Reid's POV

Marahan akong tumayo nang maramdaman ko ang pantay ng paghinga ni Drew.

It's almost eight in the evening. Nagmamadali akong nag-shower at nagbihis. I grabbed a boxer and a plain white shirt from my cabinet. I carefully dressed her up. I saw some red marks on her neck and breasts. I smiled mischievously. Saglit itong gumalaw.

"Reid...." she whispered.

Nilingon ko ito pero nakapikit pa rin. I smiled. She's dreaming of me.

I quickly scribbled a note for her and sat it on the table beside the bed. I went out then dialled the hotel service to get my car to the lobby. Dumaan rin ako sa reception para magbilin na mag-akyat ng pagkain ng nine mamaya. Iniwan ko ang keycard ko sa unit.

"Good evening, Sir!" bati ng guard on duty. Tinanguan ko ito.

Matapos makuha ang susi sa valet, I immediately drove away. We should be back before nine. Susunduin ko si Hope para dito na kami matutulog. Bukas na lang kami uuwi sa apartment nila. I don't have the heart to wake Drew up. Pagod pa sya. Naalala ko kung bakit. Napangiti ako.

I was drifting to sleep hugging this woman in my arms when she changed position. Humigpit ang yakap nya sa dibdib ko at idinantay sa akin ang isa nyang hita which landed on my 'thing'. I looked at her. She's asleep.

"Oh Good Lord!" I silently groaned to myself. Her bare soft breast touching my chest then her leg 'there'. Our position is so compromising that I can't help but have another hard on.

Nah,so what? She can sleep the whole night!

I kissed her lips which was partly open. She moaned huskily but kissed back. That was so damn sexy!

I grabbed her butt and pressed her body to mine. Her eyes opened sleepily.

"What are you doing?" she whispered.

"Round two?" I whispered back.

"Hhmm? Pwede ba yun, agad-agad?" she asked with hoarse voice. Antok pa talaga.

"Uhuh. Let me prove it to you," then I kissed her again and I was not disappointed as she kissed me back kahit alam kong inaantok sya.

I massage her breasts while giving small wet kisses on her neck and giving her small bites as well, going down between her breasts and around it. She let out a soft cry. It made me feel hotter and excited.

"Mine, feel me," I told her as I take her hand to my chest. She willingly obliged. Her hands started roaming my chest, my shoulder and my arms.I can't help but groan.

"You look so sexy with your tattoos," she said after giving me a natural seductive smile.Damn those sleepy eyes!

I kissed her passionately again which she answered in the same intensity.And kissed her stomach to her sides, her legs to her toes. I love everything about this woman.I clasps our hands together and pulled her to the side of the bed.

I let her sit there with her feet on the floor then I knelt between her legs. I hugged her and dug my face in her neck.

I touched her there and she let out another soft cry, "You're ready." I told her.

"Think of me, Mine. Just me," I whispered.

"I will, I promise."

I held her butt with both my hands and entered her. She gasped.

"You're still tight," I groaned.

I pressed her more to me. I want to feel her, all of me inside her. Her breathing became ragged. She put her arms around my neck then clung her legs to my waist. I started grinding.

"Aaah... Reid..." she moaned softly to my ears.

"Drew, ako lang.. .ako lang..." humihingal kong bulong sa kanya.

"Oo, Reid, ikaw lang..." she replied. "Oh my ...ohhh..."

Our moans and soft cries filled my room. I felt her legs and arms clung to me tightly and she bit me on my shoulders when we both reached our climax. We stayed in that position for a few minutes.I felt her getting heavy. Tinulugan ba ako nito sa ganitong posisyon? Natawa ako ng walang tunog.

"I love you, Andromeda," I whispered to her ear as I laid her back to the bed.

"Hhmmm...." was all she said. I kissed her lips at nahiga na ako sa tabi nya. I hugged her spooning style with her head resting on my shoulders.

Patay pa ang ilaw sa apartment nina Drew kaya kina Leleng ako dumiretso. Nagulat ito na ako ang napagbuksan.

"Good evening," bati ko. "Susunduin ko lang si Hope. Sa hotel kami matutulog." 

