Fortress Island Series 3: Matteo, The Bastard's Sweetest Downfall

FOURTEEN: HIS FOR THE TAKING

“How are we gonna start this." Si Bomi na siyang bumasag sa katahimikan.

Bumalik kami sa bahay at ngayon ay nakaupo kaming lahat sa mahabang mesa sa dining area.

Si Darren ay panay lamang ang tingin sa aming mga mukha at kahit ito ay nalilito sa mga nangyayari.

Habang pauwi ay hindi na rin kumibo pa si Ahreum. Lagi na lang din nakasimangot ang mukha nito at kahit tanungin ko, hindi ako nito sinasagot.

"Akala ko ay kasama mo ang iyong mga kaibigan, Ahreum. Yan ang paalam mo sa akin kanina." Panimula ko.

"Kasama ko nga sila, Mommy. Then nung nabili na namin ang mga kailangan namin sa project, humiwalay na ako sa kanila."

"Why?"

"Because Matteo came to pick me up." She shrugged her shoulders.

Bomi cleared her throat. Bumaling ito kay Matt na katabi ko sa upuan. "Paano kayo nagkakilala ni Ahreum. I mean, nakwento na sa amin noon ni Ahreum na hinatid mo siya sa bahay nung gabing umuulan."

Matteo nodded. "Nung mga araw na hindi kami nag-uusap ni Porsche..." He glanced at me. "Dumadaan ako dito kapag di busy sa opisina. Minsan, tatambay sa tapat ng bakery niya para lang masulyapan ko man lang siya kahit sa malayo. And when I felt satisfied just looking at her from a distance, umaalis na ako para umuwi. Pero dahil nadadaanan ang school ni Ahreum, ilang beses ko itong nakikitang nag-aabang ng tricycle sa tapat ng school campus. Kaya humihinto ako at hinahatid siya pauwi dito sa bahay." He answered nonchalantly.

My cheeks blushed. He did what? Nung mga araw na namimiss ko ito ay nasa labas lang ito ng bahay at pinagmamasdan ako?

"But you left me in the restaurant...." I trailed off when I felt his hand squeeze my thigh.

"We'll talk about that later. Tayo lang dalawa." He whispered.

"Ano 'to. Magkakilala kayo ng mommy ko, Matteo?" Si Ahreum na napatayo sa kanyang kinauupuan.

Matt cleared his throat. "Your Mom and I...."

"Oh, my God." My daughter gasped when she realized something. "Don't tell me...." Agad na bumalatay ang pait sa kanyang maamong mukha. "Mommy.... Si Matteo ba ang kasama mo nung ilang araw kang di umuwi?"

I gulped down. I didn't like that she's calling Matteo on a first name basis. Matteo squeezed my hand under the table this time. I glanced at him. He gave me a reassuring smile.

I inhaled deeply as I smiled back at him. "Yes, anak. I was with him the whole time. We are in a relationship." Matapang na pahayag ko. Di ko alam saan ako kumuha ng lakas na loob para tuluyang palayain ang nais ng puso ko. Para sabihin sa kanilang lahat ang tunay kong nadarama sa lalaki.

Bomi gave me a proud smirk. Si Darren naman na mukhang hindi naiintindihan ang takbo ng usapan ay nakangiti lang din. Si Ahreum, sa kabilang banda, ay bagsak ang panga at tila di makapaniwala.

Sumulyap si Matteo sa akin na nakataas ang dulo ng kilay. May naglalarong panunukso sa kanyang mga labi. "We are?" He whispered, faking a shock expression.

I rolled my eyes at him as I pinched his left leg.

"You're in a relationship?" Di makapaniwala si Ahreum. Unti-unting namasa ang kanyang mga mata. "Matteo.... Kaya ka ba..." She hiccupped. "Kaya ka ba nakipag-close sa akin dahil alam mong anak ako ni Mama? Para makuha mo ang loob ko?"

"Our first meeting was coincidental, Ahreum. Pero malinis ang intensiyon ko. Oo, gusto kong kuhanin ang loob mo dahil nakwento sa akin ng iyong Mama na hindi ka sang-ayon kung makikipag-relasyon ulit ito sa iba. Pero bukod pa doon, I am really concerned about your safety, sweetheart. You're beautiful and the streets are not safe for you. If you would allow me, ikukuha kita ng chauffer para mapanatag ang kalooban ko. Your Mom loves you and Darren so much at tanggap kong pangalawa lang ako sa inyong dalawa."

