Chapter 22

Huge clumps of smoke lingered around the kitchen that I have to squint my eyes to see clearly.

Pinulot ko ulit ang kutsilyo at nagmamadaling hiniwa ang sibuyas. Because of my recklessness, my fingers slipped. I yelped and jumped back a bit, my forefinger throbbing in pain.

"Hija, ako na d'yan..." ani Manang Fatima. Inagaw niya ang carrots at patatas na hawak ko at inilapag ito sa counter.

"Pero—"

"Kaya na naman ito..." she waved her hands dismissively. "Mabuti pang samahan mo nalang ang asawa mo sa labas. Dumarami na ang bisita." Wika pa niya.

Labag man sa loob ko ay umalis ako sa kusina. I went to the grand parlor and found several businessmen hanging out there. Kausap nila si Zero na seryosong nakatitig sa kaniyang kopita. When their heads snapped to my direction, I blushed furiously and awkwardly nodded my head.

Tinanggal ko kaagad ang apron na suot ang diniretso ang akyat sa grand staircase ng mansion. Kanina pa kaming umaga rito at marami-rami na din ang mga tao. Nagkaproblema nga lang kami sa pagluluto dahil hindi namin inaasahan ang dami ng dadalo kaya naman pinagpasyahan nila Manang Fatima na magluto ulit ng isa pang batch ng pagkain bago ito i-serve mamayang hapunan.

Akmang bubuksan ko na sana ang dating kwarto ni Alas nang maagaw ang pansin ko sa biglaang pagbukas ng katabing kwarto. Iniluwa nito si Cara. She's clad in a bloody red dress with thin spaghetti straps and long slits. The red lipstick looks good in her fair complexion, too. Siningkitan niya ako ng mga mata nang makita.

"Hindi ko talaga alam kung ikaw ang asawa ng birthday celebrant o serbidura ng bahay. I hate to see you reduced to this, Belle. You're cheap-looking tonight..." she gave me a disgusted once-over and then lightly shook her head.

I remained my cool, holding the doorknob while staring at her.

"I thought you've mentioned that you're Alas' girlfriend..." I smirked. "Anong nangyari dun, Cara? Bakit ako ang ikinasal kay Alas?"

Namuo ang galit sa kaniyang magandang mukha at idinuro ako. "Because you stole him from me, you wicked witch!"

I laughed at her choice of words. "That's right. Wicked witch. Hmmm... since these villains like to make Cinderella's life a living hell, why don't we try it on you?"

"Sige! Subukan mo lang!" she said aggressively, even taking a step towards me in an attempt to intimidate me. "Akala mo siguro ikaw lang ang makakakuha ng Ferrer, huh? Let's see! Kapag nakasal ako kay Zero, gagawin ko ding impyerno ang buhay mo!"

I stared at her blankly. This woman is so... shallow and apathetic. I'm not sure how to react to her aggressive words but this I know, Cara is still a 10-year old girl stuck in a 23-year old woman's body.

Napailing nalang ako at hindi siya sinagot. I won't stoop down to her level. Pumasok ako sa dating kwarto ni Alas at ini-lock ang pinto.

Nang humiwa ang tawanan sa kumpol ng mga lalaki sa baba ay sumilip ako sa bintana. I saw Alas with his co-workers, circling a huge round table and laughing at something. Ngingiti na din sana ako kung hindi ko lang nakita na halos lahat sila ay may hawak na sigarilyo.

I frowned. Kaya pala nasa labas...

I undressed myself and went to the bathroom. Dali-dali akong naligo. Hindi alintana ang dumudugong daliri ay nagbihis ako pagkatapos.

I stared at myself in the full-sized mirror. It's a one-shoulder navy-blue bodycon dress. Ngumuso ako nang bahagya habang patuloy na tinititigan ang sarili. I'm not as slender as before I gave birth to Zeus.

My hips got rounder and my breasts got fuller. I was only able to maintain a flat stomach because of everyday jogging na nahinto noong lumipat ako sa bahay ni Alas.

Maybe I should change into something else?

Napatalon pa ako sa gulat nang biglang may kumatok sa pinto. I smoothened the non-existent crinkles of my dress and threw the door opened.

Alas stepped in, almost occupying the entire doorway with his height. He stared darkly at me as his eyes spoke of untold thoughts. Bahagya akong umatras at ngumuso ulit.

"Why are you wearing that?" he asked in a low voice.

