32-Angel

"I called and texted him many times already, but I received no response from him, Ma'am..." sagot ni Robert nang tinanong ko siya kung bakit hindi pumasok si Drake.

I had called him countless times too. Hindi rin siya sumasagot.

Nagbilin ako ng mensahe sa kanya kaninang umaga. Para mabasa niya agad kung sakaling pinatay niya ang kanyang phone.

Subalit bandang alas singko ng hapon niya palang naisipang magreply.

Drake:

Come here, Angel. Let's talk over something.

Nagtipa ako ng sagot.

Me:

I'm coming. Katatapos lang ng trabaho, hehe. I love youuuu

He didn't reply with that.

Kumalampag ang puso ko. May problema na naman ba kami? Posibleng alam na niya tungkol sa nangyari sa akin noong nasa Cebu kami.

He reconciled with my mother and kuya Soren.

I braced myself. I couldn't escape with this truth.

Sumakay ako ng tricycle papuntang Pioneer Avenue. Hinahayaan ako ni Drake na magcommute kahit labag sa kalooban niya.

Del Prado Condominiums had dedicated elevator straight to their penthouses with a key pass.

Kumabog muli ang puso ko nang tumapak na ako sa loob ng penthouse ni Drake.

My steps were careful and estimated. I dabbed my face with some foundation and applied lip gloss.

"Mag-usap tayo, Anghel. Let's clarify everything."

I twirled around. He was in the kitchen counter.

Nakapambahay lang siya. Bagong ligo pa nga. Suot niya parin ang gloves na ginawa ko noon.

It didn't look unfit to his outfit. It added more dash of homey rebel to his handsome face and body.

"Bakit hindi ka pumasok, Drake?"

"Preparing something big and memorizing something."

He approached me slowly and grabbed my left hand like it was made of a feather.

"Sa kwarto tayo." He tugged me to his room.

"Okay..." Nagpatianod ako sa kanya.

Pinaupo niya ako sa dulo ng kanyang malambot na kama na minsan na naming pinagsaluhan dahil sa pagod.

"Let's go grab some dinner, Drake. Gusto mo bang ipagluto kita?"

That wasn't appealing to hear. My cooking skills was questionable. The food I cooked could poison him. I should probably start practicing.

"It's still 5, baby. Too early for dinner."

Umupo siya paanan ko at semeryoso ang mukha.

Walang bakas ng katatawanan ang makikita sa gwapo niyang itsura.

Kinuha niya ang isa kong kamay at ikinulong sa kanya.

"Gusto kong sabihin mo sa akin lahat, Anghel. May hindi ka pa sinasabi sa akin."

My throat tightened.

Nilabas niya ang weight gain plan sa kanyang bulsa na nawala sa kwarto ko. I looked for it early this morning bago bumyahe.

I know I couldn't escape his questions to think it was in his possession all along.

"Itatanggi mo pa rin ba?"

I paled.

"Saa-an mo-o naku-uha 'yan?" I stuttered.

I shouldn't have asked him that. Hinatid niya ako kagabi sa bahay. Doon din siya natulog sa kwarto ko. The possibility was clear as the sky.

"Please, your Kuya Soren told me. But I want to hear it from you." Concern shrouded his voice.

Umiwas ako ng tingin sa kanya.

I began breathing heavily. I picked at my cuticles and the skin around my fingernails anxiously.

"Hindi ako magagalit. I'm begging you, baby..." he articulated the echo of his intense and insatiable hunger for truth.

The truth that I wouldn't share to him. The truth that would tear him into pieces.

"Tell me, baby... I want to hear it from your lips..." he coaxed me with endearing understanding.

The more I keep the truth hidden, the more it pains him. In which could lead to break our trust to each other. My heart was full of deep speechless sadness that time. I didn't want Drake to hear it from me. But I couldn't hide it anymore.

"I was malnourished... I wasn't healthy, Drake. They need to see me a dietician. I blame myself. I overthink a lot..." I told him the truth, plumbing the depth of my fear.

"Oh God..." He let out a long weary sigh as if he was in a great conquest for the truth and finally, he heard it from me.

