Chapter 9

Alessandro Ramirez

"Hindi ka ba giniginaw?" tanong ko kay Celebes matapos kong ilapag sa counter ng convenience store ang isang basket na umaapaw ng can ng beer. Nakita ko pa ang lalaking part-timer na pasulyap-sulyap sa dibdib ng babae. Inakbayan ko si Celebes at hinapit ito sa akin. Her soft body felt fucking nice beside me. The man looked taken aback so I glared at him. His face almost lost all its color and he didn't look at her again. That's right. I'll fucking turn you blind if you covet what's mine—wait fuck. What am I talking about? I looked at Celebes' face and caught her looking outside in a daze. She didn't even have any reaction while my arm draped around her shoulders. She's not really interested with me. Hindi ko alam kung anong dapat maramdaman. Tangina. Ba't naman ako may dapat na maramdaman?! "Celebes..."

"Huh?" anito at napakurap bago tumingin sa akin. Her amber eyes showed confusion. "Did you say something?"

Kumunot ang noo ko dahil parang kanina pa ito may iniisip matapos kong sabihin na nasa pareho kaming building nakatira. Aniya, iilang taon na siyang nakatira rito. Habang ako naman ay iilang buwan pa lang. Is she bothered by such a coincidence? Or is she thinking about something else? Another man, perhaps?

Why do I even fucking care?!

"What are you thinking about?" Damn it. Stupid mouth. Fuck. Baka isipin nitong napakatsismoso ko sa pagtatanong o baka ay maisipan niyang interesado ako sa kanya... Yeah, fuck. I admit I am interested and it's fucking dangerous. The more I want to know her, the more my feelings get fucking complicated. Am I just feeling this because I haven't had sex for so long and she happened to give me one memorable mind-blowing night? It should be and nothing else.

"Nothing... I just want to go home," tipid na sabi nito at nakita ko ang seryoso nitong ekspresyon sa pinakaunang pagkakataon. It felt different. She felt different. I shook my head because of the unfamiliarity and just tugged her closer to me. She glanced at me and raised a brow. "What?" mataray nitong sabi.

The Celebes that I met came back again so I sighed in relief.

What the fuck was that?

Binayaran ko na ang beer at ako na ang nagdala sa malaking plastic bag habang nakaakbay pa rin ako sa kanya. Wala naman siyang sinabing reklamo sa pagdikit ko kaya nag-enjoy na lang ako sa mainit niyang katawan sa aking tabi. Pagkapasok namin sa loob ng building, hinila ni Celebes ang sumbrero ko para takpan ang aking mukha kaya nanlaki ang aking mga mata.

"What—"

"Don't let anyone see your face," sabi niya habang tinititigan ako nang mabuti. "Baka anong isipin ng mga taong nakakakilala sa'yo o sa akin."

Ah...right. She's used to hiding things because she has been a mistress multiple times. I tried pushing down the irritation that crept in my chest.

"I'm already wearing a face mask, Celebes," I murmured. Mabuti na rin na nagsuot ako ng ganito ngayong gabi dahil baka lalayo pa ito sa akin.

"Tsk. Baka makilala ka pa rin. Hindi madaling makalimutan yang mga mata mo. Parang nananaksak." I chuckled at her weird opinion and just pulled her towards the farthest elevator. She immediately panicked. "Hey, this one is for VVIPs!"

I took out my wallet and gave her a black VVIP card. She gaped at it and then at me as if she couldn't believe this reality. Her amber eyes widened adorably while her lips opened and closed as if she wanted to say something. I grinned at that cute reaction. Her look of surprise is definitely amusing every fucking time.

"I own this building," I simply said.

"What the hell?!" she shrieked.

Bahagya akong natawa at saka pinisil ang balikat niyang inaakbayan ko pa rin.

"Swipe the card, Celebes. You don't want anyone seeing you with me, right?" I whispered.

Sinimangutan ako nito at saka sinunod ang aking sinabi. Nang bumukas ang elevator ay pumasok na kami nang sabay.