Mas lalo lamang akong napanguso. "Is it that bad? Magbibihis nalang—"

"No." hinila niya ang beywang ko at ang isa namang kamay ay mabilis na isinarado ang pinto. "You look hot, that's all." He murmured in my ears.

My cheeks flamed. I planted my palm on his rock-hard chest and sighed to myself.

"But..." I jumped a bit when he suddenly grabbed my buttocks and squeezed it. "Men will be looking. And you're my wife."

Bigo kong isinandal ang ulo ko sa kaniyang dibdib at inipit ang pang-ibabang labi gamit ang ngipin.

"Alright. I'll change into something else..." I said, inhaling a dose of his expensive perfume. I untangled myself from him.

"You can wear it tonight. When they're just the two of us..." he grinned mischievously at me.

Inirapan ko si Alas at nilapitan ang bag na dinala ko dito sa kanilang mansion. I brought a couple sets of clothes, just to be sure. Kinalkal ko ang bag para makita kung anong dapat isuot na aayon sa kaniya.

I pulled out a red plaid midi-skirt and white sleeveless top. Ipinakita ko iyon sa kaniya na ngayo'y nakasandal na sa tukador ng kaniyang kwarto.

Isang tango ang isinagot niya sa akin. "That looks better, Belle."

Tumango ako at nagbihis sa loob ng banyo. Nang matapos ako ay naabutan ko siyang naninigarilyo na naman sa may bintana. Even though he looks hot with a cigarette hanging in his lazy lips, I couldn't help but worry. Nagiging bisyo na niya ito.

"C'mon..." dahan-dahan kong kinuha ang stick ng sigarilyo mula sa kaniyang bibig. Poprotesta pa sana siya ngunit mabilis kong hinalikan ang labi niya. "Your guests are waiting..."

Alas stared darkly at me. The corner of his lips lifted up in a smirk. Pinatay at tinapon ko ang sigarilyo sa trash can bago kami lumaba dalawa. Ipinulupot ni Alas ang kaniyang kamay sa aking beywang habang naglalakad kami pababa.

"So this is your wife?" isang ginang ang lumapit sa akin at hinagkan ako sa magkabilang pisngi. "I'm so sorry I haven't been able to attend your wedding!"

"Uh... ayos lang po..." I glanced at Alas with questioning eyes.

"Oh! How rude of me... I haven't introduced myself. I am Mr. Lao's wife, Grenda Lao. Just call me Mrs. Lao..."

I nodded politely at her. "Nice meeting you, Mrs. Lao..."

Hindi pa man kami nakakaabot sa labas ng mansion ay kung sinu-sino na ang ipinakilala ni Alas sa akin. Most of them are middle-aged businessmen from the company and some are highly-recognized personnel in the construction industry.

"Siya yung asawa ni Engineer?"

I fought the urge to roll my eyes when I heard the women just a table away from me, talking about me.

"Oo..."

"Tapos may anak na sila?"

"She looks too young to be married!"

"Baka napilitan lang kasi may anak?"

Binalingan ko si Zeus sa tabi na ngayo'y abala na sa pag-inom ng kaniyang watermelon juice. I patted his head before I pulled myself and pasted a smile on my face, turning towards the women.

Namutla ang mga mukha nila nang bigla ko silang lapitan. Tumahimik kaagad sila at nagsi-iwas ng tingin.

"Hi! How's it going? Are you enjoying the party?" matamis kong tanong sa kanila.

Nagsisikuhan pa sila kung sino ang sasagot. Finally, the woman in the middle, whom was introduced to me earlier as an architect who belongs to Alas team smiled awkwardly at me.

"A-Ayos naman..."

"Good. You should enjoy yourselves, ladies. Hindi yung pinag-uusapan niyo ang ibang tao. Remember, great minds talk about ideas... not people. Enjoy!" I waved cutely at them before walking out. Hindi ko na hinintay ang ekspresiyon ng kanilang mga mukha dahil mas lalo lang akong maba-badtrip.

After a while, Alas joined us in our table when we were eating dinner. Nasa hita ko si Zeus at sa tabi ko naman siya habang kumakain kami.

When we were done eating, nagkatuwaan naman ang mga lalaki ngayon at nagsimula nang mag-inuman. Zeus is getting sleepy, so I might as well tuck him into bed now.

"Ipapasok ko lang si Zeus..." paalam ko kay Alas.

