Chasing the Forbidden (SERIE FEROCI 3)

Chapter Four

“I don't know what you're talking about,” he mumbled and turned his back on me. I crossed my arms over my chest and raised my eyebrow.

“Of course, hindi mo naman aaminin na totoo 'yon. But I don't care, sigurado ako na ikaw ang naka-make out ko sa bar,” sabi ko saka muli siyang hinarap. I wanna see his reaction.

As usual, he looks cool about it. Mukha ngang hindi siya kinakabahan sa nalaman ko. He's just staring at me as if what I've said wasn't a big deal. I sighed and bit my lower lip... He excites me more now. Malakas ang pakiramdam ko na nasa loob ang kulo ng isang 'to. He's just fighting it. I'm sure.

“You're just being delusional,” he said blandly.

Hinablot n'ya ang t-shirt niya na nasa isang upuan saka sinuot 'yon. Napataas na lang ang kilay ko. Akmang lalabas na siya ng gym pero agad ko siyang hinarangan. Napakunot naman ang noo n'ya sa ginawa ko.

I guess he's still a human after all, even his simple reactions are cute. Until now I'm still wondering how Mom fell for this emotionless man. Kahit yata tutukan siya ng baril, hindi siya magre-react.

“Do you really think you can get away with it, Xanthos?”

Xanthos remained silent.

“Why are you making it a big deal? If I really kissed you then sorry to burst your bubbles but I can't recall that anymore. For sure I was just drunk when that happened. Just forget about it,” he said and held my arm and pulled me away from the door.

Lumabas na siya ng gym pero agad ko naman siyang sinundan. Damn working out, this man is more important to deal with. I won't let him get away with it.

I held his arm to stop him from walking away. He took a deep breath and faced me again. Sa pagkakataong 'to, mukhang naiinis na talaga siya. But I'm not scared. Sa aming dalawa, siya ang dapat matakot.

“What the hell do you want?” mariing tanong niya at marahas na binawi ang braso mula sa pagkakahawak ko.

“You're a cheater,” I muttered with gritting teeth and pushed his chest.

“I don't have time with your games. Pinagpapasensyahan lang kita dahil anak ka ni Akira. Don't make me lose it, Kiara,” he mumbled while looking directly at my eyes. His eyes scream authority and dominance.

Pakiramdam ko nagtayuan ang lahat ng balahibo sa katawan ko nang banggitin n'ya ang pangalan ko. I find my name ordinary, nothing special... but hearing it from him makes my name more pleasing to hear.

A smirk formed on my lips. I bit my lower lip and held his arm gently. I felt his strong and hard muscles there. I think his arms are enough to crush my whole body... Now, I'm turned on.

“Am I a bad girl?” I asked in a seductive tone. My hand goes down until it reached the hem of his shirt. Tila nanunuksong ipinasok ko ang kamay ko sa loob ng t-shirt niya. Nanatiling nakatitig sa akin si Xanthos. I can't read what's on his mind right now. He's just staring at me with the usual look in his eyes.

“You're indeed a bad girl,” he muttered in a low tone. Hinawakan n'ya ang kamay ko at inilayo iyon sa damit n'ya.

“Then spank me, punish me with these large hands,” I whispered and ran my fingers on his hands.

Saglit siyang natahimik. Naglalabanan lang kami ng titig dalawa. I honestly don't know where I took the courage to say or do these stuffs to him. Hindi ko ginagawa ang mga ganitong bagay sa mga naka-fling ko noon... but Xanthos is a different case.

I was stunned when he held my hand and pulled me closer to him. Ang mas lalong nagpagulat sa akin ay nang walang kahirap-hirap na pinatalikod n'ya ako saka ako pinadapa sa malapit na couch. My knees instantly weakened when his hands held my lower abdomen and lifted it up, my cheeks heated when I realized that my hips are elevated. Napakapit ako nang mahigpit sa sandalan ng couch. Ramdam na ramdam ko ang init ng katawan niya mula sa likuran ko.

Mas lalo akong kinakabahan dahil hindi ko nakikita ang reaksyon n'ya.

