Entangled

16

"I'm going to get the contract."

Kumurap si Deniah, then tumango lang ito. "Can Dreamscape handle such a job?"

Sumipsip muna siya ng wine mula sa kanyang wine glass bago sumagot. "The board thinks it's too ambitious, but I'm going to prove them wrong. If I succeed, Dreamscape will rise to the top."

"Is it about the money."

Umiling siya. "Hindi ito dahil sa pera. Never. Gusto kung mag- iwan ng bakas, at alam ko kung pano ito gagawin. Nothing too citified. Nothing to compete with the mountains, but a structure that bows to nature and blends, rather than fighting back."

"Pero kilala kana 'cause you're a talented architect. Mukhang pinag- isipan mo talaga ng matagal ang tungkol sa bagay ma yan ah."

He sopped up the last piece of bread in the remaining sauce, then popped it into his mouth. "I knew the city would make this decision soon, and I wanted to be prepared. I've been thinking about designs by the river for years. Now I'm ready"

"Ang tanong, paano mo makukuha ang kontrata? Mukhang sure na sure kang makukuha ito."

Nag- concentrate si Arkel sa plato niya. Funny, she seemed able to tell when he lied. Bata pa lang sila alam na nito kung nagsisinungaling siya o hindi. I already have one of the partners on board. Steven Young is building the spa, and we share the same vision. He's having a dinner party next Saturday. The final two men I need to convince will be there, so I'm hoping to make an impression." Hindi na niya sinabi kay Deniah na may papel siya tungkol sa bagay na yon. He looked upon his new wife as a way close the deal, but it would be better explained the night of the party.

Tumaas ang tingin niya at nakitang malinis ang plato niya at wala nang laman na pagkain.

Ang plato ng salad ay nanatili sa mesa at hindi nagalaw. Pero ang pasta, bread at wine ay paubos na. She looked like she was on the verge of exploding. "Well, mukhang masarap ang ginawa mong salad. Hindi mo ba ito kakainin?"

Binigyan siya nito ng pilit na ngiti. "Of course. I adore salads."

Ngumisi siya, "how about dessert?"

Dumaing ito. "Ayoko na, busog na ako."

Pagkatapos nilang kumain ay niligpit nila ang mga plato at inilagay sa dishwasher. And then she stretched out on the camel-colored sofa in the living room. Arkel figured she was hoping for a faster way to digest.

"Magtatrabaho ka ba ngayong gabi?" Tanong nito.

"Hindi na, masyado nang late. Ikaw, anong balak mong gawin?"

"Nah, pagod ako." Sandaling namutawi ang katahimikan. "So, anong gusto mong gawin?"

Her shirt snaked up a precious inch. The smooth, tanned skin of her stomach wreaked havoc with his concentration. He had some very clear images of what they could do. They involved slowly lifting her shirt. Then licking her n*****s until they tightened under his tongue. The rest centered on stripping off those sweat pants and testing how fast he could make her burn up in his arms.

Since lahat ng mga iyon ay di nila pwedeng gawin, nagkibit- balikat siya. "Di ko alam. TV? Movie?"

Umiling si Deniah. "Poker."

"Excuse me?"

Nagliwanag ang mukha nito. "Maglaro tayo ng poker. Meron akong cards sa suitcase ko."

"You carry your own card?"

"You never know when you'll need them."

"Ano pusta natin?"

Tumalon ito mula sa sofa at naglakad patungo sa may hagdan. "Ano pa ba, edi pera. O baka naman natatakot ka?"

"Fine. Pero gagamitin natin ang cards ko."

Tumigil ang babae sa pag- akyat at tumingin sa kanya. "Okay. Deal."

He hit the remote and strains of Madame Butterfly echoed from the Bose speakers. He topped off their glasses and settled by the coffee table. She sat beside him, legs crossed. Her fingers flew through the cards with the ease of an expert, shuffling with lightning speed. Arkel had a flash of her in a low-cut dress, dealing cards in a saloon while she sat on a cowboy's lap. He shook off the image and concentrated on his hand.

"Dealer's choice. Five card stud. Ante up."

He frowned. "With what?" he asked.

"Sinabi ko nang pera ang pusta natin eh."

"Kailangan ko bang utusan ang butler ko na buksan ang safe? O dikayay ilabas ang mga alahas?"

"Nakakatawa ka. Wala ka bang mga baryang nakakalat diyan?"

Ngumisi siya. "Sorry. Buo lang meron ako."

"Oh."

Mukhang disappointed ang babae di na niya napigilan ang sariling tumawa. "How about we play for something more interesting?"

"I don't play strip poker."

"No, ang ibig kong sabihin ay kung sinong matatalo kailangan siyang may gawin. Favors ba."

His statement caught her attention. Her teeth caught her bottom lip. He watched the action with pure pleasure.

"Anong klaseng pabor?"

"Kung sino ang mananalo ng tatlong beses, gets a free favor from the other. It can be used any time, like a voucher."

Nagliwanag na naman ang mukha nito kagaya kanina. "Magagamit mo ang pabor sa kahit ano? Walang rules?"

"No rules."

The challenge drew her in like a pure-blooded gambler on the scent of a long shot. He sensed his victory even before she agreed. Arkel practically licked his lips as she consented, and knew for the next few months he'd finally have the control he needed in this marriage.

Pumayag ito. Muntik na siya matawa dahil obvious naman ang magiging outcome, pero ayaw niyang kaawaan ang babae. She threw one card out and scooped up a replacement.

He laid down his cards. "Full house."

"Two jacks. Your deal."

Arkel gave her credit—she refused to buckle. Kept her emotions firmly hidden. He bet her father taught her, and if not for Arkel's past experience, she'd be a hell of a player to beat. She tossed down a pair of aces and surrendered gracefully to his three fours.

"One more hand," he said.

"Alam ko magbilang. My deal." Her fingers flew over the cards. "So, kanino mo natutunan maglaro ng poker?"

He viewed his hand nonchalantly. "Buddy of mine kept a weekly game. It was a good excuse to do some serious drinking and hanging out."

"Always thought you were more the chess type."

He tossed in a card and replaced it. "I'm good at that, too."

She gave an unladylike snort. "Yabang." She displayed her straight and triumph gleamed in her eyes.

He almost felt sorry for her. Almost.

After a minute or two...

He shook his head and made a tsking sound. "Come on, Naya, I thought you were a better competitor. Are you still a sore loser? Now about my favor…"

Arkel wondered if actual steam leaked from her pores. "Nobody can get four aces unless he palmed the cards. Don't lie to me, because I was thinking of doing it myself!"

"Dont accuse me of something you cant prove."

"You cheated." Her tone held a twist of wonderment and horror. "You lied to me on our wedding night."

He snorted. "If you don't want to pay your debt, say so. Just like a woman to be a bad loser."

She squirmed with hot-blooded emotion. "You're a swindler, Dark Arkel."

"Prove it."