Holly was restlessly pacing back and forth the wide guest room of the Alcor's mansion. She wanted so badly to erase those intense russet eyes on her mind but it kept on bugging her like it already occupied a part of her brain. And his lips... how could someone's lips tastes so edibly sweet?

Holy Mary!

Ano ba ang mga naiisip niya? Pero bakit gulong- gulo ang buong sistema niya ngayon? At bakit siya nito hinalikan?

Mabuti na lamang at pinakawalan na siya ng binata ng dumating si Kali sa pool area. Nang magtanong ito kung anong nangyari'y kaagad itong na- dismiss ni Kalish na labis na ipinagsasalamat niya.

Huminto siya sa tapat ng life- sized mirror at tiningnan ang repleksyon sa salamin. Dahil basang- basa ang damit niya sa nangyari kanina'y pinahiraman siya ni Kali ng casual white knee- length dress na may black flower prints sa bandang ibaba. Her caramel and light brown curls were now draping down her shoulders and back. Hindi na rin niya suot ang makapal na eyeglasses, and she was seeing the real Holly Gayle Innocencio right now.

If she went out the door looking like her real self, would Kalish Russet like her?

Bigla'y para siyang nabuhusan ng isang drum ng malamig na tubig sa naiisip. Oh God, forgive her! She shut her eyes tightly, feeling frustrated to herself.

Huminga siya ng malalim at iminulat ang mga mata. "James chapter 4 verse 4." Usal niya sa sarili.

You're cheating on God. If all you want is your own way, flirting with the world every chance you get, you end up enemies of God and his way.

Her meditation was cut off by a knock on the door. Iminulat niya ang mga mata at muling huminga ng malalim. Mabilis niyang inabot sa dresser ang salamin at isinuot iyon. Dahil wala siyang mahanap na maaaring panali sa buhok ay hinayaan niya na lamang na nakalugay iyon at mabilis na lumapit sa pintuan at pagbuksan ang kumakatok. Bumungad sa kanya ang nakangiting mukha ng kasambahay.

"Sister Holly, nakahanda na po ang dinner sa baba. Naroon na po sina ma'am at sir." Anito.

Nagpasalamat siya at agad ding bumaba ng dining room. At muli na namang bumalik ang kabang nararamdaman ng matanaw ang binatang gumugulo sa kanyang isipan. Napahinto siya sa paghakbang ng maramdaman ang nagsisipaang pitik sa bandang dbdib niya.

Dahil sa malaking chandelier na nakatapat mismo sa malaking dining table ay kitang- kita niya ang angking kagandahan ng binatang maipagkakamali talaga sa isang anghel. Ngayon niya lang napagtantong ang balat nito'y nasa pagitan ng maputi at kayumanggi. At lalaking- lalaki iyon tingnan.

Muli siyang napapikit dahil sa mga naiisip. Kaya ganoon na lamang ang gulat niya ng tawagin siya ni Kali na nakalapit na pala sa kanya.

"Sister Holly, are you okay?" Kali asked, genuinely concerned. Inabot pa nito ang nanlalamig niyang kamay upang pisilin.

"Y- Yes." Her throat burnt after lying. "I'm sorry if I'm making you worried, Kali." She smiled weakly.

"Nagpahanda ako ng gamot. You looked like you're going to catch colds."

"I'm okay, Kali.

"I insist, Sister Holly. Kaya kumain na tayo so you can take your medicine."

Nang marating nila ang dining area ay nadoble pa ang kaba niya ng makita ang asawa ni Kali, the mighty Onyx Alcor. At hindi maikakaila ang kaparehong dugong nananalaytay kay Kalish at kay Onyx dahil parehong nakalulunod ang mga mata ng mga ito magkaiba man iyon ng mga kulay. And to tell honestly, Onyx Alcor was a man blessed with good looks like Kalish Russet. Their beauty was overflowing any mortal would be ashamed to look at them eye- to- eye. At isa na siya sa mga iyon.

Onyx Alcor rose from his seat and paced towards her. At si Kalish ay nanatili sa kinauupuan na nagmamatyag lamang sa kanila at labis nyang ikinakakaba iyon.

"Sister Holly." Onyx Alcor acknowledged, a formal smile squinting his red lips as he offered his left hand to her.

Nanlalamig na inabot ni Holly ang kamay ng binata habang pilit na iwinawaksi sa isipan ang kabang dulot ng mga mata ni Kalish Russet na nakamasid sa bawat galaw niya. "C- Chairman Onyx Alcor." She managed to breath out, tension camping in her chest and it choked her throat.

