Lawrence, the Hotelier (FREE to READ)

TEN: Kiss

Pagdating ko sa powder room, agad na binati ako ng mga tao sa loob. They said they were impressed and that I was amazing. Nahihiyang nginitian ko sila bilang pasasalamat sa umuulang papuri na sa tingin ko naman ay hindi na kailangan. I mean, basta ngitian mo lang ako, sapat na sa akin. No words needed.

Nang mapag-isa, nanghihina akong sumandal sa sink. Ang mga kamay ko ay nakatukod sa magkabilang gilid ko at saka ako napayuko. I could still feel the wild beating of my heart. I kept on inhaling and exhaling, trying to catch my breath to calm my wild heart. Why is it like this? Is it because of Lawrence's presence? His intense stare? His hypnotizing gaze? Or is because my system has finally accepted what my heart feels?

I snapped my head sideways and rotated both my arms. Tapos ay pinaikot-ikot ko rin ang aking balakang. Yes, I looked crazy because who the hell would do stretching inside the powder room? Just me. But I have the need to do this to shake off the nervousness that is still present in my system. Pakiramdam ko kasi pati mga kalamnan at kasu-kasuan ko ay nanigas sa kaba kanina. I badly needed a massage.

Weirdly, kumalma ang sistema ko at nakakahinga na ako ng maluwag. I think the quick exercise was a great help. I decided to retouch at magsuklay na rin ng buhok na nagulo dahil sa sandaling stretching na yun. Ilang minuto ang aking pinalipas saka ako nagdesisyon na lumabas. Magpapaalam ako sa mga kaibigan ko na mauna na ako sa aming apartment. Wala rin naman talaga akong balak na tapusin ang party sa umpisa pa lang.

Paglabas ko sa pinto ay ganun na lamang ang gulat ko nang masumpungan ko si Sir Lawrence na nakaabang. Nagtama agad ang aming mga mata. He was leaning against the wall while both hands were shoved in the front pockets of his pants. His eyes bore into mine at agad na nagsitayuan ang balahibo sa aking batok. Damn those eyes! Para akong malulunod sa mga titig niya na iyon. His eyes were hypnotizing me. At ang kaba na akala ko ay wala na, unti-unti na namang bumabangon. My heart was thumping eratically against my ribcage. Kung palaging ganito ang magiging reaksyon ko ay tiyak akong mamamatay ako ng maaga dahil sa sakit sa puso.

“Can I have you for a moment? I just badly want to talk to you.” His voice was hoarse, almost a whisper.

Ano ang kailangan niya sa akin at gusto akong kausapin?

“We are actually talking, Sir. In case you are not aware.” I answered him sarcastically. Hindi ko maaaring ipagkanulo ang aking sarili. I need to get hold of myself.

“Drop the sarcasm, young lady. I want to talk to you in private. Pero kung gusto mo dito, I don't mind at all. Ang akin lang ay baka may makakita sa atin dito, it would be a headline tomorrow. There are media outlets invited for this event in case you are not aware...” Nakataas ang kilay nito while he was grinning at me mischievously. So, you find this funny, huh?

Huminga ako ng malalim. Siguro nga ay makakabuti kung mag-usap kami. Maybe if I know something evil about him, I can use it for myself para layuan siya. Makakatulong iyon upang mabawasan ang pahanga ko sa kanya hanggang sa tuluyang maglaho ang nararamdaman ko para dito.

“Okay Sir. Whatever you want. Even though I don't have a slightest idea what you actually want from me.” Nakatungo ako at sa dibdib niya nakatingin.

“Come with me.” Hinawakan nito ang braso ko at marahang hinila paalis sa lugar na iyon. Dahil hindi kabisado ang pasikot-sikot sa hotel, tahamik na sumabay na lamang ako sa kanya. Sa pinakamadilim na parte kami dumaan para hindi kami mapansin. Oh! But I doubt kung mapapansin ba kami. Kanina ay nasulyapan ko ang dancefloor na puno ng mga tao. Nagsimula na ang sayawan habang tumutugtog ang banda.