"I'll carry him." Presenta niya. Walang kahirap-hirap niyang kinarga si Zeus at bumalik kami sa loob ng mansiyon. Hinanap ko si Ella na kanina ko pa hindi nakikita. I saw Krista and Architect Julius talking casually over a beer earlier. Hindi lang ako nagkaroon ng pagkakataong malapitan sila dahil sa sobrang busy at sa dami ng ipinapakilala ni Alas sa akin.

The mansion is every bit as elegant as I have remembered it. There are a couple of rooms and enough space to accommodate everyone who attended Alas' party.

Binuksan ni Alas ang pangatlong kwarto sa ikalawang palapag. It revealed a small room (compared to the other massive rooms in the mansion). Pumasok kaming dalawa at inilapag niya si Zeus sa kama.

"Mummy..." he murmured, raising his tiny hands up, asking for a hug.

I glanced at Alas who's now watching the two of us.

"I'll just stay here..." aniya.

Sumimangot ako. "Bumalik ka na doon. Magtataka ang mga iyon kapag bigla ka nalang nawala."

He shoved his hands into his jean's pocket and continued staring intensely at us, as if we'll vanish any second.

"Balikan mo na sila, Alas." Giit ko. "Don't be rude."

He scratched the back of his head and hesitated.

"Fine..." he grunted.

"Huwag ka nang maninigarilyo, ah." Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin.

He smiled sheepishly at me and then nodded his head. Ginawaran niya ng halik ang noo ko bago siya lumabas ng kwarto.

I glanced at my son and then cuddled with him until he fell asleep.

Nakatulog din ako sa pagpapatulog kay Zeus. I woke up and found that I've been sleeping for almost an hour. Bumangon ako at kinusot-kusot ang mga mata. Mahimbing na ang tulog ni Zeus sa aking tabi. Inayos ko muna ang kumot bago ako tumayo at napagdesisyunang bumaba.

Mag-aalas onse na ng gabi. But I could still hear voices and laughter downstairs. Hindi pa rin ata sila tapos mag-inuman.

"—marriage is not in my mind, Cara. You know that already!"

Bubuksan ko na sana ang pinto nang marinig ko ang boses ni Zero sa labas, may bahid ng iritasyon.

"But..."

"Akala ko ba'y napag-usapan na natin ito?"

"You still haven't signed the annulment papers yet?"

"I'm done talking with you!"

Nakarinig ako ng marahas na pagbagsak ng pinto bago sumunod ang nakakabinging katahimikan. Then I heard Cara's heels clicking the linoleum floor until it faded away.

Doon pa lamang ako lumabas.

Wala na silang dalawa kaya bumaba kaagad ako sa grand staircase. A couple of men have passed out in the sofa. May dalawang ginang na patuloy pa ring nagkukuwentuhan hawak ang kanilang cocktail drinks. Binati ko muna sila bago ako tuluyang nakalabas ng mansion.

"Mrs. Ferrer!"

Nagulat ako sa biglang pagsulpot ni Architect Julius sa aking tabi. Base sa namumula nitong mukha ay talagang nakainom na ito.

"Hi, Julius." Bati ko. "Belle nalang ang itawag mo sa akin. Masyadong pormal ang Mrs. Ferrer..."

Humalakhak si Julius. "I really planned on calling you Belle but your possessive husband wouldn't even allow me to! Siya lang daw ang puwedeng tumawag sa iyo nang ganyan kaya..." he laughed again, even though there's nothing funny.

Sinuyod ko ng tingin ang paligid at nakita si Alas na ngayo'y madilim nang nakatitig sa aming dalawa. Nasa dulo siya, kasama ang iilan nalang sa kaniyang mga katrabaho at nag-iinuman sila. May dalawang babae sa kaniyang tapat na kaagad tumuwid ng upo nang makitang tinititigan ko din sila.

"Care to drink?" inabutan ako ni Julius ng basong may lamang alak. Tinanggap ko tio sa kaniya. I sip a bit and then smiled at him.

"Bakit mag-isa ka nalang? Nasaan si Krista?"

His face fell upon the mention of Alas' young working student. Pinagmasdan ko ang kaniyang mukha. I suddenly realized, after recalling how I met Alas' co-workers is that, the construction industry is filled with hot bachelor-looking young men like the two of them.

"Umuwi na siya, kanina pa..." then he sighed. Ginulo niya ang maiksing buhok at lumagok ulit ng isa pang baso ng alak. Pakiramdam ko'y matutumba na siya kaya kaagad kong hinawakan ang mga braso niya.