Nagpasalamat siya sa Diyos ng agad ding binitawan ni Onyx ang kanyang kamay. Hinawakan nito sa kamay ng asawa at iginiya sila sa hapag- kainan. At nanigas ang kanyang katawan ng makitang tumayo si Kalish Russet at blangko ang ekspresyon ng mukhang hinila ang upuang katabi ng inuupuan nito.

She looked at Kali as if trying to gain some confidence from her and the woman just smiled at her reassuringly. Her eyes then drifted to the chair beside Kalish Russet and swallowed the lump in her throat.

Lilipas din ang gabing ito. Uuwi siya sa Pampanga dala ang positibong tugon ni Chairman Alcor tungkol sa proyekto at makalilimutan na niya si Kalish Russet at ang epektong dulot nito sa kanya.

Inipon niya ang lahat ng lakas ng loob bago iangat ang tingin sa binata na ng sandaling iyo'y blangko pa rin ang ekpresyon ng mukhang nakatingin sa kanya.

"Anyway sister Holly," Si Kali, "I'd like you to meet Kalish Russet, my brother- in- law. I believe you have introduced yourselves with each other already." She added unknowingly.

She smiled nervously at Kalish and his eyes somewhat widened she could see his rich brown irises that seemed to hypnotize her. Ngunit bago pa man siya tuluyang malunod ay naiiwas na ng binata ang tingin sa kanya. Doon na siya naupo sa tabing upuan nito.

Nagsimula silang kumain at pilit niyang sabay na nilulunok ang pagkain at kabang nararamdaman. At the sides of her eyes she could see the impassive Kalish Russet silently eating his meal. Ang mas nakakakaba pa'y mula kanina'y hindi niya pa ito naririnig na magsalita.

"I hope you're enjoying the food, Sister Holly." Pagbasag ni Kali sa katahimikan.

Napangiti siya lalo pa ng makitang salinan ni Onyx Alcor ng pagkain ang plato ng asawa. Hindi man ito nagsasalita'y bakas na bakas ang labis na pagmamahal nito kay Kali at nakikita niya ito sa mga kilos at paraan ng pagtingin nito sa dalaga.

"Yes, Kali. Maraming salamat." She answered softly.

"I asked one of my best engineers to handle the project." Kapagkuwa'y pagsali na ni Onyx Alcor sa usapan.

"T- Thank you, Chairman."Holly replied, a smile of gratitude in her lips. "Maraming mga buhay ang mababago ng proyektong ito. And we thank God for making you His instrument in making this project possible. May your goodwill give you more blessings to you and your company."

Sa narinig ay isang ngiti ang napunit sa mga labi ng batang Chairman. Kapagkuwa'y tumingin ito sa asawa at maingat na ipinatong ang isang kamay sa maliit na umbok sa tyan ng asawa. "My wife and the angel inside her is more than enough for a blessing. I wouldn't want any more than that." He said fondly. Then he looked at her and she could see ghost of worry in his dark eyes. "But I would really appreciate it if you help me pray for my wife and child's safety."

"Of course, Chairman Alcor. Our whole ministry will pray for your family." She replied sincerely and relief crossed Onyx Alcor's eyes.

"Thank you, Sister Holly." Kali smiled warmly at her.

"I think my cousin here's interested with the project, too." Onyx glimpsed at Kalish, his eyes hinting an emotion she couldn't grasp. Nagaalangang tumingin siya sa binata na kanina pa tahimik. Ibinaba nito ang mga kubyertos na hawak at pinunasan ang gilid ng mga labi ng table napkin. Pakiramdam niya tuloy ay nakaita siya ng prinsipe sa totoong buhay. Swans would doubt their graces after seeing how Kalish Russet moved polishly.

"It's not really the project that I'm interested in." He spoke after what felt like forever. And Holly gaped at him as if she just heard an angel talking. His voice was remarkably appealing, husky but gentle at the same time.

"Then what are you interested at?" Kali asked, curious and interested.

"It's not what. Who." Kalish replied as he looked at her, anxiety immediately assaulted her nerves.

"Interesting." Mahinang komento ni Onyx Alcor habang nakatingin sa pinsan.

