THIRD PERSON

Sachal, with her long, flowing brunette hair, adjusted the oversized sunglasses perched on the bridge of her nose, shielding her eyes from the bright sun. Feeling embarrassed, she nervously bit her lip as Kage guided her wheelchair through the bustling shopping street in Santorini.

Why does he look so proud na naka wheelchair ako? Gusto sana iyong isatinig ng dalaga pero mas minabuti niya na lang manahimik dahil hindi niya maiwasang mairita sa klase ng titig na nakukuha niya sa ibang foreigners na nakakasalubong nila.

She was wearing a white longsleeved sundress, a beach hat and sunglasses. He wore black Hawaiian shorts and a thin white shirt as he effortlessly carried her bag on his shoulders.

Hindi niya alam kung siya ang tinitingnan ng mga ito o ang lalaking nasa likuran niya. Neither of them knew that both of them were gaining attention because of how good they looked together. Men and women could only look at them with envy—such a man with overwhelming dominance and power and a confident woman brimming with charisma.

"Do you want to buy souvenirs for your family and friends?" He leaned down to ask when they passed a souvenir shop. She nods. Hindi niya naisip bilhan ng pasalubong ang pamilya at mga kaibigan niya dahil okupado ang isip niya ng ibang bagay. It's a good thing he reminded her.

As she entered the shop, the air was filled with the scent of incense and soft, soothing music. The shop was adorned with racks of flowing sarongs and colorful beach cover-ups, complemented by shelves of wide-brimmed hats, woven bags, and handcrafted jewelry.

May mga nakasabit din na mga dream catchers, wind chimes, at keychains na puno ng iba't ibang kulay at kolorete. There were also several paintings for sale. It was a perfect place to buy souvenirs.

Pero paano niya mapapadali ang pagpili niya kung hindi siya makalakad dahil nilumpo siya ng hinayupak na kasama niya?

Napansin ni Kage ang pangungunot ng noo niya kaya bahagya itong napahalakhak. Her face says it all. "Dapat ba binil'han kita ng saklay?" Nang-aasar nitong bulong sa kanya. Inirapan niya lang ito, kapagkuwan ay bigla napaigik dahil kumirot ang likod niya.

Then she remembered what happened in the cave yesterday. Mariin na lang siyang napapikit nang rumagasa sa isipan niya ang dinanas niya. She never imagined she will get lost in the heat of the moment and actually agreed to do it in public—hindi naman siya kaladkaring babae na kung saan-saan lang pwede dalhin. But the excitement she felt of the thought of being sneaky not to get caught turned her inner hoe on.

Politely railed? She scoffed. He took her roughly while standing behind those huge rocks. Umuwi siyang maraming pasa sa likod dahil sa kung ano-anong posisyon na pinanggagawa nila sa batuhan. Buti na lang hindi napasukan ng buhangin kiffy niya kun'di ilalampaso niya talaga sa batuhan si Kage.

"Your grandpa loves paintings, right? How about this one?" May ipinakita itong painting sa kanya. The scene featured the stunning white houses of Santorini set against the background of a beautiful beach and a breathtaking sunset.

"Let me see." Inabot ito sa kanya ng binata. Then, he proceeds to look over some artworks. Palihim namang tiningnan ni Sachal ang presyo ng painting at napamulagat na lang siya kung gaano ito kamahal.

5.000,00 €. About 300,000 pesos in peso.

She came from a wealthy family, and the price was not a problem, but she was taught to be frugal—to use her money on essential things. Sa mahal ng 300K kung dinonate niya na lang 'yan sa orphanage ay baka napakinabangan pa.

"How about your dad and brother? Would they like this?" Inangat niya ang tingin niya nang makitang may iwinawagayway na dalawang pares ng damit ang binata. "Let's buy them a pair of costumized shoes as well." He added.

Sinundan lang siya ng tingin ni Sachal. He was taking his time looking over the rack of white Adidas shoes painted with different styles of bohemian symbols. "Your husband seems to care about your family a lot, ma'am." Komento ng saleslady bago itulak ang wheelchair niya palapit sa kinaroroonan ni Kage.

Yeah, she can see that. Kung titignan ay mukhang pinag-iisipan niya talaga kung ano ang bibilihin niya. "Do you even know their shoe sizes?" He flashed a little smile at her. "I did some research." She shakes her head.

You mean a background check? Of course, he knew.

"Pack these." Turo niya sa dalawang pares ng sapatos. "I need a size 36 of this shoe customized with a bohemian flame design and a size 44.5 customized with a moth design." He commanded in a stern voice.