Nakita ko si Hope na nanonood ng tv katabi ang anak ni Leleng.

"Ay ganoon ba? Teka kukunin ko ang gamit ng bata," pumasok ito sa bahay. " Hope, andyan si Daddy mo."

Lumingon ito sa pinto, "Daddy!" tumayo ito at tumakbo papunta sa akin.

I bent over then stretched my arms to hug her. "Hello! How are you, baby?" kinarga ko na ito.

"Good," she answered.

"Reid, ito na yung bag at tsinelas ni Hope," si Leleng. "Yung susi ng bahay nila, nasa bulsa ng bag. Nakakain na si Hope ng hapunan."

Kinuha ko ang mga ito. Pagkatapos magpasalamat, lumipat na kami sa kabila. Hope helped me get clothes for her and for her mom.

On our way out, I called Juno to let her know na sa hotel kami matutulog. Binilin ko uli sandali si Hope kay Leleng dahil kinuha ko ang bigbike ko na ilang araw nang naka-park sa tapat nina Drew. Ipinasok ko ito sa loob ng bakod nila.

Sa backseat ko iniupo si Hope then put on her seatbelt.

"Daddy, where's mommy?" she asked as we drove back to the hotel.

"She's at my house, baby. Mommy's really tired kaya nakatulog na. Doon tayo matutulog tonight," I answered.

"Too early for her bedtime. Why is she tired?" Ito yata yung sinasabi nilang mga tanong ng bata na mahirap sagutin.

"Uhm, we were... busy! Yeah, really busy at work that's why she's tired." Safest answer.

"Daddy?"

"Hhmm?"

"Why you have a house tas we have house ni mommy po? Di ba dapat one house lang tayo?"

"Mommy and I are working out to get us in one house, baby. Remember our deal?"

"Opo."

"Always drink your milk from the glass so mommy will make up her mind soon para one house na lang tayo then we can give you your baby brother, ok?"

"Ok."

Napangiti ako, "Very good."

I stopped at the lobby. After getting Hope and our baggage, I told the receptionist to have the food sent to our room.

"Tumawag ba si Drew?" I asked.

"No, Sir. " Tumingin ito kay Hope na karga ko. "Hello, Hope!" Oo, sa sandaling panahon, kilala na si Hope sa hotel kahit hindi pa siya nakikita ng ibang empleyado.

"Hi po! Ga-evening !" kumaway pa ito. Natuwa sa kanya ang panggabing receptionist. Kinuha ko ang keycard tapos umakyat na kami ni Hope.

I told Hope not to make too much noise as we enter my unit. Drew is still fast asleep. Pinagbuksan ko na lang ito ng tv para manood. Ako na lang kumain pagdating ng room service. I put Drew's food sa fridge. Ako na rin ang nagpaligo kay Hope. As promised, she drank her milk from the glass. Nang tuyo na ang buhok nito, niyaya ko na itong pumasok sa kuwarto. Malaki ang kama ko kaya kasyang-kasya kaming tatlo. Sa gitna namin ni Drew ko siya pinapuwesto. She fell asleep while I was reading her a story.

Tumagilid ako ng higa. I looked at the two ladies sleeping on my bed. Drew and I, we're getting there.

"Daddy ko..." yumakap sa akin si Hope. Tulog.

Gusto kong matawa. Like mother like daughter. Ako pareho ang napapaginipan. Haha!

I rested Hope's head on my shoulder. I don't know but I really feel connected to this child, not just because she is Drew's daughter, the woman I intend to bring to the altar. I looked at her peaceful face. Hindi talaga ako makapaniwala sa laki ng resemblance nya kay Sarah nung bata pa ang bunso kong kapatid.

Which reminds me. I have to confirm their arrival from the US next week. And a lot of calls to make. Pero bukas na. I'm tired, too. I got spent up making love with Drew earlier. I want to do it really hard with her but I don't want to scare her off since I knew what she had been through. I knew it won't be easy for her. Making love with so much control is as tiring as doing it all out.

