Chapter 4: Outside

When I woke up the next morning, I was expecting that I'd see Tobias in his usual seat, be welcomed by the smell of his ink, the sound of his scribbling pen, and his usual emotionless face, shoulders draped with a white cloak, and his long hair kissing his documents.

Si Tobias talaga iyong CEO na laging seryoso na napapanood ko sa human world. Iyon nga lang, he's the vampire version. And just like the usual love story in the human world, he'd fall in love with a poor girl like me.

What does his family's take about his newly arrived mate?

I was aware that Tobias and I were mates, but as someone like him who had the title—a king, all of his subjects would expect that he'd be destined to be with someone more valuable and someone who he'd be proud of.

Would this nation accept a human girl like me—someone who had no potential? I was just a nobody in the human world.

As I slowly opened my eyes with my arms stretching, the blurry image of King Tobias Caesar welcomed me.

My eyes widened. I quickly got up, pushed my back against the headboard, and pulled the blanket until my chest as if I were naked. Why is he still here on our bed? Holiday ba siya?

"Good morning." He smiled.

He was lying on his side, but when I got up, he straightened himself and seated himself comfortably in front of me.

I know that we were a bit intimate last night, pero dala na lang siguro iyon ng dilim o kaya ay lamig. But now that I could see him bright and clear, and now that he could see my reaction—how could I possibly hide that he already had an effect on me? I knew that this would intensify the moment he claimed me with his fangs, at iyon ang nais kong iwasan bago ako tumakas sa mundong ito.

I couldn't just let this weird world bind us with the power of our thirst and lust. I should maintain a clear mind before I leave this world. "Wala kang trabaho? Paano ang water district natin?"

"Our water district will still operate with my few hours of break."

"Oh . . ."

When King Tobias placed his right hand on the bed and pushed himself nearer to me, I gasped. I tightened my grip on my blanket. But he stopped in the midway and smiled again. "Thank you for the last night."

"H-huh? I didn't give you water. Natapon pa nga."

He chuckled. Napasandal muli siya sa kama at saglit na minasahe ang kanyang noo. "I mean for worrying about me."

"Of course, you're my fiancé. I'll always wake you up if you're having nightmares."

Ngumiti siya sa akin bago na siya bumaba sa kama. "We'd go outside later."

"What? Akala ko, isang linggo tayo rito?"

Lumingon siya sa akin na may nakataas ang isang kilay. "I can change my plans for you. Would you like us to spend more days—" Agad akong umiling. Inangat ko ang dalawa kong kamay para patigilan na siya sa anumang sasabihin niya.

"Of course! I'd like to see outside."

Hindi katulad ko na kailangan pang maligo araw-araw, si Tobias, noong unang araw ko lang napansin na naligo. As someone who had vampire genes, parang laging may skin care si Tobias sa tuwing nasisinagan nang kaunting liwanag mula sa bintana. Mukha pa siyang naliligo sa akin.

I was done with my food when I decided to ask Tobias some questions again. Kung dati ay natitigilan pa siya kapag hinihila ko o binubuhat ang upuan, ngayon ay mukhang sanay na ang tainga niya.

I placed the chair across from him. Kung dati ay lagi akong nasa tabi niya mas gusto ko ngayong pumangalumbaba sa lamesa habang kaharap siya.

He quickly filed all his documents, placed them at the side of his table, crossed his legs, and intertwined his fingers before he locked his eyes with mine. He looked like a CEO who would give me an intense interview, kahit ako naman ang magtatanong sa kanya.

At sa lahat ng tanong ko sa kanya sa araw-araw, kailanman ay hindi ko siya nakita na nairita sa akin. He literally liked this session with me.

"Since you'd be introducing me to this nation, of course, I would have this episode of Meet the Parents and Family," I awkwardly said.

And then I continued, "How can I deal with them?"

"Everyone would accept you. They are aware that I have been waiting for you, and they would be happy to have you here as well."