"Matteo...." My voice broke. I could feel the pain in his voice, but I knew it was the truth. Come what may, mga anak ko pa rin ang pipiliin ko hanggang sa huli.

Ahreum shook her head. "This is too much. I can't take this. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang dapat maramdaman ngayon. Gulong-gulo ako. I love my father so much but you're a good guy.... but my Dad...I don't want to hurt my Dad...." She sobbed on Bomi's shoulders.

"Why don't you and Darren come with me? Doon muna kayo sa akin para makapag-isip isip ka. Your Mom and Matteo need some time alone also para pag-usapan ang mga bagay-bagay."

Ahreum looked at Matteo. "That night at the waiting shed, when you told me someone broke your heart, si Mama ba ang tinutukoy mo? Dahil ba sa akin kaya nakipaghiwalay si Mama sa'yo?"

Matt could only nod as a response. Mas lalong umiyak si Ahreum sa balikat ni Bomi.

"Oh, my god. I didn't know. I'm so sorry. You looked so broken that night, Matteo."

Tuluyan na ring akong napahikbi. Matteo grabbed me by the shoulder at hinayaan akong umiyak doon. Maliit na mga bisig naman ang yumapos sa aking baywang at kahit di ko kita, alam kong si Darren iyon.

"Stop crying Mommy, ate. You're making me cry, too."

"This is such an emotional night." Bomi uttered. "Let's calm down, everyone."

"Let's go to your house now, tita. Ayoko muna dito sa bahay dahil pakiramdam ko'y nakatingin si Dad sa atin ngayon. I feel so guilty. He's probably upset and sad right now." Si Ahreum.

Matteo muttered something under his breath, but I didn't get it. Kita ko lang ang pag-igting ng kanyang panga. Tila ba may dumaang galit sa kanyang mukha.

Nang makaalis ang mag-tita, pareho kaming tumahimik ni Matteo. Nakatingin lang kami sa isa't isa. Tila hindi alam kung ano ang sasabihin.

"Katulad ni Ahreum, hindi rin ako komportable dito sa bahay ng asawa mo. Don't get me wrong. It's just that—"

"I understand." Putol ko sa kanyang sasabihin. Dahil kahit ako'y ganun din ang nararamdaman. "Saan mo gusto tayong mag-usap?"

"Can I take you to my condo?"

I blinked. "Okay."

"Take some clothes with you."

I got confused. "Why?"

"Okay lang din naman na hindi ka na magdala ng bihisan. You can wear mine. Ang akin lang, baka mas komportable kang suotin ang sarili mong damit."

"I am not following you, Matt."

"Babe, we will gonna talk but trust me, I prefer to do other things than talking. If you know what I mean." He raised an eyebrow.

"Matteo." Mahinang kastigo ko sa kanya. Pero sa kanyang sinabi, hindi mapigilang mangatog ng aking mga tuhod.

Magkahawak kamay lang kami habang lulan sa kanyang sasakyan patungo sa kanyang condo—kung saan man iyon ay hindi ko alam.

Nakasunod lang ako sa kanya habang pasakay kami sa private lift. We stopped at a certain door. He entered the keycode and it clicked open.

It was my first time here. Habang papasok sa simple at malawak nitong sala, panay ang linga ko. His condo looked so polish and clean and it smelled good. Katulad ng mismong taong nakatira dito.

"Are we gonna talk first or...." His gaze raked up and down my body. I blushed instantly.

"Talk, definitely." Ani ko kasabay ng pag-iwas ng tingin sa kanya. I walked towards his floor to ceiling window. Mula dito ay kita ang buong siyudad. Nagkikislapan ang mga ilaw mula sa mga nagtataasang establisyemento at gusali.

Humalukipkip ako. His centralized air conditioner sent shivers down my spine or perhaps, it was because of the man himself standing behind me.

Muntik na akong mapalundag sa paggagap ni Matteo sa aking palad. "You're not wearing your wedding ring." He stated.

Tumango ako. "I took it off the moment you left the house. I hurt you that time."