"Angel ...what I'd have done..."

Shame and self-disappointment held him like a vice.

"No. No. No." I shook my head three times, imposing my disagreement. "Don't blame yourself, Drake. Kaya tinago ko sayo ito dahil ayokong magalit ka sa sarili mo..."

"Angel...I can't forgive myself if I will do something stupid again." Hinagkan niya na ang beywang ko at doon umiyak.

I consoled his head while his crying voice muffled in my clothes. Drake unleashing all his emotions and my eyes flooded with tears. My heart ached at the purity he showed me.

We cried out like a sieve.

Dark clouds of feelings above us were soon replaced by sunshine. We submitted into silence after pouring all of our anguish, disappointments, and regrets.

"Drakey baby, are you okay now?" bulong ko sa kanya.

My head was lying on his chest. His heart was beating normally now.

"Yes. I feel like all the pain just flew away. Crying together is damn therapeutic..."

He embraced me tighter.

"I love you even more, Drake. You're not afraid to show me your crying self..."

"Showing my real emotions isn't scary if it's you, Angel..." he kissed my hair and snuggled into me as if that wasn't enough physical closure for him.

"Let's follow what's inside the weight gain plan. Hindi ako pumasok kasi sinaulo ko lahat ng nakalagay doon. Let's get some groceries tomorrow. What do you want for dinner? I made you a large bibingka-"

"Can we talk something else?" I cut him off.

It was an ice-breaker for him, not for me. I saw his eyes wavered in disbelief with my request to change the subject.

"What is it?"

"What about the flowers, Drake? Kinalimutan ko na dapat iyon. Pero ngayong seryosong pag-uusap na ito. Hahalungkatin ko na rin. You have to explain me that."

"The flowers?" Confusion was written on his face.

"Someone sent you flowers. I heard you say that you better ride your sports car fast and furious than waste your time for a girl, co's you have wasted your time a long time ago." I sounded whining.

That wasn't the plan. I just wanted to sound like mature woman discussing instead of complaining.

"Damn," he muttered a curse. "Kalami paminawon..."

"Huh?" Nablangko ang utak ko.

"You're clearly jealous, baby."

Delight dazzled his eyes as if he found it amusing.

"Of course, I am. May iba ka bang babae?" I arched my brow dramatically.

Alam kong hindi bagay sa akin ang magtaas ng kilay. Only Bonita could pull-off that style.

"No." His nose crinkled at my too sweet accusation.

"Then explain why you said that you better ride your sports car fast and furious than waste your time for a girl, cos you have wasted your time a long time ago. So, you wasted your time on me?" I repeated it again.

"It wasn't you, baby. Those were girls who come in my life before you... Are we clear now? You can check my phone, my social media accounts, and everything..." he spoke with a mild tone.

"I don't want to do that. I don't want to be like that. I just - really thought ako ang tinutukoy mo..."

Lumabi ako. Nahihiya ako sa inakto ko.

He tickled me under my chin.

"Why would I do that? How on earth could I replace you? When you're already embedded in my veins, Angel."

Uminit ang pisngi ko.

His assurance made my knees weak.

"I never dated anyone after you left for Cebu. I don't want to date anyone." he explained sincerely. "I understand that a bouquet of flowers makes you jealous, baby, knowing you don't know about the sender. Pero nanggaling kay Uncle Dwight ang mga bulaklak. He texted me that it comes from him." he reassured me.

Nanliit ang mga mata ko. "Sino si Uncle Dwight?"

Hindi ko kilala ang panauhin na binanggit niya.

"He's a family. I'll introduce you to him some other day..."

"There's one thing you need to clarify, Drake. I want to know what happen to you after we left."

"I became my old self I loathed so much..." he answered without blinking.

I felt a sudden twinged inside my chest. I knew how his past haunted him and the fact he goes back to his old bad vices seemed to be more daunting.

"Getting caught drinking alcohol at school, spending one night at the Police station prison cell for over speeding. I spent days brooding and chugging alcohol. I burned, wreck and sink myself with my old vices. I thought... that was the only way to forget the pain..."