Ngumiwi ako. "Totoo ba? I told you, I don't have a good background. I am a poor girl who grew up in slums, and I do . . ." Ilang beses akong lumingon sa paligid.

Alam ko naman na kami lang ang tao rito—I mean, ako tao at siya bampira—na narito sa silid. But I couldn't just take the risk of ruining more of my image. Kaya wala na akong pinagpilian kundi buhating muli ang upuan ko at itabi iyon sa kanya.

I awkwardly gestured with my hand for him to come closer. "Can you lean a little?"

King Tobias casually leaned himself at me, agad kong inangat ang dalawa kong kamay at mahina akong bumulong sa kanya. "Gambling. . ." I whispered.

"Gambling is legal in this world, Kezalli."

I awkwardly scratched my cheek. "Hmm, ano kasi. . . can you come closer pa?"

Hinayaan ako ni Tobias muling bumulong sa kanya. "I do a little trick sometimes. . ."

He arched his brows when he distanced himself. "You cheat."

I lowered my head. "Pero minsan lang, pinipili ko iyong dinadaya ko. Kapag alam kong mga corrupt na opisyal ng gobyerno, at mga sabungero na walang bisa sa pamilya, iyong mga taong nabubuhay lang sa sugal at nanlalamang ng tao. . ."

"But it is still cheating."

Mas lalo akong yumuko. "I am sorry."

"What else?"

Nahihiya na akong salubungin ang mga mata niya, pero ramdam kong parang may alam pa siyang hindi ko sinasabi. "I am a thief."

I saw how his fingers tapped on the table. I knew that it would definitely give him an impression. Of course, how could he have a thief as his queen?

"But let me explain: I don't steal money or any kind of possession that would give someone or a family a problem. I've been collecting items from abandoned houses or establishments. Oo, alam ko na mga abandonado na at malaki ang posibilidad na wala nang pumunta roon, but that doesn't give me the right to collect the items inside of it. I am sorry. I grew up as someone you couldn't be proud of as your queen."

Nakayuko na ako sa kanya at ramdam ko na ang pag-iinit ng sulok ng mata ko.

Kaya hindi ko rin magawang isipin na may hinaharap kami ni Tobias. In the human world, there would be no possibility that our paths would cross; kami ang literal na langit at lupa.

"Your family might know about my background or this world, and I don't want to drag you down. I live in slums, mandaraya ako, magaling sa sugal, hindi maganda, puro pilat ang balat ko dahil sa kagat ng lamok, nagnakaw ako, at mukha akong pera. Baka kapag nakita nila ako, bigla akong sabuyan ng asin o ng tubig sa mukha, or they will offer me more than nine million. May ganoon ba rito, Tobias?"

"Salt or water?"

I nodded at him. "Baka sabuyan nila ako ng asin o tubig sa mukha."

"Why?"

"Para lumayo sa 'yo. In the human world, if the family doesn't want the poor girl of the firstborn rich son, his family will splash water or salt on her face. They will offer a bigger amount of money to make her disappear and let the man marry a better woman."

"I don't have my parents with me."

"Oh, I am sorry . . ." mahinang sabi ko.

"It's fine, but I have my siblings. Two brothers, two—and a sister. But I don't think Rosh, Pryor, and Marah would splash you with salt or water. Aside from that, they don't have human money to pay you."

"So, there will be no scene like that? Iyong ganito." I crossed my arms and tilted my head, mas pinaliit ko ang mga mata ko kay Tobias habang pinapanood niya ako. "Name your price, layuan mo si Tobias! Isa kang hampaslupa!"

I saw how his shoulders shook until he covered his lips and laughed. "It's early in the morning, Kezalli. What's wrong with you?"

Ngumisi ako sa kanya at mas lumapit ako. "But that's the truth. We're too different from each other. I don't think you'll like me if we're in the human world; you will never notice me. It's just that you're designed to quench your thirst from my blood, and it's not love but—"

Tumigil si Tobias sa pagtawa sa sinabi kong iyon. He quickly crossed our distance, placed his few fingers under my chin, and lifted my face. "Are you telling me that it's all about the lust, my love?"