"Whoa, there. Julius, ayos ka lang ba?" tanong ko sa kaniya. He only chuckled as a response. "Dito ka na sa mansiyon matulog. Hindi ka na makakauwi sa lagay mong yan."

"Hmm. Sige..." he slurred.

"Nasa baba ang guest room. Alas wouldn't mind, I'm sure. Mamili ka lang kung saan mo gustong matulog."

"Alright." The he grinned wickedly at me. "You better go to your husband. Kanina pa siya nakatitig sa iyo, kulang nalang ay puntahan ka niya dito!" he half-yelled, half-whispered.

Sinundan ko ang tingin niya at bahagyang napatalon nang makitang ang sama nga talaga ng titig ni Alas sa aming dalawa. Bigla tuloy akong kinabahan kahit na wala naman akong ginagawang masama.

"Sige na, Mrs. Ferrer... baka bukas paggising ko tinanggal na pala ako ni Alas sa team sa tindi ng selos niya!" humalakhak ulit si Julius bago pagewang-gewang na naglakad patungo sa loob ng mansiyon.

I swallowed before I walked towards their direction. Nagtatawanan ulit sila. Binati ako ng mga katrabaho ni Alas nang tuluyan na akong lumapit sa kanilang lamesa. Alas automatically wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me next to him.

"What were you talking about with Julius?" tanong niya kaagad sa akin.

Umiling ako at nginisihan siya. "Wala. Lasing na yung tao kaya nagpresenta akong dito nalang siya matulog."

"Tss. He could sleep in the street for all I care." He hissed.

Tumawa ako at inabot ang inuming ibinigay sa akin ng isa niyang katrabaho. The woman in front of him stared at Alas, her cheeks getting flushed. Hindi ko alam kung dahil ba ito sa alak na nainom o talagang kinikilig lang siya na nasa harap niya si Alas.

Umirap ako. Napansin ata iyon ng babae kaya umiwas kaagad siya ng tingin. Inilipat ko naman ang tingin ko kay Alas. He's oblivious to his effect to the woman. Tahimik lang siyang nakikinig sa kuwentong-barbero ng kaniyang katrabaho at ngumingisi kung kailangan.

I fought the urge to roll my eyes again. If women are drooling at him without him noticing it in the first place, I couldn't imagine what they would feel while working with him every single day. Hindi ko na maitago ang iritasyon sa mukha ko. I crossed my arms. Nakipagtitigan ako sa lasing na babae sa harap niya pero busy pa ata ito sa paglalaway sa asawa ko.

"Matulog na tayo," untag ko sa kaniya pagkatapos ng ilang minuto.

"Are you tired?" tnaong ni Alas sa akin.

I nodded my head stiffly. My lips went into a hard line. Akala ko'y poprotesta pa si Alas at makikipagtalo sa akin, but he simply nodded his head.

Nagpaalam siya sa mga katrabaho. He snaked his hands around my waist and together, we went inside the house. Wala na ang dalawang ginang sa grand parlor ng mansiyon. Naabutan naman namin si Zero na nagbubukas ulit ng panibagong bote ng wine.

He glanced at our direction and said nothing. Hindi ko na nakita si Cara pagkatapos ng kanilang pag-aaway kanina.

We both went inside his old room. Nang mai-lock na niya ang pinto ay hindi ko na mapigilan ang sarili kong tanungin siya.

"Who was that?"

"Who are you talking about?" Alas asked, unbuttoning his black button-down shirt.

Inirapan ko siya. "That woman earlier!"

Tumigil sa ginagawa si Alas at tinitigan ako. He's trying to search for answers in my eyes so I quickly averted my gaze. Not so fast, Ferrer! You're trying to outsmart me again!

"That was... Linda? I guess. Sinong babae ba ang tinutukoy mo? Dalawa sila sa harapan natin..."

"The one who keeps on staring at you!" sagot ko na parang nagmamaktol na bata. Honestly. I feel a little immature just now. Wala namang ginagawa ang babae. Nakatitig lang siya kay Alas at maarteng tumatawa kapag nagsasalita ang asawa ko. Hindi ko lang talaga mapigilan ang pagusbong ng iritasyon sa aking dibdib sa tuwing naaalala ko ito.

