Weeks later, Ro fixed the papers that I and Ville needed to go to Paris, France. This is my first time being nervous while having a pictorial. I'm used to any kinds of pictorial but now.

I couldn't figure out why I'm shivering in nervousness. Maybe, it wasn't because of something. But because of someone.

"Do we really need to do this?" Matabang na tanong sa akin ni Ville habang nag-aayos ako ng kagamitan sa maleta.

Napairap ako at nagpatuloy na lamang pag-aayos sa mga kagamitan namin.

"Why don't you just help me here instead? Ang dami mong tanong eh kailangan na nating umalis dahil naayos na ang mga papelis. Wag ka nang magreklamo pwede? Tsaka, ayusin mo na rin kaya ang mga damit mo?" Naiinis kong sabi.

Paano ba naman kasi kanina pa tanong ng tanong kung tutuloy ba kami? Eh, gago pala ito, eh. Kitang naayos na ang mga papelis ngayon pa niya maiisipang mag-back-out.

He layed on my bed with wide arms and breathed out.

"Why do we really need to do this, baby? Is it really important?" tanong niya ulit.

"Paulit-ulit? Wag ka na nga lang magtanong. Nakakabwesit ang mga tanong mo, eh." Inis kong sabi.

Minadali ko na lamang ang pag-aayos sa mga kagamitan namin sa maleta. At nang matapos ay agad na akong nag-shower.

When I went out of the bathroom, nakahiga pa rin si Ville sa kama na nakadipa pa rin ang mga braso. Napabuntong hininga na lamang ako saka kinumutan siya.

Pinatuyo ko muna ang buhok ko bago ako nagpasyang matulog na rin sa tabi ni Ville. Medyo nasanay na akong katabi siya kaya wala na sa akin kung magtatabi kami.

Maayos naman siyang katabi sa pagtulog madalas, may mga gabi lang talaga na ang may tumatayo. Well, madalas naman meron, may mga araw lang talaga na sobra ang.. tigas.

Hays, nevermind.

Nakahiga na ako't lahat-lahat ngunit hindi pa rin ako dinalaw ng antok. Hindi ko alam kung bakit pero sa tingin ko ay dahil sa kaba para bukas sa flight namin. I sighed.

I changed my position. And now, facing Ville.

Lately, while I'm sleeping next to him I just felt peace all over me. And it won't hurt if I'd say that I kind of like the feeling. I breathed out again.

Dahan-dahan akong lumapit sa nakadipa niyang braso. I went on top of him and placed myself there comfortably. I stared at his peaceful face for awhile and kissed his chin. And then, I fell into a deep slumber.

Naggising ako sa umaga nang tila may hangin na bumabangga sa leeg ko. I opened my eyes and realized that Ville is on top of me, still sleeping peacefully. Nasa leeg ko ang mukha niya, kaya pala parang may hangin sa may leeg ko.

Dahan-dahan kong itinulak ang katawan niya paalis at tsaka pinalitan ng unan ang yakap niya. I then went straight to the bathroom to take a shower and to get ready for our flight.

As soon as I went out from the bathroom my senses came back. My eyes widened with what I saw. I could feel my blood running up to my cheeks.

"AHH! HAYOP KA, VILLE! MAGBIHIS KA! GAGO! HINDI MO 'TO, BAHAY!" Tili ko nang maabutan siyang hubo't hubad sa harapan ng banyo.

Nagtitili at nagtatalon na sinapo ko ang mukha ko dahil sa hiya at inis. Ang mga mata ko!

N-Nakita ko lang naman ang ipinagmamalaki niyang...'yung madalas matigas. 'Yung walang paa pero tumatayo.

Nang lingunin ko ang kinaroroonan niya ay wala na siya doon. Nakasara na rin ang pintuan ng banyo kaya malamang ay naliligo na iyon.

Napasapo ako sa dibdib ko at napahinga ng maluwag. Pinaypayan ko ang sarili ko gamit ang sariling mga kamay at napapabuga ako ng hangin. Hanggang ngayon ay ramdam ko pa rin ang init ng mukha ko.

