My Untamed Princess

Chapter 39: Breathe

"Why are we here?" tanong ni Cassie kay Will while looking at the tall building in front of them. Gabi na at pagod siya sa halos ilang oras na biyahe nila mula Pangasinan hanggang Maynila. If she’d have a choice, she’d rather sleep than go some place else.

Hindi agad sumagot si Will. Minaniobra nito ang sasakyan papasok sa isang private parking space na mayroong rolled up door. Will grabbed something from his pockets and pressed something in it. After that, unti-unting umangat ang rolled-up door. There she saw the familiar gray Lamborghini Huracan he used when they raced. Pinaandar nitong muli ang sinasakyan nila papasok sa rprivate parking space.

"Let's stay here for the night," pahayag nito habang inaalis ang susi sa ignition ng kotse.

Mabilis na bumaba ng sasakyan si Will at maagap siyang pinagbuksan ng pinto. Nang tuluyan na siyang makababa, mabilis nitong isinara ang pinto ng kotse bago ginagap ang kanyang kanang kamay.

Her heart instantly went into overdrive with what he did. It feels… awkward and happy at the same time. She bit her lower lip to prevent herself from smiling. She knew it will take a while for her to get use to this side of Will.

Will led her to the lobby of the building. The chandelier and the moss green tiled floor complimented perfectly. Even the cream-colored guest seats screamed of elegance. She knew the furniture must’ve come from Europe. The whole place was built in class and sophistication. She likes it.

The receptionist nodded at Will. Gumanti rin ng tango si Will bago siya iginiya patungo sa lift.

“You have a unit here?” pabulong na tanong niya.

“Yeah."

Tumalim ang mga mata niya rito. “And you let me live in the slums. Sinadya mo,” akusa niya, lumabi pa.

He chuckled, pulling her close to him before planting a soft kiss on her hair. “I was teaching you, remember? Besides, hindi mo ba talaga gusto sa tenement?”

“Gusto. I have friends there.”

“See, kung dito kita dinala, would you have gained friends?” Humaba lang ang nguso niya. Will is right. That place equates to the circle she’s from. She doubts if people form her circle would want to be real friends with her given her background. “Speechless. I’d take that as a yes,” nakangising dugtong nito.

He squeezed her hand lightly when he ushered her inside the lift. The warmth of his hand on hers reminded her that she really is not dreaming. They are real and that moment was all real.

Papasara na sana ang pinto ng lift nang bigla iyong pigilin ng isang lalaki na  may  kakaibang ngiti sa bibig habang nakatingin sa kanya.

 The man looked familiar. Maybe he belonged in her crowd. The smell of alcohol filled the lift the moment the man entered in. Pinindot nito ang 26th floor sa floor buttons. Mauuna silang bumaba dito kaya pumuwesto ito sa likuran nila-- sa bandang kanan niya, sa likuran din mismo ni Will. The man is a few inches shorter than Will. But he is also well-built.

 She started to feel uneasy when the elevator started moving. She felt like an observing eye was looking at her. Kaya naman, pasimple niyang sinilip sa kanyang peripheral vision ang lalaki. Kumpirmado, the man was checking her out. The man was looking at her lasciviously as he surveyed her from top to bottom. She gets that often, no matter how she acts or what she wears.

 Mabilis niyang binawi ang kanyang tingin. She wanted to dismiss any uneasy thoughts. She doesn't want to ruin this moment with Will. This is the first time they'll be seen in public as a couple.

Minutes passed but she began to get more uncomfortable when she heard faint shutter sounds on their back.  Inulit niyang tignan ang lalaki only to be shocked when she saw that he was already holding his cellphone and taking videos of her-- specifically her legs.

Pasimple niyang hinila pababa ang laylayan ng bestida niya. Na para bang kapag ginawa niya iyon ay hahaba ang tela ng suot niyang disenteng damit. Isiniksik din niya ang katawan kay Will at hinapit niya ang laylayan ng damit nito.

She wanted to punch the man behind her dahil sa hantaran nitong pambabastos sa kanya. That was not the first time that had happen to her. She maybe a brat or wild and gets whatever she wants like the world sees her, but she cannot fight for herself on instances like this. She cowered in the face of harassment. She’s weak. And she hates herself for that. She'd always act stupidly on moments that requires her coherence of thoughts. Always.