"Drake..."

This time I held him tight as a bow-string like I don't want him to go anywhere but here with me.

"Baby, my fear to be away from you came to reality. I couldn't risk that again..." he brushed my hair.

"I don't you to feel this way, Drake. Seeing you blaming yourself is also hurting me..."

"May pagkukulang ako bilang boyfriend mo. Forgive me, baby. Nahihiya ako sayo, Anghel." He swallowed. You shouldn't be the one who's greatly suffering. Now, I'm questioning myself if I deserve you."

I looked at him, defying what he said. "I believe that you deserve me, the way I deserve you too..." I pressed my ear on his broad chest wanting to hear the beat of his heart. "Thank you for explaining, Drake..."

Dinampian niya ng halik ang buhok ko. "Thank you so much for coming to my life..."

Deep love hovered in his gaze. "No more lies between us..."

"I don't want to be a burden to you, Drake. Tapos na iyon. Nasa magandang kalagayan na ang kalusugan ko ngayon..."

"You're saying like it was just a small thing... Nangyari iyon dahil sa akin. I'll do everything to not happen it again..."

We both remained calm throughout our conversation. One of the things I love about him was his ability to remain as calm as the summer sea when he's talking to me.

He might be challenged with storms sometimes, but he never let the turbulence ruptured his mind.

Pinagluto ako ni Drake ng hapunan. He cooked according to the weight gain plan.

We ate in silence, while holding hands and a lot of reciprocal smiles, kisses, winks and mischief gazes.

"Drake, consider this an interview, and I'm the reporter." basag ko sa katahimikan.

"You're the reporter. Wow. Ang ganda-ganda mo namang nilalang, Miss. Can I take you to a date?" he cupped his chin like he was daydreaming.

"I'm going to ask you questions regarding your journey as a driven, professional and too-good to be true racer." patuloy ko bago pa lumihis ang pag-uusap na ito.

I positioned the spoon on his lips. "Are you ready, Mr. Mathildo?"

"Fire me all the questions, baby!" he cheerfully crowed.

I laughed.

"When you were young, who inspired you to drive and be a racer?"

"My Grandfather."

"Saan siya ngayon?" I asked curiously.

"He's dead. He's probably racing with the flying creatures above..."

He should be sounded sad, but he turned out he's happy wherever his grandfather right now.

"What was the first vehicle you use?"

"Bike."

"Did you hit something or... someone?"

"I almost hit a tree trunk, and you're the only person I almost hit."

"Naalala ko ang gabing iyon," I nodded my head, recalling the remarkable moment.

"Ang kapal talaga ng mukha ko noon."

I gaped at his brutal honesty. At first, I thought the same way. Nevertheless, I found that totally changed now.

"Ang gwapo mo kaya."

He cocked his head with a mischievous grin. "Really...?"

I faked a cough. "Let's move on to another question. Who help you to be able to join national races?"

"Uncle Dwight."

Ang daming naitulong ng Uncle Dwight niya sa kanya. Siguro kahanga-hanga siyang tao.

"I really need to meet him."

"I promise you'll meet him."

"Okey-dokey. Next, was the journey to get to the top of the game easy? Tell me, how it all went?"

"I have many loses too. It's not easy to get to the top. You have to fail many times and if you win a race, you have still a potential to fail. My first vigorous training was a big transformation for me, racing from ten to twenty laps. I also had to balance my time between training, school and family. I did it, because I don't want to disappoint you again and your family who trusted in me to take care of you. The thought -of you motivate me every day and my passion for racing made my head steady."

I nibbled my bottom lip when tears threatened to escape my eyes. Tears were quicker. They ran down my cheeks with a sob from my lips. I was fighting not to cry, but I ended up crying.

"Why are you crying?" Concern flooded on his face.

He whirled to my seat and grabbed my head as gentle as a lamb.

"I'm just so proud of you..."

"Do we need to continue this interview?"

I shook my head and dried my tears with my fingers.

Pinatahan niya ako habang hinihimas ang aking buhok. Kumalma ako kalaunan.

