Hot Shower

Chapter Twenty Three

Chapter 23

"Oh, yeah Doyle. Long time no see." Nakipagkamayan muna si Kev kay Doyle, tinanggap niya naman ito pero seryoso pa din ang mukha niya. "Ella? She's here. She's with me. Gotta problem?" Kev asks.

This is wrong. Parang masama ang pakiramdam ko sa pag-uusap nila kaya tumayo na lang ako at nagpakita kay Doyle. Nasa pinto pa din kami habang siya naman ay nasa labas.

"Hey! I'm here. Need something?" Formal kong tanong. I sound like a friend to him at pilit kong kinakalma ang sarili ko.

"Uhhh, no." Tumikhim muna siya at nagpalit-palit ng tingin samin ni Kev.

Nakahawak kasi ako sa braso ni Kev at si Kev ay nakahawak sa bewang ko. It's like I'm making him jealous with what we're doing in front of him pero mas maganda na din ito para hindi kami mahalata ni Kev.

"You forgot the folders in the car." Inabot niya ang folder na hawak niya sa akin. "Here,"

Mabilis ko itong kinuha at pilit na ngumiti sa kanya. "Oh, thanks."

Nilingon ko si Kev na nakatingin sa akin at ngumiti lang ako sa kanya at nagkibit-balikat.

"Hanggang ngayon makakalimutin ka pa din." Tumawa si Kev at ginulo ang buhok ko.

"Babe!" Suway ko sa kanya at inirapan.

Kev patted my head and kiss it after. Iniwas ko ang sarili ko kasi alam kong nakatingin sa amin si Doyle.

"Hmm..."

Natigil kami sa asaran ni Kev nang tumikhim siya.

"I... I gotta go." He said with a blank reaction.

Ngumiti ako sa kanya and Kev patted his shoulder.

"Okay, dude."

"See you tomorrow. Goodnight." He almost whimpered.

"See you, Doyle. Goodnight." Mahinahon ko ding sabi at nagtitigan kaming dalawa.

Tumagal ang titigan namin hanggang sa hawakan ni Kev ang doorknob at ngumiti siya kay Doyle.

"See ya bro."

Tumango lang si Doyle sa kanya tsaka sinara na ni Kev ang pinto. Nilapag ko naman agad ang folder na binigay niya tsaka ako naupo sa kama. Sumunod naman sa akin si Kev at naupo sa tabi ko. He cupped my face and smiled.

"What's bothering you?"

Umiling lang ako at ngumiti sa kanya.

"Nothing," I cupped his face.

"You can talk about it with me,"

Pinagsalikop niya ang kamay naming dalawa at nilaro.

"It's nothing, babe." Kinakabahan kong sabi. "It's just... I'm happy that you're here." I faked a satisfying smile.

He lean down and give me a kiss. The kiss is slow and passionate. I respond. But the thing is I'm thinking about Doyle's lips instead of his. Mabilis akong humiwalay at ngumiti sa kanya.

"Let's get some sleep?" Yaya ko at nahiga na.

"Sure,"

Tumabi na din siya sa akin at niyakap ako. He buried his face on my shoulder. Tumalikod ako from him and we have this spoon position.

"Sleep now babe. May pupuntahan pa tayo bukas." He said and kiss my forehead at mas hinigpitan ang yakap niya sa akin.

"Saan?"

"Hmmm, I wanna date you tomorrow." Ngiti niyang saad.

"Kev, I have to work tomorrow."

Inilapit niya naman ang mukha niya sa mukha ko at bumulong.

"Don't worry, I'll talk to Doyle."

Hindi na ako umimik at pumikit na. I'm wondering what Kev is thinking kasi baka nakakakutob na siya sa amin. Kev is smart so we have to be careful.

"Alright then. Goodnight." Hinalikan ko ang kamay niyang nakahawak sa akin.

"Goodnight. I love you." He whispers.

Kev and I sleep without having something. Ganoon kataas ang respeto sa akin ni Kev at kahit pa gustong-gusto niyang gawin ito ay alam kong pinipigilan niya. No wonder why I fell for him, he's gentle and caring.

When I woke up, Kev is not beside me. I checked my phone and there, walang man lang text si Doyle sa akin. Kumusta na kaya siya? I know he's hurting but we have to be this way, it's safer.

Bumangon na ako at naligo tsaka ko nabasa ang note ni Kev sa center table.

When you wake up, come and check me at the restaurant. Breakfast is waiting. Love you babe.

Napangiti ako at mabilis na nagtungo sa baba sa restaurant and saw him there waiting. Nang makita niya ako ay napangiti siya. Pinagbuksan ako ng staff and mabilis ko siyang niyakap.

