Progeny #1: Embers Of Devotion

Chapter 15

Speculations

“What do you mean? You never kissed?” natatawang tanong ko.

Cloudius is cooking a pasta in my kitchen. Walang suot na pang-itaas at gulo-gulo pa ang buhok. Whenever he shifts, his muscles move with a seductive grace. Kagat labi akong nanonood dito. I am teasing him about Gianna and him being engaged to her.

“I don’t like her,” giit niya, nang balingan ako ay bahagyang nakasimangot.

I let out a cute, light-hearted laugh.

“You can kiss her naman even if you don’t like her,” giit ko.

Tumalim ang tingin niya sa akin.

“Yeah and if I do, you’ll get mad because I did, right? Even if I still don’t know you personally before,” pagrarason niya.

My eyes widened in shock, and then I burst into hysterical laughter. What on earth? Where did he come up with that? Lumapit ako sa kaniya at yumakap sa tagiliran niya, kalimitan kong ginagawa.

“At kanino mo naman nakuha iyan? You think I am that kind of girlfriend?”

He shot me a sidelong glance, sporting a smirk that made my heart race. I bit my lower lip as I couldn't help but notice how incredibly handsome and attractive he looked right then. Though a wave of desire washed over me, I wanted this moment to be casual and sweet, not sensual. Gusto ko ng wholesome moments with him na hindi nauuwi sa mas mainit na tagpo.

“I’ve been with friends who had very jealous girlfriends, Lav.”

Ngumiwi ako. Bakit? Lahat ba ng babae ganoon? I can’t see myself like that. May malawak akong pang-unawa ‘no!

“Kahit na. Hindi ako ganoon. Kung may nangyari man sa inyo ni Gianna, wala lang sa akin iyon,” nakangiti kong sambit. “Matagal naman na iyon, eh.”

"Really?" He had a tone that seemed to press me for the truth, but I continued to nod.

"Yep. It's not like I haven't had my share of adventures with different men," I admitted with a nonchalant shrug.

His expression grew dark and cold, and this time, ako pa rin ang humagalpak ng tawa. I pointed at his face with a determined expression.

"You're the jealous one!" I accused him.

He turned off the stove and turned to face me. Naningkit ang mata niya.

“I am, Lavena.” Bumaba siya at kinintilan ng halik ang tungki ng ilong ko. “That’s why you should never make me jealous because I am no saint.”

Pinaamo ko ang mukha ko at nagpakainosente kunwari. What would he do if he caught me with some random guy and jealousy got the best of him? Would he just sweep me off my feet right then and there?

“Why? Anong gagawin mo, hmm?” tukso ko.

A playful smirk graced his lips as he tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear. His hand gently traced the curve of my jaw, eventually cupping my chin.

“Will it be okay if I kill, hmm?” Patuya man iyon pero dinig ko ang kasiguraduhan, kaseryosohan at pagbabanta roon.

Naalala ko tuloy ang mga lalaking sinabi niyang nagtangka sa akin. Hindi ako kailanman naging sigurado kung nakakulong nga lang ba sila o…tulad ng sinabi niya ay muntik niyang mapatay.

I swallowed hard. His eyebrow twitched, as if he found my flustered state rather amusing.

“Scared, huh?” Umahon siya sa pagpantay sa akin at tumuwid ng tayo. “As long as I am not jealous, you don’t need to be scared.”