"You always hurt me, Porsche." He whispered just above my head. His arms snaked around my waist as he pulled me closer to his body.

I sighed. Pinahinga ko ang likod ng aking ulo sa kanyang dibdib. "I felt guilty."

"I understand."

"No, Matteo. You don't understand."

"Okay. Make me understand." He softly said it almost made me melt. He kissed my temple.

"I felt guilty because.... I finally embraced the fact that I am totally head over heels in love with you, Matt. I cried not because I missed my dead husband. I cried because I felt sorry for him. Because what I felt about him is nothing compared to what I feel about you. Akala ko nadama ko na ang lahat sa piling niya, pero hindi ko akalain na kaya ko pa pala magmamahal ng ganito katindi. You have no idea how broken I was when you left the house that day. I knew I hurt you, but I was hurting more. I'm so sorry."

Giniya ako ni Matteo paharap sa kanya. Hinawakan nito ang aking baba at inangat. Nagkatitigan kaming dalawa. His eyes were searching something on mine.

"Say that again, baby."

"I'm so sorry—"

"Not that one. What did you realize?"

I bit my lip and looked away. Pulang-pula ang aking mukha.

"Look me straight in the eye and say those words again, Porsche. Don't make me beg, damn it." His straining voice sounded so hot against my skin.

"I am so in love with you, Matteo Salvatore."

His eyes darkened as he grinned wickedly. "It's about damn time, baby."

Agad na bumaba ang mukha nito para hulihin ang aking mga labi pero pinigilan ko ito. "I'm not done talking yet."

He grumbled. "I'm so f*****g hard down there but okay, talk woman."

I giggled. Niyakap ko ang aking mga braso sa kanyang leeg. "I am still hesitant about you."

Kumunot ang kanyang noo. "At bakit?"

"You know...Tinanim ko kasi sa isipan ko na ang relasyon natin ay hanggang pangkama lang. I thought we were just f*****g, you know."

Matteo grimaced. "The first time we met, you looked so hot in that dress and yes, I must admit, we f****d in that balcony like strangers that we were. Pero ang sumunod na mga kaganapan ay hindi na ganun, Porsche. After that first night, I've never just f****d you, my dear cupcake. You are so special to me you make me lose my mind every damn time."

Nakagat ko ang aking ibabang labi. "Akala ko hindi tayo tatagal. Na may hangganan din ang kung ano mang meron tayo, Matteo."

"What makes you think that?"

"Because I'm insecure. I am a widow with two children, I am older than you and we both know you deserve someone better than me."

"Well, F you for thinking that way." He rolled his eyes at me. He couldn't swear right straight to my face, and I found it cute.

"You're perfect for me, Porsche. In any other way, you're perfect for me." He added.

My heart melted. I blinked the happy tears rolling down my cheeks. Matteo caught those tears and wiped them away.

"Are you sure about this? About us?" Tanong ko ulit.

"I am completely, wholeheartedly sure, baby."

"There are two hearts connected to mine, Matteo." I cried again, remembering my two children. "Kung hindi ka talaga sigurado, please ngayon pa lang, sabihin mo na sa akin. I cannot afford breaking their hearts again. I don't want them to experience losing someone special again. It would break them. It would break me."

"Ano bang sinasabi mo, Porsche?"

"I want you to think about it."

"Porsche." His tone was more serious now. "As a Salvatore, I've made big decisions every day. Decisions that are worth millions. Sa tingin mo, hindi ko ito pinag-isipan? When I decided to pursue you, I meant you and your children. I want us to work together, as a family. I want to have you and everyone and everything that comes with you."

"Oh, Matteo."

"I know exactly what I want, baby. Your children are a part of you. And If I really want you, I have to want them. Alam kong malayo pa at matatagalan pa bago ko makuha ang kanilang loob pero tiwala akong darating din ako doon. You must have faith in me, baby."

"Okay. I understand you now, Matt." Tango ko.

"Good." He finally captured my lips, and I didn't stop him this time. Our kissing was abrupted by the loud ringing of his phone. He swore before letting go of my lips. He pointed at the door.

"That's our bedroom. Go and get naked while waiting for me. I will order us some food because I bet you haven't had your dinner yet."

"How about you?"

"You're my dinner." He winked as he took a step back. "Catch you later."

