Forbidden Pleasure

Chapter 17

"He's what a man would look like if a roman god and rugged cowboy had a baby."
― Maddy C. James

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Chapter 17

"What are you gonna do now?" Hiro asked in a very serious voice.

We're inside the coffee shop─ the same coffee shop where Kaius burst out in anger. Naikwento ko na kay Hiro ang buong katotohanan. And I silently thanked God when I heard no judgment from him.

"Hindi ko alam," saad ko at nilapag ang tasa sa ibabaw ng mesa at tumingin sa labas ng coffee shop. The walls are made up of glass, making it easier for me to watch the people outside as they pass by. "Siguro hayaan na lang ang mga pangyayari. I'll just let everything fall into its place. I can't just turn back the time to correct my mistake."

"But you're adding another mistake to another mistake again, Sam. And it's not good, and it won't correct anything either."

Alam na niya. Mapagkakatiwalaan naman si Hiro, well that's what I think so. Hindi ako sumagot sa sinabi nito. I want to ask him if I am to blame but I already have the answer. I am to blame.

Napatingin ako sa kanya nang tumayo ito at tumabi sa akin. Inakbayan ako nito at hindi na 'ko nagulat nang tapikin nito ang aking balikat. "I won't meddle with every decision you'll make. Just always remember that I'm always at your back."

Napangiti ako at sumandal sa balikat niya. "My baby's birthday will be next month. Hindi ko alam kung sino-sino ang iimbitahin ko. He's my forbidden jem. Ayokong mabulgar ang katotohanan."

"Invite me then," he said. "We'll celebrate his birthday."

Lumayo ako rito at tinignan siya na may ngiti sa 'king labi. "Totoo?"

"Yup," he said, popping the 'p'. "I want to meet him personally."

My smile widened even more. "Great!"

We continue talking. Minsan ay iniirapan ko siya kapag nagkukwento na siya sa mga moments na kasama niya ang crush niyang si Hope. An engineer under his supervision. Torpe rin minsan, e. Takot umamin, halata namang gusto din siya ng babaeng 'yun.

"We'll have it in Tagaytay? Baguio? Where do you want?" offer nito.

I hummed as I stared at my cup of coffee. "Isang araw lang day-off natin, e. Siguro sa Tagaytay na lang? We'll travel on─"

"Then we'll take a leave for two days. You should have extra time together."

Tumingin ako dito at ngumiti. "Brilliant! Then sa Tagaytay tayo. We'll leave on Friday evening."

"Who'll leave?"

Sabay kaming nag-angat ng tingin sa lalaking bigla-bigla na lang magsasalita. My heart immediately pounded fast as my eyes landed on the man with his infamous blank expression and his hands inside his pocket.

Napalunok ako at umiling. "Nothing, Mr. Imperial."

Tumango ito at walang paalam na umupo sa upuang katapat namin ni Hiro. "I heard you'll leave on Friday evening."

Nanlamig ako sa narinig. I was about to spit some lies again when Hiro did it for me.

"Her book signing event. She'll leave on Friday," pagsisinungaling ni Hiro. I felt him hold my hand and squeeze it.

Kahit hindi ako makatingin sa kanya ng diretso, hindi nakaligtas sa paningin ko ang pag-igting ng kanyang panga. As if he's reigning his anger that would burst at any moment.