Chapter 3: Some rainy days

It's been three days since I arrived in this world, locked with my Tobias.

Ang madulas kong mate.

I giggled alone on his bed when I remembered how he confusingly asked that term. Of course, human wording is quite different in this world, and it would take time for me to adapt or for him to understand me more.

At dahil malakas ang pandinig niya, agad siyang natigil sa pagsusulat nang marinig niya ang pagtawa ko mag-isa. He glanced at me, before he casually placed his chin above the back of his hand.

Pansin ko na madalas gawin iyon ni Tobias sa tuwing pinagmamasdan niya ako.

"Care to share your thoughts, my love?"

Nakangisi akong umiling sa kanya. "Proceed with your work. Kailangang kumita nang marami ang water district ng Parsua Deltora— or whatever those businesses are."

Tumaas saglit ang kilay niya bago siya muling tumungo sa ginagawa niya. "But just ask me anything if you need one."

Since Tobias and I decided to spend our days together inside our room as customary in their empire, I had to think of a better way to entertain myself.

Madalas ay gusto ko siyang kulitin sa lamesa niya pero pinipigilan ko ang sarili ko dahil kailangan niyang magtrabaho, hari siya at kailangan niyang kumita ng maraming ginto para sa amin— at least until I am still staying here.

Hindi ko rin naman siya gustong iwan na lang siya bigla na may bumabagsak na negosyo dahil masyado siyang abala sa akin. That would make me feel guilty, like a cat burglar who seduced him and stole all his possession.

Kung iiwan ko man si Tobias, gusto ko ay mayaman, guwapo at madulas pa rin siya. It's shame that I could only pick one of his nine millions.

I giggled.

Sayang.

Muling nag-angat ng tingin sa akin si Tobias, pero hindi na rin siya nagsalita at pinagpatuloy na niya ang ginagawa niya.

But I could still enjoy his company while I stay here, iyon nga lang masyadong nakakatakot kung lalong lumagay ang loob ko sa kanya. But I believed that everything was just my attraction and admiration to his features, isama pa talagang madulas siya.

It's not love. It's impossible, lalo na't ilang araw lang kami nagkakilala.

I kept myself tucked on his bed, rolling and lazing out with random questions for him. I also had the time to appreciate his majestic room. From his royal bed with a mixture of red and gold cover, with its four-column corners, thin curtains, and small side table. He also has a bookshelf inside, a huge cabinet, a bigger table where he usually works, a piano, a delicate ceiling with expensive chandeliers, and a fireplace. There were also huge flower vases and fresh flowers. Most of the items inside his room were made of gold and diamonds.

Nasisiguro ko na sandaling mag-uwi man ako ng isa sa mga kagamitan ni Tobias ay makakapagpagawa ng ako ng bahay sa mundo ng mga tao.

In my years living in human world, I never had an opportunity to sleep in a spacious and beautiful room like this. Ang huli ko lang natatandaan na maayos na tinulugan ko ay noong bata pa ako.

I've been living inside my cheap dorm, with extreme noise from the neighbors, mosquitoes, an electric fan that was about to collapse, passing vehicles, and roaming animals. Kaya hindi na ako nagtaka nang sandaling agad akong nakakatulog nang magkasunod na araw sa kama ni Tobias. I didn't even realize his existence because of the softness of his bed.

Iba talaga siguro ang pakiramdam kapag isa kang hampaslupa na biglang humiga sa kama na may golden lining.

I woke up with breakfast in my bed, while Tobias was already busy with his work again. He's always seated at his table, with a draped thick cloak on his shoulder, his long hair kissing his own paper, with that eyeglass, and his iconic serious face.

Minsan napapaisip ako kung bakit malabo na ang mata niya. Hindi ba't bampira siya?

Para siyang isang madulas na CEO sa human world.

When he noticed that I was staring at him, he stopped writing again and looked back at me. "You should eat, Kezalli."

Ilang beses pa akong nag-inat at humikab.

Nagsimula na akong kumain ng mga ipinahanda niyang pagkain, at tumungo muli siya sa ginagawa niya habang pasulyap-sulyap ako sa kanya.

Tobias called a seamstress yesterday for my dresses that would complement his. Dahil kung ano ang kulay ng suot niya ay ganoon din ang sa akin.

