Lies and Deception ✔ (Haciendero #4)

Ikadalawampu't Apat na Kabanata

Kabanata 24

Non-showbiz boyfriend

"I forgot my keys!" The voice came from Michelle.

It was so loud, then came silence.

Damn.

Agad akong humiwalay kay Raius at nag-abala sa pag-aktong may hinahanap sa sahig ng sasakyan. Sumenyas si Michelle na buksan ang pinto ng sasakyan. Rye obliged with her request.

Mabilis naman niyang kinuha ang susi na naiwan sa kotse, kasama roon ang kanyang wallet. Napailing ako.

"What are you doing?" puna niya sa akin.

"I was looking for my phone..."

"Ha? Hindi ba hawak mo?"

Namula naman ang kabuuan ng mukha ko. I was, indeed, holding the phone in my hand. Fuck, what a pathetic, stupid lie.

"May tama rin sa'yo ang alak. There's a smudge on your lips, ano 'yan? Is that lipstick?" Tinapik ko ang kamay niyang uusisain ang aking labi.

I was mentally taking note to discard all the lip products of the brand I was using. Hindi naman pala smudge-proof ang lipstick, magiging dahilan pa ng pagkahuli sa amin ni Michelle.

"Why don't you just go? I need to rest. You should, too." Sumandal na ako sa upuan.

"Okay, bye!" She waved her hand. "Raius, take care of her."

My boyfriend nodded.

Pinanood ko siyang umalis. This time, I was sure she already went to the elevator to her unit. Saka lang ako nakahinga nang maluwag.

I didn't even notice my heart was beating so fast.

Narinig ko ang nakakaloko at malutong na halakhak ng boyfriend ko. Bumalik sa alaala ko kung paano akong napahiya sa alibi ko. Oh, gosh. Umakyat na naman ang dugo sa aking mukha. Slight embarrassment made my face become hot and rosy.

"Babe!" Kinurot ko siya sa tagiliran kaya mas lalo siyang natawa.

"Nice alibi, baby. It was convincing."

Sumimangot ako.

Inilapit niya ang mukha sa akin at dinampian ako nang masuyong halik sa labi. It was an effective way of calming my irritation and my whole stomach turning into a circus. One kiss from him could lighten up my mood.

"Muntikan na tayo..." bulong niyang tumatawa.

Right, I need to be more careful around Michelle. Balak ko namang sabihin sa kanya... pero nag-eenjoy akong wala siyang kaalam - alam sa namamagitan sa amin ni Raius Alvis Ponce.

***

Sumandal ako sa ref habang pinagmamasdan ang kabuuan ni Rye. Nakatalikod siya sa akin, mukhang oblivious sa presensya ko. I just finished my workout routine. Siya ang naabutan ko sa kusina nagpre-prepare ng agahan.

He was shirtless while cooking my breakfast. Tanging apron lang ang tumatahob sa kanyang harapan.

His muscles on the back were flexing every time he moves.

It was a goddamn perfect view to welcome my morning.

Mas yummy siya kaysa sa mga niluluto niya. His cooking is top-tier, and Raius? Heavenly-tier. Literal na dinadala niya ako sa langit. But well, food is food.

"Are you considering to be my househusband?" I asked, walking towards his direction.

Ipinulupot ko ang aking braso mula sa kanyang likuran. I gave him a back hug. Hindi lang yakap ang nilikot ng kamay ko. I was a bit naughty like always, I caressed his abdomen with my bare hands. He chuckled with my flirty ways.