He chuckled darkly. Tuluyan na niyang hinubad ang button-down shirt na suot. His jeans hang loosely on his hips. Bigla akong kinabahan nang lapitan niya ako at hinawakan ang beywang.

"Baby... are you jealous?" he murmured in my ears as his lips started nibbling it.

"Alas!" saway ko sa kaniya.

He chuckled again and pulled me closer to him. Alas kissed my throat and gently suck it. I bit my lower lips and placed my hands on his shoulders.

I couldn't answer him properly when his tongue, moist and hot, is teasing me again!

With all my remaining strength, I pushed him away from me. Alas smirked mischievously, knowing that he has power over me and the effect that he has is overwhelming.

"I-I got you a present..." I stammered.

"Oh?" umangat ang dalawang kilay niya.

I took a deep breath and grabbed the bag I brought. I opened it with trembling fingers and pulled out the black paperbag. Ibinigay ko ito sa kaniya.

Seryosong binuksan ni Alas ang regalong ibinigay ko sa kaniya. Nag-angat pa siya ng tingin sa akin bago inalis ang lid ng mahaba at parisukat na lalagyan.

I squirmed on my feet.

"You can wear it at work..." ani ko nang itaas ni Alas ang necktie sa kaniyang harapan. The navy-blue tie screams elegance and power and I know it suits him very well.

"Or we can use it tonight..."

"Huh?" my cheeks burned again.

Marahang hinila ni Alas ang braso ko papalapit sa kaniya. He threw the box on the floor and gently kissed my lips. Hawak niya ang necktie sa kabilang kamay.

"You're a walking piece of temptation, baby..." anito. Gumapang ang kamay niya sa likuran ko at nang mahanap ang zipper ay kaagad niya itong ibinaba. My midi-skirt dropped and pooled at myself on the floor. My breasts grazed at his hard chest, turning me on. Marahang hinalikan ni Alas ang tungki ng ilong ko. "And you bought me a necktie, huh?"

"It's for your work..." I said weakly.

"Work. Hmm." His hands caressed the entire length of my arms and kissed my shoulders. "I guess I'd be working on you tonight..." he said wickedly.

When my white sleeves top dropped on the floor, Alas stared at my bare chest. He frowned in disapproval.

"You went out earlier without a bra?" he growled.

"It's called nipple tapes, Alas." I rolled my eyes. "I'm wearing a sleeveless top so—"

"Such a naughty woman, my wife..." he said huskily. He made me turn around and before I could protest, placed the tie around my head, covering my eyes.

"Alas!"

"Ssh. Katabi lang natin ng kwarto si Kuya..." he chuckled. "Baka marinig tayo..."

Pumula ang buong mukha ko. "Alas..."

He gently guided me towards the bed. When I felt the soft cushion against my back, I finally relaxed even though I can't see a thing.

"Just relax, baby..." he said, removing the nipple tapes.

Ngumuso ako. When I bought the tie, I never thought we could use it in the bed like this... it was free from any sensual thoughts until Alas decided to use it like this!

I am no saint when it comes to worldly things like this. But Alas is really taking me to the next level! I never knew this carnal desire of mine existed so strongly until he woke it up with his possessiveness over my body.

He made me feel like a fragile little girl, always clinging over his mighty prowess. Always in desire for his touch...

I gasped when I felt his tongue on my throat again, making me arc my back. His other hand is busy removing the other nipple tape on my mounds and then squeezing it gently. I could feel the heated liquid pooling in the apex of my legs. I am so turned on by him, holding me so gently, despite him being such a rough man.

"Don't worry, we're not going to break this bed..." he chuckled again. "This is antique and my family would surely kill me."

I laughed but it died shortly when he returned to business and placed my throbbing peaks inside his hot mouth. I bit my lower lips and wrapped my legs around his hard torso, letting me know how aroused I am right now.

Alas gently pinned my waist down and chuckled again. I am getting intoxicated by his low voice, chuckling!

"Not so fast, Belle..." aniya.

Ngumuso ako. He is the tease between the two of us, not me!

I heard him unbuckling his belt. My cheeks heated again. This is the mansion where we first made love. And he was blind back then.

I felt him hovering on top of me, tugging my panties down. I could feel his throbbing manhood, hard and hot, teasing my inner thighs. I sighed in pleasure.

Alas lowered his head on the side of my face and kissed my jaw gently.

"God..." he groaned. "I am so inlove with you, Isabelle..." I moaned out loud when he lowered himself on mine. "So damn inlove..."