Hindi ko alam kung saang bahagi na kami ng hotel. Basta ang alam ko, may nilabasan kaming mga pinto. Dumaan kami sa fire exit paakyat. Pagkalabas namin sa exit door ay napag-alaman ko na nasa hallway na kami ng first floor. Nalula ako sa ganda ng hallway. Sa mga attractive lamps sa bawat gilid. Sa malambot ng carpeted floor. Sa nagkikintabang mga pinto.

We stopped at a certain door and I saw him swipe a card. “You, first.” He said, urging me to step in. I walked a few strides forward leaving him behind. My jaw deliberately dropped to the floor when my eyes roamed around. We are in a room! In a huge room with huge bed in the center! If we were on another circumstances, I would have jump into the bed and roll over it until I fall. But, no matter how beautiful the place is, hindi ko maiwasang hindi kabahan sa mga nangyayari.

What the hell are we doing here?

I turned around to meet his gaze. Napansin kong naka long-sleeve na lang siya ngayon. Ang amerikana niyang suot kanina ay nakasampay na sa sandalan ng upuan sa kanyang tagiliran.

"Are you scared?" He asked me. His tone was low and deep. Ibinaba niya sa mesa ang keycard at humakbang papalapit sa akin. Humakbang ako paatras. Scared? Do I look scared? Of course, I am scared!

“No, I'm not. Should I be?” I asked him again without looking at his intense eyes.

“You shouldn't.... I’m not gonna harm you. In any way possible...” He stopped a few inches from me. He raised his right hand and touched my cheek. My eyes closed automatically. His touch was as soft as petals.

“You are so beautiful…” He whispered breathlessly.

“What do you want from me?” Ang tangi kong nasabi. Mahina lang ang boses ko dahil unti-unti akong nawawalan ng lakas. He kept on brushing my cheek with his thumb. At sapat na iyon para manghina ang mga tuhod ko.

“I just want to be with you. I promised to never come near you, but here I am breaking my own rule. I just can't stand watching you from afar, Emerald. It's driving me crazy. You are driving me crazy. What have you done to me?” His voice cracked and it seemed like he was having a hard time.

I looked up to meet his eyes. He looked tense. He looked vulnerable. Never did I see him being like this to me. My resolves were slowly melting. At pakiramdam ko sa sandaling ito, ay kaya ko siyang abutin.

I felt his arms snake around my waist, and he pulled me gently to his chiseled body. Wala akong kakayahang tumutol at ayaw ko ring tumutol. I wanted to feel him too. I know it's crazy, but I can't convince myself to stay away from him.

Inangat kong pareho ang aking mga kamay at tinukod sa kanyang matigas na dibdib. At that moment, I felt relieved that it wasn’t just me who’s nervous. I could feel his heart thumping crazily against my palm. I looked away.

“I don't know what to say. You make me confuse.” I replied, still avoiding his tantalizing eyes.

“Please, Emerald. Allow me to do this.” Naramdaman ko pa lalo ang higpit ng yakap niya. His heavy breathing fanning my face. I took pleasure in his scent. Intoxicating scent. It's driving me crazy. Pero napakunot ang noo ko sa sinabi nito. Allow him to do what?

“To kiss you....I've been dreaming to kiss you since the moment I first saw you. Please baby, allow me...let me.... please....” His deep baritone, pleading voice sent shivers down my spine. His eyes were begging, and I want to give in. God, how I want to give in.

Tila natunaw ang pader na tinatag ko. I didn't think twice. I raised both my hands and circled them aeound his nape. Tumingkayad ako ng bahagya at unti-unti kong nilapat ang aking mga labi sa kanya. Napasinghap ito.

“Oh Emerald, you are driving me insane....” He whispered before he crushed his mouth against mine.