"What are you doing?" Pabulong kong tanong since nakatingin sa amin ang lahat ng tao dito.

Sinara kasi ang buong restaurant at ginawa nilang romantic ang ambiance tsaka may mga nagpeplay pa ng violin sa gilid. Napakaganda ng set-up sama mo na din ang candle lights na nasa mesa at ang petals ng roses around.

Hinarap niya naman ako sa kanya at ngumiti.

"Babe, hindi ba sabi ko magdedate tayo today? Here it is,"

What a sweet sweet Kev. Ganito talaga siya mag-effort, halos lahat ng bagay ay gagawin niya mapasaya lang ako.

"You won't have to do this."

"Babe, I have to. I heard that you're very stressed and wala ka na ding party life or even shopping life, so this is it."

Natawa naman ako sa sinabi niya at napalo siya sa dibdib.

"How do you know that?" Natatawa kong tanong.

"I just asked someone." Napayuko siya at hinila na ako papunta sa table doon kung saan nakahanda na ang mga pagkain.

"Sino?" Tanong ko nang makaupo na kami.

Tinawag niya ang waiter at naghanda na ng pagkain namin.

"Eat whatever you want babe." Ngiti niyang sabi habang naghahanda na para kumain.

"Sinong pinagtanungan mo?" I ask once again.

Natigil siya at napakamot habang nag-iisip.

"Ahhh, she's... One of your staffs I think, uhm I think she's Doyle's assistant? I forgot her name but sounds like yours."

"Bella," turan ko.

"Yeah, yeah... Bella." He confirmed.

Bella is again getting on my nerves. Baka mamaya niyan agawin niya sa akin si Kev or Doyle. She's really b***h and I'm starting to hate her.

"Why? Something wrong?"

"Nothing," ngumiti ako at sumubo na ng fresh tuna mixed with some rice on a seaweed. I don't know what its called.

"You sound jealous, aren't you?" Kev chuckled.

"I'm not!" Tanggi ko naman sa kanya.

Natawa na lang siya at kumain na.

"There's nothing to be jealous about babe, I'm all yours."

He smiled sweet. I feel my blush on my cheek and focus on my food.

"You're so quiet since yesterday. Are you mad at me?" He asked in the middle of our breakfast.

I am not really mad at him, I'm guilty. He's so sweet and willing to give me everything, while me, I'm still cheating. About an hour ago, I texted Doyle some goodmorning texts but then I didn't get any reply from him. Maybe he's busy.

"Ella,"

Napukaw ang atensyon ko sa pagtawag niya.

"Babe what's wrong?"

Umiling ako at ngumiti.

"It's... It's uh, nothing."

"Sure?"

"Is it about your work?"

"No," tanggi ko. "It's just... I'm worried about you being here. What if our parents found out? Kev, this decision is bad and I feel like something might happen to you." I explained.

Tinignan niya lang ako in his shocked reaction.

"Aren't you happy that I'm here?"

He misinterprets my explanation. I'm sure it's going to be a love quarrel again.

"Of course not! I'm happy... I'm just worried."

"Fine..."

Nagulat ako sa sumunod niyang ginawa nang pinakita niya sa akin ang phone niya while dialing my dad's number.

"What are you doing Kev?"

"I'm calling them para mawala ang iniisip mo."

Napayuko ako at bumuntong-hininga. Sinubukan kong kunin ang phone niya to stop him but nilayo niya lang ang kamay niya sa akin. Sumagot naman na si dad on the other line which is mas lalo akong nainis dito.

"Yes dad... Yeah, I'm with her... Yeah, don't worry I'll be back after a day... She's with me... We're having a date today to treat her dad... No, I uh... I used my friend's plane to come here... Yeah, we'll be... Take care dad Ivan. Thanks. Bye."

After he talked to dad ay pinanlakihan ko siya ng mata.

"See? He's not even upset that I'm here with you. Your dad is not angry or even punish me at all." Nakangiti niyang sabi at tinabi na ang phone sa mesa.

"Tss. Next time don't do that. Calling my dad isn't an excuse to what you really did." Mahinahon kong sabi.

Nakakainis lang dahil kapag si dad kausap si Kev ay wala siyang pag-aalinlangan kahit labag sa kalooban niya ang desisyong ginawa ni Kev. Kev is spoiled to dad.

Medyo nakahinga ako ng maluwag but that doesn't mean my worries faded. I'm still worried about Doyle. How our project and works are doing knowing that wala ako doon.

"Alright babe. Cool. Finish your breakfast and we'll go to mall after." Nagsimula na siyang kumain pero natigil siya ulit. "And I'm sorry." Dagdag niya.

"I'm sorry too." I say.

