Entangled

19

Matagal na nakatingin si Arkel sa hagdan kung saan umakyat kanina ang asawa. Emptiness pulsed inside him and he had no idea why. Nagsalin siya sa baso ng alak, adjusted the volume in the stereo, at umupo sa sofa. Pinuno ng opera music ang tahimik na living room and soothed his nerves.

Unti- unti siyang nakakaramdam ng panlulumo sa ginawa niya kanina. Kung di lang dumating si Sabrina, baka nasa kama na niya si Deniah. No more uncomplicated marriage.

Stupid.

When had his need for a woman ever caused havoc with his plans? Kahit nong niligawan niya si Sabrina at naging intimate sila hindi siya naging attached sa outcome. His goal was clear and necessary. Pero hindi na ito sapat para pigilan ang kanyang sarili now that he'd gotten a taste of Deniah Lagazca.

Ginugulo nito ang isip niya, pinapatawa, and tempted him with the delights of her body without a single subtle manipulation. Hindi siya kagaya ng ibang babaeng nakilala niya, at gusto niya itong manatili sa tabi niya bilang isang kaibigan. Bilang kaibigan ng kanyang nakakabatang kapatid. Gusto niyang kapag naaalala nila ang kanilang nakaraan ay pagtawanan na lamang ito, mabuhay ng magkasundi sa loob ng isang taon, at maghiwalay ng walang nasasaktan.

Pero tingnan mo ang ginawa niya. First night and he'd gone and ripped off her shirt.

Ininom niya ang baso ng alak at pinatay ang stereo. Aayusin niya ito. Inamin naman na ng babae na gusto lang nito ng lalaki to warm her bed. Obviously, hindi ito attracted sa kanya, at baka nadala lang ito dahil sa ininom na alak and gotten caught up in the wedding fantasy. Just as she admitted, kailangan lang nito ang pera, and miss the s*x.

His stubborn mind screamed she couldn't react so passionately to every man who touched her. He firmly ignored the warning, moved from the couch, and headed up the stairs to his own bed.

......

Inikot ni Deniah ang tingin sa mga taong nasa event at ninais na nasa bookstore nalang siya, nagbabasa ng kanyang mga ginawang poem. The business dinner tonight was the turning point in Dark's career. She knew heavy hitters swarmed the halls for the chance at glory, and Dark needed to dazzle the crowd in order to get a hearing.

Iniabot niya sa hostess ang coat at hinayaan ang asawang igiya siya papasok sa crowded ballroom. "I'm assuming you have a general plan of attack?" tanong niya. "Who are the two players you need to concentrate on?"

He motioned toward a thick cloud of cigar smoke. A tight circle of conservative businessmen surrounded a man impeccably dressed in a gray suit and silk tie. "Si Kaito Nishida, siya ang magtatayo ng japanese restaurant. His vote is key to gain the third partner in the waterfront deal."

"So, why don't you go over there and give your pitch?" She plucked a salmon tart from the tray of a tuxedo-clad waiter and grabbed a glass of champagne from another.

"Because I don't want to be one of the crowd. I have a different plan in mind."

She sipped the bubbly and sighed with pleasure.

"Don't get drunk."

Bumuntong hininga siya. "Hindi ko alam na gusto i-control ng mga lalaki ang kanilang mga asawa.

Anyway, sino ang huling lalaki na kailangan mong i- impress?"

A flash of calculation crossed his face. "Maximo Bianchi. Nagmamay- ari siya ng successful pastry business sa Italy, and decided to try his luck here. He's focused on the first bakery opening at the waterfront."

She lusted after the tray of crab cakes on her left and tried to pay attention. Arkel let out a huff, grabbed two from the waiter, and slid them on the plate. "Eat."

"Right." For once, she agreed with his order. Isinubo niya ang cake at napaungol sa lasa. His brows snapped together and she realized she'd made him cranky. Again.

He stared at her mouth as if he wanted the crab cake for himself. "Deniah, nakikinig ka ba sa akin?"

"Yes. Nishida. Bakery. I guess inaasahan mo akong maki- mingle habang ginagawa mo ang 'business' mo dito?"

Pilit ang ngiting kumawala sa bibig nito. "I'll work on Nishida for now. Why don't you keep your eyes open for Bianchi? He's tall, Italian accent, dark hair and eyes. Engage him in some conversation—it will keep you occupied."

May namumuong konting alarma sa utak niya pero nakatuon parin ang atensyon niya sa mga masasarap na appetizers. "Gusto mong kausapin ko siya?"

Nagkibit- balikat ito na parang wala lang pero kita niya ang tensyon sa balikat ng asawa. "Sure. Be nice. If you find out anything interesting, let me know."

Nanlamig siya sa narinig at sa wakas naintindihan niya ang ibig sabihin ng lalaki. "You want me to spy for you?"

Impatience flicked in his voice. "You're being ridiculous. Mag- relax ka lang and enjoy the party."

"Easy for you to say. Your boobs aren't hanging out of your dress."

Dark cleared his throat and shifted. "Kung hindi ka komportable, bakit yan ang isinuot mong dress?"

She stiffened. "Hiniram ko lang ito kay Alana. I didn't have an expensive dress."

"I would have given you the money."

"Hindi ko kailangan ng pera mo."

"Somehow, I doubt it. You didn't sign the contract for any lofty reasons. Might as well take as much as you can get."

Maikling katahimikan ang namagitan sa kanila.

Coldness seeped through her. “You're right. I was an idiot. Sa susunod na may gantong event bibilhin ko lahat ng gown ng Channel at bahala ka nang magbayad." She turned on her heel and tossed her head. "After all, the only benefit to this marriage is your money."

She walked away and left him staring at her back.

Jerk.

Sumipsip si Deniah ng kanyang pangalawang baso ng champagne and settled herself by the picture window overlooking the balcony. Dark Arkel belonged in this world- one of money and supermodels and refined dialogue. Her sight was blinded by an array of silks and satins, mostly in black or neutral; non-showy colors to set off the diamonds and pearls and sapphires she knew were all real. Everyone had tans, and she bet there wasn't a tan line in the lot.

Bumuntong hininga si Deniah. She'd dressed with care for the party. At pigil ang hininga habang naglalakad siya pababa ng hagdan, inaantay kung ano ang masasabi ng asawa. At alam din niyang napakaganda niya sa hiram na dress mula kay Alana. The thought that she actually wanted to please him pissed her off.

Binigyan lang siya ng asawa ng thorough once over. At imbes na i compliment siya nito, bumulong ito tungkol sa kanyang choice ng pananamit saka ito tumalikod at iniwan siya sa paanan ng hagdan. Hindi rin siya nito tinulungang isuot ang kanyang coat, o di kaya'y sulyapan man lang habang papunta sila sa party. Hurt sliced deep but she punished herself for the emotion. She retained a polite aura and pretended she dressed like this every Saturday night.

Sa tuwing babangitin ni Dark ang plano tungkol sa pagpapatayo sa harap ng Managa River, his face shimmered with such raw emotion her body clenched in response.

Passion. Fierce need burned in golden brown eyes. She fantasized about being the woman who incited such wanting. Once again, niremind ni Deniah ang sarili, nagkakaganun lang ang lalaki pagdating sa mga buildings nito. Hinding- hindi sa babae.

At lalo namang hindi sa kanya.

She took a deep breath and finished her drink. Then launched herself through the double doors of the balcony and approached a group of women who seemed to be commenting on the sculpture. Within moments, she neatly entwined her way into the discussion, secured introductions, and delved into the world of social chatter.