One time when one of the female servants entered our room for our lunch, I saw how she blushed as she looked at me and Tobias. Of course, we're both thinly dressed, as if we're really in our honeymoon stage.

Lalo na si Tobias na akala ko ay marunong nang magtali ng kanyang kasuotan, dahil kinabukasan ay maluwag na naman ang pagkakatali niyon. He even summoned someone that would install my vault. And he was true to his words, ibinibigay niya lahat sa akin ang gusto ko.

"Hindi mo ba ako sasaluhan? Lagi ka na lang nakatungo riyan sa lamesa mo."

I jumped off my bed, barefooted on his carpeted floor, my white dress almost touching the floor, carried my tray full of food, and walked towards his table.

I even pushed a cart filled with food to the side of my bed and placed it near Tobias' table.

Ipinatong ko roon ang mga pagkain ko, agad tinanggal ni Tobias ang mga papel niya at pinanuod niya ang bawat kilos ko. I pulled one of the chairs and placed it beside his chair as well.

There were fruits, bread and jam, ham, egg, soup, coffee, tea, and other possible breakfasts of a human girl. I even had fresh orange juice.

When I was in human world, kape at pandesal lang talaga ang almusal ko. Ngayon, lahat yata ng prutas na nakahain sa akin ay bagong pitas, binalatan pa at hiniwa para sa akin.

"Thank you for this," tipid akong ngumiti sa kanya.

"It's just a breakfast."

Umiling ako sa kanya. "No. I never had this kind of breakfast before, Tobias. Sobrang hirap nang buhay ko, na bihira lang akong kumain ng prutas, minsan isang beses lang ako kumakain sa loob ng isang araw. You are destined to a very poor girl," natatawang sabi ko.

He used the fork and took a slice of apple on my plate, and he slowly offered it to my mouth. "In this world, you're one of the richest, Kezalli. I'll give you the food you want. I'll summon the best cook for you, you can taste fresh fruits every day, and I'll never let you experience hunger again."

I accepted his apple and swallowed slowly. "I am sorry that I couldn't come to you during those years. I am sorry that I let you suffer."

I sighed. Inagaw ko na iyong tinidor sa kanya at nagpatuloy ako sa pagkain. "Dapat inisip mo na kailangan ko rin ng financial assistance. Dapat nagpadala ka man lang ng pera sa akin. Kahit bawasan mo iyong isang bato ng chandelier mo or pirasuhin mo ang design ng bed frame mong ginto. Buhay na ako sa mundo ng mga tao. You have servants, right?"

This time I couldn't see any amusement from his eyes. He looked guilty. "I am sorry that I didn't realize that you really needed money."

"It's okay, everything is from the past. Iyong nine million na binilang natin, remember?"

He nodded. "The money in your vault?"

"Yes. I had that money because I used your name. Are you familiar with Sullivan?"

"The previous king of Mudelior? Claret's father?"

"Yes. I got the nine million from him. Ikaw ang magbabayad. Baka bigla ka niyang singilin kapag bumalik siya rito."

Tobias arched his brows. "So, that is my money."

Marahas akong umiling. "That is where our war will begin, My King. Your possession is also my possession, but my possession is just mine. I acquired that money when I was still in human world. Hirap na hirap akong i-biyahe iyon sa tricycle sa takot na ma-hold up ako? Tapos aagawin mo lang?"

He smiled. "Alright. Now, continue with your foods, My Queen."

Tumigil na sa pagbabasa ng papeles at pagsusulat si Tobias at pinanuod niya na lang akong kumain.

Dahil sabog pa ang buhok ko, at minsan ay nagtutungo na ang hibla nito sa bibig ko, si Tobias pa mismo ang nagtatanggal niyon sa akin.

"You're eating your hair," he casually said as he brushed his thumb on my cheek, pulling a thread of my hair.

Mukha na siguro akong patay-gutom sa mata ni Tobias na pati buhok ko kinakain ko.

I also got chocolate bread. I sliced it and used my fork to offer it to him, but when I was about to demand him to open his mouth, I suddenly remembered Divina's words. Tobias hates chocolates.

I quickly pulled my hand. "How about ham na lang? I am sorry, I forgot that you—"

Ibababa ko na sana ang kamay kong may hawak na tinidor at may chocolate na tinapay na nakatusok doon nang hawakan ni Tobias ang palapulsuhan ko.