A Christmas song began playing inside the elevator. Ber months na kaya hindi na yun bago. Was the song's title Silent Night?

I saw Celebes' brows furrow and she shook her head. I also noticed that she fisted her hands while she began inhaling and exhaling heavily.

Maybe she doesn't like the song? Is she irritated?

"Which floor?" I just asked when she just kept looking at the closed elevator doors. Unti-unti siyang natigil sa paghinga nang malalim at tumingin sa akin. Naniningkit na ang kanyang mga mata sa hindi ko malamang dahilan.

"Thirtieth floor," she mumbled and groaned. "Why are you the owner of this building? What is this fucking situation?" There was a hint of worry on her voice so I chuckled.

I know what she's pointing out. It's really weird that I got to cross paths with her more than once in just two days. And I even fucked her... I was so sure I won't see her again but it turned out she has been right under my nose this entire time.

"I live in the 30th floor, by the way," panggagatong ko sa pagkataranta nito kaya nakita kong muli ang gulat sa kanyang magagandang mga mata. "Isn't this fate?" Bahagya niya akong naitulak kaya napataas ang kilay ko.

"Fate? Fate?! I thought it was but this is too much! You fucked me and said goodbye! You saw me at the park! You bought me beer! And now you own this building and we live on the same floor!" aniya. "Are you stalking me?!"

Is she kidding me? Me? A stalker? Impossible.

"Maybe?" I joked but I saw her flinch. She hugged her arms and stepped away from me. Bumaha ang takot sa kanyang mga mata habang namumutla naman ang kanyang mukha. Napanganga ako sa reaksyon nito. Tangina? "Hey, I'm just kidding, Celebes. What's with the reaction?"

"Malay ko ba kung nagsasabi ka nang totoo o hindi. Hindi kita kilala..." she trailed off as if she was thinking about something. Her eyes were filled with so much emotions but one stood out. Fear. "This isn't a coincidence, is it? Did you plan this?" pag-aakusa nito kaya napailing ako. Seriously... Pagkatapos ay nilabas niya ang kutsilyo mula sa kanyang likod kaya napaamang ako sa sobrang gulat.

"What the fuck?! Celebes!"

She pointed the knife at me while shivering.

"D-Don't go near me!" nahintatakutan nitong sigaw habang unti-unting napaatras. In seconds, she was on the farthest corner while looking at me in panic. There were tears on her amber eyes as she gripped on the knife with her trembling hands. For real? Why is she being like this?! "P-Papatayin kita kung lalapit ka!"

Nagulat ako dahil klarong hindi talaga ito nagbibiro. She looked so afraid.

I was fucking confused on why she's afraid of me. What's happening to her?

"Celebes... I won't do anything to you. I swear—" I took a step towards her and she screamed and let go of the knife. Nabagsak ko ang dala-dalang plastik dahil sa pagsigaw nito. Rumolyo ang mga can ng beer sa sahig at tila mas natakot ito sa ingay dahil nayakap nito ang katawan habang nanginginig pa ring nakatingin sa akin.

"H-Huwag kang lalapit!"

"Celebes, listen to me!" sigaw ko rito na agad kong pinagsisihan dahil napaupo na ito sa pinaghalong takot at gulat. "Look... I-I'm sorry for shouting. Just... Just calm down."

"P-Please don't hurt me... Please," iyak nito at saka napahagulgol sa aking harapan. Natulala ako dahil nagpatuloy sa paglandas sa kanyang pisngi ang kanyang mga luha kahit putlang-putla na siya. Tila may nabasag sa loob ko nang makita siyang ganito. Hindi ko siya kilala pero para bang pinupunit ang puso ko dahil sa mga luha niya. "D-Don't touch me..."

Fuck. Hell. Why is she being like this?! And touch?! W-Was she abused?! Napaamang ako at nag-igting ang aking panga sa galit. W-Was she raped? Just thinking about that almost made me insane.

Tangina. Papatayin ko kung sinumang naging dahilan nitong mga luha niya. She looked so fucking broken I'm even too scared to move again.

