Entangled

13

Pinaandar ni Arkel ang sasakyan at nilisan ang gusali kung nasaan ang apartment ni Deniah. Temper bit at him like a moody pitbull. Na ba-bother siya sa babae. Pati na ang pamilya nito. Naalala niya kung gaano kabait at kaalaga ng ina ni Deniah. Na -giguilty rin siya minsan dahil noong bata siya lagi niyang hinihiling na sana iwanan siya ng ina kay Daisy Lagazca para siya na ang mag- alaga sa kanya.

He remembered the old pain of being out of control in a world not meant for children to be alone. Remembered things he'd vowed to never unearth. Marriage. Children. Connections only caused a ripping pain no one deserved.

Kaya kailangan niyang dumistansya sa kay Deniah at magtayo ng mataas na pader sa pagitan nila para hindi makakita ng anumang weakness ang babae sa kanya. If she suspected he desired her in any way, the rules would change. He didn't intend for this siren of a woman to have any power over him.

Until the kiss.

Arkel muttered a foul curse. He remembered how her breath came in choppy gasps and her eyes snapped. That damn shirt finally gaped open enough for him to spot ripe flesh encased in pink lace. He'd been ready to push her away, and then she'd grabbed him at her mother's call. Hindi niya kasalanan na bumigay siya sa kanyang instinct to save their ruse.

Until her hot, wet mouth opened under his. Until her sweet taste swamped his senses, and the maddening scents of vanilla and spice made him want to howl at the moon. He finally knew she approached s*x the same way she approached anger—no holds barred—no prisoners taken. Demanding. Punishing. Passionate.

Shit. He was so screwed. And not in a good way.

Pero kailan man hindi malalaman ng babae iyon. Sinigurado niyang blanko ang kanyang mukha at walang anumang emosyon ang makikita. Though his jutting erection screamed he was a liar. It didn't matter. Arkel refused to break the rules. Deniah was a woman who lived in the light and would never be happy with the deal he'd made himself when he was a child. One year was enough.

......

Bumaba ang tingin ni Arkel sa natutulog niyang asawa. Naka sandal ang ulo nito sa pinto ng limousine. Her headpiece had been ripped off, and crumbled white lace lay at his feet. Her curls shot off in all directions and hid her bare shoulders from view.

Ang baso ng champagne na nasa cup holder ay kanina pa lumamig. Sa daliri nito ay makikita ang two- carat diamond. At ang mapupulang labi nito ay bahagyang nakaawang at nagpapakawala ng hindi gaanong malakas na hilik.

Deniah Lillium Lagazca is now his wife.

Inbot niya ang kanyang baso ng champagne and made a silent toast to success. Nasa pangalan na niya ang Dreamscape Enterprise. He was about to go after the opportunity of a lifetime and he didn't need anyone's permission. The day had gone off without a hitch.

Sumipsip siya mula sa baso ng champagne. Nagtataka siya sa nararamdamang emosyon. Bumalik sa kanya ang mga pangyayari kanina- the moment when the priest made them man and wife. Ang mga mata ng babae na puno ng takot as he leaned down to give her the necessary kiss. Pale and shaken, her lips trembled under his. He knew it wasn't with passion. At least not this time.

Pinaalala niya sa sarili na pera lang ang habol ng babae. Akala mo inosente pero hindi pala. He mocked his own thoughts by raising his glass again and downing the last of the champagne.

Bumukas ang partition window at nagsalita ang driver. "Sir, nandito na tayo sa ating destinasyon."

"Salamat. Sa harap tayo mg bahay huminto."

Habang tinatahak ng limo ang mahabang driveway, hinawakan ni Arkel sa balikat ang asawa at inalog. Gumalaw ito at umungol pero hindi ito nagising. Napangiti siya at nagsimulang bumulong. Bigla niyang tinigil ang ginagawa- nalala niyang hindi dapat siya mabait sa asawa. Yumuko siya malapit sa tenga ng babae at sinigaw ang pangalan.

Napa- upo ito ng tuwid. Bakas sa mata nito ang pagkagulat, hinawi ng babae ang mga buhok na tumatabing sa mukha at tinitigan ang white lace gown na suot nito. "Oh my God! We did it!"

He handed over her shoes and headpiece. "Not yet. But it is our honeymoon. I'll be happy to oblige if you're in the mood."

Matalim ang tingin ng babae sa kanya. "Wow. Wala ka ngang tinulong sa kasal nato kundi magpakita. Subukan mo kayang mag- prepare ng kasal within seven days. Tingnan natin kung dika mag collapse sa pagod."

"I told you na kumuha na lang tayo ng Justice of the peace. Easy. No stress."

Suminghot ito. "Typical male. Ayaw mahirapan sa anumang bagay pero ang daming reklamo."

Binaliwala niya ang sinabi nito. "You snore."

Umawang ang bibig ni Deniah. "I do not snore!'

"Yes, you do."

"Do not. Edi may nagsabi na sana sa akin na naghihilik ako."

"I'm sure your lovers didn't want to be kick out of bed. You're cranky."

"Am not.

"Are too."

Bumukas ang pinto ng limo at tinulungan ng chauffeur ang babaeng bumaba. She stuck out her tongue and left the limo with the haughtiness of Queen Elizabeth. Pinigilan niya ang tawa at sumunod. Nakita niyang tumigil ang babae sa paglalakad at pinagmasdan ang mansion na nasa harap niya, which resembled a Tuscan villa. Sandstone terra cotta created an image of casual elegance, and its high walls and large windows lent an aura of history.

Bumuka ang bibig nito na akmang may sasabihin.

"What do you think?" He asked.

She tilted her head. "It's stunning," she said. "The most beautiful house I've ever seen."

Pleasure shot through him at her obvious delight. "Thank you. I designed it myself."

"Pero bakit mukhang luma?"

"Yon talaga ang plano ko. Huwag kang mag- alala, moder ang mga gamit sa loob."

Pumasok sila sa loob. Marble floors shone to high polish and cathedral ceilings created an illusion of space and elegance. Large, airy rooms set off the center spiral staircase. Tumango si Arkeysa driver bago isinara ang pinto. "Come on, I'll show you around. Unless you want to undress first."

She grabbed handfuls of gauzy material and lifted her train. Her stocking feet peeked out from underneath. “Lead on.”