Hanggang sa napagdesisyunan ko na lamang na mag-ayos sa sarili. Pinilit ko na lamang na alisin sa sistema at isipan ko ang nakita.

Minutes later, we found ourselves inside an airplane. Making our way towards our destination.

It was a long flight.

As soon as we reached Paris, we hurriedly went in a hotel to stay for a night. May jetlag pa kami kaya kailangan namin ng pahinga. Good thing that Ro, Kelly, Therese, and Sunny are here. If it weren't because of them, I would have been very tired.

Humiga ako sa kama pagkatapos kong mag-shower. Gustong-gusto ko talagang magpahinga muna bago pa ang araw ng pictorial. Well, I really wanted to have a break kaso ito at may proyekto.

"What's with the sigh, baby?"

Nakalimutan ko pala na dito rin matutulog ang gagong attorney. I just want peace but the world doesn't want to cooperate.

"Please stop calling me 'baby'." Matabang kong sabi.

My eyes were closed and I'm only wearing a huge black t-shirt that could fit as my dress already. Besides, di naman ako lalabas kaya ayos lang ito.

"Why not? Ang ganda kaya sa pandinig? Ayaw mo niyan? May tatawag sa iyo na 'baby'? Diba, baby?" Pangungulit ng gagong attorney.

Naririnig ko ang kalansing ng belt niya. Siguro naghuhubad lang—

Napatigil ako sa pag-iisip at napamulat ang mga mata ko nang mapagtanto ang iniisip ko. Agad kong naramdaman ang pamumula ng mga pisngi ko nang maalala ang nangyari doon sa condo ko.

"Maghuhubad ka ba? If you are, please, there's this so called banyo, pwede kang pumasok doon at doon ka magbihis. Hindi 'yung kung saan-saan lang dahil baka may makakita sayo! Walang hiya ka pa naman!" Singhal ko sa kanya nang hindi siya tinitingnan.

Ayoko nga baka ano pang klaseng ahas ang makita ko, jusko!

I heard him chuckled and tsked.

"Bakit ba? You already saw this right? Then, what's the point of closing your eyes and not looking at my best friend when you already saw it? Nasisiguro ko naman na naisaulo mo na ang nakita mo." He said and based on my own guess, he's currently smirking.

Napakagat-labi ako sa inis.

"H-Hindi ko pa nakita—now, shut up! Magbihis ka! Bilisan mo! Manonood ako ng TV!" Singhal ko ulit.

I heard him laughed.

"Hays, baby. Wala namang masama kung titingin ka. He'll be a good boy if you'll be a good girl." He teased.

Nagtitiling tinakpan ko ang tenga ko.

"Idiot! Idiot! Idiot! Pervert!" Tili ko.

Mas lalong lumakas ang tawa niya.

"Just kidding. Ito na. Nakapagbihis na ako, mademoiselle." He said and laughed hard.

Kahit kinakabahan ay bumangon ako at nanlilisik ang mga matang humarap sa kanya. Napahinga naman ako ng maluwag nang makitang may saplot nga siya. Napairap na lang ako kahit ramdam ko pa ang init sa mukha ko.

Isinandal ko ang likod sa headboard ng kama tsaka ni-On ang TV. Maayos naman ang panonood ko nang biglang tumabi sa akin ang gagong attorney tsaka biglang iniyakap ang mga braso sa bewang ko.

"Ano ka ba ha?! Siniswerte?! Kung makayakap-yakap ka, ah, akala mo naman pinayagan kita! Bitawan mo nga ako!" Singhal ko sa kanya dahil sa inis.

"Just a moment please." He whispered.

"Aba, hindi pwede! I'm tired, Ville. Ayokong makipagbangayan ngayon. Please, just let go," wika ko.

He breathed out and let go.

Mabuti naman.

