Chapter 11

Mavis Estrella

It has to be him of all people.

I went back to the private room because I forgot my wallet. Kanina, malayo-layo na ang inabot ni Giyo sa pag-d-drive kaya nahiya na akong magsabi. Pagkatapos niya akong ihatid sa condominium tower ay pumara na ako ng taxi at nagpahatid papunta sa Matriyoshka Bar.

I sighed in relief when I found my wallet there and checked the contents. Wala namang nawala kaya kaagad akong bumalik sa elevator. When the elevator doors were about to close, I heard someone shouted to keep it open. Tinaasan ko pa ng kilay kung sinuman iyon.

And there he was standing there looking so handsome with that loose smile I fell in love with. He wore a simple black shirt and a pair of faded blue ripped jeans but he rocked the look with his figure.

Kaiden Cervantes, my lying cheating ex-boyfriend.

Klarong umiiwas ito kaya malaya ko siyang natitigan mula sa iilang pulgadang layo namin. Kahit nakatalikod ay alam mo talagang gwapo ito kahit magulo ang itim nitong buhok.

Somehow, I long to run my fingers on his hair and...

I shook my head. What am I even thinking?

I knew he got turned on by me but that's just it. He's a typical playboy, my ex, my past. Nothing else. So what am I even thinking, getting involved with someone like him again?

Ayoko nang magpaloko.

Pero kapag nasa malapit ito, hindi ko rin mapigilang gustuhin na makausap siya ulit. It has always been like that. Even though he hurt me, he's still the only person I could be comfortable with.

I act differently around him. I just don't want him to know how much I've
changed. The fact that I changed this much would reflect on how he affected me. I can't possibly lie about that but I'm trying my best to act as if nothing happened.

He does not affect me.

Hindi. Tapos na kami.

At ang mga bagay na tapos na ay hindi na dapat binabalikan lalo na kung may posibilidad na masasaktan ka lang ulit.

However, no matter how much I try to not think about him, fate always pulls us together. Maybe it's having fun seeing two broken people together. Hoping for a second chance?

Not a chance.

Sa konting katahimikan na yun ay marami akong naisip. Hindi lang naman dahil sa tiwala ang nawala sa akin. I lost that confidence I used to have when I was around the people I love.

Ngayon, pakiramdam ko ay iiwan na lang nila ako bigla dahil hindi ko kayang pantayan ang mga gusto nila.

Dating is the ultimate no-go. I could already picture myself dying from anxiety every time my lover talks to someone, anyone.

I feel like they'll slip away from my grip slowly until I'll just be the only one holding on. Relationships aren't perfect I know, so couples should work on their problems together.

But...what if it's me? Paano kung ako ang problema?.Can I really change who I really am?

Kaya ba hindi ako pinakilala ni Kaiden sa mga kaibigan niya dati dahil ikinakahiya niya ang kaweirduhan ko?

I grimaced as I noticed Kaiden looking so frustrated with his furrowed brows.

If only he didn't return, I could've just continued living just like always. Who cares about the nightmares? They're just all in my head.

But now my worst nightmare is here in the flesh and I couldn't stop thinking about him.

Do I still...love him?

No, never again. Kung bakit ba kasi bumalik pa ito...

Hindi ko na mapigilang isaboses ang kyuryosidad ko. Sinagot niya naman. Nagkatanungan na kami at natapos din agad ang usapan namin sa katahimikan.

Just like always.

It should be awkward but I couldn't feel anything except the fact that I missed talking to him with all honesty, with all straightforwardness, with him just listening to me while slowly knowing who I am.

I loved it. I loved every second of being with him, of hearing his voice and seeing his smile.

Why the hell am I thinking about all of this when I should've just shrugged it all off? I'm Mavis Estrella and the only person who brought me the world destroyed it for me.

Napatitig ako sa maulap na kalangitan at wala sa sariling napatingin kay Kaiden. Nakatingin lang ito sa paanan habang kunot na kunot ang noo, tila may iniisip na importante.

I think he felt my stare when he looked at me with a questioning expression.

"Wala akong masakyan," walang patumpik-tumpik kong sabi. "Pwede ba akong sumakay sa'yo?"

He jumped as if struck by something and looked at me incredulously.

"H-Ha?" Nagkasalubong ang kilay ko sa pagkautal niya.

"Kako pasabay kasi paulan pa at matagal pa siguro akong makakahanap ng kotse."