“W-what are you doing?” I asked in a nervous tone. Pakiramdam ko nawalan na ako ng kontrol sa larong ako ang nagsimula. I felt so weak beneath him.

Inilapit n'ya ang labi sa tainga ko. Pakiramdam ko may dumaloy na kuryente sa buong katawan ko nang dumampi ang malambot niyang labi sa tainga ko.

“You told me to spank you,” he mumbled. Tila nagkagulo ang sistema ko nang dumampi ang mainit niyang hininga sa tainga ko.

“X-Xanthos...”

Napatingin ako sa pinto, anumang oras pwedeng dumating si Mom. Hindi ba siya natatakot?

“Why? Scared? I thought you want to be punished, I'll give it to you if that's what you want... bad girl,” he whispered. His voice is so deep and sexy.

I gasped when his hand touched my lower back gently.

Damn, I didn't know he'll do this for real. I didn't expect that he has courage to do this... to tease me like this.

“Kiara! Xanthos! Nagluto ako ng almusal!”

Tuluyan ng bumigay ang mga tuhod ko nang marinig ko ang boses ni Mom mula sa kusina. Agad na nahawakan ni Xanthos ang baywang ko upang hindi ako sumubsob sa couch.

“Do you want her to see us like this? Huh?” he asked in a deep husky voice.

“L-let me go,” I muttered weakly.

Nakahinga lang ako nang maluwag nang tuluyan na n'ya akong bitiwan. Agad na bumagsak ang nanghihinang katawan ko sa couch. My knees are still shaking, I can feel the sweat all over my body for some unknown reason.

Wala pa nga siyang gaanong ginawa pero ganito na ang epekto sa akin... Damn, Xanthos is really something.

Xanthos stood up and stared at me with blank expression.

“Stop bothering me if you don't want me to punish you for real... If that happens, I won't stop punishing you even if you beg me to stop.” He took his towel and wiped his nape while staring at me.

Hindi na ako nakapagsalita nang umalis na siya sa gym at iniwan akong nakatulala rito.

To be honest, his threat didn't scare me at all... it just excites me and made my insides churned... I'm turned on.

Damn, I want him... I want him to do me, I want him to take me. I want him so much.

AS EXPECTED, Xanthos acted like he didn't tease me at all.

“OMG, I knew it, Xanthos Archante is really a beast. Girl, just leave him to me.”

Tiningnan ko nang masama si Abi. Siya ang kausap ko ngayon dahil ayaw ko namang i-kwento kay Cad ang tungkol sa ginawa ni Xanthos kanina. Mas expert si Abi sa kalandian. Maybe she can give me an advice... Pakiramdam ko kasi ako ang matatalo sa aming dalawa ni Xanthos and of course I won't let that happen. I have to be the dominant and seductress in the game I started.

“Xanthos is so hard to read, Abi. Hindi ko alam kung ano'ng tumatakbo sa isip n'ya. Does he find me attractive or he's just want me get the f**k out of his life? Pinagti-trip-an niya lang ba ako o talagang naaakit siya sa 'kin? I don't know, Abi. I can't let him win this s**t,” I said and gritted my teeth.

I drank the liquor that Cad served me awhile ago. By the way, where is he now? May iba na naman bang nilalandi ang lalaking 'yon?

“If he teased you like that, then he's just playing hard to get, b***h. He really likes playing with you, you should grab the chance... But wait, are you willing to lose you v-card to him?” Abi asked and raised her eyebrow. Natigilan naman ako sa tanong n'ya.

Damn, why did I even tell her that I'm still a virgin? Wala pa namang preno ang bibig nitong si Abi kung magtanong.

“Sa akin na lang 'yon, masyado ka ng tsismosa ha,” pag-iwas ko na lang sa usapan at basta siya sinubuan ng fries.

“By the way, pansin ko pa-chill chill ka na lang nitong mga nakaraang araw ha. Hindi ko na workaholic ngayon?” tila natatawang tanong ni Abi. Napairap na lang ako.

“I'm on vacation leave. Babalik din ako sa work after two weeks kaya kailangan ko ng mapasuko ang Xanthos na 'yon hangga't hindi pa 'ko busy.”