Hanggang sa hindi ko namalayang nakatulog na pala ako. And all I felt was a warm pair of arms lullying me into a comfortable slumber.

Morning came and when I woke up, there's no sign of Ville beside me. I just shrugged and decided to take a shower. Good thing na napaaga ang gising ko dahil kung hindi baka na-late na kami sa pictorial. Pagkatapos ko kasing maligo ay agad na nagsisulputan sina Ro sa hotel room ko tsaka binihisan ako.

Nang matapos ako ay tinanong ko kung tapos na rin ba si Ville and they said 'yes'.

Nagmamadali naming tinungo ang studio na sinasabi ng author na nag-request ng pictorial na ito. It was a huge studio.

And as soon as we're inside, the author and the photographer invited as in.

"It's really an honor to finally meet the both of you, Miss Irah and Attorney Lareho. We didn't expect that the two of you are a thing. It was painful to both women and men." The author, Clyde Jorgen said and chuckled.

He's a famous author in Paris. He had published more than 50 stories already. Aside from being a book writer is he's also a model. And he said that we've met already in one of our fashion shows. Maybe, I just haven't recognized him. What a small world.

"It's nice to meet you, too--"

"Oh, Clyde will do." He said and recieved my hand for a hand kiss.

I smiled.

"It's nice meeting you, too," Ville said and did a handshake with Clyde.

"Okay, would you mind if we'll start as soon as possible? I'm quite excited to have you in my book cover, so..." He said and laughed.

"Oh no, we won't mind. It would be better if we'll start so I and my fiancee would have some time here in Paris together," Ville said as he placed his arm on my waist.

Gaya ng napag-usapan ay agad na kaming nagsimula sa pictorial. The theme of the story that Clyde wrote is quite erotic that's why I'm feeling a little bit nervous and shivery. Hindi na bago sa akin ito ngunit bago sa akin na makasama si Ville sa ganitong klaseng pictorial.

I'm only wearing a black lacey bikini and Ville was only wearing a dark blue ripped jeans and nothing on top. Our location is on the pool.

"Okay. First, read your positions to make. I wrote it here so you could see it properly," Clyde said and show us something.

Parang isang maliit na board na sinulatan niya nang dapat naming posisyon.

Parang hindi maganda sa pandinig ang posisyon.

I cleared my throat and licked my lips.

Napalingon ako kay Ville nang maramdaman ko ang kamay niya sa likod ko. He smiled at me softly and went nearer to kiss me on my forehead. Then he whispered..

"I'll be gentle. Don't be too nervous. I won't touch you inappropriately. I promise."

Napatango ako.

Kahit papaano ay may pagka-gentleman naman pala itong gagong attorney na ito, eh.

"B-Basta wag kang g-gago mamaya, ah." Nauutal kong sabi. He chuckled and nodded.

"I promise." He whispered and kissed me on my cheek.

Agad ko siyang tinampal sa tiyan niyang mabato.

"N-Namimihasa ka na, ah. H-Hindi ko sinabing halikan mo 'ko." Nguso ko saka siya inirapan. He chuckled.

"Okay! Please kindly assist them to where they're going to take position!" Sigaw ni Clyde.

Agad naman na nagsikilos ang mga staffs saka itinuro sa amin kung saan kami pe-pwesto.

Sa may hagdanan sa pool kami pina-pwesto. Bahagya akong nakatihaya sa hagdanan. Nakatukod ang parehong siko ko sa likod. Habang si Ville ay nakadagan sa akin ngunit nakatukod rin naman ang parehong kamay niya sa bawat gilid ko upang hindi mapunta sa akin lahat ng bigat niya. His face is near my face, nose touching my cheek.

"You smell so good," Ville whispered on my ear.

I tried not to shiver on something that I can't even figure out. I tried to face the camera and not make any inappropriate actions or expressions. I make it as fierce as it could be.

"Shut up, Ville. Wag mo akong bwesitin!" Mariin kong bulong sa tenga niya nang itinaas ko ang isang braso upang iyakap sa batok niya.

