Sulleimani, Sirius Jaxon (Book 2 of His Serenity)

Chapter 14

Seyer stayed for the night. Kahit gaano pa katagal ay maaari naman siyang manatili. Nag-aalala lang ako dahil maya’t maya ang utos niya kay Sirius. Hindi ako makapagprisinta sa pagluluto. O kahit ang pagtulong sana sa paghahain at pagliligpit ng pinagkainan. Seyer was amazed by Sirius' cooking skills and believed their agency had skillful men. Tuwang-tuwa na may isang tauhan na may kakayahang gawin ang trabaho para sa sitwasyon na ito. 

If he only knew Sirius was not working for their firm. 

Nang matapos ang hapunan ay nag-usap pa sila ni daddy tungkol sa business. Muli niyang inutusan si Sirius na maglabas naman ng beer can para sa kanya dahil si daddy ay matagal nang tinigilan ang pag-iinom. He even invited me to join them but because of annoyance, I rolled my eyes and left them to rest in my room. 

Naligo ako at naghanda sa pagtulog. All the while contemplating if I should go back downstairs and tell Sirius he can call it a day, too. Subalit kung gising pa si daddy ay tiyak na mananatili siya rito sa bahay. Ayaw ko lang na maya’t maya siyang mautusan ni Seyer. Especially because I know it doesn’t suit him. Ako ang nahihiya sa bawat utos ni Seyer. He should at least have better consideration. Si daddy man ay hindi ganoong mag-utos. Ultimo baso ng tubig ay inuutos pa. 

“Tulog ka na?” Speaking of him, his voice rang in my room after the door opened. Bumangon ako mula sa pagkakadapa sa kama at pinanood ang pagpasok niya. He strides like he owns the room. He’s always welcome. Medyo naiinis lang ako sa kanya ngayon.

“What are you doing here?”

He playfully waved his hand at me to instruct me to move on the side. Umusad naman ako at hinayaan siyang ibagsak ang sarili sa kama. “Let’s share the bed tonight. Your only employee was busy cleaning the table outside… Tingin ko nga ay nagpapanggap lang na hindi ako narinig.”

“What? Ano na naman ang inutos mo?”

Nagsalubong ang kilay niya sa akin. He used his crossed arms behind his head as a pillow and leverage to intently watch me through the dim light. 

“What’s with the reaction? It’s not like I ask your boyfriend to do all the household chores?” Humalakhak siya at hinila ang braso ko upang dalhin ako sa kanya ngunit nanlaban ako. Nagmatigas ako at nang hindi kaagad siya bumitaw ay hinampas ko na ang dibdib. “Nakiusap ako kung pwede ba niyang ayusin ang guest room dahil magpapahinga na ako. I’m sure he heard me. Pero mukhang tatapusin muna ang gawain bago ako sundin. And I’m exhausted to even wait.”

“Sana kase ay kanina ka pa nagpahinga nang dumating ka. Isa pa, kanina ka pa utos nang utos sa tao. Alam mo namang mag-isa niyang ginagawa ang lahat.”

“I did?” he deadpanned while feigning the confusion embedded in his appearance. “I don’t think so. Hindi ko naman siya pinapahirapan. It’s just the water and the beer, and the extra plate because he didn’t include me earlier for lunch. Ito namang para sa guest room ay hindi niya sinunod kaya dumiretso ako rito. I could tell he has an attitude. If he’s making things hard for you―”

“He’s not!” I interrupted with my brittle voice. “You’re making things hard for him. He can’t do all your queries alone.” Pabagsak akong nahiga sa tabi niya. I playfully pushed him away to let him know how annoyed I was. Tumatawa siyang lumayo at nakihati ng comforter sa akin. 

“What queries? Mag-boyfriend ka na nga. You’ll be an old hag if you continue acting like that.”

“Umusad ka nga!” reklamo ko at muli siyang itinulak. Dahil wala namang espasyo sa gilid niya ay hindi siya nagpatinag. That’s when I finally noticed he’s still in his clothes. “Bakit hindi ka pa nagpapalit?”

