I look out at the secluded garden. It has been my and Rajah Sinagtala's rendezvous since that promise we made a night ago. But now that the Mainland visitors are here, he does not seem too keen to show up.

I sigh. I hope he is not angry about what happened earlier. That event with Migo, I can't help it. No one knows about us and it's not on my plan to tell everyone. Yet he, he just—I feel my cheeks warm up while recalling how he looked at me. I could have melted on that spot! Why does he do that?!

I walk back and forth. My legs are getting better despite that, I can't run with it. It's the reason why Migo is being kind enough to help me around. Yet—I hit my head. Ugh, why does my mind keep on returning to the Rajah?!

I look back at the garden. It's still empty. I guess there will be no signs of him tonight. Fine! If he's mad at me, I can live with that. I am about to turn around when suddenly the door on my right opens. An arm pulls me inside and pushes me hard on the back of the door. Before I could scream, my mouth was shut up by a kiss. A kiss that is searching, hungry. It's dark! I start to pull back from the unwanted kiss, but whoever it is, he's too strong. So, I reach onto his shoulders and scratch him.

"Ah!" A groan of pain and the assailant finally says, "You're too violent."

The voice is familiar. "Rajah—" Another kiss interrupts my words. This time, harder and with more pressure that I feel like I am being smothered. I pull away. I need him to lessen the intensity of his kisses, else I'm sure that asphyxiation will be the death of me.

"Shouldn't you drop the honorifics when referring to me?!" he scolds.

"I can't. I'm used—" Another hard kiss. "Stop that!" I complain. "And–"

This time, he bites my lips. I hit him. "That hurts!" I know he can be forceful, but this seems as if he doesn't had a woman for more than a year. I am about to wipe my mouth when he stops me and sucks the blood off my lips.

When he lets go, I ask, "What's wrong with you?"

In the room's darkness, I can feel his eyes on me. Then his mouth descends on my neck. When he rubs his growing crotch against me, I push him back, but with one hand, he traps my hands above my head. Then he gently touches my lips with his fingers.

"What's wrong with me?" he whispers. "I don't know." He sounds pained by something. His face is only an inch away from mine and I can feel his breath on me. "Don't you want me as much as I want you?" he asks.

I reach up to him. I kiss him and he kisses me back. Before long, he lifts me and I find myself being laid down on the bed. When his hand explores down my body, I stop him.

"No," I say. Now, being accustomed to the dark.

"No?" he asks. I hear the pleading in his voice and for the first time, I feel powerful since finding myself here.

I sit up and force him to lie down. "No," I repeat and sit astride him. He looks at me, expectant. I let my hands run through his chest.

"No," I echo. He always does it with me, so why can't I do it? I pull his shirt up and my hands lace around his neck. I feel him tense under my touch, so I lower my hands. Down his well-defined chest and stomach, all the while exploring every nook and cranny of his body, not a single area left untouched. When I look back at him. I realize it is a bad idea. My hands freeze. And to hide my embarrassment, I say, "That's nice, I guess."

Now, let's see how I can escape this. I'm about to get away from him when he sits up and holds out to me. He pulls me towards him and his arms wrap around my waist. I feel weird sitting on his lap, with my legs on either side of him.

When he loosens his hold on me, I thought I can finally escape, but then he touches my cheeks, and stares at my face. He looks fascinated by it.

"What?" I ask, feeling conscious. "Is there something wrong with my face?"

His hand slides from my cheeks and wraps my hair around his fingers. Then he starts to play with them.

"So lovely," he whispers.

My mouth opens in surprise. He's not being playful. Yet, he caresses my hair as if he adores me. Damn! I should really thank Bagwis for this and all the other Hirayans who limited him, so I can enjoy these moments with him. But then again, something's different.

"You're being weird," I comment. My eyes are fixed on him.

"What is?"

"You are usually rough with me."

"Do you want me to be rough? Even when making love?"

I flush. "We haven't done it!"

His hand slides down my butt and situates me where I can feel him under me. I widen my eyes in surprise.

"We can do it now," he suggests. "I'm more than ready."

I am speechless. I want to, but I don't as well. This is enough for me. No need to go further, especially when he's about to marry someone from the Mainland. He takes my silence as yes and kisses me. But his gentleness is surprising. He's taking things slowly and I feel myself being pulled in. Did I do something wrong? Or maybe something that really pleased him?

Gently, I push back. He grins. "You really don't like gentle?"

"That's not it!" I complain and take a deep breath. "This is alright for now."

"What is?"

"Us."

"You mean, you're fine with kissing, hugging, and making out secretly?"

I nod. "In secret," I emphasize.

"So that's why you refused my touch earlier," he says. His hand is back on my face, tracing it. "So who's the guy with you?"

"He's my friend."

"What's his name?" he asks again.

I stare at him suspiciously, and he laughs. "I won't hurt your friend, don't worry."

"Then you don't need to know his name."

"A name wouldn't hurt."

"It wouldn't," I agree, but I reach up to him and say, "So just kiss me, my dear Rajah."

He furrows his brows and yet; he obeys and kisses me.