The moment I saw that she was drifting away from me to that fateful night, I almost panicked. The fear that suddenly masked her face when I first entered her will haunt me. I can't afford to imagine how scared and terrified she was then. I saw it all on her face earlier. I did my best to make her feel that making love is a wonderful experience.

"Thank you.... I didn't know this experience would be this amazing... Thank you for bringing me back when I was unconsciously going back to that..."

I was so happy when she told me these words while sobbing. Napawi lahat ng pag-aalala at pagod ko sa ritwal na ginawa namin matapos iyon. Well, aside from the great feeling doing it with her which was a bonus. And I made sure that she was not thinking of anything or anyone else when we did it the second time.

I slept well. Nagising ako sa mga mumunting halik sa mukha ko from two sets of lips, followed by giggle.

I opened my eyes to two beautiful smiling faces.

"Ga-morning,daddy!" excited na tinig.

"Good morning, Half!" malamyos na tinig.

This is what you call waking up in the morning. I grabbed both of them on the waist then pinned them on the bed, kissng them both on their necks.

My room as filled with giggles.

"Daddy, stop...stop!" she squealed with laughter.

Naramdaman ko ang pagkaalarma ni Drew.

"Half, tama na! Baka hindi makahinga si Hope," sabi nito at pilit kumawala sa akin to reach out to Hope.

"Hey, baby. Are you ok?" tanong nito sa bata. She held Hope's face and examined it. I was... what the hell? Ano yun? What's the over reaction? We were having fun, right?

"I'm ok, mommy," Hope answered.

"Are you sure?"

Tumango si Hope. Tila doon lang nakahinga ng maluwag si Drew. She looked at me apologetically.

"I'm ... I'm sorry to spoil the fun, Half," she said softly looking at her palms on her lap.

"It's alright, Mine. Breakfast?" I asked lightly.

"Oo, nakahain na. Kaya ka nga namin ginising. Come," yaya nito.

"Go ahead. I'll just have a quick wash up. Susunod ako." Sabi ko.

After breakfast, we rested a little then hit the road to the mall. Kabubukas nga lang nito pagdating namin doon.

Agad ko silang dinala sa isang furniture shop ti buy a queen size bed. I saw the question on Drew's face.

"We will replace your bed, para kasya tayong tatlo. Don't worry, it will fit inside your room and there will still bespace to move around," I said casually.

"You didn't even ask for my permission!" she said.

"I did. The moment you allowed me to sleep there. It means we needed a bigger bed," I said, then whispered, " Unless, gusto mo talagang tumabi si Hope kay Juno para masolo mo ako, or kung nakapatong... Ouch!"

Kinurot nya ako sa ilalim ng braso. "Gagi ka talaga! Ang bastos mo!" she hissed.

"Well, I was giving you options," I said. Inirapan ako nito.

I paid extra to have the bed delivered ng late afternoon that same day. We dropped by the department store to buy a couple of bedcovers at additional pillows para sa bagong kama.

Pinaglaro namin si Hope sandali sa mga rides doon na nilalagya ng mga tokens. Then we had lunch sa isang restaurant outside the mall. After that, we went home to their apartment.

Wala na si Juno pagdating namin. She left a note on the fridge door na hindi na ito nagluto since umaga ang pasok nito sa eskwela.

Hope and I spent the afternoon watching movies while Drew did the laundry. Bago mag-alas kwatro ng hapon, dumating ang binili kong kama. With the help of the delivery guys, we were able to put Drew's old bed out and settle the new one inside her room.

Kumatok sa amin si Leleng. Hindi naman nagdalawang isip si Drew ng hingiin ni Leleng ang dati niyang kama. Isinama na rin niyang ibigay ang mga pasadyang bedcovers para rito.

Tuwang-tuwa si Hope na nagtatatalon sa kama.

Nang gabing iyon, natulog ako sa gitna ng mag-ina.