"On it, sir! I will have the painter do it right away!" Excited na wika ng isa pang saleslady.

"You're buying one for me?" He walked towards her with a slightly amused face. "Can't I?" Napakagat naman ng labi sa kilig ang saleslady sa likuran ni Sachal. She cleared her throat before diverting her gaze to the displayed tote bags.

"Give me three of those bags and keychains." Kaagad namang sinunod ng saleslady ang utos nito. "For your friends? You might want to buy them those evil eye bracelets as a good luck charm. They will need it." He suggested. Tulad ng suhestyon niya ay kinuha niya na rin ito. She made sure to check the prices first before getting them packed.

She was looking for a dress for herself when her phone rang. Dinukot ni Kage ang phone nito sa bag na hawak niya bago ipakita kay Sachal. "Your designer friend is calling." Inabot niya ang phone.

She immediately answered the video call. "Kassidy? How are—" Nabitin sa ere ang sasabihin niya nang makita kung gaano kalaki ang eyebags nito. She looks like she lost sleep for a couple of days.

"Anyare sayo?" Kassidy released an exaggerated sigh before shaking her head in dismay.

"I'm so stressed, Avi! My God! Mamumuti na bulbol ko dahil sa problema ko!" Mahina siyang natawa dahil sa pasabunot nitong atugal.

"What happened?"

"The textile company refuses to supply us with the things I need for the new trend I'm about to launch! We were just fine last week! Signing of contract na dapat ngayon pero biglang sabi pag-iisipan daw muna? I don't know what went wrong!" Nakangising tumalikod si Kage at nagkunwaring pumili ng damit.

"It's not just me with work problems. Alam mo bang naka-hold din ang supposed to be million dollar project ni Arianne sa Singapore? Fejia was about to be promoted as an Event Director pero nagkaroon siya ng issue sa opisina." Patuloy na paghihimutok ni Kassidy sa kabilang linya.

"Mag best friends talaga tayo! Sabay-sabay na nga tayo nireregla, sabay-sabay rin magkaroon ng problema! Teka—bakit naka wheelchair ka?" Kunot noong pansin nito. "Nadisgrasya ka ba o—" Biglang tumawa ng malakas si Kassidy kaya hininaan ni Sachal ang volume ng phone niya.

"Gaga! Nadisgrasya kiffy mo 'no?" She gave her that nasty, knowing look. "Ano, kamusta? Masarap?" Napakurap-kurap na lang si Sachal sa kahihiyan. Kung katabi niya lang siguro ito ay binusalan na niya ng medyas bibig nito.

"Ay sus! Huwag ka na mahiya! Halata naman sa lahi ng asawa mo na daks e! For sure abot matres 'yan!" Patuloy na pang-aasar nito sa kanya. "So kamusta ang performance? Rate mo 1-10." She breathed heavily. Hindi niya alam kung bakit hindi tinatablan ng hiya 'tong kaibigan niya sa mga pinagsasabi niya.

"Ang lupit naman ng asawa mo nakapag-wheelchair ka ng wala sa oras!" Bumunghalit na naman ito ng tawa. She ended the call when a few costumers entered the shop. Lumapit kaagad sa kanya si Kage dala-dala ang pares ng sapatos na pina-costumized niya kanina.

As he knelt in front of her, gently lifting her foot to remove her sandals, she couldn't help but notice the careful he is when holding her feet.

After carefully unfastening the straps, he reached for the pair of shoes he had chosen earlier—an Adidas white shoe with intricate designs of bohemian flame in bold black ink. Then, she noticed he was already wearing the customized shoe he had picked—a unique moth design that perfectly complemented his style.

When he finished tying the shoelace, he looked at her. Her breathing hitched with how he gaze at her with so much admiration and reverie. At that moment, her thoughts were in shambles as she felt the intensity of his stare.

Suddenly, his expression shifted, and a mischievous smile plastered on his lips, adding a playful glint to his eyes. He stood up and placed his hands on the wheelchair's armrest—trapping her in between. "So, how would you rate me from 1-10?" She freezes on the spot.

At the back of her mind, she was cursing Kassidy nonstop. Kage smirked, enjoying the reaction he got from her. He chuckled at her silence before cocking his head to whisper. "It's just numbers. No need to be this nervous." Even his breath is ticklish against her skin. How can she not be nervous when other people also pay attention to them?

"Sir, your things are packed—oh—" Marahang tinulak ng dalaga ang balikat ni Kage nang lumapit ang saleslady.

"H-how much is it?" Akmang magsasalita na ang babae nang i-abot ni Kage ang card nito.