“Iyon naman pala, e. Bakit mo sinasayang ang oras mo rito sa bar?” Abi asked and chuckled.

Natigilan ako... oo nga 'no. Why am I wasting my precious time here?

Agad akong tumayo at kinuha ang sling bag ko. Natigilan ako nang makita si Cadence na papalapit sa amin. Nagtatakang nakatingin siya sa 'kin.

“Aalis ka na agad?” Cad asked and sat beside Abi.

“Oo, kailangan kong pagplanuhan nang maigi kung paano ko aakitin si Xanthos, I have a limited time only, you know,” sabi ko na lang saka pinagpag ang damit ko.

“Xanthos? Did I hear it right? Is that his surname or--” agad kong pinutol ang sasabihin ni Cadence.

“I don't want to chit chat now, mamaya na lang tayo mag-usap. Call me if you want, bye!”

Bumeso ako kay Abi saka humalik sa pisngi ni Cadence bago umalis ng bar. Sumakay na agad ako sa kotse at pinaharurot 'yon. Buti na lang kaunti lang ang ininom ko, light drinks pa.

Nakauwi rin agad ako sa bahay, agad akong bumaba ng kotse at kinuha ang susi ng gate sa sling bag ko. Papalapit na sana ako sa gate nang madapa ako, naputol ang takong ng heels ko.

“f**k,” I mumbled and removed my heels.

Napangiwi ako at agad na tiningnan ang tuhod ko. Nakahinga lang ako nang maluwag nang makitang wala naman 'yong sugat.

Akmang tatayo na ako nang maagaw ang atensyon ko ng ilaw galing sa kotse. That car is familiar, as far as I remember, that is Xanthos' car.

Tama nga ang hinala ko, lumabas ng kotse si Xanthos. Mukhang kakagaling n'ya lang sa trabaho dahil naka three-piece suit pa siya.

Hinabol ko siya ng tingin. Saglit siyang tumingin sa 'kin na nakaupo pa rin sa sahig, ngunit nilagpasan n'ya rin ako at nagtungo na sa gate upang buksan 'yon. Napaawang na lang ang labi ko sa ginawa n'yang pag-dedma sa 'kin.

“Xanthos!” I shouted and threw my heels at him. He looked at me with creased forehead.

“What?” he asked as if he doesn't give a f**k.

“What are you doing?! Help me get up! Nakita mo ng ganito ang hitsura ko, 'di ba?” nakataas-kilay na tanong ko.

“Can't you just stand up?” tanong na n'ya. Naningkit ang mga mata ko.

“Hihingi ba ako ng tulong sa 'yo kung kaya ko namang tumayo?” Actually, kaya ko naman talagang tumayo.

“I don't know, maybe this is just a part of your scheme,” he said and shrugged. I rolled my eyes in annoyance.

“To hell with that, if you don't want to help me, fine. Pumasok ka na sa loob.” Napaismid na lang ako.

Natigilan ako nang tumango siya at pumasok na nga siya sa loob. Napangiwi na lang ako at hinilot ang paa ko. He's far from being a gentleman, paano ba siya nagustuhan ni Mom?

Akmang tatayo na ako nang maramdaman kong may malakas na braso na bumuhat sa 'kin. Gulat na napatingin ako kay Xanthos at napakapit sa batok n'ya. Xanthos carried me, bridal style. Did he just carry me? Ano naman kaya ang nakain n'ya?

Hindi na lang nagsalita si Xanthos at binuhat ako hanggang sa loob, natahimik na lang ako dahil baka bigla na lang n'ya akong bitiwan kapag nang-inis ako.

Xanthos put me on the couch. I just cleared my throat and scratched my nape. Should I say thank you? Well, maybe that's not a good idea, that will just make the atmosphere more awkward.

Akmang iiwan na ako ni Xanthos dito nang hawakan ko ang laylayan ng coat n'ya. Natigilan naman siya at napatingin sa 'kin. Inangat ko na lang ang kanang paa ko at ipinatong 'yon sa mini table.

“Massage my foot, it really hurts,” I said and slightly pouted.