Idagdag pa na ayaw niyang gumawa ng eksena sa loob ng kakapiranggot na espasyo kung saan sila naroon.

She filled her lungs with air and looked at the floor counter. They are still 10 floors away from their destination.

Tila naramdaman ni Will ang pagkabalisa niya kaya hinapit siya nito palapit. She hesitantly looked up to him. Kunot-noo namang bumaling si Will sa kanya. Gusto niyang magsumbong ngunit walang lumabas ni isa mang salita mula sa bibig niya. Her lips just quivered with the struggle.

"Something wrong?" bulong nito sa kanya.

She blinked. Unsure if she’ll tell him what’s bothering her. Maya-maya pa, narinig nila ulit ang pagtunog ng shutter sa likod nila. Sabay silang lumingon.

The drunk bastard was still taking pictures and videos of her legs!

Kung gaano kabilis ang pagtalim ng mata ni Will ay ganoon din kabilis ang pagbalya nito sa lalaki sa isang sulok ng elevator.

"You f*****g perv!" angil ni Will.

She watched in horror as Will gave several punches to the man’s face. Hanggang sa tila lango na dumausos sa sahig ng elevator ang walanghiyang  lalaki.

Bibigyan pa sana ito ni Will ng suntok subalit pinigilan na niya.  Putok na ang bibig ng lalaki at halatang nahihilo na. The man looked like a punch away from death!

"T-tama na Will," she said in a shaky voice, gently reaching for his arm.

He quickly turned to her. His chest was rising and falling heavily. Hinila niya ito sa puwesto niya, just a few steps away from the perverted man.

Dumaing ang lalaki. Ngumiwi bago nagsalita. "That woman right there, slept with more than half  of the men's population of the city. You do know you're with a slut, right?" sabi nito, naglalaro sa ngiwi at ngisi ang bibig nito.

 She bit her lip. Gusto niyang umiyak pero pinigil niya.

Will was about to charge the man again but she held his arm tightly.

Isang tadyak sa tagiliran, iyon ang iginawad ni Will sa lalaki na nasa paanan nila. Lalong umungol sa sakit ang lalaki.

"One more word assh*le and you are dead," pagbabanta ni Will.

Dumaing ulit lang ang lalaki. He was holding his sides.

Mabilis na kinuha ni Will ang cellphone ng lalaki na nabitiwan nito at walang pakungdangang pinag-aapakan iyon hanggang sa magkapira-piraso.

Few seconds more, the lift chimed open. Umayos ng tayo si Will bago mabilis na naglabas ng tigi-ilang libo sa wallet nito.

"That should be enough to fix your perverted face, assh*le! Kung kulang pa 'yan, mention the name Scott O'Brien to the owner of this building. Ibibigay niya kung ano pang kailangan mo. But you have to make sure that you won't set foot on this building again. Because the next time I see you, I will kill you," he warned in between gritted teeth. Hindi pa ito nakuntento, tinadyakan nito ulit ang binti ng lalaki na muling dumaing.

 Taranta na niyang hinila palabas ng lift. Will lead the way to the unit at the end of the hallway.  Nang marating nila iyon, agad na pinindot ni Will ang passcode ng unit bago siya nito iginiya sa loob.

 It was a bachelor's pad. The unit was of  black and white theme. The furniture were perfectly arranged in a black and white symmetry. The floor was made of white marbled tiles, and the pristine white wall was decorated with black-patinaed minimilist paintings. One wall was made of thick glass and goes right through the balcony where the view of the city can be seen. The kitchen, which was located on the right side of the house ,was made of black countertops, cabinets, and stainless cookwares. The house also had a loft which housed a treadmill, a 5-in-1 gym equipment, and a punching bag and a door that would lead to a room she does not know of.

 Sandali niyang naiwala ang kaba habang pinagmamasdan ang kabuoan ng bahay upang mapaigtad lamang nang magmura si Will habang nasa kusina.

Mabilis itong naglabas ng ice pack sa ref at inilagay iyon sa kamay nito. He was cursing and hissing at the same time.