"A-Ah," he mumbled. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang makita ang pagpula ng kanyang pisngi bago siya tumalikod at sinenyasan akong sumunod. "Tara."

Mabilis kong binalikan ang mga sinabi ko para malaman kung bakit siya umaasta nang ganito.

I pursed my lips when I remembered what I told him.

'Pwede ba akong sumakay sa'yo?'

Did he really think I said I would—? I should've phrased it better. Did he think I did it on purpose?

—

This is on 3rd Person's POV.

The cold air inside the car gave Mavis goosebumps. Even though she was wearing a thick blazer, she felt the air-conditioning was too much.

Kaagad namang napansin ni Kaiden iyon nang makita ang babaeng mariin na napahawak sa mga tuhod habang tuwid na tuwid ang upo. He saw her bite her lips as if trying to stop the urge to tremble from the cold.

'The Ice Queen is bothered by the cold as always.' Tahimik na lang na binuksan ni Kaiden ang pinto at pumunta sa backseat bago hinanap ang bag na nasa loob ng kanyang compartment.

Tumambad sa kanya ang iilang mga damit, pati na kumot. He always had them since he used to sleep inside his own car back in the US. Driving all alone made him remember how they used to quietly roam around without talking much or thinking wherever they'd go. It was always been her and him in his mind.

Pilit iwinaksi ni Kaiden ang mga naalala at kumuha ng isang black sweater at isang malaki at makapal na cotton blanket.

Mavis watched him in both confusion and amazement. Hindi niya aakalaing magdadala pa ng kumot ang lalaki sa loob ng kotse.

'But it's just so him.' Iyan ang naisip ni Mavis. Her mind wandered off to their first outing. Kaiden carried a large suitcase filled of blankets. He knew she doesn't like the cold much even if she got used to it.

Mavis blinked and shook her head a few times to remove those thoughts. Nang binigay ni Kaiden sa kanya ang malaking sweater at kumot, tinanggap niya ito at seryosong nagpasalamat.

Kaiden also chose to wear a black sweater and silently went back to the driver's seat. Narinig pa niya ang kulog bago sinarhan ang pinto. He started the engine of the car and drove off.

"Bakit ka nga pala nahuli ng uwi?" He started the conversation this time. He was curious how he ended up meeting the woman when he deliberately delayed leaving just so that she'll leave earlier than him.

Well, he should've, if he didn't shout at the closing elevator.

"Naiwan ang wallet ko."

'Gano'n kaimportante ang wallet?' Kaiden wondered. Ala una na ng madaling araw pero bumalik pa rin ito. 'Baka may importanteng laman?'

"I see." Kahit gustong magtanong, ayaw naman ni Kaiden magtanong masyado. Baka masabihan na siya nang tsismoso.

"How about you? Nakita ko yung mga kasama mo kaninang umuwi na."

Napabuntong-hinga si Kaiden.

"I just did some business," palusot niya kahit dalawang oras siyang naglaro lang ng online games pampalipas oras, na sinadya niya yun para di sila magkasalubong man lang.

"You mean you did some women?" walang emosyong sabi ni Mavis kaya napalingon sa kanya ang lalaki. She looked so cute in his black sweater but the cold expression on her face made him flinch.

"Did some women? Anong akala mo sa akin?"

"Babaero."

Napasinghap si Kaiden sa mabilis na pagsagot ng babae.

"So that's what you think of me now?" Umiling si Kaiden habang parehong natatawa at naiirita sa sinabi ni Mavis.

"Yes," she said without even looking at him. "Babaero, manloloko, sinungaling, manyak."

Hindi alam ng lalaki kung bakit pero natawa na lang siya dahil doon. Sa katotohanang sinabi ng babae, nasiyahan siyang iniisip pa rin siya nito.

"You're right. Babaero ako dahil ang dami kong naging girlfriends sa states. Manloloko ako dahil pinagsasabay ko sila. Sinungaling ako dahil sinabi kong mahal ko sila. At manyak ako, oo," he paused and glanced at her with a wide grin. Napalingon naman si Mavis dahil sa pambibitin ng lalaki at nagtagpo ang kanilang mga mata. "Pero sa'yo lang."

She unknowingly gulped and averted her eyes but she couldn't deny how the temperature inside the car seemed to heat up. She bit her lips and glanced at him again and found Kaiden still staring at her.