Xanthos just sighed and sat on the mini table. He gently held my foot and put it on his lap. He starts massaging my foot gently. Napapangiwi na lang ako dahil talagang masakit ang paa ko.

Anyway, hindi ko inasahang susundin n'ya ang sinabi ko. Siguro naawa na siya sa kalagayan ng paa ko.

“It's swelling,” Xanthos murmured.

“It's nothing, yelo lang ang katapat n'yan,” sabi ko na lang at sumandal sa sandalan ng couch at tinitigan siya.

I guess Xanthos has a soft side too, huh.

Pinanood ko siya habang hinihilot ang paa ko. Obvious naman na wala siyang alam sa ginagawa n'ya, but I still enjoy it. His gentle touch contradicts his large and calloused hands. Pakiramdam ko nga ay kayang kaya n'yang baliin ang buto ko ro'n ng walang kahirap-hirap.

Masyado siyang focused sa paghilot sa paa ko kaya yata hindi na n'ya napapansin na nakatitig ako sa kanya. Kahit sino'ng nasa posisyon ko mapapatitig sa kanya nang matagal.

“Where's Mom?”

“Work,” tipid na sagot n'ya.

Mukhang bumalik na ulit si Mom sa pagiging workaholic.

Napatitig na lang ako sa kanya ulit. Kung ano-anong ginagawa n'ya sa paa ko, pinipindot-pindot n'ya rin. Kung ire-rate ko ang hilot n'ya, malamang 2.5/10.

“Kung hindi ka lang kabit ni Mom, I'll definitely date you,” I murmured while staring at him.

Natigilan naman si Xanthos sa ginagawa at napatingin sa 'kin. He just gave me a slight smirk and scratched his thick eyebrow.

“Kung hindi ako kabit ng Mom mo, I still won't date you.”

Bumalik na siya sa paghilot sa paa ko. Napaismid na lang ako sa sinabi n'ya. Why is he so confident? Am I really not attractive in his eyes? Ano ba'ng mali sa akin? Or am I too provocative?

“So, you're really into older women?” I asked and raised my eyebrow.

“Maybe I just don't like immature and younger ones like you.”

Grabe talaga siya magsalita, masyadong direct to the point at wala man lang filter.

“I'm not immature and I'm already 24.” My forehead furrowed.

“It's okay to be immature though. Stop acting like a mature woman, take it easy, and enjoy your pace. Life is short.”

Napatingin ako sa kanya. Seryoso ang mukha n'ya habang sinasabi ang mga 'yon ngunit hindi siya nakatingin sa 'kin kundi sa paa ko.

Natigilan ako nang tumingin siya sa 'kin. I blinked twice because of the intensity of his stare. Why is he looking at me like that?

Tumayo na siya at muling ipinatong ang paa ko sa mini table. Nanatili akong nakatingin sa bawat galaw n'ya. Nakapamulsang tumingin siya sa 'kin.

“Enjoy everything while life's still not f*****g you up. Stop wasting your time on me for it won't benefit you.”

Pagkasabi no'n ay agad na n'ya akong iniwan dito sa living room. Napakunot na lang ang noo ko, na-gets ko naman ang sinabi n'ya... pero pakiramdam ko may mas malalim pang ibig sabihin 'yon.

* * *

“Sunggaban mo na lang siya basta pagkatapos magpahuli ka kay Tita Akira, tapos ang problema mo.”

Napailing na lang ako sa sinabi ni Cadence. As if naman gano'n lang kadali iyon.

“I won't do that. Baliw ka ba?”

“Ano ba kasi talagang plano mo, sis? Gusto mo ma-fall sa 'yo 'yung soon to be step-dad mo para makipaghiwalay siya kay Tita Akira?” tanong ni Cad.

“Yeah, that's right. I will make him fall for me just like in the movies,” I said with a smirk plastered on my lips.

“I think it will be the other way around,” natatawang sabi na lang ni Cad. Napairap naman ako.

“Hindi ako gano'ng karupok, Cad. Besides, nothing's special about him aside from being sinfully handsome. I've already flirted with handsome guys like him before.” But Xanthos is exceptionally handsome though

Napailing na lang ako, what the hell am I thinking?