"Celebes..." Bago ko pa siya malapitan ulit ay biglaan na lang itong nahimatay. Mabilis ko namang sinalo ang katawan niya bago siya mapahiga sa sahig. "Fuck! Fuck!"

Hindi ako matigil sa pagmumura habang binubuhat siya. Para akong mababaliw habang iniisip kung anong dapat kong gawin.

Sa sobrang gulo ng isip ko, dinala ko kaagad siya sa aking condo. Nanginginig ko siyang nilapag sa kama ko bago ako nagmamadaling tumawag kay Carlion. Doktor kasi ito.

Hindi nito kaagad sinagot ang tawag kaya nahilamos ko ang mukha ko sa sobrang taranta. I glanced at Celebes' sleeping form on the bed and my panic heightened.

Nang sa wakas ay sinagot ni Carlion ang tawag ay nakahinga ako nang maluwag.

"Malaki ang bayad mo dahil binulabog mo ang kakaramput na tulog ko."

"L-Lion, t-tulungan mo ako... S-Si Celebes..."

"Who?"

"The g-girl from last night... She f-fainted in front of me..."

"Buntis agad?"

Napapikit ako dahil nagawa pa nitong magbiro sa sitwasyong 'to. Huminga ako nang malalim at inis na bumulyaw.

"It's either you get your fucking ass to my condo or I'll pull out my shares from your company!"

—

"She's fine—"

"Don't fucking bullshit me. She was having a panic attack in front of me and she even fucking fainted. And she's just fine?!" galit kong sabi rito habang nakakuyom ang aking kamao.

"Let me fucking finish, moron," ani Carlion. "She's physically fine but mentally and emotionally, she's not." He shrugged his shoulders. "I'm a doctor, Sandro but not a fucking psychiatrist. Whatever she has, it's in her head so I can't cure her."

"Then...should we call a psychiatrist?"

"Are you an asshole?" iritado nitong tanong sa akin at sumulyap sa natutulog na si Celebes bago napabuntong-hininga. He glared at me. "Ni hindi mo siya kilala. Paano kung ayaw niyang magpatingin sa psychiatrist? Who knows if it's too painful for her to share the experience with other people?"

Fuck... Nasabunutan ko ang sarili ko habang naiirita ako sa sitwasyon namin. Bakit ba hindi kami magkakilala?!  Bakit wala akong alam tungkol sa kanya?! Kung magkakilala kami ay baka...shit. What am I thinking about?!

"Isa pa, hindi naman siguro 'to laging nangyayari. Maybe something triggered her or she was just so stressed or pained..."

Napaisip ako sa sinabi ni Carlion. Huli kong nakita si Celebes nung nasa labas siya ng club at naghihintay sa ex niyang si Immanuel. Ano bang nangyari at parang marami siyang iniisip ngayon? She even told me she went out tonight to get some beer. Maybe, she's going through something alone. Nasaktan ba siya? Pinaiyak ba siya?

Wait, fuck.

Why am I treating this as such a big deal?!

"We're fucking strangers to each other so why am I being like this?!" I hissed in irritation.

"Snap out of it. Don't let Celebes see this uncool side of you," Carlion deadpanned.

"What?" I glared at him. "I'm fucking worried for fuck's sake!"

He stared at me and then he shook his head.

"I know. Just don't show some panic in front of her. When she wakes up, ask her if she's fine or if she wants to drink or eat something. Calmly. CALMLY. Okay?" Kahit naguguluhan ay tumango-tango naman ako dahil wala naman akong alam sa ganitong sitwasyon. "Trust me on this. She wouldn't like it if you'll make a fuss. She wants to live normally so don't act as if she's some weirdo or something." I gulped and nodded my head again. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna go home and sleep. I'll charge you double for this," anito at napahikab pa.

"Thanks, man," I said. There's one thing that's bugging me though. "How'd you know Celebes doesn't want to see it as a big deal?"

Natigilan ito at saka ngumisi sa akin.