Agad naman niyang sinalo ang bewang ko upang hindi ako ma-out of balance.

"What? It's true? Now, I wonder why I didn't met you first?" He whispered.

"Okay, change position!" Sigaw ni Clyde.

He showed us another position. At agad naman namin iyong sinunod.

Ngayon ay nasa gilid na kami ng pool. My arms are snaked on his nape as well as my legs on his waist. His strong muscular arms snaked on my waist as well.

I could feel the heat of our bodies collided. The beating of our hearts are enough for the world to stop spinning. It feels like, it was just the two of us.

He stared into my eyes like his craving for my soul. He bit his lips and stared at my lips. I licked my lips accidentally. And there, I saw the hunger in his eyes. I could feel the heat arising.

Now, I'm wondering how other actors and actresses made it through their love scenes without getting emotionally attached?

I felt his left hand touched my side boob. While I hold his hair and gripped it tight. Naramdaman kong sininghot niya ang leeg ko kaya hindi ko napigilang mapasinghap at mailiyad ang katawan ko. I felt him rubbed his nose on my neck's soft spot making me close my eyes. I felt him kissed my neck, and licked it.

"Okay! Nice shot! Change position!" Sigaw ni Clyde.

I came back to my reverie.

Napahawak ako sa dibdib ko nang maramdaman kong ang bilis pa rin ng tibok ng puso ko. Ang init pa rin ng pakiramdam ko.

Just when did this feeling started? This isn't good!

Kailangan ko nang maging maingat sa pagkakataong ito!

Sa mga sumunod ay mas naging maingat na ako. Pinigilan ko ang sarili na makaramdam nang pakiramdam na hindi ko pa nararanasan kailanman.

Ngayon lang. Sa kanya lang. Sa gagong attorney lang.

As soon as the shoot was done, dali-dali akong nagbihis. Clyde invited us for dinner but I insisted to go home instead. Good thing at pumayag siya. Because I have a confrontation to make. Also, mas lalo akong naiinis dahil siya itong hindi ako pinapansin.

Nang nasa hotel room na kami, at kami na lang dalawa ay agad ko siyang hinarap.

"What was that?" I asked sharply.

He looked at me confusedly.

"What? Ang alin?" Kunot-noong tanong niya.

"Huwag ka nang magmaang-maangan pa, Ville. You told me that you won't touch me inappropriately yet you still did! You even promised pero ginawa mo pa rin! Tapos ngayon, ikaw pa ang may ganang hindi mamansin?!" Bulyaw ko.

He blinked thrice and bit his lip. Namaywang siya tsaka iniwas ang tingin sa akin.

"Y-You don't understand. And I get it, I-I'm sorry," sabi niya.

"Ano ang hindi ko naintindihan? Okay, you're forgiven since you said sorry but still ano ang hindi ko naintindihan at bakit hindi mo ako pinapansin?" I crossed my arms on my chest.

He looked at me.

"Iyon ba ang problema mo kaya mo ako kinokompronta ngayon? Dahil hindi kita pinapansin?" tanong niya. Napasinghap ako.

"No! Of course not! Ang akin lang kasi, bakit ikaw pa ang may ganang hindi mamansin when we both know who did that stupid reckless move?!" I yelled.

"We also both know that I already said sorry. Now, maybe I can keep it on my own, whatever my reason why I started to become silent after what happened, right?" sagot niya.

"Okay, fine. Whatever your reason is, then keep it to yourself. Basta huwag mo na rin muna akong papansinin dahil naiinis ako sa tuwing maaalala ko ang ginawa mo sa akin kanina. That wasn't just reckless, that was also a huge stupid move to make," sabi ko saka papasok na sana sa banyo nang magsalita siya.

"Look. That was just work, Nik."

Parang biglang nagsilabasan lahat ng galit sa katawan ko dahil sa narinig. Nilingon ko siya.

"Work? Work, huh? You work like that? Touching a woman's body inappropriately just because it's work?" I asked sarcastically.