He groaned and rolled on his side with his back now facing me. “Tinatamad at inaantok na ako. Goodnight.”

The next day, I was woken up by a murmured voice in the room. Nagmulat ko ng mga mata upang makita si Seyer na nakatayo at nakatanaw sa salaming bintana. The sun was barely up but it was easy to tell it’s already morning. Probably an hour later and the sun will cast lights on the world. Seyer noticed my movement. Lalo niyang hininaan ang boses. Halos bumulong sa kabilang linya. He put his hand over his mouth and the speaker before walking out of the room to let me continue my sleep. 

Nakabalik naman ako sa pagtulog pagkatapos noon. Nang muling dumilat ay mataas na ang sikat ng araw. It’s past nine on my clock. I headed to the bathroom to my morning routine. Bumaba ako para sa agahan. Malayo pa lang ay dinig na dinig ko na ang halakhak ni Seyer mula sa dining room. I quickened my pace to see what’s going on. I admitted I got a little worried about something he might be doing. Subalit nang makarating ako roon ay nag-uusap lang sila ni daddy. 

Sirius was standing by the corner. He was frowning as he fixated his eyes on Seyer. Wala namang kaalam-alam ang huli sa malamig na tinging ibinabato sa kanya. He was enjoying his company with my dad. Bagay na ikinatuwa ko nang makitang tumatawa rin si daddy. 

“Good morning, dad,” bati ko at humalik sa kanyang pisngi.  

“Good morning,” singit ni Seyer nang umupo ako sa kanyang tabi. I said nothing. Hindi naman niya puna dahil tuloy ang pagkwento niya kay daddy tungkol sa ilang pagtatalo niya with his dad. I have the urge to glance at Sirius. I followed it only for my skin to jump to realize how his eyes were already on me. Nag-iwas ako ng tingin at sinubukang makisabay sa usapan nila. 

Seyer was busy with his phone after breakfast. Ako naman ay nag-stretching sa kwarto dahil hindi nakapag-jogging. Then I took a bath and went back to the kitchen to prepare for lunch. Nasa veranda si Seyer nang pumasok ako rito ngunit ilang minuto lang ay nakasunod na siya sa akin. 

“Are you busy? I saw a jet ski outside. Let’s swim?”

Pinanood ko ang pagbabalik niya ng cellphone sa kanyang back pocket. “Mataas na ang araw para riyan.”

“In the afternoon, then?”

“Iyan ba ang pinunta mo rito? Marami namang ibang beach d’yan.”

Malalim ang pagsasalubong ng kanyang mga kilay bago muling umalingawngaw sa kabahayan ang kanyang tawa. He cupped my face with his hand and squeezed so hard my lips deformed. Pilit ko siyang itinutulak sa inis ngunit mas pinagdidiinan niya ang paghawak sa aking mukha. 

“S-Sey-yer!” I complained in an indistinct voice. Lalo siyang humagalpak sa itsura ko. 

“What’s wrong with you? Bakit parang ayaw mo na nandito ako? I’m not into serious trouble, okay? If that’s what you’re worried about. I just want to get rid of my stalker.”

His hold on me loosened, but his hands remained on my face. “What stalker?”

Ngumisi siya ngunit hindi naituloy ang isasagot nang pumasok si Sirius gamit ang back door. Mabilis kong itinulak si Seyer palayo sa akin. 

“Do’n ka na muna s-sa labas. Magluluto lang ako.”

Nagbalik-balik ang tingin sa amin ni Seyer. Subalit hindi niya kayang palagpasin ang sinabi ko. His eyes widened in bemusement. “Ikaw? Ano naman ang kaya mong lutuin?” He crossed his arms over his chest and lifted his chin higher. “I’ll stay here. Let me watch you.”