He lifted her chin and gave her that domineering look. "Don't ask. Just spend." He said in a stern but caring voice.

Don't ask, just spend? This guy is every woman's dream. But at what cost?

Binalik ng babae ang card niya at kaagad na yumuko upang magbigay galang dito, recognizing that the card he holds were one of the most luxurious card not anyone in the world could afford. "Deliver them in this address." Utos niya bago pumwesto sa likod ng asawa niya upang itulak ang wheelchair nito palabas ng shop.

"Where are we going?" Hindi niya mapigilang tanong nang mapansing papunta na naman ito sa daan na maraming tao.

"There's a nearby luxury shop. Do you prefer Yves Saint Laurent, Dior, or Cartier?" Hindi niya maiwasang mapaisip kung suhol ba to dahil sa pagkalumpo niya.

"Why are you suddenly buying me things?" She asked because she was not used to it. "What's the use of having plenty of money if I can't even spoil my wife?" He shrugged and entered YSL's establishment.

"I'll pick your clothes." Hinayaan niya lang pumili ang binata ng mga damit na nakadisplay samantalang siya naman ay nagpa-assist sa in charge sa pagpili ng mga cosmetic products.

Habang pumipili siya ng shade na lipstick ay hindi niya maiwasang mapasulyap kay Kage na halos ubusin na ang mga naka-display na damit sa rack. Sa nakikita niya ay iba-ibang klase ng damit ang pinipili niya. There were professional attires, casual wears, even party clothes. May pinili rin siyang mga sapatos at heels na babagay sa mga damit. Even Kassidy would approve his fashion style if she was here.

There's no use on stopping him anyway. Ipapamukha niya lang sa kanya na kayang-kaya niyang bilhin ang kompanya ng mga high-end luxury brands kung gugustuhin niya.

Watching the number of salesperson around him, assisting him with the things he picked—hindi niya maiwasang manakit ang ulo dahil panigurado milyones na ang halaga ng mga iyon. Sa nakikita niyang ekspresyon sa mukha ni Kage ay mukhang nakukulangan pa nga siya.

I should stop him before he emptied the store. Aniya sa sarili niya bago utusan ang malapit na assistant upang itulak siya palapit dito.

"That's enough, uubusin mo ba mga binebenta rito? Tirhan mo naman yung iba." Saway niya. Napalingon sa kanya ang binata. He was holding a vintage red dress.

"Can you fit this? It will look good on you." Kumunot ang noo nito sa naging request niya. "I can't even walk properly, and you want me to try on that dress?" May halong sarkasmo nitong sagot.

"It's a dress, you don't need to open your legs for it." He reasoned out. Kaagad na gumulong ang mga mata niya.

Persistent bastard!

Wala na siyang nagawa. He guided her to the dressing room and helped her stand up from the wheelchair to change. Hindi naman siya nahirapan magbihis. The red dress looks stunning on her. Until now, she couldn't understand how he could choose the right clothes for her, as if he was so familiar with her body measurements.

"Are you done?" Sa pagbukas ni Kage sa pinto ng dressing room ay napalunok ito nang tumambad sa kanya ang makinis nitong likod habang nahihirapan siyang mag-zipper ng damit.

"Hindi pa ako tapos! Bastos!" She shooed, but he didn't budge. His firm hands stopped her effort to close the door.

In a swift move, he entered and locked the dressing room. He then grabbed both of her wrists and pinned her body facing the wall. "Nasa dressing room tayo hoy! May sapi ka ba?" Impit nitong piglas. She struggled in his grasp but to no avail. Her movement was limited.

She arched her back, feeling a shiver run down her body as a soft, lingering kiss brushed against the delicate skin just below the curve of her spine. "Kage. . ." She exhaled. Pumantig kaagad ang tenga nito nang marinig ang pangalan niya.

"Ah, that sounds like an invitation." He murmured as he continued to trace her spine with kisses.

In this situation, she must stop him. But can she when her sensitive spots have been pushed? Kung gaano kahigpit ang hawak nito sa pulsuhan niya ay siya namang sing lambot at ingat ng mga lapat ng halik sa likuran niya. This soft dominance from him is effortlessly turning her on.

"How long?" She asked when he kisses her nape.

"Give me three minutes." She nods.

So much for a quickie in this undressing room. RIP.

𝐌𝐎𝐓𝐇 𝐓𝐎 𝐀 𝐅𝐋𝐀𝐌𝐄
ᴮʸ ᴳᵒˡᵘᶜᵏʸᶜʰᵃʳᵐ