He leaned closer and slowly opened his mouth to accept the slice of chocolate bread. I stared at him, surprised.

Is he okay? Mali ba ang naalala ko sa sinabi ni Divina?

"D-do you like chocolate bread?"

He nodded. "I do."

Nagtataka na akong kumakain ng tinapay habang sinusubuan siya. Mukha naman siyang hindi napipilitan.

"How about this strawberry jam?"

Aside from chocolate bread, there was also loaf bread and a variety of flavored spread that I could choose.

I spread the strawberry jam on my loaf that it almost spilled on my fingers. Nakangisi ako kay Tobias habang kumakagat ako ng tinapay na nag-uumapaw sa palaman.

Tobias was now in his iconic position, with his elbow on the table, and his palm almost covering his lips, but his amused eyes staring at me. "You're a messy eater, Kezalli."

"Turned-off ka na ba? Do I look ugly? Actually, I've been wondering why you're mated to a poor and ugly girl like me. Ang daming magagandang babae sa mundo ng mga tao, sexy, at kutis mayaman pa. Mas maganda pa nga ang kutis ng mga tagadala ng pagkain ko. You sure that you want me?"

"I don't understand the first few words, but I would never think of any woman as my queen beside you, and you're beautiful."

He carefully bent, his fingers delicately wrapped around my pulse, and took the last bite of my loaf bread filled with strawberry jam.

I gasped but didn't pull away when he licked the strawberry jam on my fingers, now with both of his coral eyes opened, and his bared fangs teasingly touching my skin.

Kusang lumaglag ang kamay ko nang bitawan niya iyon. And when he took our small distance as his right hand softly touched my chin and tilted it sideways, all I did was freeze on my seat, as his tongue slowly traveled at the side of my lips.

Tulalang-tulala ako kay Tobias nang tumigil siya at sumandal siya sa upuan niya.

"Y-you! I told you not to—" itinigil ko na ang anumang sasabihin ko dahil hindi man lang ako pumalag sa ginawa niyang iyon.

"I don't think I'll have a problem with your skin."

"I didn't give you permission—"

"As a king, it's customary in this empire to not let the food get wasted. You spilled it on your fingers and at the side of your lips. As someone who worked hard to maintain and earn gold from my water district, I should remind my queen how to give importance to our foods."

"By licking? Wala iyan sa manual!"

"Is the manual a book with your information in this world? Give it to me and I'll burn it for you, it provides you lack of information, my love."

Napasandal na ako sa upuan ko at napatulala ako sa mga pagkain. I could still feel how his tongue expertly touched my skin, and with those sharp green eyes and his bared fangs?

Iyong puso ko.

He's clothed but how could he look so sexy while doing it? I fanned myself with my hand. He got me there.

Bahagya akong tumagilid mula sa kanya para hindi niya makita ang pamumula ng pisngi ko.

But King Tobias Caesar Le'Vamuievos was not yet done, because he managed to come closer with his tilted head, as if he was trying to annoy me with his face peeking at me. "Madulas ako?"

I grinned and pushed his face. Tuluyan na rin akong tumawa, at ganoon din siya. "Stop flirting with me, Tobias!"

Tobias and I finished our meal without any argument. He's just teasing me.

Sa totoo lang ay wala rin naman kaming dapat pag-awayan kasi hindi niya naman ako pinapatulan, he's always saying yes to me.

He's too good to be true. Sa sobrang bait niya, ay natatakot na ako sa kanya.

He might be flirting at me, but most of the time he's always kind and giving. He was never annoyed and he's always that calm.

The night came, and Tobias was still on his desk. Nakailang ikot na yata ako sa kuwarto niya, ilang gulong na sa kama, pagtingin sa mga painting at flower vases, at pagtanaw sa labas na halos wala akong makita.

Agad na akong bumangon mula sa kama niya. Nagmadali akong lumapit sa lamesa niya.

Since Tobias knew that I'd have my distractive session again, he expertly pushed his papers away on the left side of his table to give me space. Sa halip na humila pa ng upuan at nauupo na ako mismo sa lamesa niya.

"Seems like my queen needs my attention tonight."

Dumiin ang titig ko sa kanya. "Are you for real?"

He smiled. "What?"

"You're too kind for me."