“H-Huh? Bakit―”

“I’ll do the cooking,” anunsyo ni Sirius na nagpatigil sa aming dalawa. His eyes shifted from me to Seyer and back to me. I instantly felt the change in the atmosphere. “If you two please excuse me.”

Hindi pa man siya natatapos sa sinasabi ay humakbang na siya palapit sa stove. Itinulak ko kaagad si Seyer at isinama sa paglayo sa daraanan ni Sirius. He immediately turned his back to us and busied himself with work. Bumakas na sa mukha ni Seyer ang matinding pagtataka. He moved lips to say something. I fisted my hand in his shirt. Dinungaw niya ako at ang mga kamay ko. Sa nangungusap na mga tingin ay umiling ako upang pigilan ang anumang binabalak niya. 

Not another trouble with Sirius, please. 

Hindi ko siya hinayaang makapagsalita. I dragged him with me out of the kitchen and away from Sirius. Nagpupumiglas pa siya ngunit patuloy kong hinila hanggang sa nasa dulo na kami ng hallway at malapit sa sala. 

“You’re acting strange,” puna niya nang nakangisi. “Is there something going between you and that man? Isusumbong kita kay Tito―”

I clamped my palm against his mouth to stop him. I don’t want dad overhearing him, too. Marahan niyang inalis ang kamay ko. Lumitaw ang nakakaloko niyang ngiti. I scowled at him. “Walang ganoon, Seyer. He’ll be busy. Ayaw ko lang na mag-utos ka nang mag-utos habang may ginagawa siya. You can tell me whatever you want. Ako na ang gagawa.”

“But you said you’ll cook lunch. Sinabi lang niya ay pumayag ka kaagad? Wala ka nang ginawa? That’s it?... I was honestly waiting to see what cooking you mean you’re doing.”

“Kaya nga umayaw ako at hinayaan na siya ay dahil alam kong mang-aasar ka lang. It’s not like you know anything in the kitchen. Tubig na nga lang ay hindi ka pa makakuha.”

He looked offended as his lips parted. But the amusement never left his eyes. As playful as he is, he placed his hands over his chest as if I’ve thrown a dagger at him. “That’s heartless of you. Ganyan din ba ang tingin mo sa’kin?”

“What?”

“Fine. You said you'd do the h-ell I want. Let’s go swim this afternoon.” He nodded with determination.

Mas tumalim ang tingin ko sa kanya. “I don’t see you bringing anything with you. May iba ka bang damit?”

He shrugged. “I’ll ask that man SJ to go out and buy me―”

Hinampas ko ang kanyang braso. “Stop it. Kasalanan mo na wala kang ibang dala kundi isang bag lang. Pagkasyahin mo iyon kung ilang araw mo man balak na mag-stay dito. I’ll teach you how to use the laundry. Hingin mo na lang din ang mga extra ni daddy. Huwag mo nang pahirapan si Jax― and tauhan namin. Marami pa siyang ginagawa.”

His eyes narrowed down at me. Umatras ako nang itulak niya ang mukha palapit sa akin. “Why don’t we ask the men who used to work here back then? Pati iyong sina Ate Candy? Huh?”

I squinted my eyes back. “Nag-usap na kami ni daddy tungkol d’yan. Mag-uusap kami ulit. For now―”

“No, I’ll talk to my dad.”

“Are you threatening me, Seyer?”

He regarded me with a serious expression. But his twisting lips betrayed him. He pursed them together to try to suppress a smile but failed. He chortled. “You’re actually threatened? Oh, God, Serenity! You’re all wrapped up knowing I’m just messing with you. Makes me wonder what really is going on here?”

“Wala!” I shouted in annoyance. “Stop it.”

“What?” He chuckled at his own pun. “Bakit ganyan ka sa’kin ngayon? I wonder if all those boys wishing to court you will still flock at your feet once they witness this side of you. You’re actually scary!” He widened his eyes and lifted his hands at me with his fingers spread apart in an attempt to imitate a ghost or a monster. None of those scared me. Not even after he let out a scary shrill that sounded more like an animal in despair. Matalim ko siyang tinitigan. 