She nervously watched him pace in the kitchen, throwing series of expletives while holding the ice pack in his hand.

Will was fuming with anger. He was livid. And she’s afraid if what had happened in the lift would awaken the beast inside him.

Because of me, aniya sa srili. Nahihiya siyang nagyuko ng ulo.

 You are with a slut, said the perverted man in the lift.

Ilang beses na ba siyang sinabihan ng ganoong klaseng mga salita? A hundred times. A thousand times.  She had heard all the accusations about her countless times. But no, she didn’t get use to it. And everytime she hears it, she still gets deeply hurt. Like a part of her soul was ripped away from her.

Schatz, stay still.

Her hands began to shake as the words she hated burned in her memory one again. Trapping her to night she still regrets until today. Marahas siyang umiling, shaking off the bad memory.

"F*ck! Dammit!" malakas na sigaw ni Will bago ibinato ang hawak na ice pack sa sink.

Napaluha na siya sa puntong iyon. Maingat siyang humakbang patungo sa kitchen. She was facing his back, his hands were resting heavily on the sink.

She bit her lip as tears began to fall from her eyes. That was her fault. Everything was her fault because of who she is.

"I-I'm s-sorry, Will," she whispered in between sobs.

Mabilis na humarap sa kanya si Will. His face softened as he stared at her. Maya-maya pa humakbang ito palapit sa kanya. Mabilis nitong pinunasan ang mga luha niya. Lalo siyang naiyak. She not used to having someone wipe her tears. She had always cried alone before.

Will gently cupped her face after that. He made her look at him.

"I'm sorry," pag-uulit niya.

"For?"

"For...for...I don't have a dignity to be proud of, Will. People have... People will always say something bad about me. You will hear things-- awful things about me. And...." her voice trailed off. She was hurting so much.

"And?"

Muli siyang napaluha. "I don't think you deserve someone like me. Maiintindihan ko kung aawayan mo ako kaagad," paliwanag niya bago tuluyang yumuko.

She was confused, hurt, and helpless. Doubts kept on piling in her mind, crushing her. Breaking her over and over.

Muli, masuyong pinalis ni Will ang mga luha niya. "Let's start from the beginning, princess. Why are you crying?" tanong nito habang nakasapo ang isang kamay nito sa pisngi niya.

Her lips quivered. "B-because... I am sorry," bulong niya.

"For what?"

"F-for m-making you a-angry," alangin niyang sagot.

Lumamlam ang mga mata bago siya kinabig payakap."I'm not angry at you, Cassie. I can never get angry at you," sagot nito.

"But--"

"I was not angry at you. I am angry at myself because I couldn't protect you right. Kaya kong protektahan ang ibang tao pero hindi ko kayang protektahan ang taong mahal ko. I should've known that d*ckhead was a perv the moment he entered the lift," matigas na sabi ni Will bago siya muling niyuko. "Kulang pa 'yong ginawa ko sa kanya."

Marahan siyang umiling. "I don't want you to hurt anyone for me, Will," pakiusap niya.

He looked at her intently before planting a quick kiss on her lips.

"I could kill for you, princess. Even if that would mean my soul gets burned in hell after, I'd still do it as long as you are safe. I love you that much," bulong nito. "And please don't ever say that I deserved someone better.  It’s you that I love, Cassie. Only you."

Will lowered his head once again and claimed her mouth for a kiss. The kiss was tender, full of promises. And she responded with the same passion, the same pace—slow and steady. Few moments more, the kiss deepened and her knees buckled. The kiss was making her weak… deliriously weak.

 Maya-maya pa, Will lifted her on the counter top, parting her thighs so that it would circle his waist. Will’s lips travelled to her neck-- teasing that delicious sensitive hollow that made her whimper in delight. She closed her eyes and thugged his hair.

At that moment, she realized she was drowning. Will was making her feel many things. And she didn’t know what to do with it.

“Will,” bulong niya.

He didn’t respond. Muli lang nitong ibinalik ang mga labi nito sa bibig niya. He kissed her with so much urgency, coaxing her mouth to open up for him. And when she did, he tasted her—every corner, every crevices of her sweet mouth.