"Sa amin na lang yun," he airily said so I gritted my teeth. "It doesn't concern you."

"Anong meron sa inyo?" singhal ko rito. Kilala niya ba dati pa si Celebes? Bakit hindi ko alam?! "Nagsinungaling ka ba sa akin na nakilala mo siya dahil sa porn video?!"

"Ssh," he shushed me and coolly put his hands in his pockets. "You don't want to wake her up with your loud voice, do you?" Tsk. "I'll charge you triple now because you shouted at me." Sabi na nga ba. Halos lahat talaga ay pinababayaran nito. "And I'm gonna go. Huwag mo na akong ihatid palabas dahil kikilabutan lang ako."

Pagkatapos ay tumalikod na ito.

"Gago!" sigaw ko rito. He just raised his middle finger at me before he went outside my bedroom.

Kaagad naman akong tumingin kay Celebes para tingnan kung nagising ito dahil sa sigaw ko at napahinga nang maluwag nang makita siyang tahimik na natutulog sa kama. Sumampa ako roon at tumitig nang malapitan sa kanyang mukha.

Perpektong-perpekto ang mukha nito na para bang isang diyosa. Her brows were straight and immaculate. Her long lashes fanned her flushed cheeks. Her tall nose added to that perfection. And her lips... Those sweet lips I conquered while I ravished her mesmerizing body... Those soft red lips that kissed my cock hours ago...

Fuck. I can't believe I'm having a boner right now.

Lumayo-layo ako rito saka nahiga sa kabilang dulo ng kama dahil baka mawala ako sa ulirat at lundagan ko siya roon.

Tangina. Ang hayop ko pakinggan.

I glanced at her body and groaned. Short shorts at sando lang ang suot nito na sigurado naman akong may underwear na sa loob... O baka bra lang ang suot niya at wala na namang panty?

Fuck, Alessandro. Stop thinking about some stuff that can even make you hornier.

Shit. I'm a fucking dickhead.

Itinaas ko ang kumot sa kanyang balikat para takpan ang kanyang katawan at napahinga nang maluwag. I then dimmed the lamp on the sidetable before I comfortably laid on the bed and stared at the ceiling.

Inisip ko na lang ang sitwasyon nito ngayon para huminahon na ako. Hindi talaga kakikitaan na may pinagdadaanan ng babae dahil sa payapa nitong pagtulog o 'di kaya naman ay sa walang preno nitong bibig. Hindi ko siya kilala kaya gusto kong malaman kung anong mga iniisip nito na dapat ay hindi pwede dahil may nobya na ako.

Should I have just stayed at home and just forget about drinking more beer?

But fuck me though because I wasn't regretful of seeing her again, of knowing she's within my reach. It's gonna be hard to stay away from her when circumstances just keep pulling us together so what am I gonna do about all this?

I sighed and slowly drifted off to sleep.

Bahala na.

—

Naalimpungatan ako nang may malambot na bagay na nakadikit sa akin. It pressed on my torso and my lower body firmly so I slowly opened my eyes. Tumambad sa akin ang tulog na tulog na si Celebes na ngayo'y nakalingkis sa aking katawan. Mahina itong humihilik habang yakap-yakap ang bewang ko.

Her pretty sleeping face looked really good so early in the morning. Thank the heavens that the blanket stayed on her body because I'd probably die of ball balls. Buti na lang at hindi ito magalaw matulog pero kahit gano'n, ramdam na ramdam ko pa rin ang init ng malambot nitong katawan dahil iisang kumot lang ang ginagamit namin—takte teka, 'di naman ako nagkumot kagabi ah?!

Nagising ba ito at saka kinumutan ako?!

Ah fuck. And she had to use just one blanket for both of us...

Nahilot ko ang aking noo nang makita ang umbok sa pagitan ng aking mga hita na gawa ng aking alagang galit na galit na naman.

Tangina. Ano ba talagang meron sa babaeng 'to at lagi akong nag-iinit kapag nasa malapit ito?! Nababaliw na ba ako?!