I giggled as I rolled my eyes at him. Ganun pa man ay tumalima ako at tinahak ang pintuang tinuro nito.

Pagpasok ko sa loob ng kanyang kwarto ay binaba ko lang ang dala kong bag na may lamang iilang piraso ng aking damit. Katulad ng aking inaasahan, malinis ito at mabango. May taga-linis kaya ang lalaki? Parang bihira lang kung matulog dito si Matteo. Parang hindi nagalaw ng ilang araw.

May pakiramdam akong matatagalan pa ang pag-uusap ni Matteo at ng kanyang kausap sa cellphone. Siguro naman ay pwede akong maligo muna?

His bathtub was big that it could probably fit two people. I stripped nonchalantly. I stood there naked not minding about everything. Nang matimpla ang tamang temperature ng tubig, at nang sa tingin ko'y sapat na ang tubig, I stepped into it.

I took a sigh of relief as I laid back in the deep bath. I closed my eyes as I cleared my mind. I don't want to think of anything else right now. Gusto ko munang ipahinga ang aking isipan. Ilang araw at gabi akong walang tulog. Siguro naman ay hindi kalabisan kung hihingi ako ng panandaliang paglimot sa mga alalahanin.

I relaxed. The room was steamy. The water was warm. I just wished there's a glass of champagne and a plate of fresh fruits nearby. But nonetheless, this is life.

My eyes instantly opened when I heard the door opening.

Matteo was standing against the wall, both arms crossed over his chest, watching me with lust in his eyes.

"Hi." He said huskily. I almost swooned. f**k it, this man was f*****g sexy as hell.

"Hello." I smiled shyly. "Sorry kung hindi ako nagpaalam."

He shook his head. "Everything here is yours, Porsche."

I swallowed. "Including you?"

"I believe I was made especially for you." His smug smirk made a tight knot in my stomach. He took a step forward, slowly unbuttoning his polo.

I chuckled. "I want to believe it, too."

"You look exquisite in my bathtub, by the way."

"Do you want to join me?"

"What do you think I am doing?" He threw his polo to God knows where and I suddenly felt thirsty at the sight of his exposed chest.

When he unzipped his pants down together with his briefs, I almost forgot to breathe. He was hard as a rock.

"You're hard."

"I am always hard when I'm with you." Paos na sambit nito. He stepped into the water. "I bet there is a place of you that is wetter than others."

"God, Matteo. You're dirty." I giggled. I missed this. I missed these kinds of moments with him. It's been so long. I couldn't wait anymore.

"Admit it, Porsche. You like it when I'm dirty." He licked his lips shamelessly.

Oh, god, yes. He had no idea.

He sat down on the other side. "Come here." He pulled me towards him. I had no choice but to straddle him.

He dipped his head down to bite the side of my neck and all I could do was to whimper. His fingers started to trail down my body until they reached their destination—my s*x.

"f**k my fingers, Porsche." He said and without a warning, he slid two fingers into my wet core.

"God." I gasped. It stung a bit, but I just held it in. My eyes rolled back to my head as he inserted his third thick finger deep into my s*x. His tongue gliding up and down my neck. Tirik ang mga matang napatingala ako. My fingers digging at his thick hair holding on for my dear life.

"Matteo." I moaned. I was so close.

"Clench, Porsche. Clench hard." He whispered as he gave me wet kisses all over my face.

I started to rock above him and even though my eyes were half closed, I could see his were darkening with desire.

"Matt! I'm close." I clenched hard and he hissed, swearing sexily against my neck. His other hand kneading on my breasts.

"Eyes on me." He ordered.

I tried my best to steady my gaze against his as I continued rocking against his fingers in me. I swore my lips were wounded by my own bite.

I couldn't take it any longer. I rocked harder and he clenched his jaw as he watched me reach my orgasm.

"Matt..." Nanghihinang dinantay ko ang aking ulo sa kanyang dibdib.

"That was so good, baby. You're so good for me, Porsche." He breathed in. "But we are just starting, baby. The night is still young."

I hid my smile because I knew what he exactly meant. And I was ready for it. He could have me in any other way he wanted.

After all, I was his for the taking.

Author's Note:

Lawrence, the Hotelier is now available online at a discounted price! Please visit the Summit Books in Shopee right now! I hope you all can grab a copy! Maraming salamat po!