Holly realized that it was possible to get drowned even without water. Well, Kalish Russet's eyes were more than dangerous that the water itself for his brown irises were enough to inundate her remaining strength. Saka lamang siya nakahinga ng maluwag ng alisin ng binata ang mga mata sa kanya.

"You told me that this project involved the Aetas." Anito sa hipag. "I'm just interested." Matipid nitong sagot saka inabot ang katabing wine glass at sumimsim doon.

"So I guess you'd be willing to go with Sister Holly to Pampanga to talk with the project director." Ani Onyx Alcor sa pinsan at kaswal na sumimsim sa hawak na wine glass.

Nanlalaki ang mga matang napatingin si Holly rito. Nangunot naman ang noo ni Kalish. Inilapag ni Onyx ang hawak na kopita at tumingin sa pinsan. "We'd be out this week. Kali needs fresh air and unfortunately no one couldn't offer that thing here in the metro. So we're going to spend some time in the island." He said casually.

Wala sa oras na napainom si Holly ng juice. Paano niya pa ngayon kalilimutan ang kakatwang nararamdaman sa binata kung makakasama naman pala niya itong pabalik ng probinsya? At tila pati ang matamis na inumin ay naging mapait sa panlasa niya. Anong kakatwang nararamdaman iyon? Hindi siya maaaring magkagusto sa binata!

"I'm gonna check my schedule first-"

"No need." Onyx cut off his cousin. "I already called your butler. He told me you're free for the whole week." Nakangising dagdag pa nito.

Kalish muttered a curse under his breath. And Holly clearly heard it. Hindi niya alam kung matutuwa ba siya o hindi dahil mukhang hindi naman yata gusto ng binata ang makasama siya base na rin sa naging reaksyon nito.

"W- Well," Pagsingit na niya sa usapan kahit pa nagkakabuhol- buhol na ang dila niya sa kaba, "I- If you don't mind, Chairman Alcor, I could just talk to the project director regarding the matter. He'll surely understand that you're busy."

Lord, please let it slide.

At napapikit na lamang siya ng sumagot si Kalish. "Okay, I'm going."

Erratic heartbeats clogged Holly's throat as she fisted her tensed palms on her lap. From her side, she could see Kalish Russet coolly sip his tea through her peripheral vision. He moved collectedly, calmness was embossed in his every movement. At mula pa kanina sa dining table ay mabibilang lamang sa daliri ang paggalaw at pagsasalita ng binata.

Dahil nahilo si Kali ay sinamahan na ito ng asawang si Onyx Alcor sa silid ng mga ito at naiwan silang dalawa ni Kalish sa garden set na nasa tabi ng pool. At hangga't maaari'y ayaw na niyang maalala kung aning nangyari doon kanina ngunit tila sinadya ng pagkakataong nakaharap siya sa mismong lugar kung saan siya hinalikan ng binata at animo'y nanunukso ang hangin dahil dinadala nito sa direksyon niya ang nakaaakit na amoy ng binata.

Ano na lamang ang iisipin nito sa kanya ngayong alam nitong nag- aaral siya sa pagmamadre ngunit nakuha niya pang manghalik ng isang lalaki sa gitna ng kakahuyan? Kailangan niyang ihingi iyon ng tawad hindi lamang sa Ama ngunit pati na rin sa tao kung kanino siya nagkasala.

"Proverbs Chapter 23 Verse 13." Mahinang usal niya sa sarili.

He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.

She gathered all her remaining courage but it wasn't enough for her to lift her face and meet his hypnotic eyes so she chose to lower her gaze on the floor. She swallowed hard. "M- Mr. Russet-"

"Kalish." He cut him off and her gaze automatically drifted to him. He was able to put his teacup on the saucer over the table without a sound. She was awed on how he carried refinement in him.

Sumandal ang binata sa kinauupuan at sinalubong ng nakalulunod na mga mata ang kanyang mga mata. Pakiramdam niya'y may nakapasok na black belter sa dibdib niya at pinagsisipa iyon.

"Please call me Kalish." Sabi pa nito, and she tried to recover her lost voice.

"K- Kalish..." She breathed, hypnotized by his low velvety voice. And she felt like the Milky Way and the Andromeda Galaxy synced when the side of his lips curved in a satisfied smile.

"Better." Bulong nito at lalo pang nagwala ang kung anumang sumisipa sa kanyang dibdib.