I heard her murmur something inaudible before she slowly opened her eyes. Two amber orbs stared at me for a good while before closing again.

"Good morning," she softly murmured and hugged me tighter. Dahil gising na siya, naestatwa na lang ako doon at hindi na gumalaw. May plano ba siyang matulog ulit? "Five minutes please, Alessandro..."

I blew some air and mentally groaned. How can I even decline if she's being cute?

And it looks like she's fine after her panic attack last night. I could now sigh in relief. Ang mahalaga ay hindi na siya umiiyak sa sobrang sakit. Sana lang ay hindi niya ulit maranasan iyon.

Hah. Can I be there for her every time? We both know it's impossible.

But I can be here for her...at least, right now.

"Alright."

Lihim akong nagbilang sa aking utak at saktong pagkalimang minuto ay dahan-dahan nang bumitaw si Celebes. Muntik ko pa nga siyang kabigin payakap kung hindi ko lang nakita ang hitsura nito nang dumausdos pababa ng kanyang katawan ang kumot.

Everything was in the right place, except her bra because it was fucking missing. That's why I'm looking directly at her visible amazing breasts beneath the thin fabric of her sleeveless shirt. There were two beautiful large globes begging to be kneaded by my large hands. The nipples were erect as if pushing the fabric out, as if teasing me to bite them over her shirt.

And I did.

Sa isang iglap ay nasa bibig ko na ang kanyang kaliwang dibdib habang pinipiga ko ang kanan gamit ang aking kamay. Para akong nasa alapaap sa lambot ng mga ito at kahit may damit siya, malaya kong nakakagat ang kanyang utong na ang sarap-sarap sipsipin.

"Shit...ahhhh... A-Alessandro..." Muli kong narinig ang nakakahalina niyang daing kaya mas nabaliw na ako nang husto. Before I could even think, she helped me take off her shirt and I was already lapping her delicious skin in the next seconds. "Ohhh... That's it..." she said and caressed the back of my head while the other held on my shoulder. Sinipsip ko ang kanyang suso at kinagat-kagat ang mamula-mula niyang utong. "Ahhhh..."

Lumipat ako sa isa niyang dibdib at saka dumila, kumagat, at sumipsip na para bang mauubusan ako. Rinig na rinig ko ang paghalinghing ni Celebes na mas ikinalibog ko. Bumaba naman ang isa kong kamay at pumailalim sa kanyang shorts.

Natigilan ako nang malamang wala na naman siyang panty.

"Fuck." Mabilis kong idiniin doon ang aking mga daliri bago dahan-dahang ipinasok ang mga iyon sa kanyang basang-basang lagusan. She screamed in so much lust as I fingered her rough and fast. Humigpit ang pagkakasabunot nito sa akin habang mas gumaslaw ang paggalaw ng kanyang balakang. Gumigiling na siya habang sinasalubong ang aking mga daliri. Napaawang ang kanyang bibig.

"A-Alessandro~" She wet her lips and moaned while grinding her pussy on my fingers. "Ohh...ohh... I'm near..."

Tuminis ang boses nito habang mas lalong napalakas ang kanyang pag-ungol. Napangisi ako habang sinisipsip ang kanyang suso. Tigas na tigas na ako dahil sa sobrang sarap ng pakiramdam ng kanyang mabango at nakakalibog na katawan. Pati mga ungol niya ay kaya akong pasabugin kaagad.

My thumb pressed on her nub and my fingers curled to hit her spot. Tumirik ang kanyang mata habang sinasambit ang pangalan ko at gustong-gusto ko iyon.

"Tangina," mura ko habang nararamdamang mas sumikip ang laman niya na para nang hinihigop nito papasok ang mga daliri ko. "Tangina, Celebes... Ang sikip-sikip mo pa rin," bulalas ko na ikinapula ng kanyang magandang mukha.

I inserted another finger in her so she gasped and moaned my name for the fucking nth time. It made my chest swell in pride.

Akin lang 'tong babaeng 'to.