"Okay. Where are this coming from? Ano ba talaga ang problema?" He asked, gritting teeth, clenching jaw.

"You know what? Nevermind..." saad ko at nagtitimping tumalikod tsaka dumeretso sa banyo.

I hate this feeling! I hate this! I felt so... mad at what he said!

Work? So, I'm just work? Wow!

I don't know why I felt so insulted and hurt.

Kanina rin noong hindi niya ako pinansin ay nasaktan ako. I was about to say sorry to him about what happened even though there's nothing for me to be sorry for, I still wanted to. Because I know, we both have to forget what happened. But then, nakita ko kung paano siya umiwas sa akin at hindi ako pinansin.

Nagsisi ba siya? Nagsisi ba siya na ginawa niya ang bagay na iyon? Dahil sa akin niya ginawa? Nagsisi ba siya dahil ayaw niya sa akin?

I felt so insulted.

As soon as I went out from the bathroom, I hurriedly changed into a comfortable nightwear. Agad ko ring pinatuyo ang buhok ko saka nahiga sa kama nang matapos. I opened the donuts that I bought lately saka binuksan ko ang TV.

I saw Ville in my peripheral vision watching me silently. He's sitting on the edge of the bed. I heard him sighed.

"Do you... do you really want to know why I suddenly become silent towards you?" he asked.

Hindi ko siya sinagot at hindi ko rin siya nilingon. Ngunit nang makita kong tumayo siya at gumapang palapit sa akin ay napilitan akong harapin siya. Nanlalaki ang mga matang tiningnan ko siya.

"A-Anong ginagawa mo? P-Pwede kang magpaliwanag nang hindi l-lumalapit." Katwiran ko.

He looked at me blankly.

My hands are on top of my head and Ville is on top of me. Looking at me like a hungry man. His hands are on my waist.

Ramdam ko ang pamumula ng pisngi ko.

"V-Ville. P-Pwede ka namang magpaliwanag nang h-hindi ako—"

"Can you feel that?" He whispered hungrily as he pressed his lower body on mine, making me feel his bulge.

Agad na nanlaki ang mga mata ko at mas lalo kong naramdaman ang pamumula ng pisngi ko.

"V-Ville! Oh my god! I-I know that! I perfectly k-know that! B-Bitaw na!" Natatarantang sabi ko.

"Do you know why he's like that, hmm?" He whispered hoarsely.

"H-Hindi! W-Wala akong pakialam! A-Ayusin mo 'yan! Ano ba?!" Halos maiyak ako sa kaba at hiya nang hindi pa rin niya inilalayo sa katawan ko ang matigas na... bagay na iyon.

Napapikit ako ng mariin.

"It's because..."

Napamulat at napatingin ako sa kanya ng tumigil siya. Nakapikit siya. He was so red. His face was red as a tomato, as well as his ears and neck.

Binitawan niya ako saka ibinaba ang katawan niya. Naramdaman kong iniyakap niya ang mga braso sa bewang ko saka isiniksik ang mukha sa leeg ko.

"K-Kasi... y-you smell so good. K-Kaya hindi ko natiis na halikan ka. And...It made me h-horny." He whispered... shyly.

"I'm so sorry, baby. Kung hindi kita pinansin, kasi. L-Lumalala, eh." He whispered.

Napanganga naman ako.

W-What?

Agad ko siyang hinampas sa likod.

"Ouch! Bakit?!" Sigaw niya saka bumangon at masama akong tiningnan.

"Bastos kang punyawa ka! Maligo ka doon! Hayop!" Tili ko saka nagtalukbong sa kumot.

I heard him laughed pero agad ding nawala. Sinilip ko siya mula sa kumot at nakitang wala na siya.

Agad kong muling naramdaman ang pamumula ng pisngi ko.

W-What was that?!

T-That was another version of the gagong attorney.

—

Thorn:

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR READING, EVERYONE! LOVE YA'LL!