“By the way, bye na. Mag-aalmusal muna 'ko, baka hindi ako pumunta sa bar tonight. Not sure. Bye!” Hindi ko na siya hinintay na sumagot at basta na lang binaba ang tawag.

Tumingin muna ako sa salamin bago lumabas ng kwarto. Pambahay lang ang suot ko, cotton shorts and t-shirt.

Dumiretso agad ako sa dining room. May nakahandang pagkain do'n pero walang tao. Sumilip ako sa living room para tingnan kung nandoon sila. Natigilan ako nang makita si Mom at Xanthos doon... bakit may dalang maleta si Mom?

Agad akong lumapit sa kanila, napatingin naman sila sa 'kin. Mom gave me a smile and pulled me into a tight hug. I just blinked and hugged her back. What the hell is happening?

Kumalas na si Mom sa pagkakayakap sa 'kin saka tumingin kay Xanthos. She gave him a peck on his lips, agad naman akong napaiwas ng tingin. They just kissed in front of me, great.

“Kiara, anak. I'll be on a business trip for a week or two. Is it okay? You can stay with your Dad if you're--” agad kong pinutol ang sasabihin n'ya.

“It's fine!”

Nagtatakang napatingin sila sa 'kin ni Xanthos. I just cleared my throat and scratched my nape. Damn, I just made it so obvious.

“I mean, it's fine. I'll still stay here. I want to know my future step-dad more,” I said and smiled sweetly at her.

Damn, this will be the perfect opportunity, I shouldn't waste this one.

“By the way, where will you be staying, Mom?” I asked and held her hand.

“Sa Vietnam, may ipapatayong ilang branch do'n.”

Napatango na lang ako sa sinabi n'ya.

“Should I just come with you?” Xanthos asked. My eyebrow instantly shot up. Damn this man.

“You don't have to, I'll be fine. Sanay na naman ako sa business trips. Just take care of my daughter, hmm?”

“Let me take you to the airport,” sabi pa ni Xanthos. Napailing na lang si Mom habang natatawa.

“I'm fine, seriously. May trabaho ka pa. Kaya ko naman mag-isa.”

Tumango na lang si Xanthos kahit halatang napipilitan.

“By the way, I have to go. Male-late ako sa flight, bye! Don't skip meals.” Pagkasabi no'n, binitbit na ni Mom ang maleta n'ya at agad na lumabas ng bahay.

Naglakad kami ni Xanthos hanggang pinto at sinilip si Mom hanggang sa makasakay siya sa kotse at makaalis 'yon.

Napatingin ako kay Xanthos nang kami na lang dalawa. Hinahabol pa rin n'ya ng tingin ang kotse ni Mom. An evil grin plastered on my face. He was taken aback when I suddenly hugged his arm.

“What are you doing?” He tried to push me but I just hugged him tighter.

“Mom said you should take care of me,” I said and smiled sweetly at him. Napakunot naman ang noo n'ya.

Idinikit niya ang dulo ng hintuturo sa noo ko at itinulak ako palayo. Napaismid na lang ako at sinimangutan siya.

“You're not a Daddy material,” I said while shaking my head.

Muli akong lumapit sa kanya at humawak sa braso n'ya. Napakunot naman ang noo n'ya.

“By the way, tayo lang dalawa sa bahay na 'to for a week... it will surely be chaotic, right?” I asked and gave him a sweet smile. Xanthos sighed and faced me.

Natigilan ako nang humakbang siya papalapit sa 'kin, ako naman ang napaatras dahil sa intensidad ng tingin n'ya. Damn, this man is moody as f**k.

“Yeah, it will be chaotic... and it will surely not gonna to be easy for me, it will give me hard time.”

A smirk plastered on my face. He just emphasized the word hard. What does he mean by that?

“So, you find me seductive?” I asked and ran my fingers on his chest.

“No, I find you troublesome...” He gave me a sexy smirk. “...and I won't find you seductive for you're far from being one.”

Pagkasabi no'n, agad na rin n'ya akong tinalikuran at bumalik na sa loob. Napaawang na lang ang labi ko sa sinabi n'ya.

Did he just... insult me?