Ngumiti siya at hinalikan ang kamay ko.

Ganito ang gusto ko kay Kev, kapag kasi lagi kaming nag-aaway sa kahit walang kabuluhang bagay ay siya ang unang nagsosorry kahit na ako ang mali.

Matapos naming kumain ay pumunta nga kami sa mall. May driver na sumundo sa amin sa hotel papunta sa mall at pagkarating namin doon ay hindi ko maiwasang tignan ang phone ko kung may text ba si Doyle sa akin.

Doyle:

Take care today baby. Enjoy time with him.

Those are his words. I can sense na nahihirapan siyang itype ito bago niya sinend.

I replied him habang kausap ni Kev ang driver.

Me:

Thanks. Take care too. Notify me if something's wrong.

I sent it without looking at Kev kasi nagsasalita siya. Maya-maya lang ay umilaw agad ang phone ko and saw Doyle's reply.

Doyle:

We're doing great here. I miss you already.

Napangiti ako at pinatay na ang phone ko nang makita kong nakatingin si Kev dito.

"What's with the phone babe?" He asks.

Kumalabog ng mabilis ang puso ko at tumingin sa labas kasi malapit na kami sa mall.

"Just checking time." I lied. "We're here babe."

Napatingin na din siya sa labas at hinawakan ang kamay ko samantala ay pinagbuksan naman kami ng driver.

"Let's go."

Hawak-hawak niya lang ang kamay ko hanggang makarating sa mall entrance.

"Babe, what are we doing here?" I ask.

Since we're here, I don't really know what we'll gonna do.

Ngumiti siya sa akin at hinalikan ang kamay kong hawak niya.

"You'll gonna shop whatever you want, my treat." Kumindat pa siya sa akin.

"Babe!"

"I'm serious. Buy all you want. I'm just gonna treat you."

"Sure!" Ngumiti ako ng malapad sa kanya at mabilis siyang hinila sa branded shops ng bags, shoes, and dresses.

Doon siya naghintay habang namimili ako.

"Babe, I think bagay sayo 'to."

May kinuha siyang silver dress with beads and pearls.

"That's so cute!"

"Wanna try?"

"Sure, babe. Be right back."

"No, I'm coming with you." He says.

Napatingin ako sa saleslady at tumango naman siya sa akin.

"Is it okay?" Tanong ko.

"Yes, mam. Pwede po."

"O-okay."

Nag-aalangan akong pumunta sa dressing room at nakasunod naman siya sakin.

"Kev if you're planning to do that here, we can't." I say reading his mind when I get inside.

He chuckled and cupped my face.

"Babe, it's alright. I'm not gonna do it here. I'm not that type of guy."

"Fine." I smiled.

Nagulat ako nang sumunod siya sa akin sa loob at naupo doon while watching me undress myself.

"You're still sexy." Puna niya.

Napatingin ako sa kanya at umirap.

"Kev, don't start." Suway ko.

"I'm not. I'm just enjoying watching your body." He laughs.

"Alright, can you pass me the dress?"

"Here," mapang-akit at nakakaloko ang ngiti niya sa akin habang inaabot ang damit.

Tumayo siya at pinanood akong isuot ito.

"Can you help me zip it?" I ask.

"Babe, you're seducing me ugh..." He said.

Natawa naman ako sa kanya at nagtungo nga siya sa likod ko para izipper ang likod.

"That's it." He says when he's done zipping. "It looks perfect on you."

"Can I keep it?" I ask with a pleading smile.

"Of course babe." He smiled back and hug me from behind. "Do you feel me?"

I can feel his hard on down there.

"Babe!" Mabilis akong humiwalay sa kanya at natawa. Natawa din siya at naupo ulit.

"I'm sorry, I just want you so bad. But not here." He says.

Nilapitan ko siya at hinalikan ng mariin sa labi. He responds with my kiss.

"Looks starving." Puna ko at natawa nang matapos ang halikan namin.

"Really starving to you." Napakamot siya at natawa na lang ako.

Hinubad ko na ang damit at nagbihis pagkatapos. Matapos naming mamili sa shop na 'yon ay kumain na kami ng lunch sa restaurant pagkatapos ay hinila ko siya sa theater house at nanood doon.

We were in the middle of the movie until I heard him yawned and speak after.

"Babe, can I see your phone?"

Halos mamutla ako sa narinig ko sa kanya. Mabuti na lang madilim at hindi masyadong kita ang reaksyon ko.

"What for babe?" I ask and try to sound calm.

"Just wanna see it."

Pinilit kong ikalma ang sarili ko at dahan-dahang kinuha ang phone ko sa bag.

"Hindi ba nakakahiya sa likod natin?"