"W-what else? And tradition. . ."

For the first time, I saw how his sharp eyes almost teared me—I could see a sudden glint of anger in his emerald eyes. I even felt it when he let go of my chin and quickly turned his attention back to his papers.

"I can make you fall in love with me, without my fangs and blood on your mouth, Kezalli Lanoire. And if I failed to do that, ako mismo ang magtutulak sa' yo sa sarili mong salamin. I can even break it for you if that's what you want."

Hindi na nagsalita pa si Tobias sa akin nang sumunod na mga oras. And I suddenly felt guilty about it. He was nice to me the moment I stepped into this world, and he was willing to give me everything, but was I wrong?

I was just being honest with my thoughts.

Gusto ko pa sanang itanong sa kanya kung tutuloy pa kami sa labas pero mukhang mainit pa ang ulo niya sa akin, kaya nagkunwari muna akong abala sa pagbabasa ng mga aklat habang pasulyap-sulyap sa kanya.

Kahit ang ilang tagasunod na nagdala ng pagkain ay pansin ang lamig sa paligid, dahil sa tuwing nagdadala ang mga iyon sa loob ng silid ay sinasadya ni Tobias na magmukha kaming halos ayaw maabala sa isa't isa. But this time, he didn't care about the servants' opinion about us. Nagsara na ang pinto nang sumulyap akong muli kay Tobias.

"W-would you like to eat first?"

Hindi siya sumagot sa akin. Agad akong napangiwi. "Tobias. . ."

"Food is not necessary to vampires like me."

"Oh, yes. I'm sorry."

Tahimik na lang akong kumain mag-isa. Pilit ko pang binabagalan ang pagnguya ko o ang paggamit ng mga tasa at kutsara para hindi na ako gumawa ng ingay.

But this is literally awkward!

Huminga ako nang malalim at tinanaw si Tobias. I shouldn't let him get mad at me. Sa mundong ito, siya ang dapat kong maging kakampi. Dahil kapag hindi kami nagkasundo, ako ang higit na mahihirapan.

Muli kong binuhat ang upuan ko at tumabi sa kanya. "Tobias, I am sorry. I know that what I've said was a bit too much, and I didn't think about your point of view, as someone who waited for me for years . . ." Nag-aalangan pa akong magpatuloy dahil hindi siya lumilingon sa akin.

Is this what they call LQ?

"It's just that I have insecurities, and I don't think someone who has this kind of past deserves a king like you. You're handsome, a king; you have a huge water district and other businesses; hard ng muscles mo, para kang may unlimited membership sa isang high-class gym, and a smooth talker, may nine—I mean you can even withdrawal, I mean withdraw—ano ba 'to? Nalilito ako sa qualities mo. I mean I can withdraw nine million with your name," nakangiwing sabi ko habang minamasahe ang noo ko.

"You can say those qualities, yet you still can't have me? Are those my flaws?"

I sighed. "Iyon na nga, para akong tumama sa lotto."

His brows creased. "Lotto? Hit? You bumped from what? Is it painful? You compared it as painful as accepting me?"

"Huh? Anong painful?"

Biglang sumakit ang ulo ko sa pagpapaliwanag kay Tobias. Wala bang lotto rito sa mundo nila?

"Hindi masakit tumama sa lotto. Masarap kaya tumama sa lotto!"

Mas lalong kumunot ang noo ni Tobias. "Masarap ako?"

I almost fainted with his question. King Tobias Caesar Le'Vamueivos with his innocent questions about my human words. "Does that word give me a disadvantage from a human's perspective?"

"Of course not! Sino'ng ayaw ng masarap?!"

Halos mapahilamos na ako sa sarili ko. Bakit laging umaabot sa ganito ang usapan namin ni Tobias? Hard, smooth, and now what?

Sumisikip na ang dibdib ko sa usapan namin ni Tobias. "Alright. I am sorry, Tobias. I didn't think of my word a while ago. Forgive me, my king."