His hands then travelled on her back—reaching for the zipper of her dress. He gently pulled it down. Ilang sandali pa, lumaylay na sa balikat niya ang strap ng damit. Hanggang sa tuluyan nang malaglag ang mga iyon sa kanyang balikat, exposing her black lacy brassiere.

Will gently cupped one of her breast. Lalo siyang napapikit sa sensasyon na dulot niyon.  The warmth of his palm was seeping through the thin clothing of her breast—igniting a need deep within her. Making her crazy all the more.

"Cassie, baby, please tell me to stop. I can't control myself anymore," Will pleaded in between kisses.

Stop. Yes. You need to stop. This isn’t yet the time, says that small voice inside her head.

She agreed to that small voice. She knew it was right.

But how?

His breathing was rugged and so was hers. Even his hot breath against her skin were sending delightful tremors all over her.  She was drowning and yet she wanted more. But she knew, the moment the thinnest line of sanity snaps, the frenzied passion will devour her too.

"W-will," alanganing tawag niya rito habang patuloy ito sa pag-angkin sa mga labi niya.

Muli niya itong tinawag ngunit ungol ang isinagot nito.Patuloy nitong dinama ang kanyang dibdib habang ang isang kamay naman nito ay yumapos sa kanyang mga hita. Humaplos. Dumama. Nanggigil.

She whimpered and arched her back as the delicious need inside her grew.

Dammit! She doesn't want him to stop. But she knew if she'd let him continue, there's no turning back.

That’s when his phone rang. Agad siyang napamulat. Will was still kissing her holding her in all delicious places. But the ringing phone was more than enough to send her senses back to earth—to reality.

“W-Will, your phone’s ringing,” aniya sa pagitan ng paghalik ni Will.

Umungol lang ito, itinuloy ang paghalik sa kanya. Nagpatuloy sa pag-iingay ang cellphone nito. That’s when she mustered  all her strength and broke away her lips from his. She quickly cupped his face in between her hands. That’s when he opened his eyes.

"Will" aniya, habang nakatitig sila sa isa't-isa.

They were both catching their breaths. His eyes were still hooded with passion.

 "I'm sorry,” anito sa pagitan ng marahas na paghinga. “With you, I always lose control. God, baby, what did you do to me?" nanghihinang sabi nito bago alanganin siyang binitiwan. He quicly surveyed her now half naked body. He cursed before looking away. Nagmadali naman niyang inayos ang sarili niya at bumaba sa counter top.

"Go use the shower first, my room’s upstairs. You can get clothes in my closet,” anito, halos hindi makatingin sa kanya. Natataranta.

 “What clothes?”

“Decent… ones.” He huffed, tila nahihirapan.

She smiled. She knew what was happening to him. Because she’s feeling the need too. But she’s sane now. Way saner than him.

She grinned. There’s no more perfect time to get back at the kapre than now, she thought. 

“What for you are decent ones, Will?” she asked in a singsong voice to tease him.

“Naked... I mean… pants and shirt, dammit!” inis na sagot nito, tumingala at hinilot ang sentido. “And lock the door. Please, lock the door well, princess," anito nakaiwas pa rin ang tingin.

Lumabi siya. “Bakit hindi ka ba susunod?”

“Susunod… I mean, hindi,” mabilis na sagot nito. Bumulong ulit ng mura.

Napabungisngis siya. Oh she loves teasing him.

Noon tumigil ang pagtunog ng cellphone nito. Nagkatinginan sila pagkatapos. They held each other’s eyes for a while before she closed in the few steps between them.

She tiptoed and kissed his lips. “I love you, Mr. Johnson.”

Ngumiti na rin ito, humawak sa baywang niya. “I love you too, Ms. Echavez.”

Unti-unti ulit nitong inilapit ang mukha nito sa kanya. And when their lips were just inches apart, his cellphone began ringing again.

Nagmura ulit ito bago hinugot ang cellphone sa bulsa nito. “Matt, bakit ba?” iritableng bungad nito sa kausap.

It was his friend doctor who was calling.

Saved by a call, she thought.

At gaya ng sinabi nito, natatawa siyang umakyat sa kuwarto nito upang maligo.

She didn’t lock the door.