"A-Alessandro... Please..." she pleaded with her sweet velvety voice. "Please... C-Can I cum?"

Napangisi ako dahil sunud-sunuran lamang ito sa akin at tangina. Nakakaturn-on talaga iyon! Kahit murahin niya ako o ganitong maamo siyang sumusunod sa gabay ko, gustong-gusto ko pa rin siya. I want to have her in every fucking way! Fuck! Nababaliw na ako pero wala na akong pakialam!

Nilapit ko ang mukha ko sa kanya at saka dinilaan ang kanyang tenga. Naramdaman ko pa siyang bahagyang nanginig. Shit.

Tangina. Gustong-gusto ko siyang angkinin ulit.

"Give it to me, sweetheart," I murmured beside her ear.

"Ahhhh..ahhhh... A-Alessandro!" Sa isang iglap ay malakas itong napatili habang kumuyom ang kanyang mga kamay. Nanigas din ang kanyang mga hita habang naramdaman ko ang mainit na katas niyang pumulandit sa aking mga daliri. Nangangatal ang kanyang mga labi habang nilabas-masok ko pa ang kanyang lagusan. "P-Please... T-Tigil...hah...na...A-Al...ah!"

She couldn't even properly string her sentences because of another orgasm. She screamed so hard I thought our neighbors could hear her cry in ecstasy.

"You love it, huh?" I snickered at how her hips kept grinding on my hand while her eyes fluttered close.

"Yeah..." she mumbled and moaned softly. Mahina siyang humihingal habang bahagyang namamawis ang kanyang noo. "I-I love your fingers inside my pussy..." Fuck. Parang sasabog na ang burat ko sa naririnig mula sa kanya. "But, Alessandro..." she said and slowly opened her eyes. Tumitig siya sa akin at ngumisi. "Doesn't this count as cheating too?"

Para akong binuhusan ng malamig na tubig dahil sa nariyalisa. Tangina. Ginawa ko na naman. Nagpatangay na naman ako sa pagnanasa ko sa babaeng 'to. Ano na lang ang sasabihin ni Brielle?!

Bahagya akong tinulak ni Celebes at saka tinapik nang ilang beses ang aking pisngi.

"Don't worry. No one will know," mahinang aniya at saka umalis na sa kama. Pagkatapos ay parang may hinahanap na ito habang tumitingin sa paligid. "Now, where's my bra? Marupok ka pa naman kapag wala akong bra."

Kagabi lang ay umiiyak ito at heto siya at halos hubo't hubad pa sa aking harapan na para bang walang nangyari nitong madaling araw. Was Carlion truly right? That her panic attack shouldn't be treated as a big deal?

Anong iniisip niya ngayon? At saka baka pinagsamantalahan ko ang kahinaan niya dahil pinagnanasaan ko pa rin siya kahit na nakita ko siya sa ganoong sitwasyon... I'm the odd one, am I not?

Argh. Fuck. This woman is truly making me insane. Just a few days and I'm feeling all sorts of things I haven't felt in a while.

Pleasure. Rage. Confusion. Fear. And too much of each.

Nahilamos ko na lang ang kamay ko sa aking mukha bago siya tinulungang hanapin ang kanyang bra. Hindi ko rin mapigilang mapatingin sa kanyang maumbok na pang-upo habang tumutuwad siya roon sa gilid.

She stood up and waved her bra in the air.

"Found it!" masaya nitong sabi habang cute na sumayaw-sayaw. Halos takbuhin ko ito para yakapin sa 'di na naman malamang dahilan. Baka dahil sa ganda ng ngiti niya o baka naman dahil sa saya sa kanyang mukha. O baka dahil alam kong may kalungkutang nagtatago sa likod ng lahat ng yun. Napakurap na lang ako nang marinig kong kumalam ang kanyang sikmura. She giggled and held her tummy before she pursed her lips. "Alessandro, I'm hungry."

Halos tumalon ang puso ko nang muli niyang tawagin ang pangalan ko.

Fuck. I'm in a lot of trouble.