Another burst of argument was cut short by the sound of his ringing phone. He roared at me one last time before he answered it and waved his hand to leave me. Umirap akong muli. Natigil ang plano kong pagsunod sa kanya dahil sa kamay na humila sa aking braso. Before I knew it, I was dragged into my father’s office room. The door slammed behind me before I was pushed against it.

Namilog ang mga mata ko kay Sirius na halos magbuga ng apoy ang mukha. He was flushed… and furious. His chest was heaving with an increased heart rate. 

“SJ.” I bit my lower lip and shook my head after looking around. “We shouldn’t be here. Opisina ito ni daddy. Medyo partikular siya sa mga―”

He reached out for the small painting by the wall and beside the door. Sa isang hablutan lang ay madali niya iyong naibagsak sa sahig mula sa maayos na pagkakasabit sa pader. I gasped in surprise. I attempted to get it but he kept me by the door. 

“SJ!” I hissed. “Huwag naman ang mga gamit dito ni daddy.”

“I don’t like what I’m seeing around since that guy came here,” he muttered with a voice that sounded to be coming from his nose. But his teeth were grating. He smoothly dismissed my words. His jaw clenched as he inched closer to my face. “You know it.”

“I… Seyer is like a cousin.”

“But he’s not.”

Mabilis akong napakurap. “But he is to me. Ganoon din ako sa kanya. Bestfriends si daddy at si Uncle Steve. Seyer is like―”

“He did stay in your room last night,” he concluded, unblinking. His voice was coated with unyielding assurance. 

“Uh… that…” I’m lost for words. Hence, the silence grew between us. Until he impatiently broke it. 

“Serenity,” he warned. 

“It’s a normal thing between us. Kahit naman noon…”

“End it,” he ordered. “End being too close to him or I’ll send him out of here this instant.”

Marahan akong umiling. “Seyer is working in the security agency. K-Kung gagawa ka ng bagay na pagdududahan niya ay maaari niyang pabalikin―”

“You think it’d bother me? I’m more bothered to find out you slept with him last night.”

“It’s not what you think. Huwag mo’ng pag-isipan ng ganoon ang relasyon namin ni Seyer. Kung marinig ka niya ay tiyak na pagtatawanan niya ang sinasabi mo.”

“Pagtatawanan din ba niya kung ako iyon?”

“What?”

He stepped away from me and regarded me with discretion. “I’ll go prepare lunch. Tonight, I’ll sleep in your room like your so-called cousin did. Ikaw na ang bahalang magdesisyon kung sino ang papalayasin mo. But I’m telling you, there’s no way I’ll leave your room tonight.”

I stepped to the side to let him get to the door. Nang buksan niya iyon ay wala sa sarili kong hinawakan ang braso niya. My hands were light as a feather. He could have freed himself anytime he wanted. He could honestly barely feel. Ako pa nga ang nabigla nang huminto siya sa marahang dampi na iyon. 

“Jaxon,” tawag ko upang makiusap. My hands automatically let go when his eyes deliberately glanced down at my hands on him. Then his eyes lifted up to penetrate mine. 

“It’s SJ, sweetheart…” his voice was enough to make me shudder. Inangat niya ang kamay upang ayusin ang takas kong buhok. Iyon ang natatanging malinaw na hindi nagbago. Everything about him can be as chilling as he wanted it to be. But his touch remained gentle. Like a lacy against my skin. Strange, I know. “Don’t be any five feet closer to him if you don’t want me stepping in between and in front of anyone… I’m holding back because of you. I’ll stop holding back because of you.”

And he left. 

He left me to thoroughly process his words. Ngunit ang atensyon ko ay naagaw ng painting na ibinagsak niya. Mabuti na lang at hindi naman nasira dahil sa carpet bumagsak. 

If I’m indeed not allowed to call him by his name Jaxon, can I also tell him to stop calling me ‘sweetheart’? I just don’t want to risk anyone discovering it.