"Stop biting your lips," Kaiden demanded but she didn't listen and instead licked them. Napayuko ang lalaki sa pagpipigil at napahigpit ang kapit sa manibela.

Kung hindi niya ipaparada ang kotse sa tabi ng daan ngayon, mababangga talaga sila.

He knew he should keep driving though because if he wouldn't distract himself, he'll probably ravish her inside his car. There were just the two of them. He could overpower her and mount on her like a hungry wolf deprived of flesh for years or just keep on driving as if the tent on his pants isn't visible to her curious eyes.

"Are you turned on?" Sa tanong na iyon ni Mavis, gulat na napapreno si Kaiden.

"Nananadya ka ba talaga?"

His line reminded Mavis of Giyo one time when she accidentally held his thigh inside the car.

'So men get turned on inside an enclosed space?' Mavis wondered. 'If that's the case, then inside the elevator...'

Namula si Mavis sa naiisip at sa mga mata ni Kaiden, iyon ang pinakamagandang tanawin sa sitwasyong 'yon.

Her flushed beautiful face and slightly swollen lips made him groan in frustration. Wala sa sarili niyang pinaandar ang kotse at pinarada sa tabi ng daan.

When Mavis saw that, she froze. She knew what's about to happen now and silently waited. She waited and waited for his touch but none came.

"Why'd you park the car?" May kaunting inis sa kanyang tanong kaya napakamot na lang sa leeg si Kaiden.

"Mababangga tayo nito. Just let me cool down for a bit."

'Cool down?' Mavis kept staring at the growing tent on his pants.

"It's so big..."

"Fuck, Mave." Namaos ang boses ni Kaiden nang makita ang pagtitig ni Mavis sa umbok sa kanyang pantalon. "Stop staring!" singhal niya at ini-adjust ang suot na sweater para matakpan iyon.

"I'm just staring. It's not like I'm touching your cock."

'Cock...' Kaiden's mind went haywire. Just hearing her call his length a cock made him crazy. Hindi niya alam kung paanong sa pagbigkas lang ni Mavis doon ay halos kapusan na siya ng hininga. 'The way her lips—'

Tila nakuryente ang lalaki sa naiisip.

The tent on his pants got bigger under her gaze.

"Listen, Mave," he tried to talk casually but his ragged pants made him sound like he's having a hard time just talking. "Just please stop pushing me to edge. You know I—"

"Don't you want me?" she asked, slowly. Napakagatlabi ulit ang babae dahil hindi niya alam kung anong pumasok sa isipan niya at tinanong iyon.

Maybe, it's the atmosphere inside the car. Kani-kanina lang ay ang lamig pero ngayon, gusto na niya maghubad sa init.

'Maghubad—?' Mavis combed her smooth dark hair with her fingers to distract herself.

But Kaiden on the other hand found her actions so sexy.

"I want you, of course," ani ng lalaki at pinatay ang headlights ng kotse. The dim lights inside the car didn't help him stop his thirst from growing. Malalim na ang kanyang paghinga habang tinititigan ang ekspresyon ng babae.

"Then why don't you kiss me?" she asked.

'That's it.' Naubusan na ng pasensya si Kaiden at hinablot paalis ang seatbelt. Natigilan pa siya nang makita si Mavis na nakatitig sa kanya, tila naghihintay.

"Kiss you?" He chuckled hoarsely. "I'll ravish you, Mave."

"Why don't you?" hamon pa ng babae kaya hindi na nagpigil pa si Kaiden at inalis din ang seatbelt ng babae bago niya hinila ito paupo sa backseat. Her willingness burned his groins and made him grunt in excitement. Kinulong niya si Mavis sa kanyang mga braso habang nakapatong ang isang tuhod sa upuan. His knee in between her parted legs made him both of his hands grip on the seat.

"Bakit mo ginagawa sa akin 'to, Mave?" he asked with a pained expression. Tigas na tigas na siya pero gusto niyang malaman kung bakit nagkakaganito ang babae.

He knew her. She wouldn't dare push his buttons if she's not curious about something.

"I'm thinking why you cheated with that bitch and made out with her."

"Ah." Kaiden knew it at the back of his head but hearing her say that with so much irritation made him grin. "Nagseselos ka pa rin hanggang ngayon?"