Tipid kong hinawakan ang kamay niya. And when he glanced at it, King Tobias arched his brow.

I sighed again. "Alright. You can ask me anything."

"You."

Walang kurap niyang sagot, ramdam ko ang biglang pagbilis ng tibok ng puso ko sa sinabi niyang iyon. "I know. But can you ask something else from me, please?"

"I can't think of anything."

"How about a massage?"

"A massage?"

I nodded. "It was my previous job."

Kumunot muli ang noo niya. Halos mapapikit ako sa nasabi kong iyon. "D-don't worry; my clients are human girls. Wala pa akong minamasaheng lalaki, and that's the truth. I swear!" Inangat ko ang isa kong kamay sa kanya.

"Alright. I'll accept a massage."

"Now na?"

"No. We have to go outside right now."

Dahil kapwa pa kami manipis ang suot namin, kailangan pa naming magbihis. Unlike me, who was still conscious while changing my dresses, Tobias loved to show off.

He was proud to show his naked body. "Kezalli, can you tie this?"

"Sure."

Lakad-takbo pa ako para itali ang nasa baywang niya na parang laging matatanggal. I gasped when I felt his hand on my bare back. Nakikita niya pala sa salamin na hindi pa rin nakatali ang napakahabang laso sa likuran ko.

"I'll call the servants to help me."

"I can tie it for you."

Tumango na lang ako sa kanya. "Turn around."

I thought he'd be gentle just like the way he talked, walked, and even pristinely sat behind his table. Kung sa babae, si Tobias ang pinakapinong kumilos na nakilala ko at may magaang kamay.

Pero bigla na lang akong napahawak sa malaking tokador kung saan naroon ang ilang kagamitan ko sa aking mukha, buhok, at alahas nang mariing hinila ni Tobias ang tali sa likuran ko.

I could even see our reflections in the mirror.

I gasped unnecessarily, and it sounded quite different.

I bit my lip, but the way Tobias tied my ribbons from my back made me inhale and pant. "Tobias! Are you still mad at me? Huwag mong isagad!"

But he ignored me and pulled the ribbon; I gasped even more. Marahas na akong tumayo nang tuwid at iritable kong itinulak ang dibdib niya. "Y-you! Sinasadya mo!"

Nanliliit ang mga mata ko sa kanya. I could see how his green eyes were turning into red. Who's kind and gentle now?

"It's my first time. I'm sorry. Turn around again; I'll do better."

Nag-aalangan pa ako kung papayag ako pero dahil kailangan ko na ayusin ang suot ko, hinayaan ko na siya. This time, he was gentle. "Done."

"Thank you."

When I turned around, he gently held one of my hands, bent, while his other hand was on his back, before he kissed me on it. "You can be anyone in the human world, but for me, you are my queen."

Ngumuso na ako sa sinabi niya. He offered his arm and accepted it as we left our room. "Hindi ka na galit niyan? Madulas ka na uli."

He laughed.

Nakalabas na kami sa silid niya nang bigla siya muling yumuko. He slightly lifted my chin, and I felt how he teasingly licked my cheek slowly.

It's becoming his hobby.

I said in the contract that he was not allowed to touch me, but I didn't include his tongue, kaya hahayaan ko na lang.

And then he whispered, "I don't think I can stay mad at you."

Tutuwid na sana ng tayo si Tobias nang maagaw ang atensiyon namin dalawa sa dalawang bampira na nakatitig sa amin. Bahagya pang nakaawang ang labi ni Tobias na mukhang hindi pa tapos maging madulas.

"I don't think I can stay mad at you, huh?" sabi ng lalaking bampira na nakapamulsa na agad narinig ang ibinulong sa akin ni Tobias.

"Now I finally meet the woman who splashed water on your face, dear brother."

My brows creased, and I slowly turned to look at Tobias, now with his vivid face of annoyance. "I told you that the ceiling was leaking."