The evening came with slow steps. It seemed to be the entire day for me since five pm. It was a pretty long night. We even watched a romantic comedy movie.

"The movie was great." he commented and yawned when the closing credits flashed on the TV screen.

Sumimangot ako. "Hindi mo nga pinanuod. You were looking at me the whole time..."

"Why not?" He caressed my shoulder and peck a kiss on my pouting lips. "Looking at you is like a beautiful movie all wrapped in one soul..."

His spontaneous compliments always stunned me. I was completely magnetized that I lift a hand to my cheeks and feel its burning.

I blew him a sloppy kiss his right cheek instead and jumped away from the couch. Unfortunately, he had the speed of a raging car and able to loop his hand on my wrist.

"Saan ka pupunta? Halika dito, Anghel."

He pinned me on the couch. He drew his handsome face to mine. We were inches apart, staring at each other's eyes and lips.

He kissed my eyelids to show his reverence. It followed immediately to the tip of my nose and suspended on my lips and curved to my neck that turn me into a giggling fit.

"Buhatin mo ako papuntang kwarto, Drake." utos ko sa kanya.

A playful bliss shone in his eyes.

"It will be my pleasure, my Angel..."

He didn't bother turning off the TV.

He transported me to his room like he was holding a ring bearer pillow with diamond or pearl on it.

We laughed at how ridiculous he acted. He placed me the edge of his bed where we both shed our tears few hours ago.

He took off his shirt over his head. He balled it and threw it somewhere.

Parang nawalan ako ng hangin nang lumuhod siya sa harapan ko at malambing na hinubad ang puting medyas na suot ko.

Naiwan sa living room ang aking heels. I was wearing a white skirt and a taupe off-shoulder top.

He cupped my jaw, letting our fingers intertwined together while we were kissing so softly. I encircled my arms around his neck and pushed myself forward to ring my flexible legs on his waist. That indication made his kisses as fast as the drop of a hat.

He carried me to the upper part of his bed. He continued the intimate quest of his lips as though he was dying to kiss me. Like it was his first sweet taste of mangoes that he plucked from their trees.

Our lips winded, refusing to let go, and refusing to take it easy. We were unable to open our eyes for a few moments when we both decided to gather some air before we would be taken to the hospital for it.

We were catching our breath as if we just sprinted around the racetrack.

I swallowed hard. "Drake...touch me... touch my senses..." I whispered the very desire of my soul,

He stared at me for several seconds and when surprise eroded his mind, he touched my face.

"Are you giving me the ... green light, baby?"

"Yes..please...do it.. I'm giving you my permission..."

He positioned his hand on the zipper of my skirt like he was ready to go.

"Are you sure, Angel?"

He gradually dragged down the zipper.

"Definitely sure..." I nodded my head, smiling and giggling.

Hindi ko alam kung kaya ko pa bang magpigil.

Drake was a combination of thrill, bravery, loyalty, persistence and gentleness. I couldn't ask for more. I was beyond ready to be consumed by him.

"I will kiss you down there for now..."

A felt a shiver down my spine by the thought of him between my legs.

"We can't rush this one, Angel. Not yet." he feathered my face with kisses. "We will make this slow..."

"Any pace you want, go-ahead, Drake. I know you don't like slow... Marami ka ng pruwebang pinakita. Every time we kiss you always mix slow and fast..."

"So that you can taste both world of slow and fast..."

To have a man like him molded a strong determination in me: to bring this to a whole new level.

"We will make this worthwhile, Anghel... I'll make you the happiest angel on earth..."

His eyes glazed on my lips, trying not to kiss them because he's stocking a massive amount of air to his lungs before giving in.

His brows were furrowed when he kissed me with burning passion.

His kisses weren't slow. That was out of his mind for sure. It was wild and precise. Both his lips utterly were committed to let me taste his ardor and dainty adore.

He completely opened the zipper of my skirt and hurled it somewhere. I felt free when I'm only wearing my undies. I felt safe and comfortable with my body when he gazed me down there.

He stripped the gloves I made for him. In which he was wearing the whole time.

