa katawan. Well, he always wears business suit or long sleeves, ngayon ko lang nakita ang katawan n'ya nang ganito. His body was ripped all over, pero hindi naman sobra katulad ng sa mga bouncer sa bar.

He has a huge dragon tattoo on his back, may Hebrew characters din doon at iba't ibang klaseng characters and images na hindi ko matukoy ang meaning. He has lots of tattoos pero hindi 'yon makalat tingnan, maayos ang pagkaka-tattoo sa kanya. Actually, his tattoos make him hotter and sexier. I appreciate tattoos ever since because I think it's a wonderful art, but I never thought I will find someone's tattoos sexy and hot.

Napailing na lang ako at pasimpleng lumapit sa kanya. Saglit na napatingin naman siya sa 'kin ngunit umiwas din agad ng tingin.

“Can I use the treadmill after?” I asked and smiled at him even though he's not looking at me.

He stopped the treadmill without saying anything. Umalis na siya sa treadmill at umupo sa upuan. Kinuha niya ang towel na nakasabit sa sandalan ng upuan saka nagsimulang punasan ang pawis n'ya.

Napailing na lang ako, he's so cold and distant. No one ignores me like he does, pakiramdam ko may nakakahawang sakit ako kung iwasan n'ya.

Is he that loyal to my Mom? I mean, no one can resist me, I can steal someone's boyfriend with just a simple wink. Kahit yata maghubad ako sa harapan ng Xanthos na 'to, hindi n'ya ako papansinin.

Napabuntong hininga ako at lumapit sa kanya. Natigilan si Xanthos sa pagpunas at napatingin sa 'kin. His thick eyebrow shot up as he looked at me.

“Do you really love my Mom?” I asked in a soft voice.

“I woudn't be here if I don't,” he answered blandly. I sighed and bit my lower lip. Damn it.

Fine, I'll give up.

“Do you still have anything to say or ask?” Xanthos asked as if he's wasting his precious time just by looking at me.

“Wala na,” tipid na sagot ko at napaiwas na lang ng tingin sa kanya.

Xanthos stood up and nodded. Natigilan ako nang mapadako ang tingin ko sa kaliwang braso niya. His tattoos there, why does it feel like I've seen those tattoos before?  The unique design of skulls and a compass, his left arm is fully tattooed with that design... I'm sure I've seen it before.

Akmang lalabas na ng mini gym si Xanthos nang tuluyan ng pumasok sa isip ko ang pilit kong inaalala... Naaalala ko na.

“Xanthos!”

Lumapit ako sa kanya. Natigilan naman siya nang harapin ko siya saka ngumiti nang matamis sa kanya. I took the towel from him and gently wiped the sweat on his neck. Halatang natigilan siya sa ginawa ko.

“Thank goodness I saw your tattoos,” I said seductively. Bumaba sa matipunong dibdib n'ya ang kamay ko at 'yon naman ang pinunasan ko.

“What the hell are you doing?” he asked in a cold tone and gripped my wrist, stopping me from wiping his hard chest.

“I was about to give up, Xanthos. Good thing I saw these tattoos,” I muttered and held his muscled arm. I ran my fingers there and smiled at him.

Napakunot namab ang noo ni Xanthos sa sinabi ko.

“That night when you kissed me at the bar, you already cheated on my Mom, Xanthos.” An evil smirk plastered on my face.

Halatang natigilan si Xanthos ngunit nanatili siyang walang emosyon habang nakikipaglabanan ng titig sa 'kin.

“You're not a decent loyal boyfriend to my Mom after all, huh. You even kissed me that night as if you don't have a girlfriend.” I mumbled and ran my fingers on his chest. Tila wala na 'kong pakialam kahit dumating pa si Mom at makita kami. Mas maganda nga 'yon, e.

I finally have a reason to keep on seducing him... Tingnan lang natin kung hanggang saan siya tatagal.