The moment our lips touched; I knew its game over. Kung ano man ang maaaring maganap ngayong gabi, bukas, bukas ko na pagsisisihan ang lahat! I love this man. I'm in love with you Lawrence dela Vega! It’s too early to admit it, but this is what I really feel for him. Crazy as it may sound, but I do love him.

My lips were trembling, and my breathing was uneven. His kisses were tender like butterflies. Pero dahil wala akong karanasan, I didn't know how to reciprocate. I just closed my eyes and feel the moment. This is my first time to be kissed by a man. And I never thought that a kiss could swept me off my feet. Nakakabaliw pala. I almost fainted when I felt his tongue licked the corners of my mouth. And heatwave ran through my veins down to my belly. I moaned.

I clung to his nape harder as if my life depended on it. Mabubuwal ako dahil sa panginginig ng aking tuhod. Then suddenly, I felt like floating! Nanlaki ang mata ko nang maramdaman ang malambot na kama. He stopped kissing me and he positioned himself on my top. Before I could utter my protest, he fiercely kissed me again and I just closed my eyes once more.

His kisses were rough this time. Nanggigigil. Nang-aangkin. He licked my mouth again and tried to part my lips using his tongue. I gasped because I ran out of breath. But it was a wrong move after all. When I parted my lips, his tongue slid inside and invaded every part of my sweet cavern. At wala akong magawa kundi ang namnamin ang nakakabaliw na pakiramdam na pinapadama niya sa akin.

“Lawrence....” I gasped again. Mauubusan na ako ng hininga because of his intense kisses. I heared him moan. Naramdaman ko ang matigas na bagay sa bandang puson ko. I'm neither dumb nor naive about these things. But I was still surprised of how turned on he was.

“Oh baby, I love how you moaned my name. It's sexy as hell....” He murmured between his kisses.

“Lawrence...Lawrence....oh please....” I called his name to stop. But I sounded like pleading! He moaned again and bit my lower lip.

“Please what baby?" his voice was husky. He pulled his face a little bit away from mine.

“Lawrence.....we need to stop…” Ang sabi ko sa kanya. God knows I don't want to stop but we need to clear things up first before we screw everything.

He was hovering on me. Tinitigan muna niya akong mabuti. Pagkatapos ay bumuntong-hininga. “Alright, Emerald, we’ll talk. I’m sorry if I’ve been impulsive...” He said and laid down beside me. He grabbed me with care as he pulled me closer to his side. I placed my cheek on his chest and threw my right arm over his stomach.

We kept silent for a little while to calm our breathing. I could feel his lips kissing my hair. “You were wonderful a while ago.” He uttered, and I raised my face to see him. He met mine and he gave me a chase kiss. A smiled a little. Gusto ko siyang pagmasdan pero natatakot akong baka panaginip lang ang lahat ng ito. This is so surreal.

“All of them were in awe of you, including me. You are very talented. And you looked breathtakingly beautiful while singing and playing the piano I almost thought I was in heaven.” He placed his arms on my waist and kissed me lightly again.

“Thank you...” I smiled at him. I was more than glad he liked it because it was meant for him, after all.

“I wondered kung mayroon ka bang hindi alam gawin? I've seen your credentials and you've got an impressive mark.” He smiled sheepishly. Napa-isip ako. Ano nga ba? I sighed as I stared at his parted lips. I couldn’t think straight because his half-opened luscious lips are distracting me.

“Uhm, I don't how to kiss.” Kumagat-labi ako. Why do I always embarrass myself in front of him? Kung saan nanggaling ang lakas ng loob na yun para masabi ko ang ganoong bagay ay hindi ko na alam. Basta ang alam ko ay aliw na aliw ito sa narinig na sagot mula sa akin.

His laugh vibrated against my chest. He then moved, positioning himself above me. Suminghap ulit ako.

“In that case, let me kiss you some more.” He lowered his face to me, and I excitedly waited for his lips to touch mine. Oh God. If this is a dream, please don't wake me up!

 (THIS CHAPTER HAS LAWRENCE'S POV BUT CAN ONLY READ IN THE PHYSICAL BOOK)