My eyes widened in awe upon seeing what was on his fingers.

"Why...my name?"

My name was imprinted on his knuckles!

"Did it hurt, Drake?"

Kinuha ko ang mga kamay niya at humanga sa simple nitong font. Mas lalo siyang umangas tignan.

"I don't really feel anything... I was smiling the whole time..." he boosted.

"You can put my name in your chest or in your back. Why on your knuckles, Drakey baby?"

He tilted his buzz cut head to the other side. I saw the major muscle pulled up the corners of his lips and his eyelids tighten.

"I want a reminder of my commitment to you..."

"That's so romantic..." Heat traveled back to my face.

He did many romantic things to me. My heart couldn't contain the overpowering feeling.

"We're getting away from the focal point of this evening, baby. Shall we?"

The air in the room shifted into something sultry. I sucked my own breath when his resounding eyes warned me to be ready of what he was going to do next. His hands sought out the waistband of my panties.

I shrieked when my undies come off in his hands, slipping down over my knees with a yank and dropping the flimsy material to the floor.

I braced my hands on the pillows behind me. He lowered his body until his face leveled the center of my legs. He languidly spread my legs. My toes and fingers curled at that.

The veins in his hands were popping out as he darted out his tongue. It was so crass but so enticing.

I panted when he licked the top of it like a cherry on the cake.

"Drake..."

A hand stroked my belly with glorifying care as his middle finger worked inside me.

My eyes bulged. I felt as though my body was sinking deeper into the mattress. I didn't realize I'm already making sounds.

He kneeled to soothe me. "Relax, Angel..." He said, tipping his head for a sweet kiss on my lips.

I loosened up just the way he said. Yet his fingers continued its naughty journey and how would I suppose to be relaxed?

"Angel, I want to be honest..." he crooned in my ears.

"Go on, Drake..I have always love your honesty..." I was breathing with difficulty in a pleasurable way.

"Your jewel tastes like ripe summer peach, baby." he cooed as if it was a chant to penetrate my senses.

"Oh, my..." I couldn't complete my words.

Heat was barreling into my cheeks. His words were both sugar and spice.

He lay down back to where he was supposed to a while ago.

Something cleaves inside me when he pushed his tattooed fingers, exerting it in and out while his restless tongue was moistening and lapping my pebble.

He made a low sound with his throat, breathing through his nose. I focused on inhaling air and the unique feeling of his soft undulating tongue against the folds covering my pink bud.

My wetness was audible now under his touch. It was creamy, slippery, and shiny.

My eyes flew to his face. Sweat cascaded my face like waterfall at the sight of him enjoying my flower: the stubborn thirst of his mouth; the agile insertion of his fingers; the lustful determination of his brows; the fierceness of his jaw; and everything he makes me feel, were rebelliously delicious.

It was making my shoulder shift. It was quivering my whole body. He was lapping me like a melting ice-drop.

He began the urgent banging of his fingers to its very knuckle.

"Slow down, Drake..."

Parang walang saysay ang pagkapit ko sa kumot.

I wanted something to hold on to, but his hair was in buzz cut!

The energy and pace of his fingers were pulsing me out in waves.

"I can't, Angel. This is my undoing..."

He refused to slow down until he could taste the very nectar of me. He couldn't get enough of the taste of me, a ripe summer peach as what he said.

He picked up his rhythm. I thought I reach my climax when my legs shook like leaves on the trees.

He massaged my navel to relieve my shaking. I was confused why in that area. I felt a tingly feeling that slacken me for a bit.

He changed our position. He propped himself in the headboard, and I was on his lap with my legs on its widest angle. I felt the pleasure - more potent at the broad stretch of my limbs. I clung to him for dear life!

"Baby, are you close...?" he hummed.

"Drake..." I rasped. It seemed to be I was an inch from crumbling apart.

He swore under his breath. He caught my lips for a searing kiss. That was his signal. He curled his fingers, while kissing me all along my jaw.

"Oh, Drake! God, Drake!"

He never stopped until I was crying out loud from the intensity of it all. Within few seconds, something was dripping from me. I was drenched down to my soul. I was like free-falling from the sky and landed on a pink paradise.