Tumingin siya sa likod kung may tao ba pero wala at nasa malayo.

"There's nothing at the back. Can I see it now?"

I opened it and thankful that there's no messages from Doyle. Pumunta muna ako sa inbox at mabilis na binura ang conversation namin ni Doyle.

"Here," inabot ko ito sa kanya pagkatapos. Mabuti na lang ay natuon ang atensyon niya sa palabas nang binura ko ang messages ni Doyle.

"Thanks," he opened it with the same password that we have. Yes, Kev and I have the same phone passwords so that if we can access each others phone ay mabilis na lang.

"What are you gonna do with that babe?"

"I forgot my phone at the car so I'm calling our driver to fetch us to the hotel. I'm bored here." Tuloy-tuloy niyang sabi.

Nawala ang kaba ko nang tumawag na nga siya sa driver. Akala ko kasi titignan niya ang messages and even photos in my gallery. May konting pictures kasi kami ni Doyle doon together but I know Kev, he trusts me at hindi niya gawaing manghinala sa akin. Never niyang ginawa 'yon.

Matapos niyang tawagan ay lumabas na kami sa theater house at naghintay na sa driver outside the mall.

"Kev," I called him while he's looking at the road, waiting for the driver.

"Yeah?" Tumingin siya sa akin.

"I'm sorry."

He chuckled.

"For what babe?"

"I know that you didn't enjoy our date here." I say.

Nilapitan niya ako at niyakap.

"Tss... I enjoyed coming here with you, buying what you want, and watching movie with you. Don't think like that."

"Really?"

I feel so guilty. Ako yata ang hindi nag-enjoy kasi almost every time ay si Doyle ang nasa isip ko.

"Oo naman. Masayang-masaya ako tuwing kasama ka babe. That's why I can't wait to marry you."

Hinarap niya ako at hinawakan ang pisngi ko tsaka ako hinalikan sa noo.

Damn Kev, I want to say that I'm not happy in this relationship anymore but I don't wanna hurt you. I can't hurt him. Kev is almost perfect to me to think na kaya niyang gawin lahat para sa akin pero ako, hindi ko kayang gawin 'yon and I'm so guilty.

After hugs and kissing ay dumating na ang driver. Sumakay na kami para makabalik sa hotel.

Pagkarating namin doon ay nandoon na din ang staffs and they all greet us. Magkahawak kamay kaming humarap ni Kev sa kanila at nakita ko naman ang madilim na mukha ni Doyle habang nakatingin sa amin.

"Welcome back mam Ella and sir Kev!" Tasia greeted us.

"Thank you, Tasia. Okay na ba lahat?"

"Yeah, the team really enjoyed kanina at kayang-kaya naman namin." Singit naman ni Bella.

Napatingin ang lahat sa kanya. I saw Doyle gritted his teeth and Andrea got an irritated look at her.

Kahit kelan talaga ang babaeng 'to ay eksaherada at papansin, lagi siyang bida-bida. Ano kaya kung ipahiya ko siya?

"Good to hear." Ayon na lang ang sinabi ko sa kanila at hinila si Kev inside.

Nang makalayo na kami ay napansin niya ang pagkairita ko.

"Babe, what's wrong with her? You look upset."

Nasa elevator na kami papunta sa kwarto ko nang magsalita siya.

"She's really irritating since she joined our team. Plus you talked to her."

Natawa siya sa akin at hinawakan naman ang mukha ko pero mabilis ko ding iniwas.

"She's nothing compared to you. Don't be jealous. I should be the one making her jealous because I'm inlove with you."

"Kev,"

My heart beats so fast hearing his words. Kev is still so sweet yet playful sometimes. But he won't play your heart.

"What?"

Walang paligoy-ligoy at hinalikan ko siya ng mariin at mapusok. He responds and deepen the kiss. Nasa loob pa din kami ng elevator at kami lang dalawa ang nandito. Napasandal naman ako habang naitulak niya ako at doon bumaba ang halik niya sa leeg ko. I touched his abdominal muscles against the sheets of his polo. His lips went back to me and I kiss him again passionately.

"f**k babe, you're making me want you and I want you so f*****g bad." He says between the kiss.

"Ahem!"

Bigla kaming nagulat at napahiwalay sa halik at pagtingin namin ay nakita ko si Doyle na sobrang dilim ng reaksyon habang nakatingin ng masama sa amin.

"Bro," bati ni Kev at inayos ang sarili niya dahil nagulo ko ang buhok niya.

Inayos ko din naman ang posture ko.

Pumasok siya at pinindot ang floor ng room niya.

"I'm sorry for interrupting you. Besides don't do that here and go get a room first." He said so serious.

What the heck?!