Kinabukasan, umaga kami nagsimba kasama si Juno at katulad ng nakagawian, nauna itong umuwi pagkatapos naming mag-lunch sa labas dahil may lakad maliban sa pagpunta sa gym. Minsan naiisip ko rin si Juno. Sabi naman ni Drew ay may mga nagtangka na raw manligaw pero hindi tumatagal. Wala naman daw itong naikukwento kung may boyfriend na. Paano na lang kung magpakasal na kami ni Drew? Maiiwan si Juno mag-isa? Malamang hindi papayag si Drew. Isasama niya ito sa amin. Wala namang problema sa akin iyon.

Bigla akong napag-isip sa tinatakbo ng utak ko. Kasal. Kami ni Drew. Bahagya itong nagdulot ng lungkot sa akin. Ni hindi pa nga niya sinasabing mahal nya ako. Pinaparamdam nya pero, iba pa rin iyong sasabihin nya syempre. At sa ilang ulit kong pagsasabi sa kanya ng kasal, lagi itong natitigilan. Ayaw ba nya? Pero, she ...did it with me already. In my experience, I know I was her first...not counting what happened to her years ago.So, I assumed that she won't do it with someone she doesn't have feelings with. I know. I feel it. She loves me. I just don't know what's holding her back now. Or is she really like this? Not vocal about her feelings kahit kay... Fuck! I don't want to compare. Nakakaramdam tuloy ako ng insecurities. Mali ito.

We spent the whole Sunday afternoon sa bahay, nagbo-bonding – playing with Hope, Drew playing the piano then singing along with her. I can spend all my afternoons like that lalo na kapag nakikita ko ang ningning sa mata ni Drew kapag sumasabay ako ng pagkanta sa kanya o ako lamang habang nagpi-piano sya. Tapos maririnig ko ang masayang pagchi-cheer sa amin ni Hope.

Tulad ng nakaraang gabi, sa gitna nila ulit mag-ina ako nakapuwesto matulog.

Sabay na kami ni Drew pumasok sa Casa Alicia. Tila nabigla pa si Vina na sabay kaming pumasok ni Drew sa reception area, ganun din ang mga bellboy at ibang staff na naroon na nakasabay namin. Lumapit ako kay Vina para kunin ang bouquet ng wildflowers na kahapon ko pa itinawag sa Mica's Flower Shop. Nagkaroon ng tuksuhan nang iabot ko ito kay Drew then gave her a peck on the lips.

"Ang sweet naman nila. Kakainggit!" sabi ng isang empleyada.

"Ehem...ehem... Andito pa kami!" Si Vina.

Inirapan ito ni Drew pero simple ako nitong kinurot sa ilalim ng braso.

"Ikaw talaga!" mahinang sabi sa akin nung papasok na kami sa elevator.

We were busy the whole day. Sabay kaming nag-lunch. Bago mag-uwian, umakyat ako sa unit ko sa penthouse para iwan ang marurumi kong damit at kumuha ako ng pamalit bago kami umuwi ni Drew.

That became our routine. Nasanay na sila sa hotel na hindi ako doon natutulog. Hindi na rin naman naging malaking issue ang relasyon namin dahil ang alam nila ay isang pamilya na kami nina Drew sa 'pagkakabalikan' namin. Iyon ang alam kong naglalaro sa isip nila dahil kay Hope. Kasal na lang ang kulang. Kasal.

At hindi iyon naging malaking usapin dahil mas naging busy na ang mga empleyado sa hotel para sa darating na Christmas party which is only a week away. Pati ang pangyayaring gawa ni Art Cena ay nakalimutan na.Ito ay dahil sa suhestiyon ni Drew tungkol sa mga give aways na para sa mga guests ay magiging gift giving charity event. Napagkasunduan na gaganapin ang Christmas party ng bawat branches at ng main office sa lugar ng mga napili nilang charitable institution or NGO. Tulad ng sinabi ni Drew, naging matunog ang kakaiba naming concept sa media. Pero nakiusap si Drew na walang media coverage sa Casa Alicia. Kahit sinabi ko noon na kaya ko syang protektahan sa kung sinuman na nagbabanta sa kanila dati, iba ang dahilan ko sa mabilis na pagpayag sa gusto nito. Ayoko pa siyang matunton ni Aris Kho. Kung maari nga lang ay huwag na kahit kailan.  

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