"Would you like the aggressive one? I can quickly switch into one," he said. Pinagsalikop na niya ang mga papeles niya. He tapped the end of those papers together on his table before he looked into my eyes.

"Aren't you sleepy right now? You used to sleep early."

"And you're not even bothered with a virgin mate sleeping next to you?"

Akala ko ay magtatagumpay na ako matapos nang araw na iyon. I saw how he tightly knotted his robe that time, I know that he was vulnerable and my triumph was about my grasp but it seemed like Tobias Caesar Le'Vamuievos was too good in this game.

"I've been bothered since the moment you arrived inside my bathroom. But I am a man of my word. I can wait for you until you're ready."

Inaayos na niya ang mga papeles niya bago siya tumayo at inilahad ang kamay sa akin. "Let's sleep."

Just like the previous days, Tobias gave me a considerable distance on his huge bed, gusto ko pa siyang kausapin pero dahil tila may mahika ang kama niya ay agad akong nakakatulog, at ang tangi ko na lang natatandaan ay ang mga mata niyang nakatitig sa akin.

I thought I'd wake up early in that morning, but I found myself awake in the middle of the night, with Tobias' noise. I quickly sat on our bed, opened the lamp and my eyes widened when I saw him full of sweat while one of his hands was grasping his chest as if he couldn't breathe.

"T-tobias. . ."

He's turning right and left with his eyes closed with prodding veins on his hands, and forehead. He looked suffering from extreme pain.

"Tobias," mas lumapit na ako sa kanya at sinimulan ko na siyang gisingin.

Hinawakan ko na ang braso niya at mas malakas ko nang tinawag ang pangalan niya. Ramdam ko na ang kaba ko nang hindi pa rin siya nagmumulat. Agad hinanap ng mga mata ko ang bell na ginagamit niya para tumawag ng tagasunod.

"Tobias. . ."

Mas malakas na ang pagyugyog ko sa kanya at handa na akong tumalon sa kama, nang bigla na siyang nagmulat, marahas na bumangon habang sapo ang dibdib niya at humahabol sa kanyang paghinga.

Agad kong pinunasan ang tumakas na luha sa mga mata ko, nagmamadali akong bumaba sa kama, lumapit sa maliit na lamesa at nagsalin ng tubig. Ramdam ko ang pangangatal ng kamay at tuhod ko, at ang tindi ng tibok ng puso ko.

What happened to him? Ngayon lang ba ito? Bakit hindi koi to namamalayan nitong nakaraang araw? May sakit ba siya?

When I sat on his bed, Tobias was about to take my glass of water, but I took it straight and wiped my lips after taking the water.

Umawang ang bibig niya sa akin. "I thought you're going to offer me water?"

I gasped. Agad akong tumayo at nangangatal na nagsalin ng tubig. "I am sorry, I got scared."

This time, Tobias leaned on the bed's headboard, he brushed his hair upward from his forehead and laughed. "What am I going to do with you?"

He pulled me, and the water from the glass spilled, but he didn't care, I was kneeling on our bed, between his legs, when he wrapped his arms around me, he buried his face in my chest as his arms tightened around me.

Kusang yumakap ang mga braso ko sa ulo niya. "Was that episodic? Every night? Is it a disease?"

Umiling siya.

"A nightmare?"

"J-just hug me," he whispered.

Hinayaan ko kaming manatili sa ganoong posisyon kahit may ideya na ako sa nangyayari kay Tobias.

I grinned. "Or do you need my blood, My King? Why don't you ask me?"

"I will sleep," he pushed me away.

Humiga na siya at tumalikod sa akin. "Why don't you accept your defeat, My King?"

"No. I will wait for you to ask me, even if it will cost my life."

"Huh? Now you're trying to use that way? Are you trying to make me feel guilty?"

"Just sleep. I think I can still survive with few attacks."

"Wow."

"I appreciate the help, but next time if you're not going to offer your blood, at least give me some water."

I laughed. "Sorry."

That night, the rain turned into a storm that I could even hear thunders and witnessed consistent lightning. But it calmed down when I moved nearer to him, pressed my forehead on his broad back, and whispered a word for him. "Thank you." 

I thought he'd ignore me, but he turned, pulled me closer, and allowed me to sleep with his arms around me. "Is this also customary in your empire?"

He buried his lips above my head and whispered, "Yes."