"You'd dare kiss her on my bed?" Lumaki ang ngisi ni Kaiden dahil klarong nagagalit ang babae. "Why didn't you make out with me instead?! Ako ang girlfriend mo!"

"Yeah, you're my woman," he murmured and remembered that night. "But you just let those annoying motherfuckers touch your skin."

Mavis' eyes widened.

"Anong sinasabi mo?"

"During your birthday, those guys touched your hand and your arms..." Unti-unting nahiya si Kaiden sa pinagsasabi.

"Pinagselosan mo sila?"

"Yeah, and I hate the fact that you just let them."

"So you cheated on me because you're mad?" she asked incredulously. "Do you think that makes sense? You should've told me or you shouldn't have let those annoying men touch me and yet you chose to make out with that bitch."

"Right... Fuck." Kaiden hated himself so much for that night.

"I don't want to talk about it anymore," Mavis mumbled with a hateful voice so he frowned. "Does that bitch kiss better than me then?"

Gustong mapahalakhak ni Kaiden dahil sinabi ng babaeng ayaw niya na raw pag-usapan pero nagtanong pa rin tungkol sa halik.

'Ah, her contradicting actions.'

"How would I know? We only kissed once," he said in amusement.

"Then why don't we kiss now?"

Kaiden smirked.

"Why should I? It's all in the past now. Nakalimutan ko na rin kung paano humalik yung babae," he teased. "Should I kiss her too?"

"Gusto mong mamatay?" she dangerously asked but he still laughed.

"Oh Mave, kung papatayin mo ako sa sarap, papayag ako."

Mavis blushed even more so Kaiden inched himself closer but she asked again. Napipilitan na lang na tumigil ang lalaki kahit na sagad na sagad na ang pasensya nito.

"Why are you still attracted to me?" She licked her lips and slowly unbuttoned her blazer. Tumambad sa nanlalaking mga mata ni Kaiden ang hapit na hapit nitong black buttoned blouse. Her two hands cupped her soft supple breasts and squeezed them while eyeing him with dazed eyes. Napaawang ang bibig ng lalaki at napalunok. Hindi pa nakuntento si Mavis at minasahe ang sariling mga dibdib bago mahinang napadaing. "Why'd you cheat on me when you can touch me like this?"

"Tangina." Gusto nang patayin ni Kaiden ang sarili dahil sa pagkainis. Kung bakit ba kasi pinakawalan niya pa ang babaeng 'to. Naikuyom niya ang mga kamay at napasuntok sa magkabilang gilid ng babae. "Papatayin mo ba ako, Mave?"

"Hmm?" she asked and let out a small gasp when his hands found hers and guided them to squeeze her boobs harder. "K-Kaiden..."

Then he claimed her parted swollen lips and sucked them so hard. He groaned at the feel of her sensual mouth. Her lips taste sweet, delectable, intoxicating. Mavis moaned loud. Hindi niya mapigilang mas tigasan sa nang-eenganyong ungol na 'yon.

Bago pa niya mapigilan ang sarili, kinagat niya nang mariin ang ibabang labi ng babae at ipinasok ang mapusok na dila sa pag-awang ng makipot nitong bibig. He readily sucked her tongue, tasting her sweetness. She was making him crazy.

Marahas na inalis ni Kaiden ang mga kamay ni Mavis sa dibdib ng babae at pumalit dito. Mariin niyang pinisil ang naglalaking mga suso nito at nanggigigil na napasinghal.

"Fuck, Mave," namamaos na usal ni Kaiden habang nararamdaman ang malambot at malalaking bilog na dibdib.

"K-Kaiden, teka!"

Nagpumiglas ang babae kaya sandali siyang napatigil sa paghalik at pagmasahe. Nanghihinang napatitig si Kaiden na para bang ikakamatay niya nang hindi siya mahawakan.

"M-Mave, huwag mo akong patigilin, please..." pagsusumamo niya.

"Sabi ko teka, hindi tigil," she blurted out then changed their positions. Nahihiwagaang napatitig si Kaiden nang mariyalisang siya na ang nakaupo habang si Mavis ay nakaupo sa kanyang mga hita. "Let's do it this way."

Ramdam na ramdam niya ang kabigatan ng babae at napatitig sa namumula nitong mukha. Klarong nahihiya ito pero nilalakasan nito ang loob para sa kanya.

It turned him on even more.

"Oh fuck!" ani Kaiden at napangisi. "Yes way!"