Nakahahalina ang ngiti niya sa akin. There was a satisfied glint in his eyes.

"I'm right here, Angel. I'm here for you..." He laid my head on his chest. "My safest place on earth..."

I reached for his lips and kissed him, enjoying the circle of his arms and he kissed me back like I'm the most fragile thing in the world.

He cleaned me up after that. I was sore that I couldn't even move my feet. He took a very cold shower in the bathroom of my room.

He was avoiding the fire between us to scale up. I understood what he wanted. Me neither wasn't ready for that.

Nang bumalik siya ay yinapos niya ako. I accidentally grazed my aching leg on his center.

Nanlaki ang mata ko. "Drake, I feel a huge tent..."

"We're not doing it, unless we get married." Inunahan niya agad ako.

"Can you really control? I think it's good if we're both vocal about this thing..."

Kumibot ang labi niya. "Yes. I agree. The cold shower somehow controlled my body..."

"What if-"

He intervened. "Let's get married first, and we'll do it for the rest of our lives."

"Nakakagutom naman ata kung for the rest of our lives." I joked.

"God, I love your sense of humor..." Pumikit siya para magpigil ng tawa.

"Can you really?"

Nanliit ang mata niya. Tinaas niya ang isang kilay.

"Are you challenging me, Angel? What about every millisecond? You pick."

"That's impossible, Drake."

"If I didn't believe in impossible, we will never be together."

I touched his face, admiring his features. He had that wayward air and a devil-may-care attitude ever since. But when it comes to me, he would be like a fluffy cotton candy.

"There's only one thing I want you to do, Angel. When you're not feeling well or something is bothering you or anything that makes you feel off..."

Naghintay ako sa susunod niyang sasabihin. Sinuri ko siya ng tingin.

"If you need me, call me..."

He laced his hand with mine.

"Drake, I'm sad..."

He kissed the back of my hand.

"Drake, I'm tired..."

He dropped a dime of kiss to my forehead, and the tip of my nose.

"Drake, I need you...come to me please..." Dahan-dahan niyang pinagdikit ang mga noo namin. "I will drop everything for you, baby..." His lips drifted on my lips this time with the loud echo of our hearts.

"No more secrets, Angel." he reminded.

"No more secrets, Drake." I repeated.

The night ended with raining kisses on my silky shoulder.

Hindi niya ako pinapasok sa trabaho kinabukasan. I told him I could manage, but he utterly disagreed with me. He said I should gather my energy. Sinunod ko nalang siya.

I moved out my things back to his penthouse. I paid my rent early to its due date.

Drake was occupied with work a couple of days. He was faced down on the couch due to exhaustion sometimes. I gave him a massage every night.

I made sure his office attire would be ready the next day. I assisted him and stayed late with him like a giant clock.

That was truly a familiar scenario.

He stayed late with me at night when we were making our practical research paper back in High School.

One lunch break, Drake was off to somewhere. I stalked Ate Loren's Instagram to treat my boredom. I clicked on her latest post and scrolled down the comments.

LBDelRosario

We came to the cinema for a date.

Devon Lopez tagged ate Loren's husband. It captioned, "Ginawa kang props, pre."

Ate Loren's husband replied:

I don't mind, pare. She's my Queen.

The owner of Sussana Coast tagged his wife and he captioned:

Babe, let's go watch a movie this Sunday.

I jolted when an incoming videocall from ate Sonya appeared in the screen of my phone.

"Bakit napatawag ka, Ate?" I answered her.

Madalas lang siyang tumatawag sa akin.

"I just want to check you." Kumunot ang noo niya. "Why are you wearing a scarf, Angel? Ang init ng panahon."

Ate Sonya was looking at me like she's prying to see what's inside my head.

"It's a style, ate. Manipis naman itong tela." I had to keep checking that the scarf covered the lovely hickey Drake made last night.

"Talaga lang, ah..."

Her eyes narrowed into slit.

"Stop looking at me like that." saway ko sa kanya.

I adjusted the scarf on my neck.

PERIEDOT