Muli siyang lumunok at tila natutuyo ang lalamunang inubos ang natitirang tsaa sa kanyang tasa. Napikit siya sa hiya ng maingay na lumapag ang tasa niya sa saucer. And when he chuckled, it was as if the gates of the heavens opened. How could someone's chuckle sound so divine?

But it wasn't the time to revel with the man's perfection. Huminga siya ng malalim at tumingin sa binata. But she seemed to swallow her own tongue when she faced him and his eyes flickered mirth while looking at her.

"You're not okay." Pag- obserba nito sa kanya at tila siya binuhusan ng nagyeyelong tubig.

"I- I'm sorry..." She breathed, her face flushed. Nanatiling nakatingin lamang sa kanya ang binata at kinuha niya ang pagkakataong iyon upang ipagpatuloy ang pagsasalita. "A- About what happened... o- one month ago. I should not have done that. I'm so sorry..." She even bowed her head to show her sincerity when Kalish sighed loudly. Muling umangat ang mukha niya upang tingnan ito.

"But I wasn't planning to apologize for the kiss a while ago." He replied unsmiling making her insides twist in a whirlwind of emotion.

"I- It's okay." Sa kawalan ng masasabi'y iyon ang nabigkas niya at nais na niyang matunaw sa kinauupuan ng muling ngumisi ang binata.

"You mean you don't mind me kissing you?" One of his beautiful brows jerked up, his eyes flickering with clear amusement.

Natatarantang ikinumpas niya ang mga kamay pasalubong sa isa't- isa upang ipakitang hindi iyon ang nais niyang sabihin. "No! That's not what I meant."

"No? So you really don't mind me kissing you?"

"Oh my God." She sighed in frustration upon realizing that it was a very tricky question and there would be no difference if she answered it either by a yes or a no. "Please reconstruct your question, Mr. Russet." Pakiusap niya rito at muli itong natawa na tila ba'y aliw na aliw sa nakikitang desperasyon sa kanya.

"Too bad, I love giving rhetorical questions." He droned, his brown orbs trying to drown her. "And that wasn't meant to be answered, though." He shrugged nonchalantly.

Pakiramdam niya'y natuyo ang kanyang lalamunan.

"B- But I should not have kissed you... Y- You shouldn not have kissed me, too." She doubted whether her voice was audible or not. Hindi biro ang tensyong pumupuno sa kanyang dibdib at ikinikulong niyon sa kanyang lalamunan ang kanyang boses.

"That kiss was meant for confirmation."

She eyed him quizzically.

"To confirm if the lips of that woman on the woods and yours taste the same." Ghost of an alien emotion was flashing in his eyes and her throat burnt even more, seeking something to help her quench the scorch but she had no idea what it was.

"T- Taste?" Nais niyang ipagkanulo ang sariling katawan ng may nanulay na init doon habang nakatingin sa mga mata nitong pilit siyang hinihila sa isang mundong hindi niya pa napupuntahan.

His luscious lips broke into a lazy smile. "My mother always reprimands me for using the wrong metaphors. But metaphors would never go wrong as long as the word holds the meaning of your intention." He crooned, slightly leaning forward to get closer to her while she leaned away, hopelessly trying to get away with the enchantment his existence was casting her. "And I've been meaning to say..." He added with his low and husky voice. "...that I really like the taste of your lips. And I meant every word." He breathed, his warm perfumed breathe fanning her face and it sent tingling sensation throughout her burning body.

Oh my God!

Naeeskandalo sa sariling natataranta siyang napatayo upang umiwas sa nakapapasong init na sumisingaw sa katawan ng binata. Pero mabilis ding nakatayo ito at nakalapit sa kanya. Sa halip na umatras ay tila tuod na natulos siya sa kinatatayuan habang ang mga mata'y nanlalaki sa pagkakatingin sa gwapong mukha ng binata.

Nang makita marahil nito ang takot sa kanyang mukha'y umatras ito upang bigyan ng kaunting distansya ang mga katawan nila. Isinuksok nito ang mga kamay sa magkabilang bulsa ng puting linen pants.

Dahil doon ay malaya niyang nakikita ang kagwapuhan ng mukha nitong bahagyang natatabingan ng ilang hibla ng itim na itim at unat nitong buhok.

"I know a subject of masterpiece when I see one." Pagbasag nito sa katahimikang namagitan sa kanilang dalawa. Then, he took one step closer, his brown eyes never leaving hers. It was as if he could see something in there that gave him indulgence. "You are so pure I see a blank canvass in you. And I definitely gonna paint you with my color."

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